Abstract:
A bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device can exhibit a sufficient dispersing function even for fine and light weight bean sprouts-like articles liable to be entangled with each other, such as alfalfa sprouts. The loosening supply device includes two conveyors having both of their end portions constructed to turn so as to run endlessly, having their outer surfaces provided with needle members, and running at velocities different from each other. The conveyors are arranged to have their running paths opposed to each other so that their running directions are both downward and so that at least one portion of the needle members of the two conveyors mesh into each other. Alfalfa sprouts are supplied into the running paths from above and encounter the needle members of the two conveyors running at velocities different from each other and intersecting with each other. Each time the needle members intersect with each other, the alfalfa sprouts are separated upward and downward and dispersed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device by which various kinds of bean sprouts, cut vegetables, mesclun greens or other slender shape vegetables (all these articles are herein jointly referred to as “bean sprouts-like articles”) are loosened to be supplied. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Generally, the bean sprouts-like articles (i.e., slender vegetables) have indefinite shapes and are easily entangled with each other or biased to become a lump which can hardly be transferred and supplied with a good metering ability in a dispersed state. Also, in the course of making commercial products of the bean sprouts-like articles, the bean sprouts-like articles are washed and refined so that unnecessary matters mixing in the bean sprouts-like articles are removed and water content attaching to the bean sprouts-like articles so washed and refined is separated so that the bean sprouts-like articles can be metered by a predetermined quantity to be packaged. For carrying out the washing and refining of the bean sprouts-like articles and also for carrying out the water separation and metering of them, it is essential that the bean sprouts-like articles are to be supplied in the dispersed state. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, the bean sprouts-like articles are generally easily entangled with each other or biased to become a lump and thus are hardly transferred and supplied with good metering ability in the dispersed state. 
     For example, in case the bean sprouts-like articles are to be metered by a predetermined quantity to be packaged, in order to accurately carry out the metering, the bean sprouts-like articles are to be uniformly supplied into a metering bucket in the dispersed state so that the timing of reaching a predetermined weight can be accurately detected. Thus, such a technology which allows the bean sprouts-like articles to be loosened in the uniformly dispersed state to be supplied is being demanded. 
     As examples of conventional technologies for uniformly supplying the bean sprouts-like articles in the dispersed state, there are several ones that have been disclosed by the applicant of the present invention. In particular, there is a technology in which in order for the bean sprouts-like articles to be uniformly supplied into a metering bucket for metering, the bean sprouts-like articles are transferred to be lifted up by a scraping-up conveyor and then are caused to fall down from the scraping-up conveyor onto a loosening device, such as a vibrating plate, a quickly running endless belt, etc., so that the bean sprouts-like articles are applied with loosening actions by the loosening device (Patent Document 1). There is another technology in which the bean sprouts-like articles are transferred to be lifted up by a scraping-up conveyor and loosened as if they are torn at a delivery end of the scraping-up conveyor by a loosening device, such as a roller, an endless belt or the like fitted with needle members, and are caused to fall down in a dispersed state (Patent Document 2). There is another technology in which the bean sprouts-like articles are transferred by a supply conveyor and loosened to achieve a dispersed state by a loosening device comprising a plurality of rotating rolls arranged to be rotated faster than the supply conveyor (Patent Document 3). 
     In the conventional dispersing technology, however, if the bean sprouts-like articles are fine, small and light weight articles to be easily entangled with each other, such as alfalfa sprouts, there often arises such a case that no sufficient dispersing function can be obtained. Such bean sprouts-like articles are entangled with each other to become a lump state, and even if they are thrown into a water tank, it will often be difficult for them to realize a dispersed floating state. In the bean sprouts-like articles liable to become a lump, if metering is to be done, for example, there arises such a case that they fall down as they are in the lump into a metering bucket of a metering apparatus. In this way, if the bean sprouts-like articles are supplied not in the dispersed state but in s lump, the metering bucket receiving the supplied bean sprouts-like articles cannot accurately detect the timing of reaching a predetermined weight and a metering accuracy will be badly affected.
     Patent Document 1: Japanese laid-open patent application No. 1988-152516   Patent Document 2: Japanese laid-open patent application No. 1988-281901   Patent Document 3: Japanese laid-open patent application No. 2002-34537   

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings in the conventional bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device that can exhibit a sufficient dispersing function even for the fine and light weight bean sprouts-like articles liable to be entangled with each other. 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device that comprises two loosening members having their outer surfaces provided with a plurality of needle members and moving at velocities different from each other, and is constructed so that the two loosening members are arranged having their moving paths opposed to each other so that their moving directions are the same. Furthermore, at least one portion of the needle members of the two loosening members mesh into each other and bean sprouts-like articles are supplied into the moving paths arranged so as to oppose each other. 
     The loosening members of the loosening supply device according to the present invention may be constructed comprising two conveyors having both end portions constructed to turn so that the conveyors run endlessly, having their outer surfaces provided with the plurality of needle members and running at velocities different from each other. 
     Or, the loosening members of the loosening supply device according to the present invention may be constructed comprising two rollers having their axial directions arranged in parallel with each other, having their outer surfaces provided with the plurality of needle members and rotating at velocities different from each other. 
     In the bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device according to the present invention, the two loosening members having their outer surfaces provided with the plurality of needle members and moving at velocities different from each other are arranged having their moving paths opposed to each other so that their moving directions are the same and at least at one portion of the needle members of the two loosening members mesh into each other. Hence, the bean sprouts-like articles supplied into the moving paths encounter the needle members intersecting with each other of the two loosening members moving at velocities different from each other in the moving paths. On each time of encountering the intersection of the needle members, the bean sprouts-like articles are separated from each other to be dispersed. 
     In the loosening supply device according to the present invention, the needle members of the above-mentioned two loosening members may have their lengths formed differently from each other. For example, the needle members of the loosening member that moves faster may be formed longer than the needle members of the other loosening member. Alternatively, the needle members having their lengths formed differently from each other may be arranged to be mixed together. Thereby, the loosening function can be enhanced. 
     Also, two devices of the above-mentioned bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device may be arranged in series so that the bean sprouts-like articles delivered from the moving paths opposed to each other in the loosening supply device on an upstream side are supplied into the moving paths opposed to each other in the loosening supply device on a downstream side. Thereby, the bean sprouts-like articles are repeatedly applied with the loosening actions in multi-stages and the loosening effect can be enhanced. 
     Further, in the loosening device according to the present invention, the moving direction in the moving paths arranged to be opposed to each other is not limited but may be appropriately selected, such as a horizontal direction, inclined downward direction, downward direction, etc. But if the loosening members are so constructed as to move downward from above in the moving paths, then the movement of the bean sprouts-like articles applied with the loosening actions can be smoothly carried out. 
     In case the loosening devices according to the present invention are arranged in series with multi-stages and with the moving direction in the moving paths being set downwardly, the moving paths of the loosening supply device on an upper side and the loosening supply device on a lower side may be arranged being laterally shifted relative to each other. 
     Thereby, the movement of the bean sprouts-like articles that are sent being biased by the velocity difference between the loosening members can be smoothly carried out. 
     In the loosening device according to the present invention, it is preferable to provide a casing surrounding the two loosening members and to be provided with a bean sprouts-like articles discharge opening so that the loosened bean sprouts-like articles are prevented from scattering. In this case, if a fluid ejecting nozzle is provided for separating the bean sprouts-like articles sticking to the portion of the bean sprouts-like articles discharge opening of the casing, then the discharge of the loosened bean sprouts-like articles can be smoothly carried out. 
     In the loosening device according to the present invention, at least one of the two loosening members having their moving paths opposed to each other may have a fluid-passability or permeability so that fluid, such as air, is blown out through the loosening member having the fluid-passability and the bean sprouts-like articles sticking to the needle members are separated or a sterilizing fluid or bleaching fluid is supplied into the moving paths opposed to each other through the loosening member having the fluid-passability. Thereby, such a loosening supply device can be obtained in which the bean sprouts-like articles applied with the loosening operation can be sterilized to be preserved for a longer time and supplied or can be bleached and supplied. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view showing a construction of a bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device of an embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial plan view of the bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing a construction of a bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device of another embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Herebelow, the present invention will be more concretely described based on embodiments, as illustrated, of a bean sprouts-like articles (vegetables) loosening supply device according to the present invention. In the embodiments, the present invention is applied to a transfer conveyor device of a sprouts metering apparatus in which alfalfa sprouts, as harvested and refined, are transferred into a metering hopper to be metered by a predetermined quantity to be packaged. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , numerals  1  and  10 , respectively, designate conveyors running endlessly by turning at their respective both end portions. The conveyors  1 ,  10  run at velocities different from each other. As the conveyors  1 ,  10  have substantially the same construction, description will be made on the construction of the conveyor  1 . The conveyor  1  comprises four sprockets in total, that is, two sprockets  2 ,  2  arranged with an interval maintained between them in the direction perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 1  and two sprockets  3 ,  3  likewise arranged, and two chains  4 ,  4  endlessly wound around the sprockets  2 ,  3 . The conveyor  1  also comprises a plurality of conveyor plates  5  each having both of their ends fitted to the two chains  4 ,  4  so that the conveyor  1  is constructed as an endless conveyor. Each of the conveyor plates  5  has its outer surface provided with a plurality of needle members  6  that perpendicularly rise up (extend out) from the outer surface of the conveyor plate  5 . Parts and components of the conveyor  10  that correspond to those of the conveyor  1  are shown by reference numerals in which 10 is added to reference numerals of the conveyor  1  and a description thereof will be omitted. 
     The conveyors  1 ,  10  are so constructed as to be operated to run with a velocity difference between them. As one example thereof, the conveyor  1  is operated to run at 3.5 cm/sec and the conveyor  10  at 11.0 cm/sec. The needle members  16  of the conveyor  10  are formed longer than the needle members  6  of the conveyor  1 . 
     As seen in the side view of  FIG. 1 , the conveyors  1 ,  10  are arranged relative to each other such that while on the upper are of the conveyor belt, they stand apart from each other, and while on the lower are of the conveyor belt, they stand close to each other so that the needle members  6 ,  16  of the conveyors  1 ,  10 , respectively, get into each other. The conveyors  1 ,  10  are so constructed that their running paths opposed to each other run in the same downward direction, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 1 . 
     Below the conveyors  1 ,  10 , two conveyors  30 ,  40 , respectively, are arranged to run endlessly by turning at their respective end portions. The conveyors  30 ,  40  are so constructed that they run at velocities different from each other and their running paths opposed to each other run in the same downward direction. As both of the conveyors  30 ,  40  have substantially the same construction, construction of the conveyor  30  will be described. The conveyor  30  comprises four sprockets in total, that is, two sprockets  32 ,  32  arranged with an interval maintained between them in the direction perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 1  and two sprockets  33 ,  33  likewise arranged, and two chains  34 ,  34  endlessly wound around the sprockets  32 ,  33 . The conveyor  30  also comprises a plurality of conveyor plates  35  each having both of their ends fitted to the two chains  34 ,  34  so that the conveyor  30  is constructed as an endless conveyor. Each of the conveyor plates  35  has its outer surface provided with a plurality of needle members  36  that perpendicularly rise up from the outer surface of the conveyor plate  35 . Parts and components of the conveyor  40  that correspond to those of the conveyor  30  are shown by reference numerals in which 10 is added to reference numerals of the conveyor  30  and description thereof will be omitted. 
     The conveyors  30 ,  40  are constructed so as to be operated to run with a velocity difference between them. As one example thereof, the conveyor  30  is operated to run at 10 cm/sec and the conveyor  40  at 20 cm/sec. The needle members  46  of the conveyor  40  are formed longer than the needle members  36  of the conveyor  30 . 
     The conveyors  30 ,  40  are constructed so that their running paths opposed to each other are arranged in parallel with each other so that the needle members  36 ,  46  of the conveyors  30 ,  40 , respectively, mesh into each other along their entire adjacent running paths. Also, the conveyors  30 ,  40  are constructed so that their running paths opposed to each other run downwardly. The lower conveyors  30 ,  40  are positioned relative to the upper conveyors  1 ,  10  such that a running path center line B-B formed between the lower conveyors  30 ,  40  is laterally shifted to the right side in  FIG. 1  relative to a running path center line A-A formed between the upper conveyors  1 ,  10 . 
     Numeral  50  designates a casing arranged surrounding the four conveyors  1 ,  10 ,  30  and  40  and having its lower end provided with a discharge opening  51  of the alfalfa sprouts. 
     On the portion around the discharge opening  51 , air ejecting nozzles  52  are provided. By ejecting air from the air ejecting nozzles  52 , the alfalfa sprouts sticking to be accumulated in the vicinity of the discharge opening  51  of the casing  50  are separated to fall down. 
     With respect to the loosening device of the alfalfa sprouts constructed as illustrated and described above, an operation thereof will be described next. The alfalfa sprouts, as refined, to be supplied into a metering bucket (not shown) of a metering apparatus for the purpose of packaging are transferred by a scraping-up conveyor or the like (not shown) up to an upper portion of the adjacent and opposing running paths between the conveyors  1 ,  10  in the loosening device shown in  FIG. 1 . In the running paths opposed to each other between the conveyors  1 ,  10 , the conveyors run downwardly. Hence, the sprouts are sent downwardly such that they are being caught on the needle members  6 ,  16  of the conveyors  1 ,  10 . In the course of this transfer, the sprouts are loosened as if they are torn by the velocity difference between the needle members  6 ,  16  that gradually mesh into each other. 
     The alfalfa sprouts so loosened are sent into the running paths opposed to each other of the lower conveyors  30 ,  40  and again they receive tearing actions by the velocity difference between the conveyors  30 ,  40  to achieve a dispersed state. Then, the sprouts are caused to fall down from the discharge opening  51  of the casing  50  to be supplied into the metering bucket arranged below. Thereby, the alfalfa sprouts falling down are metered by a predetermined weight and supplied into a packaging apparatus from the metering bucket. 
     With the timing that the metering bucket has finished to deliver the sprouts of the predetermined weight, air is ejected from the air ejecting nozzles  52  and the sprouts sticking to be accumulated in the vicinity of the discharge opening  51  of the casing  50  are blown off to fall down into the metering bucket. Thereby, such a case can be avoided that the accumulated sprouts fall down into the metering bucket at the final stage of the metering by the metering bucket so that the timing of reaching an accurate weight passes over. 
     According to the loosening device as illustrated and described above, the alfalfa sprouts to be metered are loosened and in this state supplied into the metering bucket. Hence, the alfalfa sprouts of the predetermined weight can be accurately detected by the metering bucket to be supplied into the packaging apparatus. 
     In the foregoing, while the present invention has been concretely described based on the embodiment, as illustrated, of the bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device according to the present invention, it is a matter of course that the present invention is not limited to the construction of the embodiment but may be added with various modifications. 
     For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, while as the loosening member by which the sprouts are applied with the loosening actions, such as one constructed in which the conveyor running endlessly is employed, as one of the loosening members employable in the loosening device according to the present invention, one may be employed as constructed by a plurality of pairs of rollers, in which each of the rollers has its outer surface provided with a plurality of needle members that rise from the outer surface of the roller. In each of the pairs of rollers, the rollers have their axial directions arranged in parallel with each other and rotate at velocities different from each other. Such an example is shown in  FIGS. 3  and  4 . There, rollers  60 ,  70  are arranged in parallel with each other on the left side and right side so that a pair of rollers is constructed. 
     Each of the rollers  60 ,  70  has its cylindrical surface provided with a plurality of needle members  61 ,  71 , respectively, that radially rise (extend) from the cylindrical surface. In the pair of rollers  60 ,  70 , the needle members  61  are formed longer than the needle members  71 . Four such pairs of rollers are arranged so as to be lapped one on another in the upward and downward direction so as to form a multi-stage state. In upper pairs of rollers thereof, an interval between the adjacent, opposing rollers  60  and  70  is made larger so that the needle members  61 ,  71  are arranged apart from each other. In lower pairs of adjacent, opposing rollers, that interval is gradually narrowed so that the needle members  61 ,  71  mesh into each other. The roller  60  is operated to rotate faster than the roller  70  and the rotating directions of the two rollers  60 ,  70  are reverse to each other such that both of the opposing roller surfaces of each adjacent pair of the two rollers  60 ,  70  move downwardly. 
     Below the upper pairs of rollers lapped one on another in four stages, three lower pairs of rollers lapped one on another so as to form a multi-stage state are arranged. In each of these upper pairs of rollers, the rollers are arranged on the right side and left side having their axial directions arranged in parallel with each other. In these lower pairs of rollers lapped in three stages, the rollers on the right side are positioned slightly higher than the rollers on the left side. It is to be noted that while a casing is provided surrounding all the pairs of rollers shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , illustration thereof is omitted. 
     In the lower pairs of rollers lapped in three stages, the rollers on the right side and left side are operated to rotate in the directions reverse to each other, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 3 , such that both of the opposing roller surfaces in each of the pairs of rollers move downwardly and the rollers on the left side rotate faster than the rollers on the right side. Like in the case of the loosening device by the conveyors shown in  FIG. 1 , a center line B-B formed between the rollers on the left side and right side in the lower pairs of rollers lapped in three stages is laterally shifted relative to a center line A-A formed between the rollers on the left side and right side in the upper pairs of rollers lapped in four stages. 
     In the loosening device comprising the pairs of rollers shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , while the bean sprouts-like articles supplied between the uppermost rollers  60 ,  70  are being transferred between the respective pairs of rollers, they receive the loosening actions of the needle members  61 ,  71  by the difference of the rotational velocity between the rollers on the right side and left side so that they are supplied in a sufficiently loosened state. It is to be noted that while, in  FIG. 3 , the rollers are arranged in four stages in the upper pairs of rollers and in three stages in the lower pairs of rollers, the number of stages is not limited thereto but may be appropriately selected and designed according to the case and it may be even one. 
     Also, in the above-described embodiments, while the two conveyors or two rollers are constructed such that the moving direction of the moving paths opposed to each other of the conveyors or rollers is directly downward, the moving direction is not limited to the downward direction but may be an inclined downward direction or a horizontal direction. Also, in the embodiments, while the loosening device is employed for supplying the sprouts of the loosened state into the metering apparatus, the device of the present invention is not limited to the use for the metering purpose but may be widely used for the cases where the bean sprouts-like articles are desired to be supplied in the loosened state. Moreover, in the embodiments, while the needle members of the two loosening members having their moving paths opposed to each other are constructed such that the needle members of the loosening member that is operated faster are formed longer so that the loosening effect can be enhanced, the construction of the needle members is not limited thereto but may be such that the needle members of the same length are used or the needle members in which longer members and shorter members are combined are used so that variety of the loosening actions can be obtained. 
     Further, in the above-described embodiments, while the case where the present invention is applied to the device for supplying the alfalfa sprouts as refined has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto but may be widely used for supplying various kinds of bean sprouts, cut vegetables, mesclun greens or other slender shape vegetables. Also, as to the running velocity difference or rotational velocity difference in the two conveyors or pair of rollers, it may be appropriately selected according to the degree of easiness of getting entangled due to the properties of the bean sprouts-like articles to be treated or according to the brittleness, such as the degree of easiness of getting broken, etc., of the bean sprouts-like articles. 
     Also, as to the arrangement of the two conveyors  1 ,  10  or rollers  60 ,  70  having their running paths opposed to each other, the degree of inclination angle of the two conveyors or rollers or the degree of meshing into each other of the needle members may be appropriately selected according to the properties of the bean sprouts-like articles to be loosened. In this regard, in order to make the relative position of the conveyors or rollers adjustable so that the interval between the conveyors or rollers having their running paths opposed to each other as well as the inclination angle of the arrangement of the conveyers or rollers can be set from time to time, it is preferable to provide a position setting construction by means of a bolt and slot. Also, if at least one of the conveyors or rollers opposed to each other is constructed to have a fluid-passability or permeability so that fluid can pass therethrough, by blowing fluid, such as air, out of the conveyors or rollers, the bean sprouts-like articles sticking to or caught on the needle members can be separated and removed. Also, by supplying a sterilizing gas, such as ozone, or other appropriate sterilizing fluid or bleaching fluid so that the bean sprouts-like articles to be treated are applied with a sterilizing treatment or bleaching treatment, the bean sprouts-like articles, after being treated, can be preserved fresh and clean for a longer period. 
     Also, in the above-described embodiment, as the conveyer device, while such a structure is employed in which the conveyor comprises the two chains, each of the chains being wound around the two sprockets, and the plurality of conveyor plates having both of their ends fitted to the chains, each of the conveyor plates being provided with the plurality of needle members, not necessarily this structure but devices of various other structures may be employed, if such a conveyor as is provided with the needle members and as is able to endlessly run can be constructed. Also, in the device as illustrated, the casing  50  is provided but it is not essential to provide the casing according to the kind of bean sprouts-like articles to be treated. Also, in the device as illustrated, while such a structure is employed in which the casing  50  is arranged surrounding the device and the air ejecting nozzles  52  are provided on the portion of the discharge opening  51  of the casing  50  so that the bean sprouts-like articles sticking to the discharge opening  51  portion of the casing  50  to be accumulated there are caused to fall down, it is not essential to provide the air ejecting nozzles, if falling of the accumulated bean sprouts-like articles gives less influence on the loosening operation. 
     Moreover, in the device as illustrated, while the air ejecting nozzles  52  are provided on the discharge opening  51  portion of the casing  50 , the position or arrangement mode of the air ejecting nozzles can be appropriately selected and designed, if the bean sprouts-like articles accumulated on the discharge opening  51  portion of the casing  50  can be caused to fall down.