Leafy vegetable cleaning, air-drying and packaging integrated equipment

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of automatic processing equipment of food industry, and particularly discloses a leaf vegetable cleaning, air-drying and packaging integrated device, which comprises a rack, a cleaning module, an air-drying module and a packaging mechanism arranged in sequence, and a control system electrically connected with each module. The cleaning module adopts bubble and ozone combination to perform flexible cleaning and sterilization on the leaf vegetables; the air-drying module adopts a powerful air knife to physically dry the cleaned leaf vegetables; and the packaging mechanism automatically packages the dried leaf vegetables. The present application integrates the cleaning, air-drying and packaging procedures, realizes the full-process continuous automatic operation of the leaf vegetables from raw materials to finished products, avoids the secondary pollution caused by manual turnover, and effectively reduces the leaf vegetable breakage rate without mechanical extrusion in the whole process, thereby improving the production efficiency and the quality of clean vegetables.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated processing equipment technology in the food industry, and more specifically, to an integrated equipment for washing, drying and packaging leafy vegetables. Background Technology

[0002] With the accelerating pace of modern urban life and the increasing chain restaurant industry, the market demand for pre-prepared vegetables (ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook vegetables) has experienced explosive growth. In the post-harvest processing and deep processing of leafy vegetables, washing and removing impurities, sterilization and disinfection, surface draining, and finished product packaging are the four core processes that determine the final shelf life, appearance quality, and food safety of the product.

[0003] Currently, small and medium-sized vegetable processing enterprises in China face the following core pain points in the pre-processing of leafy vegetables: First, traditional equipment frames use welded structures, which are bulky and have unsanitary corners. The welds are prone to corrosion, and the fixed dimensions are difficult to flexibly adapt to the production layout. Second, delicate leafy vegetables are easily damaged during processing. The strong water flow of conventional vortex washing and the high-speed rotation of centrifugal dehydration can crush or damage the leaves, leading to a decline in product quality and accelerated spoilage after packaging, thus shortening the shelf life. Third, washing, draining, and packaging processes are mostly completed by independent single machines, relying on manual turnover. This discontinuous production is not only inefficient and costly, but also introduces the risk of secondary contamination due to repeated exposure of materials, and cannot meet the requirements of modern continuous, closed, and high-standard automated production. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] This invention provides an electrical integration component, comprising:

[0006] The frame serves as the mounting base;

[0007] A cleaning module, mounted on the frame, is used to clean leafy vegetables;

[0008] The air-drying module is set on the frame and receives the leafy vegetables output from the washing module, and is used to air-dry the washed leafy vegetables.

[0009] A packaging mechanism, mounted on the frame and receiving the leafy vegetables output from the drying module, is used to package the dried leafy vegetables; and

[0010] The control system is electrically connected to the cleaning module, drying module, and packaging mechanism, and is used to coordinate and control the operation of each module.

[0011] In one optional implementation, the cleaning module includes:

[0012] The cleaning tank has a cone-shaped sedimentation structure at the bottom.

[0013] An air distribution pipeline is laid at the bottom of the cleaning tank;

[0014] An air pump, connected to the air distribution pipeline, is used to generate air bubbles into the cleaning tank.

[0015] A perforated baffle is installed above the air distribution pipe to support leafy vegetables and allow air bubbles to pass through evenly.

[0016] A lifting conveyor belt, inclined at the discharge end of the washing tank, is used to transport the washed leafy vegetables to the drying module; and

[0017] A spraying device is installed above the washing tank for spraying and rinsing leafy vegetables.

[0018] In one optional embodiment, the cleaning module further includes an ozone generator, the outlet of which is connected to the air distribution pipeline or the air inlet of the air pump via a pipeline, so that ozone enters the cleaning tank along with the air bubbles.

[0019] In one optional implementation, the drying module includes:

[0020] Air-drying tunnel cover;

[0021] A conveyor belt, installed inside the drying tunnel cover, is used to transport leafy vegetables;

[0022] The conveyor belt is wound around the drive roller and the driven roller, and the surface of the drive roller is covered with anti-slip patterned rubber.

[0023] A drive motor is connected to the drive roller via a transmission; and

[0024] One or more high-powered air knives are disposed inside the drying tunnel hood and facing the conveyor belt, for spraying airflow onto the leafy vegetables to dry their surface moisture.

[0025] In one optional embodiment, the drying module further includes a flipping drop structure, which is disposed in the middle section of the conveyor belt's conveying path to cause the leafy vegetables to flip during the conveying process to change their posture.

[0026] In one optional embodiment, the drying module further includes a water collection guide plate disposed below the return section of the conveyor belt for collecting the blown-off moisture.

[0027] In one optional embodiment, a water circulation filtration system is further included, the water circulation filtration system comprising:

[0028] A circulating water tank is located at the bottom of the frame, and its inlet is connected to the overflow port of the cleaning module;

[0029] A filter assembly, located at the inlet of the circulating water tank, is used to intercept solid impurities in the cleaning water; and

[0030] A circulating pump, whose inlet is connected to the circulating water tank and whose outlet is connected to the return water outlet of the cleaning module, is used to transport the filtered water back to the cleaning module.

[0031] In one alternative embodiment, the filter assembly is a drawer-type filter basket, which is removably mounted at the inlet of the circulating water tank.

[0032] In one optional embodiment, the frame is assembled from industrial aluminum profiles with T-slots on the surface by connectors, and protective end caps are embedded in the cuts of the aluminum profiles. The bottom of the frame is provided with adjustable feet that also function as casters and adjustable support feet.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, a visual inspection module is also included, which is disposed between the drying module and the packaging mechanism. The visual inspection module includes a gantry support and an industrial camera mounted on the gantry support. The industrial camera is connected to the control system and is used for online inspection of the quality of the leafy vegetables.

[0034] The integrated vegetable washing, drying, and packaging equipment provided by this invention has the following advantages:

[0035] 1. Innovative Structure, Flexible Assembly: This invention breaks away from traditional welding processes, using industrial aluminum profiles to assemble the frame, reducing the overall weight of the equipment by more than 30%, and eliminating weld seams while ensuring corrosion resistance. The T-slot structure makes it exceptionally easy to add sensors, brackets, and protective plates later, greatly improving the equipment's expandability and maintenance convenience. 2. Flexible Process, Reduced Losses: Utilizing flexible bubble tumbling instead of mechanical stirring and air knife physical purging instead of centrifugal drying, the entire process avoids strong mechanical compression, controlling the leafy vegetable loss rate to within 2%, significantly better than the 10%-15% of traditional equipment. 3. Energy Saving and Environmentally Friendly, Recyclable: The integrated circulating water filtration system can recycle more than 70% of the washing water, not only saving water resources but also reducing the waste of ozone water emissions. 4. Dual purification through gas-liquid mixing ensures food safety: The device integrates an ozone generation system, mixing ozone gas into the cleaning bubbles to create a dual purification environment of "ozone water + ozone bubbles." Compared to traditional simple water washing, ozone bubbles can penetrate deep into the roots and leaf folds of leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce, effectively killing bacteria and oxidizing and decomposing residual organophosphorus pesticides on the surface. Furthermore, the ozone is ultimately reduced to oxygen, leaving no chemical residue and significantly improving the hygiene standards of the cleaned vegetables. 5. Intelligent control ensures safety and efficiency: The central control system achieves intelligent matching of the three speed stages of washing, draining, and packaging, and has comprehensive emergency stop and overload protection functions to ensure production safety. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the splicing nodes and end cap installation of the aluminum profile frame;

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cleaning module after the side plates have been removed;

[0040] Figure 4 A three-dimensional structural diagram of a drawer-type filter basket in a circulating water filtration system;

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the air-drying module after the air-drying tunnel cover has been removed;

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the visual inspection module.

[0043] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0044] 1. Frame; 11. Column; 12. Horizontal beam; 13. Connecting angle bracket; 14. Adjustable feet; 15. End cover;

[0045] 2. Cleaning module; 21. Cleaning tank; 22. Air pump; 23. Ozone generator; 24. Lifting conveyor belt; 25. Spraying device;

[0046] 3. Circulating water filtration system; 31. Circulating water tank; 32. Drawer-type filter basket; 33. Circulating pump;

[0047] 4. Air drying module; 41. Air drying tunnel cover; 42. High-power air knife; 43. Tilting drop structure; 44. Drive roller; 45. Driven roller; 47. Water collection guide plate;

[0048] 5. Packaging facilities;

[0049] 6. Control system;

[0050] 7. Visual inspection module; 71. Gantry bracket; 72. Industrial camera. Detailed Implementation

[0051] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0052] With the accelerating pace of modern urban life and the increasing chain restaurant industry, the market demand for pre-prepared vegetables (ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook vegetables) has experienced explosive growth. In the post-harvest processing and deep processing of leafy vegetables, washing and removing impurities, sterilization and disinfection, surface draining, and finished product packaging are the four core processes that determine the final shelf life, appearance quality, and food safety of the product.

[0053] Currently, small and medium-sized vegetable processing enterprises in China face the following core pain points in the pre-processing of leafy vegetables: First, traditional equipment frames use welded structures, which are bulky and have unsanitary corners. The welds are prone to corrosion, and the fixed size makes it difficult to flexibly adapt to the production layout. Second, delicate leafy vegetables are easily damaged during processing. The strong water flow of conventional vortex washing and the high-speed rotation of centrifugal dehydration can damage or crush the leaves, leading to a decline in product quality and accelerating spoilage after packaging, thus shortening the shelf life. Third, washing, draining, and packaging processes are mostly completed by independent single machines, relying on manual turnover. This discontinuous production is not only inefficient and costly, but also introduces the risk of secondary contamination due to repeated exposure of materials, and cannot meet the requirements of modern continuous, closed, and high-standard automated production.

[0054] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 6 The embodiments of the invention are described.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables is provided, including a frame 1, a washing module 2, a drying module 4, a packaging mechanism 5, and a control system 6. The frame 1 serves as the mounting base, the washing module 2 is mounted on the frame 1, and is used to wash the leafy vegetables. The drying module 4 is mounted on the frame 1 and receives the leafy vegetables output from the washing module 2, and is used to dry the washed leafy vegetables. The packaging mechanism 5 is mounted on the frame 1 and receives the leafy vegetables output from the drying module 4, and is used to package the dried leafy vegetables. The control system 6 is electrically connected to the washing module 2, the drying module 4, and the packaging mechanism 5, and is used to coordinate and control the operation of each module.

[0056] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a three-dimensional structural schematic of an integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables. Figure 1 As shown, the integrated equipment for washing, drying and packaging leafy vegetables includes a frame 1, a washing module 2, a drying module 4, a packaging mechanism 5 and a control system 6.

[0057] The frame 1 serves as the mounting base for the entire equipment, supporting and securing other functional modules. The frame 1 can be constructed by welding or assembling metal profiles, with an overall assembly line layout to form a continuous operation path from cleaning to packaging.

[0058] Cleaning module 2 is located at the front end of rack 1 (i.e. Figure 1 (As shown on the left). This cleaning module 2 is used to clean the leafy vegetables to be processed, removing mud, impurities, and some pesticide residues from their surface. During operation, the operator puts the leafy vegetables into the cleaning module 2, which then performs soaking and cleaning.

[0059] The drying module 4 is mounted on the frame 1, and its input end is connected to the output end of the cleaning module 2. This drying module 4 receives the leafy vegetables after they have been cleaned by the cleaning module 2 and dries them to remove surface moisture, preparing them for subsequent packaging processes. The cleaned leafy vegetables are automatically conveyed from the outlet of the cleaning module 2 to the inlet of the drying module 4, achieving continuous connection between processes.

[0060] Packaging mechanism 5 is located at the end of frame 1 (i.e. Figure 1 (As shown on the right), and its input end is connected to the output end of the drying module 4. The packaging mechanism 5 is used to receive the leafy vegetables after they have been dried by the drying module 4, and to automatically package the dried leafy vegetables to form finished product packaging. The dried leafy vegetables are directly conveyed from the discharge end of the drying module 4 to the feed end of the packaging mechanism 5, completing the fully automated operation from washing, drying to packaging.

[0061] Control system 6 is located on one side of rack 1 (e.g.) Figure 1 The control system 6 (shown as the operating side) is electrically connected to the cleaning module 2, the drying module 4, and the packaging mechanism 5, respectively. This control system 6 coordinates the operation of each module, for example, adjusting the operating speeds of the cleaning module 2, the drying module 4, and the packaging mechanism 5 according to production needs, ensuring synchronization between modules and achieving continuous and stable production across the entire line. Simultaneously, the control system 6 can monitor the working status of each module in real time and issue alarms or shutdowns in case of abnormalities.

[0062] With the above structure, the integrated leafy vegetable washing, drying and packaging equipment provided in this embodiment integrates the three processes of washing, drying and packaging on the same equipment, realizing continuous and automated operation from raw material input to finished product packaging. It eliminates the need for manual handling of materials in the middle, effectively improves production efficiency, reduces labor costs, and reduces the risk of secondary contamination of materials during process conversion.

[0063] In one embodiment, unlike traditional welded steel frames, the frame 1 in this embodiment is entirely assembled from high-strength industrial aluminum alloy profiles of model 4040 (40mm*40mm cross-section). The surface of the aluminum profiles undergoes a thickened silver-white anodizing treatment (film thickness ≥10μm), which provides excellent corrosion resistance, scratch resistance, and aesthetics, fully complying with the hygiene standards of food GMP workshops.

[0064] In terms of connection technology, the column 11 and the beam 12 are connected at a 90-degree angle using connecting brackets 13. T-bolts slide into the T-grooves on the surface of the profile, and the brackets are locked in place with flange lock nuts. For the main load-bearing nodes with high stress, internally drilled zinc alloy concealed locking buckles are also used to enhance the overall rigidity and seismic resistance of the structure. All exposed ends of the aluminum profiles are press-fitted with black ABS engineering plastic end caps 15, which prevent sharp edges from scratching operators and prevent moisture and dirt from entering the cavity of the profile.

[0065] The bottom of the frame 1 is equipped with adjustable feet 14. This component includes a polyurethane silent universal wheel for short-distance mobile movement and an M16 stainless steel adjusting screw for positioning and leveling, which takes into account both mobility and operational stability.

[0066] In one embodiment, the cleaning module 2 includes a cleaning tank 21, an air distribution pipe, an air pump 22, a perforated baffle, a lifting mesh belt 24, and a spraying device 25. The bottom of the cleaning tank 21 has a conical sedimentation structure. The air distribution pipe is laid at the bottom of the cleaning tank 21. The air pump 22 is connected to the air distribution pipe and is used to generate bubbles in the cleaning tank 21. The perforated baffle is set above the air distribution pipe and is used to support the leafy vegetables and allow the bubbles to pass through evenly. The lifting mesh belt 24 is inclined at the discharge end of the cleaning tank 21 and is used to transport the cleaned leafy vegetables to the drying module 4. The spraying device 25 is set above the cleaning tank 21 and is used to spray and rinse the leafy vegetables.

[0067] The washing tank 21, as the main container for carrying the washing medium and leafy vegetables, has a cone-shaped sedimentation structure at the bottom. This cone-shaped structure facilitates the collection of heavy impurities such as mud and sand that settle during the washing process to the lowest point at the bottom, making it easier to discharge them in a concentrated manner later, thereby reducing the accumulation of impurities in the tank and secondary pollution to the leafy vegetables.

[0068] An air distribution pipe is laid at the bottom of the cleaning tank 21 to distribute the gas. An air pump 22 is connected to the air distribution pipe. When the air pump 22 operates, the compressed air generated is evenly released into the cleaning tank 21 through the air distribution pipe, forming a large number of rising bubbles in the water. These bubbles generate disturbance and micro-shock wave effects as they rise, causing the leafy vegetables placed in the cleaning tank 21 to remain suspended and tumbling in the water. The gentle contact between the bubbles and the surface of the leafy vegetables removes dirt, insect eggs, and other contaminants adhering to the leaves, achieving gentle cleaning and avoiding physical damage to the delicate leafy vegetables caused by mechanical agitation or strong water flow.

[0069] A perforated baffle is positioned above the air distribution pipe, between the air distribution pipe and the leafy vegetables inside the washing tank 21. This baffle is densely covered with multiple through-holes. On one hand, it serves to support the leafy vegetables, preventing them from sinking directly into the air distribution pipe. On the other hand, air bubbles generated from the bottom air distribution pipe must pass through the through-holes in the baffle as they rise. These through-holes can break down or guide large bubbles into a more uniform and fine airflow, allowing the bubbles to pass through the baffle more evenly and act on the leafy vegetable layer above, preventing excessive concentration of bubbles in localized areas that could affect the washing effect.

[0070] The lifting conveyor belt 24 is inclinedly positioned at the discharge end of the washing tank 21. One end of the lifting conveyor belt 24 is submerged below the water surface of the washing tank 21 or located at the discharge port, while the other end extends upwards to the outside of the washing tank 21 and connects with the subsequent drying module 4. After being washed by the tumbling action of air bubbles, the leafy vegetables are conveyed onto the lifting conveyor belt 24 under the combined action of the water flow and the movement of the lifting conveyor belt 24 itself. As the lifting conveyor belt 24 moves upwards at an incline, the leafy vegetables are carried out of the water and continue to move towards the discharge end, eventually being conveyed to the drying module 4 for further processing. During this process, the mesh structure of the lifting conveyor belt 24 also facilitates the return of some of the water carried on the surface of the leafy vegetables to the washing tank 21 under the action of gravity.

[0071] A spraying device 25 is installed above the washing tank 21, typically located in the feeding area of ​​the lifting conveyor belt 24 or above the rear section of the washing tank 21. This spraying device 25 is connected to an external clean water source and is used to spray high-pressure water onto the leafy vegetables being lifted or about to be lifted. This spraying and rinsing process further removes residual micro-impurities from the surface of the leafy vegetables, while simultaneously replacing the turbid water adhering to the surface with clean water, thus improving the cleanliness of the wash. The spraying device 25 may include one or more parallel spray pipes, which are installed horizontally across the width of the washing tank 21 above it. Multiple spray holes or nozzles are spaced apart on the spray pipes, with the openings of the spray holes facing the leafy vegetables inside the washing tank 21 or towards the leafy vegetables on the lifting conveyor belt 24. The spray pipes are connected to an external water supply line; when high-pressure water enters the spray pipes, it forms a dense water curtain or jet through the spray holes or nozzles, spraying the leafy vegetables from all directions.

[0072] With the above structure, the cleaning module 2 of this embodiment integrates bubble tumbling cleaning and high-pressure spray rinsing functions, realizing continuous and flexible cleaning treatment of leafy vegetables, with good cleaning effect and no damage to the material.

[0073] In one embodiment, the cleaning module 2 further includes an ozone generator 23, the outlet of which is connected to the air distribution pipeline or the air inlet of the air pump 22 via a pipeline, so that ozone enters the cleaning tank 21 along with the air bubbles.

[0074] The outlet of the ozone generator 23 is connected to the air distribution pipeline or the air inlet of the air pump 22 via a pipeline. When the ozone generator 23 is connected to the air inlet of the air pump 22, ozone gas is drawn in during the air pump 22's suction process, mixes with air, and is then forced into the air distribution pipeline. When the ozone generator 23 is directly connected to the air distribution pipeline, the ozone gas is independently delivered to the air distribution pipeline and mixes with the compressed air generated by the air pump 22 in the pipeline or after entering the cleaning tank 21.

[0075] Using the above connection method, the ozone gas generated by the ozone generator 23, along with the compressed air generated by the air pump 22, can enter the cleaning tank 21 through the air distribution pipe. In the cleaning tank 21, the ozone gas is released in the form of microbubbles, which mix with the cleaning water to form ozone water, while the ozone bubbles themselves also come into direct contact with the surface of the leafy vegetables.

[0076] Ozone water, formed by dissolving ozone in water, has strong bactericidal properties, effectively killing pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella attached to the surface of leafy vegetables. Simultaneously, ozone's strong oxidizing properties can decompose residual organophosphates and other pesticide components on the surface of leafy vegetables, degrading them into harmless substances. Furthermore, ozone bubbles acting directly on the surface of leafy vegetables can penetrate deep into the roots and leaf folds of vegetables like spinach and lettuce, reaching hard-to-clean areas and achieving more thorough sterilization and purification.

[0077] After ozone completes sterilization and pesticide residue degradation, it will automatically revert to oxygen, leaving no harmful chemical residues in the water or on the surface of leafy vegetables, thus ensuring the food safety and natural quality of the cleaned vegetables.

[0078] Through the above structure, the cleaning module 2 of this embodiment integrates ozone sterilization function on the basis of bubble cleaning, forming a dual purification environment of ozone bubbles and ozone water, which significantly improves the hygiene index of leafy vegetables, and the treatment process is environmentally friendly and leaves no residue.

[0079] In one embodiment, the air-drying module 4 includes an air-drying tunnel cover 41, a conveyor belt, a drive roller 44 and a driven roller 45, a drive motor, and one or more powerful air knives 42. The conveyor belt is disposed inside the air-drying tunnel cover 41 and is used to transport leafy vegetables. The conveyor belt is wound around the drive roller 44 and the driven roller 45, and the surface of the drive roller 44 is covered with anti-slip patterned rubber. The drive motor is connected to the drive roller 44 for transmission. The powerful air knives 42 are disposed inside the air-drying tunnel cover 41 and face the conveyor belt, and are used to spray airflow onto the leafy vegetables to dry their surface moisture.

[0080] The drying tunnel enclosure 41 forms the external protective structure of the drying module 4, creating a relatively enclosed drying work space. This enclosure can prevent external dust and other impurities from entering, while also preventing water blown off during the drying process from splashing everywhere, thus keeping the working environment clean.

[0081] A conveyor belt is installed inside the drying tunnel cover 41 to carry and transport the washed leafy vegetables. The conveyor belt is made of food-grade materials and meets food safety and hygiene requirements. The conveyor belt extends along the length of the drying tunnel cover 41, with its input end connected to the output end of the washing module 2 and its output end connected to the subsequent packaging mechanism 5, realizing continuous material transport.

[0082] A conveyor belt is wound around a drive roller 44 and a driven roller 45, forming a circulating conveyor loop. The drive roller 44 is located at one end of the conveyor belt and provides driving force; the driven roller 45 is located at the other end of the conveyor belt and tensions the conveyor belt, working in conjunction with the drive roller 44 to guide and circulate the conveyor belt. The surface of the drive roller 44 is covered with anti-slip patterned rubber. This rubber layer significantly increases the coefficient of friction between the drive roller 44 and the conveyor belt, preventing slippage in wet environments and ensuring the stability and synchronization of the conveyor belt operation. The anti-slip pattern can be designed as a diamond, herringbone, or other regular pattern to further enhance the anti-slip effect.

[0083] The drive motor is connected to the drive roller 44 and provides power for the rotation of the drive roller 44. The drive motor can be a regular motor with a reducer, or it can be a servo motor to achieve precise control of the conveyor belt speed. The drive motor is electrically connected to the control system 6 and adjusts its operating speed according to the instructions of the control system 6.

[0084] One or more high-pressure air knives 42 are installed inside the drying tunnel hood 41, with their outlets facing the upper surface of the conveyor belt. The high-pressure air knives 42 are connected to an external high-pressure air source. During operation, they eject high-pressure airflow at high speed through narrow outlets, forming a flat, high-speed airflow curtain. When the conveyor belt carrying leafy vegetables passes under the high-pressure air knives 42, the high-speed airflow blows vertically or obliquely onto the surface of the vegetables, using the shearing force of the airflow to peel and blow off the water droplets adhering to the leaves, thus achieving physical drying of the leafy vegetables. Drying with high-pressure air knives 42 is a non-contact drying method. Unlike centrifugal drying, it does not require high-speed rotation and mechanical compression of the leafy vegetables, nor does it involve heating like hot air drying. Therefore, it effectively avoids wilting and spoilage of the leafy vegetables due to mechanical damage or high temperatures, maintaining their freshness and appearance.

[0085] Multiple powerful air knives 42 can be arranged at intervals along the conveyor belt to form multi-stage drying zones, allowing leafy vegetables to pass through multiple airflows during transport, ensuring that surface moisture is fully removed. The installation position and angle of the powerful air knives 42 can be adjusted as needed to achieve the best drying effect.

[0086] With the above structure, the air-drying module 4 of this embodiment adopts a conveyor belt conveying method combined with a powerful air knife 42 to dry the vegetables, realizing continuous and flexible drying of the washed leafy vegetables, with good drying effect and no damage to the material.

[0087] In one embodiment, the air-drying module 4 further includes a flipping drop structure 43, which is disposed in the middle of the conveying path of the conveyor belt and is used to cause the leafy vegetables to flip during the conveying process to change their posture.

[0088] The specific implementation of the tilting drop structure 43 is as follows: the conveyor belt does not extend continuously in the middle section along its conveying direction, but is designed as a discontinuous structure with a height difference. Specifically, the conveyor belt consists of two independent conveyor belt units, with a certain height difference between the discharge end of the front conveyor belt and the feed end of the rear conveyor belt in the vertical direction. The discharge end of the front conveyor belt is higher than the feed end of the rear conveyor belt, forming a drop space with a certain height between them.

[0089] As the conveyor belt transports the leafy greens to its end, they lose the support of the belt and fall freely under gravity onto the downstream conveyor belt. During this free fall, due to air resistance and the greens' own center of gravity, they undergo random or roughly controllable tumbling motions. The leaf surface that was originally facing upwards may become downwards after the fall, and the previously pressed, moist surface may be exposed.

[0090] By setting up the flipping drop structure 43, leafy vegetables can automatically complete a posture adjustment before entering the subsequent air-drying area. In washed leafy vegetables, there are often overlapping areas between the leaves, and the moisture in the overlapping areas is difficult for the airflow to directly reach. When the leafy vegetables are flipped at the flipping drop, the originally overlapping leaves may loosen, exposing the originally downward-facing wet surface, allowing the airflow of the subsequent powerful air knife 42 to act more directly on these wet areas, thereby improving the uniformity and thoroughness of air drying.

[0091] The height difference for turning can be adjusted according to the type, size, and moisture content of the leafy vegetables. For leafy vegetables with larger and heavier leaves, such as spinach, a larger drop can be set to ensure thorough turning; for leafy vegetables with smaller and lighter leaves, such as garland chrysanthemum, a smaller drop can be set to avoid damage from excessive turning. The drop height can be set, for example, between 50 mm and 300 mm, such as 180 mm.

[0092] The flipping drop structure 43 can be set in one set or multiple sets along the conveying path, so that the leafy vegetables undergo multiple posture adjustments during the air drying process, further improving the air drying effect.

[0093] Through the above structure, the air-drying module 4 of this embodiment introduces a flipping drop structure 43 during the conveying process, which allows the leafy vegetables to automatically flip over without additional mechanical intervention, creating more favorable conditions for subsequent air-drying and effectively solving the problem of difficult air-drying of overlapping parts of the leaves.

[0094] In one embodiment, the drying module 4 further includes a water collection guide plate 47, which is disposed below the return section of the conveyor belt and is used to collect the blown-off water.

[0095] During the operation of the air-drying module 4, the high-speed air knife 42 sprays high-speed airflow onto the leafy vegetables on the conveyor belt, stripping away the water droplets adhering to the surface of the vegetables. Some of these blown-off water droplets may splash directly onto the inner wall of the air-drying tunnel cover 41 and flow down the wall, while others fall naturally under the influence of gravity. Because the conveyor belt has a mesh or permeable structure, the falling water can pass through the conveyor belt to reach the space below it.

[0096] The water collection and diversion plate 47 is installed directly below the return section of the conveyor belt, that is, in the space between the upper conveyor belt (material-carrying section) and the lower conveyor belt (return section), or below the return section. The water collection and diversion plate 47 has a large water-receiving area, which can effectively catch water dripping or blown off from the leafy vegetables and conveyor belt above.

[0097] The water collection and diversion plate 47 can be designed with an incline, meaning its bottom has a certain slope, with a drain outlet located at the lowest point of the slope. When water droplets fall into the water collection and diversion plate 47, they flow along the inclined bottom of the plate to the drain outlet under the influence of gravity, and are then discharged into the workshop floor drain or recycling system through a hose or pipe connected to the drain outlet. This prevents the water blown off from accumulating inside the drying module 4, preventing the growth of bacteria from accumulated water or from flowing back onto the conveyor belt and causing secondary wetting of the dried leafy vegetables.

[0098] The water collection tray 47 can be made of stainless steel or food-grade plastic, which is easy to clean and maintain. It can be installed by fixing it to the frame 1 of the drying module 4, or it can be a pull-out design, which is convenient for periodically cleaning up any small amount of vegetable scraps and other debris that may accumulate in the tray.

[0099] By setting up a water collection and diversion plate 47, the air drying module 4 can effectively collect and discharge the blown-off water, keeping the internal environment of the equipment dry and hygienic, while also avoiding the potential hygiene hazards and equipment corrosion problems that may be caused by water accumulating at the bottom of the equipment.

[0100] In one embodiment, the integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables further includes a water circulation filtration system, which includes a circulating water tank 31, a filter assembly, and a circulating pump 33. The circulating water tank 31 is located at the bottom of the frame 1, and its inlet is connected to the overflow port of the washing module 2. The filter assembly is located at the inlet of the circulating water tank 31 and is used to intercept solid impurities in the washing water. The inlet of the circulating pump 33 is connected to the circulating water tank 31, and its outlet is connected to the return port of the washing module 2, so as to transport the filtered water back to the washing module 2.

[0101] A circulating water tank 31 is located at the bottom of the frame 1 and is used to store and settle cleaning wastewater. The inlet of the circulating water tank 31 is connected to the overflow port of the cleaning module 2 via a pipeline. During the operation of the cleaning module 2, when the water level in the cleaning tank 21 reaches the overflow port height, the upper layer of water containing impurities such as mud, sand, and vegetable scraps automatically overflows and flows into the circulating water tank 31 through the overflow port and connecting pipeline. This overflow water is usually relatively light and turbid, and diverting it helps to maintain the relative cleanliness of the water in the cleaning tank 21.

[0102] The filter assembly is located at the inlet of the circulating water tank 31, specifically in the water flow channel between the overflow port of the cleaning module 2 and the circulating water tank 31, or directly at the inlet of the circulating water tank 31. The filter assembly performs preliminary physical filtration of the cleaning wastewater flowing into the circulating water tank 31, intercepting solid impurities carried in the water, such as broken vegetable scraps, sediment particles, and insect eggs. After being filtered, the relatively clean water flows into the circulating water tank 31, while the impurities are retained on the filter assembly for easy subsequent cleaning.

[0103] The circulating pump 33 has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the circulating pump 33 is connected to the interior of the circulating water tank 31 via a pipeline, typically located at the bottom or lower side wall of the circulating water tank 31, to draw relatively clean water that has undergone sedimentation and filtration. The outlet of the circulating pump 33 is connected to the return water port of the cleaning module 2 via a pipeline. When the circulating pump 33 is working, it draws out the filtered and preliminarily settled water from the circulating water tank 31 and transports it back to the return water port of the cleaning module 2 via a pipeline, re-injecting it into the cleaning tank 21 to participate in the cleaning operation, thus forming a recycling loop for the cleaning water.

[0104] Through the above structure, the water circulation filtration system of this embodiment can collect, filter, and recycle the overflow wastewater generated by the cleaning module 2 back to the cleaning module 2, realizing the recycling of cleaning water, significantly reducing the consumption of fresh water and wastewater discharge, and meeting the requirements of energy conservation and environmental protection. At the same time, the interception of solid impurities by the filtration components also reduces the sedimentation burden in the circulating water tank 31, ensuring the relative cleanliness of the circulating water and preventing impurities from re-entering the cleaning tank 21 and causing secondary pollution to the leafy vegetables.

[0105] In one embodiment, the filter assembly is a drawer-type filter basket 32, which is removably installed at the inlet of the circulating water tank 31.

[0106] The drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​is made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or food-grade plastic, and has an overall box or basket structure with an open top. Multiple filter holes are distributed on its four sides and bottom. The diameter of the filter holes can be selected according to the size of the impurities to be intercepted; for example, the hole diameter can be set between 1 mm and 5 mm, effectively intercepting larger impurities such as vegetable scraps while ensuring a high filtration throughput.

[0107] The drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​is installed in a pull-out manner. Specifically, a slide rail, guide groove, or support frame matching the shape of the drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​is provided at the inlet of the circulating water tank 31. The drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​is inserted into the slide rail or guide groove by pushing and pulling. When the drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​is pushed into place, it is positioned directly below or opposite the inlet of the circulating water tank 31, so that all the wastewater flowing out of the overflow port of the cleaning module 2 falls into the drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​first.

[0108] During the wastewater inflow process, water and fine particles pass through the filter holes and enter the bottom of the circulating water tank 31, while solid impurities such as vegetable scraps and larger particles of silt are intercepted inside the drawer-type filter basket 32. As the filtration process continues, the impurities intercepted inside the drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​gradually accumulate.

[0109] The front end of the drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​(the side facing the operator) is equipped with a handle or pull ring. When it is necessary to clean the intercepted impurities, the operator does not need to disassemble any pipes or tools; simply grasp the handle and pull outwards to remove the drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​entirely from the slide rail or guide channel of the circulating water tank 31. After removal, the accumulated impurities in the basket can be emptied into the waste collection container, the basket can be rinsed with clean water, and the clean drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​can be pushed back into its original position to continue its filtering function.

[0110] A sealing strip can be provided at the contact edge between the drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​and the circulating water tank 31 to prevent unfiltered wastewater from flowing directly into the bottom of the circulating water tank 31 from the periphery of the basket, ensuring that all water entering the circulating water tank 31 must be filtered by the basket.

[0111] Through the above structure, this embodiment uses a drawer-type filter basket 32 ​​as the filter component, effectively intercepting solid impurities in the cleaning wastewater. Its pull-out design makes cleaning and maintenance of the filter extremely simple and quick, requiring no machine shutdown or tools, greatly reducing the labor intensity of operators and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the water circulation filtration system. Simultaneously, timely cleaning of intercepted impurities also helps maintain the cleanliness of the circulating water and improves water recycling efficiency.

[0112] In one embodiment, the integrated leafy vegetable washing, drying and packaging equipment further includes a vision inspection module 7, which is located between the drying module 4 and the packaging mechanism 5. The vision inspection module 7 includes a gantry support 71 and an industrial camera 72 mounted on the gantry support 71. The industrial camera 72 is connected to the control system 6 and is used for online detection of the quality of the leafy vegetables.

[0113] The vision inspection module 7 includes a gantry bracket 71 and an industrial camera 72. The gantry bracket 71 spans the conveyor path connecting the discharge end of the drying module 4 and the inlet end of the packaging mechanism 5, providing a stable mounting base for the industrial camera 72. The gantry bracket 71 can be made of aluminum alloy profiles or stainless steel square tubing, possessing sufficient structural rigidity to prevent vibration and other factors from affecting image quality. The two side columns 11 of the gantry bracket 71 are fixed to the frame 1, and the crossbeam 12 spans above the conveyor belt, ensuring that the industrial camera 72 obtains an unobstructed field of view.

[0114] The industrial camera 72 is mounted on the gantry support 71, typically in the center of the crossbeam 12, with its lens pointing vertically downwards or at an angle towards the leafy vegetables on the conveyor belt. The industrial camera 72 can be a high-resolution color camera, capable of clearly capturing image details of the leafy vegetables, including leaf color, morphological integrity, and the presence of foreign objects on the surface. The industrial camera 72 can also be used in conjunction with appropriate lighting sources, such as ring LED lights or strip light sources around the camera, to ensure uniform illumination of the shooting area and improve the stability and accuracy of image acquisition.

[0115] The industrial camera 72 is connected to the control system 6 to transmit real-time acquired image data to the control system 6. The control system 6 integrates image processing algorithms that can analyze and identify the received images, and determine the quality of the leafy vegetables online. Specifically, the control system 6 can identify quality defects in the leafy vegetables, such as yellow leaves, rotten leaves, mechanical damage, and insect-eaten spots, or detect the presence of foreign objects such as weeds or plastic fragments.

[0116] When the visual inspection module 7 detects substandard leafy vegetables or foreign objects, the control system 6 can issue an alarm signal to prompt the operator to handle the situation. In a more refined embodiment, the control system 6 can also be linked with a rejection mechanism located at the rear end to automatically remove substandard products from the conveyor line. Simultaneously, the control system 6 can also statistically analyze the pass rate based on the quality data fed back by the visual inspection module 7, and accordingly adjust the operating parameters of the washing module 2 or the drying module 4, such as adjusting the washing time, air knife pressure, or conveying speed, to achieve closed-loop control of product quality.

[0117] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables, characterized in that, include: The frame (1) serves as the mounting base; A cleaning module (2) is installed on the frame (1) and is used to clean leafy vegetables; The air-drying module (4) is set on the frame (1) and receives the leafy vegetables output by the washing module (2), and is used to air-dry the washed leafy vegetables. Packaging mechanism (5), mounted on the frame (1) and receiving the leafy vegetables output from the drying module (4), is used to package the dried leafy vegetables; and The control system (6) is electrically connected to the cleaning module (2), the drying module (4) and the packaging mechanism (5) and is used to coordinate and control the operation of each module.

2. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning module (2) includes: The cleaning tank (21) has a cone-shaped sedimentation structure at the bottom; An air distribution pipeline is laid at the bottom of the cleaning tank (21); An air pump (22) is connected to the air distribution pipeline and is used to generate air bubbles into the cleaning tank (21); A perforated baffle is installed above the air distribution pipe to support leafy vegetables and allow air bubbles to pass through evenly. A lifting conveyor belt (24), inclinedly positioned at the discharge end of the washing tank (21), is used to transport the washed leafy vegetables to the drying module (4); and A spraying device (25) is installed above the washing tank (21) for spraying and rinsing leafy vegetables.

3. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning module (2) also includes an ozone generator (23), the outlet of which is connected to the air distribution pipeline or the air inlet of the air pump (22) through a pipeline, so that ozone enters the cleaning tank (21) along with the air bubbles.

4. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-drying module (4) includes: Air-drying tunnel cover (41) cover; A conveyor belt is installed inside the drying tunnel cover (41) for conveying leafy vegetables; A drive roller (44) and a driven roller (45) are provided, and the conveyor belt is wound around the drive roller (44) and the driven roller (45). The surface of the drive roller (44) is covered with anti-slip patterned rubber. The drive motor is connected to the drive roller (44) in a transmission manner; and One or more high-powered air knives (42) are disposed inside the drying tunnel cover (41) and facing the conveyor belt for spraying airflow onto the leafy vegetables to dry their surface moisture.

5. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 4, characterized in that, The air-drying module (4) also includes a flip-drop structure (43), which is set in the middle section of the conveyor belt's conveying path to cause the leafy vegetables to flip during the conveying process to change their posture.

6. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The air-drying module (4) also includes a water collection guide plate (47), which is located below the return section of the conveyor belt and is used to collect the blown-off water.

7. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a water circulation filtration system, which comprises: A circulating water tank (31) is located at the bottom of the frame (1), and its inlet is connected to the overflow port of the cleaning module (2); A filter assembly, located at the inlet of the circulating water tank (31), is used to intercept solid impurities in the cleaning water; and The circulating pump (33) has its inlet connected to the circulating water tank (31) and its outlet connected to the return water outlet of the cleaning module (2), and is used to transport the filtered water back to the cleaning module (2).

8. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 7, characterized in that, The filter assembly is a drawer-type filter basket (32), which is removably installed at the inlet of the circulating water tank (31).

9. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (1) is assembled from industrial aluminum profiles with T-slots on the surface by connecting parts. Protective end caps (15) are embedded in the cut of the aluminum profiles. The bottom of the frame (1) is provided with adjustable feet that also serve as casters and adjustable support feet.

10. The integrated equipment for washing, drying, and packaging leafy vegetables according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a visual inspection module (7), which is located between the air-drying module (4) and the packaging mechanism (5). The visual inspection module (7) includes a gantry support (71) and an industrial camera (72) mounted on the gantry support (71). The industrial camera (72) is connected to the control system (6) and is used to detect the quality of leafy vegetables online.

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