Tomato peel and seed separating device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of tomato processing, in particular to a tomato skin and seed separating device which comprises a mixing tank, a circulating water tank, a separating tank and a fishing assembly. The circulating water tank is communicated with the water inlet of the mixing tank and is used for injecting water into the mixing tank to disperse tomato peels and tomato seeds in the water; the separation tank is communicated with a discharge port of the mixing tank, and tomato peels and tomato seeds are layered by generating rotational flow; the fishing assembly is used for fishing tomato skin on the upper layer in the separation tank. Tomato peels and tomato seeds are layered up and down by generating rotational flow in the separation tank, and the salvage assembly is arranged to salvage the tomato peels on the upper layer in the separation tank, so that the tomato seeds and the tomato peels are effectively separated, and the tomato seeds and the tomato peels can be used for extracting nutrient substances such as lycopene, tomato seed oil, vegetable protein and dietary fibers; therefore, the tomato sauce processing industry chain is effectively extended, and the added value of tomatoes is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of tomato processing, and in particular to a tomato skin and seed separation device. Background Art

[0002] In the tomato paste production process, the tomato fruit and its juice undergo a fine pulping and crushing process in a pulper, followed by centrifugation. This process effectively separates the tomato juice from the peel and seeds. The separated tomato juice is then transported to an evaporation system for further processing, such as concentration; the tomato skins and seeds are discharged from the pulper's outlet as residue. Under the current production model, tomato seeds and skins are not fully developed and utilized. For example, the unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in tomato seeds, as well as the vitamin C and lycopene in tomato skins, are not effectively extracted. This results in the by-product value generated during tomato processing not being fully tapped and effectively converted into concrete economic benefits. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a tomato skin and seed separation device to solve the problem in the prior art that the nutrients of tomato seeds and tomato skins are not effectively extracted.

[0004] The present application provides a tomato skin and seed separation device, comprising:

[0005] A mixing tank connected to the slag outlet of the beater;

[0006] A circulating water tank is connected to the water inlet of the mixing tank and is used to inject water into the mixing tank to disperse the tomato skins and tomato seeds in the water;

[0007] The separation tank is connected to the discharge port of the mixing tank and separates the tomato skin and tomato seeds into layers by generating a swirl;

[0008] The salvaging component is used to salvage the upper layer of tomato skin in the separation tank.

[0009] In a possible design, a feed channel is provided on the side wall of the separation tank, and the feed channel is arranged along the tangential direction of the separation tank.

[0010] In one possible design, the salvage assembly includes:

[0011] A hollow cylinder, wherein the lower end of the hollow cylinder is provided with rotating seats spaced along the circumference thereof;

[0012] The center rod is disposed in the hollow cylinder and is movable along the axial direction of the hollow cylinder;

[0013] The branch rods include a plurality of branch rods, the outer walls of which are slidably connected to the corresponding rotating seats, and the upper ends of which are rotatably connected to the lower end of the central rod;

[0014] The filter is arranged between two adjacent branch rods.

[0015] In one possible design, the rotating seat is installed on the lower end edge of the hollow cylinder through a rotating shaft. The rotating seat can rotate around the rotating shaft to achieve up and down flipping. A cylindrical groove is formed on the rotating seat. The outer wall of the branch rod is gap-matched with the inner wall of the cylindrical groove. The center rod drives the branch rod to move along the axial direction of the cylindrical groove by moving along the axial direction of the hollow cylinder, thereby expanding or contracting the filter screen.

[0016] In one possible design, the salvage assembly also includes:

[0017] Support platform;

[0018] A first lifting module is arranged on the supporting platform;

[0019] A movable seat connected to the slider of the first lifting module and used for mounting the hollow cylinder;

[0020] The second lifting module is arranged on the moving seat, and the slider of the second lifting module is connected to the upper end of the central rod.

[0021] In a possible design, the supporting platform has a central shaft, which is transmission-connected to the output end of the motor.

[0022] In a possible design, a blocking brush is provided along the lower end of the hollow cylinder.

[0023] In a possible design, a biological enzyme additive is further included, and the outlet of the biological enzyme additive is connected to the mixing tank for injecting biological enzymes into the mixing tank.

[0024] In one possible design, it also includes:

[0025] The first dewatering screen has an inlet connected to the outlet of the separation tank and a water outlet connected to the circulating water tank;

[0026] The water outlet of the second dehydration screen is connected to the circulating water tank, and the salvaging component can shake the salvaged tomato skins onto the second dehydration screen.

[0027] In one possible design, it also includes:

[0028] The induced draft fan is used to introduce dry gas into the first dewatering screen and the second dewatering screen.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0030] The tomato skin and seed separation device of the present application injects water into a mixing tank to disperse the tomato skins and tomato seeds in the water, generates a vortex in the separation tank to separate the tomato skins and tomato seeds into upper and lower layers, and provides a salvaging component for salvaging the tomato skins in the upper layer in the separation tank, thereby effectively separating the tomato seeds and tomato skins. The salvaged components can be used to extract nutrients such as lycopene, tomato seed oil, plant protein, and dietary fiber, thereby effectively extending the tomato sauce processing industry chain and further increasing the added value of tomatoes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a tomato skin and seed separation device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the salvaging component of the tomato peel and seed separation device provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the salvaging component of the tomato peel and seed separation device provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0035] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of the structure at point A;

[0036] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of the filter in the expanded state;

[0037] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly relationship between the branch rod and the rotating seat.

[0038] Reference numerals:

[0039] 100. Beater; 200. Mixing tank; 300. Separation tank; 400. Salvage assembly; 410. Hollow cylinder; 420. Center rod; 430. Branch rod; 440. Filter; 450. Rotating seat; 451. Cylindrical trough; 460. Support platform; 461. Center axis; 470. First lifting module; 480. Moving seat; 490. Second lifting module; 500. Blocking brush; 600. Circulating water tank; 700. Bio-enzyme adder; 800. First dewatering screen; 900. Second dewatering screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of this application in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] The following combination Figures 1-6 , describing the tomato skin and seed separation device provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 As shown, the present embodiment provides a tomato skin and seed separation device comprising a mixing tank 200, a circulating water tank 600, a separation tank 300, and a salvaging assembly 400. The mixing tank 200 is connected to the slag outlet of a pulper 100. Specifically, during the production and processing of ketchup, the tomato fruits are pulped and crushed by the pulper 100. The pulped tomato juice is separated and transported to an evaporation system for further processing such as concentration. The tomato skins and seeds are discharged from the slag outlet of the pulper 100 and fall into a screw conveyor, which then transports them to the mixing tank 200.

[0043] The circulating water tank 600 is connected to the water inlet of the mixing tank 200 and is used to inject water into the mixing tank 200 to disperse the tomato skins and seeds in the water. Specifically, a stirring shaft is installed in the mixing tank 200, and the stirring shaft is used to disperse the tomato skins and seeds in the water. In some embodiments, an aeration tube is installed at the bottom of the mixing tank 200, with aeration holes spaced apart. The outer end of the aeration tube is connected to a blower, which blows air into the mixing tank 200 through the aeration holes, thereby facilitating the dispersion of the tomato skins and seeds in the water.

[0044] The separation tank 300 is connected to the discharge port of the mixing tank 200. The separation tank 300 separates the tomato skins and seeds into layers by generating a vortex. Specifically, a feed channel is provided on the sidewall of the separation tank 300, and the feed channel is arranged tangentially to the separation tank 300. In this way, water containing the tomato skins and seeds flows into the separation tank 300 tangentially through the feed channel, thereby forming a fixed vortex in the separation tank 300. Due to the significant difference in density and size between the tomato skins and tomato seeds, the vortex gradually separates the tomato skins and tomato seeds into distinct layers within the separation tank 300. The tomato skins, due to their relatively light weight, slowly float to the upper region of the separation tank 300, while the tomato seeds, due to their greater density, gradually settle to the bottom of the separation tank 300.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the salvage assembly 400 is used to salvage tomato peels from the upper layer of the separation tank 300. In some specific embodiments, the salvage assembly 400 includes a hollow cylinder 410, a central rod 420, branch rods 430, and a filter 440. Rotating seats 450 are spaced apart along the circumference of the lower end of the hollow cylinder 410. The rotating seats 450 are mounted to the lower end of the hollow cylinder 410 via a rotating shaft. The rotating seats 450 can rotate about the horizontal rotating shaft to achieve upside-down rotation. The rotating seats 450 are formed with cylindrical grooves 451. Each cylindrical groove 451 is slidably mounted with a branch rod 430. The branch rods 430 can slide axially along the cylindrical groove 451. The cylindrical grooves 451 have openings formed in their sidewalls. Portions of the sidewalls of the branch rods 430 are positioned outside the openings and are spaced apart with hanging rings. The filter 440 is secured to the hanging rings via ties. The center rod 420 is disposed within the hollow cylinder 410, and the lower end of the center rod 420 is rotatably connected to the upper ends of the branch rods 430 via a pin. When the center rod 420 moves downwardly along the axial direction of the hollow cylinder 410, it drives each branch rod 430 to slide downwardly along the axial direction of the corresponding cylindrical slot 451, and each branch rod 430 diverges in all directions, thereby extending the filter 440 below the hollow cylinder 410. When the center rod 420 moves upwardly along the axial direction of the hollow cylinder 410, it drives each branch rod 430 to slide upwardly along the axial direction of the corresponding cylindrical slot 451, and each branch rod 430 converges toward the center, thereby shrinking the filter 440 into the hollow cylinder 410.

[0046] The salvage assembly 400 also includes a support platform 460, a first lifting module 470, a movable base 480, and a second lifting module 490. The support platform 460 is rotatably mounted on a fixed frame via a central axis 461. The central axis 461 is connected to the output end of a motor via a pulley and a belt, and the motor can drive the support platform 460 to rotate around the central axis 461. The first lifting module 470 is disposed on the support platform 460, and the movable base 480 is connected to the slider of the first lifting module 470. The hollow cylinder 410 is fixed to the movable base 480. The first lifting module 470 can drive the movable base 480 to move up and down as a whole, thereby achieving the lifting of the hollow cylinder 410. The second lifting module 490 is mounted on the movable base 480. The slider of the second lifting module 490 is connected to the upper end of the center rod 420. The second lifting module 490 can drive the center rod 420 to move up and down within the hollow cylinder 410.

[0047] Reference Figure 4 As shown, a blocking brush 500 is provided at the lower end of the hollow cylinder 410 . When the filter screen 440 is retracted into the hollow cylinder 410 , the blocking brush 500 is used to brush off the tomato skins on the filter screen 440 .

[0048] In some embodiments, the tomato skin and seed separation device further includes an enzyme injector 700. The outlet of the enzyme injector 700 is connected to the mixing tank 200 and is used to inject enzymes, such as pectinase, into the mixing tank 200 to pre-treat the tomato skins and seeds. Pectinase can break down the pectin in the tomato cell walls, weakening the bond between the tomato pulp and the skin and seeds, thereby facilitating separation of the pulp from the skin and seeds. This prevents excessive pulp from adhering to the tomato skin, which would otherwise weigh the tomato down, facilitating subsequent separation.

[0049] In some embodiments, the tomato skin and seed separation device further includes a first dewatering screen 800, a second dewatering screen 900, and an induced draft fan. The inlet of the first dewatering screen 800 is connected to the outlet of the separation tank 300. Tomato seeds flowing out of the outlet of the separation tank 300 enter the first dewatering screen 800 for dehydration. The salvaging assembly 400 can shake the salvaged tomato skins onto the second dewatering screen 900 for dehydration. The outlets of the first and second dewatering screens 800 and 900 are respectively connected to the circulating water tank 600, and the dewatered water continues to flow back into the circulating water tank 600. The induced draft fan is used to introduce low-temperature drying air into the first and second dewatering screens 800 and 900. Low-temperature air drying prevents the oxidation and deterioration of nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in the tomato seeds at high temperatures, and prevents the loss of vitamin C and lycopene in the tomato skins at high temperatures.

[0050] The workflow of this application:

[0051] The tomato skins and seeds discharged from the pulping machine 100 enter the mixing tank 200, where water is introduced according to a specific ratio to uniformly mix the tomato skins and seeds with the water. Continuous stirring is performed by mechanical force, allowing the tomato seeds and skins, which were originally adhered to each other, to be fully dispersed in the water to form a mixed material.

[0052] The mixed material is conveyed into the separation tank 300 by a screw pump, where a fixed vortex is formed. Due to the significant difference in density and size between the tomato skins and tomato seeds, the vortex gradually separates the tomato skins and tomato seeds into distinct layers within the separation tank 300. The tomato skins, being relatively light, slowly float to the upper area of ​​the separation tank 300, while the tomato seeds, due to their higher density, gradually sink to the bottom of the separation tank 300.

[0053] The second lifting module 490 moves, driving the central rod 420 to move downward along the axial direction of the hollow cylinder 410, driving each branch rod 430 to slide downward along the axial direction of the corresponding cylindrical groove 451. Each branch rod 430 diverges in all directions, thereby expanding the filter screen 440.

[0054] The first lifting module 470 moves upward, driving the movable base 480 and the hollow cylinder 410 on the movable base 480 to move upward as a whole, and the tomato skin is fished out by the stretched filter 440;

[0055] The supporting platform 460 rotates around the central axis 461, driving the movable base 480 and the hollow cylinder 410 on the movable base 480 to move as a whole to above the second dewatering screen 900;

[0056] The second lifting module 490 moves upward along the axis of the hollow cylinder 410, driving the central rod 420 to slide upward along the axis of the corresponding cylindrical slot 451. The branch rods 430 converge toward the center, thereby tightening the filter 440. At the same time, the blocking brush 500 at the lower end of the hollow cylinder 410 brushes the tomato peels on the filter 440 down to the entrance of the second dehydration screen 900, so that they can reach the second dehydration screen 900 smoothly.

[0057] The tomato seeds and water at the bottom of the separation tank 300 enter the first dewatering screen 800 .

[0058] The induced draft fan introduces low-temperature drying gas into the first dehydration screen 800 and the second dehydration screen 900 respectively, so that the tomato seeds and tomato skins are air-dried at low temperature in the first dehydration screen 800 and the second dehydration screen 900 and then discharged to the corresponding temporary storage bin through the screw conveying pump.

[0059] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0060] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0061] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection, or communication; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0062] In this application, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A tomato skin and seed separation device, characterized in that: include: A mixing tank connected to the slag outlet of the beater; a circulating water tank, connected to the water inlet of the mixing tank, for injecting water into the mixing tank to disperse the tomato skins and tomato seeds in the water; a separation tank, connected to the discharge port of the mixing tank, for separating the tomato skins and tomato seeds into layers by generating a swirl; The salvaging component is used for salvaging the tomato skins on the upper layer in the separation tank.

2. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A feeding channel is provided on the side wall of the separation tank, and the feeding channel is arranged along the tangential direction of the separation tank.

3. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The salvage assembly includes: A hollow cylinder, wherein the lower end of the hollow cylinder is provided with rotating seats spaced apart along the circumference thereof; a center rod, disposed in the hollow cylinder and capable of moving along the axial direction of the hollow cylinder; The branch rods include a plurality of branch rods, the outer walls of which are respectively slidably connected to the corresponding rotating seats, and the upper ends of which are rotatably connected to the lower end of the central rod; The filter screen is arranged between two adjacent branch rods.

4. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rotating seat is installed on the lower end edge of the hollow cylinder through a rotating shaft. The rotating seat can rotate around the rotating shaft to achieve up and down flipping. A cylindrical groove is formed on the rotating seat. The outer wall of the branch rod is gap-matched with the inner wall of the cylindrical groove. The center rod drives the branch rod to move along the axial direction of the cylindrical groove by moving along the axial direction of the hollow cylinder, thereby expanding or contracting the filter screen.

5. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The salvage assembly further comprises: Support platform; A first lifting module is provided on the supporting platform; A movable seat connected to the slider of the first lifting module and used for mounting the hollow cylinder; The second lifting module is arranged on the movable seat, and the slider of the second lifting module is connected to the upper end of the central rod.

6. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The supporting platform has a central shaft, and the central shaft is transmission-connected to the output end of the motor.

7. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A blocking brush is provided along the lower end of the hollow cylinder.

8. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes a biological enzyme additive, the outlet of which is connected to the mixing tank and is used to inject biological enzymes into the mixing tank.

9. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: Also includes: a first dewatering screen, the feed inlet of which is connected to the discharge port of the separation tank, and the water outlet of which is connected to the circulating water tank; The water outlet of the second dehydration screen is connected to the circulating water tank, and the salvaging component can shake the salvaged tomato skins onto the second dehydration screen.

10. The tomato skin and seed separation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also includes: An induced draft fan is used to introduce dry gas into the first dewatering screen and the second dewatering screen.

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