DE102018221523A1 - System for measuring sterilization parameters in a sterilization unit to be tested - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for measuring sterilization parameters, comprising a first measuring device (M1) for measuring a hydrogen peroxide content, a second measuring device (M2) for measuring at least one further parameter relating to sterilization selected from the group comprising flow, conductivity , Temperature, relative humidity, pH value, • a processing device (VE) for the linked evaluation of the data of the first and the second measuring device.

Description

The invention relates to a system for measuring sterilization parameters in a sterilization unit to be tested, in particular a system for measuring sterilization parameters in filling plants

Background of the invention

In the context of process automation, process control and process parameterization have gained a high status, in particular for releasing (circulating) sensitive products, such as foodstuffs. In order to increase process reliability in the filling of food, aseptic filling has become established.

Here, a separate sterilization of packaging material and food. Hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) from the gas phase has become established along with other processes for packaging material sterilization. At present, there is no commercial system for detecting hydrogen peroxide gas concentration. Thus, the release of the foods filled with these methods takes place after time-consuming and labor-intensive microbiological methods.

During the evaluation period, the bottled products must first be stored. To accelerate this product release, there is an increased interest in parametric release. For this purpose, it is necessary to document the parameters of the bottling plant, such as H ₂ O ₂ dosage, gas volume flow, gas temperature, etc. Another parameter for parametric release is the sensory detection and verification of these parameters.

From the prior art bottling plants for food are known. In these filling systems, the containers must be germ-free depending on the product to be filled. For this purpose, the containers to be filled are usually sterilized directly before the filling process to inactivate germs that adhere to the surface during the manufacture of the container or the transport of the material.

This ensures that the packaged foods over a longer period of time and sometimes also be kept frozen.

For sterilization, in principle, different processes, such as e.g. Irradiation by UV or ionizing radiation, or fumigation with ethylene oxide or rinsing with peroxyacetic acid, can be used.

By far the most common sterilization process uses hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) at different concentrations and in different exposure times. The effectiveness can also be increased by an increased temperature.

An increase in temperature is not everywhere possible, otherwise the material is attacked. Too low a temperature leads to condensation and an increased residual concentration of the sterilization medium.

Due to the cycle times during filling a low exposure time is required. Critical parameter is therefore the concentration of the sterilizing agent, which should preferably be achieved throughout the container at least over a partial period.

To ensure this, measurements are taken.

So it is for example from the DE 697 21 499 22 known to equip a sterilization chamber with fixed sensors. The sensors can transmit data wirelessly to a receiving device. However, these sensors give only an insufficient picture with respect to a body to be sterilized, which is to be treated in the sterilization chamber.

Although one could look at individual containers downstream in terms of their germ load, but this method would not be able to respond quickly to contamination, so that the shelf life could not be guaranteed.

Out DE 10 2012 221 436 A1 It is known to determine the concentration of a gas within a bottling plant for beverage packs.

However, it has been shown that this evaluation is incomplete for some areas and in particular does not monitor further process steps.

It should also be noted that, although it is assumed that a sterilizing effect in some process steps, the actually running processes, such. a radical formation and their influence on certain product properties, not or only insufficiently understood and / or interpretable.

Based on this situation, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for measuring sterilization parameters, which makes it possible to determine the sterilization behavior more precisely.

The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are in particular subject of the dependent claims.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung von Elementen gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung,
• 2 weitere Aspekte von Ausführungsformen gemäß der Erfindung,
• 3 eine Systemeinheit gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung, und
• 4 Messeinrichtungen gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. In these shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of elements according to embodiments of the invention,
• 2 further aspects of embodiments according to the invention,
• 3 a system unit according to embodiments of the invention, and
• 4 Measuring devices according to embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description

Hereinafter, the invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the figure. It should be noted that different aspects are described, which can be used individually or in combination. That Any aspect may be used with different embodiments of the invention, unless explicitly illustrated as a mere alternative.

Furthermore, in the following, for the sake of simplicity, usually only one entity will be referred to. Unless explicitly stated, however, the invention may also have several of the entities concerned. As such, the use of the words "a," "an" and "an" is to be understood merely as an indication that at least one entity is used in a simple embodiment.

In 1 is a system 1 for measuring sterilization parameters. The system 1 has at least a first measuring device M1 for measuring a hydrogen peroxide content, and a second measuring device M2 for measuring at least one further parameter relating to a sterilization. This additional parameter is selected from the group comprising flow, conductivity, temperature, relative humidity, pH.

Furthermore, the system points 1 a processing device VE for the linked evaluation of the data of the first measuring device M1 and the second measuring device M2 on.

That is, the system of the present invention can multi-parametrically monitor the sterilization process by means of a plurality of sensors. Thus, e.g. a sterilization process in the food industry (or in medical technology) are monitored. In addition, with the presented system but also a bottled product can be monitored.

Preferably, the system or at least a part of the system is designed so that at least the first measuring device M1 and the second measuring device M2 are placed in a container to be sterilized prior to product filling. For example, if the container is a cup or bucket, the system can 1 or the vorbezeichnet part of the system are placed in a cup or bucket and then introduced into the sterilization process and, where appropriate, in a subsequent filling process.

Thus, a monitoring of sterilization processes and, where appropriate, monitoring of the bottled products is made possible.

For example, the first measuring device M1 a calorimetric hydrogen peroxide gas sensor while the second measuring device M2 a gas flow sensor or a humidity sensor.

The first measuring device M1 can be designed to detect the hydrogen peroxide concentration as a calorimetric gas sensor. This first measuring device M1 can be made for example by means of thin-film technology. Typically, it has at least two such exemplary first measuring device M1 is in 5 shown. By means of the different temperature sensors, an exothermic heat of reaction from the hydrogen peroxide decomposition can be detected.

The decomposition takes place at the active temperature sensor AS which has a catalyst for activation. The catalyst may include, for example, manganese oxide (MnO ₂ ), platinum (Pt) or palladium (Pd) singly or in combination. The catalyst may be deposited, for example, but other techniques are not excluded.

The passive temperature sensor PS however, it is suitable to detect the gas temperature and is passivated against the medium to be monitored, for example hydrogen peroxide. This passivation can be achieved by a cover, for example by a photoresist, such as SU8, or a passivating layer PFA , or FEP ,

The resulting temperature difference between the active temperature sensor AS and the passive temperature sensor PS is approximately in a linear relationship to the present hydrogen peroxide gas concentration.

It should be noted that, of course, a variety of first measuring devices M1 at different locations of a container and / or a plurality of second measuring devices M2 can be provided at different locations of a container.

For example, in 4 a container to be sterilized as an example of a first system unit SE1 shown. The container to be sterilized may be, for example, a bucket or cup or another type of container. This container to be sterilized has, for example, a multiplicity of measuring devices. Shown here are only a variety of first measuring devices M1 , Due to the large number of first measuring devices M1 For example, the sterilization parameters can be measured at a variety of different locations of the container to be sterilized so that a more complete picture of the sterilization process can be made.

In addition, other sensors may be provided to allow a more complete picture.

To evaluate the bottled products, the first measuring device M1 and the second measuring device M2 and other sensors such as sensors for pH, temperature, conductivity of the product can be used in any combination.

That the combination of measuring devices for the evaluation of the sterilization process may differ from the combination of the measuring devices for the filled product.

By combining these sensors with a processing device VE , For example, an intelligent electronics, it is now possible to perform a rapid evaluation of the sterilization process and the subsequent storage.

The processing device VE may be a suitable microprocessor, a microcontroller or a specifically programmed chip (eg ASIC, FPGA).

From the combination of the data obtained from the measuring devices, premature deterioration or inadequate sterilization can be avoided in the short term, e.g. after a few seconds or minutes, are detected.

For example, a linked evaluation can be based on the principal component analysis (PCA). Using this method, the individual measured values can be linked and their mutual interactions analyzed and interpreted. A correlation matrix which can be developed from this can also be compared with microbiological examinations of the filled food, so that a complete image of the entire process with the sensor analysis is made possible.

This makes it possible to avoid the risk of call recalls and the product quality can be secured.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system 1 continue storage media MEM for storing data.

Thus, e.g. History data is stored and analyzed. In addition, however, it can also be provided that analysis data is buffered and kept available for later read-out and / or further processing.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the evaluation of the data may comprise the comparison with threshold values. The thresholds may be hard-coded or customized for each test cycle. Thus, e.g. use a system for different sterilization processes as well as for different products.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the system is 1 as in 2 indicated distributed. Here are the first measuring device M1 and the second measuring device M2 in a first system unit SE1 summarized during the processing facility VE in a second system unit SE2 is arranged. Both the first system unit and the second system unit may include one (or more) storage devices MEM for storing data and / or measured values. The processing device VE is each designed to data or values, by the measuring equipment M1 and M2 or from the receiver RX to be processed, eg to evaluate, to bring into appropriate formats, to link. In addition, the processing device VE also data for the provision by the transmitting unit TX process and provide control of the memory. In the system unit SE2 In addition, a display device AE (optional) can be made available in order to obtain individual or specific data or values which are output by the processing device VE be provided. In addition, in the system unit SE2 also a user interface BS be provided to enter data or certain data or values by the processing means VE and the display device AE to bring to the display. Of course, through the user interface and the system unit SE1 parameterized and / or read out.

Means for storing can both in the first system unit SE1 and / or the second system unit SE1 optionally be provided.

As a result, for example, the data acquisition can be separated from the data processing, whereby, for example, the energy requirement and the space requirement of the first system unit SE1 can be minimized.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first system unit obtains SE1 Energy by inductive coupling. With inductive coupling, for example, the space requirement of the first system unit SE1 be downsized. Alternatively or additionally, a separate power supply, such as a (rechargeable) battery and / or a high-capacity capacitor may be provided.

It can be readily provided that the first system unit SE1 a transmitting device TX for wireless communication of evaluated data, and the second system unit SE2 a receiving device RX to receive the transmitted data.

That the distributed system can wirelessly provide the data so that e.g. data can be provided from a sterilization process. This data may e.g. be used directly for a readjustment of the process parameters. Thus, e.g. the system signals the reaching or exceeding of certain thresholds, e.g. are recognized as sufficient for sterilization and thus end the sterilization process.

The same applies to product parameters after filling.

Without further ado, however, it may alternatively or additionally also be provided that the first system unit SE1 furthermore a receiving device RX for receiving data relating to the evaluation, and wherein the second system unit SE2 ) a transmitting device TX to send data regarding the evaluation.

That means the first system unit SE1 can be parametrized wirelessly, whereby the handling is much easier.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the transmission of data preferably by means of a Nahfeldkommunikationssystems, such as. NFC, ZigBee, WLan, Bluetooth, or wired communication, e.g. USB, is provided.

Without further ado, the system according to the invention can be used repeatedly. For example, at random and / or at regular time intervals and / or at regular intervals of filling or sterilization processes, the first system unit SE1 be supplied in a sterilization units to be tested a bottling plant, while an evaluation with the second system unit SE2 he follows.

The present invention describes an apparatus for testing sterilization processes of product containers, e.g. of food containers, comprising at least one sensor for detecting the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration and another, such as for detecting the gas flow, optionally comprising further sensors for detecting conductance and / or pH of the later filled product, further comprising means for power supply, a signal processing unit for processing the measured data of the sensors and an optional radio transmission device, wherein the sterilization itself is initially monitored with the gas sensors and the properties of the products filled in the container can be monitored by means of this and the further sensors.

In this case, it can already be recognized at an early stage from the combination of several measured values whether a product is e.g. due to faulty sterilization loses early certain quality properties, e.g. a food spoils or a drug loses its properties. It can also be checked by means of the built-in measuring unit, to what extent, for example, desired fermentation processes in the product are already advanced (monitoring the ripening process of a jam-proof yoghurt).

The invention described here is intended to enable this parameter acquisition. A possible pre-formed plastic container or composite packaging to be filled, for example a bucket, is equipped with sensors and is fed as a test system for the parameterization to the sterilization process of a bottling plant. Besides sensors for detecting hydrogen peroxide gas concentration (e.g., calorimetric gas sensors), this "smart bucket" could include gas flow sensing sensors. Furthermore, sensors for detecting the conductivity and / or the pH of the subsequently bottled products are conceivable. By means of conductivity or pH detection, this "intelligent bucket" could be used to be available as an unopened sample after the filling process, which can then be used by the sensors to determine when the product is spoiling.

With this data acquisition, the time for product release can be significantly reduced at previously determined, critically sterilized areas.

The present approach is to capture the sterilization process (holistically) parametrically, on the one hand at the beginning of the process chain (set Values within the system) as well as the sensory examination of the processes on the container to be sterilized. Predefined thresholds can be used to reduce mis-production or unsterile products, thereby minimizing product recall costs.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

System for measuring sterilization parameters

M1

first measuring device for measuring a hydrogen peroxide content

M2

second measuring device for measuring at least one further parameter

VE

processing device

MEM

storage means

SE1

first system unit

SE2

second system unit

TX

transmitting device

RX

receiver

AS

active sensor

PS

passive sensor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 6972149922 [0012]
• DE 102012221436 A1 [0014]

Claims (9)

System (1) for measuring sterilization parameters in a sterilization unit to be tested, comprising • a first measuring device (M1) for measuring a hydrogen peroxide content, • a second measuring device (M2) for measuring at least one further parameter relating to a sterilization selected from the group comprising flow, Conductivity, temperature, relative humidity, pH. • a processing device (VE) for the linked evaluation of the data of the first measuring device (M1) and the second measuring device (M2), characterized in that the first measuring device (M1) and the second measuring device (M2) in a container to be sterilized (SE1 ) are arranged. System after Claim 1 , characterized in that the system (1) further comprises storage means (MEM) for storing data. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation of the data has the comparison with threshold values. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is distributed and the first measuring device (M1) and the second measuring device (M2) are combined in a first system unit (SE1) and the processing device (VE) in a second system unit (SE2 ) is arranged. System after Claim 4 , Wherein at least the first system unit (SE1) receives energy by means of inductive coupling or has a separate power supply. System after Claim 4 or 5 in which the first system unit (SE1) has a transmitting device (TX) for the wireless communication of evaluated data, and wherein the second system unit (SE2) has a receiving device (RX) for receiving the transmitted data. System after Claim 6 wherein the first system unit (SE1) further comprises a receiving device (RX) for receiving data relating to the evaluation, and wherein the second system unit (SE2) has a transmitting device (TX) for sending data relating to the evaluation. System according to one of the preceding Claims 6 or 7 , characterized in that the sending of data is preferably provided by means of a near field communication system or a wired communication. System according to one of the preceding Claims 4 to 8th , characterized in that the first system unit (SE1) is supplied to the sterilization unit to be checked at regular time intervals.

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