DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure related to the field of grinding spices.
BACKGROUND
A Conventional grinding process consists of breaking larger particles into fine particles. Conventionally, grinding is carried out by impacting force, hammering, shearing, or compressing the large particles. Usually, a material to be ground is introduced in a grinding machine at ambient temperature. However, in conventional grinding process, a large amount of heat is generated which may deteriorate the quality of ground product.
In the case of grinding spices by conventional systems, a large amount of heat is generated which increases temperature of the spices. Due to increased temperature, the ground spices lose a significant fraction of their aroma and flavoring component. Additionally, ground spices are subjected to moisture loss, fat loss, and colour variations. Further, there is considerable loss in productivity. The spices possess fat content which substantially increases with temperature resulting in sticking of the ground spices to the parts of the grinding system, thereby causing operating issues like choking of mills and ducts.
Therefore, there is felt a need of a system for grinding spices that alleviates the abovementioned drawbacks of the conventional grinding systems.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a grinding system that maintains low temperature of spices during grinding.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a grinding system that improves the quality of a ground product.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a grinding system that retains the properties of a ground product.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for grinding spices. The system for grinding spices comprises a conveyor assembly defined by a conveyor body. The conveyor body comprises a first inlet configured to receive the spices. The spices are fed to the conveyor body through a feed hopper which is coupled with the first inlet. Further, the feed hopper is coupled with first inlet by a rotary airlock valve configured to regulate the mass flow of the spices. The conveyor body also comprises a second inlet configured to receive a cryogenic fluid. The cryogenic fluid is stored in a storage tank which is in fluid communication with the conveyor body, wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen. The conveyor assembly is configured to facilitate cooling of the spices via the cryogenic fluid.
A screw conveying member is disposed within the conveying body to facilitate the advancement of the spices along the length of the conveyor body. The temperature of the spices gets reduced when exposed to the cryogenic fluid. The system further comprises a grinding mill in fluid communication with the conveyor assembly. The grinding mill is configured to grind the spices received from the conveyor body. The conveyor assembly includes a first outlet to deliver the spices to the grinding mill. Further elabratated as the conveyor body includes a first channel connected between the first outlet of the conveyor assembly and the grinding mill to transfer spices from conveyor body to the grinding mill, wherein the first channel is insulated. The conveyor assembly further comprises a second outlet port to facilitate outflow of the cryogenic fluid from the conveyor body.
The system further comprises a motor coupled with the grinding mill via a belt in order to operate the grinding mill.
In an embodiment, the grinding mill comprises a first sensor disposed at an outlet of the grinding mill to detect temperature of ground spices. Further, a second sensor is coupled with the motor and, configured to sense the current and voltage rating of the motor.
In an embodiment, the outlet of the grinding mill is coupled to a product separator cyclone or product separator bag filter that is configured to collect the ground spices. The system also comprises a second channel connecting the storage tank and the second inlet configured to transfer the cryogenic fluid to the conveyor body, wherein the second channel is insulated. The conveyor body and the grinding mill are also provided with insulation to prevent any heat losses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A system for grinding of spices, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a grinding system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a conveyor of the grinding system of figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the conveyor of figure 2;
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the conveyor of figure 2; and
Figure 5 illustrates a front view of a screw member of the conveyor of figure 2.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Grinding system
200– Feed hopper
300 – Conveyor assembly
302 – Conveyor Body
304 – First inlet
306 – Second inlet
308 – Screw conveying member
310 – First outlet
400 – First channel
500 – Grinding mill
502 –Outlet of the grinding mill
600 – Motor
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages a grinding system that maintains a low temperature of spices during grinding, and do not hamper quality of spices being ground.
The grinding system of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to figure 1 through figure 5.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a grinding system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a conveyor assembly 300 of the grinding system 100. Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the conveyor assembly 300. Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the conveyor assembly 300.
The grinding system 100 comprises the conveyor assembly 300 and a grinding mill 500. The conveyor assembly 300 is defined by a conveyor body 302. The conveyor assembly 300 comprises a first inlet 304, a second inlet 306, and a first outlet 310.
In an embodiment, the spices are fed to the conveyor assembly 300 via a feed hopper 200. The feed hopper 200 is coupled with the first inlet 304. The first inlet 304 facilitates feeding of the spices to the conveyor body 302. The feed hopper 200 is connected to the first inlet 304 via a rotary airlock valve. The rotary airlock valve regulates the mass flow of the spices.
The second inlet 306 is configured to receive a cryogenic fluid. The cryogenic fluid is circulated within the conveyor assembly 300. The selection of the cryogenic fluid is dependent upon the characteristics of a fluid. More specifically, the fluid should be non-irritating, non-toxic, tasteless, odorless, non-corrosive, non-flammable, and can be stored well within ambient temperature. Importantly, the fluid should not make the spices inedible. In an embodiment, the fluid is cryogenic fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen can be cooled below -180o Celsius, which facilitates cooling of the spices up to cryogenic temperature of -100 o Celsius.
In an embodiment, the conveyor assembly 300 is special type of conveyor suitable for feeding the spices to the grinding mill 500. The conveyor assembly 300 is configured to facilitate cooling of the spices via the cryogenic fluid. The conveyor assembly 300 can be a screw conveyor. Figure 5 illustrates a front view of a screw conveying member 308 which is disposed within the conveyor body 302. The screw conveying member 308 advances the spices along the length of the conveyor body 302. The spices get cooled to cryogenic temperature when exposed to the cryogenic fluid. In an embodiment, the screw conveying member 308 is coupled with a motor for operation. Further, the conveyor body 302 comprises the first outlet 310 to discharge the spices to the grinding mill 500.
In an embodiment, the cryogenic fluid is stored in a storage tank (not shown in figures). The cryogenic fluid can be in a liquid state. In an embodiment, the storage tank is a Dewar having a double-walled flask of metal or silvered glass. The Dewar has vacuum between the walls thereof, and is used to store liquids at well below ambient temperature, typically at cryogenic temperature. In an embodiment, the cryogenic fluid is stored in the Dewar under pressure. The storage tank (not shown in figures) is in fluid communication with the conveyor assembly 300. The conveyor assembly 300 includes a second outlet (not shown in figures) to facilitate outflow of the cryogenic fluid from the conveyor assembly 300. The cryogenic fluid is removed from the conveyor assembly 300 to prevent formation of dough.
The cryogenic fluid, which can be in a liquid state, is circulated within the conveyor body 302 to reduce the temperature of the spices well below the ambient temperature before feeding the spices to the grinding mill 500.
The grinding mill 500 is in fluid communication with the conveyor assembly 300. The grinding mill 500 is configured to grind the spices received from the conveyor assembly 300. A first channel 400 is connected between the first outlet 310 of the conveyor body 302 and the grinding mill 500 to transfer the cooled spices from the conveyor body 302 to the grinding mill 500. In an embodiment, the first channel 400 is provided with insulation.
The size and the type of the grinding mill 500 are determined depending upon the material, type, temperature, fineness and capacity of spices to be ground. As temperature of the spices is low during grinding, less heat is generated. Therefore, quality and properties of the ground spices are retained. Further, the yield from the grinding mill 500 does not create any choking issues.
In an embodiment, the grinding mill 500 is coupled to a motor 600. The grinding mill 500 can be coupled with the motor 600 via a V-belt (not exclusively labelled in figures) or any other similar means.
The grinding mill 500 comprises an outlet 502 to discharge the ground spices. Further, an outlet 502 of the grinding mill 500 is coupled to a product separator cyclone (not shown in figures) and/ or a product separator bag filter (not shown in figures). The product separator cyclone and the product separator bag are configured to collect ground spices.
In an embodiment, the grinding system 100 further comprises a first sensor (not shown in figures) disposed at the outlet 502 of the grinding mill 500 to sense the temperature of ground spices. The data related to the sensed temperature is provided to a controller. Based on the received sensed temperature, the controller regulates the flow of the cryogenic fluid to control the temperature of the spices being fed to the grinding mill 500.
The grinding system 100, further comprises a second sensor (not shown in figures) coupled with the motor 600. The second sensor is configured to sense current and voltage rating of the motor 600, and provides the data related to the same. Based on the sensed current and voltage data, feeding rate of spice material is controlled to ensure efficient working of the grinding mill 500.
In another embodiment the storage tank (not shown in figures) is connected with the second inlet 306 via a second channel (not shown in figures). The second channel is configured to provide the cryogenic fluid from the storage tank (not shown in figures) to the conveyor assembly 300. The second channel (not shown in figures) is insulated.
In an embodiment, the grinding mill 500 and the conveyor body 302 are also provided with an insulation to prevent any heat loss.
In an operative configuration, the spices are disposed in the conveyor assembly 300 via the feed hopper 200. The spices enter the conveyor assembly 300 through the first inlet 304 of the conveyor body 302. The cryogenic fluid is supplied to the conveyor assembly via the second inlet 306. The liquid nitrogen is used as the cryogenic fluid. The cryogenic fluid reduces the temperature of the spices well below the ambient temperature. The screw conveying member 308 disposed within the conveyor body 302 advances the spices through the length of the conveyor body 302 to feed the spices to the grinding mill 500 through the first channel 400. The grinding mill 500 is configured to grind the cooled spices. The grinding mill 500 is coupled with the motor 600 using a belt assembly. After grinding of cooled spices, the outflow of the ground spices is facilitated through the outlet 502 of the grinding mill 500. The ground spices can be progressed for further processes.
Although the present disclosure is described with reference to grinding of spices, the grinding system 100 can be used to grind any type of material.
The system envisaged in the present disclosure involves cooling of the spices before grinding them. Due to lowering the temperature of the spices, oils and fats present in the spices get solidified, and thus, do not get separated from the spices. Further, spices become brittle in nature. Due to the lower temperature, the spices generate less heat during grinding, thereby retaining the original properties.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a grinding system that:
• maintains lower temperature of spices during grinding;
• improves the quality of a ground product;
• retains the properties of ground product;
• has low power consumption; and
• has increased capacity.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for grinding spices, said system (100) comprising:
a conveyor assembly (300) defined by a conveyor body (302) having a first inlet (304) configured to receive said spices, a second inlet (306) configured to receive a cryogenic fluid, and a first outlet (310) configured to deliver said spices, wherein said conveyor assembly (300) is configured to facilitate cooling of said spices via said cryogenic fluid, thereby cooling said spices; and
a grinding mill (500) in fluid communication with said conveyor assembly (300), and configured to grind said spices received from said conveyor assembly (300).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) further comprises a feed hopper (200) coupled with said first inlet (304), and configured to facilitate feeding of said spices in said conveyor body (302).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said feed hopper (200) is coupled with said first inlet (304) via a rotary airlock valve.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further includes a first channel (400) connected between said first outlet (310) of said conveyor assembly (300) and said grinding mill (500) to transfer said spices from said conveyor body (302) to said grinding mill (500), wherein said first channel (400) is insulated.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) further comprises a screw shaped conveying member (308) disposed within said conveyor body (302), and configured to advance said spices along a length of the said conveyor body (302).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a storage tank connected to said second inlet (306) via a second channel, and configured to store said cryogenic fluid therewithin, wherein said second channel is insulated.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conveyor assembly (300) further comprises a second outlet to facilitate outflow of said cryogenic fluid from said conveyor body (302).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a motor (600) coupled with said grinding mill (500) via a belt.
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises;
a first sensor disposed at an outlet (502) of said grinding mill (500) to detect the temperature of ground spices and
a second sensor coupled with said motor (600) to sense the current and voltage rating of said motor (600).
11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conveyor assembly (300) and said grinding mill (500) are provided with an insulation to prevent heat losses.
12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outlet (502) of said grinding mill (500) is coupled to a product separator cyclone configured to collect ground spices.