JPH08107923A - Method and device for continuously sterilizing seed - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To uniformly and sufficiently sterilize various kinds of the bacteria sticking to the surfaces of seeds over the entire part of the seeds without losing the properties thereof. CONSTITUTION: A woven net 40 is extended in a casing 11. This casing 11 is linearly vibratable in a direction of (a) by a crank mechanism. A fixed quantity of the seeds are supplied from an electromagnetic vibration feeder F to a guide 41 and high-temp. steam is introduced from a heated steam source H to the lower space A of this woven net 40. This steam is passed upward through the woven net 40 and is discharged outside from an outflow port 60. The seeds M are sufficiently fluidized and are brought into contact with the steam while the seeds are jumped by vibration on the woven net 40, by which the seeds are subjected to the sterilizing action uniformly over the entire part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a continuous seed sterilizing method and apparatus for efficiently and uniformly sterilizing seeds without deterioration or deterioration. In detail, the present invention, the seed is sufficient for sterilizing the surface-adherent bacteria, but not excessive, and uniformly heated, sterilized seeds without deterioration or deterioration are continuously treated. Manufacturing method and a compact device therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been known to use heated steam for sterilizing seeds, but the biggest problem is to heat the seeds uniformly. Uniform heating is usually aimed at thermal efficiency, but depending on the sterilization target, it is aimed at uniform heating while maintaining quality characteristics. For example, in the steam sterilization method of grain, there is no particular deterioration of secondary processing characteristics which is of concern in cereals, and rather, there is a specific limitation to achieve an effective sterilizing effect while imparting excellent quality characteristics. It is necessary to contact the grain with water vapor under the specified conditions. Under conditions of uneven heating, if you try to obtain a sufficient surface sterilizing effect, you will be partially overheated, the seeds after sterilization, depending on the material, internal strain due to heating and Alteration will occur unevenly. However, in consideration of quality characteristics, a practical seed sterilization method and device aiming at accurate and continuous uniform heating have not been developed.

As is apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8, the grain sterilizer of the conventional example requires a single layer of grains to be introduced, and thus the size of the device cannot be avoided. Such a device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-32346 “Grain sterilization method” as a method of sterilizing with steam, which corresponds to the device and is called a so-called net conveyor type tunnel type steaming device. It is what

That is, in the figure, a part of the upper traveling portion of the net belt conveyor 202 is inserted into the casing 201, and the rollers 204, 205, 206 are provided.
And 207, one of which is driven by a motor (not shown) to drive the belt 203 in the direction of the arrow at a constant speed. Inside the casing 201, as shown in FIG. 8, two rows of pipes 208a, 208a are provided.
b is provided, and a large number of small holes are formed in this lower region, from which the high temperature steam S
Are to be ejected downward. In addition, the pipe 20 connecting these pipes 208a and 208b
An inlet pipe 210 fixed to the lower wall portion of the casing 201 is connected to the casing 9, and high temperature steam is supplied thereto from the outside via a pressure reducing valve 211. Further, the drain 212 is supplied to the lower wall portion.

Grains (not shown) to be sterilized are supplied to the left end of the net conveyor 202. This is guided into the casing 201 through slit openings formed on both side walls of the casing 201. Pipes 208a, 208
The high temperature steam S ejected from b diffuses upward,
At this time, the net belt 203 of the net conveyor 202 flows from the lower side to the upper side, and the grains on this are heated and sterilized. The grain conveyed by the net belt 203 from the other slit opening of the casing 201 has already been sterilized and is also discharged to a storage case (not shown).

The grain sterilizing apparatus of the conventional example is constructed and operates as described above, but if the grain layer on the belt 203 of the net conveyor 202 is a single layer and thin, there is no problem and it is uniform. It is sterilized by. If the layer thickness is increased, the grains in the lower layer will be sterilized without problems, but the grains in the upper layer will be discharged to the outside without being sterilized. In order to avoid this, a single layer must be introduced into the casing 1. In this case, in order to enhance the sterilization ability, the area of the net belt 203 inside the casing 201 must be increased. Therefore, the size of the device is inevitably increased and the cost is increased.

Next, FIG. 9 shows another conventional seed sterilizing apparatus. A screw conveyor 222 is arranged above the tank 221, and seeds to be sterilized are continuously supplied to the screw conveyor 222 as shown by an arrow. The seeds discharged from now on are discharged into the tank 221 through the supply port 221a. The bottom wall is provided with a discharge port 226, and the scraping device 227 is constantly rotated by an electric motor 225. Further, in the tank 221, the pressure reducing valve 22
High-pressure steam is introduced through 4a and 224b. When starting the work of such an apparatus, first, after the seeds 223 are stored to the level shown in the drawing, the gate (not shown) of the discharge port 226 is opened to discharge the sterilized seeds as shown by the arrow. I have to. A certain amount of seeds are thrown in from the screw conveyor 222 that is ejected into the seeds 223 in which high-temperature steam is accumulated through the pressure reducing valves 224a and 224b, but the same amount of seeds is discharged. It is discharged from the outlet 226. Therefore, the seeds are stored in the tank 221 at a substantially constant level and are sequentially sterilized by high temperature steam from the lower region, but it is difficult to sterilize them uniformly, and seeds in a certain region are given priority. In many cases, it is discharged from the discharge port 226 with little sterilization in other areas.

[0008]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and efficiently and uniformly disperses various fungi adhering to the surface of seeds without impairing the characteristics of the seeds such as flavor. An object of the present invention is to provide a continuous sterilizing method and apparatus for sterilizing seeds. The present invention, wheat, buckwheat, barley, rye,
Grains that are not threshed or crushed, such as corn, are sufficient for sterilizing surface-adherent bacteria, but do not become excessive, and are uniformly heated to continuously disinfect sterilized seeds without alteration or deterioration. An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method and a compact device therefor.

[0009]

According to the present invention, when the seed is contacted with water vapor, the water vapor is agitated by the seed to selectively heat only the surface while minimizing heat conduction to the inside of the seed particles. It is a continuous sterilization method of seeds, which is characterized by treatment.
By contacting the seed with water vapor while stirring the water vapor by the seed, heat conduction to the inside of the seed particles is minimized and only the surface is selectively heat-treated.

The present invention is directed to seeds, which are loose materials that can be fluidized upon application of kinetic energy, and where it is not desirable to apply excessive heat inside the particles. The type of seed is not particularly limited, regardless of the seed of any plant,
Thus, what is of interest is the so-called seed in a broad sense, including the seeds of cereals. When the seed is a seed of a grain, if the inside of the grain is heated more than necessary, the components such as proteins are deteriorated by heating, and the secondary processing property such as cooking scientific properties of the powder after milling is improved. Deterioration, or problems such as loss or deterioration of aroma and flavor occur, the present invention, wheat, buckwheat, which uses such seeds as powder,
Targets cereals such as barley, rye and corn that are not threshed or crushed.

In the present invention, the agitation of water vapor by the seeds is performed by applying kinetic energy for agitating the water vapor to each particle of the seeds. In the present invention, kinetic energy is applied to each particle so that the seed becomes a fluidized layer. The fluidized layer refers to a layer in which the seeds have a uniform spatial distribution while keeping the distance between the seeds to a minimum and the seeds are evenly flowing in one direction.

As an example of giving kinetic energy, an example of placing seeds on a vibrating seed transfer net will be described. The seeds are transported on a vibrating net while repeating a jumping motion. By this repeated jumping motion, the seeds are evenly and spatially dispersed while keeping a minimum distance from each other and uniformly flow in one direction. It forms a fluidized layer in which individual seeds are in uniform contact with water vapor.

When steam is passed through the fluidized bed of seeds, the steam uniformly passes through the gaps and is simultaneously stirred by the seeds. The specific effect of fluidizing by the action of vibration is that the seeds are sterilized because the action of vibration causes the seeds to make a jumping movement, which maintains uniform gaps between the grains and makes the spatial distribution uniform. For even contact with water vapor. Furthermore, since the individual grains are constantly in a jumping motion, the atmosphere inside and in the vicinity of the fluidized bed is agitated, further providing uniform contact between the seeds and water vapor.

The seeds are uniformly heated because the spatial distribution of the grains becomes uniform and the effect of stirring by the grains synergistically homogenizes the atmosphere. Therefore, heat conduction to the inside of the particle is minimized, and only the surface of the seed is selectively heat-treated for successful sterilization, but no denaturation of the inside of the seed occurs. That is, by the uniform contact between the seeds thus obtained and steam for sterilization,
Steam heat treatment for selectively sterilizing only the surface of the seed is achieved in a short time, so that excessive heat is not applied to the inside of the seed, and thus the physical properties of the seed obtained from the seed sterilized by heat sterilization, the secondary Processability and aroma are not impaired.

As is clear from the above description, the present invention is
The net is vibrated, and the sterilized seeds transferred by this vibration on the net are fluidized by the vibration, and the seeds are made into discrete states to reduce the density of the space occupied by these seeds. A continuous sterilizing method of seeds, characterized in that the seeds are heated uniformly and continuously by applying stirring force to high temperature steam flowing upward from below the net by transfer while performing a jumping motion. Included as a preferred embodiment.

After the seeds are brought into contact with steam as described above, it is preferable that the sterilized seeds are successively dried by hot air heating and cold air cooling. Therefore, the continuous seed sterilization method of the present invention is a method in which the step of bringing the seed into contact with steam as described above and the drying treatment step of hot air heating and cold air cooling are sequentially performed.

The present invention is an apparatus for carrying out the above continuous sterilization method of seeds. The present invention can make a device implementing the above method compact. The above-mentioned device is characterized by having a means for imparting kinetic energy for stirring the water vapor to the seed.

The means for applying kinetic energy to the seeds is a seed transfer device comprising a net for transferring seeds and a vibrating means for vibrating the nets so as to transfer the seeds onto the net.

The seed transfer device is a device comprising, for example, a net stretched in the longitudinal direction and a vibrating machine for vibrating the net so as to transfer seeds in the longitudinal direction on the net.

In this case, specifically, in the continuous sterilization apparatus of the present invention, a substantially rectangular casing in which an upper opening is covered with a cover and a net is stretched, and steam exhaust provided in the casing or the cover are provided. An outlet, a vibrator for vibrating the casing so as to transfer seeds on the net in the longitudinal direction of the casing, and a steam supply means for introducing high-temperature steam into the space below the net. A fixed amount feeding means for quantitatively feeding seeds to be sterilized on the net, while transferring the seeds fed on the net by vibration and repeating a jumping motion from below to above the net. The fluidized seeds are heated and sterilized by the high temperature steam that flows.

The seed transfer device is a vibrating spiral elevator provided with a track made of a spiral net.

Further, in that case, specifically, the continuous sterilization apparatus of the present invention comprises a cylindrical body, a vibrating spiral elevator provided with a track made of a spiral net arranged in the cylindrical body, and the cylindrical body. A high temperature steam inlet formed in the lower part of the peripheral wall, a steam inlet formed in the peripheral wall above the steam inlet, a seed supply port formed in the lower part of the peripheral wall, and the peripheral wall Of the seeds formed in the upper part of the oscillating spiral elevator, connected to the supply port, supply guide means for guiding seeds to the lower end of the vibration spiral track, and connected to the discharge port of the oscillating spiral elevator. Discharge guide means for guiding the sterilized seed discharged from the upper end of the truck to the outer seed conveying means, and the seed guided to the lower end of the truck should not be transferred by vibration on the net. Et al., And while repeating the jump motion, by steam of high temperature flowing upward from the lower side of the network, and heating the seeds are fluidized, is made so as to sterilize.

After the seeds are brought into contact with steam as described above, it is preferable that the sterilized seeds are successively dried by hot air heating and cold air cooling. Therefore, the continuous seed sterilizing apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus including the apparatus for bringing the seed into contact with steam as described above and the drying processing apparatus for hot air heating and cold air cooling. The hot-air heating and cold-air cooling drying device is connected to the device for bringing the seed into contact with steam as described above. This drying apparatus is an oscillating heating / cooling dryer in which sterilized seeds are heated and dried on the upstream side with hot air and cooled with cool air on the downstream side.

[0024]

The seeds are transferred in a predetermined direction while repeating the jumping motion due to the vibration on the net stretched in the truck or the casing. During this transfer,
The high-temperature steam flowing out from the lower part of the net is in a fluid state by repeating the jumping motion, and passes through from the lower layer to the upper layer of the seed, which has a low spatial density, and the seed is uniformly distributed over the entire layer and the entire transfer stroke. Since it is possible to selectively sterilize only the surface and this can be done in a short time,
Heat does not reach the inside of the seeds, and properties other than sterilization are not impaired. For example, in cereals, various properties such as physical properties, aroma and secondary processability originally required for powder after milling are not impaired. Further, by connecting a drying treatment device for hot air heating and cold air cooling to a device for contacting seeds with steam, sterilized seeds can be dried to a desired state.

[0025]

EXAMPLES A continuous continuous sterilization apparatus and a continuous sterilization method according to examples of the present invention will be described below.

As an embodiment of the present invention, a continuous sterilizing apparatus and method will be described by taking buckwheat seeds, which are considered to be difficult to sterilize the surface, among the seeds, for example, because of the complicated surface shape of the seeds. .

In FIG. 1, the sterilizer according to the first embodiment is designated by 10, and a casing 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is swingably connected to a lower counterweight 12 by left and right paired levers 13, 13. And are connected by coil springs 14, 14. The extending direction of the coil spring 14 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lever 13. The counter weight 12 is supported on the ground by anti-vibration springs 15, 15, and an electric motor 20 is fixed to one side wall portion of the counter weight 12, and its rotating shaft is connected to a crankshaft even though not shown. As a result, the drive rod 21 is reciprocated in place of the linear movement, and the upper end of the drive rod 21 is connected to the shock absorber 25. It has a known structure,
It serves to absorb a shock at the start of driving the electric motor 20.

A woven net 40 is stretched in the casing 11, and a lid 41a having a guide 41 for supplying seeds to be sterilized and a steam outlet 60 is attached to the upper wall of the casing 11. The lower space A of the woven net 40 is defined by the left end wall portion of the casing 11 and the partition member 42 fixed to the right end portion of the woven net 40, and the seed M transferred through the woven net 40 and sterilized. Is discharged outward from a discharge port 50 provided at the right end of the bottom wall of the casing 11.

Further, water vapor supply ports 52a and 52b are provided on both side wall portions of the casing 11, and the conduit 5 is provided therein.
3a and 53b are connected via valves 54a and 54b. The conduits 53a and 53b are heated steam supply source H.
Is connected to (header). According to this embodiment, the temperature of the steam is set to be higher than 85 ° C and lower than 100 ° C.

A thermometer T is provided substantially in the middle of the space above the woven net 40 in the casing 1, and the temperature detection signal is supplied to the alarm device C. A predetermined temperature range is set in the alarm device C, and this is compared with the detection signal of the thermometer T, and an alarm is issued when the temperature range is exceeded.

As described above, the water vapor inlets 52a and 52b (which are attached to the casing 11 through a duct made of a bellows-like canvas for vibration isolation) on both side walls of the closed casing 11. Hereinafter, the same applies to the same structure.), Which protrudes into the casing 11 as clearly shown in FIG. Pipes 15 extending in parallel in the space A below
It is hermetically connected to the openings formed in the side walls of 2a and 152b. Small holes h are uniformly formed along the longitudinal direction in the lower region of the peripheral surfaces of the pipes 152a and 152b within a range of a central angle of 60 degrees, for example. Therefore, the pipes 152a, 15a pass through the steam inlets 52a, 52b.
As shown by the arrow P in FIG. 2, the high-temperature steam introduced into 2b is jetted downward, and then a flow is formed toward the steam outlet 60 installed above, so that the woven net 4
The water vapor flowing from the lower part to the upper part of 0 is made uniform over the entire area of the weaving net 40. Further, since the air is discharged from the outflow port 60 to the outside, the pressure is almost atmospheric pressure.

Further, a guide chute t is arranged immediately above the seed supply guide 41, and it is rotated around the support member n by an air cylinder (not shown) as shown by a solid line and a dashed line. An electromagnetic vibrating feeder F is arranged above, and a seed storage hopper 100 (illustrated in a reduced scale for simplification of the drawing) is arranged immediately above this. The electromagnetic vibration feeder F has a well-known structure and is composed of a trough Fb having a U-shaped cross section and an electromagnet driving unit Fa for exciting the trough Fb. A drive control circuit provided separately from the alarm device C is configured to drive the amplitude of the trough Fb at a constant value. A guide duct S is arranged so as to receive seeds from a guide chute t located at a position indicated by an alternate long and short dash line, and a container is arranged below the guide duct S although not shown.

Further, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 1, glass wool is coated on the entire upper surface of the lid 11a and the outer peripheral surface of the casing 11 to improve the heat retaining property in the casing 11.

The embodiment of the present invention is constructed as described above. Next, the specific operation of this device will be described.

According to this embodiment, the seeds are casing 11
Guide chute t before feeding through guide 41 into
The position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line on the
Is driven to feed the seeds to the guide duct s side, and the container arranged below is put on a weighing machine to measure the weight of the supplied amount. The measured amount per unit time is fed into the casing 11. The drive unit Fa is adjusted to match the desired supply amount.
The current applied to the device is adjusted, and the constant amplitude device in the drive control circuit (not shown) is operated so as to constantly vibrate with the amplitude of the trough Fb at this time. When the predetermined amplitude value is determined, the guide chute t is switched to the position shown by the solid line to start the sterilizing action of this embodiment.

For example, buckwheat seeds are stored in the hopper 100 as seeds to be sterilized. When drive power is supplied to the drive unit Fa, the trough Fb vibrates with a predetermined amplitude, cuts out seeds from the hopper 100, and supplies the seeds on the weaving net 40 via the guide chute t and the guide 41 in a fixed amount. As described above, depending on the seed, a bridge is generated in the hopper 100 due to the change in the friction coefficient on the surface of the trough F.
Even if b is vibrating with a constant amplitude, it may not be possible to supply a fixed amount, but if there is such a fear, the vibrator may be attached to the side wall of the hopper 100. When the electric motor 20 is driven, the casing 11 vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lever 13 or in a direction a parallel to the longitudinal direction of the spring 14, as is known. In such a drive unit, the rotation speed of the electric motor is 500 to 600 rpm. p. m. And also, the amplitude obtained with such a structure is 10 to 20 mm.
It is a degree.

Therefore, the fruit M near the weaving net 40 is transferred to the right side in the figure by receiving such a vibration force.
On the other hand, from the inlets 52a, 52b to 100 ° C over 85 ° C
Water vapor at a temperature of not more than 0 ° C. is introduced, penetrates upward from the space A through the mesh of the woven net 40, and is guided to the outside through the duct 60.

The buckwheat seed M on the weaving net 40 is transferred to the right in the figure with a certain layer thickness, but is sufficiently fluidized by the jumping motion caused by this vibration and the stirring action, Therefore, the steam blown up from below the weaving net 40 is uniformly received over the entire layer, and is discharged from the discharge port 50 to the outside. Therefore, the bacteria adhering to the surface of buckwheat fruit are uniformly and sufficiently sterilized in a short time.

The operation of the above apparatus will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

That is, the weaving net 40 vibrates in a predetermined direction with respect to the horizontal line, but the fruit M near the top of the weaving net 40 periodically repeats a jumping motion, and at a certain phase of vibration, as shown in FIG. In this state, that is, the buckwheat fruit M becomes almost discrete, and a large space is formed between them. That is, the density of the space in the region indicated by the chain line of Q is naturally lower than the space density in the state in which the buckwheat fruit M is deposited. In such a state, as shown by P from below the weaving net 40, high-temperature steam passes through from below to above the weaving net 40. At this time, this steam repeats the jumping motion. By virtue of the stirring action of the buckwheat fruit M, the heat exchange with the buckwheat fruit M is efficiently performed, and by uniformly contacting all the surfaces of the buckwheat fruit M, bacteria on the surface can be efficiently sterilized. it can. The vibration of the woven net 40 is 500 to 600 in this embodiment.
r. p. m. And the amplitude was 10 to 20 mm,
The vibration frequency, amplitude and vibration angle, which are the three factors of vibration, can be selected according to the material to be sterilized. That is, FIG.
It suffices to reveal the discrete state of seeds as shown in.

The soybean sterilizing apparatus and the sterilizing method according to this embodiment can sterilize the bacteria adhered to the surface of buckwheat berry sufficiently continuously, uniformly and in a short time. Also, since it is not high-pressure, high-temperature steam, the physical properties of seeds are not lost.

The device operates as described above,
When the supply of seeds from the electromagnetic vibration feeder F is stopped, the guide chute t is switched to the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line by driving an air cylinder (not shown). As a result, water vapor is blown out from the supply guide 41, but since it does not adhere to the tip of the guide chute t and also does not adhere to the tip of the trough Fb, the electromagnetic vibration feeder F is next. When the soba nuts that are seeds are supplied into the casing 63 by driving, the buckwheat nuts can be smoothly discharged and supplied immediately. If the guide chute t is not provided, the trough F of the electromagnetic vibration feeder F
When b is exposed to water vapor in the vicinity of the supply guide 41, the soba nuts receive moisture and solidify so that the smooth start of the next buckwheat fruit may not be performed in some cases, but one guide chute t Since it is rotated to the position shown by the chain line, it is prevented that the tip end part gets wet and adheres when the buckwheat nut starts to be supplied, and hinders the subsequent discharge of the buckwheat nut.

FIG. 3 shows a continuous seed sterilizing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to the eleventh aspect of the present invention. The structure is almost the same as that of the embodiment, the woven net g is stretched in the casing 63, and the drive unit 64 is shown in a simplified manner, but it has the same structure as that of the first embodiment. The entire 62 is mounted on the pedestal 65 to obtain a certain height. An electromagnetic vibration feeder 67 having a structure similar to that of the electromagnetic vibration feeder F of the first embodiment is placed on a pedestal 68, and seeds are cut out from the seed storage hopper 66, and a damper 70 is used. The seed supply port Ha of the sterilization unit 62 is opened and closed, and when the supply port Ha is closed, seeds are temporarily stored in the storage box 69. According to this embodiment, a duct made of a bellows-like canvas is connected to the discharge port 71 for discharging the sterilized seeds, and the supply port of the subsequent vibration heating / cooling device 72 is connected thereto. 73 is supplied with sterilized seeds.

Energy efficiency can be improved by making the casing 63 a closed type.

The vibration heating / cooling / drying machine 72 comprises a seed sterilization unit 6
The closed casing 74 is vibrated by the drive unit 75 having the same structure as the drive unit 64 of No. 2, and the woven mesh m is also stretched inside the closed casing 74. The space below this is the heating space H on the upstream side.
And the cooling space Q is defined by the partition wall q on the downstream side,
In the former, heated steam is heated from the boiler equipment 79 via the header 84 via the voltage valve 80 and further heats the air via the heat exchanger 81, and the heated air blown by the blower 82 is distributed by the distributor 84, A certain amount of air is supplied to the heat space H. Further, air in the atmosphere is introduced into the cooling section Q via the blower 85.

Also in the seed sterilization unit 62 on the upstream side, the first
Similar to the embodiment, heated steam from the boiler equipment 79 is supplied to the space below the weaving net G ′ via the pressure reducing valves 80, 78 and the header 77. In addition, 86 is a cyclone, 8
7 is a blower.

In the seed sterilizing section 62, the seeds transferred by vibration on the weaving net g in the casing 63 are fluidized while repeating small jump motions and sterilized by heated steam in the same manner as in the first embodiment. And is supplied from the discharge port 71 to the vibration heating / cooling device 72. Also on the woven net m stretched in the casing 74, it is fluidized while repeating a small jump motion similarly to the seed sterilizing unit 62 on the upstream side, and the heated air from the distributor 84 is blown out to blow the seed sterilizing unit. The sterilized seeds are heated and dried in a short time in 62, and are cooled by the air from the blower 85 in the cooling section on the downstream side, and the sterilized seeds are dried, cooled and discharged from the discharge port 76. . It should be noted that fine dust is generated in the casing 74 during the drying process, which is removed by the cyclone 86. Further, in the present embodiment, the damper 70 is provided at the discharge port of the electromagnetic vibration feeder 67, which ensures the quantitativeness of the seeds to be sterilized in the casing 63. Although not shown, the casing 63 is also provided with a steam outlet.

FIG. 4 shows a seed continuous sterilizer according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which is indicated by 90 in a cylindrical tank 91. A well-known oscillating spiral elevator 92 is provided in the above, and a spiral track 94 is wound around a cylindrical body 150. A pair of oscillating electric machines 93 is attached to the lower end side of the spiral track 94. The cylindrical body 150 around which the trough 94 is wound is torsionally vibrated.

A drive portion inspection window 91a, a heated steam inlet 91b, and a steam outlet 91c are provided in this order from the bottom on the peripheral wall of the tank 91, and the constituent elements connected to them are the same as those in the above embodiment. Since it is similar to the above, illustration is omitted.

A guide pipe 96 for introducing seeds to be sterilized is fitted and fixed to the other side of the peripheral wall portion of the tank 91, so that seeds to be sterilized discharged from the belt conveyor 95 are supplied thereto. I have to. The lower end of the guide pipe 96 is close to the lower end of the track 94. Further, a guide pipe 97 for discharging the sterilized seeds to the outside is fitted to the upper peripheral wall portion, and the upper end side thereof is provided in the vicinity of the discharging end of the truck 94,
The sterilized seeds discharged from here are received and supplied onto the belt conveyor 98. 99 is a hopper.

A drive unit mounting base 153 is integrally fixed to the lower end of the cylindrical body 150, and this is mounted on the ground 1 via a plurality of support rods 154 and coil springs 156.
It is supported on 51. Also, the drive unit mounting base 153
An annular rubber film 157 is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the tank 91 between the annular member 158 and the annular member 158 attached to the inner peripheral wall of the tank 91.
It is defined by Y and the air space 152 .

The third embodiment of the present invention is constructed as described above. Next, the specific operation of this device will be explained.

The seeds to be sterilized are cut out by the belt conveyor 95 from the hopper 99 that stores the seeds, passed through the guide pipes 96, and supplied to the lower ends of the spiral tracks 94 in the tank 91. Truck 94
A woven net G ′ is attached to the bottom wall surface of the woven fabric, and the woven net G ′ is conveyed while repeating a small jump motion by vibration. The heat is exchanged with the seeds that are jumping through, and germs on the surface are sterilized, and the seeds are discharged to the outside from the outlet 91c in the upper part. The upper space of the tank 91 is a heat space, and since the water vapor has a relatively large specific gravity, it preferentially exists in a region lower than the middle of the space, but as the track 94 rises, it is near the upper end. It is heated by hot air and partially affected by the heating area H of the vibration heating / cooling device 72 of the second embodiment. The sterilized seeds are discharged from the upper end portion of the truck 94 through the guide pipe 97 onto the belt conveyor 98 and guided to a storage device (not shown). This may be the vibration heating / cooling device 72 of the second embodiment.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, of course, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, buckwheat seeds were applied as seeds in the above examples, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applicable to sterilization of other seeds such as corn, wheat and other seeds, or sterilization of spices. Is.

In addition to the above corn, soybean,
The present invention is also applicable to so-called seeds, which include grains such as rice, barley, rye, gall, millet, adzuki beans, and peanuts. Alternatively, it may be a granular material such as sunflower, sesame, rapeseed, etc., and the present invention is also applicable to leaves, stems, etc. of plants, or a rosette material made of a certain synthetic resin even if it is not a plant. The present invention can be applied to the sterilization of.

In the above embodiments, the woven net is described as a net, but instead of this, depending on the type and shape of the seed,
So-called punch metal may be applied. Of course, this opening ratio or the size of the opening may be determined according to the particle size of the seed.

Although the above sterilization temperature is more than 85 ° C. and 100 ° C. or less, depending on the seed, it may be lower or higher than this temperature.

Further, in the above first and second embodiments, the so-called crank drive type is applied as the vibration exciter, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a known vibration exciter such as an electromagnet drive section or a vibration is used. You may make it apply a linear force using an electric motor as a pair. Also, in the above embodiment, the lever 13
At the upper and lower ends of the casing 11 side and counter
I tried to pivot the weight 12 side, but the counter
The anti-vibration spring 15 that supports the weight 12 may be omitted, and a separately provided base block may be supported by the anti-vibration spring, and the intermediate portion of the lever 13 may be pivotally attached to a column that is erected on the base block.

In the above embodiment, the two pipes 152a and 152b are arranged below the woven net 40. However, the number of pipes is not limited to this, and a larger number of pipes are arranged in parallel. The steam introducing port 52 attached to the both side wall portions of the casing 11 in accordance with this may be adopted.
The number of a and 52b should just be increased suitably.

Further, in the above embodiment, the thermometer T is provided so that an alarm is issued when the temperature inside the casing 11 goes out of the predetermined temperature range. May be provided, and the amount of the derived steam of the heated steam source H may be adjusted by this detection signal.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electromagnetic vibration feeder F and the storage hopper 100 arranged immediately above the electromagnetic vibration feeder F were used to supply the seeds to the guide 41 in a fixed amount, but the guide 41 is further omitted. Alternatively, the shape may be increased and the seed 11 may be separately supported on the ground without being fixed to the casing 11, and the seed may be stored and supplied to the left end portion in the drawing of the woven net 40. If this seed has a very free-flowing physical property, it can be supplied in a fixed amount from its discharge opening without using a vibrator. Further, as is known as a constant amount supply means, transfer means for supplying seeds to a supply end of a belt conveyor running at a constant speed, for example, an electromagnetic vibrating feeder is used, and from this electromagnetic vibrating feeder to a belt conveyor from a storage hopper. Discharge from this belt conveyor by controlling the amplitude of the electromagnetic vibration feeder by the signal of the load cell supporting the belt conveyor so that the seeds are cut out and the weight on the belt conveyor becomes constant at that time. The amount may be fixed and supplied to the woven net 40.

Further, in the above embodiment, the glass wool is adhered to the outer peripheral surfaces of the lid 11a and the casing 11 to improve the heat retaining property inside, but these are omitted and the casing 11 and the lid 11a are omitted. You may make it heat-retaining by the material.

Further, in the above-mentioned vibration exciter, for example, when an oscillating motor is used, an inverter is connected to the oscillating motor and the driving frequency of the oscillating motor is adjusted to change the speed at which the casing 11 is transferred. The sterilization heating time may be adjusted. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the magnitude of the drive power of the drive unit Fa of the electromagnetic vibration feeder F may be changed to change the amplitude and change the layer thickness of the seed in the casing 11. Further, the residence time of seeds in the casing 11 may be changed by changing the rotation speed of the electric motor 20.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, only one is provided on the downstream side of the lid 11a of the casing 11 for discharging water vapor into the atmosphere, but further on the upstream side, for example, near the guide 41. Then, a similar steam outlet may be provided on the right side thereof to further improve the uniformity of steam at a constant temperature in the space above the weaving net 40 of the casing 11.

Further, in the above embodiments, one water vapor inlet 52a, 52b is provided on the side wall portion of the casing 11, but this number is further increased to extend along the longitudinal direction of the pipes 152a, 152b. A large number of introduction pipes may be provided at intervals and connected to the pipes 152a and 152b.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the high temperature steam is jetted downward from the pipe, but instead of this, a lotus-like or shower-like vapor spouting body 110 as shown in FIG. 5 is used. You may use. Water vapor is ejected from a large number of small holes 111 formed in the bottom portion, and the ejection bodies 110 are arranged in the casing 11 at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. By supplying high-temperature steam from the header and flowing the high-temperature steam from below to above the weaving net G arranged above them, the loose material transferred by vibration on this is removed. It may be sterilized.

In the above embodiments, the casings 11, 63 and the tubular body 91 are all of the sealed type, but the type may be of the open type although the energy efficiency may be slightly lowered.

In the above embodiment, the guide chute t is provided between the tip of the trough Fb of the electromagnetic vibration feeder F and the supply guide 41. However, depending on the kind of seed or the method of use of the device, the guide chute t may be provided. May be omitted.

[0070]

As described above, according to the continuous seed sterilizing apparatus and method of the present invention, the surface of the apparatus is fluidized by repeating the jumping motion on the net due to vibration and uniformly contacting with the steam. It is possible to sterilize various kinds of bacteria adhering to the bacterium uniformly in a short time without impairing the physical properties thereof. Moreover, this can be continuously performed by the action of transferring the vibration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of a continuous seed sterilizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line [2]-[2] in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a continuous seed sterilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of a continuous seed sterilizer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of a steam ejecting body showing a modified example of the pipe for ejecting high-temperature steam used in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the method of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a conventional seed continuous sterilizer.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another conventional seed sterilizer.

9 is a sectional view taken along line [9]-[9] in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 seed sterilizer 11 casing 20 electric motor 40 woven net 52a steam inlet 52b steam inlet 62 seed sterilizer 72 vibration heating and cooling device 90 seed sterilizer 92 vibration spiral elevator 152a pipe 152b pipe g woven mesh G mesh

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shoji Hiraga 150 Motoyashi, Sanya-cho, Toyohashi-shi, Aichi Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.Toyohashi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Electric Co., Ltd. Toyohashi Works

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. When the seed is contacted with steam, the steam is agitated by the seed to minimize heat conduction to the inside of the seed particles and selectively heat-treat only the surface of the seed. Continuous sterilization method. 2. The continuous sterilization method of seed according to claim 1, wherein the seed constitutes a fluidized layer. 3. The continuous seed sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein the contact with steam is carried out by passing steam through the fluidized layer of the seed. 4. The continuous sterilization method for seeds according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein after the seeds are brought into contact with steam, the sterilized seeds are successively subjected to a drying treatment by heating with hot air and cooling with cold air. 5. An apparatus for carrying out the continuous sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising means for imparting kinetic energy for stirring the steam to the seeds. apparatus. 6. The seed transfer device according to claim 5, wherein the means for applying kinetic energy to the seed comprises a net for transferring seeds and a vibrating means for vibrating the net so as to transfer the seeds onto the net. Continuous seed sterilizer. 7. The seed transfer device is a device comprising a net stretched in the longitudinal direction and a vibrating machine for vibrating the net so as to transfer seeds in the longitudinal direction on the net. Continuous seed sterilizer. 8. A casing having a substantially rectangular shape in which an upper opening is covered with a cover and a net is stretched, a water vapor outlet provided in the casing or the cover, and a casing in the longitudinal direction of the casing on the net. A vibrating machine for vibrating the casing so as to transfer seeds, and a steam supply means for introducing high-temperature steam into the space below the net,
It consists of a constant amount supply means for supplying a fixed amount of seeds to be sterilized on the net, while transferring the seeds supplied on the net by vibration, while repeating the jumping motion, from below to above the net. The continuous sterilizer for seeds according to claim 7, wherein the fluidized seeds are heated and sterilized by the flowing high-temperature steam. 9. The continuous seed sterilizing device according to claim 6, wherein the seed transfer device is a vibrating spiral elevator provided with a track made of a spiral net. 10. A vibrating spiral elevator including a tubular body, a track made of a spiral net disposed in the tubular body, and a high temperature steam inlet formed in a lower portion of a peripheral wall portion of the tubular body, A steam inlet formed in the peripheral wall above the steam inlet, a seed supply port formed in the lower part of the peripheral wall, a seed discharge formed in the upper part of the peripheral wall, and the supply A feed guide means connected to the mouth for guiding seeds to the lower end of the vibrating spiral truck; and a sterilized seed discharged from the upper end of the vibrating spiral elevator truck to the outside. Discharge guide means for guiding to one of the seed conveying means, while transferring the seed guided to the lower end of the truck by vibration on the net and repeating the jumping motion, The continuous sterilizer for seeds according to claim 9, wherein the fluidized seeds are heated and sterilized by high-temperature steam flowing upward from below the net. 11. An oscillating heating / cooling dryer is provided, wherein the sterilized seeds are heated and dried on the net by hot air on the upstream side and cooled by cold air on the downstream side. Continuous seed sterilizer of any of.