A dehulling device for drying small fruits
By designing a skin-breaking device for drying small fruits, and utilizing a combination of a support plate, a fruit placement plate, and a lifting device, the problem of fruit splattering during the blueberry drying process was solved, achieving efficient skin breaking and ensuring fruit drying quality and production efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QILU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (SHANDONG ACADEMY OF SCIENCES)
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
Smart Images
Figure CN224407702U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fruit drying technology, specifically relating to a skin-breaking device for drying tiny fruits. Background Technology
[0002] The statements in this section are merely background information related to this utility model and do not necessarily constitute prior art.
[0003] Miniature fruits refer to fruits that are small in size and weight. These fruits may exhibit different characteristics depending on the plant species. For example, the fruits of some herbaceous plants, shrubs, or vines are naturally small, such as cherries, blueberries, and cranberries, with a diameter typically ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. Blueberries belong to the small berry category, with a single fruit usually only 5-16 millimeters in diameter. The flesh is soft and juicy, and the skin is thin and contains abundant juice and soluble solids.
[0004] In the traditional drying process of blueberries, the small size and high internal moisture content of the fruit make them highly susceptible to bursting. When blueberries encounter sudden changes in the external environment, such as high temperatures and strong winds, during the initial drying stage, the internal moisture rapidly vaporizes, creating vapor pressure. The thin, delicate skin cannot withstand this pressure, causing the fruit to burst. This bursting not only damages the shape of the blueberries, affecting their appearance, but also leads to a significant loss of internal nutrients such as anthocyanins and vitamin C, reducing the product's nutritional value. Furthermore, the exposed flesh of bursting blueberries makes them more susceptible to attracting dust, microorganisms, and insects, significantly increasing the risk of mold contamination and shortening the product's shelf life. Additionally, the seepage of sticky substances from the flesh causes the dried fruit to stick together, drastically reducing production efficiency and yield, seriously impacting the economies of scale in blueberry processing and food safety. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a skin-breaking device for drying small fruits, which can prevent blueberries from bursting during the drying process. It is highly efficient, easy to operate, and can break the skin of multiple fruits at once, ensuring accurate skin-breaking positions and thus guaranteeing the quality of fruit drying.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0007] A peeling device for drying small fruits includes a support plate, a fruit placement plate placed on the upper end of the support plate, the fruit placement plate having a plurality of semi-circular grooves spaced apart; a limiting plate placed on the upper end of the fruit placement plate, the limiting plate having a plurality of circular holes spaced apart; a fruit peeling plate placed on the upper end of the limiting plate, the fruit peeling plate having a plurality of cross-shaped blades spaced apart; and the upper end of the fruit peeling plate being connected to a lifting device.
[0008] As a further technical solution, limiting blocks are provided at both ends and the front of the fruit placement board. The limiting blocks are connected to the support plate and are used to restrict the position of the fruit placement board.
[0009] As a further technical solution, the diameter of the semi-circular groove on the fruit placement plate is larger than the diameter of the circular hole on the limiting plate.
[0010] As a further technical solution, the number of semi-circular grooves is the same as the number of circular holes.
[0011] As a further technical solution, the cross-shaped blade and the fruit peeling plate are fixedly connected, and the width of the cross-shaped blade is smaller than the diameter of the circular hole.
[0012] As a further technical solution, the number of cross-shaped cutting heads is the same as the number of circular holes.
[0013] As a further technical solution, the lifting device includes a hydraulic cylinder, a first connecting plate, and a second connecting plate, wherein the hydraulic rod of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to one end of the first connecting plate.
[0014] As a further technical solution, the other end of the first connecting plate is connected to one end of the second connecting plate.
[0015] As a further technical solution, the other end of the second connecting plate is connected to the upper end of the fruit-peeling plate.
[0016] As a further technical solution, a support foot is provided at the lower end of the support plate, and the support foot and the support plate are fixedly connected.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of this utility model are:
[0018] This invention utilizes a fruit-peeling plate, a fruit placement plate, a limiting plate, a support plate, and a lifting device to peel tiny fruits. First, the tiny fruits are placed in the semi-circular groove of the fruit placement plate. Then, the limiting plate is placed on the fruit placement plate, aligning the semi-circular groove with the circular hole. Next, the lifting device is activated to lower the fruit-peeling plate, allowing the cross-shaped blades on the fruit-peeling plate to pass through the circular hole and into the semi-circular groove, peeling the tiny fruits and cutting cross-shaped slits on their surface. The lifting device then raises the fruit-peeling plate, removes the limiting plate, and allows the tiny fruits on the fruit placement plate to be poured out. This method avoids the problem of tiny fruits bursting during the drying process, is highly efficient, easy to operate, and can peel multiple tiny fruits at once.
[0019] This invention utilizes a semi-circular groove design on the fruit placement plate, allowing tiny fruits to slide into the center of the groove after being poured in. Then, a limiting plate ensures that the cross-shaped blade can cut to the center of the tiny fruit, ensuring accurate skin breaking and avoiding off-center cutting, thereby ensuring the quality of the dried tiny fruits. Attached Figure Description
[0020] 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.
[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the peeling device for drying tiny fruits according to this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the fruit peeling plate of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the peeling device for drying tiny fruits according to this utility model.
[0024] In the diagram: 1. Support plate; 2. Fruit placement plate; 21. Semicircular groove; 3. Limiting plate; 31. Circular hole; 4. Limiting block; 5. Support foot; 6. Hydraulic cylinder; 7. First connecting plate; 8. Second connecting plate; 9. Fruit peeling plate; 91. Cross-shaped cutter head. Detailed Implementation
[0025] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.
[0026] In the traditional drying process of blueberries, the small size and high internal moisture content of the fruit make them highly susceptible to bursting. When blueberries encounter sudden changes in the external environment, such as high temperatures and strong winds, during the initial drying stage, the internal moisture rapidly vaporizes, creating vapor pressure. The thin, delicate skin cannot withstand this pressure, causing the fruit to burst. This bursting not only damages the shape of the blueberries, affecting their appearance, but also leads to a significant loss of internal nutrients such as anthocyanins and vitamin C, reducing the product's nutritional value. Furthermore, the exposed flesh of bursting blueberries makes them more susceptible to attracting dust, microorganisms, and insects, significantly increasing the risk of mold contamination and shortening the product's shelf life. Additionally, the seepage of sticky substances from the flesh causes the dried fruit to stick together, drastically reducing production efficiency and yield, seriously impacting the economies of scale in blueberry processing and food safety.
[0027] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a skin-breaking device for drying small fruits, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a support plate 1, a fruit placement plate 2 placed on the upper end of the support plate 1, and a number of semi-circular grooves 21 spaced apart on the fruit placement plate 2; a limiting plate 3 placed on the upper end of the fruit placement plate 2, and a number of circular holes 31 spaced apart on the limiting plate 3; a fruit peeling plate 9 placed on the upper end of the limiting plate 3, and a number of cross-shaped blades 91 spaced apart on the fruit peeling plate 9; the upper end of the fruit peeling plate 9 is connected to a lifting device.
[0028] The blueberries are peeled using a fruit-peeling plate 9, a fruit placement plate 2, a limiting plate 3, a support plate 1, and a lifting device. First, the blueberries are placed in the semi-circular groove 21 of the fruit placement plate 2. Then, the limiting plate 3 is placed on the fruit placement plate 2, aligning the semi-circular groove 21 with the circular hole 31. Next, the lifting device is activated to lower the fruit-peeling plate 9, allowing the cross-shaped blade 91 on the fruit-peeling plate 9 to pass through the circular hole 31 and enter the semi-circular groove 21 to peel the blueberries in the semi-circular groove 21, cutting cross-shaped cuts on the surface of the blueberries. Then, the lifting device is used to raise the fruit-peeling plate 9, remove the limiting plate 3, and pour the blueberries off the fruit placement plate 2. This method avoids the problem of blueberries bursting during the drying process, is highly efficient, easy to operate, and can peel multiple blueberries at once.
[0029] Specifically, the limiting plate 3 can prevent the fruit from sticking together with the cross-shaped cutter head 91, thus acting as a barrier. After the cross-shaped cutter head 91 cuts, the limiting plate 3 will knock the fruit off the cross-shaped cutter head 91, thereby preventing it from being carried out of the semi-circular groove 21 by the cross-shaped cutter head 91.
[0030] Specifically, when placing blueberries, pour several onto the fruit placement plate 2, then spread the blueberries out so that they fall into the semi-circular grooves 21, ensuring that there is one blueberry in each semi-circular groove 21. After the skin is broken, remove the limiting plate 3, then pick up the fruit placement plate 2 and pour the blueberries into the corresponding storage box for transportation to drying.
[0031] Limiting blocks 4 are provided at both ends and the front of the fruit placement plate 2. The limiting blocks 4 are connected to the support plate 1 and are used to limit the position of the fruit placement plate 2.
[0032] Specifically, the position of the fruit placement plate 2 is restricted by the limiting block 4 to ensure that the fruit placement plate 2 can be aligned with the position of the upper fruit peeling plate 9 after it is placed, so that the cross-shaped blade 91 can accurately extend into the semi-circular groove 21 to peel the blueberries.
[0033] The diameter of the semicircular groove 21 on the fruit placement plate 2 is larger than the diameter of the circular hole 31 on the limiting plate 3. The number of semicircular grooves 21 is the same as the number of circular holes 31.
[0034] Specifically, the design of the semi-circular groove 21 on the fruit placement plate 2 allows the blueberries to slide down to the center of the semi-circular groove 21 after being poured in. Then, the limiting plate 3 enables the cross-shaped blade 91 to cut to the center of the blueberries, ensuring accurate skin breakage and avoiding off-center cutting, thereby ensuring the quality of blueberry drying.
[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the cross-shaped cutter head 91 and the fruit peeling plate 9 are fixedly connected, and the width of the cross-shaped cutter head 91 is smaller than the diameter of the circular hole 31. The number of cross-shaped cutter heads 91 is the same as the number of circular holes 31.
[0036] Specifically, a cross-shaped cut is made on the blueberry skin using the cross-shaped blade 91. This cut breaks down the cuticle and wax layer of the blueberry skin, increasing its breathability and surface area. This allows the moisture inside the blueberry to escape more easily through the cut, thus shortening the drying time.
[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the lifting device includes a hydraulic cylinder 6, a first connecting plate 7, and a second connecting plate 8. The hydraulic rod of the hydraulic cylinder 6 is connected to one end of the first connecting plate 7. The other end of the first connecting plate 7 is connected to one end of the second connecting plate 8. The other end of the second connecting plate 8 is connected to the upper end of the fruit-peeling plate 9.
[0038] Specifically, the hydraulic cylinder 6 is a hydraulic actuator that converts hydraulic energy into mechanical energy and performs linear reciprocating motion (or oscillating motion). It consists of a cylinder barrel, piston rod, piston, sealing device, etc., and is widely used in mechanical engineering and other fields.
[0039] In use, the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 6 drives the fruit peeling plate 9 to rise and fall, thereby peeling the blueberries. The hydraulic rod descends, causing the first moving block to descend, and the first moving block drives the second moving block to descend, thereby causing the fruit peeling plate 9 to descend, so that the cross-shaped blade 91 extends into the semi-circular groove 21 to peel the blueberries.
[0040] A support foot 5 is provided at the lower end of the support plate 1, and the support foot 5 is fixedly connected to the support plate 1.
[0041] Specifically, the support plate 1 provides support for the fruit peeling plate 9, the fruit placement plate 2, the limiting plate 3, and the lifting device. The support feet 5 ensure the stability of the support, thereby placing the fruit placement plate 2 at a height that is easy to place the fruit, making it convenient to operate.
[0042] Although the specific embodiments of the present utility model have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solution of the present utility model are still within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A dehulling device for the drying of small fruits, characterized in that, The device includes a support plate, a fruit placement plate on the upper end of the support plate, and a number of semi-circular grooves spaced apart on the fruit placement plate; a limiting plate on the upper end of the fruit placement plate, and a number of circular holes spaced apart on the limiting plate; a fruit peeling plate on the upper end of the limiting plate, and a number of cross-shaped blades spaced apart on the fruit peeling plate; the upper end of the fruit peeling plate is connected to a lifting device.
2. A dehulling device for drying small fruits as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Limiting blocks are provided at both ends and the front of the fruit placement board. The limiting blocks are connected to the support plate and are used to restrict the position of the fruit placement board.
3. The skin-breaking device for drying small fruits as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the semi-circular groove on the fruit placement plate is larger than the diameter of the circular hole on the limiting plate.
4. The skin-breaking device for drying small fruits as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The number of semi-circular grooves is the same as the number of circular holes.
5. The skin-breaking device for drying small fruits as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-shaped blade and the fruit peeling plate are fixedly connected, and the width of the cross-shaped blade is smaller than the diameter of the circular hole.
6. The skin-breaking device for drying small fruits as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The number of cross-shaped cutter heads is the same as the number of circular holes.
7. The skin-breaking device for drying small fruits as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting device includes a hydraulic cylinder, a first connecting plate, and a second connecting plate, with the hydraulic rod of the hydraulic cylinder connected to one end of the first connecting plate.
8. A skin-breaking device for drying small fruits as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The other end of the first connecting plate is connected to one end of the second connecting plate.
9. A peeling device for drying small fruits as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The other end of the second connecting plate is connected to the upper end of the fruit-peeling plate.
10. The peeling device for drying small fruits as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the support plate is provided with a support foot, and the support foot and the support plate are fixedly connected.