JPH10179106A - Apparatus for cleaining agricultural product - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for cleaning agricultural products, having functions of maintaining clean washing water, comprising a removing means for eliminating soil and mud attached to agricultural products and a vegetable washing means having a constitution using a transporting means. SOLUTION: Agricultural products 1 loaded on advantageously gripping jig 2 are automatically transported by a chain 14 and soil and mud are removed by a removing machine 4 equipped with a brush 3 for eliminating soil and mud. Successively, the agricultural products 1 are sent to a water tank 5 for prewashing and soil and mud which are not removed by the removing means are washed away by a water flow generated by a water flow producing device 6. Further the agricultural products 1 are transported to a cleaning water tank 7 and cleaned. Water qualities for cleaning water are maintained by using a filtering means 10 and a sterilizing means 11 and a water modifying means 12 is used to lower the surface tension of water and to promote absorption of water in the agricultural products.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning agricultural products, in which means for removing soil and the like adhered to agricultural products and means for cleaning agricultural products are successively constructed by using transfer means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of washing agricultural products, soil and mud adhering to agricultural products in a production field are roughly removed with a brush or a cloth, and soil and mud which cannot be completely removed by returning to a farmer. Furthermore, bacteria and the like were washed away with river water and tap water.However, such washing work requires a great deal of effort for farmers, and in cold weather, hands must be put in cold water. It was often painful.

[0003] In addition, water used for washing agricultural products is not sufficiently washed if it is polluted with micro soil and mud desorbed when the agricultural products are washed, and bacteria adhering to the agricultural products are mixed. Maintain water quality by frequently changing water with clean water when washing large quantities of agricultural products, as the value of the agricultural products in terms of their appearance, freshness, and quality, such as food safety, decreases. I had to.

[0004]

Recently, in agricultural production areas such as vegetables and fruits, agricultural cooperatives and the like collectively process vegetables and fruits, etc., harvested by producers, thereby increasing efficiency. Joint fruit sorting facilities are spreading. For that, it is necessary to process a large amount of agricultural products in a short time,
For example, there is a demand for increasing the number of agricultural products that can be processed per unit time by automating operations for removing soil and mud attached to harvested agricultural products and cleaning operations for agricultural products.

[0005] Further, when washing agricultural products in large quantities, it is required to increase the commercial value in the quality such as the appearance and freshness of the agricultural products and the safety as food by keeping the washing water clean. ing.

[0006] In the case of cut flowers, the cutting operation and the landing operation of the cut flowers are continuously performed by the transfer means and are automated by using a controllable drive source. A cut flower landing device capable of processing a large amount of cut flowers by maintaining it has been proposed.

According to the present invention, the removing means and the washing means, which can be automatically operated, have a continuous structure using a transfer means, which can be automatically operated, and have a function of preventing contamination of water for washing and keeping the same clean. An object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural product cleaning device capable of continuously processing a large amount of agricultural products by having the same.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve these problems, the present invention provides automatic operation by transferring agricultural products previously loaded on a jig for gripping agricultural products by a chain or the like capable of automatic operation. The soil and mud adhering to the agricultural products are removed by using a simple removing means, and then the agricultural products are transferred to a washing tank to wash the agricultural products.

[0009] Further, after removing the soil and mud, a preliminary washing means is provided, and the washing water is circulated while being treated by the filtering means and the sterilizing means. As a result, the removal of soil and mud and the cleaning of agricultural products after the jigs are loaded with agricultural products are all automated, and the water in the washing tank is kept clean so that large quantities of agricultural products can be processed continuously. It is possible to do.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention are as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the removing means for removing soil and mud attached to the agricultural product and the washing means for washing the agricultural product with water are provided for transporting the agricultural product from the removing means to the washing means. The present invention relates to a cleaning device for agricultural products having a continuous structure using a transfer means, and an operation of removing soil and mud and a cleaning operation of agricultural products can be continuously performed by one device, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation. Have.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the agricultural product removing means and the transporting means comprise a controllable drive source so that the automatic operation can be performed. By automating the work of removing soil and mud and the work of transferring and cleaning agricultural products, it has the effect of significantly reducing manual labor and processing a large amount of agricultural products.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein at least one or more preliminary cleaning means is provided between the agricultural product removing means and the cleaning means. Pre-cleaning of agricultural products has the effect of preventing soil, mud, plant-derived suspensions, and bacteria, etc., that could not be completely removed by the removal means from contaminating the water to be washed directly. Have.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the agricultural product removing means and the cleaning means are moved by elevating means. The structure of the means for transporting agricultural products is simple, and the agricultural products can be transported in a short time in the horizontal direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for cleaning agricultural products according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the means for removing agricultural products comprises at least one or more means. A plurality of removal operations can be performed at the same time, and an effect that a large amount of agricultural products can be processed is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the agricultural product removing means comprises at least one brush. Many hairs attached to the brush have the effect of efficiently scraping soil and mud by rubbing the surface of agricultural products.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the washing means for agricultural products uses a water flow.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning agricultural products as described in the above item, and has an effect of efficiently washing away soil and mud by flowing water vigorously on the surface of agricultural products by a water flow.

[0018] The invention according to claim 8 relates to the agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the agricultural product cleaning means uses air bubbles generated by sending air into water. It has the effect of efficiently scraping soil and mud when bubbles in the water come into contact with the surface of agricultural products.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the water for washing agricultural products is filtered and circulated.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning agricultural products according to any one of the above, which removes soil, mud, plant-derived suspensions, and bacteria, etc., mixed in the water for cleaning, and maintains water quality to maintain the water quality. It has the effect of improving the above quality and saving the amount of water used.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the water for cleaning the agricultural products is sterilized and circulated. This is related to washing equipment.It kills bacteria mixed in the water for washing and maintains the water quality to prevent the decay of agricultural products by bacteria and maintain freshness. And has the effect of saving the amount of water used.

[0021] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a part of the washing water is diverted to the pre-washing water by flowing clean water into the washing water for agricultural products. 4. A device for cleaning agricultural products according to any one of the items 4, wherein water for cleaning agricultural products and water for pre-cleaning are maintained and used more cleanly than in a case where such water is not used. It has the effect of saving water volume.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the water for cleaning agricultural products is modified by lowering the surface tension of the water by utilizing magnetic force lines of a magnet which is one of weak energy. The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning agricultural products according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein surface tension of water is reduced by cutting off hydrogen bonds between water molecules using magnetic force lines which are one of weak energy. As a result, water is easily absorbed from cells on the surface of the agricultural product, and the agricultural product has an effect of giving freshness.

The invention according to claim 13 uses far-infrared rays, which is one of weak energy emitted from ceramics fired from natural minerals such as alumina and silica as raw materials for washing water for agricultural products, The cleaning device for agricultural products according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which has been modified such as lowering the surface tension of water, using far infrared rays, which is one of weak energy. When the hydrogen bond between the water molecules is broken, the surface tension of the water is reduced, and the water is easily absorbed from the cells on the surface of the agricultural product, thereby giving the vegetables freshness. (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The apparatus for cleaning agricultural products comprises means for grasping agricultural products, means for removing soil and mud adhering to agricultural products, means for preliminary cleaning of agricultural products, means for cleaning agricultural products, and means for transporting agricultural products. That is, the gripping jig 2 for the agricultural product 1 (eg, radish) includes a gripping jig body 17 divided into two, a helical spring 16 and a fixed shaft 18, and the helical spring 16 is
The divided holding jig body 17 is sandwiched.

The means for removing soil and mud adhering to the portion of the agricultural product 1 to be washed is provided by a controllable driving source (not shown) and a rotary removing machine 4 comprising at least one brush 3. One or more removers 4 are fixed. The pre-cleaning means for the agricultural product 1 includes a water tank 5 for pre-cleaning and a water flow generator 6 using a submersible pump. Washing means for the agricultural products 1 includes a water tank 7 for washing, a bubble generator 8 using an air pump, a circulation pump 9, and a filtering means 1 using sand filtration.
0, a sterilizing means 11 using ozone water and a water reforming means 12 using permanent magnets.

The means for transferring the agricultural product 1 includes a controllable driving source (not shown) and at least one slat 13 to which at least one gripping jig 2 for the agricultural product 1 is attached in a direction perpendicular to FIG. It comprises a chain 14 on which at least one or more slats 13 are mounted. The remover 4 and the pre-cleaning water tank 5 are provided on a platform of an elevator 15 having a controllable drive source (not shown).

The operation of the above construction will be described. When an operator inserts at least one or more uncleaned portions of the agricultural product 1 into the gripping jig 2, the elastic force of the helical spring 16 of the gripping jig 2 causes the operator to insert the non-washed portion. Divided gripping jig body 17
Grip the portion of the produce 1 that is not to be washed.

When the operator confirms that the agricultural product 1 has been loaded into at least one or more gripping jigs 2 attached to one slat 13 and turns on the start switch (not shown) of the transfer means, A controllable driving source (not shown) is driven to automatically move the chain 14, and the single slat 13 to which the gripping jig 2 loaded with the agricultural product 1 is attached,
It is transported to the position where soil and mud are removed. In the position where soil and mud are removed, a controllable driving source (not shown) is driven to automatically raise the base of the elevator 15 to lift the removal machine 4, and the agricultural product 1 is moved into the brush 3. To position.

Next, when the drive source (not shown) of the remover 4 that can be controlled is driven, the brush 3 mounted on the remover 4 automatically starts rotating, and one slat 13 is gripped. The attached soil and mud are removed while rubbing the surface of the agricultural product 1 loaded in the jig 2. Subsequently, the chain 14 is automatically moved, and the agricultural product 1 from which most of the soil and mud attached thereto has been removed.
Is transferred to the position for pre-cleaning. In the pre-cleaning position, a controllable driving source (not shown) is driven to automatically raise the base of the elevator 15 and also raise the pre-cleaning water tank 5 so that the portion of the agricultural product 1 to be cleaned can be cleaned. Is immersed in water and washed in the water flow generated by the water flow generator 6.

Subsequently, the chain 14 is automatically moved, and the gripping jig 2 loaded with the pre-cleaned agricultural product 1 is mounted.
Is transferred to the washing water tank 7 having a length sufficient to secure sufficient washing. The water in the washing water tank 7 is returned to the washing water tank 7 by the circulation pump 9 through the filtering means 10, the sterilizing means 11, and the water reforming means 12.

The chain 14 automatically moves one after another, so that the portion of the agricultural product 1 to be washed is removed from the washing tank 7.
One slat 13 attached with the gripping jig 2 loaded with the agricultural product 1 that has been washed while moving
Is transferred to the removal position. In the take-out position, the water attached to the surface of the agricultural product 1 is blown out by air blow (not shown) after being taken out of the gripping jig 2 by a hand or a holding device (not shown) mounted on a robot (not shown). ) And pack it in a box,
Will be stored or shipped.

According to the agricultural product cleaning apparatus of the above-described embodiment, when the worker inserts the non-cleanable portion of the agricultural product 1 into the gripping jig 2, the thickness of the non-cleanable portion of the agricultural product 1 is arbitrarily adjusted. Since the holding jig body 17 divided into two inserts the portion of the agricultural product 1 that is not washed by the elastic force of the wrapping spring 16, the agricultural product 1 can be gripped at an arbitrary position.

Next, when the operator turns on the start switch (not shown) of the transfer means, the chain 14 automatically moves, and the single slat 13 to which the gripping jig 2 loaded with the agricultural product 1 is attached is attached. Is transported to a position where soil and mud are removed. Then, one or more brushes 3 mounted on the remover 4 rotate to remove soil and mud by rubbing the surface of the portion of the agricultural product 1 to be washed.

Next, one slat 13 attached with the gripping jig 2 loaded with the agricultural product 1 from which the surface soil and mud has been almost removed is automatically transferred to the pre-washing water tank 5 and the agricultural product 1 is removed. The part to be cleaned is immersed in water. In the pre-cleaning water tank 5, soil, mud, and bacteria that could not be completely removed by the removing means are washed away with the water generated by the water flow generator 6, and the subsequent cleaning water tank 7 is used.
Soil and mud, and even bacteria, can be prevented from directly entering the water, and the water quality of the washing water can be prevented from deteriorating.

At this time, by moving the removing device 4 and the pre-washing water tank 5 up and down by using the elevator 15, it is possible to move quickly while keeping the chain 14 of the transfer means horizontal. Can be easy.

Subsequently, one slat 13 to which the gripping jig 2 loaded with the pre-washed agricultural product 1 is attached is attached.
Is automatically transferred to the washing tank 7, and the portion of the agricultural product 1 to be washed is immersed in water. The washing tank 7 has a length corresponding to a time enough to secure sufficient washing of the agricultural products 1, and the chain 14 automatically moves one after another, and the agricultural products 1 are sufficiently washed while sending the slats 13. can do. In the washing tank 7, the bubbles generated by the bubble generator 8 come into contact with the surface of the agricultural product 1, so that soil and mud that cannot be completely removed by the removing means can be removed.

The water for washing is agglomerated with a flocculant by fine soil and mud detached from the agricultural product 1 during the washing, plant-derived suspensions and bacteria, and then filtered by sand filtration means 10. Filtration and sterilization means 11 using ozone water to kill bacteria and maintain the water quality, thereby improving the quality of the agricultural product 1 such as appearance, freshness, decay prevention and safety. The amount of water used can be saved by using the same water many times.

Further, the water for washing is passed through a water reforming means 12 using a permanent magnet that emits magnetic lines of force, which is one of weak energy having the effect of cutting off hydrogen bonds of water molecules. The surface tension is reduced, so that water is easily absorbed by cells on the surface of the agricultural product 1, and the agricultural product 1 can be given freshness, which is advantageous in quality such as freshness.

In the above description, one slat 13
Jig 2 for holding at least one or more agricultural products 1
Has been described alone, but it is also possible to similarly implement two or more gripping jigs 2 connected together, and by connecting two or more gripping jigs 2 Many agricultural products 1 can be processed, and work efficiency can be improved.

The gripping jig 2 for the agricultural product 1 has been described as an example in which the elastic force of the helix spring 16 is used so as to correspond to an arbitrary thickness of a portion of the agricultural product 1 that is not washed. The present invention can be similarly implemented by using a leaf spring, rubber, or the like.

As an example of removing soil and mud adhering to the agricultural product 1 in the example of removing soil and mud in the air, the same applies when a water tank is provided to remove soil and mud in water. It is feasible. Although the example in which the removing machine 4 is fixed has been described, the present invention can be similarly implemented by providing a rail or the like and removing one removing machine 4 while moving. Although the removal method using the brush 3 has been described as an example of the removal method, the removal can be similarly performed using a shower, pressurized water, compressed air, or the like.

Although the example in which the brush 3 is removed by rotating the brush 3 has been described, it is also possible to similarly remove the agricultural product 1 by sandwiching the agricultural product 1 between two plate-like brushes 3 and moving the brush 3 laterally. . The transfer means has been described using the example using the slats 13 and the chains 14.
The present invention can be similarly implemented by using a belt or the like which has a hole so as to be able to mount the holding jig or a robot which transfers the holding jig 2.
In addition, the present invention can be similarly implemented by using a free-flow type transfer means in order to shorten the length of the chain 14 and the washing water tank 7.

The example in which the gripping jig 2 loaded with the agricultural product 1 uses the elevator 15 as a method for transferring the removing means and the pre-cleaning means has been described. Although feasible, the structure of the transfer means is complicated. Although the method of filtering the water for landing has been described with reference to the example of the filtering means 10 using sand filtration, the present invention can be similarly implemented by using a filtration membrane or the like. Sterilization means 11 using ozone water as a method for killing bacteria
As described in the example using, ultraviolet rays and sodium hypochlorite,
The present invention can be similarly carried out using strongly acidic water generated by electrolysis.

Although the description has been given of the example in which only the water for washing is filtered or sterilized, water for pre-washing and water removed by providing a water tank as a removing means can be similarly implemented. As an example of using the water tank 5 for pre-cleaning as a method for preventing contaminants from directly entering the water tank 7 for cleaning, other methods such as showering while transferring from the removing means to the water tank 7 for cleaning have been described. Washing of the produce 1 is likewise feasible. In order to maintain the cleaning water clean, an example has been described in which the filtration means 10 and the sterilization means 11 are used while being circulated by the circulation pump 9, but the clean water is supplied to the cleaning water tank 7 or the preliminary cleaning water tank 5. It can be similarly carried out even if it is made to flow into the.

Further, by flowing clean water into the water tank 7 for cleaning, a part of the water in the water tank 7 for cleaning flows into the water tank 5 for pre-cleaning, and further, the water in the water tank 5 for pre-cleaning. The present invention can be similarly carried out even when a part is provided as a removing means and a water tank is provided so as to flow into a water tank to be removed. The example in which the magnetic field lines which are one of the weak energy is used as the water reforming means 13 for lowering the surface tension of the water for landing using a permanent magnet has been described. Alternatively, the present invention can be similarly implemented by applying an electric field or utilizing far-infrared rays emitted by ceramics fired using a mineral such as alumina or silica as a raw material.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the means for removing soil and mud adhering to agricultural products and the means for washing agricultural products are connected by a transfer means and are automated by using a controllable drive source. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce manual labor and process a large amount of agricultural products.

Further, by providing a pre-cleaning means for agricultural products, it is possible to prevent contaminants from being directly mixed into the water for cleaning. By keeping the water clean and ensuring sufficient washing of the agricultural products, the quality of the agricultural products such as appearance, freshness and safety can be improved, and the amount of water used can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the agricultural product cleaning device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a jig for holding agricultural products according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Agricultural product 2 Gripping jig 3 Brush 4 Removing machine 5 Water tank for pre-cleaning 6 Water flow generator 7 Water tank for cleaning 8 Bubble generator 9 Circulation pump 10 Filtration means 11 Sterilization means 12 Water reforming means 13 Slats 14 Chain 15 Elevator 16 Suspension spring 17 Gripping jig body 18 Fixed shaft

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI C02F 1/50 531 C02F 1/50 531R 540 540A 550 550A 560 560G 560C 1/78 1/78 // A01D 33/08 A01D 33 / 08 B08B 1/00 B08B 1/00 3/04 3/04 B

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A removing means for removing soil and mud adhering to agricultural products and a washing means for washing agricultural products with water are continuously connected using a transfer means for transporting the agricultural products from the removing means to the washing means. A cleaning device for agricultural products consisting of components. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for removing and transferring said agricultural products comprises a controllable driving source so that automatic operation is possible.
A cleaning device for agricultural products according to claim 1. 3. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one or more preliminary cleaning means is provided between the agricultural product removing means and the cleaning means. 4. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural product removing means and the cleaning means are moved by an elevating means. 5. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural product removing means comprises at least one or more. 6. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural product removing means comprises at least one brush. 7. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural product cleaning means uses a water flow. 8. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural product cleaning means uses air bubbles generated by sending air into water. 9. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water for agricultural product cleaning is filtered and circulated. 10. The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water for agricultural product cleaning is sterilized and circulated. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a part of the cleaning water is diverted to the water for preliminary cleaning by flowing clean water into the water for cleaning agricultural products. A washing device for agricultural products as described in the above. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water for cleaning agricultural products is modified by utilizing the magnetic field lines of a magnet, which is one of weak energy, to lower the surface tension of the water. An apparatus for cleaning agricultural products according to claim 1. 13. Water for washing agricultural products is produced by utilizing far-infrared rays which are one of weak energy emitted from ceramics fired using natural minerals such as alumina and silica as raw materials.
The agricultural product cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus is modified such as reducing the surface tension of water.