WO2009084765A1

WO2009084765A1 - Vegetable washing apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: WO2009084765A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000517
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyo-Hwan Jung
Original assignee: Paris Croissant Co., Ltd.; Spl Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-12-27
Filing date: 2008-01-28
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: KR20090070729A; CN101610691A; DE112008000023T5; EP2234507A1; KR100957207B1; JP2010508046A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vegetable washing apparatus (100) and system being capable of enhancing the efficiency of vegetable washing and achieving uniform and clean vegetable washing. For this, the present invention provides a vegetable washing apparatus (100) including a washing bath (200) for washing vegetables inputted; a water supply member for supplying washing water (w) to the washing bath (200); a water drain member for draining the washing water (w) from the washing bath; a collection and transfer unit for collecting and transferring the vegetables (v) from the washing bath (200); and a conveying unit for taking out and conveying the transferred vegetables (v).

Description

Description VEGETABLE WASHING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for washing vegetables inputted, and more particularly, to a vegetable washing apparatus and system being capable of automatically washing inputted vegetables in succession, enhancing the efficiency of vegetable washing, and washing vegetables more clean and uniformly during a washing process. Background Art

[2] In recent years, the modern society pays much attention to health along with popular well-being. Thus, even vegetable consumption is gradually increasing and particularly, the consumption of food such as sandwiches or salads is gradually increasing due to the influence of lifestyles or well-beings of busy modern people.

[3] Thus, most of food such as sandwiches or salads are mass-produced gradually in specialized manufacturing factories and even its ingredients, vegetables, go through a washing work, etc. and then are input in large quantities to a manufacturing process.

[4] However, in a conventional vegetable washing work, vegetables were washed dependent upon a manual work in such a simple manner that many workers submerge and wash vegetables several times in each water bath or jet water through a host and wash vegetables inputted to a water bath.

[5] Thus, the conventional art has a problem that because a vegetable washing work makes progress by a worker's manual work, the vegetable washing work cannot make progress uniformly and clean due to his/her inattention or carelessness, thus making vegetable safety unreliable.

[6] Also, there are many problems that because a conventional vegetable washing method is dependent upon a manual work, labor costs are much incurred, vegetables are easily damaged during a vegetable washing process, and even the efficiency and productivity of a washing work is deteriorated much.

[7] Further, there is a serious problem that because the conventional vegetable washing method does not keep a temperature of washing water constant, vegetables cannot be kept fresh during a washing process, thus losing freshness. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a vegetable washing apparatus and system that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. [9] An object of the present invention is to provide a vegetable washing apparatus and system for automatically washing vegetables with no dependence on a manual work and enhancing the efficiency of vegetable washing.

[10] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vegetable washing apparatus and system being capable of achieving more clean and uniform vegetable washing work.

[11] A further another object of the present invention is to provide a vegetable washing apparatus and system being capable of reducing a damage of vegetables to the maximum during a vegetable washing process.

[12] A yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vegetable washing apparatus and system being capable of keeping vegetables fresh during a vegetable washing process. Technical Solution

[13] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a vegetable washing apparatus. The vegetable washing apparatus includes a washing bath for washing vegetables inputted; a water supply member for supplying washing water to the washing bath; a water drain member for draining the washing water from the washing bath; a collection and transfer unit for collecting and transferring the vegetables from the washing bath; and a conveying unit for taking out and conveying the transferred vegetables.

[14] In another aspect, there is provided a vegetable washing system employing the vegetable washing apparatus in plurality to enable a successive washing work. Advantageous Effects

[15] The present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of uniformly and clean washing vegetables supplied in succession and preventing even damages to the vegetables during a washing process because the vegetables are washed using the current of washing water jetted from a main nozzle and a sub nozzle of a washing bath and washing water jetted through a nozzle.

[16] Also, the present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of automating a vegetable washing work, remarkably improving the efficiency of a vegetable washing work, and realizing clean washing surroundings because vegetable washing is performed using a roller-chain driving unit having a main nozzle, a sub nozzle, and a rake and a belt conveyor along with automatic transfer of vegetables.

[17] Also, the present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of more improving the reliability of vegetable washing because vegetables are washed as showered by washing water jetted from a nozzle. [18] Further, the present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of enhancing and maintaining freshness of vegetables to the maximum during a washing process because washing water of a washing bath is kept constant using a temperature control unit.

[19] Furthermore, the present invention also has a very useful effect of being capable of more improving the cleanness and safety of vegetables because diverse kinds of bacteria or parasites are sterilized by using washing water containing a disinfectant. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a plane view illustrating a vegetable washing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along a line A-A of FIG. 2;

[22] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an operation state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a plane view illustrating a vegetable washing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along a line B-B of FIG. 6;

[25] FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating an operation state according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a vegetable washing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[27] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a vegetable washing system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be divided into a vegetable washing apparatus and a vegetable washing system and described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[29] <First exemplary embodiment of vegetable washing apparatus>

[30] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a plane view illustrating a vegetable washing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along a line A-A of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an operation state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS.l through 4, the vegetable washing apparatus 100 includes a washing bath 200, a water supply member, a water drain member, a collection and transfer unit, and a conveying unit.

[31] The washing bath 200 is a bath for washing vegetables (V) inputted from a conveying unit (B). In detail, a guide plate 210 is installed at an inner and middle portion of the washing bath 200 and divides an inner space of the washing bath 200 into an upper part and a lower part such that the vegetables (V) inputted to the washing bath 200 can be guided toward the conveying unit.

[32] The washing bath 200 is formed to incline at its one-side surface and makes it easy for the conveying unit to convey the vegetables (V). A frame 220 is installed to support and control the washing bath 200 in height.

[33] The water supply member is a member for supplying washing water (W) to the washing bath 200 through a general water supply pump. As its one example, there are provided a plurality of main nozzles 300 and a plurality of sub nozzles 310 according to the present invention. The plurality of main nozzles 300 are installed at the inner and left side of the washing bath 200. The plurality of sub nozzles 310 are installed on inner, front and rear surfaces of the washing bath 200 to be slant as they are faced as shown in the plane view of FIG. 2.

[34] The main nozzle 300 is installed in a cymbal type so that its jet-out direction can be freely set and also to direct right/upward as shown in FIG. 1. The washing water (W) desirably uses general water, however, can also use water containing a disinfectant such as chlorine (Cl).

[35] As shown in FIG. 4, the main nozzle 300 and the sub nozzle 310 receive washing water (W) from the water supply pump and jet the washing water (W) out, thus generating a strong current. Owing to the current, the vegetables (V) inputted to the washing bath 200 are shaken and washed. While so, the vegetables gradually move to the conveying unit.

[36] The water drain member is a member for draining washing water (W) supplied to the washing bath 200. As its one example, there are provided drain pipes 400 and 410 according to the present invention. The drain pipes 400 and 410 are installed at an inner, bottom surface and a right, upper part of the washing bath 200. The drain pipe 410 serves as an overflow drain pipe to prevent washing water (W) from flowing over the washing bath 200.

[37] The collection and transfer unit is a unit for collecting vegetables (V) inputted to the washing bath 200 and transferring the vegetables (V) toward the conveying unit. As its one example, there are provided frames 500, roller-chain driving units 510, and a plurality of rakes 580 according to the present invention. The frames 500 are installed at both upper, front/rear sides of the washing bath 200. The plurality of rakes 580 are installed at the roller-chain driving unit 510 to rake vegetables (V) inputted to the washing bath 200 and transfer the raked vegetables (V) toward the conveying unit.

[38] The roller-chain driving unit 510 includes a motor 515, a driving sprocket 520 and a driven sprocket 530, a chain 540, a plurality of rake bars 550, and the plurality of rakes 580. The motor 515 is installed at one-side upper part of the frame 500. The driving sprocket 520 and the driven sprocket 530 each are installed at both front/rear sides of the frame 500 such that they receive a driving force from the motor 515 and rotate. The chain 540 connects the driving sprocket 520 with the driven sprocket 530. The plurality of rake bars 550 are installed to connect to attachments 542 of pin link plates 541 among constituent elements of the both-sided chain 540. The plurality of rakes 580 are installed at the rake bars 550 using connectors 560 such as bolts, nuts, etc. and butt straps 570.

[39] Thus, the rakes 580 are, as shown in FIG. 4, transferred along with the chain 540.

Therefore, the rakes 580 serve to rake vegetables (V) from the surface of water and under water of the washing bath 200 and transfer the vegetables (V) toward the conveying unit.

[40] The conveying unit is a unit for taking vegetables (V) supplied from the collection and transfer unit out of the washing bath 200 and conveying the vegetables (V) outside the washing bath 200. As its one example, there is provided a belt conveyor 600 according to the present invention. The belt conveyor 600 is installed to be partially submerged under water at one side of the washing bath 200.

[41] The belt conveyor 600 includes a motor 605, a driving wheel 610 and driven wheels

620 and 621, a mesh belt 630, and fences 640. The driving wheel 610 and the driven wheels 620 and 621 are installed to adapt to a slant surface of the washing bath 200. The mesh belt 630 connects the driving wheel 610 with the driven wheels 620 and 621 and makes it easy to dry vegetables (V). The mesh belt 630 has a catching jaw 631 for preventing the vegetables (V) from sliding down during a conveying process. The fences 640 are installed at both sides of the mesh belt 630 to prevent the vegetables (V) from being broken away outside during the conveying process.

[42] Accordingly, the belt conveyor 600 takes, by the mesh belt 630, the washed vegetables (V) out of the washing bath 200 and naturally dries while conveying the vegetables (V) outside the washing bath 200. Also, the belt conveyor 600 prevents, by the catching jaw 631 , the vegetables (V) from being again introduced into the washing bath 200 during the conveying process.

[43] As such, the vegetable washing apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 4, washes vegetables (V) inputted to the washing bath 200 by washing water (W) jetted out from the main nozzles 300 and the sub nozzles 310 and its current. Therefore, the vegetable washing apparatus 100 can reduce damages to the vegetables (V) and perform a vegetable washing process with more efficiency.

[44] Also, the present invention rakes while moving, by the rake 580, vegetables (V) under washing toward the belt conveyor 600 and then dries while conveying, by the belt conveyor 600, the washed vegetables (V) outside the washing bath 200. Therefore, quick transfer and dry of the vegetables (V) are achieved together.

[45] Thus, the present invention can automate a vegetable washing work, improve washing productivity, wash vegetables (V) in succession while making the washing uniform and clean altogether, realize more clean and sanitary work surroundings, and guarantee the safety and reliability of the washed vegetables (V).

[46] <Second exemplary embodiment of vegetable washing apparatus>

[47] FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a plane view illustrating a vegetable washing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along a line B-B of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating an operation state according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The second exemplary embodiment is an example of a vegetable washing apparatus 101 where a temperature control unit and a shower unit 800 are added to the vegetable washing apparatus 100 having been already described in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[48] The temperature control unit is a unit for maintaining washing water (W) filled in a washing bath 200 at a specific temperature. As its one example, there is provided a brine pipe 700 according to the present invention. The brine pipe 700 is installed at an inner bottom portion of the washing bath 200 to maintain the washing water (W) at a temperature of 4 ⁰C or so.

[49] Thus, vegetables (V) inputted to the washing bath 200 can be washed and changed into the most crisp and fresh state because of the washing water (W) of about 4 ⁰C. After completion of washing, the vegetables (V) can be inputted straight to a process of manufacturing salads, sandwiches, etc. without a separate freshness maintenance process.

[50] The shower unit 800 is a unit for additionally washing vegetables (V) on a belt conveyor 600 that is a conveying unit. As its one example, there are provided a support 810 and a plurality of nozzles 820. The support 810 is installed at an upper part of a slant portion of a mesh belt 630. The plurality of nozzles 820 are installed at a bottom surface of the support 810 to connect with a water supply pump, etc.

[51] Thus, vegetables (V) conveyed along the mesh belt 630 are, as shown in FIG. 8, washed as showered by washing water (W) jetted from the nozzles 820. Therefore, the vegetables (V) are washed much cleaner.

[52] As above, the vegetable washing apparatus 101 controls a temperature of washing water (W) by the brine pipe 700 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention in addition to the function having been described in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the vegetable washing apparatus 101 changes and keeps vegetables (V) inputted to the washing bath 200 fresh, thus much improving the quality and merchantability of the washed vegetables (V).

[53] Also, the vegetable washing apparatus 101 washes vegetables (V) once more by the nozzles 820 of the shower unit 800 in addition to washing the vegetables (V) by the washing bath 200. Therefore, the vegetable washing apparatus 101 can wash the vegetables (V) cleaner, thus resulting in a remarkable reduction of an error rate of vegetable washing and an improved reliability of vegetable cleanness.

[54] <First exemplary embodiment of vegetable washing system>

[55] FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating an example of a vegetable washing system of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a state where the vegetable washing apparatus 100 of FIG. 4 is installed in five successions.

[56] The vegetable washing system washes vegetables (V) supplied from conveying units

(B) in succession by five vegetable washing apparatuses 100 and supplies the washed vegetables (V) to tables (T). Therefore, the vegetable washing system can remove foreign materials remaining on the vegetables (V) more certainly during a washing process, thus much improving the reliability, safety, and washing efficiency of the vegetables (V).

[57] In particular, the vegetable washing system has an intact individual function of the vegetable washing apparatus 100 while automatically performing a vegetable washing process. The vegetable washing system can realize more clean and sanitary washing surroundings because workers do not participate in a washing work directly.

[58] <Second exemplary embodiment of vegetable washing system>

[59] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a vegetable washing system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a state where the vegetable washing apparatus 101 of FIG. 5 is installed in five successions.

[60] In addition to operation and function of the vegetable washing system of FIG. 9, the vegetable washing system of FIG. 10 can more completely remove foreign materials remaining on vegetables (V) during a washing process by a brine pipe 700 that is a temperature control unit and nozzles 820 that are shower units 800 of the vegetable washing apparatus 101, and enhance and maintain freshness of the vegetables (V) to the maximum during the washing process.

[61] Meantime, in the present invention, it has been described that all of the shower unit

800 and the nozzles 820 each installed at the five washing apparatuses 101 are used, but only part of them can be used or not depending on a work process. In addition to the vegetable washing systems according to the first and second exemplary embodiments, a vegetable washing system can be also realized by mixing a plurality of vegetable washing apparatuses 100 and 101 and installing the vegetable washing apparatuses 100 and 101 in succession. Industrial Applicability

[62] The present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of uniformly and clean washing vegetables supplied in succession and preventing even damages to the vegetables during a washing process because the vegetables are washed using the current of washing water jetted from a main nozzle and a sub nozzle of a washing bath and washing water jetted through a nozzle.

[63] Also, the present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of automating a vegetable washing work, remarkably improving the efficiency of a vegetable washing work, and realizing clean washing surroundings because vegetable washing is performed using a roller-chain driving unit having a main nozzle, a sub nozzle, and a rake and a belt conveyor along with automatic transfer of vegetables.

[64] Also, the present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of more improving the reliability of vegetable washing because vegetables are washed as showered by washing water jetted from a nozzle.

[65] Further, the present invention has a very useful effect of being capable of enhancing and maintaining freshness of vegetables to the maximum during a washing process because washing water of a washing bath is kept constant using a temperature control unit.

[66] Furthermore, the present invention also has a very useful effect of being capable of more improving the cleanness and safety of vegetables because diverse kinds of bacteria or parasites are sterilized by using washing water containing a disinfectant.

[67] While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] A vegetable washing apparatus comprising: a washing bath 200 for washing vegetables(V) inputted; a water supply member for supplying washing water to the washing bath 200; a water drain member for draining the washing water from the washing bath 200; a collection and transfer unit for collecting and transferring the vegetables(V) from the washing bath 200; and a conveying unit for taking out and conveying the transferred vegetables(V).

[2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the washing bath 200 comprises: a frame 220 for supporting the washing bath 200; and a guide plate 210 installed inside to guide vegetables (V) on a surface of water and under water toward the conveying unit and set a valid washing space of the washing bath 200.

[3] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water supply member comprises: a main nozzle 300 and a sub nozzle 310 installed inside the washing bath 200 to provide a flow of water toward the conveying unit.

[4] The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the main nozzle 300 is installed at an inner and left side of the washing bath 200 and the sub nozzle 310 is installed to be slant at both inner and front/rear sides of the washing bath 200.

[5] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water drain member comprises: a drain pipe 400 and 410 installed at the washing bath 200.

[6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collection and transfer unit comprises: a roller-chain driving unit 510 for receiving a driving force from the motor 515 and driving; and a rake 580 installed at a chain 540 of the roller-chain driving unit 510 to rake the vegetables(V) on a surface of water and under water and transfer the vegetables to a conveying unit.

[7] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveying unit is comprised of a belt conveyor 600 installed to be partially submerged in the washing bath 200.

[8] The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the belt conveyor 600 comprises: a mesh belt 630 for drying while conveying vegetables (V); a plurality of catching jaws 631 installed at the mesh belt 630 to prevent vegetables^) from sliding down during conveyance; and fences 640 installed at both sides of the mesh belt 630 and preventing vegetable(V) breakaway outside the mesh belt 630.

[9] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a temperature control unit for controlling a temperature of the washing water filled in the washing bath 200.

[10] The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the temperature control unit comprises a brine pipe 700 installed at the washing bath 200.

[11] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a shower unit 800 having a nozzle

820 jetting washing water to wash vegetables(V) on the conveying unit.

[12] A vegetable washing system employing a plurality of vegetable washing apparatuses 100 and 101 claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 to enable a successive washing work.