Food sampling and storing device for food safety detection

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of food safety detection, and discloses a food sampling and storing device for food safety detection, which comprises a homogenizing layer, a transferring and subpackaging layer and a storing and refrigerating layer which are arranged in a shell from top to bottom; the homogenizing assembly is arranged on the homogenizing layer and comprises a homogenizing cavity, a driving motor and a crushing roller; a feed port is formed in the top of the homogenizing cavity, and a discharge port is formed in the bottom of the homogenizing cavity; the crushing roller is rotationally connected to the inner center of the homogenizing cavity through a bearing; the driving motor is fixedly mounted outside the homogenizing cavity and is in transmission connection with the crushing roller through a coupler; a valve used for controlling opening and closing is installed at the discharging opening, the transfer assembly is arranged on the transfer subpackaging layer and comprises an annular transfer disc, a plurality of sample tubes and an annular transfer disc driving mechanism, the annular transfer disc is horizontally and rotationally connected to the shell and located under the discharging opening of the homogenizing cavity, and the sample tubes are arranged on the annular transfer disc driving mechanism. The invention provides a food sampling and storing device for food safety detection. Food can be stored after being homogenized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food safety testing, and in particular to a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing. Background Technology

[0002] Food safety is a major global issue concerning national welfare, public health, and social stability. With the rapid development of the modern food industry, the production, processing, and distribution chains of food have become increasingly complex, leading to more diverse and concealed food safety risks. Risk factors such as pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, biotoxins, illegal additives, heavy metal contamination, and pathogenic microorganisms pose serious threats to consumer health. Therefore, food safety testing, as a core technological means to ensure food safety throughout the entire process from "farm to table," is becoming increasingly important.

[0003] In food safety testing, a storage device is needed to store a large number of samples. Existing storage devices mostly use freezers to store samples. However, some foods, such as fish heads, fish meat, fish bones and internal organs, have different compositions and need to be homogenized before sample preservation. Most of these storage devices store samples directly after sampling, and this practice of not homogenizing will affect the subsequent test results. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing, which can preserve food after homogenization.

[0005] This invention provides a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing, comprising: a shell, a homogenizing component, a transfer component, and a storage component; The interior of the outer shell consists of a homogeneous layer, a transshipment and packaging layer, and a refrigerated storage layer arranged from top to bottom. The homogenizing component is located in the homogenizing layer and includes a homogenizing chamber, a drive motor, and a crushing roller. The top of the homogenizing chamber has a feed inlet, and the bottom has a discharge outlet. The crushing roller is rotatably connected to the center of the homogenizing chamber via bearings. The drive motor is fixedly installed outside the homogenizing chamber and is connected to the crushing roller via a coupling. A valve for controlling the opening and closing of the discharge outlet is installed. The transfer assembly is located in the transfer and packaging layer and includes an annular transfer disk, multiple sample tubes, and an annular transfer disk drive mechanism. The annular transfer disk is horizontally rotatably connected to the outer shell and is located directly below the discharge port of the homogenization chamber. Multiple transfer positions for receiving sample tubes are evenly distributed along the circumference of the edge of the annular transfer disk. The annular transfer disk drive mechanism is connected to the central axis of the annular transfer disk and is used to drive the annular transfer disk to rotate intermittently. The rotation path of the annular transfer disk is sequentially defined with a loading station, a filling station, and a discharging station, wherein the filling station is located directly below the discharge port, and the discharging station is connected to the storage assembly. The storage components are located in the cold storage layer and include a storage cavity and a refrigeration element; the top of the storage cavity has an inlet that connects to the unloading station of the annular transfer tray; the refrigeration element is integrated on the outside of the storage cavity to maintain its internal low temperature environment.

[0006] Optionally, a flushing assembly is also included, which includes a flushing head, a waste liquid tank, and a blower. The flushing head is connected to an external water source and the blower outlet via pipes.

[0007] Optionally, the unloading station of the annular transfer tray is equipped with a push rod assembly, which includes a push rod and a vertical drive element. The push rod slides below the unloading station, and the output end of the vertical drive element is fixedly connected to the lower end of the push rod.

[0008] Optionally, the top of the push rod is equipped with an elastic cushioning pad.

[0009] Optionally, multiple sets of rotating blades are fixedly connected to the crushing roller. The multiple sets of rotating blades are distributed at equal intervals along the axial direction of the crushing roller, and the rotating blades are provided with serrations.

[0010] Optionally, multiple sets of adjacent rotating blades may have saw teeth in opposite directions.

[0011] Optionally, a baffle bar is fixed between adjacent rotating blades.

[0012] Optionally, the rotating blade is made of carbide and coated with an anti-corrosion coating, and the blade edge is passivated.

[0013] Optionally, the inner wall of the annular transfer tray is provided with an elastic rubber ring.

[0014] Optionally, the inner wall of the homogenization chamber is made of food-grade 316L stainless steel, and the surface is electropolished with a roughness Ra≤0.4μm; the inner wall of the homogenization chamber is also coated with a food-grade Teflon coating, and the sample tube is made of food-grade polypropylene.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, the technical solution provided by this invention has the following advantages: The outer shell serves as the core support structure, and its interior is strictly divided into a homogenization layer, a transfer and packaging layer, and a storage and refrigeration layer arranged from top to bottom. This vertical partitioning layout allows the entire process of food sampling, homogenization, packaging, and refrigeration to be completed linearly and efficiently within a single device, greatly reducing the steps of manual sample transfer and avoiding cross-contamination. The homogenization component is located in the uppermost homogenization layer, with its core being the homogenization chamber. A feed inlet is located at the top for inputting the original sample, and a discharge outlet with valves, such as solenoid valves or pneumatic butterfly valves, is located at the bottom to control the discharge of the homogenized slurry. The drive motor directly drives the crushing roller located at the center of the homogenization chamber to rotate at high speed via a coupling, achieving powerful shearing and crushing of blocky or granular food, ensuring the uniformity and representativeness of the sample, and laying the foundation for subsequent accurate testing. The transfer assembly is located in the central transfer and packaging layer. Its core is a horizontally rotating annular transfer disk connected to the outer shell. Multiple transfer positions are evenly distributed along the circumference of this disk to receive empty sample tubes. A drive mechanism drives the annular transfer disk to rotate intermittently, allowing it to pass sequentially through the loading station. The manual loading and filling stations are precisely located below the discharge port, receiving a fixed quantity of homogenized samples. The unloading station is connected to the storage assembly. This design achieves precise positioning and automated flow of sample tubes between the various stations. The storage assembly is located in the lowest storage and refrigeration layer, including a storage cavity with an inlet at the top connecting to the unloading station. Refrigeration elements, such as semiconductor refrigeration chips or compressor refrigeration systems, are integrated into the cavity wall to maintain a stable low-temperature environment, effectively inhibiting microbial growth and ensuring the biochemical stability of the sample before testing. Sealing elements seal the sample tubes before they fall into the storage cavity, preventing sample evaporation, contamination, or deterioration. The advantages of the entire device lie in its high degree of integration and automation. It integrates multiple pre-sampling processes, significantly improving work efficiency. Through closed-loop management of the process, it maximizes the preservation of the original state of the sample and the accuracy of the test results. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure inside the homogenizing cavity provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the transfer component and the storage component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the annular transfer disk provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the top rod provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Outer shell; 2. Homogenizing component; 3. Transfer component; 4. Storage component; 21. Homogenizing chamber; 211. Feed inlet; 212. Discharge outlet; 213. Waste liquid outlet; 22. Crushing roller; 31. Annular transfer disc; 32. Sample tube; 41. Storage chamber; 42. Refrigeration element; 51. Rinsing head; 52. Waste liquid tank; 6. Top rod; 61. Elastic buffer pad; 221. Rotating blade; 222. Baffle bar. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the technical solution of this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0020] The present invention will be described below through several specific embodiments. To keep the following description of the embodiments clear and concise, detailed descriptions of known functions and components may be omitted. When any component of an embodiment of the present invention appears in more than one drawing, the component may be represented by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure inside the homogenizing cavity provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the transfer component and the storage component provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the annular transfer disk provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the top rod provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a food sampling and storage device for food safety testing, including: a shell 1, a homogenizing component 2, a transfer component 3, and a storage component 4; the shell 1 has a homogenizing layer, a transfer and dispensing layer, and a storage and refrigeration layer arranged from top to bottom inside; the homogenizing component 2 is disposed in the homogenizing layer and includes a homogenizing chamber 21, a drive motor, and a crushing roller 22; the homogenizing chamber 21 has an inlet 211 at the top and a discharge port 212 at the bottom; the crushing roller 22 is rotatably connected to the center of the homogenizing chamber 21 through a bearing; the drive motor is fixedly installed outside the homogenizing chamber 21 and is connected to the crushing roller 22 through a coupling; a valve for controlling the opening and closing is installed at the discharge port 212; the transfer component 3 is disposed in the transfer and dispensing layer and includes an annular transfer disc 31, multiple sample tubes 32, and a drive mechanism for the annular transfer disc 31; the annular transfer disc 3... A horizontal rotating connection is made to the outer shell 1 and is located directly below the discharge port 212 of the homogenization chamber 21; the edge of the annular transfer disk 31 is evenly provided with multiple transfer positions for receiving sample tubes 32 along its circumference; the driving mechanism of the annular transfer disk 31 is connected to the central axis of the annular transfer disk 31 and is used to drive the annular transfer disk 31 to rotate intermittently; the rotation path of the annular transfer disk 31 is defined sequentially with a loading station, a filling station and a unloading station, wherein the filling station is located directly below the discharge port 212 and the unloading station is connected to the storage component 4; the storage component 4 is set in the storage cold storage layer and includes a storage cavity 41, a refrigeration element 42 and a sealing element; the top of the storage cavity 41 is provided with an inlet that is connected to the unloading station of the annular transfer disk 31; the refrigeration element 42 is integrated on the outside of the storage cavity 41 to maintain its internal low temperature environment.

[0023] The outer shell 1 serves as the core supporting structure, and its interior is strictly divided into a homogenization layer, a transfer and packaging layer, and a storage and refrigeration layer arranged from top to bottom. This vertical partitioning layout allows the entire process of food sampling, homogenization, packaging, and refrigeration to be completed linearly and efficiently within a single device, greatly reducing the steps of manual sample transfer and avoiding cross-contamination. The homogenization component 2 is located in the uppermost homogenization layer, and its core is the homogenization chamber 21. It has a feed inlet 211 at the top for feeding in the original sample and a discharge outlet 212 at the bottom equipped with a valve, such as a solenoid valve or a pneumatic butterfly valve, to control the discharge of the homogenized slurry. The drive motor directly drives the crushing roller 22 located in the center of the homogenization chamber 21 to rotate at high speed through a coupling, achieving powerful shearing and crushing of block or granular food, ensuring the uniformity and representativeness of the sample, and laying the foundation for subsequent accurate testing. The transfer assembly 3 is located in the middle of the transfer and packaging layer. Its core is a horizontally rotating annular transfer disk 31 connected to the outer shell 1. Multiple transfer positions are evenly distributed along the circumference of the disk to receive empty sample tubes 32. The annular transfer disk 31 is driven by a drive mechanism to rotate intermittently, allowing it to pass sequentially through the loading station. The manual loading and filling station is precisely located below the discharge port 212, receiving a fixed quantity of homogenized samples. The unloading station is connected to the storage assembly 4. This design achieves precise positioning and automated flow of the sample tubes 32 between various stations. The storage assembly 4 is located in the lowest storage and refrigeration layer, including a storage cavity 41. An inlet is located at the top of the cavity, connecting to the unloading station. A push door is fixed to the inlet, which closes after the sample tubes 32 are stored to prevent temperature changes within the storage cavity 41. The cooling element 42, which can be a semiconductor cooling chip or a compressor cooling system, is integrated into the wall of the storage chamber 41 to maintain a stable low-temperature environment, effectively inhibiting microbial growth and ensuring the biochemical stability of the sample before detection. The sealing element seals the sample tube 32 before it falls into the storage chamber 41, preventing sample evaporation, contamination, or deterioration. The advantages of this entire device lie in its high degree of integration and automation, consolidating multiple pre-sampling processes, significantly improving work efficiency, and maximizing the accuracy of the sample's original state and test results through closed-loop process management. Optional, see reference Figure 4 It also includes a flushing assembly, which includes a flushing head 51, a waste liquid tank 52 and a blower. The flushing head 51 is connected to an external water source and the blower outlet through a pipe.

[0024] Specifically, the rinsing head 51 is a multi-channel nozzle structure, connected to an external water source and a blower outlet via a piping system. In actual operation, the water and airflow can be switched via a solenoid valve or a pneumatic reversing valve, allowing the rinsing head 51 to freely switch between two working modes: First, a cleaning mode, where low-pressure atomized water or pulsed clean water / disinfectant is sprayed after connecting to an external water source to dissolve and rinse residues adhering to the inner wall of the transport station and the outer surface of the sample tube 32; second, a drying mode, switching to a high-speed clean airflow provided by the blower to quickly remove moisture remaining on the orifice wall and surrounding area after cleaning, preventing moisture from causing microbial growth or affecting the sealing performance of the next sample tube. An oil-free, silent centrifugal blower can be selected, with its output connected to a drying filter to ensure the cleanliness and low humidity of the purge gas, meeting food-grade environmental requirements.

[0025] Waste liquid tank 52 is connected to waste liquid outlet 213 of homogenization chamber 21 via a pipe, and is used to collect cleaning wastewater and residual sample liquid flowing out from the transfer position. Its inlet is connected to the guide channel at the bottom of the rinsing area, and a filter screen can be installed inside to intercept large particulate impurities, facilitating centralized treatment later. The entire waste liquid discharge path relies on gravity to flow into waste liquid tank 52, without the need for additional pumping devices, making the structure simple and reliable. Waste liquid tank 52 is equipped with a liquid level sensor, which can trigger an alarm signal when it is close to full load, prompting operators to replace or clean it in time to prevent overflow and contamination of the internal environment of the equipment.

[0026] The aforementioned components work together to form a closed-loop integrated cleaning process of "cleaning—waste discharge—drying". Specifically, in a complete sample dispensing cycle, after a sample tube 32 is quantitatively filled at the filling station, the annular transfer tray 31 rotates to the next station under the control of the drive mechanism, that is, the transfer tray is moved to the rinsing station and aligned with the rinsing head 51. At this time, the control system starts the cleaning program: first, the water source solenoid valve is opened, and continuous spraying is performed for 2-5 seconds to fully wet and remove residual substances; then the water source is turned off, the fan is started, and high-speed blowing is performed for 3-6 seconds to ensure that the surface is dry; finally, the discharged waste liquid flows into the waste liquid tank 52 through the guide structure. This process is completely controlled by the main control system and is synchronized and coordinated with homogenization, filling, and unloading actions, without the need for manual intervention.

[0027] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves a high degree of integration between the rinsing component and the original transfer process. Because a rinsing head 51 with dual-media supply capability is installed, combined with a waste liquid collection and drying mechanism, the cross-contamination problem caused by residues at the transfer site is solved, thus significantly improving the independence of sample testing and the reliability of data. Simultaneously, since cleaning and drying are completed at the same station, sharing a single nozzle for multi-mode switching saves equipment space and simplifies pipeline layout. Furthermore, the centralized waste liquid recovery design avoids the risk of secondary pollution caused by random wastewater leakage. Overall, this solution not only enhances the self-cleaning capability of the device but also further promotes the development of food safety sampling equipment towards full automation and high cleanliness levels, making it suitable for continuous testing of various complex matrix samples such as livestock and poultry tissues, aquatic products, and fruits and vegetables.

[0028] Optional, see reference Figure 3 The unloading station of the annular transfer plate 31 is equipped with a push rod 6 assembly, which includes a push rod 6 and a vertical drive element. The push rod 6 slides below the unloading station, and the output end of the vertical drive element is fixedly connected to the lower end of the push rod 6.

[0029] Specifically, the push rod 6 pushes the sample tube 32 at an inclined angle, pushing it out towards the inlet. Once the transfer station on the feeding station has rotated the already filled and sealed sample tube 32 into position, the position sensor detects its presence and forms a feedback loop with the control system to confirm alignment. The control system then issues a command to activate the vertical drive element, causing the push rod 6 to rise in a controlled manner, gradually lifting the sample tube 32 until it is completely detached from the transfer station. After the sample tube 32 falls freely into the storage chamber 41, the push rod 6 returns to its original position, ready for the next step. The entire process requires no manual intervention, achieving fully automated, high-speed sample dispensing and transfer.

[0030] In the above embodiments, the direct impact of the rigid ejector rod 6 on the bottom of the sample tube 32 may cause the glass sample tube 32 to crack, the plastic sample tube 32 to deform locally, or even cause sample splashing or leakage. This not only poses operational safety hazards but may also cause cross-contamination between different batches of samples, affecting the accuracy and reliability of subsequent test results. Furthermore, the impact noise generated by the rigid contact also reduces the comfort of using the equipment during operation. To solve these problems, the ejection structure at the unloading station needs to be optimized to achieve a smooth, safe, and low-damage sample tube 32 unloading process.

[0031] Optional, see reference Figure 6 The top of the top rod 6 is provided with an elastic buffer pad 61.

[0032] Specifically, by adding an elastic buffer pad 61 to the top of the push rod 6, the instantaneous impact force during mechanical ejection is significantly reduced, preventing the sample tube 32 from breaking or its contents from splashing out due to rigid collision, thus improving the safety of equipment operation and sample integrity. The elastic buffer pad 61 is located at the top of the push rod 6, which is in direct contact with the bottom of the sample tube 32. Its material can be food-grade silicone, food-grade nitrile rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer. These materials all have good resilience, flexibility, and aging resistance, and can quickly return to their original shape after repeated compression, ensuring the durability of the buffering effect. The buffer pad can be fixed to the end face of the push rod 6 by adhesive, snap-fit, or threaded engagement, ensuring secure installation and easy replacement and maintenance.

[0033] The geometry of the elastic buffer pad 61 can be designed as a circle, ring, or multi-point distributed boss structure according to actual needs. The thickness is generally 3mm to 10mm, and the hardness is controlled between Shore A 40° and 70°. This provides sufficient cushioning capacity without being too soft, which could lead to insufficient ejection force or displacement. During operation, the buffer pad first contacts the bottom surface of the sample tube 32 and undergoes compressive deformation, absorbing most of the impact kinetic energy. Then, under the action of elastic restoring force, it smoothly applies an upward thrust, causing the sample tube 32 to be gradually removed from the transfer position, achieving a "soft contact, slow force" ejection mode.

[0034] Optional, see reference Figure 2 Multiple sets of rotating blades 221 are fixedly connected to the crushing roller 22. The multiple sets of rotating blades 221 are distributed at equal intervals along the axial direction of the crushing roller 22, and the rotating blades 221 are provided with serrations.

[0035] Specifically, the crushing roller 22 has a cylindrical structure and is horizontally mounted at the center of the homogenization chamber 21, rotatably connected to the sidewalls of the homogenization chamber 21 via bearings at both ends. The crushing roller 22 is directly driven by a drive motor via a coupling, allowing stable operation at high speeds, thereby driving the rotating blades 221 on it to powerfully crush the input food sample. The roller body is typically made of high-strength stainless steel, possessing good mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, and capable of withstanding long-term high-frequency impact loads. The rotating blades 221 are functional cutting elements fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the crushing roller 22, and are arranged in multiple groups, each group including one or more blade units. These blades are firmly connected to the surface of the crushing roller 22 through welding, screw fastening, or integral molding processes, ensuring they do not loosen or fall off during high-speed operation. The main function of the rotating blades 221 is to apply shearing, impact, and tearing actions to the food material using their edge structure during rotation with the crushing roller 22, breaking down its original structure and promoting the formation of a fine, uniform slurry. The equidistant distribution means that each group of blades is linearly arranged along the length of the crushing roller 22, with the axial distance between adjacent groups remaining consistent. This ensures that there are effective shearing points throughout the entire depth of the homogenizing chamber 21, preventing incomplete material crushing due to the absence of blades in certain areas, and achieving uniform shearing throughout the entire chamber. The serrations refer to the fact that the cutting edge of the blade is not straight and smooth, but rather machined into a continuous serrated structure, with each tooth having a specific rake angle, clearance angle, and tooth tip width. The shape of the serrations can be triangular, trapezoidal, or wavy. Compared to traditional flat blades, the serrated structure can generate concentrated stress upon contact with the material, embedding itself into the fibers like a miniature saw blade to achieve a "micro-cutting" effect. It is particularly effective at cutting collagen fibers in animal muscle, plant cell walls, and the ice crystal network structure formed in frozen foods. This structure not only improves initial cutting ability but also continuously tears broken fiber bundles during continuous rotation, preventing them from re-entering the surface of the blade roller.

[0036] When a food sample is fed into the homogenizing chamber 21 through the feed inlet 211, the drive motor starts and drives the crushing roller 22 to rotate at high speed. Multiple sets of serrated rotating blades 221 mounted on the roller then perform circular motion. The material first contacts the first set of blades above, where the serrations quickly cut into its surface, tearing it into smaller fragments. As the crushing roller 22 continues to rotate, these fragments are thrown against the inner wall of the chamber and bounce back to the blade area, where they are sheared again by the next set of blades. Because the blades are equidistantly distributed along the axial direction, the material undergoes multiple alternating shearing processes in the vertical direction, ultimately being pulverized into a fine slurry. The serrated structure effectively prevents fibrous materials from entangled and accumulating around the blades, ensuring continuous and stable operation of the equipment.

[0037] The serrated rotating blade 221 enhances the tearing and cutting ability of fibrous and tough foods, solving the technical problems of insufficient shearing force and easy slippage and entanglement of traditional flat blades. Furthermore, because multiple sets of blades are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the crushing roller 22, it ensures that there are no shearing dead angles within the homogenization chamber 21, allowing the sample to achieve a uniform crushing effect in the longitudinal space. As a result, the obtained slurry particles are finer and more concentrated, significantly improving the uniformity and representativeness of the sample, providing a high-quality and reproducible sample basis for subsequent food safety testing. This structure is particularly suitable for pretreatment scenarios involving various complex matrices such as meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and frozen pre-prepared foods, and has broad application adaptability.

[0038] Optional, see reference Figure 2 The saw teeth of two adjacent sets of rotating blades 221 are in opposite directions.

[0039] The serrations, located on the edge of the rotating blade 221, have multiple periodically arranged sharp protrusions, enabling them to cut, tear, and pulverize blocky or fibrous materials at high speeds. When the crushing roller 22 is driven to rotate by the drive motor, the blades with serrations of different inclination directions act on the material sequentially: as the first set of blades pushes the material to one side for shearing flow, the following reverse serrations apply a pulling force in the opposite direction, forcing the material to swirl, tumble, and redistribute, thereby breaking the original laminar flow state and forming a complex turbulent and kneading effect. This reverse serration layout can construct a multi-directional interlaced shearing force field inside the homogeneous cavity 21. Specifically, during the rotation of the crushing roller 22, the material is not only subjected to radial impact and circumferential shearing, but also to alternating tangential stress due to the difference in the direction of the serrations of adjacent blades. This repeated "pull-press-knead" compound action effectively prevents the material from escaping along a single path or tangling into clumps, increasing the probability of the material being repeatedly sheared per unit time. Meanwhile, as the material is continuously thrown up, broken up, and re-enters the high-shear zone, the mixing efficiency is significantly improved, resulting in finer slurry particles with a more concentrated particle size distribution.

[0040] Optional, see reference Figure 2 A baffle bar 222 is fixedly connected between adjacent rotating blades 221.

[0041] The turbulence bar 222 works in conjunction with the rotating blade 221. The serrated structure on the rotating blade 221 applies direct tearing and shearing action to the material, while the turbulence bar 222 disrupts the flow field stability, forcing incompletely broken material to repeatedly flow back to the shear zone, increasing the number of shearing cycles per unit time. This synergistic effect is particularly effective for complex food systems rich in colloids, fats, or fibers, preventing material clumping, slippage, or adherence to the walls, significantly reducing the probability of "short-circuit flow." The presence of the turbulence bar 222 also alters the pressure distribution and velocity gradient within the homogenization chamber 21, inducing micro-vortex structures and enhancing the mixing uniformity between components of different densities. This is especially important for complex contaminated samples requiring the detection of multiple residues, helping to obtain more statistically representative homogeneous slurries.

[0042] The turbulence bar 222 disrupts the stable laminar flow formed by the material as the rotor rotates, creating local turbulence and reverse disturbances. This forces the material, which might otherwise pass quickly through the homogenization chamber 21, to return to the shearing zone multiple times. Furthermore, because the turbulence bar 222 with a specific geometric shape and spatial arrangement is set between adjacent rotating blades 221, the effective residence time of the material in the homogenization chamber 21 is extended, and the shearing frequency is increased. Therefore, the technical effects of improving homogenization efficiency, eliminating processing blind spots, and ensuring high sample uniformity are achieved. This fundamentally solves the problem of incomplete homogenization caused by the "short-circuit flow" of the material, providing a high-quality and highly consistent sample basis for subsequent food safety testing.

[0043] Optional, see reference Figure 2 The rotating blade 221 is made of cemented carbide and coated with an anti-corrosion coating. The blade edge is passivated.

[0044] The blade edge is passivated by a precision grinding process that removes microscopic burrs, flash, or plastic deformation layers generated during processing or use, transforming the originally sharp edge into a smooth, micro-circular transition structure. This treatment does not reduce cutting performance; rather, it eliminates stress concentration points, reducing the shedding of metal particles caused by localized fractures during high-speed shearing. While traditional sharp blades have low initial cutting force, they are prone to fatigue cracking under repeated impacts, leading to nanoscale metal particles entering the sample system and causing background contamination. Passivated blades, however, maintain sufficient shearing efficiency while significantly reducing the risk of metal leaching, meeting the extremely low background values ​​required in food safety testing.

[0045] Optional, see reference Figure 5 The inner wall of the annular transfer plate 31 is provided with an elastic rubber ring.

[0046] Specifically, the elastic rubber ring is a ring-shaped elastic seal embedded in the inner wall of the transfer port, forming a circumferentially continuous flexible contact interface around the outer circumference of the sample tube 32. This rubber ring can be fixed to a pre-set mounting groove inside the port wall using interference fit, slot embedding, or adhesive bonding, ensuring that it does not shift or fall off under long-term reciprocating insertion and removal operations. Its material can be food-grade silicone or EPDM rubber, possessing excellent resilience and anti-aging properties.

[0047] This application realizes the technical concept of setting an elastic rubber ring in the transfer position of the annular transfer tray 31. When the sample tube 32 is inserted into the transfer position, the elastic rubber ring undergoes elastic deformation under the pressure of its outer wall, generating an inward radial clamping force, which keeps the sample tube 32 vertically stable during the transfer process, effectively resisting the influence of equipment start-up and shutdown inertia and rotational centrifugal force, and preventing shaking, tilting or accidental dislodgement. During the filling stage, the stable tube position ensures accurate alignment between the discharge port 212 and the tube opening, avoiding sample splashing or contamination. When the push rod 6 rises during the unloading stage, the rubber ring gradually rebounds due to its own elasticity, reducing the frictional resistance with the tube wall and assisting in a smooth dislodgement action. In addition, the rubber material itself has good damping characteristics, which can absorb some mechanical vibration energy, reduce equipment operating noise, and improve the comfort of the working environment. Therefore, this technical solution solves the problem of easy loosening and damage of the sample tube 32 during automated transfer, improves the operational reliability and safety of the system, and meets the operational requirements of food safety testing equipment for high precision, low pollution, and long service life. Optional, see reference Figure 1 The inner wall of the homogenization chamber 21 is made of food-grade stainless steel 316L, and the surface is electrolytically polished with a roughness Ra≤0.4μm. The inner wall of the homogenization chamber 21 is also coated with a food-grade Teflon coating, and the sample tube 32 is made of food-grade polypropylene.

[0048] This application achieves a systematic optimization of the material system for key food contact components, comprehensively improving the biosafety and chemical inertness of the equipment from material selection and surface treatment to container matching. The homogenization chamber 21, as the core structure directly involved in sample crushing and temporary storage, uses food-grade 316L stainless steel for its inner wall. This material contains approximately 2%–3% molybdenum, significantly enhancing its resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking, making it particularly suitable for processing high-salt food samples such as seafood and pickled foods. Furthermore, the 316L stainless steel inner wall undergoes electrolytic polishing, utilizing the principle of electrochemical melting to remove microscopic protrusions, achieving a mirror-like surface finish with a surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.4 μm, far superior to conventional mechanical polishing. This ultra-smooth surface greatly reduces adhesion sites for proteins, fats, and other organic matter, effectively preventing residue accumulation, thereby reducing the risk of microbial colonization and significantly improving cleaning efficiency and the pass rate of cleanliness verification.

[0049] To further enhance non-stick properties and chemical stability, a food-grade Teflon coating is applied to the electropolished 316L inner wall. This coating has extremely low surface energy, exhibiting excellent non-stick, acid and alkali resistance, and high-temperature resistance (withstanding short-term temperatures above 150°C), while meeting the safety requirements for food contact materials. The Teflon coating and the underlying 316L stainless steel form a dual protection mechanism of "substrate corrosion protection + surface isolation": the former resists structural corrosion, while the latter blocks direct contact between the sample and the metal, fundamentally eliminating the possibility of heavy metal ion migration and ensuring interface stability even with samples facing extreme pH conditions such as highly acidic fruit juices and fermented dairy products. The sample tube 32, used to receive the homogenized sample, is made of food-grade polypropylene. This material possesses good low-temperature toughness, high transparency for easy observation of sample conditions, and excellent chemical stability, and will not react with common solvents or food components.

[0050] After the food sample is sheared into a slurry by the crushing roller 22 within the homogenizing chamber 21, it flows through the discharge port 212 into the sample tube 32 in the lower transfer position. Because the inner wall of the homogenizing chamber 21 has a corrosion-resistant skeleton of 316L stainless steel, an ultra-smooth transition layer with Ra≤0.4μm, and a non-stick PTFE top layer, the slurry is discharged completely with almost no residue, avoiding cross-contamination between batches. Subsequently, the sample tube 32 is transferred to the unloading station by the annular transfer tray 31 and falls into the storage chamber 41 under the push of the push rod 6 assembly. Throughout the entire process, the sample remains in a fully enclosed safety passage composed of food-grade 316L stainless steel, Teflon coating, and polypropylene, without contact with any non-food compatible materials.

[0051] The above inventions are merely a few specific embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and any variations that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A food sampling and storing device for food safety inspection, characterized in that, The application relates to a sample homogenizing and storing device. The device comprises a shell, a homogenizing assembly, a transferring assembly and a storing assembly. The shell is internally formed with a homogenizing layer, a transferring and sub-packaging layer and a storing and refrigerating layer arranged from top to bottom. The homogenizing assembly is arranged in the homogenizing layer and comprises a homogenizing cavity, a driving motor and a crushing roller. The top of the homogenizing cavity is provided with a feeding port, and the bottom is provided with a discharging port. The crushing roller is rotatably connected to the inner center of the homogenizing cavity through a bearing.

2. The food sampling and storing device for food safety inspection according to claim 1, wherein, The driving motor is fixedly installed outside the homogenizing cavity and is in transmission connection with the crushing roller through a shaft coupling.

3. The food sampling and storing device for food safety inspection according to claim 1, wherein A valve for controlling opening and closing is installed at the discharging port.

4. The food sampling and storing device for food safety inspection according to claim 3, wherein, The transferring assembly is arranged in the transferring and sub-packaging layer and comprises a ring-shaped transferring disc, a plurality of sample tubes and a ring-shaped transferring disc driving mechanism.

5. The food sampling and storage device for food safety testing of claim 1, wherein, The ring-shaped transferring disc is horizontally rotatably connected to the shell and is located directly below the discharging port of the homogenizing cavity.

6. The food sampling and storage device for food safety testing of claim 5, wherein, A plurality of transferring positions for accommodating the sample tubes are uniformly arranged on the edge of the ring-shaped transferring disc along the circumferential direction.

7. The food sampling and storing device for food safety inspection according to claim 5, wherein The ring-shaped transferring disc driving mechanism is connected with the central shaft of the ring-shaped transferring disc and is used for driving the ring-shaped transferring disc to intermittently rotate.

8. The food sampling and storing device for food safety inspection according to claim 5, wherein, The rotating path of the ring-shaped transferring disc is sequentially defined with a feeding station, a filling station and a discharging station.

9. The food sampling and storage device for food safety testing of claim 1, wherein, The filling station is located directly below the discharging port, and the discharging station is in communication with the storing assembly.

10. The food sampling and storing device for food safety inspection according to claim 3, wherein, The storing assembly is arranged in the storing and refrigerating layer and comprises a storing cavity and a refrigerating element. The top of the storing cavity is provided with a tube inlet port in communication with the discharging station of the ring-shaped transferring disc. The refrigerating element is integrated outside the storing cavity and is used for maintaining a low-temperature environment inside the storing cavity. The device further comprises a flushing assembly which comprises a flushing head, a waste liquid tank and a fan. The discharging station of the ring-shaped transferring disc is provided with a ejector rod assembly. The ejector rod assembly comprises an ejector rod and a vertical driving element. The ejector rod is slidably arranged below the discharging station. The output end of the vertical driving element is fixedly connected with the lower end of the ejector rod. The top end of the ejector rod is provided with an elastic buffer pad. A plurality of groups of rotary blades are fixedly connected to the crushing roller. The rotary blades are equidistantly distributed along the axial direction of the crushing roller. Sawteeth are arranged on the rotary blades. The sawteeth of adjacent two groups of rotary blades are in opposite directions. A spoiler rod is fixedly connected between adjacent rotary blades. The rotary blades are made of hard alloy material and are coated with an anti-corrosion coating. The edges of the blades are subjected to passivation treatment. An elastic rubber ring is arranged on the inner wall of the ring-shaped transferring disc. The inner wall of the homogenizing cavity is made of food-grade stainless steel 316L and is subjected to electrolytic polishing treatment. The roughness of the surface is less than or equal to 0.4 microns. The inner wall of the homogenizing cavity is further coated with a food-grade Teflon coating. The sample tubes are made of food-grade polypropylene.

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