A production line and method for adding moistened leaves to cigar tobacco leaves

Abstract

The present application relates to cigar leaf moistening technology field, especially to a kind of cigar leaf humidification production line and method.This application's cigar leaf humidification production line includes sequentially arranged according to the flow direction of tobacco leaf: feeding system, humidification system, air cooling system and collection system;Feeding system quantitatively feeds humidification system;Humidification system humidifies tobacco leaf;Air cooling system cools down the tobacco leaf after humidification of humidification system;Collection system evenly packs tobacco leaf into collection container, which can realize full-process mechanization and automation.Through the setting of feeding system, humidification system, air cooling system and collection system, this production line can realize continuous mechanized production, improve the humidification efficiency and effect of cigar leaf, and ensure product quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cigar leaf moistening technology, and more particularly to a production line and method for moistening cigar tobacco leaves. Background Technology

[0002] Adding moisture to cigar tobacco leaves is a fundamental step in the fermentation, destemming, grading, and use process. The quality of the moisture addition significantly affects the fermentation effect, the efficiency of destemming and grading, and the smoothness of use.

[0003] Currently, the common method for moistening cigar tobacco leaves is spraying. This involves using compressed air to atomize water and carry it out as a mist. The spray or the tobacco leaves are manually controlled to ensure the mist is applied to the surface of the leaves. After a long period of settling, the moisture content of the tobacco leaves within a batch becomes more uniform. This method, using compressed air, makes atomization difficult to control, easily resulting in visible water and water stains on the leaves, requiring a long period of balancing.

[0004] Another method of ultrasonic steam humidification involves fixing tobacco leaves vertically upwards in a sealed container using a hanging rod, with steam pipes and steam nozzles arranged above to increase the temperature and relative humidity inside the container, promoting the tobacco leaves' self-absorption. This method has a good humidification effect, but the hanging rod and collection process is time-consuming, making continuous production impossible, and the single processing capacity is limited by the size of the container, resulting in low efficiency.

[0005] Chinese patent CN202323271670.0 discloses a cigar tobacco leaf transmission type atomizing rehydration feeding device. Its atomizing feeding system includes several atomizing nozzles, a second control valve, a constant pressure chamber, and a pressure sensor. It belongs to the above-mentioned mechanized implementation scheme of spray hydration, but still has the above-mentioned problems of easy appearance of water and water stains on tobacco leaves.

[0006] Existing technology includes a loosening rehumidification machine for rehydrating cigarette tobacco leaves, as detailed in Chinese patents CN202410055063.0 and CN202310692846.5, which achieves a high degree of mechanization and automation. However, due to the differences in tobacco varieties and production processes between cigarette and cigar tobacco leaves, existing loosening rehumidification machines and their associated tobacco leaf conveying devices cause excessive damage to cigar tobacco leaves, making them unsuitable for direct rehydration of cigar tobacco leaves.

[0007] To address the problems of low efficiency, uneven material moisture content, and severe process losses in the process of adding moistened cigar tobacco leaves, and to reduce issues such as standing water, water stains, and damage during the process of adding moistened cigar tobacco leaves, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality stability, there is an urgent need to develop a superior automated and flexible production line for adding moistened cigar tobacco leaves. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of the existing situation, the present invention provides a cigar tobacco leaf moistening production line and method, which solves at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0009] The technical solution provided in this application is: a cigar tobacco leaf moistening production line, comprising, arranged sequentially according to the tobacco leaf flow direction: a feeding system, a moistening system, an air-cooling system, and a collection system; the feeding system quantitatively feeds the tobacco leaves to the moistening system; the moistening system includes: a weighing unit, a first moisture detection unit, a loosening unit, and a moistening unit; the tobacco leaves conveyed by the feeding system are weighed by the weighing unit, and the weighing detection result of the weighing unit feeds back to control the feeding system; after being detected by the first moisture detection unit and loosened by the loosening unit, the tobacco leaves enter the moistening unit. The moisture detection results of the first moisture detection unit provide feedback control for the humidification unit. The humidification unit includes a humidification drum, with a steam nozzle and a hot air inlet installed at the inlet. The angle and spray diameter of the steam nozzle are adjustable, as are the hot air temperature and airflow of the hot air inlet. A return air inlet is installed at the outlet of the humidification unit. The hot air and tobacco leaves flow in the same direction inside the humidification drum. The rotation speed of the humidification drum is adjustable, and the tobacco leaves come into contact with steam and hot air during their descent. A cooling system cools the humidified tobacco leaves. A collection system evenly loads the tobacco leaves into a collection container.

[0010] Preferably, the humidification system includes a second moisture detection unit located after the humidification unit according to the tobacco leaf flow direction. The second moisture detection unit is electrically connected to the feeding system and the humidification system, and its moisture detection results are used to adjust the tobacco leaf feeding flow rate and water addition flow rate.

[0011] Preferably, the humidification unit includes a humidification tank, which includes a pure water tank, and optionally includes one or more of a material tank and a specialty tank.

[0012] Preferably, the air-cooling system cools the tobacco leaves to 25°C or less.

[0013] Preferably, the air-cooling system includes an air-cooled vibrating trough, which is a mesh belt with a blower installed on the lower side and an exhaust port installed on the upper side. When the tobacco leaves pass through the air-cooled vibrating trough, they come into contact with the cold air blown out by the blower.

[0014] Preferably, the collection system includes a bidirectional moving fabric belt, on which cooled and loosened tobacco leaves fall. The conveying end of the fabric belt is provided with a receiving port, through which the tobacco leaves fall evenly into the collection container layer by layer.

[0015] Preferably, the feeding system includes a box-turning unit, a feeding bin, and a lifting belt. The box-turning unit can turn the boxed tobacco leaves into the feeding bin. The bottom of the feeding bin is equipped with a feeding belt, which sends the tobacco leaves to the lifting belt. After being lifted, the tobacco leaves fall into the humidification system.

[0016] Preferably, the lifting belt is a scraper lifting belt.

[0017] The second technical solution provided in this application is: a method for adding moist leaves to cigar tobacco leaves, which uses the above-mentioned production line for adding moist leaves to cigar tobacco leaves.

[0018] Further, this includes: turning the tobacco leaves inside the drum and simultaneously exposing the tobacco leaves to steam and hot air flowing in the same direction as the tobacco leaves, and then cooling the tobacco leaves to less than or equal to 25°C.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this application are at least as follows:

[0020] The cigar tobacco moistening production line of this application can achieve full-process mechanization and automation. By setting up a feeding system, a moistening system, an air-cooling system, and a collection system, this production line can achieve continuous mechanized production, improve the efficiency and effect of moistening cigar tobacco, and ensure product quality.

[0021] The cigar tobacco leaf moistening production line and method of the present invention draws on the advantages of steam moistening in a small environment with high temperature and high humidity to promote absorption. It is designed with devices such as a feeding unit, a moistening unit, a steam injection unit, a hot air circulation unit, an air cooling unit, and a collection unit to solve the problems of time-consuming hanging and collection, realize continuous production, and improve the efficiency and effect of moistening cigar tobacco leaves. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings described below are some embodiments of the invention, but not all embodiments. Other drawings will be readily available to those skilled in the art based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of one embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the Sino-Canadian tidal system 2;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Internal schematic diagram of the Sino-Canadian tidal system 2;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Internal end face diagram of the Sino-Canadian tidal system 2;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the feeding system 1;

[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the central cooling system 3;

[0029] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the collection system 4;

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] Feeding system 1, tilting unit 11, feeding bin 12, lifting belt 13;

[0032] 2. Moisturizing system, 21. Weighing unit, 22. First moisture detection unit, 23. Loosening unit, 24. Moisturizing unit, 241. Moisturizing roller, 242. Steam nozzle, 243. Hot air outlet, 244. Return air outlet, 245. Lifting plate, 246. Feed inlet, 247. Discharge outlet, 25. Second moisture detection unit, 26. Conveying vibrating trough;

[0033] 3. Air-cooled system; 31. Air-cooled vibration groove; 32. Blower; 33. Exhaust vent;

[0034] Collection system 4, fabric belt 41, material receiving port 42. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of this invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0036] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0039] like Figure 1-7 Example 1 is a cigar tobacco leaf moistening production line, comprising, arranged sequentially according to the tobacco leaf flow direction: a feeding system 1, a moistening system 2, an air-cooling system 3, and a collection system 4; the feeding system 1 feeds a quantitative amount of tobacco leaves to the moistening system 2; as... Figure 2 The humidification system 2 includes: a weighing unit 21, a first moisture detection unit 22, a loosening unit 23, and a humidification unit 24 arranged sequentially according to the tobacco leaf flow direction; tobacco leaves conveyed by the feeding system 1 fall into the weighing unit 21, and the weighing unit 21 provides metering feedback control for the feeding system 1; after the tobacco leaves are detected by the first moisture detection unit 22 and loosened by the loosening unit 23, they enter the humidification unit 24, and the moisture detection result of the first moisture detection unit 22 provides feedback control for the humidification unit 24, wherein the loosening unit 23 is specifically a loosening vibrating trough; the humidification unit 24 includes a humidification roller 241, such as Figure 3 A steam nozzle 242 is installed at the inlet of the humidifying drum 241. The angle and spray diameter of the steam nozzle 242 are adjustable. There is a hot air inlet 243 at the inlet of the humidifying drum 241. The hot air temperature and air volume are adjustable. There is a return air inlet 244 at the outlet. The hot air and tobacco leaves flow in the same direction inside the humidifying drum 241. The rotation speed of the humidifying drum 241 is adjustable. The humidifying drum 241 carries the tobacco leaves to a high place and throws them down. The tobacco leaves come into contact with steam and hot air during the fall. The air-cooling system 3 cools down the humidified tobacco leaves after the humidifying system 2. The collection system 4 evenly loads the tobacco leaves into the collection container.

[0040] The humidifying drum 241 is equipped with a steam nozzle 242 at its inlet. The angle and spray diameter of the steam nozzle 242 are adjustable to meet various moisture requirements. The inlet of the humidifying drum 241 has a hot air outlet 243 for hot air discharge, the temperature and volume of which are adjustable. The outlet has a return air outlet 244 for recirculating the hot air and steam. The hot air flow direction is consistent with the flow direction of the tobacco leaves. The hot air provides heat to the tobacco leaves, and the hot air and steam are recovered through the return air outlet 244. The rotation speed of the humidifying drum 241 is adjustable. During the descent of the tobacco leaves, they come into full contact with the steam emitted from the steam nozzle 242 and the hot air emitted from the hot air outlet 243, resulting in continuous and effective leaf agitation without the need for manual hanging rods. The synergistic effect of hot air and steam enables the tobacco leaves to rapidly absorb moisture in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment. Specifically, it also includes a feed inlet 246 and a discharge outlet 247.

[0041] Preferably, such as Figure 4The inner wall of the humidifying drum 241 is equipped with lifting plates 245. The lifting plates 245 lift the tobacco leaves to a height and throw them down. During the fall, the tobacco leaves loosen and come into contact with steam and hot air, allowing them to quickly absorb moisture. This process is repeated multiple times, resulting in high uniformity of moisture content in the tobacco leaves. Compared to a smooth inner wall or one with rake teeth on the inner wall, the lifting plates 245 are more flexible and can reduce tobacco leaf breakage.

[0042] The humidification unit 24 includes a humidification tank, which includes a pure water tank. In other embodiments, it may also optionally include one or more of a material tank and a special tank. In addition to humidification, it can also add materials, enzymes, molds, and other agents to the tobacco leaves as needed, which is beneficial to enriching the uses of tobacco leaves and improving the quality of tobacco leaves.

[0043] In this embodiment, the humidification system 2 includes a second moisture detection unit 25 located after the humidification unit 24 according to the tobacco leaf flow direction. The second moisture detection unit 25 is electrically connected to the feeding system 1 and the humidification system 2. Its moisture detection results are used to adjust the tobacco leaf feeding flow rate and water flow rate. After the tobacco leaves are humidified, the moisture detection can reflect the humidification effect in a timely manner. Based on the humidification effect, timely feedback and adjustment of the humidification conditions can further improve the humidification effect and efficiency. For example, the humidification water flow rate can be controlled by an algorithm and linkage mechanism between the material flow rate, inlet moisture, outlet moisture, humidification water flow rate, and required moisture. This transforms the relationship between tobacco leaf moisture and water addition from human experience control to data and algorithm linkage control, improving the accuracy and precision of tobacco leaf humidification.

[0044] like Figure 5 In this embodiment, the feeding system 1 includes a box-turning unit 11, a feeding bin 12, and a lifting belt 13. The box-turning unit 11 can turn the boxed tobacco leaves into the feeding bin 12. The bottom of the feeding bin 12 is equipped with a feeding belt, which sends the tobacco leaves to the lifting belt 13. After being lifted, the tobacco leaves fall into the humidification system 2 through the hopper. This feeding system 1 is a flexible feeding system, and the box-turning and belt conveying operations cause less damage to the tobacco leaves.

[0045] In this embodiment, the lifting belt 13 is a scraper-type lifting belt. Similar to the scraper 245, the scraper-type lifting belt reduces cigar tobacco leaf breakage compared to the rake-tooth type lifting belt commonly used in the prior art.

[0046] The weighing unit 21 receives tobacco leaves from the feeding system 1. The weighing feedback controls the operation of the feeding system 1. After the first moisture detection unit 22 quickly detects the moisture and the loosening unit 23 further loosens the tobacco leaves, they enter the humidification drum 241. The feeding process does not require manual intervention and has a high degree of automation.

[0047] This application includes an air-cooling system 3, which can automatically cool the moistened tobacco leaves to maintain consistent moisture content. It also includes a collection system 4 for automated collection, reducing manual labor.

[0048] In this embodiment, the tobacco leaves discharged from the discharge port 247 are loosened by the conveying trough 26 and conveyed to the air-cooling system 3. The air-cooling system 3 cools the tobacco leaves to less than or equal to 25°C. The cigar tobacco leaves that have been quickly cooled to the temperature range can be directly packaged, reducing the cooling process and avoiding risks such as rotting and carbonization. There is no need for separate moisture balancing.

[0049] In this embodiment, the air-cooling system 3 includes an air-cooled vibrating trough 31, which is a mesh belt. A blower 32 is installed on the lower side, and an exhaust port 33 is installed on the upper side. When the tobacco leaves pass through the air-cooled vibrating trough 31, they come into contact with the cold air. This air-cooled vibrating trough 31 can quickly reduce the temperature of the tobacco leaves and at the same time fully loosen the tobacco leaves to prevent them from sticking together. In addition, the mesh belt-shaped air-cooled vibrating trough 31 has good flexibility, is not easy to damage the tobacco leaves, and can also play a conveying role, sending the tobacco leaves to the subsequent processing station.

[0050] In this embodiment, the collection system 4 includes a bidirectional moving cloth belt 41. Cooled and loosened tobacco leaves fall onto the cloth belt 41. A receiving port 42 is located below the cloth belt 41, through which the tobacco leaves fall evenly layer by layer into the collection container. Specifically, this cloth belt is a horizontal bidirectional cloth belt with two receiving ports at the bottom, allowing the tobacco leaves to be evenly loaded into, for example, a stainless steel tobacco box or a transfer box for subsequent fermentation, destemming, and other processing.

[0051] The cigar tobacco leaf moistening production line of this application can achieve full-process mechanization and automation. By setting up a feeding system 1, a moistening system 2, an air-cooling system 3, and a collection system 4, this production line can achieve continuous mechanized production, improve the efficiency and effect of moistening cigar tobacco leaves, and ensure product quality.

[0052] The cigar tobacco leaf moistening production line and method of the present invention draws on the advantages of steam moistening in a small environment with high temperature and high humidity to promote absorption. It is designed with devices such as a feeding unit, a moistening unit, a steam injection unit, a hot air circulation unit, an air cooling unit, and a collection unit to solve the problems of time-consuming hanging and collection, realize continuous production, and improve the efficiency and effect of moistening cigar tobacco leaves.

[0053] Example 2 describes a method for moistening cigar tobacco leaves, comprising the following steps: turning the tobacco leaves inside a drum and simultaneously exposing them to steam and hot air flowing in the same direction as the tobacco leaves, then cooling the tobacco leaves to at least 25°C. This method for moistening cigar tobacco leaves offers advantages such as high moistening efficiency, no need for moisture balancing, minimal human intervention, and easy and precise control of key parameters during the moistening process.

[0054] Specifically, the production line of Example 1 is used to add moistened leaves to cigar tobacco leaves.

[0055] The process of turning the tobacco leaves inside the drum and simultaneously contacting them with steam and hot air flowing in the same direction as the tobacco leaves is achieved by the humidification unit 24, while the process of cooling the tobacco leaves to less than or equal to 25°C is achieved by the air-cooled vibration groove 31.

[0056] The above-described contents can be implemented individually or in various combinations, and these variations are all within the protection scope of this invention.

[0057] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0058] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific embodiments of the present invention are limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such deductions or substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cigar leaf conditioning and leaf curing line, characterized in that, It comprises, in sequence according to the tobacco flow direction: a feeding system (1), a moisture adding system (2), an air cooling system (3) and a collecting system (4); The feeding system (1) quantitatively feeds the moisture adding system (2); The moisture adding system (2) comprises: a weighing unit (21), a first moisture detection unit (22), a loosening unit (23) and a moisture adding unit (24); the tobacco delivered by the feeding system (1) is weighed by the weighing unit (21), and the weighing detection result of the weighing unit (21) is fed back to control the feeding of the feeding system (1); the tobacco enters the moisture adding unit (24) after being detected by the first moisture detection unit (22) and loosened by the loosening unit (23), and the moisture detection result of the first moisture detection unit (22) is fed back to control the moisture adding unit (24); the moisture adding unit (24) comprises a moisture adding cylinder (241), a steam nozzle (242) and a hot air outlet (243) are installed at the inlet of the moisture adding cylinder (241), the angle and spray diameter of the steam nozzle (242) are adjustable, the hot air temperature and air volume of the hot air outlet (243) are adjustable, a return air outlet (244) is installed at the outlet of the moisture adding cylinder (241), the hot air and the tobacco flow direction in the moisture adding cylinder (241) are consistent, the rotation rate of the moisture adding cylinder (241) is adjustable, and the tobacco contacts steam and hot air during falling; The air cooling system (3) cools the tobacco after being added moisture by the moisture adding system (2); The collecting system (4) uniformly packs the tobacco into a collecting container; The inner wall of the moisture adding cylinder (241) is provided with a scraper (245); The moisture adding system (2) comprises a second moisture detection unit (25) arranged behind the moisture adding unit (24) according to the tobacco flow direction, the second moisture detection unit (25) is electrically connected with the feeding system (1) and the moisture adding system (2), and the moisture detection result thereof is fed back to adjust the tobacco feeding flow and the water adding flow; The moisture adding system (2) controls the water adding flow through the algorithm and linkage mechanism between the material flow, the inlet moisture, the outlet moisture, the water adding flow and the required moisture, so that the relationship between the tobacco moisture and the water adding amount is changed from artificial experience control to data and algorithm linkage control.

2. The production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moisture adding unit (24) comprises a moisture adding tank, and the moisture adding tank comprises a pure water tank or a material tank.

3. The production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air cooling system (3) cools the tobacco to less than or equal to 25℃.

4. The production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air cooling system (3) comprises an air cooling vibration tank (31), the air cooling vibration tank (31) is in the form of a mesh belt, a blower (32) is installed at the lower side, and an air outlet (33) is installed at the upper side, and the tobacco contacts the cold air blown out by the blower (32) when passing through the air cooling vibration tank (31).

5. The production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collecting system (4) comprises a bidirectional moving cloth belt (41), the cooled and loosened tobacco falls onto the cloth belt (41), the delivery end of the cloth belt (41) is provided with a receiving port (42), and the tobacco falls into a collecting container through the receiving port (42).

6. The production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding system (1) comprises a tipping unit (11), a feeding bin (12) and a lifting belt (13), the tipping unit (11) can tip the bale tobacco into the feeding bin (12), the bottom of the feeding bin (12) is provided with a feeding belt, the feeding belt sends the tobacco to the lifting belt (13), and the tobacco falls into the moisture adding system (2) after being lifted.

7. The production line according to claim 6, characterized in that The lifting belt (13) is a scraper lifting belt.

8. A method of conditioning tobacco for cigar leaf curing, characterized by, The production line of any one of claims 1-7 is used for adding moisture to cigar tobacco.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method comprises the following steps: The tobacco is tumbled in the drum and simultaneously contacts steam and hot air in the same direction as the tobacco flow, and then the tobacco is cooled to less than or equal to 25℃.

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