Beer beverage auxiliary material adding device and feeding method

Abstract

The beer beverage auxiliary material adding device comprises a vertically-arranged feeding pipe, the lower end of the feeding pipe is connected with a first control valve, the upper end of the feeding pipe is connected with a material storage pipe in a sleeving mode, the vertical position of the material storage pipe can be adjusted, and liquid storage cavities are formed in the inner sides of the material storage pipe and the feeding pipe; the material storage pipe moves up and down to adjust the size of the liquid storage cavity. The liquid storage cavity for storing liquid auxiliary materials is formed through the feeding pipe and the material storage pipe, the size of the liquid storage cavity is adjusted to be just filled with the liquid auxiliary materials with the weight needing to be added, when the auxiliary materials need to be added, only the liquid storage cavity needs to be filled, then the first control valve is opened, and the liquid auxiliary materials in the liquid storage cavity can be fed into the next process. According to the technical scheme, precise control equipment and sensors do not need to be used, the manufacturing cost is low, and operation is easy. Accurate and quantitative addition of the auxiliary materials can be realized through simple manual operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to technologies for adding various adjuvants in the food, beverage, and beer manufacturing industries, and specifically to a beer and beverage adjuvant adding device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the methods for adding liquid adjuvants in beer and beverage production mainly fall into two categories: one is manual addition, where operators measure the adjuvants using experience or simple measuring tools (such as measuring cups or cylinders) and then pour them into the production system. While this method has the advantages of low equipment investment and low operational barriers, it has drawbacks: manual measurement is easily affected by factors such as visual errors, operator skill level, and environmental interference, making it difficult to achieve stable and accurate quantification. This results in significant fluctuations in the amount of adjuvants added between different batches of products, seriously affecting the uniformity of product quality. At the same time, manual addition is inefficient, making it difficult to adapt to the pace requirements of large-scale production, and there are potential risks of adjuvant spillage and cross-contamination, which does not comply with the hygiene management standards for food production.

[0003] Another type is the automated addition method using precision control equipment and sensors. This method collects data in real time through detection elements such as flow sensors and weighing sensors, and combines this with a PLC control system to adjust the speed of the auxiliary material conveying pump or the valve opening to achieve quantitative addition. Although it can meet the accuracy requirements, it suffers from high manufacturing costs: the procurement costs of precision sensors, dedicated control modules, and supporting automated conveying mechanisms are high, and the installation, commissioning, and subsequent maintenance of the equipment require professional technicians, further increasing the operating costs of production enterprises. In addition, the structure of this type of equipment is complex and has high requirements for the operating environment. Its adaptability and economy need to be improved in small and medium-sized production enterprises or scenarios with frequent process adjustments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the problems pointed out in the background art, the present invention proposes a beer beverage adjuvant adding device and a adding method. The device has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and can achieve precise quantitative addition of adjuvants through manual control.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows: A beer and beverage adjunct addition device includes a vertically arranged feeding pipe, a control valve connected to the lower end of the feeding pipe, and a storage pipe that can be adjusted vertically at the upper end of the feeding pipe. The inner side of the storage pipe and the feeding pipe is a liquid storage chamber, and the size of the liquid storage chamber can be adjusted by moving the storage pipe up and down.

[0006] The invention is further configured to include a hollow feeding chamber, with a feeding port at the upper end of the feeding chamber corresponding to the liquid storage chamber, and a feeding pipe extending through the feeding port to near the storage pipe; a discharge port at the lower end of the feeding chamber, the feeding pipe being connected to the discharge port, a control valve located on the lower side of the feeding chamber, and the storage pipe located on the inner side of the feeding chamber.

[0007] The invention is further configured such that the storage pipe is threadedly connected to the feeding pipe, and the side wall of the feeding hopper is provided with an opening window, which is connected to an openable door, and the door is transparent.

[0008] The invention is further configured to include a recovery bin and a pump connecting the bottom of the feeding bin and the recovery bin.

[0009] The invention is further configured to include a second pump that connects the feed pipe and the recovery chamber.

[0010] The present invention is further configured such that a control valve two is connected to the feed pipe.

[0011] The present invention is further configured such that a sterilization device is provided inside the feeding hopper.

[0012] The present invention is further configured such that the feeding hopper is equipped with a spray cleaning device.

[0013] The present invention is further configured such that the bottom of the feeding hopper is provided with a waste discharge port, and also includes a pump connected to the waste discharge port.

[0014] A method for adding beer beverage adjuvants, comprising the aforementioned beer beverage adjuvant adding device, includes the following steps: Step 1: Open the door and manually rotate the storage tube until it moves upward to its limit position; Step 2: Weigh the liquid additives to be added and pour them into the storage chamber; Step 3: Rotate the storage tube, and move the storage tube downwards until the liquid level in the storage chamber is flush with the top of the storage tube. This completes the calibration of the storage chamber. Then, close the door. Step 4: Open control valve one to drain the liquid auxiliary material from the storage chamber; Step 5: When liquid additives need to be added, open control valve 2 and add liquid additives into the storage pipe and feeding pipe through the feed pipe. Observe through the door. When you observe that the liquid additives overflow from the top of the storage pipe, close control valve 2. Step 6: Open control valve 1 to send the liquid auxiliary material in the storage pipe and feeding pipe into the next process.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The beer and beverage adjuvant adding device and method provided by the present invention form a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid adjuvants through a feeding pipe and a storage pipe. The size of the liquid storage chamber is adjusted to be just enough to fill the liquid adjuvant to be added. When adjuvants need to be added, the liquid storage chamber only needs to be filled, and then the control valve can be opened to send the liquid adjuvant in the liquid storage chamber into the next process.

[0016] The above technical solution eliminates the need for sophisticated control equipment and sensors, resulting in low manufacturing costs and simple operation. Precise quantitative addition of excipients can be achieved through simple manual operation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding pipe, control valve 1, and storage pipe of the present invention.

[0020] The following are the labels in the attached diagram: 1. Feeding pipe; 2. Control valve 1; 3. Storage pipe; 4. Liquid storage chamber; 5. Feeding bin; 6. Feeding port; 7. Feeding pipe; 8. Discharge port; 9. Door; 10. Recovery bin; 11. Pump 1; 12. Pump 2; 13. Control valve 2; 14. Sterilization device; 15. Spray cleaning device; 16. Pump 3. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] For reference as follows Figures 1-2 The present invention will be described as follows: Example: A beer and beverage adjuvant addition device includes a vertically arranged feeding pipe 1. The lower end of the feeding pipe 1 is connected to a control valve 2, which is a ball valve and is controlled by an electric actuator. Opening the control valve 2 can discharge the liquid adjuvant in the feeding pipe 1.

[0023] The upper end of the feeding pipe 1 is fitted with a storage pipe 3 that can be adjusted vertically. The upper end of the feeding pipe 1 is thickened. The storage pipe 3 is threaded to the feeding pipe 1. The inner wall of the storage pipe 3 is provided with internal threads, and the outer wall of the thickened section of the feeding pipe 1 is provided with corresponding external threads.

[0024] The main body of the feeding pipe 1 is the conveying channel for liquid auxiliary materials, while the thickened section is connected by threads to adjust the position of the storage pipe 3, thereby changing the volume of the liquid storage chamber 4.

[0025] The inner side of the storage pipe 3 and the feeding pipe 1 is the liquid storage chamber 4. By rotating the storage pipe 3, the storage pipe 3 can move up and down, thereby adjusting the size of the liquid storage chamber 4.

[0026] The up-and-down movement of the storage tube 3 is driven by manual rotation. The structural characteristics of the threaded drive ensure the smoothness of the movement process and the reliability of the position locking. Its inner side, together with the inner side of the feeding tube 1, forms the liquid storage cavity 4 for storing liquid auxiliary materials. When the storage tube 3 is rotated clockwise, it moves downward along the external thread of the feeding tube 1, and the volume of the liquid storage cavity 4 decreases. When rotated counterclockwise, the storage tube 3 moves upward, and the volume of the liquid storage cavity 4 increases.

[0027] It also includes a hollow feeding chamber 5 (providing installation space and a protective shell for the upper part of the storage pipe 3 and the feeding pipe 1), and a feeding port 6 corresponding to the liquid storage chamber 4 at the upper end of the feeding chamber 5 (corresponding to the upper opening of the liquid storage chamber 4, for the insertion of the feed pipe 7). It also includes a feed pipe 7 that extends through the feeding port 6 to near the upper end of the storage pipe 3, through which liquid auxiliary materials are added to the liquid storage chamber 4.

[0028] A control valve 13 is connected to the feed pipe 7, which controls the flow of liquid auxiliary material in the feed pipe 7. The control valve 13 is located on the upper side of the feeding hopper 5. The control valve 13 is connected in series with the feed pipe 7 and is used to control the flow of the feed pipe 7. The operator can use the control valve 13 to feed a fixed amount of material into the liquid storage chamber 4.

[0029] The lower end of the feeding bin 5 is provided with a discharge port 8 (fixedly connected to the main body of the feeding pipe 1 to form a discharge channel for auxiliary materials). The feeding pipe 1 is connected to the discharge port 8. The control valve 2 is located on the lower side of the feeding bin 5, and the storage pipe 3 is located on the inner side of the feeding bin 5.

[0030] The side wall of the feeding hopper 5 is provided with an opening window (for operators to manually adjust the position of the storage pipe 3). The opening window is connected to an openable door 9. When the door 9 is closed, it can seal the opening window. The door 9 is transparent, and the storage pipe 3 inside can be seen through the door 9.

[0031] After the door 9 is closed, the door can completely seal the window to prevent external impurities from entering the feeding chamber 5 and ensure the hygiene of the auxiliary materials. The transparent material design allows operators to observe the liquid level of the auxiliary materials in the storage chamber 4 without opening the door, providing a direct basis for judging the feeding process.

[0032] A method for adding beer beverage adjuvants, comprising the aforementioned beer beverage adjuvant adding device, includes the following steps: Step 1: Reset storage tube 3 (Preparation for maximizing volume) The operator first opens the door 9 on the side wall of the feeding hopper 5, reaches in through the opening, and manually rotates the storage tube 3 counterclockwise. Since the storage tube 3 is connected to the feeding tube 1 by threads, during the rotation, the storage tube 3 moves upward along the external thread of the feeding tube 1 until it reaches the mechanical limit position (i.e., the limit position before the lower end of the storage tube 3 is completely separated from the upper end of the thickened section of the feeding tube 1). At this time, the volume of the liquid storage chamber 4 reaches its maximum, preparing for subsequent volume calibration.

[0033] Step 2: Weighing and injecting auxiliary materials The weight of the liquid additives required for each production run is accurately measured using an external weighing device (such as an electronic scale). After weighing, the additives are poured directly from the top of the storage tube 3 into the liquid storage chamber 4 until all the weighed additives have been injected. The core of this step is to achieve the initial quantitative measurement of the additives through external weighing, providing a benchmark for the volume calibration of the liquid storage chamber 4.

[0034] Step 3: Volume calibration of storage chamber 4 (critical quantitative step) Manually rotate the storage tube 3 clockwise, moving it downwards along the external thread of the feeding tube 1. During this movement, the volume of the liquid storage chamber 4 gradually decreases, and the liquid level of the auxiliary material inside the chamber rises accordingly until the liquid level is flush with the upper opening of the storage tube 3 (without any auxiliary material overflowing). At this point, the volume of the liquid storage chamber 4 is exactly equal to the volume of the auxiliary material weighed in step two (based on the fixed density of the auxiliary material, there is a unique correspondence between volume and weight). After calibration, close the door 9 to achieve closed protection of the feeding chamber 5. This step, through the volume adjustment of the mechanical structure, transforms "weight-based quantification" into "volume-based quantification," providing a precise benchmark for subsequent repeated additions.

[0035] Step 4: Initial excipient discharge (empty calibration chamber) Start the electric actuator of control valve 2, open the ball valve, and the liquid auxiliary material used for volume calibration in the liquid storage chamber 4 flows downward along the feeding pipe 1 and is discharged to the recovery device through the discharge port 8, completing the emptying of the liquid storage chamber 4 and preparing for formal feeding.

[0036] Step 5: Formal feeding (volume-based quantitative feeding) When production requires the addition of auxiliary materials, control valve 2 (13) is opened, and external auxiliary materials are continuously injected into the storage chamber 4 through the feed pipe 7. The operator observes the liquid level in the storage chamber 4 through the transparent door 9. When the liquid level rises to overflow from the upper opening of the storage pipe 3 (i.e., the storage chamber 4 is completely filled), control valve 2 (13) is immediately closed to stop feeding. At this time, the volume of auxiliary materials in the storage chamber 4 is consistent with the volume calibrated in step three, corresponding to the weight measured in step two, achieving accurate quantification.

[0037] Step Six: Auxiliary materials are transported to the process. Start the electric actuator of control valve 2 to open the ball valve. The measured amount of auxiliary material in the storage chamber 4 is discharged along the feeding pipe 1 and the discharge port 8, and directly sent to the next production process, completing one quantitative feeding operation. If repeated feeding is required, steps five and six can be cycled directly without recalibration (unless the required auxiliary material weight changes).

[0038] This device achieves precise quantitative measurement by utilizing the correspondence between "weight-volume-capacity". The required weight of the excipient is determined through initial weighing, and then converted to the corresponding volume based on the excipient's fixed density. The volume of the storage chamber 4 is then adjusted to this volume via a screw thread. Subsequent additions simply require filling the storage chamber 4 to ensure consistent excipient weight each time. This design eliminates the need for precision sensors or control systems, achieving quantitative measurement solely through mechanical volume locking, thus balancing accuracy and low cost in principle.

[0039] The threaded connection between the storage pipe 3 and the feeding pipe 1 not only enables stepless adjustment of the volume, but also locks the volume through the self-locking characteristic of the thread, preventing volume deviation during use. The transparent door 9 design not only ensures the airtightness of the feeding chamber 5, but also provides a direct view of the liquid level, simplifying the operation process; The overall structure of the feeding bin 5 encloses the upper part of the storage pipe 3 and the feeding pipe 1, effectively preventing contamination and spillage of auxiliary materials, and meeting the hygiene requirements of food production. Control valve 12 is controlled by an electric actuator, which not only improves the ease of operation, but also avoids the problems of residual auxiliary materials or incomplete discharge caused by manually opening and closing the valve.

[0040] Each time liquid additives are added, the overflowing liquid additives fall into the feeding hopper 5 and accumulate at the bottom of the feeding hopper 5.

[0041] During the formal feeding process in step five, when the liquid auxiliary material overflows from the upper end of the storage pipe 3, the overflowing material falls into the feeding hopper 5 under the influence of gravity. Because the feeding hopper 5 is a hollow cavity and the storage pipe 3 is located inside it, the overflowing auxiliary material flows along the outer wall of the storage pipe 3 to the bottom of the feeding hopper 5 and accumulates. This process utilizes the cavity structure of the feeding hopper 5 to achieve natural collection of the overflowing auxiliary material, avoiding waste.

[0042] It also includes a recovery bin 10 (for temporarily storing liquid auxiliary materials recovered from the feeding bin 5), and a pump 11 connecting the bottom of the feeding bin 5 and the recovery bin 10. The pump 11 pumps the liquid auxiliary materials accumulated at the bottom of the feeding bin 5 into the recovery bin 10. The inlet of the pump 11 is connected to the bottom of the feeding bin 5 via a pipe (the pipe interface is located at the lowest point of the bottom of the feeding bin 5 to ensure that the accumulated auxiliary materials can be completely sucked in), and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the recovery bin 10 via a pipe.

[0043] It also includes a second pump 12 that connects the feed pipe 7 and the recovery chamber 10. The second pump 12 can pump the liquid auxiliary material in the recovery chamber 10 back into the storage chamber 4. The inlet end of the second pump 12 is connected to the bottom of the recovery chamber 10 through a pipe to ensure that the auxiliary material in the chamber can be completely discharged, and the outlet end is connected to the original feed pipe 7 through a pipe.

[0044] When the amount of auxiliary material accumulated at the bottom of the feeding hopper 5 reaches a certain level (which can be observed through the transparent door 9 or determined by a liquid level sensor installed at the bottom of the feeding hopper 5), pump 11 is started. Pump 11 uses negative pressure to draw in the accumulated auxiliary material at the bottom of the feeding hopper 5 and transports it through pipeline to the recovery hopper 10 for temporary storage, completing the initial recovery of the auxiliary material. This step can be performed after each feeding cycle (steps five to six), or once every 3-5 feeding cycles if the recovery hopper 10 is not full.

[0045] When the amount of auxiliary materials temporarily stored in the recycling bin 10 reaches the usable amount (e.g., 1 / 2 of the volume), and the type of auxiliary materials required for subsequent feeding is consistent with the recycled auxiliary materials, pump 2 12 can be started. Pump 2 12 pressurizes and transports the auxiliary materials in the recycling bin 10 to the feed pipe 7.

[0046] The feeding hopper 5 is equipped with a sterilization device 14 (ultraviolet germicidal lamp). The sterilization device 14 can sterilize the interior of the feeding hopper 5. If the door 9 is opened (as in step one, adjusting the position of the storage pipe 3 and observing the internal situation), the interior of the feeding hopper 5 needs to be sterilized after it is closed.

[0047] Even if door 9 is not frequently opened, it can be sterilized periodically.

[0048] The feeding hopper 5 is equipped with a spray cleaning device 15. The interior of the feeding hopper 5 can be cleaned by the spray cleaning device 15.

[0049] The bottom of the feeding hopper 5 is equipped with a waste discharge port, and also includes a pump 3 16 connected to the waste discharge port. The waste liquid after cleaning can be sucked away by the pump 3 16 through the waste discharge port. Sterilization treatment is also required after cleaning.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A beer and beverage adjunct adding device, comprising a vertically arranged feeding pipe, the lower end of which is connected to a control valve, characterized in that: The upper end of the feeding pipe is fitted with a storage pipe that can be adjusted vertically. The inside of the storage pipe and the feeding pipe is a liquid storage chamber. The size of the liquid storage chamber can be adjusted by moving the storage pipe up and down.

2. The beer and beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a hollow feeding hopper, with a feeding port at the upper end corresponding to the liquid storage chamber, and a feed pipe extending through the feeding port to near the storage pipe; a discharge port is provided at the lower end of the feeding hopper, the feeding pipe is connected to the discharge port, a control valve is located on the lower side of the feeding hopper, and the storage pipe is located on the inner side of the feeding hopper.

3. The beer and beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The storage pipe is threadedly connected to the feeding pipe. The side wall of the feeding hopper is provided with an opening window, which is connected to an openable door. The door is transparent.

4. The beer and beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a recovery bin, and a pump that connects the bottom of the feeding bin to the recovery bin.

5. The beer beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a second pump that connects the feed pipe and the recovery bin.

6. The beer and beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The feed pipe is connected to a control valve.

7. The beer and beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The feeding hopper is equipped with a sterilization device.

8. A beer and beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The feeding hopper is equipped with a spray cleaning device.

9. A beer and beverage adjuvant adding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom of the feeding hopper is provided with a waste discharge port, and a pump 3 connected to the waste discharge port is also included.

10. A method for adding adjuncts to beer beverages, characterized in that, The beer beverage adjuvant adding device as described in claim 6 includes the following steps: Step 1: Open the door and manually rotate the storage tube until it moves upward to its limit position; Step 2: Weigh the liquid additives to be added and pour them into the storage chamber; Step 3: Rotate the storage tube, and move the storage tube downwards until the liquid level in the storage chamber is flush with the top of the storage tube. This completes the calibration of the storage chamber. Then, close the door. Step 4: Open control valve one to drain the liquid auxiliary material from the storage chamber; Step 5: When liquid additives need to be added, open control valve 2 and add liquid additives into the storage pipe and feeding pipe through the feed pipe. Observe through the door. When you observe that the liquid additives overflow from the top of the storage pipe, close control valve 2. Step 6: Open control valve 1 to send the liquid auxiliary material in the storage pipe and feeding pipe into the next process.

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