A fermentation device for fruit wine

Abstract

This invention provides a fermentation device for fruit wine, comprising a vertically arranged tank and a filter assembly located inside the tank. The upper part of the tank has a first inlet, a second inlet, and a vent, while the lower part has a discharge outlet and a liquid outlet. The filter assembly includes a first filter cylinder and a conveying pipe arranged in series. The circumferential wall of the first filter cylinder has first filter holes, and multiple conical baffles are arranged at intervals along its length to effectively block fruit pulp fragments. An annular feeding space is formed between two adjacent conical baffles. A second filter cylinder is rotatably connected inside the first filter cylinder. Their filter holes have the same diameter and are correspondingly positioned. The second filter cylinder is driven to rotate by a power input component to adjust the overlap area of ​​the two filter holes, thereby adjusting the filtration gap. Furthermore, a spray section is provided at the upper part of the tank for cleaning, and a sterilization filter device is provided at the vent to ensure a safe and efficient fermentation process and improve the quality of the fruit wine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fruit wine fermentation technology, specifically to a fermentation device for fruit wine. Background Technology

[0002] In the fruit wine brewing industry, plums, as a representative fruit, are important raw materials for fruit wine production due to their rich flavor and nutritional value, and other fruits are also widely used for fruit wine fermentation. The fermentation process of fruit wine involves a complex biochemical reaction in which the sugars in the fruit are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast. During this process, the fruit pulp inevitably breaks down, producing small particles. Currently, common fruit wine fermentation equipment on the market typically only uses a filter or gauze at the outlet of the fermentation tank for simple filtration. While a filter can intercept some larger fruit pulp particles, it is ineffective at filtering out small fruit pulp fragments and suspended particles produced during fermentation, resulting in some fruit pulp still being filtered out. While gauze can isolate particulate fruit pulp, it can easily clog the gauze when there is a large amount of pulp, preventing liquid from flowing out. Fruit wine containing small particles not only affects the clarity and appearance of the product but may also cause sedimentation and spoilage during storage, reducing the taste and shelf life of the fruit wine and failing to meet consumers' demand for high-quality fruit wine. Therefore, how to develop a fermentation device for fruit wine that can effectively filter out fruit pulp fragments produced during fermentation and improve the quality and stability of the fruit wine is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a fermentation device for fruit wine, employing a single-stage filter cylinder structure. The first filter cylinder has multiple first filter holes on its circumferential wall, and conical baffles spaced along its length effectively intercept large fruit particles. Alternatively, a two-stage filtration system can be used, with a rotatable second filter cylinder coaxially nested within the first filter cylinder. The second filter cylinder has second filter holes on its circumferential wall with the same diameter and corresponding positions as the first filter holes. A power input device drives the second filter cylinder to rotate, and the overlap area of ​​the two filter holes is adjusted according to the turbidity of the effluent, dynamically forming a filtration gap. This improves filtration efficiency while preventing clogging, thus enhancing the clarity of the fruit wine.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A fermentation apparatus for fruit wine includes: a vertically arranged tank, the upper part of which has a first inlet, a second inlet, and a vent, and the lower part of which has a discharge outlet and a liquid outlet; and a filtration assembly located inside the tank, which includes a first filter cylinder and a conveying pipe arranged in series, the circumferential wall of the first filter cylinder having a plurality of first filter holes, and the outlet end of the conveying pipe being connected to the liquid outlet, wherein the first filter cylinder has a plurality of conical baffles spaced apart along its length, and an annular feeding space is formed between two adjacent conical baffles.

[0006] According to one example, the length direction of the first filter cylinder is parallel to the height direction of the tank.

[0007] According to one example, the filter assembly further includes a plurality of support rods, one end of which is fixed to the outer wall of the first filter cylinder and the other end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the tank.

[0008] According to one example, a second filter cylinder is rotatably connected to the first filter cylinder, and a plurality of second filter holes are provided on the circumferential wall of the second filter cylinder, wherein the second filter holes have the same diameter and corresponding positions as the first filter holes.

[0009] According to one example, the upper part of the second filter cylinder is provided with a power input component, which includes a motor fixed to the upper part of the tank and a rotating shaft connected to the output end of the motor. The upper end of the rotating shaft is rotatably located in a shaft hole formed in the upper part of the tank, and the lower end of the rotating shaft is fixed to the upper part of the second filter cylinder.

[0010] According to one example, the upper part of the tank is also provided with a spray section, the spray section including a pipe fixed to the upper part of the tank, the top of the pipe being open for communication with an external cleaning fluid pipeline, and a sphere being rotatably provided at the lower part of the pipe, the sphere having multiple spray outlets formed on its circumferential wall, the spray outlets being irregularly distributed and facing the inner wall of the tank.

[0011] According to one example, the vent is equipped with a sterilization filtration device, which includes: a housing, the bottom of which is provided with a first vent and a second vent, wherein the first vent is connected to the vent; and a filter membrane disposed within the housing to divide the internal space of the housing into a first ventilation chamber and a second ventilation chamber, wherein the first vent is connected to the bottom of the first ventilation chamber and the second vent is connected to the bottom of the second ventilation chamber.

[0012] According to one example, a sealing cap is removably provided on the first feed inlet.

[0013] According to one example, a thermometer and a level gauge are also provided on the outer wall of the tank.

[0014] According to one example, it also includes multiple support feet located at the bottom of the tank, so that the tank is a certain distance off the ground, so that there is a certain space between the discharge port and the ground.

[0015] This utility model has the following advantages:

[0016] The fermentation device of this invention includes a filtration assembly inside the tank, comprising a first filter cylinder and a conveying pipe connected in series. The first filter holes on the outer wall of the cylinder, combined with conical baffles spaced along the length, form an annular feeding space, effectively intercepting fruit pulp fragments generated during fermentation and preventing them from clogging the filter holes. Furthermore, a second filter cylinder rotatably connected inside the first filter cylinder allows for precise filtration of fruit pulp particles of different sizes by adjusting the overlap area of ​​their filter holes, thereby improving the clarity and quality of the fruit wine.

[0017] The upper part of the tank is equipped with a spray unit. The water pressure drives the sphere to rotate, and multiple irregular nozzles on the surface of the sphere spray cleaning liquid at multiple angles, which can achieve thorough cleaning of the inner wall of the tank, effectively remove residual fruit pulp and fermentation dirt, reduce manual cleaning costs, and improve equipment efficiency.

[0018] The sterilization and filtration device at the vent prevents external microbial contamination, the sealing cap at the first feed inlet ensures the airtightness of the fermentation environment, and the thermometer and level gauge equipped in the tank monitor the fermentation status in real time, making the entire fermentation process safer and more stable, and providing a reliable guarantee for the production of high-quality fruit wine. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fermentation device for fruit wine according to this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional sectional view of the fermentation device for fruit wine according to this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the filter component of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the filter component of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the fermentation device for fruit wine of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the filter component of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the filter component of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the filter component of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the spray section of this utility model.

[0028] Wherein, 1 is the tank body, 101 is the first feed inlet, 102 is the second feed inlet, 103 is the vent, 104 is the discharge outlet, 105 is the liquid outlet, 106 is the shaft hole, 107 is the sealing cover, 108 is the support foot, 109 is the fence, 2 is the filter assembly, 201 is the first filter cylinder, 201a is the first filter hole, 202 is the conveying pipe, 203 is the conical baffle, 204 is the annular feed space, 205 is the support rod, 206 is the conical cover, 207 is the second filter cylinder, 207a is the second filter hole, 208 is the power input component, 208a is the motor, 208b is the rotating shaft, 3 is the sterilization filter device, 4 is the spray section, 401 is the pipe body, 402 is the sphere, and 402a is the spray outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustration shows an embodiment of a fermentation apparatus for fruit wine, which mainly includes a tank 1 and a filter assembly 2 disposed inside the tank 1. The filter assembly 2 can effectively intercept fruit pulp fragments generated during fermentation, improving the clarity and quality of the fruit wine. The fruit pulp can be various types of fruit pulp such as plums, grapes, and apples. In this embodiment, plums are preferred.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2First, the tank 1 is vertically arranged, comprising a straight cylindrical section and an arc-shaped section arranged vertically. The top of the straight cylindrical section has a convex portion, on which a first feed inlet 101, a second feed inlet 102, and a vent 103 are formed. The first feed inlet 101 is mainly used for feeding various fruit pulp raw materials such as plums and grapes. It is opened and sealed by a detachable sealing cap 107. An annular sealing ring is provided between the sealing cap 107 and the first feed inlet 101 to ensure the airtightness of the fermentation process. In addition, the first feed inlet 101 can also be used as an inspection port for easy maintenance by operators. The second feed inlet 102 is used to receive liquid materials, such as tap water, purified water, deionized water, alcoholic liquids, or sugary liquids. The top of the tank 1 is also equipped with a railing 109 to protect the safety of operators.

[0032] The vent 103 is equipped with a sterilization filter device 3, which includes a shell and a filter membrane. The bottom of the shell has a first ventilation port and a second ventilation port. The first ventilation port is connected to the vent, and the second ventilation port is connected to the external environment. The filter membrane is disposed inside the shell to divide the internal space into a first ventilation chamber and a second ventilation chamber. The first ventilation port is connected to the bottom of the first ventilation chamber, and the second ventilation port is connected to the bottom of the second ventilation chamber. This allows gas inside the tank to flow from the first ventilation chamber through the filter membrane to the second ventilation chamber and then be discharged, effectively preventing external microorganisms from entering the tank 1. Simultaneously, the filter membrane has a specific filtration precision, ensuring necessary gas exchange during fermentation, such as carbon dioxide removal and trace oxygen replenishment. For example, the sterilization filtration device 3 is a sterile respirator. The sterile respirator adopts a cylindrical shell structure and has a filter element support installed inside. A PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) microporous filter membrane is fixed on the filter element support, which can effectively intercept microbial particles such as bacteria and mold spores in the air, while allowing gas to pass through smoothly, ensuring the internal pressure balance of tank 1 during fermentation and avoiding seal failure due to excessive pressure.

[0033] The lower part of the tank 1 is provided with a discharge port 104 and a liquid outlet 105. The discharge port 104 is located at the bottom of the arc-shaped section to facilitate the discharge of pulp residue after fermentation. The liquid outlet 105 is located above the discharge port 104 to prevent bottom sediment impurities from being carried out during liquid discharge, ensuring the purity of the discharged liquid.

[0034] The tank body 1 has multiple support feet 108 at its bottom. In this embodiment, there are four support feet 108, which raise the tank body 1 a certain distance from the ground so that there is a certain space between the discharge port 104 and the ground, which facilitates the placement of a collection container below the discharge port 104 to achieve automated discharge operation.

[0035] In an embodiment not shown, a thermometer and a level gauge are also provided on the outer wall of the tank 1. The thermometer is used to detect the fermentation temperature inside the tank 1, and the level gauge is used to detect the liquid level inside the tank 1.

[0036] In an embodiment not shown, the outer wall of the tank 1 is also provided with a sampling port to facilitate the removal of fermentation broth samples.

[0037] Reference Figure 2-4 The filter assembly 2 is located at the lower part of the tank 1 and near the liquid outlet 105. It includes a first filter cylinder 201 and a delivery pipe 202 arranged in series, achieving efficient filtration through a multi-stage interception mechanism. The first filter cylinder 201 is vertically arranged with its upper and lower ends open. The length direction of the first filter cylinder 201 is parallel to the height direction of the tank 1, ensuring that the fermentation liquid can flow smoothly along the direction of gravity. Multiple first filter holes 201a are provided on the circumferential wall of the first filter cylinder 201, serving as the main channel for liquid filtration. The inlet end of the delivery pipe 202 is connected to the lower end of the first filter cylinder 201, and the outlet end of the delivery pipe 202 is connected to the liquid outlet 105, forming a liquid guiding path. The liquid outlet 105 is equipped with a switch valve to control the flow rate of the liquid.

[0038] The first filter cylinder 201 is provided with multiple conical baffles 203 spaced apart along its length. The outer diameter of each conical baffle 203 is larger than the outer diameter of the first filter cylinder 201, forming a radial barrier. The baffles have a triangular cross-section and are annularly fitted onto the outer wall of the first filter cylinder 201. A conical cover 206 is provided above the top conical baffle 203 and covers the upper end of the first filter cylinder 201. This effectively prevents fruit pulp fragments and liquid from directly entering from the upper end of the first filter cylinder 201, forcing the material to complete the filtration process through the first filter hole 201a on the side wall of the first filter cylinder 201. The number of conical baffles 203 can be flexibly configured according to the length of the first filter cylinder 201. In this embodiment, three baffles are used to form a three-stage interception system. Of course, two, four, or five baffles can also be selected to adapt to the fermentation needs of different processing scales.

[0039] In this design, an annular feeding space 204 is formed between two adjacent conical baffles 203. Falling fruit pulp, guided by the inclined surface of the conical baffles 203, slides outwards along the slope and accumulates on the outside of the first filter cylinder 201. Meanwhile, the fermentation broth, under gravity, permeates through the annular feeding space 204 into the first filter hole 201a. This allows for preliminary solid-liquid separation before the liquid enters the first filter hole 201a, reducing the solid content in the liquid. Furthermore, the buffer zone provided by the annular space prevents the fruit pulp from directly compressing the first filter hole 201a and causing blockage, while allowing the liquid to flow evenly through the first filter hole 201a in a gentle flow, reducing localized pressure concentration and thus improving filtration efficiency.

[0040] Continue to refer to Figure 2-4 The filter assembly 2 also includes multiple support rods 205. One end of each support rod 205 is fixed to the outer wall of the first filter cylinder 201, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the tank 1. In this embodiment, there are four support rods 205, and the included angle between two adjacent support rods 205 is 90 degrees, so that the filter assembly 2 is firmly placed inside the tank 1.

[0041] Reference Figure 5-8 This illustration shows another embodiment of a fermentation apparatus for fruit wine, in which a second filter cylinder 207 is rotatably connected within a first filter cylinder 201. Both are hollow cylindrical structures. The length of the first filter cylinder 201 is approximately the same as the length of the second filter cylinder 207, and the inner diameter of the first filter cylinder 201 is equal to the outer diameter of the second filter cylinder 207, ensuring that the second filter cylinder 207 can rotate within the first filter cylinder 201 without radial sway. The bottom of the second filter cylinder 207 is open, and a plurality of second filter holes 207a are provided on the circumferential wall of the second filter cylinder 207. The second filter holes 207a have the same diameter as the first filter holes 201a and are positioned correspondingly, forming a double-stage concentric filtration layer.

[0042] The second filter cylinder 207 has a power input component 208 at its upper part. The power input component 208 includes a motor 208a fixed to the upper part of the tank 1 and a rotating shaft 208b connected to the output end of the motor 208a. The upper end of the rotating shaft 208b is rotatably located in a shaft hole 106 formed in the upper part of the tank 1, with the shaft hole 106 located in the middle of the tank 1. The lower end of the rotating shaft 208b is fixed to the upper part of the second filter cylinder 207. By rotating the second filter cylinder 207 relative to the first filter cylinder 201, the overlap area between the second filter hole 207a and the first filter hole 201a can be adjusted, thereby changing the size of the filter gap.

[0043] Multiple filtration modes can be achieved by adjusting the overlap area of ​​the first filter hole 201a and the second filter hole 207a. In the early stages of fermentation, the second filter hole 207a is completely offset from the first filter hole 201a, cutting off the dual-stage filtration channel. At this time, liquid and large fruit particles are blocked outside the first filter cylinder 201. This mode, through active flow restriction, allows the fermentation broth to settle sufficiently in the initial stage, creating conditions for subsequent fine filtration. In the liquid discharge and mid-stage clarification, rotating the second filter cylinder 207 aligns the second filter hole 207a with the first filter hole 201a, forming a channel with the maximum pore size, allowing the liquid to pass through quickly. At this time, the operator can observe the solids content and particle distribution of the discharged liquid in real time and dynamically adjust the rotation angle of the second filter cylinder 207 based on the test results, causing the two filter holes to partially overlap. The gap formed by the misalignment can trap medium-sized particles of 0.5-2mm, improving the clarity of the fruit wine. In the later fine filtration stage, the overlapping area of ​​the two pores is further fine-tuned to the optimal range. The micron-level gap is used to intercept tiny impurities such as yeast residue and protein, ensuring that the turbidity of the fruit wine is ≤0.5NTU, meeting the commercial-grade clarification standard.

[0044] Reference Figure 9 The upper part of the tank body 1 is equipped with a spray section 4, which can be installed in the shaft hole 106 or a dedicated mounting hole is opened on the top of the tank body 1. The spray section 4 includes a hollow tube 401 fixed to the upper part of the tank body 1. The tube 401 is made of 316L stainless steel, and its top is open for communication with an external cleaning fluid pipeline. The cleaning fluid can be water, acid, or alkaline solution, etc. A sphere 402 is rotatably mounted on the lower part of the tube 401. Multiple spray outlets 402a are formed on the circumferential wall of the sphere 402. The spray outlets 402a are irregularly distributed and face the inner wall of the tank body 1. High-pressure cleaning fluid enters through the top of the tube 401. Due to the irregular distribution of the spray outlets 402a, the pressure of the water flow can drive the sphere 402 to rotate at high speed, eliminating the need for an external motor and avoiding the risk of lubricant contamination, thus meeting the hygiene standards of the food industry.

[0045] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention should be considered equivalent substitutions and are included within the protection scope of the present invention. The embodiments described in this disclosure are intended as non-limiting examples, and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and may present simplified expressions of various features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes. Details associated with such features will be determined in part by the intended application and usage environment of the described embodiments.

[0046] The detailed description and accompanying drawings are supporting and descriptive of this teaching, but the scope of this teaching is defined only by the claims. While the best mode and some other embodiments for carrying out this teaching have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the teaching as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, this disclosure expressly includes combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features set forth above and below.

Claims

1. A fermentation apparatus for fruit wine, characterized in that, include: A vertically arranged tank, the upper part of which has a first feed inlet, a second feed inlet and a vent, and the lower part of which has a discharge outlet and a liquid outlet; The filter assembly is located inside the tank and includes a first filter cylinder and a conveying pipe arranged in series. The circumferential wall of the first filter cylinder is provided with a plurality of first filter holes. The outlet end of the conveying pipe is connected to the liquid outlet. The first filter cylinder is provided with a plurality of conical baffles spaced apart along its length, and an annular feeding space is formed between two adjacent conical baffles.

2. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length direction of the first filter cylinder is parallel to the height direction of the tank.

3. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter assembly also includes multiple support rods, one end of which is fixed to the outer wall of the first filter cylinder, and the other end of which is fixed to the inner wall of the tank.

4. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second filter cylinder is rotatably connected to the first filter cylinder. The circumferential wall of the second filter cylinder is provided with a plurality of second filter holes, wherein the second filter holes have the same diameter as the first filter holes and are positioned accordingly.

5. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper part of the second filter cylinder is provided with a power input component, which includes a motor fixed to the upper part of the tank and a rotating shaft connected to the output end of the motor. The upper end of the rotating shaft is rotatably located in a shaft hole formed in the upper part of the tank, and the lower end of the rotating shaft is fixed to the upper part of the second filter cylinder.

6. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper part of the tank is also equipped with a spray section, which includes a pipe fixed to the upper part of the tank. The top of the pipe is open for communication with an external cleaning fluid pipeline. A sphere is rotatably provided at the lower part of the pipe. Multiple spray outlets are formed on the circumferential wall of the sphere. The spray outlets are irregularly distributed and face the inner wall of the tank.

7. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vent is equipped with a sterilization and filtration device, which includes: The housing has a first ventilation port and a second ventilation port at its bottom, wherein the first ventilation port is connected to the vent. A filter membrane is disposed inside the housing to divide the internal space of the housing into a first ventilation chamber and a second ventilation chamber. The first ventilation port is connected to the bottom of the first ventilation chamber, and the second ventilation port is connected to the bottom of the second ventilation chamber.

8. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing cover is detachably provided on the first feed inlet.

9. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the tank is also equipped with a thermometer and a level gauge.

10. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes multiple support feet, which are located at the bottom of the tank body, so that the tank body is a certain distance away from the ground, so that there is a certain space between the discharge port and the ground.

Images