A sterile material taking device for a solid fermentation tank of chaetomium globosum

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the technical field of microbial fermentation and spore extraction system equipment, specifically relating to a sterile material handling device for a *Chaetomium globosum* solid-state fermentation tank. It includes a material handling rod handle, a silicone corrugated tube, and a storage tube connected in sequence, and a material handling rod that passes through the internal cavities of the silicone corrugated tube and the storage tube. One end of the material handling rod is fixedly connected to the handle, and the other end is equipped with a material handling ring. This utility model achieves sealed material handling through the coordinated action of the material handling rod handle, the silicone corrugated tube, the storage tube, and the material handling rod, ensuring no leakage or contamination during material transfer. The silicone corrugated tube, due to its elasticity, fits tightly against the material handling rod, forming a dynamic seal. The elasticity of the silicone corrugated tube allows the material handling rod to move back and forth while maintaining a seal, providing a sterile environment for the rod's movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of microbial fermentation and spore extraction system equipment, specifically relating to an aseptic material handling device for a solid fermentation tank of Chaetomium globulus. Background Technology

[0002] Solid-state fermentation of Chaetomium globosum utilizes Chaetomium globosum to degrade cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin under specific temperature, pH, and pressure conditions. The resulting degradation products have important applications in enzyme preparation production, bioremediation, agricultural waste conversion, and the preparation of high-value-added metabolites (such as antibiotics and pigments).

[0003] In the solid-state fermentation of Chaetomium globosum, material needs to be taken from the feed inlet of the Chaetomium globosum solid-state fermentation tank. If contaminating microorganisms (such as bacteria, bacteriophages, and molds) are introduced during the feeding process, they will multiply rapidly, leading to contamination of the Chaetomium globosum solid-state fermentation system or even fermentation failure, and a reduction in the purity and yield of the target product. Because the Chaetomium globosum solid-state fermentation material is non-flowing, it is difficult to take material from the feed inlet of the solid-state fermentation tank, and conventional feeding needles (round tubes with handles) cannot achieve feeding under aseptic conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an aseptic material handling device for a solid-state fermentation tank of Chaetomium globulus, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art and enabling aseptic material handling from the solid-state fermentation tank of Chaetomium globulus.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A sterile material handling device for a Chaetomium globosum solid-state fermentation tank includes a material handling rod handle, a silicone corrugated tube, and a storage tube connected in sequence. The device also includes a material handling rod that passes through the internal cavities of the silicone corrugated tube and the storage tube. One end of the material handling rod is fixedly connected to the handle, and the other end is equipped with a material handling ring. Through the coordinated action of the material handling rod handle, the silicone corrugated tube, the storage tube, a first quick-release ball valve, and the material handling rod, sealed material handling is achieved, ensuring no leakage or contamination during material transfer.

[0007] In some other embodiments, a storage tube mounting sleeve is provided at one end of the inner port of the silicone corrugated tube. The storage tube mounting sleeve is a hollow cylindrical sleeve. The storage tube mounting sleeve is used to seal the storage tube to the silicone corrugated tube.

[0008] In some other embodiments, a storage tube mounting sleeve seal is further provided at the internal port connection between the silicone corrugated pipe and the storage tube. The storage tube mounting sleeve seal is a cylindrical seal. The storage tube mounting sleeve seal is used to further improve the sealing performance of the internal connection between the silicone corrugated pipe and the storage tube, and to prevent material from entering the silicone corrugated pipe from the storage tube.

[0009] In some other embodiments, the storage tube is a cylindrical hollow tube made of alloy material, and the external port of the silicone corrugated tube is fixedly connected to the storage tube by clamps. This connection method helps to enhance the stability and sealing of the connection between the silicone corrugated tube and the storage tube.

[0010] In some other embodiments, the material-receiving ring is a hollow cylindrical or conical ring, and is fixed to the material-receiving rod by a fixing nut and a spring washer. The material-receiving ring is used to quickly transfer material to the storage tube during the reciprocating motion of the material-receiving rod. The fixing nut and spring washer facilitate quick disassembly and replacement of the material-receiving ring.

[0011] In some other embodiments, the storage pipe is also equipped with a first quick-connect ball valve, which is fixedly connected to the storage pipe and the first quick-connect ball valve via a first quick-connect clamp. The first quick-connect ball valve, as a secondary ball valve, is used to cut off or connect the material entering the storage pipe. It can cooperate with the main ball valve to form a dual quick-connect ball valve design, which can significantly improve the safety, sealing, and operational flexibility during the material handling process, and prevent external air or impurities from seeping back into the fermenter. The fixed connection between the storage pipe and the first quick-connect ball valve via the first quick-connect clamp facilitates the quick disassembly and replacement of the first quick-connect ball valve.

[0012] In some other embodiments, silicone gaskets are used to seal the connections between the first quick-release clamp, the first quick-release ball valve, and the storage tube. This connection method further enhances the sealing performance of the storage tube.

[0013] In some other embodiments, the handle of the picking rod is a round handle, and the handle is fixedly connected to the silicone corrugated tube via a stainless steel throat. This connection method helps to enhance the tight connection between the picking rod handle, the silicone corrugated tube, and the picking rod. Because the silicone corrugated tube elastically adheres to the picking rod, it forms a dynamic seal. The extensibility of the silicone corrugated tube allows the picking rod to move back and forth while maintaining a seal, providing a sterile environment for the reciprocating movement of the picking rod.

[0014] In some other embodiments, the *Chaetomium globosum* solid-state fermentation tank includes a fermentation tank body and an improved feed inlet. The improved feed inlet includes a feed inlet on the fermentation tank body, a quick-release clamp sealing gasket, and a second quick-release ball valve connected in sequence. This improved feed inlet structure significantly improves the safety, sealing, and operational flexibility during the feed process, and prevents external air or impurities from seeping back into the fermentation tank.

[0015] In some other embodiments, the second quick-connect ball valve of the Chaetomium globosum solid-state fermenter is connected to the first quick-connect ball valve of the aseptic feeding device via a second quick-connect clamp.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] (1) The aseptic material handling device of this utility model achieves sealed material handling through the coordinated action of the material handling rod handle, the silicone corrugated tube, the storage tube and the material handling rod, ensuring that the material is leak-free and uncontaminated during the transfer process. Among them, the silicone corrugated tube is elastic and tightly attached to the material handling rod to form a dynamic seal. The extensibility of the silicone corrugated tube allows the material handling rod to move back and forth while maintaining a seal, providing a sterile environment for the back and forth movement of the material handling rod.

[0018] (2) The internal connection port of the silicone corrugated tube and the storage tube of this utility model is connected by the storage tube installation sleeve seal and the storage tube installation sleeve, and the external connection port is fixedly connected by clamps or threads to achieve static sealing.

[0019] (3) This utility model, through the design of double quick-install ball valve, can significantly improve the safety, sealing and operational flexibility of the material handling process, and can prevent external air or impurities from seeping back into the fermentation tank.

[0020] (4) The aseptic feeding device of this utility model is connected to the solid fermentation tank of Chaetomium globosum via a quick-connect clamp, which facilitates the quick connection and disassembly of the aseptic feeding device and the solid fermentation tank of Chaetomium globosum, and the operation is intuitive and simple. Among them, a second quick-connect ball valve is provided on the solid fermentation tank of Chaetomium globosum, which facilitates the control of the pressure of the solid fermentation tank of Chaetomium globosum. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, are used to provide a further understanding of this utility model. The illustrative embodiments of this utility model and their descriptions are used to explain this utility model and do not constitute an improper limitation of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the aseptic feeding device in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the solid-state fermentation tank for Chaetomium globulus in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the connection between the solid-state fermenter and the aseptic feeding device of Chaetomium globosum during sampling in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0025] The components include: 1. Material handling rod; 2. Material handling rod; 3. Silicone corrugated pipe; 4. Storage pipe mounting sleeve seal; 5. Storage pipe mounting sleeve; 6. Storage pipe; 7. Material handling ring sleeve; 8. Fixing nut and spring washer; 9. First quick-release clamp; 10. First quick-release ball valve; 11. Second quick-release ball valve; 12. Quick-release clamp sealing gasket; 13. Fermentation tank body material handling port; and 14. Body of the *Chaetomium globulus* solid fermentation tank. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Those skilled in the art will understand that the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Specific conditions are not specified in the embodiments; they are performed under conventional conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer. Components whose manufacturers are not specified are all commercially available conventional products.

[0027] The solid fermentation material of *Chaetomium globulus* is non-flowing, making it difficult to extract material from the feeding port of the solid fermentation tank and preventing aseptic feeding. The feeding device provided by this invention enables aseptic feeding from *Chaetomium globulus* solid fermentation tanks.

[0028] The following is a further explanation of the structure and function of each component of the aseptic material handling device for the solid-state fermentation tank of Chaetomium globulus provided by this utility model, with reference to specific embodiments:

[0029] Example 1

[0030] A sterile feeding device for a solid-state fermentation tank of Chaetomium globulus, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a material-picking rod handle 1, a silicone corrugated tube 3, and a storage tube 6 connected in sequence, and also includes a material-picking rod 2. The material-picking rod 2 is sequentially installed through the internal cavities of the silicone corrugated tube 3 and the storage tube 6. One end of the material-picking rod 2 is fixedly connected to the material-picking rod handle 1, and the other end of the material-picking rod 2 is provided with a material-picking ring 7.

[0031] A storage tube mounting sleeve 5 is provided at one end of the silicone corrugated tube 3. The storage tube mounting sleeve 5 can be a hollow cylindrical sleeve, which is used to seal the connection between the storage tube 6 and the silicone corrugated tube 3. To further improve the sealing performance of the storage tube mounting sleeve 5, a storage tube mounting sleeve sealing element 4 is also provided at the connection between the storage tube 6 and the silicone corrugated tube 3. The storage tube mounting sleeve sealing element 4 is a cylindrical sealing element.

[0032] The handle 1 of the picking rod can be a round handle. The handle 1 is used to transmit the pushing and pulling force (axial force) applied by the operator to the silicone bellows 3. The handle 1 and the silicone bellows 3 are fixedly connected via a stainless steel throat. The silicone bellows 3 can be a high-temperature silicone bellows. The silicone bellows 3 is flexible and has sealing properties, effectively transmitting the pushing and pulling force (axial force) of the handle 1 to the silicone bellows 3. This causes the picking rod 2, which is fixedly connected to the handle 1, to move back and forth within the internal cavity of the silicone bellows 3 and the storage tube 6. The silicone bellows 3 elastically adheres tightly to the picking rod 2, forming a dynamic seal. The extensibility of the silicone bellows 3 allows the picking rod 2 to move back and forth while maintaining a seal, providing a sterile environment for the reciprocating movement of the picking rod 2. In addition, the silicone corrugated tube 3 has a wide operating temperature range. Silicone corrugated tubes with a temperature range of -40 to 220 degrees can be selected. It is installed on the outermost part of the feeder and does not come into direct contact with the material, which effectively avoids contact with high-temperature steam and can meet the requirements of air sterilization.

[0033] The storage tube 6 is a cylindrical hollow tube, which can be made of alloy material, such as stainless steel. The storage tube 6 is used to store materials taken from the *Chaetomium globulus* solid-state fermentation tank. The silicone corrugated tube 3 is fixedly connected to the storage tube 6 by clamps or threads to achieve a static seal.

[0034] The storage pipe 6 is also equipped with a first quick-release ball valve 10. The first quick-release ball valve 10 is an existing structure and can be a valve in which the opening and closing element (such as a ball) is driven by a valve stem and rotates around the axis of the valve stem. The first quick-release ball valve 10 is used to cut off or connect the material entering the storage pipe 6. The first quick-release ball valve 10 can be fixed to the storage pipe 6 by a first quick-release clamp 9, facilitating quick disassembly and replacement. The first quick-release ball valve 10 can be a 316 stainless steel quick-release ball valve, and the first quick-release clamp 9 can be a 316 stainless steel quick-release clamp. Furthermore, to further improve sealing, high-temperature silicone gaskets are installed at the connection points of the first quick-release clamp 9, the first quick-release ball valve 10, and the storage pipe 6.

[0035] The material-receiving ring 7 is an existing structure and can be a hollow cylindrical or conical ring. During the reciprocating motion of the material-receiving rod 2, the material-receiving ring 7 quickly transfers the material entering the first quick-release ball valve 10 to the storage pipe 6. The material-receiving ring 7 can be fixed to the material-receiving rod 2 by a fixing nut and a spring washer 8, which facilitates the quick disassembly and replacement of the material-receiving ring 7.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, in order to facilitate the connection between the aseptic feeding device and the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank, the structure of the feeding port of the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank is also improved. The Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank includes the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank body 14 and the improved feeding port. The improved feeding port includes the fermentation tank body feeding port 13, the quick-install clamp sealing gasket 12 and the second quick-install ball valve 11 connected in sequence.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the second quick-connect ball valve 11 of the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank is connected to the first quick-connect ball valve 10 of the aseptic feeding device through the second quick-connect clamp, which facilitates the connection and disassembly of the aseptic feeding device and the body 14 of the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank, thereby achieving a sealed connection between the aseptic feeding device and the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank.

[0038] To facilitate understanding of the above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model, the working principle of this utility model in actual process will be described in detail below:

[0039] Before taking out the material, the first quick-connect ball valve 10 of the aseptic material taking device is connected to the second quick-connect ball valve 11 on the body 14 of the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank through the second quick-connect clamp, thereby achieving a sealed connection between the aseptic material taking device and the body 14 of the Chaetomium globosum solid fermentation tank.

[0040] During air sterilization, the first quick-release ball valve 10 and the second quick-release ball valve 11 are fully opened for air sterilization. After air sterilization, the first quick-release ball valve 10 and the second quick-release ball valve are fully closed. Then, a pulling force is applied to the material-retrieving rod handle 1. The pulling force of the material-retrieving rod handle 1 is transmitted to the silicone bellows 3, which in turn causes the material-retrieving rod 2, which is fixedly connected to the material-retrieving rod handle 1, inside the silicone bellows 3 to move out of the internal cavity of the storage tube 6, thereby leaving a cavity inside the storage tube 6 for material retrieval, which is convenient for subsequent storage of materials.

[0041] During material handling, after fully opening the first quick-release ball valve 10 and the second quick-release ball valve 11, a pushing and pulling force is applied to the material handling handle 1. The pushing and pulling force of the material handling handle 1 is transmitted to the silicone bellows 3, which in turn causes the material handling rod 2, which is fixedly connected to the material handling handle 1 inside the silicone bellows 3, to move back and forth in the storage pipe 6 to the body of the Glomerulosa solid fermentation tank 14. This causes the material handling ring 7 fixed on the material handling rod 2 to transfer the material inside the Glomerulosa solid fermentation tank 14 to the storage pipe 6.

[0042] When material collection is complete, a pulling force is applied to the material collection rod handle 1, which is then transmitted to the silicone bellows 3. This causes the material collection rod 2, which is fixedly connected to the material collection rod handle 1, to move out of the storage tube 6. Then, the first quick-release ball valve 10 and the second quick-release ball valve 11 are completely closed. The second quick-release clamp connecting the first quick-release ball valve 10 and the second quick-release ball valve 11 is then opened, thereby disconnecting the aseptic material collection device from the body 14 of the Chaetomium globulus solid fermentation tank. In this way, the sterilized solid material remains in the sealed storage tube and can be directly taken away by the aseptic material collection device for testing, thus realizing aseptic sampling operation.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A sterile sampling device for a solid state fermentation tank of Chaetomium globosum, characterized in that, The device includes a material-picking rod handle, a silicone corrugated tube, and a storage tube connected in sequence. It also includes a material-picking rod, which is sequentially installed through the internal cavities of the silicone corrugated tube and the storage tube. One end of the material-picking rod is fixedly connected to the material-picking rod handle, and the other end of the material-picking rod is provided with a material-picking ring.

2. The sterile sampling device for a solid state fermentation tank of S. globosa according to claim 1, wherein, The inner port of one end of the silicone corrugated tube is equipped with a storage tube mounting sleeve, which is a hollow cylindrical sleeve.

3. The sterile sampling device for a solid state fermentation tank of a Chaetomium globosum according to claim 2, characterized in that, At the connection point between the silicone corrugated tube and the internal port of the storage tube, there is also a storage tube mounting sleeve seal, which is a cylindrical seal.

4. The sterile sampling device for a solid state fermentation tank of S. globosa according to claim 1, wherein, The storage tube is a cylindrical hollow tube made of alloy material. The silicone corrugated tube is fixedly connected to the external port of the storage tube by clamps.

5. The sterile sampling device for a solid state fermentation tank of S. globosa according to claim 1, wherein, The material-retrieving ring is a hollow cylindrical or conical ring, and it is fixed to the material-retrieving rod by a fixing nut and a spring washer.

6. The sterile sampling device for a solid state fermentation tank of S. globosa according to claim 1, wherein, The storage pipe is also equipped with a first quick-release ball valve, and the storage pipe and the first quick-release ball valve are fixedly connected by a first quick-release clamp.

7. The aseptic material handling device for the solid-state fermentation tank of Chaetomium globulus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Silicone gaskets are used to seal the connections between the first quick-release clamp, the first quick-release ball valve, and the storage pipe.

8. The aseptic material handling device for the Chaetomium globulus solid-state fermentation tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handle of the material handling rod is a round handle, and the handle of the material handling rod is fixedly connected to the silicone corrugated tube through a stainless steel throat tube.

9. The aseptic material handling device for the Chaetomium globulus solid-state fermentation tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solid-state fermentation tank for Chaetomium globulus includes the main body of the solid-state fermentation tank and an improved feed inlet. The improved feed inlet includes a feed inlet of the fermentation tank body, a quick-release clamp sealing gasket, and a second quick-release ball valve connected in sequence.

10. The aseptic material handling device for the solid-state fermentation tank of Chaetomium globulus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second quick-connect ball valve of the Chaetomium globosum solid-state fermentation tank is connected to the first quick-connect ball valve of the aseptic feeding device via a second quick-connect clamp.

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