JP7316478B1 - Egg washing device and egg washing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an egg washing device with high washing power. The egg washing device (AA) includes an air bubble generator (43) for generating washing water containing fine bubbles, and a nozzle (44) for applying the washing water supplied from the air bubble generator (43) to the egg (E). have A washing tank (20) for storing washing water discharged from a nozzle (44), a conveyor (10) for conveying eggs (E) so as to pass through the washing tank (20), and an egg being conveyed by the conveyor (10). and a brush (30) for brushing the eggs (E) in the egg. The fine bubbles penetrate inside the dirt adhering to the egg (E), making it easier to remove the dirt. As a result, the washing power of the egg washing apparatus (AA) is increased.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an egg washing apparatus and an egg washing method. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for washing shell eggs.

Eggs that have just been produced from chickens in egg production plants are contaminated with feces and the like. Therefore, it is necessary to wash the egg shells prior to packing the eggs or breaking the eggs to obtain liquid eggs. At present, cleaning of eggshells is performed mechanically by an egg cleaning apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-75193 A

Even after cleaning by the egg cleaning device, a certain number of dirty eggs are generated whose dirt cannot be completely removed. Dirty eggs are traded at wholesale prices that are cheaper than the regular wholesale price, so if the rate of dirty eggs is high, the profit rate will drop. Therefore, it is required to increase the cleaning power of the egg cleaning apparatus and to reduce the rate of occurrence of dirty eggs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an egg cleaning apparatus and an egg cleaning method with high cleaning power.

The egg washing device of the first aspect is characterized by comprising an air bubble generator for generating washing water containing fine bubbles, and a nozzle for applying the washing water supplied from the air bubble generator to the eggs.
A second embodiment of the egg washing apparatus according to the first embodiment is provided with a buffer tank for temporarily storing the washing water supplied from the air bubble generator, and a plurality of the nozzles are provided in the buffer tank. Characterized by
The egg washing apparatus of the third aspect is, in the second aspect, provided with a water supply pipe connecting the water source and the buffer tank and provided with the air bubble generator, and a water supply pipe provided upstream of the air bubble generator. and a withdrawal pipe connecting the buffer tank and a portion of the water supply pipe upstream of the pump, wherein part of the wash water stored in the buffer tank flows through the withdrawal pipe, It is characterized by being supplied to an air bubble generator.
A fourth aspect of the egg washing apparatus is, in any one of the first to third aspects, a washing tank for storing the washing water discharged from the nozzles, and a conveyor for conveying the eggs to pass through the washing tank. and a brush for brushing the eggs being conveyed by the conveyor.
A fifth aspect of the egg washing apparatus is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, the nozzle is arranged in a downstream region of the washing tank.
A sixth aspect of the egg washing method is characterized by comprising a washing step of washing the eggs using washing water containing fine bubbles.
A seventh aspect of the egg washing method is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, in the washing step, after the washing water supplied from the bubble generator is temporarily stored in a buffer tank, a plurality of nozzles provided in the buffer tank The washing water is applied to the eggs from a
An egg washing method of an eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, part of the washing water stored in the buffer tank is extracted and supplied to the bubble generator in the washing step.
A ninth aspect of the egg washing method according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the washing step comprises: immersing the egg in the washing water; pouring the washing water on the egg; and a step of brushing.

According to the first aspect, the fine bubbles enter inside the dirt attached to the egg, making it easier to remove the dirt. As a result, the washing power of the egg washing machine is increased.
According to the second aspect, by temporarily storing the cleaning water in the buffer tank, it is possible to discharge the cleaning water having approximately the same concentration of fine bubbles from the plurality of nozzles. Therefore, the washing power does not depend on the positions of the eggs, and a plurality of eggs can be uniformly washed.
According to the third aspect, since part of the wash water stored in the buffer tank is supplied again to the bubble generator, wash water with a high concentration of fine bubbles can be obtained. Therefore, detergency can be made higher.
According to the fourth aspect, by immersing the eggs in the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank, the fine bubbles act on the dirt for a longer period of time, making it easier to remove the dirt. In addition, dirt can be removed by brushing.
According to the fifth aspect, cleaning water having a high concentration of fine bubbles can act on dirt that is difficult to remove even after immersion in cleaning water, so that even hard dirt can be easily removed.
According to the sixth aspect, the fine bubbles enter inside the dirt attached to the egg, making it easier to remove the dirt.
According to the seventh aspect, by temporarily storing the cleaning water in the buffer tank, it is possible to discharge the cleaning water having approximately the same concentration of fine bubbles from the plurality of nozzles. Therefore, the washing power does not depend on the positions of the eggs, and a plurality of eggs can be uniformly washed.
According to the eighth aspect, part of the wash water stored in the buffer tank is supplied to the air bubble generator again, so that wash water with a high concentration of fine bubbles can be obtained. Therefore, detergency can be made higher.
According to the ninth aspect, by immersing the egg in the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank, the fine bubbles act on the dirt for a longer period of time, making it easier to remove the dirt. In addition, dirt can be removed by brushing.

It is an explanatory view of the egg washing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a washing water generator in the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a washing water generator in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a washing water generator in the third embodiment;

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
The egg washing apparatus AA according to the first embodiment is for washing shelled eggs E to remove filth adhering to the surface of the eggshells. The egg E is typically a hen's egg, but other types of eggs such as a soft-shelled turtle egg and a quail egg may be used. Dirt adhering to the eggshell includes feces, broken egg yolk, albumen, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the egg washing apparatus AA has a conveyor 10 for conveying eggs E. As shown in FIG. The eggs E are supplied to the upstream end (left end in FIG. 1) of the conveyor 10, conveyed downstream, and then collected from the downstream end (right end in FIG. 1). The eggs E are washed during this transportation process. Although the conveyor 10 is not particularly limited, a bar conveyor is preferably used. When a bar conveyor is used as the conveyor 10, a large number of eggs E are aligned and conveyed while rotating individually.

The egg washing apparatus AA has a washing tank 20 that stores washing water, which will be described later. The washing tank 20 is a long tank along the transport path of the eggs E. As shown in FIG. The conveying surface of the conveyor 10 is provided with an inclination as required. For example, the conveying surface of the conveyor 10 has a downward slope at the upstream end of the cleaning tank 20 and an upward slope at the downstream end of the cleaning tank 20 . The egg E passes through the washing tank 20 while being immersed in washing water. Here, the egg E may be entirely immersed in the washing water, or may be partially immersed, for example, only the lower half thereof.

A brush 30 is provided on the egg E transport path. The brush 30 brushes the eggs E being conveyed by the conveyor 10 to scrape off dirt adhering to the eggs E. - 特許庁Although the brush 30 is not particularly limited, a cylindrical rotating brush is preferably used. Although the number of brushes 30 is not particularly limited, it is preferable that a plurality of brushes 30 be provided along the transport path of the eggs E.

The washing water used for washing the egg E contains fine bubbles. Fine bubbles refer to bubbles having a volume-equivalent diameter of less than 100 μm. Fine bubbles are classified into microbubbles and ultra-fine bubbles. Microbubbles are bubbles with a volume-equivalent diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm, and ultra-fine bubbles are bubbles with a volume-equivalent diameter of less than 1 μm. The smaller the diameter of the bubbles contained in the washing water, the easier it is for them to enter the interior of the dirt, and the higher the washing power. Therefore, the smaller the diameter of the bubbles contained in the washing water, the better. The washing water may contain fine bubbles, and may contain bubbles having a volume-equivalent diameter of 100 μm or more, which are not fine bubbles.

Washing water containing fine bubbles is generated by the following equipment. Raw water, which is the source of washing water, is supplied from a water source 41 . As the water source 41, a water facility, a tank for storing raw water, or the like can be used. The raw water is not particularly limited, but tap water can be used. A water supply pipe 51 is connected to the water source 41 . Raw water flows through the water supply pipe 51 .

The water supply pipe 51 is provided with a heating device 42 as required. Raw water is heated by a heating device 42 to obtain hot water. The temperature of the hot water is set to a temperature suitable for washing the eggs E, eg, 30-60°C.

The water supply pipe 51 is provided with an air bubble generator 43 . When the water supply pipe 51 is provided with the heating device 42 , it is preferable to provide the air bubble generator 43 downstream from the heating device 42 . Hot water (or raw water) is supplied to the bubble generator 43 . Washing water containing fine bubbles is generated by the bubble generator 43 .

The bubble generator 43 is not particularly limited as long as it can generate fine bubbles in the liquid. As the bubble generator 43, a microporous type in which gas is passed through a material having micropores such as porous ceramics to generate bubbles, a swirling flow liquid type in which bubbles are crushed by a swirling flow, and bubbles are crushed by pressure change in the flow path. Venturi type, static mixer type in which air bubbles are sheared by obstacles in the flow path, pressurized dissolution precipitation type in which bubbles are precipitated by depressurizing a saturated solution, and heating precipitation method in which bubbles are precipitated by heating a saturated solution. be done.

A nozzle 44 is connected to the downstream end of the water supply pipe 51 . Washing water supplied from the air bubble generator 43 is discharged from the nozzle 44 and splashed on the eggs E being conveyed. In addition, it is preferable that the piping between the air bubble generator 43 and the nozzle 44 is as short as possible. Fine bubbles contained in the washing water disappear over time. The shorter the pipe, the higher the concentration of fine bubbles in the cleaning water can be applied to the egg E.

As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 10 and the washing tank 20 have a certain width dimension. A plurality of eggs E are conveyed in a state of being aligned in the width direction of the conveyor 10 and the washing tank 20 . It is preferable to arrange a plurality of nozzles 44 along the width direction in order to apply washing water to all of the plurality of eggs E arranged in the width direction. A plurality of nozzles 44 are connected to the downstream portion of the water supply pipe 51 from the air bubble generator 43 at predetermined intervals. Thereby, washing water can be drained from the plurality of nozzles 44 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzles 44 for discharging the washing water may be arranged at one position in the transport direction, or may be arranged at a plurality of positions along the transport route. If the nozzle 44 is arranged only at one place, it is preferably arranged in the downstream area of the cleaning tank 20 . The arrangement position of the nozzle 44 may be any area downstream from the center of the cleaning tank 20 in the transport direction. The location of the nozzle 44 is preferably 1/3 of the total length of the cleaning tank 20 on the downstream side, more preferably 1/4, and even more preferably 1/5.

The cleaning water discharged from the nozzles 44 is temporarily stored in the cleaning tank 20 . The washing water stored in the washing tank 20 is discharged from the washing tank 20 together with the dirt removed from the eggs E as sewage.

The egg washing apparatus AA may have a device for spraying sterilized water on the eggs E after washing. This device consists of a tank 61 for storing sterilized water and a nozzle 62 for applying the sterilized water supplied from the tank 61 to the egg E. Nozzle 62 is positioned downstream of conveyor 10 . The sterilizing water is not particularly limited, but hypochlorous acid water or the like can be used.

The egg cleaning apparatus AA cleans eggs E in the following procedure.
First, eggs E are fed to the upstream end of conveyor 10 . The eggs E are washed with washing water while being transported by the conveyor 10 (washing step). The eggs E are immersed in washing water while being transported in the washing tank 20 . By immersing the egg E in the washing water stored in the washing tank 20, the solidified waste becomes in a state of softening. In addition, the fine bubbles act on dirt for a longer period of time, making it easier to remove the dirt. The egg E is brushed with a brush 30 and dirt is scraped off. When the egg E reaches the nozzle 44, it is directly sprayed with washing water. Hard stains can be removed by brushing the eggs E to which washing water has adhered with a brush 30. - 特許庁

As previously mentioned, the nozzles 44 are preferably located in the downstream region of the cleaning bath 20 . In this way, after most of the dirt has been removed by immersion in the cleaning water and brushing, the cleaning water having a high concentration of fine bubbles acts on the remaining dirt. Since cleaning water with a high concentration of fine bubbles can act on dirt that is difficult to remove even after immersion in cleaning water, it is easy to remove even hard dirt.

The washed eggs E are sterilized by pouring sterilized water (sterilization step). Eggs E are then collected at the downstream end of conveyor 10 .

As described above, the egg washing apparatus AA washes the eggs E using washing water containing fine bubbles. The fine bubbles enter inside the dirt adhering to the egg E, making it easier to remove the dirt. As a result, the cleaning power of the egg cleaning apparatus AA is enhanced.

[Second embodiment]
Next, an egg washing device according to a second embodiment will be described.
The egg washing apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the egg washing apparatus AA of the first embodiment, except that the washing water generator is changed. The same reference numerals are given to the same members as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a buffer tank 45 is connected to the downstream end of the water supply pipe 51 . That is, the water supply pipe 51 connects the water source 41 and the buffer tank 45 . The buffer tank 45 is a horizontally long tank along the width direction of the conveyor 10 and the cleaning tank 20 . The buffer tank 45 has a width dimension similar to that of the conveyor 10 or the cleaning tank 20 . The connection position of the water supply pipe 51 is not particularly limited, but the center in the width direction of the buffer tank 45 is preferable. The buffer tank 45 temporarily stores the cleaning water supplied from the bubble generator 43 .

A plurality of nozzles 44 are provided in the buffer tank 45 . The nozzle 44 may be provided at the bottom of the buffer tank 45 . A plurality of nozzles 44 are arranged along the width direction of the buffer tank 45 . The washing water supplied from the bubble generator 43 is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 45 . After that, washing water is discharged from a plurality of nozzles 44 provided in the buffer tank 45 and splashed on the eggs E. As shown in FIG.

Fine bubbles contained in the washing water disappear as it flows through the piping. As shown in FIG. 2, when a plurality of nozzles 44 are directly connected to the water supply pipe 51, cleaning water with dense fine bubbles is discharged from the nozzles 44 on the upstream side, and cleaning water with thin fine bubbles is discharged from the nozzles 44 on the downstream side. is discharged. Therefore, the cleaning power of the cleaning water differs depending on the position of the egg E.

On the other hand, if the cleaning water is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 45 , the cleaning water having approximately the same concentration of fine bubbles can be discharged from the plurality of nozzles 44 . Therefore, the washing power does not depend on the positions of the eggs E, and the plurality of eggs E can be washed uniformly.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an egg washing device according to a third embodiment will be described.
The egg washing apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the egg washing apparatus of the second embodiment, except that the washing water generator is modified. The same reference numerals are given to the same members as in the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, one end of a withdrawal pipe 52 is connected to the buffer tank 45 . One end of the withdrawal pipe 52 may be connected to the bottom of the buffer tank 45 . The other end of the withdrawal pipe 52 is connected to the water supply pipe 51 . A pump 46 is provided upstream of the air bubble generator 43 in the water supply pipe 51 . The other end of the withdrawal pipe 52 is connected to the upstream portion of the water supply pipe 51 from the pump 46 . Therefore, the extraction pipe 52 connects the buffer tank 45 and the upstream portion of the water supply pipe 51 from the pump 46 .

Raw water is supplied at a certain pressure (flow rate). The pump 46 pressurizes the raw water and supplies it to the bubble generator 43 . The increase in pressure (increase in flow rate) of the raw water is covered by the wash water in the buffer tank 45 via the extraction pipe 52 . That is, when the pump 46 is driven, part of the washing water circulates through the water supply pipe 51 and the removal pipe 52 .

A part of the washing water stored in the buffer tank 45 flows through the extraction pipe 52 and is supplied to the bubble generator 43 . By extracting part of the cleaning water stored in the buffer tank 45 and supplying it to the air bubble generator 43 again, cleaning water with a high concentration of fine bubbles can be obtained. Therefore, detergency can be made higher.

Next, an example will be described.
(Example 1)
Eggs were washed using the egg washing apparatus configured as shown in FIGS. Here, washing water containing fine bubbles was used. As a result, the rate of occurrence of dirty eggs that could not be completely removed even after washing was 2%.

(Comparative example 1)
Eggs were washed using the egg washing apparatus shown in FIGS. However, no bubble generator was provided and washing water containing no fine bubbles was used. As a result, the incidence of dirty eggs was 3%.

From the above, it was confirmed that the generation rate of dirty eggs can be reduced from 3% to 2% by adding fine bubbles to the washing water. Assume that the annual production number is 100 million, the regular wholesale price is 15 yen, and the dirty egg wholesale price is 7 yen. If the incidence of dirty eggs is reduced from 3% to 2%, annual sales will increase by 8 million yen.

AA Egg washing device 10 Conveyor 20 Washing tank 30 Brush 42 Heating device 43 Air bubble generator 44 Nozzle 45 Buffer tank 46 Pump 51 Water supply pipe 52 Extraction pipe

Claims (7)

a bubble generator that generates cleaning water containing fine bubbles without introducing gas generated by electrolyzing water;
a buffer tank for temporarily storing the washing water supplied from the bubble generator;
a plurality of nozzles for spraying the washing water in the buffer tank on the eggs;
and a conveyor that conveys the eggs,
The buffer tank is a horizontally long tank along the width direction of the conveyor,
The egg washing apparatus, wherein the plurality of nozzles are provided along the width direction of the buffer tank. a bubble generator that generates cleaning water containing fine bubbles without introducing gas generated by electrolyzing water;
a buffer tank for temporarily storing the washing water supplied from the bubble generator;
a nozzle for applying the wash water in the buffer tank to the egg;
a water supply pipe connecting a water source and the buffer tank and provided with the bubble generator;
a pump provided upstream from the air bubble generator of the water supply pipe;
a withdrawal pipe that connects the buffer tank and a portion upstream of the pump of the water supply pipe,
An egg washing apparatus, wherein part of the washing water stored in the buffer tank flows through the extraction pipe and is supplied to the air bubble generator. a washing tank for storing the washing water discharged from the nozzle;
a conveyor for transporting the eggs through the washing tank;
3. The egg cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a brush for brushing the eggs being conveyed by the conveyor. 4. An egg washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said nozzle is located in the downstream region of said washing tank. A washing step of generating washing water containing fine bubbles without introducing gas generated by electrolyzing water and washing eggs using the washing water,
In the washing step, the washing water supplied from the bubble generator is temporarily stored in a laterally elongated buffer tank along the width direction of the conveyor for conveying the eggs, and then A method for washing eggs, characterized in that the washing water is applied to the eggs from a plurality of nozzles provided. A washing step of generating washing water containing fine bubbles without introducing gas generated by electrolyzing water and washing eggs using the washing water,
In the washing step, after the wash water supplied from the bubble generator is temporarily stored in a buffer tank, the wash water is applied to the eggs from a nozzle provided in the buffer tank and stored in the buffer tank. A method for washing an egg, characterized in that a part of the washed water is extracted and supplied to the air bubble generator. The washing step includes
a step of immersing the egg in the washing water;
a step of applying the wash water to the egg;
7. The egg washing method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a step of brushing the eggs.