Degassing and ripening device for roasting coffee beans and powder

Abstract

The utility model relates to a degassing ripening device for roasting coffee beans and powder. The degassing ripening device comprises a tank body, the top of the tank body is covered with a sealing cover, a stirring shaft is rotationally assembled on the sealing cover, the lower end of the stirring shaft extends into the tank body, and the upper end of the stirring shaft is connected with a driving motor; a pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve is also arranged on the sealing cover; the side wall of the tank body is provided with an air inlet used for introducing external gas into the tank body, and the air inlet is provided with an exhaust prevention structure used for preventing internal gas from being exhausted. Negative flavor is not generated on the premise that the maximum flavor quality is met; the problems of bag expansion and damage of the package can be avoided; and the product quality safety problem caused by foreign matter introduction and pollution in the production process is effectively controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of roasted coffee bean powder ripening, in particular to a degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder. Background Art

[0002] Requirements for Roasting and Curing Coffee Beans: For food products in general, and roasted coffee in particular, oxidation is generally considered to be the only detrimental factor to product quality (Radtke, 1982, Hinman, 1991, and others). Therefore, in extreme cases, roasting, grinding, and packaging processes should utilize completely oxygen-free techniques. Generally speaking, this may indeed be effective in most cases and may be suitable for long-term storage. However, it is worth considering that oxygen may be required for aroma development, and that a limited degree of oxidation can ultimately improve the aroma profile by oxidizing unpleasant compounds (such as sensitive sulfur compounds). This assumption is supported by the often-stated observation that freshly roasted coffee achieves its maximum flavor quality only after being exposed to air for several hours. Based on this, there may be no requirement to develop conveying, storage, and grinding equipment that operates in an oxygen-free environment.

[0003] Degassing requirements for roasted coffee beans and ground coffee: Roasted and ground coffee, after roasting, during grinding, and after grinding, all release gases, primarily carbon dioxide. Typically, roasted and ground coffee is degassed for a period of time before packaging, usually about two hours. This is necessary to prevent the release of unwanted carbon dioxide in sealed packaging, such as cans or bags, where it could cause expansion and, in severe cases, rupture the packaging material.

[0004] Therefore, roasted coffee beans and powder need to remove excess carbon dioxide before packaging to avoid bulging and bursting of packaging bags; roasted coffee beans and powder need appropriate ripening processes after roasting to meet their flavor quality requirements.

[0005] Currently, the degassing and ripening process is mostly carried out in semi-open containers. This makes it difficult to precisely time and precisely control the degassing and ripening of coffee beans and powder. Furthermore, the process is easily affected by environmental factors, creating foreign matter contamination and food safety risks. Excessive exposure to oxygen can easily lead to flavor loss and oxidation, resulting in negative flavor issues such as rancidity. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a degassing and ripening device for roasting coffee beans and powder, so as to solve the problems of open degassing and ripening in the prior art, and the inability to perform degassing and ripening at regular intervals and in a quantitative manner, which leads to a decline in product flavor quality and safety risks.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder involved in the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] A degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder includes a tank body, a sealing cover on the top cover of the tank body, a stirring shaft rotatably mounted on the sealing cover, the lower end of the stirring shaft extending into the interior of the tank body, and the upper end of the stirring shaft connected to a drive motor; the sealing cover is also provided with a pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve; an air inlet for allowing external air to enter the tank body is provided on the side wall of the tank body, and an anti-discharge structure for preventing internal gas from being discharged is arranged on the air inlet.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, there are two or more air inlets, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction on the side wall of the tank.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the valve port of the pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve is sealed with an oil-proof, waterproof and breathable membrane.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a sealing ring is provided between the sealing cover and the tank body.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, buckles are provided on the outer sides of the tank body and the sealing cover.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the anti-exhaust structure is a one-way valve or an on-off valve provided on the air inlet.

[0014] As described above, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: compared with the prior art, gases such as CO2 and CO discharged by freshly roasted coffee itself continuously gather, and as the air pressure increases, the valve cap of the pressure-limiting exhaust check valve can be lifted to achieve the purpose of fixed degassing and exhaust, solving the problem of packaging bag bulging and damage caused by insufficient exhaust; for roasted coffee products with different characteristics, the contact between coffee and air can be controlled in a timely and quantitative manner through an external air inlet, thereby controlling the amount and duration of contact between coffee beans and powder and air, and achieving the purpose of fixed oxidation and ripening effect, while achieving the maximum flavor quality, avoiding oxidation caused by excessive contact with air, and the occurrence of negative flavor problems such as oily odor; at the same time, the overall sealed tank structure can avoid the risk of foreign matter being brought in and contaminating product quality and safety during the production process.

[0015] It provides a more scientific and reasonable degassing and ripening process for roasted coffee beans and powder products; it maximizes the flavor quality without producing negative flavors; it also avoids problems such as bag bulging and damage; and effectively controls product quality and safety issues caused by foreign matter and contamination during the production process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a specific embodiment of the degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A half-section view of the interior of the tank.

[0019] Explanation of the accompanying reference numerals: 1-tank body; 2-sealing cover; 3-sealing ring; 4-stirring shaft; 5-stirring blade; 6-driving motor; 7-pressure limiting exhaust one-way valve; 8-oil-proof and waterproof breathable membrane; 9-air inlet; 10-clip; 11-opening and closing valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the technical objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. That is, the embodiments described herein are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations.

[0021] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "first", "second" and similar words do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. The terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, or it can be the internal communication of two elements, it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0023] The specific embodiment of the degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder involved in the present utility model is as follows: Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the degassing and aging device includes a tank body 1, the top cover of the tank body 1 is provided with a sealing cover 2, the sealing cover 2 is rotatably equipped with a stirring shaft 4, the lower end of the stirring shaft 4 extends into the interior of the tank body 1, and the upper end of the stirring shaft 4 is connected to a driving motor 6; the sealing cover 2 is also provided with a pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve 7; the side wall of the tank body 1 is provided with an air inlet 9 for allowing external gas to pass into the tank body 1, and the air inlet 9 is arranged with an anti-discharge structure for preventing internal gas from being discharged.

[0024] During the actual working process, roasted coffee beans and powder are poured into the tank body 1, and the sealing cover 2 is placed on the tank body 1. Then, the degassing operation is realized through the pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve 7, and the maturation operation is realized through the air inlet 9.

[0025] Specifically, the tank body 1 is a circular cylindrical structure as a whole, which serves as the basic carrier for all other components. In other embodiments, its specific structure is not limited, and those skilled in the art can design it into other types of shapes according to actual needs, such as polygonal cross-section, special-shaped structure, etc. The top of the tank body 1 is open, and the sealing cover 2 is integrally provided on the tank body 1. In order to achieve a sealed assembly, a sealing ring groove is provided on the peripheral edge of the lower end of the sealing cover 2, and a sealing ring 3 is installed in the sealing ring groove. After the sealing cover 2 is placed on the tank body 1, the sealing ring 3 is used to achieve a sealed assembly between the two. In order to prevent the sealing cover 2 from being pushed open due to the increase in internal air pressure when the coffee beans and powder are degassed, an annular buckle 10 is provided on the outer periphery of the tank body 1 and the sealing cover 2. After the annular buckle 10 is clamped, the sealing cover 2 and the tank body 1 are screwed and locked by bolts.

[0026] Furthermore, a stirring shaft 4 is disposed at the center of the tank 1. The portion of the stirring shaft 4 that extends into the interior of the tank 1 is provided with stirring blades 5. These blades are used to ensure uniform contact between air and coffee beans and grounds at different locations during the stirring process, ensuring uniform and consistent cooking. The stirring blades 5 comprise a plurality of stirring blades, spaced from top to bottom, arranged on the stirring shaft 4 in an L-shaped rod configuration. In other embodiments, the structure of the stirring blades 5 may be arbitrarily designed based on practical needs.

[0027] The above-mentioned pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve 7 is used to realize the function of one-way exhaust to the outside. Its structure and working principle are basically consistent with the existing technology. Those skilled in the art can choose it according to actual needs. The pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve 7 is composed of a valve body, a valve plate and a sealing gasket. Its working principle is to use the gas pressure difference to make the valve plate automatically open or close under certain conditions to realize the one-way discharge of gas. When the air pressure inside the tank is greater than the external atmospheric pressure, the gas pushes the valve plate open and is discharged out of the tank through the exhaust hole on the valve body. When the air pressure inside the tank is balanced with the external atmospheric pressure, the valve plate is closed under the action of the sealing gasket to prevent external gas from entering the tank. This structure can effectively discharge the gas in the tank while preventing external air and moisture from entering the tank, thereby ensuring the freshness and quality of the coffee.

[0028] During the actual degassing process, the CO2, CO and other gases emitted by coffee beans and powder have a molecular weight greater than that of air and are sinking gases. After roasting, the coffee beans and powder emit CO2, which will cause the static coffee beans and powder at the bottom to form a microenvironment first, resulting in slow degassing, long cycle and uneven degassing of the coffee beans and powder at the bottom. The coffee beans and powder are stirred at a constant speed by the stirring shaft 4, so that the coffee remains dynamic, avoiding the coffee at the bottom being in a uniform microenvironment state, and degassing the roasted coffee beans and powder more evenly and quickly. As the air pressure increases, the internal high air pressure lifts the valve cap of the pressure-limiting exhaust check valve 7, exhausting the air outward while forming a positive pressure barrier to prevent the outside air from entering. When the air pressure in the tank body 1 is lower than the rated opening pressure value of the pressure-limiting exhaust check valve 7, the valve cap of the pressure-limiting exhaust check valve 7 will fall back and close the exhaust port, forming a sealed state. The exhaust cycle is 24 hours, achieving the purpose of fast, uniform and fixed degassing and exhaust volume, avoiding the problem of packaging bag bulging and damage after filling.

[0029] For roasted coffee products with different characteristics, the contact between coffee and compressed air is controlled at regular intervals and in fixed quantities, thereby controlling the amount and duration of contact between coffee beans and powder and air, thereby achieving the effect of fixed oxidation ripening. While achieving maximum flavor quality, it avoids oxidation caused by excessive exposure to air, which can lead to negative flavor problems such as oily and rancid smells.

[0030] Specifically, during the degassing process, the coffee beans and powder at the bottom layer are difficult to come into contact with the air, resulting in an irregular air contact time, a long ripening cycle, and poor ripening uniformity. By providing an air inlet 9 and coordinating with the stirring blades 5, the coffee beans and powder are fully in contact with the compressed air, so as to achieve a rapid and efficient completion of the coffee bean ripening process. After the product reaches the maximum flavor quality and is ripened, the compressed air intake is closed to avoid over-ripening.

[0031] Preferably, in order to achieve effective entry of compressed air into coffee beans and powder at different heights, there are three air inlets 9, which are arranged at intervals along the upper and lower directions on the side wall of the tank body 1, corresponding to the bottom, middle and upper sides of the tank body 1 respectively. Compressed air is evenly injected into the three sections for 2 hours, which can further achieve the coffee bean ripening process more efficiently and quickly.

[0032] In addition, an oil-proof, waterproof and breathable membrane 8 is sealed on the valve port of the pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve 7, which not only avoids the risk of foreign matter being brought in and contaminating the product quality and safety during the production process; it also avoids the risk of coffee dust clogging the pressure-limiting exhaust valve during the stirring and purging process, resulting in degassing and exhaust failure; at the same time, it can effectively avoid the risk of foreign matter being brought in and contaminating the product quality and safety during the process of venting coffee.

[0033] In addition, to prevent gas and product from being discharged from the air inlet 9 during the degassing process, an anti-discharge structure is provided in the form of an on-off valve 11 provided on the air inlet 9. The on-off valve 11 can be implemented as a conventional stop valve or an electromagnetically controlled structure. This is not particularly limited.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate and not to limit the technical solutions of the present invention. Any equivalent replacement of the present invention and any modification or partial replacement that does not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder, characterized in that: It includes a tank body, the top cover of the tank body is provided with a sealing cover, the sealing cover is rotatably equipped with a stirring shaft, the lower end of the stirring shaft extends into the interior of the tank body, and the upper end of the stirring shaft is connected to a drive motor; the sealing cover is also provided with a pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve; the side wall of the tank body is provided with an air inlet for allowing external gas to enter the tank body, and the air inlet is arranged with an anti-discharge structure for preventing internal gas from being discharged.

2. The degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are more than two air inlets, which are arranged at intervals on the side wall of the tank body along the up and down directions.

3. The degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve port of the pressure-limiting exhaust one-way valve is sealed with an oil-proof, waterproof and breathable membrane.

4. The degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring is provided between the sealing cover and the tank body.

5. The degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer hoops of the tank body and the sealing cover are provided with buckles.

6. The degassing and ripening device for roasted coffee beans and powder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-exhaust structure is a one-way valve or an on-off valve arranged on the air inlet.

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