SE511163C2 - Dosage device, method and system for adding in small doses a liquid product - Google Patents

Abstract

A dosing device for supplying in samll doses an additive to a liquid foodstuff flowing through a duct (3) comprises an addition unit (6), which has a storage means (7) containing an amount of the additive, and an insertion means (8) connected thereto for supplying in the duct (3) the additive to the foodstuff. At least one of the two means included in the addition unit (6) is an exchange means (7, 8) which is provided with an identity mark (11, 12) and which is only suitable to use when certain predetermined criteria are satisfied. A control means (15) is arranged to collect, based on an identity read with the aid of a reading means (13, 14), information from a database (16) to determine whether an exchange means (7, 8) with a certain identity satisfies the pretermined criteria. A system according to the invention comprises, in addition to such a dosing device (1), a first station for finishing a plurality of exchange means (7, 8) and a central database for storing information about the storage means (7).

Description

15 20 25 30 35 511 163 2 additives, with admixture of additives. However, it is desirable to produce smaller volumes of a food to further improve the possibilities of producing small volumes of food with additives.

Addition of carbon dioxide to milk is in some cases desirable and can be accomplished by a sintered metal insertion device inserted into the milk. In such installations, there is a risk that bacteria under certain conditions begin to grow in the sintered material, for example depending on how long it has been in contact with milk (with or without carbon dioxide supply) rhythm opportunities, which makes the milk unfit. The number of cones must therefore be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized regularly. It is thus desirable to optimize the use of sintered insertion devices and to reduce the risk of milk becoming unusable.

There are similar problems in the production of medicines as in the case of food in connection with the addition of additives in small doses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve the prior art described above and to enable the safe and flexible addition of an additive to a liquid product, such as a food or a medicament.

A special object of the invention is to enable the production of optional volumes of a food or a drug which comprises small proportions of additives while at the same time ensuring a good food quality and drug quality, respectively.

A particular object is to provide improvements in the addition of a liquid additive, such as additives comprising enzymes, dyes, flavors, vitamins or bacterial cultures, to liquid foods such as milk and fruit juices. 10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 3 Another special purpose is to indicate improvements in the addition of carbon dioxide to foods, such as milk.

These and other objects, which will appear from the following description, have now been achieved by the invention by means of a device and a method, which are of the types described in the introduction and which in addition have the features stated in the characterizing parts of patent claims. 1 and 10. The objects are also achieved with a system according to claim 14 or 15.

Thus, a dosing device according to the invention comprises at least one replacement means included in an additive unit, such as a storage means or an insertion means, which is only suitable for use when certain predetermined criteria are met. With the help of a registration means, it is possible to register an identity mark on the exchange means and with the aid of a database, information is stored concerning a number of exchange means intended for the additive unit. Furthermore, there is a control means for determining whether an exchange means with a registered identity meets the predetermined criteria.

Such a device has made it possible to automatically check whether a replacement body meets predetermined criteria, such as that a storage body contains an additive which is of the correct type and / or which is fresh.

In addition, when the invention is applied to a device of the type which has replaceable storage means and allows the replacement of storage means at any time, any volumes of a food or a medicament can be produced by adding an additive. In this case, a storage device can be used several times at the same time as the risk of an exchange device that does not meet the predetermined criteria being used by mistake is eliminated.

The invention allows major improvements in the manufacture of liquid foods with various additives, such as "functional foods". 10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 4 The registration means may, for example, comprise a keypad for registering an identity number. In a preferred embodiment, the registration means comprises a reading means for automatic registration of the identity marking.

In a preferred embodiment, the control means is arranged to prevent operation of the dosing device if the replacement means does not meet the predetermined criteria.

This excludes any possibility of using a replacement device that does not meet the criteria.

According to another preferred embodiment, the control means is arranged to register operating events and to enter these in the database. Thus, the control means is given the opportunity to also take into account such criteria as how many times or for how long a replacement means has been used, which can be of great importance, for example when the replacement means is an insertion means. In addition, a traceability is achieved so that one can, for example, trace any quality deficiencies in the finished food back to a particular event or an ingredient from a certain source, even if a large number of different products with ingredients from many different sources have been produced in the same dosing device.

According to one aspect of the system according to the invention, it comprises at least one manufacturing station for completing a plurality of storage means with additives and each a unique identity marking and a central database, for storing data concerning storage means completed in the manufacturing station, which data are linked to the unique identity of each storage organ.

The system further comprises a dosing device of the type described above for supplying additives from a number of specific storage means. The local database of the dosing device stores data originating from the central database and refers to the specific storage means. The governing body decides whether the additive in the storage bodies meets the predetermined criteria. 10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 5 Such a system enables local production of additives and filling of storage organs, as well as identity marking and registration of various information linked to the identity of the storage organ. Such a production can be made at several different manufacturers in different places and refer to different additives. In the central database, you can compile information about each individual storage body. When a number of storage devices, which may have different contents and shelf lives, are transported to a dosing device located in a production plant, for example a dairy, data concerning the relevant storage devices can be transferred to the local database at the same time, after which automatically controlled dosing can be done on described above.

According to a second aspect of the system according to the invention, it comprises at least one processing station for processing a plurality of insertion means each provided with a unique identity mark, which are intended for the introduction of additives into the product, and a central database, for storing data concerning insertion means being treated. - left in the treatment station, which information is linked to the unique identity of each insertion body. The system further comprises a dosing device of the type described above for supplying additives to a liquid product via an insertion means. The local database of the dosing device stores data originating from the central database and refers to a plurality of insertion means. The governing body decides whether an insertion body meets predetermined criteria.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the system according to either of the two aspects, a transmitting means is connected to the first database and a receiving means is connected to the local database. These devices are intended for the transmission of data between the databases, such as via telecommunications networks, and may, for example, comprise telecommunications connections for fixed telecommunications networks or for mobile telecommunications networks or computers that communicate with each other. ¿-__ \ ._ \, »_-l_¿ ~, _ .., ¿.... .._, _ ....._ -_« '¿..., = - ¿. .n., _., __., f, ~ ._- 2, ..., ...-.; ._-_ ». BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For the following purpose, it will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying invention in the exemplary accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a dosing device.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a special embodiment of the dosing device.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a system for adding an additive to a liquid food.

Description of presently preferred embodiments Fig. 1 shows a dosing device 1 for administering in small doses an additive to a liquid food.

The invention will be described in the following with reference to milk and the addition of an additive thereto, but it is understood that the invention is equally applicable to other liquid foods, such as fruit juices and to different kinds of liquid drugs.

The dosing device 1 comprises a tank 2 for the food or the main constituent contained therein, i.e. milk without additive, and a channel 3 extending from the tank 2, as via a mixing chamber 4 included in the channel 3, to which the additive is added and mixed in in the milk, leads to a tapping station 5 for draining the finished milk with additives. The tapping station 5 may, for example, comprise a tank and be followed by a device for further processing or a device for filling finished milk into packages.

The dosing device 1 further has an additive unit 6, which in turn comprises a storage means 7 and an insertion means 8. When the additive is a liquid means, the storage means 7 advantageously comprises a bag of a collapsing kind and when the additive is gaseous comprises the storage means advantageously a pressurized gas tank, such as a carbon dioxide tube. A line 9 connects the supply means 7 to the insertion means 8, which in turn extends into the mixing chamber 4 in the channel 3. Along the line 9 is arranged a flow control device 10, in the form of a pump or a valve , to control the supply of additives to the channel 3. The insertion means 8 may, when the additive is a liquid means, comprise a needle for injecting the additive and when the additive is gaseous comprise an insert with sintered surface.

The storage means 7 and the insertion means 8 show the respective identity markings 11 and 12, respectively. In normal cases, only one of the storage means 7 and the insertion means 8 consists of an exchange means which is only suitable for use when certain predetermined criteria are met. exchange bodies are provided with identity marking. Identity 12 can advantageously comprise an optical marking. In this case, this marking alone, such as a bar code, is usually sufficient.

A reading means is provided for reading the identity marking on the replacement means. Fig. 1 shows a reading means 13, 14 at the respective identity marking 11, 12. ability to read the identity marking and here the reading means 13, 14 comprise a means with a bar code reader.

The dosing device 1 further has a control means 15, 14 and with the control means 15 is further connected which is connected to the bar code readers 13, the flow control device 10. with a database 16, which contains information on a number of exchange means 7,8 intended for the additive unit, and a flow meter 17 to measure the flow in the channel 3.

The database 16 comprises information on a number of exchange bodies 7, 8, each of which has a unique identity.

A number of tasks are also linked to the identity.

When the storage means 7 constitute replacement means, these data can partly comprise static data, such as identity number, additive in the storage means, dosing factor and expiry date, and partly dynamic data such as number of operating times, total operating time and remaining volume.

When the insertion means 8 constitutes replacement means, in addition to the identity number, the nearest dynamic number is dynamic data of interest, such as total operating time and number of operating occasions.

The control means 15 controls the flow control device 10 in operation of the dosing system 1 in response to the flow measured by the flow meter 17 for introduction of additives when milk flows through the channel 3. In addition, the control means 15 has a control function in connection with the start of the system. Thereby, the control means 15 reads by means of the reading means 13, 14 the identity of the exchange means / means 7, 8 and then retrieves the data related to the identity from the database 16 to determine whether the exchange means 7, 8 with the read identity satisfies the predetermined criteria. The control means 15 can then be arranged to indicate on a question whether the criteria are met or to automatically indicate whether this is not the case. In the preferred embodiment, the control means 15 is arranged to even prevent operation of the dosing device 1 if the criteria are not met. This is achieved by keeping a valve member 19 at the tank 2 and the flow control device 10 closed.

The control means 15 further has functions for registering operating events and entering these in the database 16. These then occur partly in the form of a “logbook” of the operation, and partly in the form of a number of dynamic data linked to the identity of the respective exchange body.

The dosing device 1 further has a receiving means 18 connected to the control means 15 for receiving data relating to a number of exchange units for future use in the dosing device 1, for registration in the database 16. The receiving means 18 here has the form of a radio receiver for the GSM mobile telephone network, which has proved to be extremely advantageous. However, other receiving means are also conceivable, such as a standard telephone connection or a reading means for mobile memory devices such as floppy disks or CD-ROMs.

In a special embodiment of the dosing device 1 described above, the storage means 7 comprises a gas container, preferably containing carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the exchange means is formed by an insertion means 8 which is arranged to be at least partially inserted in the channel 3 and has an insertion portion with a sintered surface for distributing the gas upon introduction into the food, preferably milk.

On a portion which is intended to be located outside the channel 3, the insertion means 8 has an identity marking 12 in the form of a bar code. A bar code reader 14 is arranged at the bar code 12 in such a way that it is able to read the bar code 12 of the insertion means 8 when the insertion means 8 is arranged in place for operation, so that an automatic check of the identity of the insertion means 12 can be made. During operation, dynamic data, such as when and for how long a certain insertion device has been used, are then entered into the database. In a preferred version of this embodiment, a cleaning means (not shown) for cleaning and sterilizing insertion means 8 is further provided and provided with a reading means which is also connected to the database 16 via the control means 15. Thereby the database is updated with re-permitted insertion means 8, after these have been cleaned and sterilized. The cleaning means may be arranged at a treatment station, which may be located at a place other than the dosing device and which may communicate with the dosing device via the receiving means, as described in more detail below.

The most recently described embodiment enables safe operation, at the same time as the insertion means can be used flexibly and optimally.

Fig. 2 shows in more detail a special embodiment in which the dosing device 1 is of the type described in WO 97/46308. Parts corresponding to parts in Fig. 1 have been given the same reference numerals. The exchange means consists of a container for an additive in the form of a bag 7 of a collapsing type. The bag 7 has a bar code 11, and a bar code reader 13 is mounted so that in the operating condition it can read the bar code 11 on the bag 7, when this is mounted in the dosing device 1.

The bag 7 is connected via a line 9 to an insertion means 8, in the form of an injection needle. Along the line 9 is a peristaltic pump 10, for feeding additives. The injection needle 8 extends into a mixing chamber 4 in a channel 3, through which the food flows during operation.

A control means 15 is connected to the bar code reader 13 and the pump 10 as well as to a database 16, a receiving means 18 and a flow meter 17, which are arranged to measure the flow in the channel 3. The various parts correspond to those shown in Fig. 1 and function correspondingly .

The dosing device 1 has in a manner known per se a connecting device which enables connection and disconnection of an attachment unit comprising the bag 7, the line 9 and the injection needle 8 while maintaining sterility.

A partially emptied bag can therefore be removed from the dosing device 1 and stored in this condition for later use in the dosing device 1. Since the bag 7 is of a collapsing type, ie has flexible walls which give the bag a volume that changes with the position of the walls, good aseptic is maintained even in partially emptied bags. Thus, it is possible to add any amount of additives, in a predetermined dosage proportion, to a corresponding amount of foods. Thereby, for example, in a dairy in the same dosing device 1, one can make an arbitrary volume of milk with a first additive, and then switch to a second additive and make an arbitrary volume of milk with the second additive. The bar code reader 13 then reads the bar code 11 on the respective bag 7, the control means 15 partly checking whether the bag 7 in question meets the predetermined criteria and, for example, has a sufficiently long shelf life, and partly setting a dosing factor specific to the additive in the bag 7. In the event of an interruption in operation, for example when removing the bag 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 ll, the control means 15 enters dynamic data, for example the use time of the bag 7, in the database 16 linked to the identity of the bag 7 at the same time as all operating events are written. in.

Fig. 3 shows a system for adding additives to liquid foods.

Two completion stations are shown in the form of manufacturing stations 31, 32 for completing a plurality of storage means with additives and each with a unique identity marking. These manufacturing stations may, for example, consist of production facilities for different types of additives, in which the additive is packaged in storage means and provided with an identity marking in the form of a bar code. The bar code can also be arranged on the storage means in advance. At each of the manufacturing stations there is a reading means 33 for reading identity markings on the storage means. In addition, a number of relevant information concerning the content of each storage body is linked to the identity of the storage body. Such information may, for example, be the expiry date, packing date, additives and information concerning the concentrations with which the additives are to be mixed.

In the production stations 31, 32, the data are compiled for transfer to a central database 37 in connection with the storage means being transported from the production stations to a production plant, with one or more dosing devices, possibly via an intermediate storage. The compilation can, for example, be done in a local database connected to a computer, such as a PC.

From the first manufacturing station 31, the data is stored on a memory device, such as a floppy disk, which may accompany a transmission of storage means. At the second manufacturing station 32 there is a transmission means 34 for transmitting a message comprising information if a transmission means 34 here comprises a modem for transmission over the fixed telephone network. number of storage means to the central database 37. 10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 12 A central plant 36, which is shown in broken lines and which is preferably located on another, comprises the central database 37, a data management site, ring unit in the form of a computer 38, a local manufacturing station 39 for completing storage means, which corresponds to stations 31 and 32 and has a reading means 40, and a receiving and transmitting unit 41 for receiving and transmitting signals with data on completed storage means.

Data from production stations 31, 32, and 39 are stored in the central database 37. The data in the central database 37 are linked to the respective storage bodies and include information on the contents, as indicated above. The information may also include information on the type of storage organ, eg type of bag and volume. Furthermore, the central database 37 advantageously includes information on delivery dates and a number of information on both manufacturers and buyers of storage agencies.

The central plant 36 advantageously comprises a central warehouse for storage organs or a central for handling or delivery control of storage organs.

Data from the manufacturing stations 31, 32 and 39 are received by the computer 38, either directly, such as from the station 39, via floppy disk, such as from the station 31 or as from the station 32, and in connection with the delivery of a number of storage means to a production plant. via telecommunications networks and modems, is placed in the central database 37. plant 42, with one or more dosing devices such as a dairy, selected parts of the data are sent from the central database to a local database 43 at the production plant 42. This transfer of data can be achieved in one of several ways, such as those described above. According to a preferred method, this is done via a mobile telephone network by the computer 38, via the modem 41, dialing up the current production line 42 or calling directly to a dosing device included therein, and transmitting the selected data from the database 37. Pro 10 15 20 25 30 The production facilities 42 preferably have dosing devices of the type described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

The system according to Fig. 3 corresponds to a system in which insertion means, of the type previously described, are treated in completion stations in the form of treatment stations for cleaning and sterilization, after being used until the predetermined criteria are no longer met. When the insertion means no longer meet the criteria and are not allowed to be used according to the local database, they are transported to a treatment station.

When an insertion means has been processed and again meets the criteria, this is registered again in the central database, from which a local database is updated in connection with the insertion means being delivered again to a dosing device. In such a system, stations 31, 32 and 39 correspond to treatment stations for the treatment of insertion means instead of manufacturing stations for storage means, otherwise the constituent components are corresponding.

Several modifications to the embodiments described herein are possible within the scope of the claims. Thus, the identity marking of the storage bodies may be of some other kind than an optical marking. Examples of other legible marking designs are magnetic marking, inductive marking, surface structure for mechanical reading. The function and design of the reading device is of course adapted to the type of marking used.

A number of dosing devices in a production plant can of course divide into such means as control means, local database and receiving means.

Claims (16)

10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 14 PATENT REQUIREMENTS A dosing device for administering in small doses an additive to a liquid product, or a medicament, a channel (3) such as a food comprising for flowing through the product, an additive unit (6) (7), which encloses an amount of the additive, and one (3), adding the additive to the product, provided that at least one of the two in the additive unit (6) comprising a storage means connected thereto for insertion in the channel to characterize - (), which is only suitable for the means (7, 8) is an exchange means provided with an identification mark 12), used when certain predetermined criteria are met, and (1) further comprises: (13, 14) an identity mark that the device is a registration means for registering the exchange means (7, 8); (11, 12), (16), which contains information on a number of replacement means (7, 8) for the additive unit (6), a control means (7, 8), and a control means (15), which is arranged to start from a means by means of the recording means (6). 11, 12) register retrieve identity, retrieve data from the database (16) to determine if the exchange means (7, 8) with the registered identity meets the predetermined criteria. Dosing device according to claim 1, in which (15) 8) does not meet the criteria. the control means is arranged to indicate whether an exchange means (7, Dosing device according to claim 1 or 2, at (15) the dosing device (1) which the control means is arranged to prevent operation if the replacement means (7, 8) does not meet the criteria. Dosing device according to any one of claims 1-3, in the event of (15) operational events and entering these in the database which the control means is arranged to register (16). 10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 15 Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the recording means comprises a reading means (13, 14), intended to read the identity marking. Dosing device as claimed in any of the foregoing, for which a number of exchange means (7, 8), requirements, which comprise a receiving means (18) receive data, for entry in the database (16). Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, in the Nilken database (16) comprises information on an identity unique to an exchange means (7, 8) and a number of information related to the identity. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the exchange means comprise a container (7) for an additive. Dosing device according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the exchange means comprises an insertion means (8). A method of administering in small doses an additive to a liquid product, medicament, which method comprises the steps such as a food or a (3), administering the additive to the product in the channel to allow the product to flow through a channel via an additive unit (6). , comprising a storage means (7) enclosing a quantity of the additive, and an insertion means (8) connected thereto, for introducing the additive into the channel (3), that at least one of the two in the additive unit (6) is characterized by the constituent means (7, 8) is an exchange means, which is suitable for use only when certain predetermined criteria are met, the supply being preceded by the steps: to read an identity mark (11, 12) on the exchange means (7, 8) , and on the basis of a read identity retrieve data from a database (16) to determine whether the exchange means (7, 8) with the read identity meets the predetermined criteria. 10 15 20 25 30 35 511 163 The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of registering operational events during operation and entering them into the database (16). A method according to claim 10 or 11, reading an identity marking is preceded by the step of receiving at which step receiving information relating to the exchange means (7, 8) for entry into the database (16). A method according to claim 12, (7) in an earlier step being completed with an identity mark at which the exchange means (11) and additives at a completion station (31, 32, 39), after which data is transmitted from the completion station (31). 32, 39) and is received by the dosing device (1). A system for supplying additives to a liquid product, medicinal as a food or a substance, (31, 32, 39) completing a plurality of storage means (7) with additives (II), for storing data in at least one manufacturing station for part and each unique identity marking (37), completed in the manufacture of a central database concerning storage organs (7) (31, 32) to the respective storage organs (7) (42) for supplying additives from a number of specific storage organs ( 7) to a liquid product, which dosing device (42) the transfer station 39), which data are linked to unique identity, a dosing device comprises a local database (16) of the specific storage means, which data originate (37), in order to start from a pre-storage of data escaped from the central database and (15) identity determine whether the additive therein a control body council (7) meets predetermined criteria. A system for delivering additives to a liquid product, such as a food or a medicament, comprising at least one treatment station for treating a plurality of insertion means (8) each provided with a unique identity marking (12), which are intended for the introduction of additives into the product, a central database (37), for the storage of data concerning insertion means (8) processed in the treatment station, which data are linked to the unique identity of the respective insertion means (8), a dosing device (42) for supplying additives to a liquid product via an insertion means (8), which dosing device (42) comprises a local database (16) for storing data (8), which data originate from the central database (37), (15 ) in order to determine, on the basis of an introduction of a plurality of insertion members and a control member (8), the identity of the insertion member (8) meets predetermined criteria. A system according to any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein a transmission means is connected to the central database (37) and a receiving means is connected to the local database (16) for transmitting data from the central database to the local database. at