Novel tea leaf softening feeding box
By designing a cylindrical steam box with nozzles tangent to the inner wall and a feeding and discharging mechanism, the problem of insufficient steam softening of tea leaves is solved, achieving full contact between the tea leaves and steam, improving the softening effect, and preventing the tea leaves from becoming brittle.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGZHOU HUIZHI HONGDA HOLDINGS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing tea steam softening equipment does not soften tea sufficiently, resulting in poor softening effect and causing the tea to easily break during the later shaping and pressing process.
The design employs a cylindrical steam chamber with nozzles tangent to the inner wall, causing the steam to vortex and rotate the tea leaves, thus improving the mixing effect between the steam and the tea leaves. Combined with the pushing and discharging mechanism, this ensures that the tea leaves and steam are in full contact.
This greatly enhances the softening effect of the tea leaves, allowing them to fully contact the steam, improving their plasticity and preventing them from becoming brittle.
Smart Images
Figure CN224140068U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of tea shaping and processing, and in particular to a novel tea softening feeding box. Background Technology
[0002] For tea leaves that require shaping, steam is typically used to soften them. Steam softening increases the tea's plasticity, making it easier to shape. Currently, the most common steam boxes on the market are square-shaped, with steam sprayed from the top, sides, or bottom in various ways. Fermented and roasted tea leaves are already hardened and naturally piled up when they enter the pile. Regardless of the steam's placement, the surface of the tea pile receives the most steam and softens the leaves fastest, while the inner parts receive the least and are the least softened. This results in poor softening and makes the tea prone to brittleness during later shaping and pressing. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a new type of tea softening feeding box to solve the problems of insufficient softening and poor softening effect of existing tea steam softening equipment.
[0004] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0005] A novel tea softening feeding box includes a steam box, a pushing mechanism, and a discharge pushing plate mechanism. The steam box has a cylindrical steam box cavity. The steam box is connected to a steam injection mechanism. The interior of the steam box is connected to the steam injection mechanism. The connection position between the steam injection pipe mechanism and the steam box is provided with a nozzle for steam ejection. The direction of the nozzle is tangent to the inner wall of the steam box cavity.
[0006] In one possible design, the steam box is provided with a feeding mechanism and a discharge pusher mechanism on opposite sides. The feeding mechanism is used to feed a certain amount of tea into the steam box, and the discharge pusher mechanism is used to seal the other side of the steam box when the steam softens inside the steam box.
[0007] In one possible design, the pushing mechanism includes a pushing piston that slides relative to the steam box. The pushing mechanism also includes a pushing sleeve and a piston rod. The side wall of the pushing sleeve has a feed port. The pushing piston slides inside the pushing sleeve. The pushing piston is fixed to one end of the piston rod. The inner diameter of the pushing sleeve is equal to the inner diameter of the steam box cavity.
[0008] In one possible design, the pusher piston has a through hole, at which one end of an air outlet pipe is fixed, and the air outlet pipe has a hole inside.
[0009] In one possible design, the discharge pusher mechanism includes a rectangular sleeve and a pusher plate. The rectangular sleeve has a rectangular through hole, and the pusher plate is slidably disposed in the rectangular through hole. The rectangular sleeve and the pusher plate are slidably connected. The side of the rectangular sleeve near the steam box has a through hole with the same inner diameter as the steam box cavity.
[0010] In one possible design, the push plate includes a plate body and a push head, the plate body being fixed to the push head, and the push head having two side blades.
[0011] In one possible design, the steam injection mechanism includes a connecting pipe, a solenoid valve, and a pipe joint, wherein the pipe joint is externally connected to a steam source, and a solenoid valve is provided between the connecting pipe and the pipe joint.
[0012] In one possible design, the nozzle position is further provided with a steam guide connector, and the connecting pipe is connected to the inside of the steam box through the steam guide connector. The steam guide connector has a first air passage and a second air passage, which are interconnected. The orientation of the second air passage is the same as that of a diameter direction of the steam box, and the orientation of the first air passage is tangent to the inner wall of the steam box cavity.
[0013] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects:
[0014] This invention utilizes a cylindrical steam chamber with nozzles tangential to the inner wall of the chamber. The steam emitted creates a vortex that rotates the tea leaves inside the steam chamber, ensuring thorough contact between the tea leaves and the high-temperature steam. This significantly improves the softening effect compared to existing equipment where the steam only impacts the surface of the tea leaves. It greatly enhances the mixing effect between the tea leaves and the steam. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention and form part of this application, do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the material discharge pusher mechanism;
[0019] Figure 4 This is a top view of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 4Sectional view at point BB;
[0021] Figure 6 This is a rear view of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Sectional view at point CC.
[0023] The reference numerals in the attached drawings represent: 1-steam box, 2-rectangular sleeve, 3-push plate, 301-plate body, 302-push head, 4-feed inlet, 5-push sleeve, 6-push piston, 7-balance plate, 8-air outlet pipe, 801-pipe hole, 9-piston rod, 10-connecting pipe, 11-solenoid valve, 12-pipe joint, 13-steam guide joint, 1301-first air passage, 1302-second air passage. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this utility model are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.
[0025] Examples, such as Figures 1 to 7 As shown, this embodiment includes a steam box 1, a pushing mechanism, and a discharge pushing plate mechanism. The steam box 1 has a cylindrical steam box cavity inside. The steam box 1 is connected to a steam injection mechanism. The interior of the steam box 1 is connected to the steam injection mechanism. The connection position between the steam injection pipe mechanism and the steam box 1 is provided with a nozzle for steam ejection. The direction of the nozzle is tangent to the inner wall of the steam box cavity.
[0026] After a measured amount of tea leaves are placed into the steam box 1, the steam injection mechanism sprays high-pressure steam into the steam box 1 from the nozzle. Since the direction of the steam is tangent to the inner wall of the circular steam box cavity, the sprayed steam will form a vortex and drive the tea leaves in the steam box 1 to rotate, so that the tea leaves can fully contact the high-temperature steam and greatly improve the softening effect.
[0027] Furthermore, the steam box 1 is provided with a pushing mechanism and a discharging push plate mechanism on opposite sides. The pushing mechanism is used to feed a certain amount of tea into the steam box 1. The discharging push plate mechanism is used to seal the other side of the steam box 1 when the steam softens in the steam box 1. The pushing mechanism includes a pushing piston 6, which slides relative to the steam box 1. The pushing piston 6 can also seal one side of the steam box 1, so that the tea in the steam box 1 will not escape from the steam box 1 under the impact of the steam.
[0028] The feeding mechanism also includes a feeding sleeve 5 and a piston rod 9. The feeding sleeve 5 has a feeding port 4 on its side wall. The feeding piston 6 slides inside the feeding sleeve 5 and is fixed to one end of the piston rod 9. The inner diameter of the feeding sleeve 5 is equal to the inner diameter of the steam box cavity, thus ensuring that after tea leaves are added at the feeding port 4, the feeding piston 6 can completely push the tea leaves into the steam box 1. The movement of the piston rod 9 is realized by an external motion control device, such as an external electric screw or servo cylinder.
[0029] Advantageously, after the pusher piston 6 and the discharge pusher plate mechanism seal both sides of the steam box 1, if the sealing effect is too good, the steam box 1 will be a sealed chamber. After the high-temperature steam is exposed outside the sealed chamber, it cannot form an effective airflow. Therefore, the pusher piston 6 is provided with a through hole, and one end of the vent pipe 8 is fixed at the through hole. The vent pipe 8 is provided with a pipe hole 801. The steam box 1 is connected to the external air pressure through the vent pipe 8, thereby ensuring the normal flow of steam in the steam box 1. The vent pipe 8 is parallel to the piston rod 9. A balance plate 7 with the same cross section as the pusher piston 6 is also fixed on the piston rod 9. After the pusher piston 6 is placed in the pusher sleeve 5, the balance plate 7 is also located in the pusher sleeve 5, thereby ensuring the stability of the pusher piston 6 when it moves in the pusher sleeve 5 through multi-point support.
[0030] In this embodiment, the discharge pusher mechanism includes a rectangular sleeve 2 and a pusher plate 3. The rectangular sleeve 2 has a rectangular through hole, and the pusher plate 3 is slidably disposed in the rectangular through hole. The rectangular sleeve 2 and the pusher plate 3 are slidably connected. The side of the rectangular sleeve 2 near the steam box 1 has a through hole with the same inner diameter as the steam box cavity. The pusher plate 3 includes a plate body 301 and a pusher head 302. The plate body 301 is fixed on the pusher head 302. The pusher head 302 has two side blades. The two side blades ensure that the pusher plate 3 can completely push out the tea leaves in the rectangular sleeve 2, so as to enter the next stage of processing. The movement of the pusher plate 3 is also controlled by an external transmission mechanism, such as a cylinder, which will not be described in detail here.
[0031] In this embodiment, the steam injection mechanism includes a connecting pipe 10, a solenoid valve 11, and a pipe joint 12. The pipe joint 12 is connected to an external steam source. The solenoid valve 11 is provided between the connecting pipe 10 and the pipe joint 12. The on / off state of the connecting pipe 10 and the pipe joint 12 is controlled by the solenoid valve 11. The end of the connecting pipe 10 away from the solenoid valve 11 is fixedly connected to the steam box 1, thereby introducing external steam into the steam box 1.
[0032] In this embodiment, a steam guide connector 13 is also provided at the nozzle position. The connecting pipe 10 is connected to the interior of the steam box 1 through the steam guide connector 13. A first air passage 1301 and a second air passage 1302 are provided in the steam guide connector 13. The first air passage 1301 and the second air passage 1302 are interconnected. The orientation of the second air passage 1302 is the same as a diameter direction of the steam box 1. The orientation of the first air passage 1301 is tangent to the inner wall of the steam box cavity. When connecting the connecting pipe 10, the second air passage 1302 facing the center of the steam box 1 is more conducive to the installation of the connecting pipe 10 and makes it easier to design the connection interface.
[0033] Working principle;
[0034] First, control the pusher piston 6 to move to the side of the feed inlet 4 away from the steam box 1. Then, control the pusher plate 3 to insert into the rectangular sleeve 2 and use the side wall to block one side of the steam box 1. Add a certain amount of tea leaves to the feed inlet 4. After adding the tea leaves, control the pusher piston 6 to push the tea leaves into the steam box 1. The pusher piston 6 blocks the other side of the steam box 1. Control the solenoid valve 11 to open. High-temperature steam is injected into the steam box 1 along the tangential direction of the inner wall of the steam box 1, thereby stirring the tea leaves and making the tea leaves and steam fully mix. After mixing for a certain period of time, close the solenoid valve 11 and stop injecting steam into the steam box 1.
[0035] Next, pull the pusher plate 3 out of the rectangular sleeve 2 so that the side wall of the pusher plate 3 does not obstruct the steam box 1. Then, control the pusher piston 6 to move further to one side of the steam box 1, thereby pushing the tea in the steam box 1 into the rectangular sleeve 2. Then, control the pusher plate 3 to insert into the rectangular sleeve 2 and push the tea in the rectangular sleeve 2 into the next process.
[0036] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.
Claims
1. A new type of tea softening feeder box, comprising a steam box (1), a pushing mechanism and a discharging push plate mechanism, characterized in that, The steam box (1) is provided with a cylindrical steam box cavity. The steam box (1) is connected to a steam injection mechanism. The interior of the steam box (1) is connected to the steam injection mechanism. The connection position between the steam injection pipe mechanism and the steam box (1) is provided with a nozzle for steam ejection. The direction of the nozzle is tangent to the inner wall of the steam box cavity.
2. A novel tea softening feeder box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam box (1) is provided with a pushing mechanism and a discharging push plate mechanism on opposite sides. The pushing mechanism is used to feed a certain amount of tea into the steam box (1), and the discharging push plate mechanism is used to seal the other side of the steam box (1) when the steam softens in the steam box (1).
3. A novel tea softening feeder box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding mechanism includes a feeding piston (6), which slides relative to the steam box (1). The feeding mechanism also includes a feeding sleeve (5) and a piston rod (9). A feeding port (4) is provided on the side wall of the feeding sleeve (5). The feeding piston (6) slides inside the feeding sleeve (5). The feeding piston (6) is fixed at one end of the piston rod (9). The inner diameter of the feeding sleeve (5) is equal to the inner diameter of the steam box cavity.
4. A novel tea softening feeder box according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pusher piston (6) has a through hole, and one end of the air outlet pipe (8) is fixed at the through hole. The air outlet pipe (8) has a pipe hole (801) inside.
5. A novel softening feeder box for tea leaves as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The discharge push plate mechanism includes a rectangular sleeve (2) and a push plate (3). The rectangular sleeve (2) has a rectangular through hole, and the push plate (3) is slidably disposed in the rectangular through hole. The rectangular sleeve (2) and the push plate (3) are slidably connected. The rectangular sleeve (2) has a through hole with the same inner diameter as the steam box (1) on the side close to the steam box (1).
6. A novel tea softening feeder box according to claim 5, characterized in that, The push plate (3) includes a plate body (301) and a push head (302). The plate body (301) is fixed on the push head (302), and the push head (302) is provided with two side blades.
7. A novel softening feeder box for tea leaves as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The steam injection mechanism includes a connecting pipe (10), a solenoid valve (11), and a pipe joint (12). The pipe joint (12) is connected to an external steam source, and the solenoid valve (11) is provided between the connecting pipe (10) and the pipe joint (12).
8. A novel tea softening feeder box according to claim 7, characterized in that, The nozzle position is also provided with a steam guide connector (13). The connecting pipe (10) is connected to the inside of the steam box (1) through the steam guide connector (13). The steam guide connector (13) is provided with a first air passage (1301) and a second air passage (1302). The first air passage (1301) and the second air passage (1302) are connected to each other. The orientation of the second air passage (1302) is the same as a diameter direction of the steam box (1). The orientation of the first air passage (1301) is tangent to the inner wall of the steam box cavity.