Fermentation treatment device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fermentation treatment device which is characterized in that a first baking mechanism is used for drying tobacco leaves to be fermented to obtain dried leaves; the spraying mechanism is arranged at the discharging end of the first baking mechanism and comprises an outer shell, an inner cylinder and a spraying pipe. The inner cylinder is rotationally arranged in the outer shell and is used for turning and stirring the drying blades; at least part of the spray pipe is located in the inner cylinder and used for spraying fermentation liquor to the dried leaves to obtain fermented leaves; the second baking mechanism is located at the discharging end of the inner cylinder and used for removing redundant fermentation liquor on the surfaces of the fermented leaves. Tobacco leaves are dried and continuously conveyed through the first baking mechanism, and the spraying mechanism achieves sufficient turning and stirring through rotation of the inner barrel. The second baking mechanism removes redundant fermentation liquor on the surfaces of the fermented leaves, a good foundation is laid for follow-up tobacco leaf fermentation, and the quality of finished products is improved. The whole set of device ensures the whole process operation of tobacco leaves from drying, spraying to liquid removal, and avoids dead angles caused by non-uniform spraying of fermentation liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of cigarette production technology, and in particular to a fermentation treatment device. Background Technology

[0002] In the tobacco processing industry, threshing and re-drying are crucial steps in tobacco leaf treatment, significantly impacting the quality of subsequent cigarette products. Tobacco fermentation, as an important process for improving tobacco quality, effectively enhances the color, aroma, and flavor of tobacco leaves, reduces undesirable components, and makes the chemical composition of the tobacco more balanced. Traditional tobacco fermentation methods often involve fermentation during the tobacco aging process or in separate equipment. While enzyme-based fermentation offers some control due to its short cycle, bacterial fermentation can easily lead to the growth and reproduction of molds and other contaminating microorganisms. This is because fermentation generally requires high moisture levels to ensure active microbial growth and metabolism, along with suitable temperatures and a longer fermentation cycle, potentially introducing a large-scale proliferation of molds and other dominant contaminating microorganisms.

[0003] In existing fermentation devices, the fermentation liquid is sprayed unevenly, which can easily create dead zones and affect the subsequent fermentation effect of tobacco leaves. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a fermentation treatment device that solves the problem of uneven spraying during tobacco fermentation, which affects the subsequent tobacco fermentation effect.

[0005] According to one aspect of this application, a fermentation treatment apparatus for tobacco leaves is provided, comprising:

[0006] The first drying unit is used to dry the tobacco leaves to be fermented in order to obtain dry leaves;

[0007] A spraying mechanism is installed at the discharge end of the first baking mechanism, including an outer shell, an inner cylinder, and a spray pipe; the inner cylinder is rotatably disposed inside the outer shell and is used to stir the dried leaves; at least part of the spray pipe is located inside the inner cylinder and is used to spray fermentation liquid onto the dried leaves to obtain fermented leaves;

[0008] The second baking mechanism, located at the discharge end of the inner cylinder, is used to remove excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the fermentation blades.

[0009] In one embodiment, a plurality of leakage holes are provided on the radial inner wall of the inner cylinder, and a reflux cavity is formed between the inner wall of the outer shell and the outer wall of the inner cylinder; the inner cylinder communicates with the reflux cavity through the plurality of leakage holes;

[0010] The outer shell includes a storage chamber and a reflux chamber; the storage chamber is connected to the nozzle and contains fermentation liquid for supplying the fermentation liquid to the nozzle; the reflux chamber is located at the bottom of the outer shell and is connected to the reflux cavity for collecting the fermentation liquid after spraying.

[0011] In one embodiment, the spray pipe is provided with multiple nozzles at intervals, and the spray pipe sprays fermentation liquid onto the dried leaves through the multiple nozzles; the spraying mechanism also includes a reflux pump, the inlet end of the reflux pump is connected to the reflux chamber, and the outlet end of the reflux pump is connected to the storage chamber; the fermentation liquid in the reflux chamber is transported to the storage chamber through the reflux pump to realize the reflux circulation of the fermentation liquid.

[0012] In one embodiment, the spraying mechanism further includes a drive member; the drive member is kinetically connected to the inner cylinder and is used to drive the inner cylinder to rotate relative to the outer shell.

[0013] In one embodiment, the spraying mechanism further includes a gear ring; the gear ring is mounted on the radial outer wall of the inner cylinder, and a gear is mounted on the output end of the drive member, the gear meshing with the gear ring; the inner cylinder is connected to the gear via the gear ring; the spraying mechanism further includes a first guide section; the first guide section is located at the feed end of the inner cylinder and is used to guide the drying blades into the interior of the inner cylinder.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first baking mechanism further includes a drying chamber and a first conveying mechanism; at least a portion of the first conveying mechanism is located inside the drying chamber, and the first conveying mechanism is used to carry the tobacco leaves and convey the dried leaves into the interior of the inner cylinder.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first conveying mechanism includes a first conveyor belt with a plurality of first ventilation holes; the first baking mechanism further includes a drying element configured as an airflow drying element, wherein the air outlet of the drying element is provided with a first uniformly distributed element above the first conveyor belt and a second uniformly distributed element below the first conveyor belt; the drying element dries the tobacco leaves on the first conveyor belt through the first and second uniformly distributed elements to obtain the dried leaves.

[0016] In one embodiment, the drying chamber includes a plurality of exhaust outlets, at least some of which have their air inlet ends positioned above the first conveyor belt and at least some of which have their air inlet ends positioned below the first conveyor belt.

[0017] The first drying mechanism also includes a second guide section located above the first conveyor belt, which guides the tobacco leaves to fall onto the first conveyor belt; the drying chamber is also provided with an observation window.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second baking mechanism includes a second conveying mechanism and a negative pressure component; the second conveying mechanism includes a second conveyor belt located at the discharge end of the inner cylinder for carrying the fermentation blades;

[0019] The inlet end of the negative pressure component is located on the inner surface of the second conveyor belt. The surface of the second conveyor belt is provided with a plurality of second vent holes. The negative pressure component is connected to the fermentation blade through the plurality of second vent holes. The negative pressure component removes excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the fermentation blade through pressure difference.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second baking mechanism further includes a plurality of heating elements; the plurality of heating elements are disposed above the second conveyor belt for drying the fermentation leaves.

[0021] This application has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] This application utilizes a first drying mechanism to achieve seamless integration of the drying and spraying processes for tobacco leaves. The spraying mechanism, through the rotation of the inner cylinder, ensures thorough agitation of the dried leaves, while the spray nozzles prevent leaf stacking and avoid dead zones, ensuring full contact between the fermentation liquid and the leaves and improving the uniformity of spraying. The second drying mechanism removes excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the leaves, laying a solid foundation for subsequent tobacco fermentation and improving the quality of the finished product. The entire system operates smoothly, enhancing overall processing efficiency. Furthermore, it achieves a complete process from drying and spraying to liquid removal, preventing uneven spraying of the fermentation liquid and the creation of dead zones, effectively improving the quality of the finished fermented leaf product. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 The overall three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of this application Figure 1 .

[0024] Figure 2 The overall three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of this application Figure 2 .

[0025] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the first baking mechanism in one embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the first baking mechanism in one embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 5This is a cross-sectional view of the spraying mechanism and the second baking mechanism in one embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of the structure at point A in the middle.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the second baking mechanism in one embodiment of this application.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 100. Spraying mechanism;

[0032] 110. Outer shell;

[0033] 120. Inner cylinder; 121. Gear ring; 122. Driving component; 123. Gear; 124. First guide section; 125. Leakage hole;

[0034] 130. Reflux chamber;

[0035] 140. Reflux chamber; 141. Reflux pump;

[0036] 150. Storage bin; 151. Nozzle; 152. Nozzle;

[0037] 200. First baking unit;

[0038] 210. Drying chamber;

[0039] 220. First conveying mechanism; 221. First conveyor belt; 222. First vent;

[0040] 230. Exhaust component; 240. Second air guide; 250. Observation window;

[0041] 260. Drying component; 261. First uniformly distributed component; 262. Second uniformly distributed component;

[0042] 300. Second baking mechanism;

[0043] 310. Second conveying mechanism; 320. Second conveyor belt; 330. Second vent; 340. Negative pressure component; 350. Heating component. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0045] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0046] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0047] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0048] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0049] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0050] See appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 2 , attached Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a fermentation treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of this application is shown, including:

[0051] The first drying unit 200 is used to dry the tobacco leaves to be fermented in order to obtain dry leaves;

[0052] The spraying mechanism 100 is located at the discharge end of the first baking mechanism 200 and includes an outer shell 110, an inner cylinder 120 and a spray pipe 151. The inner cylinder 120 is rotatably disposed inside the outer shell 110 and is used to stir the dried leaves. At least part of the spray pipe 151 is located inside the inner cylinder 120 and is used to spray fermentation liquid onto the tobacco leaves to obtain fermented leaves.

[0053] The second baking mechanism 300, located at the discharge end of the inner cylinder 120, is used to remove excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the fermentation leaves.

[0054] During operation, this equipment utilizes a combination of rotating and stirring inner cylinder 120 and spraying through internal nozzles 151. Compared to traditional static stacking and spraying, this method increases the contact area and uniformity between the fermentation liquid and the tobacco leaves, avoiding localized liquid accumulation or spraying blind spots. The rotation of inner cylinder 120 continuously lifts and scatters the tobacco leaves, ensuring that each leaf has the opportunity to come into contact with the fermentation liquid droplets sprayed from nozzles 152. The discharge end of the first conveying mechanism 220 directly connects to the feeding end of inner cylinder 120, reducing temperature and humidity changes and external contamination during the transfer of dried tobacco leaves.

[0055] See appendix Figure 5 - Appendix Figure 6 The inner cylinder 120 has multiple perforations 125 on its radial inner wall, and a reflux chamber 130 is formed between the inner wall of the outer shell 110 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 120. The inner cylinder 120 is connected to the reflux chamber 130 through the multiple perforations 125. The outer shell 110 includes a storage chamber 150 and a reflux chamber 140. The storage chamber 150 is connected to the nozzle 151 and is used to deliver fermentation liquid to the nozzle 151. The reflux chamber 140 is located at the bottom of the outer shell 110 and is connected to the reflux chamber 130, and is used to collect the fermentation liquid after spraying.

[0056] In some embodiments, during the preliminary preparation stage, fermentation liquid is pre-stored in the storage bin 150, and the storage bin 150 is kept in communication with the spray nozzle 151 to continuously supply fermentation liquid to the spray nozzle 151, ensuring the liquid supply for the spraying operation.

[0057] After the dried leaves conveyed by the first baking mechanism 200 enter the rotating inner cylinder 120, the inner cylinder 120 rotates itself to tumble the dried leaves throughout the process, keeping them dispersed and tumbling inside the cylinder to prevent them from piling up. During the tumbling process, the spray pipe 151 located inside the inner cylinder 120 evenly sprays fermentation liquid onto the dispersed dried leaves, ensuring full contact between the fermentation liquid and the dried leaves, completing the spraying operation and forming fermented leaves.

[0058] Excess fermentation liquid that is not absorbed by the leaves during the spraying process, as well as excessive fermentation liquid adhering to the leaf surface, flows from the inner cavity of the inner cylinder 120 into the reflux cavity 130 between the inner wall of the outer shell 110 and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 120 through multiple leaks 125 on the radial outer wall of the inner cylinder 120 under the centrifugal force of gravity and the rotation of the inner cylinder 120.

[0059] In some embodiments, the reflux chamber 130 serves as a transitional flow space for the fermentation liquid, guiding the remaining fermentation liquid flowing in from the drain hole 125 to the bottom of the outer shell 110, and finally allowing the fermentation liquid to flow into the reflux chamber 140, which is connected to the reflux chamber 130. The reflux chamber 140 completes the centralized collection of the remaining fermentation liquid after spraying, providing a basis for the subsequent reflux and recycling of the fermentation liquid.

[0060] See appendix Figure 2 and attached Figure 5 The spray pipe 151 is provided with multiple nozzles 152 at intervals, and the spray pipe 151 sprays fermentation liquid onto the dry leaves through the multiple nozzles 152; the spraying mechanism 100 also includes a reflux pump 141, the inlet end of the reflux pump 141 is connected to the reflux chamber 140, and the outlet end of the reflux pump 141 is connected to the storage chamber 150; the fermentation liquid in the reflux chamber 140 is transported to the storage chamber 150 through the reflux pump 141 to realize the reflux circulation of the fermentation liquid.

[0061] In some embodiments, the fermentation liquid pre-stored in the storage bin 150 is continuously transported to the spray pipe 151. Because multiple nozzles 152 are spaced apart on the spray pipe 151, the fermentation liquid is diverted by the spray pipe 151 and then sprayed evenly and comprehensively onto the drying leaves inside the inner cylinder 120 through the multiple nozzles 152. At the same time, the inner cylinder 120 is kept rotating to continuously stir the drying leaves, so that the drying leaves are dispersed and rolled in the cylinder, and fully and comprehensively contact the fermentation liquid sprayed by the nozzles 152, ensuring that each drying leaf can uniformly absorb the fermentation liquid, complete the spraying operation, and form fermented leaves.

[0062] During the spraying process, the excess fermentation liquid that the dried leaves did not absorb, as well as the excessive fermentation liquid adhering to the leaf surface, under the influence of gravity and the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the inner cylinder 120, pass through multiple holes 125 on the radial outer wall of the inner cylinder 120 and flow from the inner cavity of the inner cylinder 120 into the reflux chamber 130 and reflux bin 140 between the outer shell 110 and the inner cylinder 120. The reflux bin 140 completes the centralized storage of the remaining fermentation liquid.

[0063] In some embodiments, the fermentation broth collected in the reflux chamber 140 is powered and transported by a reflux pump 141 connected to its inlet end. The reflux pump 141 draws the fermentation broth from the reflux chamber 140 from the inlet end, pressurizes it, and then transports it from the outlet end to the storage chamber 150, completing the reflux feeding of the fermentation broth. The refluxed fermentation broth mixes with the original fermentation broth in the storage chamber 150, and once again continuously supplies spray liquid to the spray nozzle 151, thereby forming a closed-loop reflux cycle of the fermentation broth.

[0064] See appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 3 The spraying mechanism 100 also includes a drive component 122, which is connected to the inner cylinder 120 for driving the inner cylinder 120 to rotate relative to the outer shell 110.

[0065] In some embodiments, the drive unit 122 establishes a transmission connection with the inner cylinder 120. After the drive unit 122 is started, it outputs power to drive the inner cylinder 120 to rotate stably relative to the outer shell 110, providing continuous power for the subsequent stirring and dispersion of the drying blades, and ensuring that the inner cylinder 120 is always in a preset rotation state.

[0066] The drive unit 122 provides controllable rotational power for the inner cylinder 120, solving the problems of uneven spraying and inconsistent liquid absorption caused by blade stacking. At the same time, in conjunction with the multi-port uniform spraying of the nozzle 152, the step-by-step flow guidance of the leakage hole 125 and the return chamber 130, and the circulating material replenishment of the return chamber 140 and the return pump 141, the spraying mechanism 100 achieves uniform spraying and efficient recycling of fermentation liquid.

[0067] See appendix Figure 3 - Appendix Figure 4 The spraying mechanism 100 also includes a gear ring 121; the gear ring 121 is installed on the radial outer wall of the inner cylinder 120, and a gear 123 is installed at the output end of the drive member 122, which meshes with the gear ring 121; the inner cylinder 120 is connected to the gear 123 through the gear ring 121.

[0068] The spraying mechanism 100 also includes a first guide section 124; the first guide section 124 is located at the feed end of the inner cylinder 120 and is used to guide the drying blades into the interior of the inner cylinder 120.

[0069] In some embodiments, after the drive unit 122 is started, it outputs power to drive the gear 123 at its output end to rotate synchronously. Since the gear 123 meshes with the gear ring 121 fixed on the radial outer wall of the inner cylinder 120, the rotational power of the gear 123 is stably transmitted to the gear ring 121 through tooth meshing, thereby driving the inner cylinder 120 to rotate at a uniform and controllable speed relative to the outer shell 110. This provides continuous and fixed-ratio power support for the stirring of the drying blades inside the inner cylinder 120, ensuring that the inner cylinder 120 rotates smoothly and at a controllable speed.

[0070] Driven by the gear ring 121 and the gear 123, the inner cylinder 120 rotates continuously, which fully stirs the drying blades introduced by the first guide section 124, so that the drying blades are dispersed and tumbled in the cylinder without any dead corners of stacking.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first guide section 124 solves the problem of blade feed accumulation and jamming, and realizes continuous material guiding. The meshing transmission structure of the gear ring 121 and the gear 123 enables the drive component 122 to transmit power to the inner cylinder 120 stably and efficiently, ensuring the stability and controllability of the inner cylinder 120.

[0072] In some embodiments, the directional conveying of tobacco leaves and the efficient reflux of fermentation liquid are combined through the tilting of the inner cylinder 120 and the return chamber 140 at the discharge end. The first guide section 124 also solves the problem of smooth feeding. The first guide section 124 can be designed as a funnel-shaped structure, which enlarges the feed inlet diameter and prevents the tobacco leaves from scattering when they fall from the first conveying mechanism 220.

[0073] In some embodiments, the tilt angle of the inner cylinder 120 is the same as that of the reflux chamber 130, set at 3°-5°. Too small an angle will result in slow tobacco leaf movement, excessive residence time, and over-spraying. Too large an angle will result in excessively fast tobacco leaf movement, insufficient mixing, and uneven adhesion of the fermentation liquid.

[0074] See appendix Figure 5 The first baking mechanism 200 also includes a drying chamber 210 and a first conveying mechanism 220; at least part of the first conveying mechanism 220 is located inside the drying chamber 210, and the first conveying mechanism 220 is used to carry tobacco leaves and convey the dried leaves into the inner cylinder 120.

[0075] In some embodiments, the tobacco leaves to be fermented are placed onto the first conveying mechanism 220, which carries and moves the tobacco leaves along a preset path, thereby achieving mechanized conveying of the tobacco leaves. Since at least a portion of the first conveying mechanism 220 is located inside the drying chamber 210, after the tobacco leaves enter the drying chamber 210 with the first conveying mechanism 220, they undergo drying in the closed and controllable drying environment formed by the drying chamber 210. Excess moisture inside the tobacco leaves is removed, forming dry leaves that meet the requirements of spraying.

[0076] After the drying operation is completed, the first conveying mechanism 220 continues to drive the drying blades to move along the preset path, directly conveying the drying blades from the drying chamber 210 to the feeding end of the inner cylinder 120, accurately sending the drying blades into the inner cylinder 120 without the need for additional transfer equipment, thus realizing the continuous and assembly-line connection between tobacco drying treatment and subsequent fermentation liquid spraying treatment.

[0077] See appendix Figure 2 and attached Figure 7 The first conveying mechanism 220 includes a first conveyor belt 221, on which a plurality of first ventilation holes 222 are provided; the first baking mechanism 200 also includes a drying component 260, on which a first uniform distribution component 261 is provided above the first conveyor belt 221 and a second uniform distribution component 262 is provided below the first conveyor belt 221; the drying component 260 dries the tobacco leaves on the first conveyor belt 221 through the first uniform distribution component 261 and the second uniform distribution component 262 to obtain dry leaves.

[0078] In some embodiments, the design employs a conveyor belt with ventilation holes and upper and lower dual-pipe air supply structure, which enables uniform drying of tobacco leaves on both sides, significantly improving drying efficiency and consistency. The first uniform distribution member 261 and the second uniform distribution member 262 can be designed as honeycomb-shaped air guide plates, while the distance between the air guide plates and the surface of the first conveyor belt 221 is controlled at 15cm-20cm to ensure that the airflow can evenly cover each tobacco leaf.

[0079] In some embodiments, the air supply ratio is adjusted, for example, the upper first uniform distribution component 261 supplies 60% of the air and the lower second uniform distribution component 262 supplies 40%. Because hot air naturally flows upward, the lower air supply can counteract this trend and ensure that the airflow intensity is consistent on both sides.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first conveyor belt 221 is made of high-temperature resistant and wear-resistant polyester mesh belt, with a denser warp and weft yarn density to reduce the amount of tobacco leaf debris falling through the first ventilation holes 222. Flexible side guards, 5cm-8cm high, are also installed on both sides of the conveyor belt to prevent tobacco leaves from slipping to the sides due to airflow impact or conveyor belt vibration during transport.

[0081] See appendix Figure 2 - Appendix Figure 3 The drying chamber 210 has multiple exhaust pipes 230 installed on its outer wall. At least some of the exhaust pipes 230 are arranged above the first conveyor belt 221, and at least some of the exhaust pipes 230 are arranged below the first conveyor belt 221. The first baking mechanism 200 also includes a second guide section 240, which is used to guide the tobacco leaves to be dried onto the first conveyor belt 221. The drying chamber 210 is also provided with an observation window 250.

[0082] In some embodiments, the airflow of the exhaust pipe 230 on the side away from gravity of the first conveyor belt 221 is set to be slightly greater than that on the side facing gravity. This allows hot airflow to easily accumulate on the upper side, and the large airflow can quickly expel moisture and excess heat. The airflow on the lower side is relatively gentle, and the small airflow prevents a sudden drop in temperature inside the drying chamber. Simultaneously, the exhaust pipe 230 is frequency-controlled, automatically increasing the airflow based on temperature and humidity sensor data within the drying chamber 210, and decreasing the airflow once the humidity target is reached, thus reducing energy consumption.

[0083] In some embodiments, a filter screen is installed at the air inlet end of each exhaust component 230 to filter tobacco leaf fragments and dust, preventing dust diffusion during exhaust. The second guide section 240 is designed as an inclined guide plate structure with an inclination angle of 30°-45°, and a low-friction, wear-resistant liner is installed on its surface to reduce the resistance of tobacco leaf slippage. A Y-shaped dividing plate is installed inside the second guide section 240 to divide the falling tobacco leaves into two streams that flow evenly to both sides of the conveyor belt. This, together with the side guards on both sides of the conveyor belt, prevents tobacco leaves from accumulating in the middle of the conveyor belt, ensuring that the airflow can penetrate all tobacco leaves during double-sided drying.

[0084] In some embodiments, the observation window 250 is made of double-layered high-temperature resistant tempered glass, and at least three are provided on the drying chamber 210 to facilitate observation of the tobacco leaf condition during drying.

[0085] See appendix Figure 7 The second baking mechanism 300 includes a second conveying mechanism 310 and a negative pressure component 340. The second conveying mechanism 310 includes a second conveyor belt 320, which is located at the discharge end of the inner cylinder 120 and is used to carry the fermentation leaves. The inlet end of the negative pressure component 340 is located on the inner surface of the second conveyor belt 320, and a plurality of second vent holes 330 are opened on the surface of the second conveyor belt 320. The negative pressure component 340 is connected to the fermentation leaves through the plurality of second vent holes 330 and removes excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the fermentation leaves by means of pressure difference.

[0086] In some embodiments, the second drying unit 300 is a crucial final stage of the entire production line. It receives the fermented tobacco leaves and performs the final drying process, bringing them to the moisture content required for subsequent processing. The purpose of re-drying is to remove excess fermentation liquid and reduce the moisture content of the tobacco leaves to a safe storage level of approximately 10%-12%.

[0087] The second conveyor belt 320 is made of a high-temperature resistant, tensile-resistant, and breathable material, such as Teflon mesh or stainless steel mesh belt. The mesh count of the mesh belt should be appropriate to ensure that the tobacco leaves do not fall through the mesh while also ensuring good air permeability.

[0088] The external suction equipment uses a variable frequency vacuum pump, and the negative pressure intensity is adjusted according to the thickness of the tobacco leaves on the second conveyor belt 320. When the tobacco leaves are thick, the vacuum pump frequency is increased to increase the negative pressure, ensuring that the fermentation liquid penetrates deep into the surface of the tobacco leaves. When the tobacco leaves are thin, the negative pressure is reduced to avoid excessive deformation or damage to the tobacco leaves due to excessive negative pressure.

[0089] In some embodiments, after the fermentation liquid is sprayed in the inner cylinder 120, the fermentation blades are conveyed from the discharge end of the inner cylinder 120 to the second conveyor belt 320 of the second conveying mechanism 310. The second conveyor belt 320 carries the fermentation blades and moves them along a preset path to realize the mechanized continuous conveying of the fermentation blades.

[0090] After the negative pressure component 340 is activated, it creates a negative pressure environment. Its inlet end is attached to the inner surface of the second conveyor belt 320, and the surface of the second conveyor belt 320 has multiple second vent holes 330, allowing the negative pressure component 340 to form a negative pressure connection with the fermentation blades on the outer surface of the conveyor belt through these second vent holes 330. Relying on the pressure difference generated by the operation of the negative pressure component 340, excess fermentation liquid adhering to the surface of the fermentation blades is adsorbed and sequentially passes through the second vent holes 330 into the negative pressure component 340, achieving rapid and efficient removal of excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the fermentation blades. This avoids excessive adhesion of fermentation liquid, which would affect the subsequent fermentation effect, and also reduces the waste of fermentation liquid.

[0091] See appendix Figure 5 The second baking mechanism 300 also includes multiple heating elements 350, which are arranged above the second conveyor belt 320; the negative pressure element 340 has multiple adsorption grooves on the side facing the second conveyor belt 320, and the fermentation liquid remaining on the surface of the tobacco leaves falls into the negative pressure element 340 through the second vent 330 and the adsorption grooves; the fermentation treatment device also includes a control panel.

[0092] In some embodiments, the heating element 350 is selected from electric heating tubes or far-infrared heating plates, and is evenly arranged along the inside of the support member, with the spacing between adjacent heating elements 350 controlled at 8cm-12cm. The inner wall of the support member adopts an arc-shaped flow guide surface to guide the hot airflow generated by the heating element 350 to diffuse evenly on the surface of the conveyor belt, avoiding dead airflow corners.

[0093] In some embodiments, the adsorption tank is designed as a long, arc-shaped trough, arranged along the conveying direction of the second conveyor belt 320, with a trough spacing of 5cm-8cm. A guide plate is installed inside the negative pressure component 340 to ensure that the negative pressure is evenly distributed to each adsorption tank, avoiding fermentation liquid residue caused by insufficient local adsorption force.

[0094] In some embodiments, a removable liquid collection tank is provided at the bottom of the negative pressure component 340 to collect excess fermentation liquid and clean it regularly to prevent liquid accumulation and deterioration.

[0095] In some embodiments, the control panel adopts a touch screen design, integrating the control functions of all devices and arranged in a modular layout. In the drying module, the temperature of the drying element 260, the airflow of the upper and lower ducts, and the variable frequency speed of the exhaust element 230 are displayed and adjusted. In the conveying module, the speed of the first conveyor belt 221 is displayed and adjusted, linked to the rotational speed of the inner cylinder 120. In the fermentation module, the rotational speed of the inner cylinder 120, the spraying duration and frequency of the spraying mechanism 100, and the operating status of the reflux pump 141 are displayed and adjusted. In the monitoring module, real-time temperature and humidity data in the drying chamber 210 and the inner cylinder 120 are displayed, equipment fault alarms are provided, and historical data queries are supported, facilitating process debugging and troubleshooting.

[0096] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0097] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fermentation treatment apparatus for tobacco leaves, characterized in that, include: The first drying unit (200) is used to dry the tobacco leaves to be fermented in order to obtain dry leaves; A spraying mechanism (100) is disposed at the discharge end of the first baking mechanism (200), and includes an outer shell (110), an inner cylinder (120), and a spray pipe (151); the inner cylinder (120) is rotatably disposed inside the outer shell (110), and the inner cylinder (120) is used to stir the dried leaves; at least a portion of the spray pipe (151) is located inside the inner cylinder (120), and the spray pipe (151) is used to spray fermentation liquid onto the dried leaves to obtain fermented leaves; The second baking mechanism (300) is located at the discharge end of the inner cylinder (120) and is used to remove excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the fermentation leaves.

2. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cylinder (120) has a plurality of drainage holes (125) on its radial inner wall, and a reflux cavity (130) is formed between the inner wall of the outer shell (110) and the outer wall of the inner cylinder (120); the inner cylinder (120) is connected to the reflux cavity (130) through the plurality of drainage holes (125); The outer shell (110) includes a storage chamber (150) and a reflux chamber (140); the storage chamber (150) stores the fermentation liquid inside, and the storage chamber (150) is connected to the nozzle (151) for conveying the fermentation liquid to the nozzle (151); the reflux chamber (140) is located at the bottom of the outer shell (110) and is connected to the reflux cavity (130) for collecting the fermentation liquid after spraying.

3. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The nozzle (151) is provided with a plurality of nozzles (152) spaced apart, and the nozzle (151) sprays fermentation liquid onto the dry leaves through the plurality of nozzles (152); And / or, the spraying mechanism (100) further includes a reflux pump (141), the inlet end of which is connected to the reflux chamber (140), and the outlet end of which is connected to the storage chamber (150); the fermentation liquid in the reflux chamber (140) is transported to the storage chamber (150) through the reflux pump (141) to realize the reflux circulation of the fermentation liquid.

4. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The spraying mechanism (100) also includes a drive component (122); The driving component (122) is connected to the inner cylinder (120) for driving the inner cylinder (120) to rotate relative to the outer shell (110).

5. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The spraying mechanism (100) further includes a gear ring (121); the gear ring (121) is installed on the radial outer wall of the inner cylinder (120), and a gear (123) is installed at the output end of the drive member (122), the gear (123) meshing with the gear ring (121); the inner cylinder (120) is connected to the gear (123) through the gear ring (121); And / or, the spraying mechanism (100) further includes a first guide section (124); the first guide section (124) is located at the feed end of the inner cylinder (120) and is used to guide the drying blades into the interior of the inner cylinder (120).

6. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first baking mechanism (200) further includes a drying chamber (210) and a first conveying mechanism (220); At least a portion of the first conveying mechanism (220) is located inside the drying chamber (210). The first conveying mechanism (220) is used to carry the tobacco leaves and convey the dried leaves from inside the drying chamber (210) to inside the inner cylinder (120).

7. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first conveying mechanism (220) includes a first conveyor belt (221), and a plurality of first ventilation holes (222) are provided on the first conveyor belt (221); The first baking mechanism (200) also includes a drying component (260); The drying element (260) is configured as an airflow drying element. The air outlet of the drying element (260) is provided with a first uniform distribution element (261) above the first conveyor belt (221) and a second uniform distribution element (262) below the first conveyor belt (221). The drying element (260) dries the tobacco leaves on the first conveyor belt (221) through the first uniform distribution element (261) and the second uniform distribution element (262) to obtain the dried leaves.

8. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drying chamber (210) includes multiple exhaust components (230); At least a portion of the exhaust component (230) has its air inlet end positioned above the first conveyor belt (221), and at least a portion of the exhaust component (230) has its air inlet end positioned below the first conveyor belt (221). And / or, the first baking mechanism (200) further includes a second guide section (240) located above the first conveyor belt (221) for guiding the tobacco leaves onto the first conveyor belt (221); And / or, the drying chamber (210) is also provided with an observation window (250) for observing the internal operation of the drying chamber (210).

9. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The second baking mechanism (300) includes a second conveying mechanism (310) and a negative pressure component (340). The second conveying mechanism (310) includes a second conveyor belt (320), which is located at the discharge end of the inner cylinder (120) and is used to carry the fermentation blades; The inlet end of the negative pressure component (340) is located on the inner surface of the second conveyor belt (320), and the surface of the second conveyor belt (320) is provided with a plurality of second vent holes (330); the negative pressure component (340) communicates with the fermentation leaf through the plurality of second vent holes (330), and the negative pressure component (340) removes excess fermentation liquid from the surface of the fermentation leaf through pressure difference.

10. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second baking mechanism (300) also includes a plurality of heating elements (350); Multiple heating elements (350) are disposed above the second conveyor belt (320) for drying the fermentation leaves.

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