Astringent taste reducing, green increasing and enzyme deactivating equipment for summer and autumn green tea

Abstract

The invention discloses astringency-reducing green-increasing fixation equipment for summer and autumn green tea. The astringency-reducing green-increasing fixation equipment comprises a bottom plate, a heating sleeve fixedly connected to the upper part of the bottom plate, and an inner treatment cylinder pivotally assembled in the heating sleeve, the heating sleeve is communicated with the inner treatment cylinder, and a heating device is arranged on the heating sleeve; an adjustable swing assembly is arranged in the inner treatment barrel and comprises a plurality of guide leaf plates which are distributed in the inner treatment barrel at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner treatment barrel, and through the parts, the adjustable swing assembly achieves synchronous and arbitrary adjustment of the angles of the guide leaf plates, the requirements for fixation of summer and autumn green tea with different characters are met, and the defect that a traditional fixed guide leaf plate is poor in adaptability is overcome; therefore, the method is worthy of popularization and application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tea production technology, and in particular to a device for reducing astringency and increasing greenness in summer and autumn green tea. Background Technology

[0002] This device is used in the fixation process of summer and autumn green tea processing. It deactivates the polyphenol oxidase activity in tea leaves by high temperature, promotes the conversion of ester-type catechins to reduce astringency, and at the same time preserves chlorophyll to enhance the bright green color. It is a key piece of equipment to ensure the quality of summer and autumn green tea.

[0003] Currently, in mainstream drum-type green tea processing equipment, the guide plates inside the inner processing drum are mostly fixed structures, and their angles cannot be adjusted. Because summer and autumn green teas have different characteristics such as thick leaves, high stem-to-leaf ratios, or tender buds and leaves, fixed guide plates are difficult to adapt to diverse green tea processing needs. This can easily lead to uneven heating of the tea leaves, mechanical damage, or insufficient greening, affecting the reduction of astringency and enhancement of green color, and resulting in poor process compatibility. Furthermore, if the angle of the guide plates needs to be adjusted, each one must be disassembled and adjusted individually, making the operation cumbersome, with large adjustment errors, severely reducing the continuity of the greening process, and failing to meet the demands for process adaptability and production efficiency in large-scale production.

[0004] Chinese utility model patent CN 210137779 U discloses a drum-type tea fixing device. The device includes a main body, a stirring inlet on the upper outer surface of the main body, a rotating rod inside the stirring inlet, a first rotating shaft on both ends of the rotating rod, a stirring rod on the outer side of the rotating rod, a first motor on one end of the stirring inlet, a fixing rod on one end of the main body, a fixing ring on one end of the fixing rod, a second motor penetrating through the fixing ring, a second rotating shaft penetrating through the second motor, a turntable on one end of the second rotating shaft, and fan blades on the outer side of the turntable. The fan blades on this tea fixing device cannot rotate at an angle, making it unsuitable for different types of tea and exhibiting poor process compatibility. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a new type of equipment for reducing astringency and increasing greenness in summer and autumn green tea, which solves the problem that the fixed guide plate in the existing drum-type equipment cannot be adapted to teas of different characteristics and has poor process compatibility. This new equipment meets the needs of adapting to teas of different characteristics and having strong process compatibility.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: This summer and autumn green tea astringency reduction and greening fixation device includes a base plate, a heating sleeve fixedly connected above the base plate, and an inner processing cylinder pivotally mounted inside the heating sleeve; the heating sleeve and the inner processing cylinder are interconnected, and a heating device is arranged inside the heating sleeve; an adjustable swing assembly is arranged inside the inner processing cylinder, the adjustable swing assembly including multiple guide vanes evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner processing cylinder; the adjustable swing assembly rotates synchronously with the inner processing cylinder to stir the tea leaves inside the cylinder, and the angles of the multiple guide vanes can be arbitrarily and synchronously adjusted to adapt to the fixation process requirements of summer and autumn green teas with different characteristics, ensuring the uniformity of heating and stirring of the tea leaves. The function of the adjustable swing assembly here is to control the deflection angle of each guide vane, thereby adapting to the fixation requirements of summer and autumn green teas with different leaf thicknesses, tenderness, etc.

[0007] Further improvements include a bracket fixed to the upper surface of the base plate, with the heating sleeve fixed to the upper surface of the bracket. The bracket's function is to provide greater stability to the heating sleeve, ensuring better stability and preventing tipping during the rotation of the inner processing cylinder.

[0008] Further improvements include an adjustable swing assembly comprising multiple pivoting shafts equidistantly connected circumferentially along the inner wall of the inner processing cylinder. Each shaft is angled relative to the center of the inner processing cylinder, and each guide vane is fixed to the corresponding sidewall of its pivoting shaft. The purpose of these pivots, and the angled arrangement between them and the center of the inner processing cylinder, is to control the rotation angle of the guide vanes, thereby adapting to the different processing requirements of summer and autumn green tea leaves, such as those with thick or tender leaves.

[0009] Further improvements include an adjustable swing assembly with a sandwich panel formed on the inner wall of the inner processing cylinder. One end of each of the multiple rotating shafts extends through the sandwich panel, which contains multiple universal joints. The adjustable swing assembly also includes multiple gears, with one end of each gear fixedly connected to one end of each universal joint, and the other end of each universal joint fixedly connected to the end of each rotating shaft located within the sandwich panel. The adjustable swing assembly also includes a gear ring pivotally mounted within the sandwich panel, which meshes with the multiple gears simultaneously. The function of the universal joint here is that, since the rotating shafts are not parallel to the center of the inner processing cylinder but have a certain angle, the main purpose is to ensure that the guide plate has a pushing force when it turns and tosses the tea leaves. This allows the tea leaves to be discharged from the outlet of the inner processing cylinder when they are finished being processed. Therefore, the universal joint can transfer the rotational force generated by the gear ring to each gear (the gear and the rotating shaft are at an angle). This causes the rotating shaft to rotate, which in turn causes the guide plate to rotate at a specific angle to meet the withering requirements of summer and autumn green teas with different leaf characteristics, such as thick and tender leaves.

[0010] Further improvements include a first toothed disc fixed to the side end of the toothed ring, a second toothed disc inserted into the inner processing cylinder at the side end of the first toothed disc, and a set of compression springs installed in the inner processing cylinder to push the second toothed disc towards the first toothed disc. A set of pressing rods for pressing against the side of the second toothed disc are threaded onto the inner processing cylinder. The function of the first toothed disc, the second toothed disc, the compression spring, and the pressing rods is that, after the guide vanes have been rotated to their controlled angles, to ensure that the angle at which the guide vanes tumble the tea leaves does not move, the pressing rods are turned, causing them to press against the second toothed disc, thus preventing the toothed ring from passively rotating.

[0011] Further improvements include a heating device comprising multiple interconnecting holes equidistantly spaced along the outer wall of the inner processing cylinder and the inner wall of the heating sleeve, through which the inner processing cylinder and the heating sleeve are connected; and a steam generator embedded in the side wall of the heating sleeve. The interconnecting holes and the steam generator function as follows: the steam generator produces superheated steam, which enters the inner processing cylinder evenly through the equidistantly spaced interconnecting holes, ensuring full contact with the tea leaves inside the cylinder for fixation, allowing the steam to act evenly on the tea leaves, promoting the conversion of ester-type catechins and the retention of chlorophyll, thus reducing astringency and increasing greenness, while preventing excessively strong steam in certain areas from causing scorching of the tea leaves; the steam generator is a commercially available product, and products from companies such as Hubei Best Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Kede Thermal Energy Technology Co., Ltd. can be selected.

[0012] Further improvements include the installation of protective meshes fixed to the inner walls of each connecting hole on the inner processing cylinder. The purpose of these meshes is to prevent tea leaves from entering the heating sleeve, thus avoiding equipment contamination.

[0013] Further improvements include a motor fixed to the upper surface of the base plate, with a pulley fixed to the motor's output end. The function of the motor and pulley here is to drive the rotation of the inner processing cylinder via the motor.

[0014] Further improvements include the addition of a belt that is fitted onto both the pulley and the end of the inner processing cylinder. This belt features a self-pre-tensioning design. Its function is to drive the rotation of the inner processing cylinder via a motor.

[0015] Further improvements include the integration of a temperature sensor on the side wall of the heating sleeve, which is interconnected with the heating device to collect and regulate the internal temperature range for blanching in real time. The discharge end of the inner processing cylinder is also equipped with an interface block for connecting to an external moisture separation component. The temperature sensor's function is to collect the internal temperature in real time and achieve precise temperature control through signal interconnection with the heating device, preventing excessively high temperatures from damaging chlorophyll or excessively low temperatures from causing incomplete enzyme inactivation. The temperature sensor used here is a commercially available product; options include products from companies such as Suzhou Jingmin Sensor Co., Ltd. and Hangzhou Mico Sensor Technology Co., Ltd. The interface block connects to the external moisture separation component, enabling timely removal of moisture generated during blanching, preventing excessively high temperatures from damaging chlorophyll or excessively low temperatures from causing incomplete enzyme inactivation, and preventing the tea leaves from turning yellow, thus further enhancing the blanching effect of reducing astringency and increasing greenness.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This technical solution is used in the green tea fixation equipment for reducing astringency and increasing greenness in summer and autumn. The adjustable swing component, with the help of the meshing linkage structure of gear ring-gear-rotating shaft, can realize the synchronous arbitrary adjustment of the angle of multiple guide plates, adapting to the fixation requirements of summer and autumn green teas with different characteristics such as thick and tender leaves. It overcomes the defect of poor adaptability of traditional fixed guide plates and improves process compatibility. Moreover, it eliminates the need to adjust the guide plates one by one, simplifying the operation process and effectively improving the continuity of the fixation process. It is worth promoting and applying. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the gear and gear ring region in this invention; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of region A; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the gear and gear ring region in this invention; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the connecting hole region in this invention; Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a portion of region B.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: Inner processing cylinder 1, Adjustable swing assembly 1a, Second gear disc 1b, Compression spring 1c, Top pressure rod 1d, Interface block 1e, Belt 2, Pulley 3, Heating sleeve 4, Heating device 4a, Temperature sensor 4b, Bracket 5, Base plate 6, Motor 7, Rotating shaft 8, Guide vane 9, Connecting hole 10, Protective net 11, Steam generator 12, Jacket 13, Universal joint 13a, Gear 14, Gear ring 15, First gear disc 15a. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, is provided below.

[0020] See attached document Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 7 This equipment for reducing astringency and enhancing greenness in summer and autumn green tea includes a base plate 6, a heating sleeve 4 fixed above the base plate 6, and an inner processing cylinder 1 pivotally mounted inside the heating sleeve 4. The heating sleeve 4 and the inner processing cylinder 1 are interconnected, and a heating device 4a is installed on the heating sleeve 4. Considering that the existing equipment has a fixed guide vane angle, which cannot adapt to the different characteristics of summer and autumn green tea and is cumbersome to adjust, an adjustable swing component 1a is installed inside the inner processing cylinder 1. The adjustable swing component 1a includes components along the circumference of the inner processing cylinder 1. Multiple guide vanes 9 are arranged inside the inner processing cylinder; the adjustable oscillating component 1a rotates synchronously with the inner processing cylinder 1 to stir the tea leaves inside the cylinder, and the angle of the multiple guide vanes 9 can be arbitrarily and synchronously adjusted to adapt to the fixing process requirements of different types of summer and autumn green tea, ensuring the uniformity of heating and stirring of the tea leaves. The adjustable oscillating component 1a includes multiple rotating shafts 8 that are equidistantly pivotally connected along the inner circumferential wall of the inner processing cylinder 1. Each rotating shaft 8 is set at an angle to the center of the inner processing cylinder 1, so that the guide vanes 9 stir and fry the tea leaves while moving towards the outlet end of the inner processing cylinder 1. The output movement is achieved by fixing each guide vane 9 to the circumferential sidewall of the corresponding rotating shaft 8. The adjustable swing assembly 1a also includes a sandwich 13 formed in the inner wall of the inner processing cylinder 1, with one end of each rotating shaft 8 extending into the sandwich 13. The sandwich 13 contains multiple universal joints 13a. The adjustable swing assembly 1a also includes multiple gears 14, with one end of each gear 14 fixed to one end of each universal joint 13a, and the other end of each universal joint 13a fixed to the rotating shaft 8 located in the sandwich. At the end of the inner layer 13, the adjustable swing assembly 1a also includes a toothed ring 15 pivotally mounted inside the interlayer 13. The toothed ring 15 meshes with multiple gears 14 simultaneously. A first toothed disc 15a is fixed to the side end of the toothed ring 15. A second toothed disc 1b is inserted into the inner processing cylinder 1 at the side end of the first toothed disc 15a. A set of compression springs 1c is installed at the inner processing cylinder 1 to push the second toothed disc 1b toward the first toothed disc 15a. A set of pressing rods 1d for pressing against the side of the second toothed disc 1b is threaded onto the inner processing cylinder 1. The gear ring 15 meshes with multiple gears 14. By rotating the gear ring 15 with a tool, all rotating shafts 8 can be rotated synchronously, thereby driving all guide vanes 9 to adjust their angles synchronously. (The rotation of the gear ring 15 will synchronously drive the first gear disk 15a to rotate. The rotation of the first gear disk 15a will drive the second gear disk 1b to move and be reset by the compression spring 1c, thus producing a "click-click-click" sound. After the gear ring 15 drives each guide vane 9 to rotate to the correct angle, the top pressure rods 1d are turned to press against the second gear disk 1b, thereby locking the specified rotation angle of each guide vane 9 and preventing the angle position of each guide vane 9 from shifting. When it is necessary to adjust the angle of each guide vane 9 again, simply turn the outward top pressure rods 1d in the opposite direction and repeat the above operation to adjust and lock the angle of each guide vane 9 again.) The guide vanes 9 rotate with the inner processing cylinder 1 to stir the tea leaves, accurately adapting to the turning and tossing requirements of different types of summer and autumn teas, ensuring that the tea leaves are heated evenly, improving the process compatibility of the equipment, and simplifying the adjustment operation process.

[0021] In summary, the improvement of this embodiment lies in: The adjustable swing component 1a, through the meshing linkage structure of the gear ring 15, gear 14, and rotating shaft 8, can realize the synchronous and arbitrary adjustment of the angle of multiple guide plates 9, adapting to the withering requirements of summer and autumn green tea with different characteristics such as thick and tender leaves. It overcomes the defect of poor adaptability of traditional fixed guide plates 9 and improves process compatibility; moreover, it eliminates the need to adjust the guide plates 9 one by one, simplifies the operation process, and effectively improves the continuity of the withering process.

[0022] Based on the above, other structures also need to be disclosed in detail, such as: A bracket 5 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the base plate 6, and a heating sleeve 4 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the bracket 5.

[0023] Considering the heating of tea leaves, the heating device includes multiple connecting holes 10 equidistantly opened along the outer wall of the inner processing cylinder 1 and the inner wall of the heating sleeve 4, and the inner processing cylinder 1 and the heating sleeve 4 are connected through the multiple connecting holes 10; it also includes a steam generator 12 embedded in the side wall of the heating sleeve 4, and a protective net 11 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of each connecting hole 10 on the inner processing cylinder 1; The steam generator 12 generates superheated steam, which enters the inner processing cylinder 1 evenly through the circumferentially spaced connecting holes 10. The steam fully contacts the tea leaves in the cylinder to achieve fixation, allowing the steam to act evenly on the tea leaves, promoting the conversion of ester-type catechins and the retention of chlorophyll, thereby reducing astringency and increasing greenness, while avoiding excessive local steam intensity that could cause the tea leaves to scorch.

[0024] Considering the rotation problem of the inner processing cylinder 1, a motor 7 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the base plate 6, and a pulley 3 is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor 7. The pulley 3 and the end of the inner processing cylinder 1 are fitted with a belt 2, which adopts a self-pre-tensioning design. The motor 7 drives the pulley 3 to rotate, and the self-pre-tensioned belt 2 transmits power stably to the inner processing cylinder 1, causing the inner processing cylinder 1 to pivot at a uniform speed, ensuring the stability of the inner processing cylinder 1's speed, avoiding uneven tea mixing caused by speed fluctuations, and improving the continuity and stability of the fixation process.

[0025] Considering the precise control of the blanching temperature and the problem of moisture removal, the side wall of the heating sleeve 4 is integrated with a temperature sensor 4b. The temperature sensor 4b is interconnected with the heating device 4a to collect and regulate the blanching temperature range inside the heating sleeve 4 in real time. The discharge end of the inner processing cylinder 1 is also equipped with an interface block 1e for connecting to the external water vapor separation component. Temperature sensor 4b collects the temperature inside heating sleeve 4 in real time and feeds it back to heating device 4a to achieve precise temperature control. The discharge end interface block 1e is connected to an external water vapor separation component (not shown in the figure) to promptly discharge the moisture generated during the fixation process, avoiding excessively high temperatures that could damage chlorophyll or excessively low temperatures that could lead to incomplete enzyme inactivation. At the same time, it prevents the tea leaves from turning yellow and further enhances the fixation effect of reducing astringency and increasing greenness.

[0026] The working principle of this invention is as follows: After startup, the motor 7 forms a stable transmission with the pulley 3 through the self-pre-tensioned belt 2, driving the inner processing cylinder 1 to pivot at a constant speed inside the heating sleeve 4; In the heating device 4a, the superheated steam generated by the steam generator 12 enters the inner processing cylinder 1 evenly through the circumferentially equidistant connecting holes 10 between the inner processing cylinder 1 and the heating sleeve 4. The protective mesh 11 on the inner wall of the connecting holes 10 can prevent tea leaves from entering the heating sleeve 4 and avoid equipment contamination.

[0027] Based on the different characteristics of summer and autumn green tea leaves, such as thick leaves, high proportion of stems and leaves, or tender buds and leaves, the rotating shaft 8 is driven to rotate synchronously through the meshing and linkage of the toothed ring 15 and multiple gears 14, so as to realize the synchronous arbitrary adjustment of the angle of the guide plate 9. The guide plate 9 rotates with the inner processing cylinder 1 to precisely stir and turn the tea leaves, ensuring that the tea leaves are in full contact with the superheated steam.

[0028] Temperature sensor 4b on the side wall of heating sleeve 4 collects internal temperature in real time and is interconnected with heating device 4a to achieve precise temperature control, avoiding excessively high temperature that damages chlorophyll or excessively low temperature that leads to incomplete enzyme inactivation. The interface block 1e at the discharge end of the inner processing cylinder 1 is connected to the external water vapor separation component to promptly discharge the moisture generated during the withering process and prevent the tea leaves from turning yellow.

[0029] Throughout the process, superheated steam deactivates polyphenol oxidase activity, promotes the conversion of ester-type catechins to reduce astringency, and uniform stirring and precise temperature control ensure chlorophyll retention, ultimately achieving the goal of reducing astringency and increasing greenness in summer and autumn green tea, while improving process compatibility and process continuity.

[0030] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for reducing astringency and increasing greenness in summer and autumn green tea processing, comprising a base plate (6), characterized in that: A heating sleeve (4) is fixedly connected above the base plate (6), and an inner processing cylinder (1) is pivotally assembled inside the heating sleeve (4); the heating sleeve (4) and the inner processing cylinder (1) are interconnected, and a heating device (4a) is arranged inside the heating sleeve (4). The inner processing cylinder (1) is equipped with an adjustable swing assembly (1a). The adjustable swing assembly (1a) includes multiple guide vanes (9) that are equidistantly arranged inside the inner processing cylinder (1) along its circumference. The adjustable swing assembly (1a) rotates synchronously with the inner processing cylinder (1) to stir the tea leaves inside the cylinder. The angles of the multiple guide vanes (9) can be adjusted synchronously to adapt to the greening process requirements of different types of summer and autumn green tea, ensuring the uniformity of tea leaf heating and stirring.

2. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A bracket (5) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the base plate (6), and the heating sleeve (4) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the bracket (5).

3. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjustable swing assembly (1a) includes a plurality of rotating shafts (8) that are pivotally connected at equal intervals along the inner circumferential wall of the inner processing cylinder (1). Each rotating shaft (8) is set at an angle to the center of the inner processing cylinder (1), and each guide vane (9) is fixed to the circumferential side wall of the corresponding rotating shaft (8).

4. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjustable swing assembly (1a) further includes a sandwich layer (13) formed in the inner wall of the inner processing cylinder (1), one end of the plurality of rotating shafts (8) extending through into the sandwich layer (13), and the sandwich layer (13) contains a plurality of universal joints (13a); the adjustable swing assembly (1a) further includes a plurality of gears (14), one end of each gear (14) being fixedly connected to one end of each universal joint (13a), and the other end of each universal joint (13a) being fixedly connected to the end of each rotating shaft (8) located in the sandwich layer (13); the adjustable swing assembly (1a) further includes a gear ring (15) pivotally mounted inside the sandwich layer (13), and the gear ring (15) meshes with the plurality of gears (14) simultaneously.

5. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The toothed ring (15) has a first toothed disc (15a) fixed to its side end. The first toothed disc (15a) has a second toothed disc (1b) inserted into the inner processing cylinder (1) at its side end. The inner processing cylinder (1) is equipped with a set of compression springs (1c) that push the second toothed disc (1b) toward the first toothed disc (15a). The inner processing cylinder (1) is threaded with a set of pressing rods (1d) for pressing against the side of the second toothed disc (1b).

6. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating device (4a) includes a plurality of connecting holes (10) equidistantly opened along the outer wall of the inner processing cylinder (1) and the inner wall of the heating sleeve (4) in the circumferential direction, and the inner processing cylinder (1) and the heating sleeve (4) are connected through the plurality of connecting holes (10); it also includes a steam generator (12) embedded in the side wall of the heating sleeve (4).

7. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner walls of each of the connecting holes (10) located on the inner processing cylinder (1) are fixed with protective nets (11).

8. The astringency-reducing and green-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A motor (7) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the base plate (6), and a pulley (3) is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor (7).

9. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The pulley (3) and the inner processing cylinder (1) are fitted with a belt (2) at their ends, and the belt (2) adopts a self-pre-tightening design.

10. The astringency-reducing and greening-enhancing green tea fixation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The side wall of the heating sleeve (4) is integrated with a temperature sensor (4b), which is interconnected with the heating device (4a) to collect and regulate the blanching temperature range inside the heating sleeve (4) in real time; the discharge end of the inner processing cylinder (1) is also equipped with an interface block (1e) for connecting to the external water vapor separation component.

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