An inoculation port and a simple fermentation tank
By designing an annular alcohol tank and a hollow cylindrical inoculation port on a plastic bucket, combined with high-temperature resistant materials, the problem of aseptic assurance in the inoculation process during small-scale edible mushroom cultivation was solved, achieving low-cost and efficient sterilization and improving the cultivation success rate.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DEQING WUKANG SMALL LEAF EDIBLE MUSHROOM FARM
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
In small-scale edible mushroom cultivation, it is difficult to ensure sterility in the traditional inoculation process, especially in non-professional environments such as rural households or fields. Existing sterilization equipment is costly, complex to operate, and has unstable effects, resulting in a high risk of contamination by miscellaneous bacteria and affecting the success rate of cultivation.
Design an inoculation port suitable for plastic buckets, employing an annular alcohol tank and a hollow cylindrical internal structure, sterilized by a 360° flame ring, combined with high-temperature resistant materials such as stainless steel and ceramics, to ensure sterilization effectiveness and reduce costs.
It achieves efficient sterilization under low-cost conditions, reduces the risk of contamination by miscellaneous microorganisms, improves the ease of operation of the inoculation loop and the success rate of fermentation, and is suitable for the needs of small-scale edible mushroom cultivation.
Smart Images
Figure CN224306486U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to an inoculation port, and more particularly to an inoculation port and a simple fermentation tank. It belongs to the technical field of edible fungi fermentation equipment. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of edible mushroom cultivation, the inoculation process is a crucial step that determines the survival rate, yield, and quality of the spawn. The core of this process lies in ensuring sterility during inoculation to prevent contamination by other microorganisms that could affect the colonization and growth of the target spawn. Traditional edible mushroom production, especially industrialized cultivation, typically employs specialized fermenters or cleanrooms equipped with high-temperature, high-pressure sterilization systems, sterile air filtration systems, and precision inoculation equipment to achieve a strictly sterile operating environment.
[0003] For example, utility model patent CN222770862U discloses an inoculation port device for a fermenter, including an inoculation port tube sealed to the top of the fermenter, and an inoculation port cap sealed to the inoculation port tube. The middle part of the inoculation port tube is an arc-shaped tube, and an external thread is provided near the upper end of the arc-shaped tube. The upper end of the inoculation port tube extends into the inoculation port cap, and the inoculation port cap has an internal thread that matches the external thread. The inoculation port tube and the inoculation port cap are screwed together by the external thread and the internal thread. An inoculation valve is provided in the middle of the inoculation port tube, and an exhaust valve is provided at the upper end of the inoculation port cap. The design of the fermenter inoculation port ensures aseptic operation of inoculation, avoids the risk of contamination during inoculation, improves the efficiency of inoculation, reduces production costs, and ensures the continuity and safety of production.
[0004] While such systems offer reliable sterilization, they are expensive, complex to operate, and energy-intensive, making them unsuitable for small-scale, low-cost production needs.
[0005] In recent years, with the adjustment of agricultural industrial structure and the diversified development of rural economy, small-scale edible mushroom cultivation has become increasingly popular in rural areas and family farms. This type of cultivation typically uses inexpensive and readily available containers (such as mineral water buckets and plastic basins) as culture medium, offering advantages such as low cost and ease of operation, making it particularly suitable for resource-constrained producers such as farmers, small workshops, and rural entrepreneurs. However, these simple cultivation devices face numerous technical challenges, especially in ensuring aseptic technique during inoculation.
[0006] Traditional edible mushroom inoculation methods primarily rely on the sterilization of inoculation tools using an alcohol lamp flame, requiring operators to transfer the inoculum in a relatively clean environment. This method demands a high level of environmental control, requiring specialized sterilization equipment and a relatively sterile operating space, making it difficult to implement effectively in non-professional environments such as rural homes or fields. To address this challenge, several improvement solutions have been proposed, such as using pre-packaged sterile inoculation tools and developing disposable sterile inoculation bags. However, these solutions generally suffer from high costs, cumbersome operations, or inconsistent sterilization effectiveness, hindering their widespread application in resource-constrained scenarios.
[0007] Unlike microbial fermentation, edible mushroom mycelium is more sensitive to contamination by other microorganisms, especially in the early stages of inoculation when the culture medium is nutrient-rich and moist. Once contaminants invade, they can easily multiply rapidly and become dominant, leading to cultivation failure. Furthermore, the environmental conditions are more complex when farmers perform inoculation in fields or greenhouses, with greater air circulation and dust, further increasing the risk of contamination. Therefore, developing a method that ensures efficient sterilization of the inoculation loop while being cost-effective has become a key technological bottleneck in promoting the widespread adoption of small-scale edible mushroom cultivation techniques. Utility Model Content
[0008] This invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing an inoculation port. This inoculation port is suitable for mounting in plastic containers, such as bottled mineral water containers, and offers the advantage of low cost. While ensuring efficient sterilization of the inoculation loop, this port fully considers the usage scenarios of non-professional users such as farmers, combining ease of operation and cost control, thus providing a practical technical solution for the promotion and application of small-scale edible mushroom cultivation technology.
[0009] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above problems is as follows:
[0010] An inoculation port, which is fixed to the bottleneck of a plastic bucket during use, includes an annular alcohol reservoir and a hollow cylindrical inner body having an outer diameter adapted to the inner diameter of the bottleneck. The inner diameter is fixed by being inserted into the bottleneck during use. The annular alcohol reservoir is fitted around the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical inner body, or integrally connected to the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical inner body.
[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the annular alcohol tank includes an inner tank wall, a tank bottom, and an outer tank wall; the hollow cylindrical inner body is integrally connected to the inner tank wall; and the tank bottom constitutes a limiting part for the inoculation port during use.
[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the inner groove wall and the hollow cylindrical inner body have the same inner diameter and outer diameter.
[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the inner groove wall has a larger inner diameter and outer diameter than the hollow cylindrical inner body.
[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the inoculation port also includes a heat insulation ring that is fitted onto the neck edge of the plastic bucket during use.
[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the heat insulation ring is a ceramic ring.
[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the annular alcohol tank includes an inner tank wall, a tank bottom, and an outer tank wall;
[0017] The hollow cylindrical inner body includes a main body and a limiting ring protruding from the outer wall of the main body;
[0018] The annular alcohol tank is fitted onto the outer tank wall and abuts against the limiting ring;
[0019] The limiting ring constitutes a limiting part of the inoculation port during use.
[0020] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the annular alcohol tank is a ceramic tank; the hollow cylindrical inner body is a metal body.
[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the inoculation port also includes a heat insulation ring that is fitted onto the neck edge of the plastic bucket during use.
[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the heat insulation ring is a ceramic ring.
[0023] Another objective of this invention is to provide a simple fermentation tank.
[0024] A simple fermenter includes a plastic bucket with a bottleneck and an inoculation port as described above.
[0025] As a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, the plastic bucket is a bottled mineral water container adapted to a water dispenser; the material of the plastic bucket is PET, PC or PP.
[0026] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0027] 1. This utility model uses a surrounding alcohol tank structure to form a 360° flame ring when the alcohol burns, ensuring that all parts of the inoculation ring are heated evenly and sterilization is more thorough.
[0028] 2. The hollow cylindrical inner diameter is adapted to the inner diameter of the plastic bucket neck, and is fixed by insertion, requiring no additional tools or complicated assembly, and is compatible with common mineral water buckets on the market; no modification is required, greatly reducing the cost of device modification; significantly improving the convenience of operation for farmers and reducing production costs;
[0029] 3. The bottom of the groove or the limiting ring serves as a limiting part, which can fix the insertion depth of the inoculation ring and avoid insufficient contact time with the flame or overheating deformation of the inoculation ring due to hand tremors. The limiting structure ensures the stability of operation.
[0030] 4. In the preferred solution, the heat insulation ring (such as a ceramic ring) blocks heat transfer to a certain extent, protecting the plastic bucket and preventing local high temperatures from causing the plastic to soften and deform. At the same time, its high-temperature resistance allows for brief contact with the flame, resulting in secondary sterilization of the bottleneck edge. When the alcohol inside the alcohol tank burns, it can also act on the bottleneck connection, reducing the pathways for contamination by other microorganisms and improving the fermentation success rate. In other words, it effectively reduces the risk of heat damage to the plastic container and improves the sterilization reliability of the bottleneck connection.
[0031] 5. In the preferred embodiment, the combination of a fast-conducting metal inner body and a high-temperature resistant ceramic alcohol tank balances heat dissipation and flame stability; in a further preferred embodiment, common problems can be solved by replacing the ceramic alcohol tank, avoiding the need for complete replacement and thus reducing maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description
[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the usage state of Example 1;
[0033] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of Example 1;
[0034] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of Example 2;
[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the usage state of Example 3;
[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 3;
[0037] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of Example 4;
[0038] In the diagram, the component names represented by each label are as follows:
[0039] 1- Circular alcohol tank,
[0040] 2-Hollow cylindrical internal body,
[0041] 3-Insulation ring,
[0042] 6-Plastic buckets
[0043] 11-Inner tank wall,
[0044] 12-bottom of the groove,
[0045] 13-Hollow cylindrical internal body,
[0046] 21-Ontology part,
[0047] 22-Limiting ring. Detailed Implementation
[0048] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0049] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present invention and is not intended to limit it. Any changes made by those skilled in the art after reading this specification, as long as they fall within the scope of the claims, will be protected by patent law.
[0050] Example 1: Basic Inoculation Port
[0051] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the inoculation port in this embodiment includes an annular alcohol tank 1 and a hollow cylindrical inner body 2, which are integrally connected. Details are as follows:
[0052] Annular alcohol tank 1: Composed of an inner tank wall 11, a tank bottom 12, and an outer tank wall 13, forming an overall annular groove structure. The overall thickness is 5mm, the height of the inner tank wall 11 is 5cm, the height of the outer tank wall is 4cm, and the width of the tank bottom 12 is 3cm.
[0053] Hollow cylindrical inner body 2: It has a cylindrical structure with an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the neck of the plastic bucket 6 (for example, if the inner diameter of the neck of a mineral water bucket is about 60mm, then the outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical inner body is designed to be 59.8mm to ensure a tight insertion). The overall thickness is 5mm and the height is 5cm.
[0054] Material selection: Both the annular alcohol tank 1 and the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 are made of food-grade stainless steel (such as 304 stainless steel), which is resistant to high temperature and corrosion and not easily damaged.
[0055] The thermal conductivity of stainless steel can accelerate the dissipation of heat during alcohol combustion, reducing the risk of localized high temperatures.
[0056] Assembly and Usage: Insert the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 into the neck of the plastic bucket 6 (e.g., a mineral water bottle), and secure it using a tight fit (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (As shown); Place an appropriate amount of solid alcohol into the annular alcohol tank 1 and ignite it; extend the inoculation loop from above the annular alcohol tank 1 into the flame area and burn for 2-3 seconds to complete sterilization.
[0057] Technical advantages: The integrated connection structure simplifies the assembly process, eliminating the need for additional fixing components. The high-temperature resistance of stainless steel reduces the risk of localized deformation during alcohol combustion.
[0058] Example 2: Basic Inoculation Port
[0059] The only difference from Example 1 is that, as Figure 3 As shown, the inner groove wall 11 and the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 have the same inner and outer diameters, and the two are actually a single piece.
[0060] Example 3: Inoculation port with heat insulation ring
[0061] The only difference from Example 1 is that, as Figures 4-5 As shown, the inoculation port, based on Example 1, adds a ceramic heat insulation ring 3. The heat insulation ring 3 and the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 are separate units. In use, the heat insulation ring 3 is first fitted onto the neck of the mineral water bottle. Then, the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 and the heat insulation ring 3 are inserted together, that is, the inner body 2 is inserted into the heat insulation ring 3, and is fixed by the limiting effect of the groove bottom 12 and the heat insulation ring 3.
[0062] Technical effect: The ceramic heat insulation ring 3 prevents the flame from directly contacting the plastic bucket, avoiding softening and deformation caused by local high temperature.
[0063] Example 4: Split-type inoculation port with heat insulation ring
[0064] like Figure 6 As shown, the inoculation port in this embodiment includes an annular alcohol tank 1, a hollow cylindrical inner body 2, and a heat insulation ring 3. These three components are connected using a separate structure. Details are as follows:
[0065] Annular alcohol tank 1: Composed of an inner tank wall 11, a tank bottom 12, and an outer tank wall 13, forming an overall annular groove structure. The overall thickness is 5mm, the height of the inner tank wall 11 is 2cm, the height of the outer tank wall is 4cm, and the width of the tank bottom 12 is 3cm.
[0066] Hollow cylindrical inner body 2: It has a cylindrical structure with an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the heat insulation ring 3. The overall thickness is 5mm and the height is 5cm. It includes a main body 21 and a limiting ring 22 disposed on the outer periphery of the main body 21.
[0067] Insulation ring 3: When in use, first fit it onto the rim of the mineral water bottle. The inner diameter is adapted to the outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 (for example, if the inner diameter of the insulation ring 3 is about 58mm, then the outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical inner body is designed to be 57.8mm to ensure a tight insertion).
[0068] Material selection: Both the annular alcohol tank 1 and the heat insulation ring 3 are made of ceramic, which is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion; the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 is made of food-grade stainless steel (such as 304 stainless steel), which is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion and not easily damaged. The thermal conductivity of stainless steel can accelerate the heat dissipation during alcohol combustion and reduce the risk of localized high temperatures.
[0069] Assembly and usage: First, fit the heat insulation ring 3 onto the mineral water bottle. Insert the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 into the heat insulation ring 3 and use the limiting ring 22 for contact and restraint. Fit the annular alcohol tank 1 onto the hollow cylindrical inner body 2 and use the limiting ring 22 for contact and restraint. Put an appropriate amount of solid alcohol into the annular alcohol tank 1 and ignite it. Insert the inoculation loop from above the annular alcohol tank 1 into the flame area and burn for 2-3 seconds to complete sterilization.
[0070] Technical benefits: The combination of ceramic and stainless steel has both high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. However, under combustion conditions, ceramic has better corrosion resistance, while stainless steel is not easily damaged and has good thermal conductivity. In addition, the ceramic heat insulation ring 3 prevents the flame from directly contacting the plastic bucket, avoiding softening and deformation caused by local high temperature. The split design makes it easy to replace damaged parts (for example, if the ceramic tank breaks, only the alcohol tank needs to be replaced, without replacing the hollow cylindrical inner body). It also reduces maintenance costs.
[0071] Example 5: Simple Fermentation Tank
[0072] A simple fermentation tank, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a mineral water bottle and the inoculation port from Example 1. The mineral water bottle is made of PET.
[0073] Example 6: Simple Fermentation Tank
[0074] A simple fermentation tank, such as Figure 4 As shown, it includes a mineral water bottle and the inoculation port in Example 3. The mineral water bottle is made of PP.
Claims
1. An inoculation port, which is fixed to the neck of a plastic bucket (6) during use, characterized in that: It includes an annular alcohol tank (1) and a hollow cylindrical inner body (2) having an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the bottleneck and is fixed by being inserted into the bottleneck during use; the annular alcohol tank (1) is fitted around the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical inner body (2), or is integrally connected to the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical inner body (2).
2. The inoculation port according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular alcohol tank (1) includes an inner tank wall (11), a tank bottom (12), and an outer tank wall (13); the hollow cylindrical inner body (2) is integrally connected to the inner tank wall (11); the tank bottom (12) constitutes the limiting part of the inoculation port during use.
3. The inoculation port according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner wall (11) has the same inner and outer diameter as the hollow cylindrical inner body (2).
4. An inoculation port according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner wall (11) has a larger inner diameter and outer diameter than the hollow cylindrical inner body (2).
5. An inoculation port according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inoculation port also includes a heat insulation ring (3) that is fitted onto the neck edge of the plastic bucket (6) during use.
6. An inoculation port according to claim 5, characterized in that: The heat insulation ring (3) is a ceramic ring.
7. An inoculation port according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular alcohol tank (1) includes an inner tank wall (11), a tank bottom (12), and an outer tank wall (13). The hollow cylindrical inner body (2) includes a main body (21) and a limiting ring (22) protruding from the outer wall of the main body. The annular alcohol tank (1) is fitted onto the outer tank wall (13) and abuts against the limiting ring; The limiting ring (22) constitutes the limiting part of the inoculation port during use.
8. An inoculation port according to claim 7, characterized in that: The annular alcohol tank (1) is a ceramic tank; the hollow cylindrical inner body (2) is a metal body.
9. An inoculation port according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inoculation port also includes a heat insulation ring (3) that is fitted onto the neck edge of the plastic bucket (6) during use.
10. A simple fermentation tank, characterized in that: It includes a plastic bucket (6) with a bottleneck and an inoculation port as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.