EP4005461B1 - Sanitizing device and method for effecting the sanitization of tools, in particular cutting tools, in the course of a sequence of operations used in food processing - Google Patents

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to a sanitization device and a method for accomplishing the sanitization of tools, in particular knives, as part of a sequence of work steps used for food processing. In particular, the invention is directed to a hygienization, cleaning and disinfection device for tools, in particular cutting tools, which are used in a slaughterhouse.

Background of the invention

A sanitization device according to the preamble of claim 1 is, for example EP-A-2184075 known.

Particularly in the context of meat processing, it is necessary to intensively clean the tools and equipment used. For example, in the slaughterhouse, all knives used for an animal to be slaughtered are cleaned and sterilized. For this purpose, devices are known in which a slaughter knife can be inserted into a slot opening from above. In the area under that slot opening, the knife blade located therein is exposed to hot water.

Furthermore, it is in accordance with the legal requirements. EU regulation EN 853/2004 requires slaughtering tools (knives, saws, etc.) to be cleaned and sterilized (hygienised) from animal to animal on the slaughter line in order to prevent cross-contamination. In accordance with these specifications, a procedure for treating tools and equipment with hot water with a minimum temperature of +82°Celsius is required. Alternative processes are only permitted if they achieve at least the same sanitation quality. So a slaughter knife or a slaughter saw must in particular with a heated rinsing water mixed with a sanitizing medium. The handle area and the user's hand can be subjected to a milder spray by adjusting the device's internal structure, e.g. slightly more throttled nozzles. The washed-off impurities can flow essentially vertically downwards and are drained away, in particular preferably sucked off.

Warm water is preferably used as the sanitizing medium. A biocide can advantageously be added to this. The application of the sanitizing medium to the tool, in particular the cutting tool, in the sanitizing interior can be accomplished by nozzle systems. Nozzles in the form of a so-called dual-substance design are preferably used here. With this nozzle design, media are mixed, e.g. a gaseous medium such as compressed air with a fluid or fluid mixture. The sanitization medium is then formed with a mixture of liquid substances, substances that contribute to the biocidal effect and the gaseous medium, in particular compressed air.

It is possible to provide a bulkhead provided with an opening, in particular a slot, between the hygienization area intended for tool hygiene and the area in which the user's hand is located. When sanitizing a knife, this measure makes it possible to apply a harder spray jet and, if necessary, a sharper and more heated sanitizing medium to the blade area and the area of the knife handle close to the blade.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sanitization device is designed such that the introduction opening has a slot section. This slot section preferably extends upwards in the vertical direction, so that a knife to be sanitized can be inserted into the sanitization interior in an orientation with a vertical blade and the knife tip pointing upwards.

According to a special aspect of the present invention, the insertion opening is designed in such a way that it has a hand passage section which is dimensioned such that a hand enclosing a knife handle can be passed through this insertion opening. The insertion opening is preferably designed and dimensioned overall with regard to its contour in such a way that a hand gloved with a protective glove and gripping a knife on the handle in a fist position can insert the knife into the interior with the blade tip pointing upwards.

A triggering device is preferably provided for triggering a sanitation process after the knife has been introduced into the sanitation interior. This triggering device can be designed in such a way that the triggering device can be triggered via the knife and/or the hand holding the knife, for example via the fingertips. It is then preferably located in the interior of the sanitization device. It can also be designed as an external switch or valve device, in particular a foot-operated trigger device.

It is possible to design the sanitization device in such a way that a sanitization procedure is carried out after the sanitization process has been triggered. This can, for example, include a coarse rinse, in which the easily washable portion of the contaminants is first washed off. Pressure jet hygiene is then carried out with sharper impact on the blade, for example using dual-substance nozzles and warm water, possibly a biocide and/or a heated hygienising fluid. Subsequent treatment can then take place, e.g. steam application and then blow-off or air drying.

It is possible to document the sanitization process. Readable markings, in particular a GIF code, or even a transponder can be provided on the knife or on the glove so that the corresponding information content can be read out via the sanitation device and the sanitation process can be documented in association with the tool, in particular the knife and the hand .

A contact device is preferably provided in the sanitization device for abutting the blade of the tool, in particular a knife, in the sanitization interior. This system can be formed by a PTFE plate. Furthermore, holding elements can be provided in the sanitation interior, which hold the tool to be sanitized, e.g. in the case of a knife, the knife blade, in position as part of the spray jet application.

Overall, the sanitizing device according to the invention is preferably designed in such a way that, in addition to tool sanitation, the tool handle and the hand or glove holding the tool, in particular the knife, are also sanitized. In particular, a fixing device can be provided, through which the tool, e.g. a knife, is fixed as part of the sanitization, so that the grip of the tool handle can be loosened and the intermediate area between the glove and the handle is also rinsed.

It is possible to design the sanitization device in such a way that after the sanitization by rinsing, the tool, in particular the knife, is temporarily in the Hygienization interior can remain and is sterilized therein. It is also possible to provide an additional sterilization device on the device, into which the knife, or at least the blade thereof, can be inserted after rinsing and is then subjected to hot steam, for example.

The sanitizing device can be designed so that when a knife treated therein is removed, the blade is subjected to steam as soon as the user's hand is no longer in the sanitizing interior. The knife is then sterilized as it is removed from the sanitization interior and as it is pulled out of the slot in the opening.

The sanitization device is preferably designed in such a way that a drain or suction device is provided, via which the sanitization medium can be removed from the sanitization interior. In the case of a suction device, it is possible to remove any aerosols from the sanitization interior.

The concept according to the invention makes it possible to dispense with previously common dipping pools, which require manual pre-cleaning and separate sterilization. Advantageously, the concept according to the invention prevents impure liquid from flowing over the actually sterilized blade. According to the invention, the sanitization takes place in one process or a time-compact sequence of sanitation steps in the sanitization device. Dripping liquid flows towards the handle and not onto the blade. This results in significantly reduced water and energy consumption compared to conventional measures. The sanitizing device according to the invention can be ergonomically advantageously mounted or set up directly at a user's workplace at working height.

With the sanitization lock according to the invention, tools, especially knives, and the hand holding the tool, especially knives, are cleaned and sterilized from animal to animal during the slaughter process. In order to achieve an optimal result with low water consumption, water is preferably mixed with air using special air mixing nozzles. Sterilization is done with a premixed disinfectant solution. As soon as the user inserts the tool, in particular the knife, through an opening in the front panel, a pneumatic actuating valve is triggered via a lever mechanism and the sanitation process is started

The knife and the hand are cleaned using preferably 6 to 8 sanitation nozzles with mixed water (for example 45°C nozzle outlet temperature, with 4 - 5 bar water pressure and approx. 8 bar air pressure). Sterilization takes place at the same time using a biocide solution dosed into the sanitation water. The treatment process takes approx. 2-4 sec. and is ended as soon as the lever is no longer pressed (an automatic switch-off is also possible). The front plastic cover can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance purposes. If necessary, the front panel can be replaced to clean circular knives or other cutting tools. During the sanitization process, the hand lever on the left side of the sanitization cabinet must be operated manually and the tool, blade or saw blade must be moved up and down in the housing so that the tool is continuously cleaned. Here, for example, the sanitation lock is made of stainless steel material 1.4301 or 1.4571 or alternatively resistant plastic.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the object stated at the outset is also achieved according to the invention by a method for accomplishing tool, in particular knife, hygiene and disinfection in the context of food, in particular meat processing, in which a tool, in particular knife, picked up with one hand is placed in a hygienization interior and is held with one hand, with the contact surfaces of the cutting tools, e.g. the blade area of the knife, being exposed to a sanitizing medium in the sanitizing interior and the user's hand or a glove surrounding it also being rinsed.

The tool, especially the knife, is held in a vertical orientation. The tip of the blade points upwards. The knife blade is acted upon by blasting a sanitizing medium which is emitted onto the tool, in particular the blade, through several nozzles. The nozzles can include rotating heads, so that a bundle of rotating jets is emitted over the entire surface of the blade in the manner of a so-called dirt cutter. The method may include a blowing step and/or a drying step and a steam sterilization step. Furthermore, aerosol suction can also be carried out from the sanitization interior.

Figur 1

eine vereinfachte Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Hygienisierungsvorrichtung zur Veranschaulichung des Aufbaus und der Funktionsweise derselben;

Figuren 2a, 2b

Skizzen zur Veranschaulichung unterschiedlicher Gestaltungen der Einbringöffnung;

Figur 3

eine Skizze zur Veranschaulichung einer Variante mit abnehmbarem Gehäuse und einem Grundmodul das die wasserführende Verrohrung und die Befestigungsstruktur nebst Ablauf umfasst;

Figur 4

eine Skizze zur Veranschaulichung der unterschiedlich zu reinigenden Zonen innerhalb des Hygienisierungsinnenraumes der Vorrichtung;

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Hygienisierungsvorrichtung als Einzelmodul.

Further details and features of the invention result from the following description in conjunction with the drawing. It shows:

Figure 1

a simplified view of a sanitizing device according to the invention to illustrate the structure and functioning of the same;

Figures 2a, 2b

Sketches to illustrate different designs of the insertion opening;

Figure 3

a sketch to illustrate a variant with a removable housing and a basic module that includes the water-carrying piping and the fastening structure as well as the drain;

Figure 4

a sketch to illustrate the zones to be cleaned differently within the sanitization interior of the device;

Figure 5

a perspective view of the sanitation device as an individual module.

The representation according to Figure 1 shows a sanitizing device according to the invention for sanitizing a tool, here for example in the form of a knife 1. The sanitizing device comprises a housing device 2 which encloses a sanitizing interior 3. Furthermore, the device comprises an insertion opening 4 for introducing the knife 1 into the sanitation interior 3.

In the sanitation interior 3 there is a loading device 5 for applying a sanitation and disinfection medium 6 to the knife 1 located in the sanitation interior 3. The insertion opening 4 is designed in such a way that the knife 1 together with a hand 7 holding it on its handle section 1a The user can be introduced into the hygiene interior 4. The application device 5 includes several nozzles. These can be designed as so-called two-fluid nozzles. These nozzles can be used to mix compressed air with a fluid mixture. The compressed air can be used to further accelerate the added fluid mixture, resulting in efficient cleaning and sanitation based on physical effects.

The insertion opening 4 here comprises a slot section 4a through which the blade 1b of the knife 1 can be inserted in a vertical orientation and with the blade tip pointing upwards.

As can be seen, the insertion opening 4 has a hand passage section, which is dimensioned such that a gloved hand 7 enclosing a knife handle with a fist grip can be passed through this insertion opening 4.

A triggering device 8 is provided on the sanitizing device to trigger a sanitizing process after the knife 1 has been introduced into the sanitizing interior 3. This triggering device is designed here as a pneumatically or electrically switched valve. The pressurized water line 10 can be shut off via a stopcock 9.

The pressure increase of the sanitizing medium takes place by incorporating a pump 11. The pump 11 can be arranged in such a way that it delivers the base medium and the biocide is then added in the pressure section. The sanitization device includes an electronic control device 12 through which an overall control and also a safety circuit is accomplished. Here, for example, the sanitization device can be brought into a safe emergency off mode via an emergency stop switch 13.

The control device 12 ensures that no critical hygiene or sterilization processes are carried out when a hand is in the hygiene interior 3. In particular, the temperature of the sanitizing medium 6 is monitored. The composition of the sanitizing medium 6 is controlled via a metering device 14 and an inlet valve 15 which is located in a water pipe 16. A sanitizing medium or biocide is stored in a container 17.

A circuit component (not shown here) is provided in the device, so that the sanitation process can be triggered via the tool/knife and/or the hand holding the tool/knife. A contact device is provided in the sanitation interior 3 for abutment and support of the tool, in particular the blade of the knife 1, in the sanitization interior 3 during a washing process.

A drain device 18 is provided on the device, via which the sanitizing medium can be removed from the sanitizing interior. It is also possible to provide a suction device via which the used sanitizing medium can be actively removed. It can then be actively suctioned off using a negative pressure system, thus avoiding the escape of aerosols as much as possible.

There is premixed chemistry in the container 17. The pressure booster pump 11 is designed so that water can be brought to 4 - 5 bar. Furthermore, a compressor can be provided to generate compressed air with a pressure of, for example, 6 - 8 bar. The blade can be pressurized with compressed air via the pressurized water nozzles 19. It is possible to deliver the hot water/biocide mixture to the cabinet at a temperature. There the mixing with compressed air takes place using special nozzle technology. This results in increased application pressure with reduced water consumption. This mechanical sanitizing effect improves sanitization, allows lower temperatures (without causing proteins to coagulate and still dissolves the fat) and maintains the sharpness of the cutting tool for longer.

The representation according to Figure 2a shows the design of an insertion opening 4 which makes it possible to insert the knife 1 gripped by a gloved hand 7 into the device in the vertical orientation shown with the blade tip pointing upwards. The slot 4a has a length that essentially corresponds to the length of the blade.

The representation according to Figure 2b shows a variant with a shortened slot opening 4a. The knife is brought from below with a diving movement through the hand passage area into the sanitization interior.

The representation according to Figure 3 shows a design with a basic module 20, which includes the water-carrying pipes and a base plate. A housing module 21 can be placed on this basic module.

The representation according to Figure 4 illustrates the zones 3a, 3b preferably implemented in the sanitation interior 3. The zone 3a is used to carry out the contact surface or blade hygiene and the beam sharpness with which the contact surface or blade 1b is applied is relatively high. In the hand hygiene area 3b, reduced jet intensity is applied. The beam guidance inside the sanitizing interior 3 is designed in such a way that detached contaminants are removed as far as possible from the blade and the knife handle and are carried along by the jet and preferably only run off on the wall of the sanitizing interior 3. A small remaining part of the rinsing water flows vertically down the blade 1b and flows over the handle and hand of the knife or the user. The steel guide in the sanitation interior and the location of the suction are preferably designed in such a way that the sanitation medium that comes into contact with the tool is removed from it without subsequent contact with the tool. The sanitization thus takes place with the slightest displacement of exposed, dissolved or removed contaminants in the sanitization interior. The media guidance is designed in such a way that the tool contact surfaces, especially the knife blade, have the highest degree of cleanliness. The contact surfaces of the tool, its handle and also the user's working hand are hygienized. The hygiene is carried out in conjunction with a suction, so that as little as possible of any mist and aerosols is released into the environment of the device as a result of the hygiene process. The suction air flow is dimensioned so that air from the environment tends to flow in through the insertion opening and as little mist, vapors, drops or aerosols as possible escape during the sanitization process. The device itself is designed in such a way that it can be dismantled into its main components without tools and can therefore also be cleaned reliably as part of a workplace cleaning. It is possible for the device to have one To provide a self-cleaning procedure, within which the device can carry out self-cleaning.

The representation according to Figure 5 shows this again in the illustration Figure 1 provided housing module. This housing module is used to hygienize a tool. The sanitization device comprises a housing device 2 which encloses a sanitization interior 3. Furthermore, the device comprises an insertion opening 4 for introducing a tool into the sanitation interior 3.

In the sanitation interior 3 there is an application device 5 for applying a sanitation and disinfection medium 6 to the tool located in the sanitation interior 3. The insertion opening 4 is designed in such a way that the tool is inserted into the sanitization interior together with a user's hand holding it on its handle section 3 can be introduced. The application device 5 comprises several nozzles. These can be designed as so-called two-fluid nozzles. These nozzles can be used to mix compressed air with a fluid mixture. The compressed air can be used to further accelerate the added fluid mixture, resulting in efficient cleaning and sanitation based on physical effects. The atmosphere that develops in the hygiene interior 3 is actively sucked out via the suction nozzle 18. A further suction nozzle 18b can be provided, via which additional suction or air supply or circulation can be achieved.

With regard to the application device 5, only a single nozzle is shown here. There are several such application devices 5 in the sanitation interior. The jet alignment is coordinated so that the tool in the sanitation interior 3 is efficiently washed and contaminants tend to migrate to those areas that are of less hygiene relevance. The contact surfaces of the tool are primarily treated and the handle and the user's hand are rinsed.

Claims (13)

1. Hygienization device for hygienization and disinfection of cutting tools, especially knives, with:

   - a housing device (2) that encloses a hygienization interior (3),

   - an insertion opening (4) for inserting the cutting tool (1) into the hygienization interior and

   - an application device (5) for applying a hygienization medium onto the contact surfaces (1b) of the cutting tool located in the sanitization interior,

   Characterized in that,

   - the insertion opening is designed in such a manner that the cutting tool is capable of being introduced into the hygienization interior together with a hand holding same at a handle section (1a).
2. Hygienization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the introduction opening has a slot section
3. Hygienization device according to claim 2, characterized in that the introduction opening has a hand passage section which is dimensioned such that a hand enclosing a knife handle can be passed through this introduction opening.
4. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a triggering device is provided for triggering a hygienization process after the knife has been introduced into the sanitizing interior.
5. Hygienization device according to claim 4, characterized in that the triggering device may be triggered via the knife and/or the hand holding the knife
6. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a support device is provided for contacting the blade of the knife in the hygienization interior.
7. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the arrangement is designed such that the hand or glove holding the knife is hygienized.
8. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a fixing device is provided for fixing the tool, in particular a knife, in the sanitation interior.
9. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tool, in particular knife, may remain in the sanitation interior and is sterilized therein.
10. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tool, in particular the knife, is sterilized when it is removed from the sanitization interior.
11. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a suction device is provided, via which the hygienization medium and any aerosols may be removed from the sanitization interior.
12. Hygienization device according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the housing device comprises a front structure which is removable from the remaining part of the housing device.
13. Method for carrying out the hygienization of equipment, in particular knife-hygienization within the framework of food processing, in which a piece of equipment picked up with one hand is brought into a hygienization interior and is held therein by one hand, wherein a contact surface area of the equipment, in particular the blade area of the knife, in the hygienization interior being acted upon by a hygiene medium and a user's hand or a glove gripping same being rinsed also thereby.

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