Tea leaf fermentation device

Abstract

The application is a tea fermentation device, which comprises a fermentation box, a fermentation cylinder driven by a driving motor arranged in the fermentation box; the volume of tea is less than half of the volume of the fermentation cylinder; a plurality of channels are arranged in the fermentation cylinder, and tea flows from one end of the channel to the other end; the channel is in a curved shape, and tea contacts each inclined lower side of the channel when falling; the driving motor intermittently and circularly drives the fermentation cylinder to rotate 180 degrees, so that the upper and lower ends of the channel are switched; by arranging the closed fermentation cylinder with the curved channel inside and adopting the intermittent and circular rotation mode, tea periodically flows from one end to the other end along the channel during the fermentation process. The design of the curved channel makes tea repeatedly contact a plurality of inclined sides during falling, effectively breaks the tea accumulation state, promotes the full replacement of the inner and outer tea, thereby greatly enhances the heat and moisture transfer efficiency between tea, and improves the overall uniformity of the fermentation environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tea fermentation equipment technology, specifically a tea fermentation device. Background Technology

[0002] In tea processing, fermentation is one of the key steps affecting the flavor, color, and quality of tea. Traditional tea fermentation typically takes place in specialized fermentation chambers, which provide a relatively stable humidity and temperature environment, thus improving fermentation efficiency. However, in actual production, tea leaves are often piled up in the fermentation chamber, resulting in uneven distribution of humidity and temperature across different areas. This unevenness causes asynchronous fermentation processes, with some leaves potentially over-fermenting while others are under-fermented, severely impacting the overall fermentation quality and product consistency.

[0003] To address the aforementioned problem of uneven temperature and humidity distribution, several improvement schemes have been proposed in the existing technology. One common structure employs a tray with reciprocating linear motion, which moves the tea leaves to promote mixing and achieve a more balanced temperature and humidity. Another scheme designs the fermentation box as a cylindrical structure and rotates it axially, utilizing the rolling of the tea leaves during rotation to improve their distribution.

[0004] However, regardless of the reciprocating motion of the tray or the axial rotation of the cylinder, the tea leaves still primarily rely on their own gravity for redistribution during the movement, making it difficult to completely break up the piled-up state. Especially when the amount of tea leaves is large or the pile is dense, the internal tea leaves tend to form a relatively static "core zone," resulting in insufficient temperature and humidity exchange and limited improvement in the uniformity of the fermentation environment. Therefore, the current technology's improvement in the synchronization of tea fermentation is still not ideal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problems in the background art, the present invention discloses a tea fermentation device.

[0006] This invention provides a tea fermentation device, including a fermentation box, and a closed fermentation cylinder that is rotatably connected and driven by a drive motor inside the fermentation box; The tea leaves to be fermented are placed in a fermentation cylinder, and the volume of the tea leaves is less than half the volume of the fermentation cylinder. The fermentation cylinder has multiple channels, through which tea leaves flow from one end of the channels to the other. The channel is a curved shape with multiple inflection points and at least two V-shaped openings; the V-shaped openings form an angle with the channel; the opening directions of adjacent V-shaped openings are opposite; when the tea leaves fall, they contact each of the inclined lower sides of the channel. The drive motor intermittently and cyclically drives the fermentation tank to rotate 180°, allowing the upper and lower ends of the channel to switch. The speed at which the drive motor drives the fermentation cylinder to rotate is configured such that the tea leaves maintain a stable relative position with the fermentation cylinder as they rotate from the bottom to the top under centrifugal force. The interval for the drive motor to complete one rotation of the fermentation cylinder is configured such that the tea leaves fall completely from the top of the fermentation cylinder to the bottom.

[0007] Furthermore, the fermentation tank includes a frame; The openwork sections of the tube frame are sealed with external mesh.

[0008] Furthermore, one end of the tube frame facing the passage is not covered by an external mesh, and this end is sealed by a hinged tube cover. The cylinder cover consists of an annular cover body, the inside of which is sealed by a cover mesh.

[0009] Furthermore, the channel is located in the middle of the fermentation tank; There is a gap between the channel and the end of the fermentation tank.

[0010] Furthermore, the fermentation tank is equipped with multiple spaced-apart first meshes; The first mesh is bent into a curved shape and sewn and fixed to the outer mesh.

[0011] Furthermore, in the projection of the channel's extension direction, the tip regions of adjacent V-shaped openings partially overlap.

[0012] Furthermore, multiple spaced second meshes are installed within the passageway and secured by stitching. The second mesh divides the channel into multiple independent sub-channels.

[0013] Furthermore, the first partition net is in the shape of a zigzag line.

[0014] Furthermore, the outermost first mesh is provided with a V-shaped opening with its opening direction facing the outer mesh; A third V-shaped mesh is also sewn onto the outer mesh; The open end of the third mesh is sewn and fixed to the outer mesh; The third mesh is parallel to the side of this V-shaped opening.

[0015] Furthermore, the two ends of the third mesh are connected to end meshes; The third partition net, the end net, and the outer net form a closed space.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. By setting up a closed fermentation cylinder with an internal curved channel and using intermittent circulating rotation, the tea leaves periodically flow from one end to the other along the channel during fermentation. The curved channel design allows the tea leaves to repeatedly contact multiple inclined sides during their descent, effectively breaking up the tea leaf accumulation and promoting full exchange between the inner and outer layers of tea leaves. This significantly enhances the efficiency of heat and moisture transfer between the tea leaves, improving the overall uniformity of the fermentation environment.

[0017] 2. The amount of tea leaves filling the fermentation cylinder is controlled to be less than half of its total volume, providing ample space for the flow and agitation of the tea leaves. Combined with the guiding effect of the curved channel, good stirring effect can be maintained even when processing large batches.

[0018] 3. The curved design of the channel extends its length, thereby lengthening the falling path and time of the tea leaves. Furthermore, the tea leaves contact each lower surface of the channel, which not only improves the efficiency of tea leaf dispersion but also eliminates the falling kinetic energy of the tea leaves, reducing their falling speed and thus maintaining the structural integrity of the tea leaves.

[0019] 4. The channel design divides the inner cavity of the fermentation cylinder into multiple independent areas, which evenly disperses the tea leaves and improves the uniformity of tea fermentation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is the right view of the present invention; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of AA; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the fermentation tank; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fermentation tank; Figure 6 This is a structural front view of the end mesh and the partition mesh, with the second partition mesh hidden. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the first, second, and third partition nets, with the second partition net being hidden. Figure 8 This is the front view showing the channel structure in this invention; In the diagram: 1. Fermentation box; 2. Drive motor; 3. Fermentation cylinder; 4. First partition mesh; 5. Second partition mesh; 6. Third partition mesh; 7. End mesh; 8. Bearing with seat; 11. Opening and closing door; 12. Top plate; 31. Channel; 32. Cylinder frame; 33. External mesh; 34. Cylinder cover; 35. Rotating shaft; 36. V-shaped opening; 311. Dividing channel; 321. Cylinder ring; 322. Connecting rod; 341. Cover body; 342. Cover mesh. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the invention.

[0023] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the present invention discloses a tea fermentation device, including a fermentation box 1, which is equipped with a humidification device and a heating device (not shown in the figure) to maintain a constant humidity and temperature required for tea fermentation.

[0024] A door 11 is provided on one side of the fermentation box 1 for taking out the fermented tea leaves; the top plate 12 of the fermentation box 1 is fixed by bolts, and the tea leaves to be fermented can be placed in the fermentation box 1 by removing the top plate 12.

[0025] like Figure 4-7 As shown, a rectangular fermentation cylinder 3 is installed inside the fermentation chamber 1. The fermentation cylinder 3 includes two symmetrically arranged rectangular rings 321, which are connected by multiple spaced-apart connecting rods 322, thus forming a rectangular cylinder frame 32. A perforated structure is formed between the connecting rods 322 and the rings 321, which is then sealed by an external mesh 33, creating a closed inner cavity where the tea leaves to be fermented are placed. To facilitate tea leaf placement, one end of the cylinder frame 32 facing the channel 31 is not covered by the external mesh 33; this end is sealed by a hinged cylinder lid 34. The cylinder lid 34 includes an annular lid body 341, which is sealed by a lid mesh 342. This arrangement allows for easy placement of the tea leaves when the cylinder lid 34 is opened. Furthermore, the volume of the tea leaves is less than half the volume of the fermentation cylinder 3.

[0026] The fermentation tank 3 is equipped with multiple evenly spaced first partition nets 4, which extend to both ends of the fermentation tank 3 and are fixed to the outer net 33 by sewing. Figure 8 As shown, multiple independent channels 31 are formed between the first partition nets 4 and between the outermost first partition net 4 and the outer net 33, and the tea leaves will flow from one end of the channel 31 to the other end; and the arrangement of the channels 31 forms multiple independent areas in the inner cavity of the fermentation cylinder 3, which evenly disperses the tea leaves to improve the uniformity of tea fermentation.

[0027] Two opposing connecting rods 322 have a single-piece, side-protruding circular plate at their center. A rotating shaft 35, extending radially along the fermentation cylinder 3, is coaxially mounted on this circular plate. A bearing 8 with a seat, rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 35, is installed on the outer side of the fermentation chamber 1. A drive motor 2 (a geared motor) is mounted on one side of the fermentation chamber 1. The drive end of the drive motor 2 is fixedly connected to one of the rotating shafts 35 to drive the fermentation cylinder 3 to rotate. When the drive motor 2 is not working, the channel 31 is vertically arranged. The drive motor 2 intermittently and cyclically drives the fermentation cylinder 3 to rotate 180°, switching between the upper and lower ends of the channel 31. The speed at which the drive motor 2 drives the fermentation cylinder 3 to rotate is configured such that the tea leaves maintain a stable relative position to the fermentation cylinder 3 as they rotate from the bottom to the top under centrifugal force. The interval between one rotation of the fermentation cylinder 3 by the drive motor 2 is configured such that the tea leaves completely fall from the top of the fermentation cylinder 3 to the bottom.

[0028] Since it is difficult to distribute the tea leaves evenly in each channel 31 when they are poured into the fermentation cylinder 3, the first partition net 4 is positioned in the middle of the fermentation cylinder 3, with gaps between its two ends and the two ends along the length of the fermentation cylinder 3. This arrangement ensures that the tea leaves are more evenly distributed when they fall to the bottom of the fermentation cylinder, and further redistribute them as they rotate from the bottom to the top of the fermentation cylinder 3, allowing the tea leaves to enter each channel 31 evenly.

[0029] The first partition 4 is bent into a zigzag shape, resulting in a channel 31 with multiple bends and at least two V-shaped openings 36. The V-shaped openings 36 form an angle with the channel 31, and the opening directions of adjacent V-shaped openings 36 are opposite. In this embodiment, there are two V-shaped openings 36, their opening directions perpendicular to the channel 31. Projected along the length of the fermentation cylinder 3, the tip regions of adjacent V-shaped openings 36 partially overlap. This arrangement ensures that the tea leaves contact each inclined lower surface of the channel 31 as they fall. This arrangement extends the length of the channel 31, thereby extending the falling path and time of the tea leaves. Furthermore, the contact between the tea leaves and each lower surface of the channel 31 not only improves the efficiency of tea leaf dispersion but also eliminates the falling kinetic energy of the tea leaves, reducing their falling speed and maintaining the structural integrity of the tea leaves.

[0030] Since the outer mesh 33 is straight, it is difficult for the outermost channel 31 to form a stable curved shape. Therefore, the outermost first partition 4 is provided with a recess relative to the outer mesh 33. A V-shaped third partition 6 is also sewn onto the outer mesh 33. The open end of the third partition 6 is sewn and fixed to the outer mesh 33. The third partition 6 is directly opposite the recess and parallel to the side of the recess.

[0031] When the fermentation cylinder 3 is turned over, some tea leaves will enter the space formed by the third partition 6 and the outer net 33. To solve this problem, the two ends of the third partition 6 are connected to the end net 7. The third partition 6, the end net 7 and the outer net 33 form a closed space to prevent tea leaves from entering this space.

[0032] Because the horizontal extension length of channel 31 is relatively long, it is still difficult for the tea leaves in channel 31 to be evenly distributed. Therefore, a second partition 5 perpendicular to the first partition 4 is also provided in channel 31. The second partition 5 divides channel 31 into multiple independent sub-channels 311.

[0033] In this embodiment, the mesh serves as a buffer to prevent tea leaves from falling, thus maintaining the structural stability of the tea leaves.

[0034] Compared to existing technologies, the advantages of this embodiment are: 1. By setting up a closed fermentation cylinder 3 with an internal curved channel 31 and adopting an intermittent circulating rotation method, the tea leaves periodically flow from one end to the other along the channel 31 during the fermentation process. The design of the curved channel 31 allows the tea leaves to repeatedly contact multiple inclined sides during the falling process, effectively breaking the state of tea leaf accumulation, promoting full replacement of the inner and outer layers of tea leaves, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of heat and moisture transfer between the tea leaves and improving the overall uniformity of the fermentation environment. 2. The amount of tea leaves filling the fermentation cylinder 3 is controlled to less than half of its total volume, providing ample space for the flow and turning of the tea leaves. Combined with the guiding effect of the curved channel 31, good stirring effect can be maintained even when processing large batches.

[0035] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the inventive concept. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A tea fermentation device, comprising a fermentation chamber (1), characterized in that: The fermentation tank (1) is equipped with a closed fermentation cylinder (3) that is rotatably connected and driven by a drive motor (2); The tea leaves to be fermented are placed in the fermentation cylinder (3), and the volume of the tea leaves is less than half the volume of the fermentation cylinder (3); The fermentation cylinder (3) is provided with multiple channels (31), and the tea leaves flow from one end of the channel (31) to the other end; The channel (31) is a curved shape with multiple inflection points and is provided with at least two V-shaped openings (36); the V-shaped openings (36) form an angle with the channel (31); the opening directions of adjacent V-shaped openings (36) are opposite; when the tea leaves fall, they contact each inclined lower side of the channel (31); The drive motor (2) intermittently and cyclically drives the fermentation tank (3) to rotate 180°, so that the upper and lower ends of the channel (31) are switched. The speed at which the drive motor (2) drives the fermentation cylinder (3) to rotate is configured such that the tea leaves and the fermentation cylinder (3) maintain a stable relative position during the process of the tea leaves rotating from the bottom to the top under the action of centrifugal force. The interval between the drive motor (2) driving the fermentation cylinder (3) to complete one rotation is configured such that the tea leaves fall completely from the top of the fermentation cylinder (3) to the bottom. The fermentation tank (3) is provided with multiple spaced first meshes (4); The first partition mesh (4) is bent into a curved shape and sewn and fixed to the outer mesh (33); Multiple second meshes (5) are arranged at intervals in the channel (31) and are fixed by sewing; The second mesh (5) divides the channel (31) into multiple independent sub-channels (311); The outermost first mesh (4) is provided with a V-shaped opening (36) with the opening direction facing the outer mesh (33). A V-shaped third partition mesh (6) is also sewn onto the outer mesh (33); The open end of the third mesh (6) is stitched and fixed to the outer mesh (33); The third mesh (6) is parallel to the side of the V-shaped opening (36).

2. The tea fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fermentation tank (3) includes a frame (32); The openwork of the tube frame (32) is sealed by an external mesh (33).

3. The tea fermentation apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the tube frame (32) facing the channel (31) is not covered by an external net (33), and this end is sealed by a hinged tube cover (34); The cylinder cover (34) includes an annular cover body (341), which is sealed inside by a cover mesh (342).

4. The tea fermentation apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The channel (31) is located in the middle of the fermentation tank (3); A gap is provided between the channel (31) and the end of the fermentation tank (3).

5. The tea fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the projection of the extension direction of the channel (31), the tip regions of adjacent V-shaped openings (36) partially overlap.

6. The tea fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first mesh (4) is in the shape of a broken line.

7. The tea fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third partition (6) is connected to end nets (7) at both ends; The third partition (6), the end net (7), and the outer net (33) form a closed space.

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