A ready-to-serve fermented food production system
By designing a ready-to-sell fermented food production system, which utilizes electrolyzed water and electromagnetic stirrers for fruit and vegetable cleaning and fermentation broth preparation, combined with automated packaging and fermentation chamber sterilization, the system solves the problems of low production efficiency and environmental pollution in fermented fruits and vegetables, and achieves efficient and low-cost industrial production.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KUNMING UNIV OF SCI & TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, fermented fruit and vegetable production is inefficient, costly, and causes serious environmental pollution. Traditional pool fermentation methods are difficult to meet the market demand for ready-to-sell fermented foods.
A ready-to-sell fermented food production system is provided, including a cleaning unit, a fermentation broth preparation unit, a packaging unit, and a fermentation unit. It uses an electrolyzed water generator and an electromagnetic stirrer to clean fruits and vegetables and prepare fermentation broth. It achieves automated packaging and fermentation through a conveyor belt and grippers. Combined with a fermentation chamber and a sterilization device, it achieves efficient mixing and sterilization of fruits and vegetables with fermentation broth.
It achieves efficient cleaning and fermentation of fruits and vegetables, simplifies the operation process, reduces production costs, reduces environmental pollution, and is suitable for industrial production.
Smart Images
Figure CN224299247U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of fermented food production equipment, and in particular relates to a ready-to-sell fermented food production system. Background Technology
[0002] Fermented fruits and vegetables are unique flavored foods obtained by fermenting fresh fruits and vegetables using microorganisms. They have a rich taste and texture. Fermented fruits and vegetables not only enhance the nutritional value of the raw materials, containing abundant microorganisms, vitamins, and various trace elements, but also have certain health benefits, such as significantly enhancing immunity and maintaining intestinal health.
[0003] Currently, with the popularization of healthy eating concepts, the fermented fruit and vegetable market continues to expand. However, most companies still use the traditional pool-based fermentation method, where fruits and vegetables are fermented in fermentation tanks before packaging. This method results in low production efficiency, high space and labor costs, and environmental impact when discharging fermentation wastewater. Ready-to-sell fermented foods allow fruits and vegetables to complete fermentation in sealed containers (bags, jars, bottles, etc.), eliminating the need for transfer and allowing for direct sale. This method not only saves significant space costs and reduces production costs but also eliminates the need for wastewater treatment and discharge. Given these advantages, a highly efficient and stable production system is needed to produce ready-to-sell fermented foods to meet market demand. Utility Model Content
[0004] Ready-to-sell fermented foods have many advantages, and there is a need for an efficient and stable production system to produce these foods to meet market demand. To solve the technical problems in the production of ready-to-sell fermented foods, this application provides a ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to some embodiments, including a cleaning unit, a fermentation broth preparation unit, a packaging unit, and a fermentation unit;
[0005] The cleaning unit is used to clean fruits and vegetables;
[0006] The fermentation broth preparation unit includes a mixing tank, the inlet of which is located on the upper side, and the outlet of which is located at the bottom and is equipped with an infrared sensor and a switch valve. The infrared sensor is used to detect whether there is a fermentation container below it.
[0007] The packaging unit includes a conveyor belt, a weight sensing device, a sealing device, and grippers; the discharge port of the cleaning unit is located above one end of the conveyor belt, the sealing device is mounted on a frame near the other end of the conveyor belt, and the ingredient tank is located above the middle of the conveyor belt.
[0008] The weight sensor and gripper are fixed on the conveyor belt and rotate with the conveyor belt. The fermentation container is placed on the weight sensor and the gripper is used to hold the fermentation container. The cleaning unit can inject fruits and vegetables into the fermentation container.
[0009] The fermentation unit includes a fermentation chamber and a sterilization device; the fermentation chamber is used to store a sealed fermentation container at the fermentation temperature; the sterilization device is used to kill microorganisms in the fruits, vegetables and fermentation liquid in the fermentation container after the fermentation cycle is completed.
[0010] Furthermore, the cleaning unit includes an electrolytic water generator and fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment;
[0011] The electrolyzed water generator is used to prepare electrolyzed water and to soak and sterilize fruits and vegetables with the electrolyzed water.
[0012] The fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment is used to clean soaked fruits and vegetables with clean water.
[0013] Furthermore, the fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment includes a cleaning chamber and a cylindrical screen disposed within the cleaning chamber and rotatably connected thereto;
[0014] A spiral blade is fixedly connected inside the screen. One end of the spiral blade extends out of the screen and is located below the feed inlet of the cleaning chamber, while the other end corresponds to the discharge outlet of the cleaning chamber.
[0015] The bottom of the cleaning chamber is provided with an air hole for connecting an external bubble generator.
[0016] Furthermore, the water electrolysis generator includes: an electrolysis cell and a soaking tank;
[0017] The electrolytic cell is equipped with an anode plate, a cathode plate, and an ion exchange membrane. The ion exchange membrane divides the electrolytic cell into an anode region and a cathode region. The anode region is connected to the soaking tank.
[0018] A suspension crossbar is fixedly connected to the soaking tank, and the suspension crossbar is rotatably connected to the soaking basket used to hold fruits and vegetables.
[0019] Furthermore, there are multiple weight sensing devices and grippers, which are connected to the conveyor belt in a one-to-one correspondence.
[0020] Furthermore, the conveyor belt is driven by a servo motor, allowing it to pause periodically.
[0021] Furthermore, the sterilization device includes a high-temperature sterilization component and a cooling component.
[0022] Furthermore, the fermentation chamber is equipped with a temperature control component and a ventilation component.
[0023] Furthermore, the system also includes a fermentation container feeding device located below the conveyor belt, for supplying empty fermentation containers to the grippers.
[0024] Furthermore, the mixing tank is equipped with an electromagnetic stirrer located inside it and an electromagnetic actuator located on its top.
[0025] The above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model has at least the following beneficial technical effects:
[0026] The ready-to-sell fermented food production system provided in this application can sterilize and clean fruits and vegetables. After washing, the fruits and vegetables are directly added to the fermentation container, mixed with the fermentation liquid prepared in the ingredient tank, sealed and packaged, and then fermented in the fermentation chamber for a preset fermentation cycle. After the fermentation is completed and sterilized, it becomes a product that can be sold. The operation process is simple and easy to control, which is conducive to industrial production. Attached Figure Description
[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or in the conventional technology, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the production system structure of a ready-to-sell fermented food in one embodiment of this application.
[0029] in, Figure 1 The correspondence between the reference numerals and component names in the attached drawings is as follows:
[0030] S1, Cleaning unit; 1-1, Electrolyzed water generator; 1-2, Fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment;
[0031] S2, Fermentation broth preparation unit; 2, Ingredient mixing tank; 2-1, Electromagnetic stirrer; 2-3, Switch valve; 2-4, Infrared sensing device;
[0032] S3, Packaging unit; 3-1, Conveyor belt; 3-2, Weight sensor; 3-3, Sealing device; 3-4, Gripper;
[0033] S4, Fermentation Unit; 4-1, Fermentation Chamber; 4-2, Sterilization Treatment Device. Detailed Implementation
[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the various embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many technical details are presented in the various embodiments of this application to facilitate a better understanding of the application. However, the technical solutions claimed in this application can be implemented even without these technical details and various variations and modifications based on the following embodiments. The division of the various embodiments below is for ease of description and should not constitute any limitation on the specific implementation of this application. The various embodiments can be combined with and referenced by each other without contradiction.
[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a ready-to-sell fermented food production system, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the production system specifically includes a cleaning unit S1, a fermentation broth preparation unit S2, a packaging unit S3, and a fermentation unit S4; wherein,
[0036] The cleaning unit S1 is used to clean fruit and vegetable raw materials, such as peppers, radishes, and cabbages.
[0037] The fermentation broth preparation unit S2 is used to prepare the fermentation broth and includes a mixing tank 2. The outlet of the mixing tank 2 is located at the bottom and is equipped with an infrared sensor 2-4 and a switching valve 2-3. Preferably, the mixing tank 2 is equipped with an electromagnetic stirrer 2-1 inside and an electromagnetic driver located on the top exterior of the mixing tank. The electromagnetic driver has an electromagnetic coil assembly and a stator core. The rotating shaft of the electromagnetic stirrer 2-1 is rotatably connected to the top wall of the mixing tank 2, and it has a cross-shaped neodymium iron boron permanent magnet inside. When the electromagnetic driver is energized, it can drive the electromagnetic stirrer 2-1 to rotate. When the fermentation broth raw materials are poured into the mixing tank 2, they are stirred to make them uniform and fully dissolved. The electromagnetic stirrer 2-1 is kept rotating to prevent the fermentation broth from settling in the mixing tank 2.
[0038] The packaging unit S3 includes a conveyor belt 3-1, a weight sensor 3-2, a sealing device 3-3, and a gripper 3-4; the discharge port of the cleaning unit S1 is located near and above the starting end of the conveyor belt 3-1. The sealing device 3-3 is mounted on a frame near the end of the conveyor belt 3-1, and is fixed relative to the frame of the conveyor belt 3-1. The mixing tank 2 is located above the middle of the conveyor belt 3-1.
[0039] The weight sensing device 3-2 and the gripper 3-4 are fixed on the conveyor belt 3-1 and rotate with the conveyor belt 3-1. The fermentation container is placed on the weight sensing device 3-2 and the gripper 3-4 holds the fermentation container in preparation for the injection of fruits, vegetables and fermentation liquid. The sealing device 3-3 is used to seal the fermentation container containing fruits, vegetables and fermentation liquid.
[0040] Fermentation unit S4 includes a fermentation chamber 4-1 and a sterilization device 4-2; the fermentation chamber 4-1 is used to store sealed fermentation containers at the fermentation temperature; the sterilization device 4-2 is used to kill microorganisms in the fruits, vegetables and fermentation liquid in the fermentation containers after the fermentation cycle is completed. Optionally, the conveyor belt 3-1 of packaging unit S3 extends to the entrance of fermentation chamber 4-1, or the two are connected by another conveyor belt to transport the sealed fermentation containers to fermentation chamber 4-1.
[0041] The ready-to-sell fermented food production system provided in this application can sterilize and clean fruits and vegetables. The cleaned raw materials are directly added to the fermentation container, mixed with the fermentation liquid prepared in the ingredient tank 2, and then packaged. After fermentation in the fermentation chamber 4-1, the product is sterilized after fermentation and is ready for sale. The operation process is simple and easy to control, which is conducive to industrial production.
[0042] In one embodiment of this application, for automated production, the system further includes a PLC control unit electrically connected to the infrared sensor 2-4 and the switching valve 2-3. The control unit controls the opening and closing of the switching valve 2-3 and its duration based on the detection results of the infrared sensor 2-4, so as to add a first preset weight of fermentation liquid into the fermentation container. The PLC control unit is also electrically connected to the weight sensor 3-2 and the material valve at the outlet of the cleaning unit S1, and controls the opening and closing of the material valve and its duration based on the detection results of the infrared sensor 2-4, so as to add a second preset weight of fruits and vegetables into the fermentation container.
[0043] In an alternative solution to this application, the infrared sensing device 2-4 and the weight sensing device 3-2 can be omitted. Instead, a conventional timing synchronization method can be used. During the periodic pause of the conveyor belt 3-1, the outlet of the cleaning unit S1 and the outlet of the mixing tank 2 can be opened to inject the fruits, vegetables and fermentation liquid into different fermentation containers. Only the size of the outlet of the cleaning unit S1 and the outlet of the mixing tank 2 needs to be set to ensure the output volume. Alternatively, the outlet of the cleaning unit S1 and the outlet of the mixing tank 2 can be set closer together to simultaneously inject the fruits, vegetables and fermentation liquid into the fermentation containers.
[0044] In one embodiment of this application, the cleaning unit S1 includes an electrolytic water generator 1-1 and a fruit and vegetable cleaning device 1-2.
[0045] The water electrolysis generator 1-1 is used to electrolyze pure water and sodium chloride solution into chlorine-containing weakly acidic electrolyzed water, which is then used for soaking and sterilizing fruits and vegetables. The effective chlorine content of the electrolyzed water can be adjusted by changing the ratio of pure water to sodium chloride solution in the water electrolysis generator 1-1 to meet different sterilization requirements. The water electrolysis generator 1-1 includes an electrolysis tank and a soaking tank. The electrolysis tank is equipped with an anode plate, a cathode plate, and an ion exchange membrane. The ion exchange membrane divides the electrolysis tank into an anode area and a cathode area. Acidic electrolyzed water (containing HClO) is generated in the anode area, which is connected to the soaking tank. A suspension crossbar is fixedly connected to the soaking tank. The suspension crossbar is rotatably connected to a soaking basket for holding fruits and vegetables via two connecting rods. One end of each connecting rod is rotatably connected to the side of the soaking basket, and the other end is rotatably connected to the suspension crossbar. Optionally, the water electrolysis generator 1-1 can be a commercially available hypochlorous acid generator, such as the SW-G20 hypochlorous acid generator from Zhejiang Shuixiong Technology Co., Ltd.
[0046] The fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment 1-2 includes a cleaning chamber, a cylindrical screen rotatably connected to and located within the cleaning chamber, and a motor. The cleaning chamber is a cylindrical shape with both ends closed. An inlet is located on the upper side of the outer circumference of one end, and an outlet is located on the lower side of the outer circumference of the other end. The cleaning chamber is placed horizontally and inclined towards the inlet end to store a certain amount of water. A closable drain outlet is located on the lower side of the inlet end of the cleaning chamber. The soaking frame of the electrolytic water generator 1-1 can rotate around a suspension crossbar and flip itself to pour the fruits and vegetables inside into the inlet of the cleaning chamber of the fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment 1-2. There is a gap between the inner wall of the cleaning chamber and the outer circumference of the cylindrical screen. A spiral blade is fixedly connected inside the cylindrical screen, and the overall extension direction of the spiral blade is consistent with the axis of the cylindrical screen. One end of the spiral blade extends out of the screen and is located below the feed inlet of the cleaning chamber; the rotating shaft of the spiral blade at this end passes through the cleaning chamber and is rotatably connected to the cleaning chamber, while the other end passes through the cleaning chamber (near the discharge port) and is connected to the motor. The motor drives the spiral blade to rotate, and the rotation drives the fruits and vegetables entering the cleaning chamber from the feed inlet to rotate into the screen for cleaning. The fruits and vegetables then rotate out at the other end of the spiral blade and the screen and enter the discharge port of the cleaning chamber. Preferably, a hopper for temporarily storing fruits and vegetables is provided between the end of the screen and the discharge port to meet the intermittent feeding needs of different fermentation containers at the discharge port.
[0047] The bottom of the washing chamber is equipped with multiple air holes for connecting to an external bubble generator, which can be a turbine fan or an air compressor. The bubble generator circulates air into the water in the washing chamber through the air holes to form bubbles, causing the fruits and vegetables to disperse and tumble together.
[0048] In one embodiment of this application, there are multiple weight sensing devices 3-2 and grippers 3-4, and they are connected one-to-one to the conveyor belt 3-1.
[0049] Optionally, the conveyor belt 3-1 is driven by a servo motor, and the PLC control unit is also electrically connected to the servo motor to control the conveyor belt 3-1 to pause periodically based on the detection result of whether there is a fermentation container below it by the infrared sensor 2-4, so as to inject the fermentation liquid into the fermentation container during the pause.
[0050] In one embodiment of this application, the fermentation unit S4 further includes a gripping device, which can be a robotic arm or a benchtop robotic arm, to grip the sealed fermentation container from the conveyor belt 3-1 and place it into the fermentation temperature environment of the fermentation chamber 4-1. Optionally, the sterilization device 4-2 includes a high-temperature sterilization component and a cooling component. The high-temperature sterilization component can use pasteurization to sterilize the fruits, vegetables, and fermentation liquid in the fermentation container. Optionally, the high-temperature sterilization component is a heating chamber equipped with a heater, which is connected to the fermentation chamber 4-1, and a transmission component is provided in the channel. The heater raises the temperature inside the heating chamber to 60°C to sterilize the contents placed inside the heating chamber.
[0051] Optionally, the fermentation chamber 4-1 is equipped with a temperature control component and a ventilation component. The temperature control component regulates the temperature inside the fermentation chamber 4-1 to meet the requirements of different fruits and vegetables and the fermentation cycle. Multiple ventilation components can be installed inside the fermentation chamber 4-1 to ensure a uniform temperature in different areas, preventing the fermentation container or parts of the fermentation chamber 4-1 from exceeding the fermentation temperature due to heat release during fermentation. The temperature control component includes a thermometer, an air heater, and a fan. The thermometer and air heater are located inside the fermentation chamber 4-1. The fan is mounted on the wall of the fermentation chamber 4-1 to blow cool outside air into the fermentation chamber 4-1 to lower its temperature.
[0052] In one embodiment of this application, the production system further includes a fermentation container feeding device located below the conveyor belt 3-1, for supplying empty fermentation containers to the gripper 3-4. Alternatively, the gripper 3-4 can be manually fed. Optionally, the gripper 3-4 includes a connecting plate for fixed connection to the outer surface of the conveyor belt 3-1. The surface of the connecting plate is provided with two connecting rods perpendicular to the conveyor belt 3-1. The top of the connecting rods is provided with an arc-shaped clamping portion for clamping a portion of the outer periphery of each fermentation container from one side. Both the connecting rods and the clamping portions are elastic.
[0053] In one embodiment of this application, the sealing device includes a multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm and a pneumatic gripper, both electrically connected to a PLC control unit. The multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm and the pneumatic gripper are connected; the pneumatic gripper grips the cap used to seal the fermentation container, and the multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm adjusts the position of the pneumatic gripper. A servo motor and torque sensor within the multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm cause the pneumatic gripper to rotate the cap, thereby sealing the fermentation container. Preferably, the sealing device 3-3 is also equipped with a photoelectric sensor to accurately locate the position of the fermentation container on the conveyor belt 3-1. The fermentation container can be a tank.
[0054] It should be noted that the specific computer programs involved in the timing and operation steps of the PLC control unit controlling the switching valves of the batching tank 2, the material valves of the cleaning unit S1, the infrared sensing device 2-4, the weight sensing device 3-2, the sealing device 3-3, etc., in this application are all conventional adjustments to the prior art and are not within the scope of protection of this application.
[0055] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative or explanatory of the principles of this application and do not constitute a limitation thereof. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made without departing from the spirit and scope of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application. Furthermore, the appended claims are intended to cover all variations and modifications falling within the scope and boundaries of the appended claims, or equivalent forms of such scope and boundaries.
Claims
1. A ready-to-sell fermented food production system, characterized in that, It includes a cleaning unit (S1), a fermentation broth preparation unit (S2), a packaging unit (S3), and a fermentation unit (S4); The cleaning unit (S1) is used to clean fruits and vegetables; The fermentation broth preparation unit (S2) includes a mixing tank (2), the inlet of which is located on the upper side, and the outlet of which is located at the bottom and is equipped with an infrared sensor (2-4) and a switch valve (2-3). The infrared sensor (2-4) is used to detect whether there is a fermentation container below it. The packaging unit (S3) includes a conveyor belt (3-1), a weight sensing device (3-2), a sealing device (3-3), and a gripper (3-4); the discharge port of the cleaning unit (S1) is located above one end of the conveyor belt (3-1), the sealing device (3-3) is mounted on a frame near the other end of the conveyor belt (3-1), and the mixing tank (2) is located above the middle of the conveyor belt (3-1); The weight sensing device (3-2) and the gripper (3-4) are fixed on the conveyor belt (3-1) and rotate with the conveyor belt (3-1). The fermentation container is placed on the weight sensing device (3-2), and the gripper (3-4) is used to hold the fermentation container. The cleaning unit (S1) can inject fruits and vegetables into the fermentation container. The fermentation unit (S4) includes a fermentation chamber (4-1) and a sterilization device (4-2); the fermentation chamber (4-1) is used to store a sealed fermentation container at the fermentation temperature; the sterilization device (4-2) is used to kill microorganisms in the fruits, vegetables and fermentation liquid in the fermentation container after the fermentation cycle is completed.
2. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning unit (S1) includes an electrolytic water generator (1-1) and fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment (1-2); The electrolyzed water generator (1-1) is used to prepare electrolyzed water and to soak and sterilize fruits and vegetables with the electrolyzed water. The fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment (1-2) is used to clean soaked fruits and vegetables with clean water.
3. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fruit and vegetable cleaning equipment (1-2) includes a cleaning chamber and a cylindrical screen disposed in the cleaning chamber and rotatably connected thereto; A spiral blade is fixedly connected inside the screen. One end of the spiral blade extends out of the screen and is located below the feed inlet of the cleaning chamber, while the other end corresponds to the discharge outlet of the cleaning chamber. The bottom of the cleaning chamber is provided with an air hole for connecting an external bubble generator.
4. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water electrolysis generator (1-1) includes: an electrolysis cell and a soaking tank; The electrolytic cell is equipped with an anode plate, a cathode plate, and an ion exchange membrane. The ion exchange membrane divides the electrolytic cell into an anode region and a cathode region. The anode region is connected to the soaking tank. A suspension crossbar is fixedly connected to the soaking tank, and the suspension crossbar is rotatably connected to the soaking basket used to hold fruits and vegetables.
5. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple weight sensing devices (3-2) and grippers (3-4), and they are connected to the conveyor belt (3-1) in a one-to-one correspondence.
6. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The conveyor belt (3-1) is driven by a servo motor, which enables the conveyor belt (3-1) to pause periodically.
7. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sterilization device (4-2) includes a high-temperature sterilization component and a cooling component.
8. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fermentation chamber (4-1) is equipped with a temperature control component and a ventilation component.
9. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a fermentation container feeding device located below the conveyor belt (3-1) for supplying empty fermentation containers to the gripper (3-4).
10. The ready-to-sell fermented food production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixing tank (2) is equipped with an electromagnetic stirrer (2-1) inside it and an electromagnetic actuator on its top.