Wine brewing auxiliary material adding structure

Abstract

The application discloses a wine brewing auxiliary material adding structure, which comprises a tank body and a tank cover, and a feeding assembly is further arranged at the top end of the tank cover; the feeding assembly comprises a connecting pipe; a circular insertion hole is formed at the top end of the tank cover and used for penetrating and connecting the connecting pipe; a sealing ring made of rubber is clamped in the insertion hole; the sealing ring is in interference fit with the connecting pipe, so that the connecting pipe is in sealed connection with the tank cover; and the multiple sealing configurations of the sealing ring, a sealing plug and a sealing bearing at the key connecting positions of the feeding assembly and the tank cover, a rotating rod and a fixed pipe and the like build a complete sealing system for preventing bacteria and air leakage, and provide basic guarantee for realizing the functions of no-cover feeding and air pressure balance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of winemaking, and more specifically, to a structure for adding auxiliary materials in winemaking. Background Technology

[0002] Commonly used adjuncts in winemaking include liquids (sulfurous acid) and solids (some nutrients and fermentation aids). Different adjuncts must be added with precise dosage, appropriate temperature, and uniform mixing. The precision of adjunct addition directly affects the fermentation process: for example, sulfur dioxide is usually added at the beginning of winemaking at a concentration of 60 mg / L. Excessive amounts will inhibit yeast activity, while insufficient amounts will not effectively inhibit bacteria and provide antioxidant effects. Low-temperature adjuncts will lower the fermentation system temperature, disrupting the metabolic activity of microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria, affecting the conversion of malic acid to lactic acid, and consequently leading to a lingering sour and astringent taste in the wine. The uniformity of mixing between adjuncts and the wine directly determines flavor consistency; uniform dispersion can avoid off-flavors (such as hydrogen sulfide) or fermentation stagnation caused by excessively high concentrations of adjuncts in certain areas.

[0003] The technology for adding auxiliary ingredients in winemaking has gradually evolved from traditional manual addition to mechanically assisted addition. Existing technologies mainly include manual feeding, single-type auxiliary ingredient addition devices, and simple quantitative injection structures. Core application scenarios cover key stages such as alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation. For commonly used auxiliary ingredients such as sulfur dioxide, pectinase, and yeast, conventional solutions such as "adding after dissolution," "top-feeding," and "simple mechanical feeding" have been developed. Some devices have achieved preliminary timed, quantitative, or mixing functions. It is worth noting that wine fermentation does not require complete isolation from air; the oxygen requirements vary significantly at different stages. Existing common fermentation tanks typically have pressure balancing devices such as exhaust valves or water seals at the top, and are not completely sealed. Therefore, there is still room for optimization in the airtight design and gas management coordination of the auxiliary ingredient addition process. Defects and shortcomings of existing technologies: ① Damage to the protective gas layer, increasing the risk of contamination: Frequent opening of the lid will damage the protective layer formed by positive pressure carbon dioxide inside the tank, especially in the later stages of fermentation or malolactic fermentation, easily leading to contamination by other microorganisms and affecting the purity of flavor. ② Insufficient quantitative precision: Traditional manual addition relies on experience to control the dosage, and some mechanical devices lack precise feeding mechanisms, easily leading to excessive or insufficient additives, affecting fermentation results. ③ Lack of temperature adaptability: No preheating function is designed for low-temperature blocky additives; direct addition will disrupt the stability of the fermentation environment and reduce wine quality. ④ Poor mixing uniformity: Addition is mostly done at a single location on the top of the tank, causing additives to accumulate in dead corners, making it difficult to fully integrate with the wine, resulting in uneven fermentation and inconsistent flavors. ⑤ Insufficient operational safety and convenience: Adding from the top of the tank poses safety hazards, and changing additives requires frequent opening of the lid, compromising the seal of the fermentation tank. ⑥ Limited additive compatibility: Most addition structures can only handle single-form additives, failing to meet the needs of simultaneous or step-by-step addition of multiple types of additives, resulting in significant limitations. Causes of the defects: ① Excessive tank opening: Lack of feeding equipment to prevent oxidation and bacterial invasion, resulting in excessively long opening times. ② Inadequate control mechanism: Lacking precise feeding adjustment components (such as quantitative feeding wheels or precise motor control modules), relying on manual or simple mechanical transmission, it cannot achieve refined control. ③ One-sided functional considerations: The design of the adding port position often does not take into account the circulation or convection characteristics of the liquid inside the tank, resulting in the addition of powdered excipients being prone to accumulation and uneven dispersion. ④ Lack of circulation and stirring mechanism: Excipients are added from a single location, and natural dissolution makes it difficult for the excipients to be fully mixed, requiring external circulation or stirring equipment. ⑤ Lack of safety and sealing design: The layout of the adding port does not balance the needs of ease of operation and sealing. ⑥ Simple structural design: No dedicated storage and conveying channels are designed for the physical characteristics of different forms of excipients (such as powders being easily dispersed and lumps being difficult to dissolve), resulting in limited adaptability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure, which aims to solve at least one technical problem in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above technical objectives, this application provides a wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure, including a tank body and a tank lid, and a feeding component is provided at the top of the tank lid, the feeding component including a connecting pipe; The top of the can lid has a circular insertion hole for inserting a connecting tube. A circular rubber sealing ring is inserted into the insertion hole. The sealing ring and the connecting tube are press-fitted together to achieve a sealed connection between the connecting tube and the can lid.

[0006] Preferably, the tank body is a columnar structure with an open top, and a first thread is provided on the outer wall of its top; a second thread is provided on the inner wall of the tank cover to engage with the first thread, and the tank cover is threaded onto the outer wall of the top of the tank body. A rubber ring is provided between the tank body and the tank cover to achieve an initial seal.

[0007] Preferably, the feeding assembly also includes an installation pipe, and a vent pipe is provided between the installation pipe and the tank cover, which is connected to the connecting pipe.

[0008] Preferably, the feeding assembly also includes a storage bin, a control plug, and a fixing pipe, which are integrally cast with the connecting pipe and the installation pipe and are connected in sequence.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the storage silo is connected to the top of the installation pipe, the bottom of the installation pipe is connected to the top of the connecting pipe, the control plug is rotated and inserted inside the installation pipe, and a fixed pipe is fixedly connected to one side of the storage silo, and the fixed pipe is connected to the storage silo.

[0010] Preferably, the storage silo is a cavity structure with an open top for temporary storage of auxiliary materials, and a sealing plug can be inserted into the top opening.

[0011] Preferably, the inside of the fixed tube is provided with a through groove, and a sealed bearing is installed in the through groove.

[0012] Preferably, the rotating rod of the agitator is inserted into the inner ring of the sealed bearing, and the outer ring of the sealed bearing is fixed to the inner wall of the through groove, restricting the rotating rod to only rotate and not move, while sealing the gap between the fixed tube and the rotating rod.

[0013] Preferably, the stirring frame of the stirring component is welded to one end of the rotating rod located inside the storage silo; The end of the rotating rod away from the mixing frame extends to the outside of the storage hopper.

[0014] Preferably, the distal end of the vent pipe integrates a selective gas permeation membrane unit, a manual shut-off valve, and a valve position control lever, which together form the basic gas pressure balance channel of the system.

[0015] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: 1) More thorough prevention and control of contaminant invasion: The feeding component integrated on the top of the can lid enables feeding without opening the lid, keeping the can closed throughout the process. This blocks the contact path between external contaminants and the fermentation system from the source, preventing the growth of contaminants that could lead to changes in wine flavor and reduced drinking safety, thus solving the core pain point of traditional open-lid feeding. 2) More uniform and stable blending of auxiliary materials: The feeding component has a built-in rotating stirring component, and the auxiliary materials can be pre-treated and mixed in the storage hopper without having to be poured into the tank and stirred. This reduces the disturbance of the fermentation system and allows the auxiliary materials to be quickly and evenly integrated into the wine fermentation environment, improving the process stability of the brewing process and ensuring the uniformity of flavor and controllability of the finished wine. 3) Pressure balance is ensured: The triple-sealing structure—a sealing ring sealing the gap between the connecting pipe and the tank lid, a sealing plug sealing the top of the storage silo, and a sealing bearing isolating the gap between the rotating rod and the fixed pipe—forms a comprehensive sealing barrier. Combined with the through-flow design of the vent pipe and the two-way valve, this ensures the safe discharge of fermentation gases while preventing the backflow of external gases. This avoids damage to the tank due to excessive pressure, balancing both sealing performance and safety. 4) Pressure balance and controllable exchange are guaranteed: Multiple sealing barriers are built at key connections through sealing rings, sealing plugs and sealing bearings. Combined with vent pipes and their end gas management valves, this ensures that fermentation gases can be discharged while preventing external gas backflow, avoiding damage to the tank due to excessive gas pressure, and supporting auxiliary adjustment of gas exchange at different brewing stages. 5) More adaptable to home settings: The simplified structure and convenient operation reduce the technical threshold for home brewing and ensure brewing results and safety in non-professional settings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is the overall structural design of the wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure described in this invention; Figure 2 The can lid and its related design described in this invention; Figure 3 This invention relates to the feeding assembly and its related design. Figure 4 This is the internal structural design of the feeding component described in this invention; Figure 5 This refers to the structural design of component A as described in this invention; Among them, 1-tank body, 2-tank cover, 3-feeding assembly (including 31-storage bin, 32-connecting pipe, 33-control plug, 34-installation pipe, 35-fixing pipe), 4-sealing ring, 5-mixing component (including 51-rotating rod, 52-mixing frame), 6-sealing plug, 7-sealing bearing, 8-vent pipe, 9-selective gas permeation membrane unit, 10-manual shut-off valve, 11-valve position control rod. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the present invention provides a structure for adding auxiliary materials in winemaking, specifically including the following: Core load-bearing components: The tank body 1 is a columnar structure with an open top, and a first thread is formed on its outer top wall; the inner wall of the tank cover 2 has a second thread that engages with the first thread. The tank cover 2 is threaded onto the outer top wall of the tank body 1, and a rubber ring is provided between the tank body 1 and the tank cover 2 to achieve an initial seal. A circular insertion hole is provided at the top of the tank cover 2 for inserting a connecting pipe 32. A circular rubber sealing ring 4 is inserted into the insertion hole, and the sealing ring 4 is interference-fitted with the connecting pipe 32 to achieve a sealed connection between the connecting pipe 32 and the tank cover 2.

[0020] Feeding assembly 3 and related components: The feeding assembly 3 is the core functional component, including a storage bin 31, a connecting pipe 32, a control plug 33, an installation pipe 34, and a fixing pipe 35. The five components are formed by an integral casting process and are connected in sequence. The storage bin 31 is a cavity structure with an open top, used for temporary storage of auxiliary materials. A sealing plug 6 can be inserted through its top opening (to achieve closure of the storage bin 31). The bottom of the storage bin 31 is connected to the top of the installation pipe 34, and the bottom of the installation pipe 34 is connected to the top of the connecting pipe 32. The control plug 33 rotates and is inserted into the installation pipe 34 (working principle is the same as the stopper of the separating funnel, used to control the opening and closing of the passage). A fixed pipe 35 is fixedly connected to one side of the storage silo 31, and the fixed pipe 35 is in communication with the storage silo 31. A through groove is opened inside the pipe 35, and a sealed bearing 7 is installed in the through groove. The rotating rod 51 of the agitator 5 is inserted into the inner ring of the sealed bearing 7. The outer ring of the sealed bearing 7 is fixed to the inner wall of the through groove, restricting the rotating rod 51 to only rotate and not move, while sealing the gap between the fixed pipe 35 and the rotating rod 51. The agitator frame 52 of the agitator 5 is welded to one end of the rotating rod 51 located inside the storage silo 31 and is used to agitate the auxiliary materials. The end of the rotating rod 51 away from the agitator frame 52 extends to the outside of the storage silo 31 for easy manual gripping and rotation.

[0021] Exhaust and backflow prevention components: The vent pipe 8 is located between the mounting pipe 34 and the tank cover 2, and is connected to the connecting pipe 32. The selective gas permeation membrane unit 9, manual shut-off valve 10, and valve position control lever 11 integrated at the far end of this pipeline together constitute the system's basic pressure balance channel. Under normal operating conditions, this channel is in a continuous state by default, automatically and continuously venting carbon dioxide produced during fermentation based on the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tank, forming the first line of defense to ensure fermentation safety. Simultaneously, its integrated membrane unit and valve provide refined gas management capabilities beyond basic venting, allowing for auxiliary adjustment of the gas exchange rate and composition according to the needs of each brewing stage.

[0022] The working process of the product of this invention is as follows: 1. Initial sealing and fermentation preparation: Rotate the tank lid 2 to achieve a fixed connection through the threaded engagement of the tank body 1 and the tank lid 2. The rubber ring between the tank lid 2 and the tank body 1, and the sealing ring 4 between the connecting pipe 32 and the insertion hole of the tank lid 2 work together to achieve a complete seal of the tank body 1, ensuring a closed environment for wine fermentation; 2. Preparation before adding auxiliary materials: Rotate the control plug 33 in the installation pipe 34 to close the passage between the storage bin 31 and the connecting pipe 32; pull out the sealing plug 6 at the top of the storage bin 31, pour the required auxiliary materials (such as yeast, pectinase, etc.) into the storage bin 31 through the top opening of the storage bin 31, and then put the sealing plug back in. 6. Reinsert the top opening to seal the storage bin 31 and prevent external bacteria from entering; 3. Pre-treatment of auxiliary materials: If the auxiliary materials need to be mixed evenly (such as a combination of multiple powdered auxiliary materials), manually hold the rotating rod 51 on the outside of the storage bin 31 and rotate it to drive the stirring frame 52 inside the storage bin 31 to rotate synchronously, stirring the auxiliary materials up and down, and stopping the rotation after ensuring that the auxiliary materials are mixed evenly; 4. Pour the auxiliary materials into the tank: Rotate the control plug 33 to open the passage between the storage bin 31 and the connecting pipe 32. Under the action of gravity, the auxiliary materials in the storage bin 31 flow directly into the tank 1 through the installation pipe 34 and the connecting pipe 32. The tank cover 2 does not need to be opened throughout the process to prevent external bacteria from entering. Fermentation Gas Exhaust and Backflow Prevention: Gases such as carbon dioxide produced during wine fermentation enter the vent pipe 8 through the connecting pipe 32, and then exit the tank 1 through the selective gas permeation membrane unit 9, manual shut-off valve 10, and valve position control lever 11, preventing damage caused by excessive internal pressure. The operator rotates the manual switching valve handle 11 to change the internal flow path. When the handle is turned to one side, the system guides the gas flow through the selective gas permeation membrane unit 9, which contains a specially designed membrane that can be replaced according to the winemaking stage. This membrane allows only oxygen and other gases to slowly permeate at a specific rate, achieving a controllable micro-oxidation or decarbonization process. When the handle is turned to the other side, the gas is directly and quickly exhausted or flushed through a bypass path. Two manual shut-off valves 10, located at the front and rear ends of the membrane unit respectively, completely isolate the unit when maintenance or membrane replacement is required, ensuring the sealing of other parts of the system. By coordinating the operation of these three components, the precise gas exchange requirements of different stages such as fermentation and aging can be flexibly met. Fermentation Gas Exhaust and Backflow Prevention: The vent pipe 8 and the connecting pipe 32 are connected, forming the basic exhaust channel. The large amount of carbon dioxide produced during fermentation can be automatically and continuously discharged through this channel based on the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tank, maintaining stable pressure inside the tank and preventing excessive pressure. The selective gas permeation membrane unit 9 integrated at the end of the channel selectively blocks the permeation of gases such as oxygen as they flow through. A manual shut-off valve 10 can be used to completely close this passage at a specific stage. The valve position control lever 11 is used to adjust the valve opening to assist in controlling the exhaust rate. Through coordinated operation, auxiliary management of gas exchange behavior can be achieved while ensuring basic safe exhaust.

[0023] This invention revolves around "no-open-lid feeding + sealing protection + functional integration," specifically including: a feeding assembly integrated on the top of the tank lid, consisting of a storage bin, connecting pipe, control plug, and installation pipe. Through an integrated "temporary storage-flow control-feeding" design, it allows for the addition of auxiliary materials without opening the lid, structurally solving the problem of bacterial invasion associated with traditional open-lid feeding. Inside the feeding assembly, a stirring element consisting of a rotating rod and a stirring frame is installed, organically combining the auxiliary material mixing pretreatment function with the feeding function in a sealed environment, ensuring uniform mixing of the auxiliary materials without compromising the tank's seal. The integrated design of the connecting pipe, vent pipe, selective gas permeation membrane unit, and bidirectional valve ensures precise gas control while maintaining sealing performance. By coordinating the operation of these three components, the precise gas exchange requirements of different stages such as fermentation and aging can be flexibly met. Multiple sealing configurations at key connections such as the feeding assembly and the tank lid, and the rotating rod and the fixed pipe, using sealing rings, sealing plugs, and sealing bearings, construct a complete sealing system that prevents bacterial contamination and gas leakage, providing a fundamental guarantee for the realization of no-open-lid feeding and gas pressure balance functions. This invention specifically includes: ① Integrated feeding assembly: The integrated design of the storage silo, connecting pipe, control plug, and installation pipe for "temporary storage-flow control-feeding" achieves sealed feeding, fundamentally solving the problem of contamination from bacteria when the lid is opened. ② Built-in stirring pretreatment function: The auxiliary materials are mixed in a sealed environment through a rotating rod and stirring frame. ③ Gas pressure balance system: The through-design of the connecting pipe, vent pipe, and two-way valve supports gas management at different brewing stages. ④ Multiple sealing system: Sealing rings, sealing plugs, and sealing bearings are set at key connections to build a complete barrier against bacteria and gas leakage.

[0024] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A structure for adding auxiliary materials in winemaking, comprising a tank body (1) and a lid (2), characterized in that, The top of the can lid (2) is also provided with a feeding component (3), which includes a connecting pipe (32); The top of the can lid (2) is provided with a circular insertion hole for inserting the connecting tube (32). A circular rubber sealing ring (4) is inserted into the insertion hole. The sealing ring (4) is press-fitted with the connecting tube (32) to achieve a sealed connection between the connecting tube (32) and the can lid (2).

2. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tank body (1) is a columnar structure with an open top, and a first thread is provided on the outer wall of its top. The inner wall of the tank cover (2) is provided with a second thread that meshes with the first thread. The tank cover (2) is threaded onto the outer wall of the top of the tank body (1). A rubber ring is provided between the tank body (1) and the tank cover (2) to achieve initial sealing.

3. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The feeding assembly (3) also includes an installation pipe (34), and a vent pipe (8) is provided between the installation pipe (34) and the tank cover (2), which is connected to the connecting pipe (32).

4. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding assembly (3) also includes a storage bin (31), a control plug (33), and a fixing pipe (35), which are integrally cast with the connecting pipe (32) and the installation pipe (34) and are connected in sequence.

5. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the storage bin (31) is connected to the top of the mounting pipe (34), the bottom of the mounting pipe (34) is connected to the top of the connecting pipe (32), the control plug (33) is rotatably inserted inside the mounting pipe (34), and the fixed pipe (35) is fixedly connected to one side of the storage bin (31), and the fixed pipe (35) is connected to the storage bin (31).

6. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The storage bin (31) is a cavity structure with an open top, used for temporary storage of auxiliary materials, and a sealing plug (6) can be inserted through the top opening.

7. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fixed tube (35) has a through groove inside, and a sealed bearing (7) is installed in the through groove.

8. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The rotating rod (51) of the stirring component (5) is inserted into the inner ring of the sealing bearing (7). The outer ring of the sealing bearing (7) is fixed to the inner wall of the through groove, restricting the rotating rod (51) to only rotate and not move. At the same time, it seals the gap between the fixing tube (35) and the rotating rod (51).

9. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The stirring frame (52) of the stirring component (5) is welded to one end of the rotating rod (51) located inside the storage bin (31); The end of the rotating rod (51) away from the stirring frame (52) extends to the outside of the storage bin (31).

10. The wine brewing auxiliary material addition structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vent pipe (8) integrates a selective gas permeation membrane unit (9), a manual shut-off valve (10), and a valve position control lever (11) at its distal end, which together form the basic gas pressure balance channel of the system.

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