A new type of inoculation device for fermenter

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of fermentation tank inoculation, disclose a novel fermentation tank inoculation device, including inoculation cup, the bottom of inoculation cup is equipped with the liquid outlet pipe, and be equipped with the switch valve on the liquid outlet pipe, and the outer end of liquid outlet pipe is equipped with the pipe of screwing of screwing pipe with the inoculation pipe on the fermentation tank carries out the thread connection, the inoculation cup's through locking mechanism is equipped with the top cover that is used for closing the cup mouth of inoculation cup. The utility model discloses through the top cover that the locking mechanism of inoculation cup installs is used for closing the cup mouth of inoculation cup, can constitute a closed space like this, like this can not be disturbed by the bacteria in the external environment when inoculating, and can not happen spatter, can inoculate under closed aseptic, normal pressure environment, reach material is not contaminated, simple operation, also can not lead to the guarantee safety of sparge, improve fermentation qualification rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fermenter inoculation technology, and in particular to a novel fermenter inoculation device. Background Technology

[0002] Before microbial fermentation can begin, a certain number of pure microbial strains need to be cultured in a sterile environment. Inoculation involves transferring the prepared microbial strains into the fermenter (or bioreactor) after the culture medium has been added, sterilized at high temperature, and then cooled to the required process temperature. Inoculation must be performed under sterile conditions; otherwise, contamination by other microorganisms can lead to fermentation failure. Therefore, the inoculation device must remain sealed and sterile throughout the entire inoculation process. Existing fermenters have the problem that during inoculation, the air pressure needs to be manually controlled. Improper control can easily cause spraying, resulting in acid or alkali splashing onto operators, creating a safety hazard. Furthermore, the splashed liquid can flow back into the tank, posing a risk of contamination. Spraying can also cause flame extinguishing or other accidents, leading to material contamination and fermentation failure. The main reason is that during inoculation, when the air pressure inside the tank is zero, direct contact with the outside air can easily cause contamination; when the air pressure is too high, the material inside the tank can easily spray out. In operation, existing equipment is prone to contamination and safety hazards during inoculation. Personnel need to practice pressure control repeatedly, and the operation is not easy to master. The only way to reduce the probability of pollution and accidents is to strengthen personal protection. Therefore, we designed a new type of fermenter inoculation device. Utility Model Content

[0003] To overcome the technical defects of the existing technology, this utility model provides a novel fermenter inoculation device that can be used for inoculation in a closed, sterile, and normal pressure environment, ensuring that the material is not contaminated, the operation is simple, and the safety of the spray irrigation is guaranteed, thereby improving the fermentation qualification rate.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a novel fermenter inoculation device, including an inoculation cup, a liquid outlet pipe at the bottom of the inoculation cup, a switch valve on the liquid outlet pipe, and a tightening pipe at the outer end of the liquid outlet pipe that is threadedly connected to the inoculation pipe on the fermenter. The inoculation cup is fitted with a top cover for sealing the mouth of the inoculation cup by a locking mechanism.

[0005] Preferably, the upper end of the inoculation cup is provided with a flame groove surrounding the mouth of the inoculation cup.

[0006] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a locking screw hinged to the free end of the top cover, a locking block is provided on the outer wall of the inoculation cup, and the locking block is provided with a locking groove for the locking screw to be engaged, and a locking cap is threaded on the locking screw to engage with the locking block and lock, and one end of the top cover is hinged to the inoculation cup via a hinge shaft.

[0007] Preferably, the outer end of the locking screw is a hemisphere.

[0008] Preferably, the top cover is provided with a sealing ring for sealing the mouth of the inoculation cup.

[0009] Preferably, the inoculation cup is made of stainless steel.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom of the inoculation cup is funnel-shaped.

[0011] Preferably, the switch valve and the outlet pipe are connected by a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model has a top cover installed on the inoculation cup via a locking mechanism to seal the mouth of the inoculation cup, thus forming a sealed space. This prevents interference from bacteria in the external environment during inoculation and prevents splashing. Unlike existing inoculation methods where the inoculation hole of the fermenter is completely open and the bacterial solution is poured into the fermenter, this utility model uses a switch valve between the fermenter and the sample cup to isolate them. During inoculation, the valve is closed, the seed solution is poured into a sterilized hollow cup, the cup lid is locked, and then the switch valve at the bottom is opened to allow the inoculum to be placed into the fermenter by gravity or pressure difference to complete the inoculation. Attached Figure Description

[0013] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the top cover opening structure of this utility model.

[0016] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Inoculation cup; 2. Discharge tube; 3. Switch valve; 4. Inoculation tube; 5. Tightening tube; 6. Top cover; 7. Flame slot; 8. Locking screw; 9. Locking block; 10. Locking groove; 11. Locking cap; 12. Hemisphere; 13. Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the various embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many technical details have been provided in the various embodiments of this utility model to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, the technical solutions claimed in the claims of this application can be implemented even without these technical details and with various variations and modifications based on the following embodiments.

[0018] like Figures 1-2 As shown, this embodiment provides a novel fermenter inoculation device, including a funnel-shaped inoculation cup 1. The inoculation cup 1 has a liquid outlet pipe 2 at its bottom, and a switch valve 3 on the outlet pipe 2. The outer end of the outlet pipe 2 has a screw-on pipe 5 that is threadedly connected to the inoculation pipe 4 on the fermenter. A top cover 6 for sealing the mouth of the inoculation cup 1 is installed on the inoculation cup 1 via a locking mechanism. By installing the top cover 6 on the inoculation cup 1 via a locking mechanism to seal the mouth of the inoculation cup 1, a sealed space is formed. This prevents interference from bacteria in the external environment during inoculation and avoids splashing. Unlike existing inoculation methods where the fermenter inoculation hole is completely open and the bacterial solution is poured into the fermenter, this device separates the fermenter and the sample cup using the switch valve 3. During inoculation, the valve is closed, the seed solution is poured into a sterilized hollow cup, the cup lid is locked, and then the bottom switch valve 3 is opened to allow the inoculum to be placed into the fermenter by gravity or pressure difference to complete the inoculation.

[0019] The inoculation cup 1 has a flame groove 7 arranged around its rim at its upper end. The burning flame generates an upward hot airflow, making it difficult for microorganisms and dust in the surrounding air to enter the cup. Performing operations such as inoculation and streaking near this flame barrier can maximize the sterility of the operation area and prevent contamination by other microorganisms.

[0020] The locking mechanism includes a locking screw 8 hinged to the free end of the top cover 6, allowing rotation between the locking screw 8 and the free end of the top cover. A locking block 9 is provided on the outer wall of the inoculation cup 1, and the locking block 9 has a slot 10 for the locking screw 8 to engage. A locking cap 11, threaded onto the locking screw 8, engages with the locking block 9 for locking. One end of the top cover 6 is hinged to the inoculation cup 1 via a hinge shaft. After the top cover is closed, the locking screw 8 is rotated, causing it to engage with the locking block 9. Then, the locking cap 11 is tightened, engaging with the locking block 9 to lock the locking screw. This securely locks the top cover 6, ensuring good airtightness inside the inoculation cup. The outer end of the locking screw 8 is a hemispherical shape 12 to prevent scratches to workers.

[0021] The top cover 6 is equipped with a sealing ring 13 for sealing the mouth of the inoculation cup 1, thus ensuring good airtightness at the connection. The inoculation cup 1 is made of stainless steel, which is durable. The bottom of the inoculation cup 1 is funnel-shaped, which facilitates the downward flow of the inoculation solution by gravity. The switch valve 3 and the outlet pipe 2 are connected by a snap-fit ​​connection, which facilitates disassembly, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization.

[0022] Furthermore, any content not described in detail in this specification is existing technology known to those skilled in the art.

[0023] Working principle: Before inoculation, the entire device is disassembled for thorough disinfection and sterilization, and then reassembled. Before pouring the inoculation solution into inoculation cup 1, the switch valve 3 is closed. The flame burning in the flame chamber 7 generates an upward hot airflow, making it difficult for microorganisms and dust in the surrounding air to enter the cup. Operations such as inoculation and streaking are performed near this flame barrier, which can maximize the sterility of the operation area and prevent contamination by other microorganisms. Then, the inoculation solution is poured into inoculation cup 1, and the top cover 6 is closed and the locking cap 11 is tightened. The locking cap 11 and the locking block 9 engage in abutment and lock, thereby locking the locking screw 8. The locking screw 8 firmly locks the top cover 6, thus ensuring good airtightness inside inoculation cup 1. After disinfection and sterilization, the tightening tube 5 is threadedly connected to the inoculation tube 4 on the fermenter. The switch valve 3 is opened, and the inoculum is put into the fermenter by gravity or pressure difference to complete the inoculation.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific examples of implementing the present invention, and in practical applications, various changes can be made to them in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel fermenter inoculation device, characterized in that: The inoculation cup (1) includes an outlet pipe (2) at the bottom of the inoculation cup (1), and an on / off valve (3) on the outlet pipe (2). The outer end of the outlet pipe (2) is provided with a screw-on pipe (5) that is threadedly connected to the inoculation pipe (4) on the fermenter. The inoculation cup (1) is fitted with a top cover (6) through a locking mechanism for sealing the mouth of the inoculation cup (1).

2. The novel fermenter inoculation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the inoculation cup (1) is provided with a flame groove (7) surrounding the mouth of the inoculation cup (1).

3. The novel fermenter inoculation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking mechanism includes a locking screw (8) hinged to the free end of the top cover (6), a locking block (9) is provided on the outer wall of the inoculation cup (1), and the locking block (9) is provided with a locking groove (10) for the locking screw (8) to be inserted into, and a locking cap (11) is threaded on the locking screw (8) to abut and lock against the locking block (9), and one end of the top cover (6) is hinged to the inoculation cup (1) via a hinge shaft.

4. The novel fermenter inoculation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer end of the locking screw (8) is a hemisphere (12).

5. The novel fermenter inoculation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover (6) is provided with a sealing ring (13) for sealing the mouth of the inoculation cup (1).

6. The novel fermenter inoculation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inoculation cup (1) is made of stainless steel.

7. The novel fermenter inoculation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the inoculation cup (1) is funnel-shaped.

8. The novel fermenter inoculation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching valve (3) and the outlet pipe (2) are connected by a snap-fit ​​connection.

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