WO2023203517A1 - Dispositif et installation de préparation d'échantillons de produit pour analyses de laboratoire - Google Patents

Dispositif et installation de préparation d'échantillons de produit pour analyses de laboratoire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023203517A1
WO2023203517A1 PCT/IB2023/054047 IB2023054047W WO2023203517A1 WO 2023203517 A1 WO2023203517 A1 WO 2023203517A1 IB 2023054047 W IB2023054047 W IB 2023054047W WO 2023203517 A1 WO2023203517 A1 WO 2023203517A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
homogenizing
product
plant
container
motor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/054047
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Angelo Cappi
Georgi Dimitrov Todorov
Stefano TRENTI
Original Assignee
High Tech Green Lab S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by High Tech Green Lab S.R.L. filed Critical High Tech Green Lab S.R.L.
Publication of WO2023203517A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023203517A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
    • B01F27/88—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis with a separate receptacle-stirrer unit that is adapted to be coupled to a drive mechanism
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/05—Stirrers
    • B01F27/09—Stirrers characterised by the mounting of the stirrers with respect to the receptacle
    • B01F27/091—Stirrers characterised by the mounting of the stirrers with respect to the receptacle with elements co-operating with receptacle wall or bottom, e.g. for scraping the receptacle wall
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/05—Stirrers
    • B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
    • B01F27/13—Openwork frame or cage stirrers not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/21—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders characterised by their rotating shafts
    • B01F27/2123—Shafts with both stirring means and feeding or discharging means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/21—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders characterised by their rotating shafts
    • B01F27/213—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders characterised by their rotating shafts characterised by the connection with the drive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/35—Mixing after turning the mixing vessel upside down
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/81—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
    • B01F33/813—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles mixing simultaneously in two or more mixing receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/40—Mounting or supporting mixing devices or receptacles; Clamping or holding arrangements therefor
    • B01F35/43—Supporting receptacles on frames or stands
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/75—Discharge mechanisms
    • B01F35/752—Discharge mechanisms with arrangements for converting the mechanism from mixing to discharging, e.g. by either guiding a mixture back into a receptacle or discharging it
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/75—Discharge mechanisms
    • B01F35/754—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer
    • B01F35/75455—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer using a rotary discharge means, e.g. a screw beneath the receptacle
    • B01F35/754551—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer using a rotary discharge means, e.g. a screw beneath the receptacle using helical screws
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/286—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/286—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising
    • G01N2001/2866—Grinding or homogeneising
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/046—General conveyor features
    • G01N2035/0465—Loading or unloading the conveyor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses, for example samples of food products.
  • the device and plant are also suitable for preparing non-food products for laboratory analyses.
  • a sample of a product to be analyzed is normally supplied to an analysis laboratory accompanied by a request for a certain number of analyses, for which preparatory tasks are necessary. It is fundamental for the product to be processed within a short time for correct conservation.
  • the first task to be performed is to identify the product univocally and encode the tasks to be performed.
  • the product can require an initial preparation (for example if it is a sample of fruit and vegetables) or no preparation (for example if it is of flour and grain products).
  • the initial preparation includes a first step of homogenization of the product sample.
  • a qualified operator obtains a homogenizing device that is suitable for the product sample to be analyzed.
  • the homogenizing device includes a container, with a lid that enables the container to be sealed, a blade unit of a type that is suitable for homogenizing the product sample and a motor unit, to which the container can be fitted, to drive the blade unit fitted inside the container.
  • the operator after selecting the suitable homogenizing device, delivers the product into the container, seals the container with the lid, fits the container to the motor unit and drives the motor unit to start the homogenization process.
  • the homogenization process involves tasks of different duration and mode, which are selected manually by the operator operating on a control panel of the homogenizing device, following the instructions associated with the product sample to be analyzed.
  • the product is checked visually by the operator who, if the product does not have the features required for the analyses to be performed, repeats the homogenization process until the required features are obtained.
  • the homogenized product is transferred from the homogenizing device to containers, normally test tubes, which will be used in the laboratory analyses to be conducted.
  • a specific amount has to be delivered into each test tube, which varies from test tube to test tube, with a precise and preset tolerance. This condition is necessary if it is not desired to alter the outcome of the analysis.
  • test tube and quantity of product vary according to the analyses to be performed.
  • the number of analyses to be performed can be different, depending on the needs of the person who has requested the analyses, so that for each product sample a variable number of test tubes may be necessary (even up to 20 test tubes for each sample may be processed), this task has to be repeated for all the scheduled analyses.
  • test tubes In order to check that the test tubes have been filled correctly, laboratory scales are used and a spoon or more precise tool is used as equipment to transfer the product from the container of the homogenizing device to a test tube.
  • each test tube has to be sealed with a lid, in order to keep the product sterile.
  • all this operation has to be performed in a suitable environment and following a specific protocol.
  • Each test tube in order to go on to the subsequent steps, has to be identifiable by a label.
  • the container and the blade unit of the homogenizing device must be made sterile so that the new product sample is not contaminated by the preceding sample.
  • the container is first emptied completely of the product, then the container and the blade unit undergo first washing to
  • 20230499PCT EN remove all product residue and at the end they are sterilized by an industrial dishwasher, or a suitable sterilizing apparatus.
  • One object of the present invention is to provide a device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses that can help the work of the operator.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses that make possible complete automation of the entire process of preparing the product samples to be analyzed.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses that enable the time to be reduced for preparing the test tubes and reserve container and enable the precision of dosing a product sample in the test tubes to be improved.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses that ensure the sterility of the product sample during the transfer to the test tubes.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses that is simple and cheap to make.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded view of a homogenizing device of the plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of the homogenizing device of figure 1;
  • Figure 4 shows a filling unit for filling test tubes and reserve containers of the plant according to the invention, into which a homogenizing device according to the invention is arranged, in a first operating position;
  • Figure 5 shows the filling unit of figure 4 in a second operating position.
  • Figure 6 shows a version of a filling unit for filling test tubes and reserve containers of the plant according to the invention, into which a homogenizing device according to the invention is arranged, in a first operating position;
  • Figure 7 shows the filling unit of figure 4 in a second operating position
  • Figure 8 is a schematic layout of a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses
  • Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the plant according to the invention.
  • Figure 10 is a raised view of the plant part of Figure 9;
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram that illustrates the operation of the plant according to the invention.
  • a homogenizing device 1 includes a container 2, into which the product sample to be homogenized can be introduced.
  • a blade unit 3, intended to homogenize the product delivered into the container, and a dispensing element 4, intended to dispense the homogenized product outside the container 2, are fitted inside the container 2.
  • the blade unit 3 is driven by a first motor 15, the drive shaft of which (not visible in the figure 1) can be delivered into the container 2 through a hole 16 made in a bottom 17 of the container 2 and can be connected to the blade unit 3, to rotate the blade unit 3.
  • the dispensing element 4 can be connected to the blade unit 3 by a connecting interface 5 and a unidirectional transmitting element 6, that transmits the motion of the blade unit 3 to the connecting interface 5 and to the dispensing element 4, when the blade unit 3 rotates in a first rotation direction, for example in a clockwise direction, and releases the blade unit 3 from the connecting interface 5 and from the dispensing element 4, when the blade unit 3 rotates in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction, for example in an anticlockwise direction.
  • the dispensing element 4 includes a feed screw 11 provided with a hub 12, that can be coupled with the connecting interface, so as to permit rotation of the feed screw 11.
  • a plurality of scraping elements 13 is fixed to the hub 12, which scraping elements 13 are used to scrape from the walls of the container the product that may have stuck to the walls during the homogenization step, and a plurality of conveying elements 14 that are used to push the homogenized product to the feed screw 11.
  • the dispensing element 4 is provided with three scraping elements 13 and with three conveying elements 14, arranged with a constant angular pitch around the hub 12. It is understood that there can be any number of scraping elements 13 and of dispensing elements 14, i.e. greater or less than three, depending on the nature of the product to be treated.
  • the homogenizing device 1 is completed by a lid 7 that is used to close the container 2 during the product homogenization step.
  • the lid 7 is provided with a dispensing conduit 8 into which the feed screw 11 is inserted, when the lid 7 is fitted to the container 2.
  • FIG 2 a version of a lid 7a is shown, which has a conical shape to facilitate the advancement of the product to an inlet opening 9 of the dispensing conduit 8a.
  • a plurality of lamellas 10 that have a dual purpose: the first is to prevent a rotation of the product inside the lid 7a, which could hinder dispensing of the product; the second is to create a vibration during rotation of the dispensing element 4, to facilitate the flow of the product.
  • the dispensing element 4 can be provided, instead of the hub 12, with a shaft that extends through the blade unit 3 as far as the first motor 15, passing through the hole 16 of the bottom 17 of the container 2, and which can be coupled with the drive shaft of the first motor 15 by a unidirectional transmitting element that is identical to the previously mentioned unidirectional transmitting element 6. Also the blade unit 3 can be coupled directly with the drive shaft of the first motor 15, without the interposition of any unidirectional transmitting element.
  • the unidirectional transmitting element is moved from the blade unit-dispensing element connection to the drive shaft of the first motor 15. This enables a single unidirectional transmitting element to be obtained for all the dispensing elements 4, rather than a unidirectional transmitting element for each dispensing element 4.
  • the dispensing element 4 can be disengaged completely from the blade unit 3, through a drive shaft thereof (not visible in figure 1), that, passing through the hole 16, can be connected to a second motor 15a independent of the first motor 15.
  • the advantage of this solution is making the movements of the blade unit 3 and of the dispensing element 4 completely independent, increasing the ductility of the homogenizing device 1 and enabling the dispensing element 4 to be used in the product homogenization step, for example by rotating the dispensing element 4 in a direction opposite to the direction required to dispense the product from the container 2, so as to push the product towards the blade unit.
  • the first motor 15 can be moved parallel to the rotation axis of the drive shaft thereof, manually or with the help of a lever.
  • both the first motor 15 and the second motor 15a can be moved, manually or with the help of a lever, parallel to the axis of rotation of the respective drive shaft, in order to connect the drive shaft of the first motor 15 to the blade unit 3 and the drive shaft of the second motor 15a to the dispensing element 4, or to disconnect the drive shaft of the first motor 15 from the blade unit 3 and the drive shaft of the second motor 15a from the dispensing element 4.
  • a first embodiment of a homogenizing and filling unit according to the invention is illustrated, indicated by reference number 18.
  • a homogenizing device 1 according to the invention is inserted into the homogenizing and filling unit 18.
  • the product to be analyzed is homogenized and the test tubes for the laboratory analyses to be conducted are filled and, possibly, a reserve container is filled.
  • the homogenizing and filling unit 18 is shown in a first operating position, in which the homogenizing device 1 is arranged for homogenizing a sample of a product to be subjected to laboratory analysis.
  • the homogenizing and filling unit 18 includes a frame 19 on which a support element 20 is fitted, to which a homogenizing device 1 can be fixed.
  • the support element 20 includes a shaft 21, which forms a single body with the support element and is connected to the frame 19 so as to be able to rotate around a longitudinal axis thereof between a first position, shown in figure 4, in which a homogenizing device 1 fixed to the support element 20 is oriented vertically, with the lid 7a facing upwards, and a second position shown in figure 5 in which the homogenizing device 1 is rotated by 180° with respect to figure 4, i.e. is oriented vertically with the lid 7a pointing downwards.
  • the expression “oriented vertically”, means that the homogenizing device 1 is oriented with a longitudinal axis A thereof substantially parallel to the direction of the force of gravity.
  • the rotation of the support element 20 is obtained by a system of levers 22, connected to the support element 20 and to the frame 19.
  • the system of levers 22 is driven by a first gearmotor 23, which drives a shaft 28 connected to the system of levers 22.
  • the system of levers 22 includes a first pair of levers 41, each of which has a first end fixed to the support element 20 and a second end hinged to a first vertex of a respective plate of a pair of plates 42 having a triangular shape with rounded vertices.
  • the plates 42 are arranged on opposite sides of the frame 19.
  • a second vertex of each plate 42 is hinged on the frame 19 and on a third vertex of each plate 42 a first end of a respective lever of a second pair of levers 43 is hinged.
  • a second end of each lever of the second pair of levers 43 is hinged on a first end of a respective lever of a third pair of levers 44.
  • a second end of each lever of the third pair of levers 44 is fixed to a respective end of the shaft 28 driven by the first gearmotor 23.
  • the homogenizing and filling unit 18 further includes a carousel 24 provided with seats into which test tubes 25 and a reserve container 26 can be inserted.
  • the number of seats of the carousel 24 into which the test tubes 25 can be inserted depends on the number of test tubes that are required for the laboratory analyses of the product sample to be analyzed.
  • the carousel 24 is fitted to the frame 19 so as to be able to be rotate around an axis of rotation B.
  • the carousel 24 can be rotated around the axis of rotation B by a second gearmotor 27.
  • the carousel 24 is associated with a weighing system, which is not visible in the Figures, by which it is possible to control the quantity of product delivered to each test tube 25 and check that the delivered quantity corresponds to the quantity requested for the laboratory analysis for which the test tube 25 is intended.
  • the sample is first introduced into the container 2 of the homogenizing device 1, in which the blade unit 3 and the dispensing element 4 have been fitted, the container is closed with the lid 7, 7a and the drive shaft of the first motor 15 is connected to the blade unit 3 and the dispensing element 4.
  • the homogenizing device 1 is fixed to the support element 20 so as to be oriented with the lid 7, 7a oriented upwards, as shown in figure 4 and the first motor 15 is started up to achieve homogenization of the product sample.
  • the dispensing element 4 remains released from the drive shaft of the first motor 15, through the effect of the unidirectional transmitting element 6, such that the first motor 15 drives only the blade unit 3.
  • the rotation speed of the drive shaft of the first motor 15 is of the order of thousands of revolutions a minute.
  • the dispensing element 4 is moved in the opposite direction with respect to the blade unit 3 to push the product towards the blade unit 3 and facilitate homogenization.
  • the second motor unit 23 is driven, such that the system of levers 22 causes a 180° rotation of the support element 20 and therefore of the homogenizing device 1 fixed to the support element 20.
  • the homogenizing device 1 is in the operating position illustrated in figure 5, with the lid 7a of the container 2 and the dispensing conduit 8a facing downwards, i.e. facing the carousel 24.
  • test tube 25 is positioned below the homogenizing device 1, such that an inlet of the test tube is aligned with the dispensing conduit 8a.
  • the first motor 15 is driven again, reversing the rotation direction of the first motor 15, such that, now, the unidirectional
  • the rotation speed of the drive shaft of the first motor 15, or of the second motor 15a is maintained much lower than the speed used in the homogenization step, to permit precise controlled dispensing of the homogenized product and prevent excessive mechanical stress to the dispensing element 4.
  • the weighing system associated with the carousel 24 controls the quantity of product dispensed into the test tube 25. As the weight approaches the required value, the speed of the first motor 15 or of the second motor 15a is reduced to comply with the required tolerance. When the quantity of product dispensed into the test tube reaches a set value, the first motor 15 or the second motor 15a is stopped and the third motor unit 27 rotates the carousel 24 until it brings a new test tube in position below the dispensing conduit 8a of the homogenizing device 1 and the test tube 25 filling procedure is repeated.
  • the third motor unit 27 still rotates the carousel 24, to bring the reserve container 26 to a position below the dispensing conduit 8a of the homogenizing device 1.
  • test tubes 25 and the reserve container 26 are extracted from the carousel 24 to be sealed and labelled, awaiting subsequent use.
  • FIG. 6 and 7 a second embodiment of a homogenizing and filling unit according to the invention, indicated by reference number 18a, is illustrated.
  • a homogenizing device 1 according to the invention is inserted into the homogenizing and filling unit 18a.
  • FIG. 6 the homogenizing and filling unit 18a is shown in a first operating position, in which the homogenizing device 1 is arranged for homogenizing a sample of a product to be subjected to laboratory analysis.
  • the second embodiment 18a of the homogenizing and filling unit differs from the first embodiment 18 of the homogenizing and filling unit, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, by the fact that instead of the carousel 24, a support element 45 is provided, fixed to the frame 19, on which a test tube 25 rests, or a reserve container 26, during the filling operation.
  • the support element 45 is associated with a weighing system, which is not visible in the Figures, by which it is possible to control the quantity of product delivered to each test tube 25 and check that the delivered quantity corresponds to the quantity requested for the laboratory analysis for which the test tube 25 is intended.
  • the second embodiment 18a of the homogenizing and filling unit is identical to the first embodiment 18 of the homogenizing and filling unit, to the description of which the reader is referred.
  • FIG 8 a schematic layout of a plant 29 is shown according to the invention for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses. This plant can include complete automation of all the steps.
  • the plant 29 includes a plurality of magazines 30, marked with the abbreviations Mag. 1, Mag. 2, Mag. 3 and Mag. 4 in Figure 6, each of which contains a plurality of test tubes intended to receive quantities of the homogenized product to be subjected to laboratory analysis.
  • a first magazine Mag. 1 contains a first type of test tubes 25, a second magazine Mag. 2 contains a second type of test tubes 25, a third magazine Mag. 3 contains a third type of test tubes 25, a fourth magazine Mag. 4 contains a fourth type of test tubes 25.
  • test tubes 25 of each type are different from the test tubes 25 of the other types as they can have a different shape and volume.
  • the plant 29 further includes a plurality of workstations 31, each of which includes the first embodiment of a homogenizing and filling unit 18, or the second embodiment of a homogenizing and filling unit 18a.
  • FIG 9 a schematic partial view is shown of the plant 29, which shows the plant part that includes the magazines 30, the workstations 31 and the labelling machine 32.
  • FIG. 9 shows a plant 29 embodiment in which the workstations 31 are equipped with the second homogenizing and filling unit 18a embodiment.
  • the plant 29 can further include a labelling machine 32 that is used to affix a label to the filled test tubes 25.
  • the label also shows for example the nature and the quantity of product contained in the test tube 25, in addition to the type of laboratory analyses to be conducted on the product contained in the test tube 25.
  • the plant 29 can also include one or more plugging machines 33 with which the filled test tubes 25 with the product to be analyzed are sealed.
  • the number of plugging machines 33 depends on the number of types of test tube 25 that the plant is intended to use.
  • the labelled and sealed test tubes 25 are transferred to a storage zone 34 that is provided with a plurality of containers 35, marked with the mark box in Figure 8, each of which is intended to contain a specific type of test tube.
  • a specific container 35 is dedicated to test tubes 25 to be rejected because they have defects, for example filling, labelling or sealing defects.
  • the plant 29 also includes a conveying device 36, moved by a motor 46 ( Figure 9).
  • the conveying device 36 includes, for example, a belt 47 to which cup-shaped transferring containers 36a are fixed through which the test tubes 25 are moved.
  • the distance D between two consecutive transferring containers 36a is the same as the space DI between two consecutive workstations 31.
  • test tubes 25 are loaded into the containers 36a by the magazines 30 and then moved to the various stations: To the first station, that includes the workstations 31, then to the labelling machine 32 station, subsequently to the station of the plugging machines 33. Lastly, the conveying device 36 brings the labelled and sealed test tubes 25 to a transfer zone 37 in which the test tubes 25 are taken from the conveying device 36 to be returned to one of the containers 35 in the storage zone 34.
  • the storage zone 34 can be provided with a movement device (not visible in Figure 8) that moves the containers 35 to bring each time, at the transfer zone 37, the container 35 intended to receive the type of test tubes that reach the transfer zone 37.
  • the plant 29 further includes a loading zone 38 of the containers 2 of the homogenizing devices 1 that can include a first loading conveyor belt 38a on which the containers 2 of the homogenizing devices 1 are arranged.
  • Each container 2 is provided with a barcode label that identifies the product that is introduced into the container 2. After the product to be homogenized has been loaded into a container 2 of a homogenizing device 1, the container 2 is closed with the lid 7, 7a thereof and the homogenizing device 1 is placed on the first conveyor belt 38a.
  • a second conveyor belt 38b can be provided that is used to automatically unload the already processed containers 2 from the workstations 31 and automatically load a new container 2 to be processed into the first free station 31.
  • a barcode reader reads the label present on the container 2 to call up from a centralized control system the data necessary for processing the new sample.
  • the plant 29 can include a washing and sterilizing apparatus 39, in which the parts of each homogenizing device 1 that have come into contact with the product to be homogenized are washed and sterilized, before the homogenizing device 1 can be used again to homogenize another product to be analyzed and to fill the test tubes 25.
  • a third conveyor belt 39a can be provided, to transfer, after use, the homogenizing devices 1 from the workstations 31 to the washing and sterilization apparatus 39.
  • the plant 29 can be managed by a centralized control system, for example a custom card, a PLC, or a personal computer.
  • the centralized control system can be connected to a user interface, by which an operator can receive information on the operation of the plant and transmit information to the centralized control system.
  • Figure 10 shows a block diagram that illustrates schematically the operation of a plant 29 according to the invention.
  • the plant 29 operator when a plant 29 operator receives a new product sample to be treated, the plant 29 operator delivers the product into the container 2 of a homogenizing device 1 and then places the homogenizing device 1 on the conveyor belt 38a, in the loading zone 38.
  • the 20230499PCT EN the second conveyor belt 38b and from the latter to the station 31. Whilst the new homogenizing device 1 moves from the first conveyor belt 38a to the second conveyor belt 38b, the label affixed to the container 2 of the new homogenizing device 1 is read by a barcode reader, such that the system can recognize the product inserted into the container 2 and call up on the user interface the product work sheet.
  • the homogenizing devices 1 can be transferred from the loading zone 38 to the workstations 31 manually by an operator, or automatically by suitable handling devices.
  • the homogenization step of homogenizing the product sample contained in the container 2 is started up, by starting the motor 15 of the homogenizing device 1.
  • the homogenization step is managed on the basis of the instructions contained in the product work sheet.
  • the startup of the homogenization step can be controlled by an operator via the user interface or automatically by the centralized control system.
  • the control system starts up the first gearmotor unit 23, that, via the system of levers 22, rotates the homogenizing device 1 by 180°, such that the dispensing conduit 8; 8a of the lid 7; 7a is oriented downwards, as shown in Figure 5, or in Figure 7.
  • the operator can perform a visual check to ascertain that homogenization of the product has been completed. If the operator ascertains that homogenization of the product is not satisfactory, the operator controls, via the user interface, the repetition of the homogenization process.
  • the workstation 31 is ready to pour the product into the test tubes 25.
  • the centralized control system of the plant 29 commands automatically and in sequence the removal of the test tubes 25 from the various magazines 30 according to what is specified in the product work sheet, to load the test tubes 25 onto the transferring containers 36a of the conveying device 36, to transfer the test tubes 25 to the workstation 31.
  • test tubes 25 are placed on the carousel 24 by an operator, who removes the test tubes 25 from the transferring containers 36a of the conveying device 36,
  • the centralized control system commands the startup of the test tube filling step.
  • the centralized control system rotates the carousel 24 by the second gearmotor 27 until a first empty test tube 25 is taken under the port of the dispensing conduit 8; 8a of the homogenizing device 1, then the centralized control system starts up the the motor 15, of the motor 15a of the homogenizing device 1, so as to rotate the dispensing device 4, to start filling of the first test tube 25, according to the specifications of the product work sheet. The filling procedure is repeated until all the test tubes specified by the product work sheet have been filled.
  • the weighing system associated with the carousel 24 continuously monitors the weight of the product delivered to the test tubes and transmits to the centralized control system the missing quantity of product to reach the set quantity of product to be delivered to the test tube.
  • the control system calculates the optimum rotation speed of the dispensing element 4, i.e. that speed that enables the test tube 25 to be filled with the set quantity of product in as short a time as possible, and adjusts the rotation speed of the motor 15, or of the further motor 15a, accordingly.
  • test tubes 25 are conveyed in sequence from the conveying device 36 to the homogenizing device 18a, until the transferring containers 36a come to rest on the support element 45, below the dispensing conduit 8, 8a of the homogenizing device 1.
  • the centralized control system starts up the first motor 15, or the second motor 15a of the homogenizing device 1 , so as to rotate the dispensing element 4, to start filling of the test tube 25, according to the specifications of the product work sheet.
  • the weighing system associated with the support element 45 continuously monitors the weight of the product delivered to the test
  • the 20230499PCT EN tubes transmits to the centralized control system the missing quantity of product to reach the set quantity of product to be delivered to the test tube.
  • the control system calculates the optimum rotation speed of the dispensing element 4, i.e. that speed that enables the test tube 25 to be filled with the set quantity of product in as short a time as possible, and adjusts the rotation speed of the first motor 15, or of the second motor 15a, accordingly.
  • the conveying system 36 brings the full test tube outside the workstation 31 and places a new empty test tube in position below the port of the dispensing conduit 8, 8a.
  • the centralized control system manages loading of the single test tubes 25 from a magazine 30 to a transferring container 36a and transferring single test tubes 25 to the workstation 31 in which every single test tube is required.
  • An algorithm will attempt to load efficiently the test tubes 25 from the magazines 30 to be able to load simultaneously several test tubes 25 in the various workstations 31, to optimize the work. This is possible because the distance D between two consecutive transferring containers 36a is the same as the gap DI between two consecutive workstations 31.
  • test tubes 25 are taken by the conveying device 36 to the labelling station 32, where, for each test tube 25, the correct label will be printed and affixed to the test tube 25.
  • test tube 25 After the respective label has been affixed, is transferred by the conveying device 36 to the correct plugging machine 33, where it will be automatically plugged to then be transferred to the unloading station 37 and deposited in the correct container 35.
  • Inserting homogenizing devices 1 containing products to be homogenized in the homogenizing and filling units 18, placing test tubes 25 and the reserve container 26 on the carousel 24, if this is present, transferring the filled test tubes 25 to the conveying device 36 and from the conveying device 36 to the containers 35 can be performed by handling apparatuses managed by the centralized control system of the plant 29.
  • the handling apparatuses can also be used to transfer to the washing and sterilization device 39 the homogenizing devices 1 after the homogenizing devices 1 have been used.
  • the centralized control system of the plant enables just one operator to manage the entire homogenization cycle of the product to be analyzed, i.e. homogenization of the product, filling, labelling and sealing of the test tubes, with significant labour savings. This enables just one operator to control more than one workstation, saving execution time without damaging work precision.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif d'homogénéisation (1) pour préparer des échantillons de produit destinés à des analyses de laboratoire comprend un récipient (2), dans lequel l'échantillon de produit à homogénéiser peut être délivré, une unité de lame (3), destinée à effectuer une homogénéisation du produit délivré au récipient, un couvercle (7 ; 7a) qui est approprié pour fermer le récipient (2) et un moteur (15) dont l'arbre d'entraînement peut être relié à l'unité de lame (3), pour faire tourner l'unité de lame (3) ; le dispositif d'homogénéisation (1) comprend en outre un élément de distribution (4), destiné à distribuer ledit produit à l'extérieur du récipient (2), après avoir été homogénéisé ; l'élément de distribution (4) étant mis en rotation par un second moteur (15a) ; l'élément de distribution (4) comprenant une vis d'alimentation (11) conçue pour pousser ledit produit à travers un conduit de distribution (8 ; 8a) du dispositif d'homogénéisation (1).
PCT/IB2023/054047 2022-04-21 2023-04-20 Dispositif et installation de préparation d'échantillons de produit pour analyses de laboratoire WO2023203517A1 (fr)

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IT102022000007910 2022-04-21
IT102022000007910A IT202200007910A1 (it) 2022-04-21 2022-04-21 Dispositivo e impianto per preparare campioni di prodotti per analisi di laboratorio

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6033105A (en) * 1996-11-15 2000-03-07 Barker; Donald Integrated bone cement mixing and dispensing system
WO2010113186A1 (fr) * 2009-03-30 2010-10-07 Hero Europe S.R.L. Couvercle doté de moyens d'agitation et de pompage intégrés pour des produits chimiques contenus dans les bidons industriels et appareil de dosage de colorants fonctionnant conjointement avec une pluralité de tels couvercles
JP2018130863A (ja) * 2017-02-14 2018-08-23 世紀株式会社 ３ｄプリンタ用高粘度材料の混練移送吐出装置
CN108849254A (zh) * 2018-09-16 2018-11-23 杭州裕登农业技术开发有限公司 一种双螺旋菌袋装填机

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6033105A (en) * 1996-11-15 2000-03-07 Barker; Donald Integrated bone cement mixing and dispensing system
WO2010113186A1 (fr) * 2009-03-30 2010-10-07 Hero Europe S.R.L. Couvercle doté de moyens d'agitation et de pompage intégrés pour des produits chimiques contenus dans les bidons industriels et appareil de dosage de colorants fonctionnant conjointement avec une pluralité de tels couvercles
JP2018130863A (ja) * 2017-02-14 2018-08-23 世紀株式会社 ３ｄプリンタ用高粘度材料の混練移送吐出装置
CN108849254A (zh) * 2018-09-16 2018-11-23 杭州裕登农业技术开发有限公司 一种双螺旋菌袋装填机

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