A vacuum drying system effectively retains high-purity protein of tenebrio molitor

Abstract

The application discloses a vacuum drying system capable of effectively preserving high-purity protein of tenebrio molitor, which comprises a drying tank body, a material conveying structure is arranged in the drying tank body, the material conveying structure comprises a fixing frame and a conveying belt, a plurality of rotating rollers are arranged in the conveying belt, baffles are arranged between the end positions of adjacent two rotating rollers, a scraper and a pressing structure are arranged at the bottom position of the end of the conveying belt, and the pressing structure comprises a pressing block, a sleeve seat and a seat plate. The side end position of the conveying belt is shielded by the baffles, so that the chippings cannot enter the inner side of the conveying belt. The scraper can always adhere to the surface of the conveying belt under the abutment of the pressing structure through the arrangement of the scraper and the pressing structure, so that the tenebrio molitor material adhered to the surface of the conveying belt can be scraped off, and the tenebrio molitor material is prevented from being bonded to the surface of the conveying belt during drying.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of vacuum drying, and in particular relates to a vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein of yellow mealworms. Background Art

[0002] Yellow mealworms, also known as mealworms, have a particularly high protein content among insects. The traditional application of yellow mealworms is mainly for special breeding. Yellow mealworms are rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. The protein content is much higher than that of conventional animal foods such as eggs, beef, and mutton. It is also easy to digest and absorb, making it an excellent protein food. When processing yellow mealworms as protein foods, the mealworms are usually crushed and mixed and then vacuum dried using a vacuum belt drying equipment. The principle of vacuum belt drying is a low-temperature drying method in which raw materials are continuously distributed on a conveyor belt under vacuum conditions. The material is dried as it runs on a heating plate with the conveyor belt, and then cooled, embrittled, and crushed. Since the material is in a vacuum, closed environment throughout the drying process and the drying process is gentle, its physical properties can be maintained to the maximum extent, resulting in a high-quality final product. This allows the protein in the mealworms to be effectively preserved during drying. The following problems may arise when vacuum drying yellow mealworms:

[0003] 1. When the crushed and mixed mealworm crumbs are fed onto the conveyor belt, some debris will splash outward. When the debris splashes to the inside of the conveyor belt, the rotating rollers in the conveyor belt will crush the incoming debris, causing debris to be mixed between the conveyor belt and the rotating rollers. This will cause the conveyor belt to shift during transportation due to the mixed debris, affecting the conveyor belt's transportation process.

[0004] 2. When the crushed and mixed mealworms are transported on the conveyor belt for drying and transported to the end of the conveyor belt, part of the mealworms will adhere to the surface of the conveyor belt, making it difficult for the mealworms to separate from the conveyor belt.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background technology section is only intended to enhance understanding of the overall background of the invention and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of suggestion that the information constitutes the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein of Tenebrio molitor, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein of mealworms, comprising a drying tank body, wherein a feeding structure is installed in the drying tank body, wherein the feeding structure comprises a fixed frame inside the drying tank body and a plurality of conveyor belts installed on the fixed frame, wherein a plurality of rotating rollers are sleeved inside the conveyor belt, wherein the rotating rollers are rotatably connected to the fixed frame, a baffle is installed between the end positions of two adjacent rotating rollers, a scraper is installed at the bottom position of the end of the conveyor belt, and a plurality of tightening structures are installed at the surface position of the fixed frame near the inner surface of the scraper.

[0008] In the technical solution of the present invention, a mixing tank is provided at the outer position of the head end of the drying tank body, the mixing tank is connected to a feeder, the end of the feeder is connected to a plurality of nozzles through a pipeline, and the ends of the nozzles extend to the upper position of the head end of the conveyor belt.

[0009] In the technical solution of the present invention, a primary crusher and a storage tank are connected at the bottom position of the end of the drying tank body, a secondary crusher is installed on the top of the storage tank, the primary crusher is connected to the secondary crusher, and a collection tank is provided at the bottom end of the storage tank.

[0010] In the technical solution of the present invention, convex shafts are fixed at both ends of the rotating roller, and the convex shafts are rotatably connected to the fixing frame.

[0011] In the technical solution of the present invention, the baffle is inclined gradually downward from the inside to the outside between the two adjacent rotating rollers, and the top of the baffle extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the conveyor belt. The baffle is fixed with a ferrule at both ends, and the ferrule cover is connected to the outside of the end of the rotating roller. The edges of the outer end face of the ferrule are fixed with protrusions at both ends, and the two adjacent ferrules are fixedly connected by bolts at the protrusions.

[0012] In the technical solution of the present invention, a closing plate is provided between the top of the ferrule and the top corner of the baffle, and a gap is provided between the corners of two adjacent baffles.

[0013] In the technical solution of the present invention, fixed shafts are fixed on both the left and right end faces of the scraper, the fixed shafts pass through the fixing frame and are rotatably connected to the fixing frame, and the top end of the scraper is against the surface of the conveyor belt.

[0014] In the technical solution of the present invention, the clamping structure includes a block that abuts against the scraper, a sleeve mounted inside the block, and a seat fixed at the bottom end of the sleeve, and the seat is fixed on the inner surface of the fixing frame in an inclined shape.

[0015] In the technical solution of the present invention, the interior of the block is hollow, the top of the block is a convex arc, the bottom of the block is open, a number of fixed columns are fixed inside the block, and a hanging plate is provided at the bottom end of the fixed column. The outer diameter of the hanging plate is larger than the outer diameter of the fixed column, and a spring is provided on the outer side of the fixed column.

[0016] In the technical solution of the present invention, the sleeve is sleeved in the block and is slidably connected to the block. The interior of the sleeve is hollow, the bottom end of the sleeve is open, and a plurality of through holes are provided at the top end of the sleeve. The fixing columns pass through the through holes. The outer diameter of the through holes is smaller than the outer diameter of the hanging plate. The head end of the spring is against the inner wall of the block, and the end of the spring is against the top surface of the sleeve.

[0017] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0018] 1. In the present invention, a baffle is provided on the feeding structure so that the side end of the conveyor belt is shielded by the baffle, so that solid debris generated during the vacuum drying process of the high-purity protein of the mealworm in the drying tank can be shielded by the baffle when it splashes, preventing the debris from entering the inner side of the conveyor belt and being crushed by the rotating roller and remaining on the inner side of the conveyor belt, thereby causing unstable transportation.

[0019] 2. In the present invention, by setting a scraper and a pressing structure at the end position of the conveyor belt, the scraper can always be in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt under the contact of the pressing structure, so that the mealworm material adhering to the surface of the conveyor belt can be scraped off by the scraper, preventing the mealworm material from sticking to the surface of the conveyor belt when drying. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the feeding structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the feeding structure at the head end of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the baffle in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of the baffle in the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the assembly of two adjacent baffles in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7Structure diagram of the end position of the material conveying structure in the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 Installation schematic diagram of the scraper in the present application;

[0028] Figure 9 Structure diagram of the scraper in the present application;

[0029] Figure 10 Structure diagram of the abutting structure in the present application;

[0030] Figure 11 Exploded view of the abutting structure in the present application.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0032] 1 - drying tank; 11 - mixing tank; 12 - material conveyor; 121 - spray pipe; 13 - vacuum device; 14 - primary pulverizer; 15 - storage tank; 151 - secondary crusher; 16 - collection tank; 2 - material conveying structure; 21 - fixing frame; 22 - conveying belt; 221 - rotating roller; 222 - convex shaft; 23 - baffle; 231 - clamping sleeve; 232 - closing plate; 233 - convex block; 234 - clearance; 24 - scraper; 241 - fixing shaft; 25 - abutting structure; 251 - abutting block; 2511 - fixing column; 2512 - hanging plate; 2513 - spring; 252 - sleeve seat; 2521 - through hole; 253 - seat plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments.

[0034] Unless otherwise clearly indicated, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprise" or its variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or group of elements but not the exclusion of any other element or group of elements.

[0035] Reference Figures 1-11The vacuum drying system for effectively reserving high-purity protein of Tenebrio molitor of the application comprises a drying tank body 1, a feeding structure 2 is installed in the drying tank body 1, the feeding structure 2 comprises a fixing frame 21 inside the drying tank body 1 and a plurality of conveying belts 22 installed on the fixing frame 21, the conveying belts 22 can transport Tenebrio molitor material when working. A mixing tank 11 is arranged at the outer side of the first end of the drying tank body 1, the mixing tank 11 is connected with a feeder 12, the tail end of the feeder 12 is connected with a plurality of spray pipes 121 through pipelines, the tail end of the spray pipes 121 extends to the position above the first end of the conveying belt 22, so that the Tenebrio molitor raw material and various auxiliary materials can be mixed together after entering the mixing tank 11 and can be sprayed onto the surface of the first end of the conveying belt 22 through the spray pipes 121 under the action of the feeder 12, so that the Tenebrio molitor material can be gradually transported by the conveying belt 22, and the Tenebrio molitor material can be gradually vacuum dried in the process of transportation. A preliminary crusher 14 and a storage tank 15 are connected at the bottom position of the tail end of the drying tank body 1, a secondary crusher 151 is installed at the top end of the storage tank 15, the preliminary crusher 14 is communicated with the secondary crusher 151, and a collecting tank 16 is arranged at the bottom end of the storage tank 15. After being dried, the Tenebrio molitor material transported by the conveying belt 22 is separated from the feeding structure 2, cut and falls into the bottom of the drying tank body 1 and is transported to the preliminary crusher 14 for preliminary crushing and then enters the secondary crusher 151 for secondary crushing, so that high-protein Tenebrio molitor powder is obtained, and the powder enters the storage tank 15 for storage. People can transfer the powder in the collecting tank 16 to the collecting tank 16 by connecting the collecting tank 16 with the storage tank 15, so that the purpose of collecting finished products is achieved.

[0036] In the application, a plurality of rotating rollers 221 are sleeved in the conveying belt 22, the first end and the tail end of the rotating roller 221 are fixedly connected with convex shafts 222, the convex shafts 222 are rotationally connected with the fixing frame 21, the rotating roller 221 is rotationally connected with the fixing frame 21, so that the conveying belt 22 can move circularly in the fixing frame 21 under the action of the rotating roller 221. The end position between adjacent two rotating rollers 221 is provided with a baffle 23.

[0037] Specifically, the baffle 23 is inclined from inside to outside between adjacent two rotating rollers 221, the top end of the baffle 23 extends between the top and the bottom of the conveying belt 22, the first end and the tail end of the baffle 23 are fixedly connected with clamping sleeves 231, the clamping sleeves 231 are clamped at the outer side of the end of the rotating roller 221, the first end and the tail end edges of the outer side surface of the clamping sleeve 231 are fixedly connected with convex blocks 233, adjacent two clamping sleeves 231 are fixedly connected through bolts at the convex blocks 233, so that the baffle 23 can be fixed between adjacent two rotating rollers 221, so that the baffle 23 can be fixed at the side end of the conveying belt 22. When the Tenebrio molitor material is sprayed onto the surface of the conveying belt 22, the splashes of the debris to the side of the conveying belt 22 can be blocked by the baffle 23, so that the debris can be prevented from entering the inner side of the conveying belt 22.

[0038] Furthermore, a closing plate 232 is provided between the top of the sleeve 231 and the top corner of the baffle 23, so that the gap between the baffle 23 and the sleeve 231 is closed by the closing plate 232, reducing the possibility of debris entering the inner side of the conveyor belt 22, and a gap 234 is provided between the corners of two adjacent baffles 23. The position where the rotating roller 221 contacts the conveyor belt 22 corresponds to the position of the gap 234, which can prevent the edge of the baffle 23 from causing friction on the movement of the conveyor belt 22 and damaging the conveyor belt 22.

[0039] In addition, a scraper 24 is installed at the bottom position of the end of the conveyor belt 22, and a fixed shaft 241 is fixed on the left and right end faces of the scraper 24. The fixed shaft 241 passes through the fixed frame 21 and is rotatably connected to the fixed frame 21, so that the scraper 24 can swing in the fixed frame 21 under the action of the fixed shaft 241.

[0040] It is worth noting that a plurality of abutting structures 25 are installed on the surface of the fixing frame 21 near the inner surface of the scraper 24. The abutting structures 25 include abutting blocks 251 that abut against the scraper 24, a sleeve 252 that fits within the abutting blocks 251, and a seat plate 253 fixed to the bottom end of the sleeve 252. The seat plate 253 is fixed to the inner surface of the fixing frame 21 at an angle, allowing the abutting structures 25 to be installed on the fixing frame 21. Under the action of the abutting structures 25, the top end of the scraper 24 can abut against the surface of the conveyor belt 22.

[0041] In the above scheme, the interior of the block 251 is hollow, the top of the block 251 is a convex arc surface, and the bottom of the block 251 is open. Several fixed columns 2511 are fixed inside the block 251, and a hanging plate 2512 is provided at the bottom end of the fixed column 2511. The outer diameter of the hanging plate 2512 is larger than the outer diameter of the fixed column 2511, and a spring 2513 is provided on the outer side of the fixed column 2511.

[0042] Furthermore, the sleeve 252 is sleeved in the block 251 and is slidably connected to the block 251. The interior of the sleeve 252 is hollow, the bottom end of the sleeve 252 is open, and the top of the sleeve 252 is provided with a plurality of through holes 2521. The fixing column 2511 passes through the through holes 2521. The outer diameter of the through hole 2521 is smaller than the outer diameter of the hanging plate 2512. The head end of the spring 2513 is against the inner wall of the block 251, and the end of the spring 2513 is against the top surface of the sleeve 252. The elastic force of the spring 2513 causes the block 251 to always protrude outward, so that the scraper 24 can always adhere to the surface of the conveyor belt 22 under the contact of the block 251, preventing the scraper 24 from detaching from the surface of the conveyor belt 22. When the conveyor belt 22 transports the dried mealworm material, the top of the scraper 24 can scrape the surface of the conveyor belt 22 to prevent the mealworm material from sticking to the surface of the conveyor belt 22 and being difficult to clean.

[0043] The working principle of the vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein of Tenebrio molitor is as follows:

[0044] First, as the mealworm material is mixed and transported into the drying tank body 1, the mealworm material is sprayed onto the surface of the head end of the conveyor belt 22 through the nozzle 121, so that the mealworm material can be gradually transported by the conveyor belt 22. Then, as the mealworm material is sprayed by the nozzle 121, the debris generated by the spraying will splash outward. At this time, the baffles 23 on both sides of the conveyor belt 22 can block the debris, preventing the debris from entering the inner side of the conveyor belt 22 and being crushed by the rotating roller 221 to affect the transportation of the conveyor belt 22. Finally, because the top end of the scraper 24 is always in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt 22 under the abutment of the tightening structure 25, when the dried mealworm material is transported to the end of the conveyor belt 22 by the conveyor belt 22, the mealworm material adhered to the surface of the conveyor belt 22 will be scraped by the scraper 24, so that the adhered material is separated from the surface of the conveyor belt 22.

[0045] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention are for purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it is apparent that many variations and modifications are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments have been selected and described for the purpose of explaining the specific principles of the invention and their practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to realize and utilize a variety of exemplary embodiments of the invention and various options and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein from mealworms, comprising a drying tank (1) with a feed structure (2) installed in the drying tank (1), characterized in that: The feeding structure (2) includes a fixed frame (21) inside the drying tank (1) and a plurality of conveyor belts (22) installed on the fixed frame (21); a plurality of rotating rollers (221) are sleeved inside the conveyor belt (22); the rotating rollers (221) are rotatably connected to the fixed frame (21); a baffle (23) is installed between the end positions of two adjacent rotating rollers (221); a scraper (24) is installed at the bottom position of the end of the conveyor belt (22); and a plurality of abutting structures (25) are installed at the surface position of the fixed frame (21) near the inner side surface of the scraper (24); The abutting structure (25) comprises a block (251) abutting against the scraper (24), a sleeve (252) sleeved inside the block (251), and a seat plate (253) fixed to the bottom end of the sleeve (252), wherein the seat plate (253) is fixed in an inclined manner on the inner surface of the fixing frame (21); The interior of the stop block (251) is hollow, the top of the stop block (251) is convexly curved, and the bottom of the stop block (251) is open. A plurality of fixed columns (2511) are fixed inside the stop block (251), and a hanging plate (2512) is provided at the bottom end of the fixed column (2511). The outer diameter of the hanging plate (2512) is larger than the outer diameter of the fixed column (2511), and a spring (2513) is provided on the outer side of the fixed column (2511). The sleeve (252) is sleeved in the stop block (251) and is slidably connected to the stop block (251). The interior of the sleeve (252) is hollow, and the bottom end of the sleeve (252) is open. The top end of the sleeve (252) is provided with a plurality of through holes (2521). The fixing column (2511) passes through the through holes (2521). The outer diameter of the through holes (2521) is smaller than the outer diameter of the hanging plate (2512). The head end of the spring (2513) abuts against the inner wall of the stop block (251), and the tail end of the spring (2513) abuts against the top surface of the sleeve (252). The baffle (23) is inclined so as to gradually descend from the inside to the outside between two adjacent rotating rollers (221), and the top end of the baffle (23) extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the conveyor belt (22). Both ends of the baffle (23) are fixed with a clamping sleeve (231), and the clamping sleeve (231) is covered on the outside of the end of the rotating roller (221). Both ends of the outer end surface of the clamping sleeve (231) are fixed with a protrusion (233), and the two adjacent clamping sleeves (231) are fixedly connected by bolts at the protrusion (233); A closing plate (232) is provided between the top of the ferrule (231) and the top corner of the baffle (23), and a gap (234) is provided between the corners of two adjacent baffles (23).

2. The vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein from Tenebrio molitor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mixing tank (11) is provided at an outer position of the head end of the drying tank body (1), and the mixing tank (11) is connected to a feeder (12). The end of the feeder (12) is connected to a plurality of nozzles (121) through a pipeline, and the ends of the nozzles (121) extend to a position above the head end of the conveyor belt (22).

3. The vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein from Tenebrio molitor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A primary crusher (14) and a storage tank (15) are connected at the bottom of the end of the drying tank body (1), a secondary crusher (151) is installed at the top of the storage tank (15), the primary crusher (14) is connected to the secondary crusher (151), and a collecting tank (16) is provided at the bottom of the storage tank (15).

4. The vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein from Tenebrio molitor according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both ends of the rotating roller (221) are fixed with convex shafts (222), and the convex shafts (222) are rotatably connected to the fixing frame (21).

5. The vacuum drying system for effectively retaining high-purity protein from Tenebrio molitor according to claim 1, characterized in that: Fixed shafts (241) are fixed to the left and right end surfaces of the scraper (24), and the fixed shafts (241) penetrate the fixing frame (21) and are rotatably connected to the fixing frame (21). The top end of the scraper (24) abuts against the surface of the conveyor belt (22).

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