An integrated filter and sediment trap

Abstract

The utility model relates to polysaccharide extraction equipment technical field especially relates to an integrated filter sediment collector, including funnel container, filter assembly, filtrate collection box, sediment push subassembly, sealing door, sediment slide and sediment collection box, filter assembly is detachable and is established at the storage cavity and funnel cavity junction, filtrate collection box is sealed butt joint funnel cavity and vacuum pump through double interface respectively, sediment push subassembly and sealing door are set up opposite, and the sediment slide is obliquely connected in the lower edge of the storage cavity side sealing door and is equipped with sediment collection box below. When using, vacuum pump makes the pressure difference of filter membrane both sides, and the cooperation gravity realizes the quick solid -liquid separation, and the filtrate flows into the filtrate collection box, and when discharging the residue, the sediment is pushed to the sediment slide through the sealing door through the sediment push subassembly, and is collected in the sediment collection box. The application realizes "solid -liquid separation + sediment collection" integration, and greatly promotes the extraction efficiency and product quality, and the adaptability is strong and convenient operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of polysaccharide extraction equipment, and in particular to an integrated filter sedimentation collector suitable for tobacco industry laboratories. Background Technology

[0002] In the tobacco industry's R&D system, polysaccharides, as a key biopolymer material, are widely used to improve and enhance tobacco quality. They not only improve the moisture retention of tobacco, enhance the coordination and stability of combustion, reduce smoke irritation, and improve the smoking experience, but also impart a richer and more delicate aroma. Therefore, the efficient extraction and application of polysaccharides has become one of the core technological pathways for optimizing tobacco quality, and is of great significance in promoting the development of tobacco products towards high-end and refined products.

[0003] In the extraction of polysaccharides from plant materials such as strawberries and blueberries, multiple solid-liquid separation operations are often required (sometimes retaining the supernatant, sometimes retaining the precipitate). This step has a significant impact on the yield and purity of polysaccharides and is a key step in the polysaccharide extraction process. Currently, laboratory-scale polysaccharide extraction largely relies on centrifuges to achieve solid-liquid separation, but this method has significant drawbacks: 1. The equipment functions are discrete, the operation process is cumbersome, and the efficiency is low. Current technology lacks a dedicated device that integrates filtration, sedimentation, and collection. Researchers must alternate between multiple discrete devices such as centrifuges, centrifuge tubes, scrapers, and pipettes, involving multiple dispensing, balancing, centrifugation, pouring, and scraping steps. This process is not only cumbersome, but also severely restricts research efficiency because the processing capacity of a single centrifuge is limited. Whether it's a benchtop centrifuge or a high-speed refrigerated centrifuge, the rotor capacity is fixed. When processing large quantities of samples extracted under different conditions, the centrifuge becomes the rate-limiting step in the entire experimental process.

[0004] 2. Traditional centrifugation methods have significant risks of sample loss and contamination. Current centrifugation methods require aliquoting the extract into several centrifuge tubes and repeatedly pouring and transferring the liquid before and after centrifugation. Each transfer inevitably results in liquid adhering to the tube walls, splashing, or residue, leading to the loss of valuable sample (polysaccharide extract), with loss rates typically as high as 5%-10%. Furthermore, when manually pouring or using a pipette to remove the supernatant, if the precipitate is loose, it is highly susceptible to resuspension, affecting the separation efficiency. Simultaneously, frequent open-loop operations increase the risk of sample contamination by environmental microorganisms, dust, and other foreign impurities, thus affecting the accuracy and reliability of subsequent experimental results.

[0005] 3. Sediment recovery is difficult, with low recovery rates and poor consistency. After centrifugation, the target precipitate disperses and adheres to the walls and bottoms of multiple centrifuge tubes, making recovery extremely inconvenient. Currently, collection relies entirely on manual scraping with a spatula or aspirating with a pipette, which easily introduces operational errors and human impurities, resulting in large fluctuations in recovery rates between batches and poor data repeatability and comparability. Utility Model Content

[0006] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by developing an integrated filter sedimentation collector. Through its integrated design of "solid-liquid separation + sedimentation collection," this invention can significantly improve processing efficiency and reduce product loss and pollution when extracting fruit polysaccharides in tobacco industry laboratories.

[0007] The technical solution to the technical problem solved by this utility model is as follows: This application provides an integrated filter sediment collector, comprising: A funnel container, wherein the upper part of the funnel container is a storage cavity and the lower part is a funnel cavity, and the top of the storage cavity is provided with an inlet, and a sealing cap adapted to it is connected to the inlet; A filter assembly is disposed at the connection between the storage cavity and the funnel cavity. The filter assembly includes a filter membrane and a filter membrane support plate, with the filter membrane sandwiched between two layers of the filter membrane support plate. A filtrate collection box is sealed and connected to the outlet end of the funnel cavity, and a vacuum pump is connected to the outside of the filtrate collection box; A sedimentation pushing assembly is disposed on one side of the storage cavity. The sedimentation pushing assembly includes a push rod and a push plate. One end of the push rod is connected to the push plate located in the storage cavity, and the other end extends through the side wall of the storage cavity to the outside. The push rod is sealed to the connection port of the side wall of the storage cavity. A sealed door is located on the side of the storage cavity directly opposite the sedimentation pushing component; A sedimentation collection box is located below the sealed door.

[0008] As an improvement to the above solution, the filter membrane support plate has a perforated structure and is in the form of a support mesh or support grid.

[0009] As an improvement to the above solution, the filtrate collection box is transparent, or the filtrate collection box is provided with a transparent observation window.

[0010] As an improvement to the above solution, the sealing cover is provided with a vent valve.

[0011] As an improvement to the above solution, the sealing door is connected to the storage cavity via a hinge, and can be opened by flipping upwards or opening to the side.

[0012] As an improvement to the above solution, the connection between the push rod and the side wall of the storage cavity is sealed by a rubber sealing ring, which is made of low-friction food-grade silicone.

[0013] As an improvement to the above solution, a flexible sealing strip is embedded on the outer periphery of the push plate, which fits tightly against the inner wall of the storage cavity.

[0014] As an improvement to the above solution, a downwardly sloping sediment slide is connected to the lower edge of the storage cavity on the side where the sealing door is located, and the sediment collection box is located below the sediment slide.

[0015] As an improvement to the above solution, the sedimentation pushing component is connected to a driving element, which is an electric push rod or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the above solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: 1. Improve processing efficiency and shorten experimental cycle. Compared to traditional centrifuges that operate in batches, this equipment, relying on negative pressure filtration and a large-capacity design, can process the usual amount of laboratory extracts in a single batch without the need for batch centrifugation. The entire process takes less time, significantly reducing experimental waiting time.

[0017] 2. Reduce product loss and contamination to ensure quality. The equipment adopts an integrated closed process, which avoids repeated transfer of the extract and significantly reduces the polysaccharide loss rate. Furthermore, it uses mechanical pushing to collect the precipitate, replacing manual operation, which reduces the introduction of impurities, improves the precipitate recovery rate, and ensures the purity of the filtrate and precipitate.

[0018] 3. Simplify operations and reduce reliance on manual labor. It integrates "filtration + slag removal" functions, eliminating the need for separate equipment operation, simplifying the process, reducing the need for frequent monitoring or tube-by-tube processing by professional personnel, reducing operational intensity, and adapting to multi-sample parallel scenarios in laboratories.

[0019] 4. Highly adaptable, balancing practicality and flexibility. The filter assembly is detachable and can be replaced with filter membranes of different pore sizes, making it suitable for the extraction of polysaccharides from various fruits.

[0020] In summary, this equipment fundamentally solves the pain points of traditional centrifugation methods, providing a better solution for polysaccharide extraction in tobacco industry laboratories, and has significant practical value and promotional significance. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0022] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the integrated filter sedimentation collector in this embodiment.

[0023] In the diagram, 1 is the storage chamber; 2 is the funnel chamber; 3 is the filtrate collection box; 4 is the filter assembly; 5 is the vacuum pump; 6 is the sealing door; 7 is the precipitate slide; 8 is the precipitate collection box; 9 is the push rod; 10 is the push plate; and 11 is the sealing cover. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the present invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of the present invention. To simplify the disclosure of the present invention, the components and arrangements of specific examples are described below. Furthermore, the present invention may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in different examples. This repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. It should be noted that the components illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The present invention omits descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques and processes to avoid unnecessarily limiting the present invention. The terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0025] See Figure 1 This embodiment provides an integrated filter sedimentation collector, including a funnel container. The upper part of the funnel container is a rectangular storage cavity 1, and the lower part is a cone-shaped funnel cavity 2. The storage cavity 1 and the funnel cavity 2 are integrally formed and interconnected, forming a material flow channel.

[0026] A filtrate collection box 3 is connected below the outlet end of the funnel cavity 2. A filter assembly 4 is installed at the connection between the storage cavity 1 and the funnel cavity 2. The filter assembly 4 includes a filter membrane and double-layer filter membrane support plates located above and below the filter membrane. Specifically, the filter membrane support plate includes a perforated support mesh or support grid made of plastic or metal. The pore size of the perforated structure is larger than the pore size of the filter membrane to avoid obstructing the flow of filtrate. The filter membrane is sandwiched between the two layers of support mesh or support grid, that is, the "upper support plate + filter membrane + lower support plate" are tightly pressed and fixed by bolts or buckles to form a "detachable filter assembly 4", which is then installed as a whole at the connection between the storage cavity 1 and the funnel cavity 2. The filter assembly 4 ensures that the filter membrane remains flat and is not damaged when there is a pressure difference between the storage cavity 1 and the funnel cavity 2 or when it is subjected to the weight of the material. The filter assembly 4 is detachable and can be replaced with filter membranes of different pore sizes to adapt to the extraction of various fruit polysaccharides. During use, the filtrate separated by the filter membrane enters the filtrate collection box 3 along the funnel cavity 2.

[0027] The filtrate collection box 3 has two interfaces. One interface is directly and sealed to the bottom outlet of the funnel cavity 2, ensuring that liquid can flow from the funnel cavity 2 into the filtrate collection box 3. The other interface is located at the top of the filtrate collection box 3 and is sealed to the vacuum pump 5 through a pipeline. In use, the vacuum pump 5 is started, removing the air from the filtrate collection box 3 to create a negative pressure. The funnel cavity 2 simultaneously forms a negative pressure through the sealed interface with the filtrate collection box 3 (because the liquid can flow, the pressure in the funnel cavity 2 and the filtrate collection box 3 will quickly reach equilibrium). A pressure difference is formed between the placement chamber 1 (normal pressure / slight positive pressure) and the funnel cavity 2 (negative pressure) on both sides of the filter membrane. The liquid in the placement chamber 1 is "forced" into the filter membrane. Under the combined action of pressure difference and gravity, the liquid in the placement chamber 1 quickly passes through the filter membrane and enters the funnel cavity 2 and the filtrate collection box 3.

[0028] As an embodiment of this invention, the filtrate collection box 3 can be made transparent or have a transparent observation window to facilitate observation of the filtrate level.

[0029] The storage chamber 1 has an inlet at its top, and a matching sealing cap 11 is connected to the inlet to seal it. During use, the sealing cap 11 is opened to allow material to be placed into the storage chamber 1. Furthermore, the sealing cap 11 can be equipped with a vent valve, which can be briefly opened to release air before filtration, preventing excessive initial positive pressure in the storage chamber 1.

[0030] The right side of the storage cavity 1 is equipped with a sealed door 6 that can be opened by hinges by flipping upwards or by opening horizontally along the side. The door edge is embedded with a flexible silicone sealing strip, and it is locked by a latch lock on the outside of the door when closed. The lower edge of this side is also connected to a downwardly sloping sediment slide 7, and a sediment collection box 8 is set below the sediment slide 7.

[0031] On the left side of the storage cavity 1, directly opposite the sealing door 6, a sedimentation actuation assembly is provided. This assembly includes a push rod 9 and a push plate 10 connected to the inner end of the push rod 9. One end of the push rod 9 is fixedly connected to the push plate 10 located inside the storage cavity 1, and the other end extends to the outside of the storage cavity 1 through a connection port. Specifically, this connection port is sealed to the push rod 9 by a rubber sealing ring made of low-friction food-grade silicone, ensuring a seal without hindering the sliding of the push rod 9. A flexible silicone sealing strip is embedded around the outer periphery of the push plate 10, which fits tightly against the inner wall of the storage cavity 1 to prevent sediment from remaining in the gaps. In use, the sedimentation actuation assembly pushes the sediment after solid-liquid separation from inside the storage cavity 1 outwards towards the sealing door 6.

[0032] In this embodiment, the sedimentation pushing assembly is connected to a detachable drive component, which can be an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder. The drive component can drive the push rod 9 to reciprocate along the horizontal direction of the storage cavity 1. The sedimentation pushing assembly can also be operated manually or automatically, depending on the situation.

[0033] The specific usage steps of this embodiment are as follows: During filtration, close the sealing door 6, place the push plate 10 on the far left of the storage chamber 1, open the sealing cover 11, put the fruit material to be filtered onto the filter assembly 4 in the storage chamber 1, close the sealing cover 11, start the vacuum pump 5, and collect the filtrate into the filtrate collection box 3 under the action of gravity and the pressure difference on both sides of the filter membrane.

[0034] When discharging slag, first turn off the vacuum pump 5 and open the latch lock of the sealing door 6; push the push plate 10 to the right to push the sediment in the storage chamber 1 to the right sealing door 6, and finally the sediment slides along the sediment slide 7 into the sediment collection box 8 below; after the sediment is collected, pull the push rod 9 to the left to reset the push plate to the left side of the storage chamber 1, close the sealing door 6, and the next batch of filtration can be carried out.

[0035] Although the specific embodiments of the utility model have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the utility model. Based on the technical solution of the utility model, various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort are still within the scope of protection of the utility model.

Claims

1. An integrated filter sedimentation collector, characterized in that: include The funnel container has an upper part as a storage cavity (1) and a lower part as a funnel cavity (2). The top of the storage cavity (1) is provided with an inlet, and a sealing cap (11) adapted to the inlet is connected to the inlet. A filter assembly (4) is disposed at the connection between the storage cavity (1) and the funnel cavity (2). The filter assembly (4) includes a filter membrane and a filter membrane support plate. The filter membrane is sandwiched between two layers of the filter membrane support plate. A filtrate collection box (3) is sealed and connected to the outlet end of the funnel cavity (2), and a vacuum pump (5) is connected to the outside of the filtrate collection box (3). A sedimentation pushing assembly is disposed on one side of the storage cavity (1). The sedimentation pushing assembly includes a push rod (9) and a push plate (10). One end of the push rod (9) is connected to the push plate (10) located in the storage cavity (1), and the other end extends through the side wall of the storage cavity (1) to the outside. The push rod (9) is sealed to the connection port of the side wall of the storage cavity (1). A sealing door (6) is provided on the side of the storage cavity (1) opposite to the sedimentation pushing component; A sedimentation collection box (8) is located below the sealing door (6).

2. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter membrane support plate has a perforated structure and is in the form of a support mesh or support grid.

3. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filtrate collection box (3) is transparent, or the filtrate collection box (3) is provided with a transparent observation window.

4. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing cap (11) is equipped with a vent valve.

5. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealed door (6) is connected to the storage cavity (1) by a hinge, and can be opened by flipping upward or opening to the side.

6. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection between the push rod (9) and the side wall of the storage cavity (1) is sealed by a rubber sealing ring, which is made of low-friction food-grade silicone.

7. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The push plate (10) is fitted with a flexible sealing strip on its outer periphery that fits tightly against the inner wall of the storage cavity (1).

8. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower edge of the storage cavity (1) on the side where the sealing door (6) is located is connected to a downwardly inclined sediment slide (7), and the sediment collection box (8) is located below the sediment slide (7).

9. The integrated filter sedimentation collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sedimentation propulsion assembly is connected to a driving component, which is an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

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