Vacuum pump and installation for processing and / or packaging of food products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum pump (1) having an inlet (11), an outlet (9), and an internal volume through which gas, pumped from the inlet (11) to the outlet (9) by the vacuum pump, is intended to pass. The vacuum pump (1) includes at least one sterilization element (15) comprising at least a portion (18) of the internal volume. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for processing and / or packaging food.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vacuum technology. More specifically, it relates to a vacuum pump and an apparatus for processing and / or packaging food. Prior Technology

[0002] Vacuum packaging for food is known. It is carried out in an apparatus comprising one or more vacuum chambers connected by connecting lines to one or more vacuum pumps. The function of the vacuum pumps is to generate and then maintain a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. In addition to food packaging, food preparation can be carried out in this vacuum chamber.

[0003] The extremely low pressure within the vacuum chamber promotes the evaporation of liquids present in food and / or their conversion into volatile aerosols. Substances from the food can thus be drawn into the connection lines to the vacuum pump, especially in gaseous form or as aerosols. Therefore, the connection lines between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump can gradually become contaminated with food materials from the vacuum chamber. There is a risk of pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, growing in the connection lines between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump; this must be strictly avoided for health reasons.

[0004] To prevent pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria from growing in the connection lines between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump, it is known to periodically disconnect and clean these connection lines, which requires maintenance intervention and sometimes requires temporary shutdown of the device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is at least to increase the health and safety of the space and / or surroundings of a device that generates a vacuum by means of one or more vacuum pumps.

[0006] According to the present invention, this is achieved by means of a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump including an inlet, an outlet, and an internal volume through which gas is pumped from the inlet to the outlet by the vacuum pump and intended to pass, and further including at least one element for sterilizing at least a portion of the internal volume.

[0007] The sterilization element can be a single sterilization element, or it can be one of several sterilization elements included in the vacuum pump. The sterilization element can be positioned to sterilize potential focal points for the growth and spread of microorganisms, or to sterilize a buffer zone between an upstream region that may be upstream of the pump inlet and a downstream region that may be the surrounding atmosphere.

[0008] If the vacuum pump according to the invention is connected to the vacuum chamber via a connecting line, the risk of the vacuum chamber being contaminated by microorganisms from the vacuum pump is reduced, especially if the regular cleaning of the connecting line is not performed, is performed incorrectly, or is neglected after the scheduled date.

[0009] Advantageously, the internal volume includes a buffer zone that can be sterilized by a sterilization element, and this buffer zone includes channels for all gases that are pumped by a vacuum pump.

[0010] The buffer zone prevents upstream contamination by microorganisms present downstream of the buffer zone. Furthermore, viruses (e.g., viruses from food in the vacuum chamber) can be destroyed within the buffer zone and therefore will not be released into the surrounding atmosphere via the vacuum pump.

[0011] When a buffer zone is established, the entire buffer zone is disinfected. However, disinfection of the entire buffer zone may be limited to one or more microorganisms and / or one or more viruses. In this sense, disinfection of the entire buffer zone may only be localized. It can also be comprehensive by eliminating any microorganisms and / or viruses within the buffer zone.

[0012] Advantageously, the buffer zone extends to the suction port of the vacuum pump.

[0013] In this context, the buffer zone prevents microbial contamination of the vacuum pump inlet and subsequent diffusion from the vacuum pump inlet downstream of the vacuum pump, as well as reaching, for example, the vacuum chamber where food is processed and / or vacuum-packed.

[0014] Advantageously, the vacuum pump includes at least one pumping chamber where the delivery of gas by means of the vacuum pump occurs, and at least a portion of the passage of the buffer zone is located upstream of the pumping chamber.

[0015] Advantageously, the vacuum pump includes a filter grid for the gas being pumped, the grid being located upstream of the pumping chamber, and at least a portion of the passage of the buffer zone being located upstream of the grid.

[0016] Advantageously, one of the upstream surfaces of the two opposing main surfaces of the grid can be disinfected by one or more disinfection elements.

[0017] Advantageously, the disinfection element is an ultraviolet light source.

[0018] One or more ultraviolet (UV) light sources individually produce UV light, or produce UV light and one or more other types of light. Advantageously, one or more UV light sources produce UV light with wavelengths ranging from 250 nm to 280 nm. In this case, UV light is highly efficient at inhibiting viruses such as rotavirus and several pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. More advantageously, the UV light source produces UV light with wavelengths ranging from 260 nm to 270 nm. In this case, UV light is even more efficient at inhibiting viruses such as rotavirus and several pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

[0019] Advantageously, the ultraviolet light source is one of several ultraviolet light sources contained within a vacuum pump, and these sources together illuminate the entire inner wall of the channel defining and surrounding the buffer zone. In this way, the entire wall portion can be effectively sterilized, and the buffer zone can effectively function as a barrier against microbial contamination between the upstream and downstream areas of the buffer zone.

[0020] Advantageously, the vacuum pump includes an insertion conduit forming the suction port of the vacuum pump, and this insertion conduit is provided with a sterilization element. In this way, any standard pump can be converted into a pump according to the invention.

[0021] Advantageously, the sterilization element is a heating element. This heating element can perform heating by radiation (e.g., on a buffer area). The heating element can also be a ring resistor surrounding and defining a channel that defines the buffer area.

[0022] Advantageously, the vacuum pump is a lubrication pump, which includes a pumping chamber where the delivery of gas by the vacuum pump occurs, and lubricating oil is specifically present in the pumping chamber, the lubricating oil being a sterilizing element or including a sterilizing element.

[0023] Advantageously, the disinfection element is an antiseptic chemical substance or includes an antiseptic chemical substance.

[0024] The present invention also aims to provide an apparatus for processing and / or packaging food, the apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber and at least one vacuum pump as defined above, the suction port of the vacuum pump being connected to the vacuum chamber. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0025] Further advantages and features will become clear from the following description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples and shown in the accompanying drawings, which include: [Figure 1] is a pull-out perspective view of the vacuum pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] is a schematic diagram of a facility conforming to the present invention, and more specifically, an apparatus for food processing and / or packaging. [Figure 3] is a perspective cross-sectional view of the upstream sub-assembly of the vacuum pump according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] is a perspective cross-sectional view of the upstream sub-assembly of the vacuum pump according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and [Figure 5] is a perspective cross-sectional view of a vacuum pump according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0026] In Figure 1, the vacuum pump 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is more specifically a lubricated impeller pump. It includes an upstream subassembly 2 and a pumping chamber 3, in which a rotor 4, provided with a plurality of blades 5, is rotatably mounted. A motor 6 is provided to drive the rotor 4 to rotate.

[0027] The pumping chamber 3 is connected to the housing 7, and the lower part of the housing 7 forms a lubricating oil groove (not shown). In the upper part of the housing 7, an oil filter 8 is installed, which is designed to extract oil present in the pumped gas before these gases are vented to, for example, the atmosphere via the exhaust port 9 of the vacuum pump 1.

[0028] As the rotor 4 rotates on its axis, the blades 5 draw the gas present in the pumping chamber 3 and discharge it toward the housing 7. This generates suction through the upstream sub-assembly 2.

[0029] Here, as in the attached request, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” and similar terms refer to the direction of gas flow pumped by vacuum pump 1.

[0030] The upstream subassembly 2 comprises an assembly of several consecutive parts 10a and 10b forming the conduit 10, with its upstream end being the suction port 11 of the vacuum pump 1. The downstream end of the conduit 10 communicates with the pumping chamber 3. A grid 12 for filtering the intake gas entering through the suction port 11 is installed in the conduit 10. A non-return valve 13 is installed in the conduit 10 downstream of the grid 12.

[0031] The upstream sub-component 2 is placed upstream of the pumping chamber 3. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the upstream sub-component 2 is placed directly upstream of the pumping chamber 3.

[0032] The chamber 10a is provided with a plurality of disinfection elements, each of which is an ultraviolet light source 15. For example, each ultraviolet light source 15 may be an LED. The ultraviolet light sources 15 are arranged and guided to illuminate the entire inner wall 16 of the chamber 10a and the upstream surface 17 of the grid 12. The ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet light source 15 is indicated by arrow F in Figure 1.

[0033] The area defined by chamber 10a is a buffer zone 18, which is sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted from ultraviolet light source 15 by destroying any microorganisms and viruses present. Buffer zone 18 forms a channel through which all gas pumped by vacuum pump 1 flows. The buffer zone is therefore an intermediate region between the upstream and downstream regions along the path of the gas delivered by vacuum pump 1. Buffer zone 18 is located upstream of pumping chamber 3 and grid 12 and extends to suction port 11.

[0034] In Figure 2, the facility according to the invention is an apparatus for processing and / or packaging food. It includes a vacuum chamber 50, a vacuum pump 1, and a connecting conduit 51 connecting the opening of the vacuum chamber 50 to the suction port 11 of the vacuum pump 1. Food is vacuum-packed in the vacuum chamber 50. Food can also be processed in the vacuum chamber 50 and then vacuum-packed if necessary.

[0035] In the case of the processing and / or packaging apparatus shown in Figure 2, any contamination upstream of the buffer zone 18 (e.g., from bacteria) cannot reach the suction port 11 or the connection line 51 connecting the vacuum chamber 50 to the vacuum pump 1 through this buffer zone 18. In this case, the buffer zone 18 thus prevents contamination of the vacuum chamber 50 from pathogenic microorganisms from the vacuum pump 1.

[0036] Furthermore, if, for example, viruses from food in vacuum chamber 50 are carried to vacuum pump 1 by the inhaled gas, these viruses are destroyed in buffer zone 18 and therefore are not discharged into the surrounding atmosphere through exhaust port 9.

[0037] If food material from vacuum chamber 50 remains on grid 12 after being blocked by it, it receives ultraviolet radiation from at least some of the ultraviolet light sources 15. This food material on grid 12 is thus sterilized and cannot become a breeding ground for microorganisms or contaminants such as those present in connecting conduit 51 and other areas of vacuum chamber 50.

[0038] The upstream sub-assembly 102 of the vacuum pump according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG3. Hereinafter, only the differences between the vacuum pump according to the second embodiment of the present invention and vacuum pump 1 will be described. Furthermore, when the marking part of the vacuum pump according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as or equivalent to the marking part of vacuum pump 1, its marking is constructed by adding 100 to the marking of this marking part on vacuum pump 1. In this way, the markings of the grid 112 and the check valve 113 are specifically established.

[0039] In addition to portions 110a and 110b, the conduit 110 of the upstream sub-component 102 includes an insertion conduit 120 provided with an ultraviolet light source 115. The insertion conduit 120 includes the suction port 111 of a vacuum pump according to a second embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated example, no ultraviolet light source is provided on portion 110a. In this case, the insertion conduit 120 can be installed on a vacuum pump that initially does not have an ultraviolet light source 115, and thus provides the vacuum pump with an ultraviolet light source 115 and a buffer region 118.

[0040] The buffer zone 118 includes a channel defined by the insertion conduit 120 and extending to the suction port 111. The inner wall 121 of the insertion conduit 120 is fully illuminated by an ultraviolet light source 115. The entire buffer zone 118, including this inner wall 121, is thus sterilized by ultraviolet radiation. Any microbial contamination from upstream of the buffer zone 118 cannot reach the suction port 111 through the buffer zone 118, nor can it reach the vacuum chamber when the vacuum chamber is connected to the suction port 111.

[0041] The upstream sub-assembly 202 of the vacuum pump according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG4. In the following text, only the differences between the vacuum pump according to the third embodiment of the present invention and vacuum pump 1 will be described. Furthermore, when the marking part of the vacuum pump according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as or equivalent to the marking part of vacuum pump 1, its marking is constructed by adding 200 to the marking indicating this marking part on vacuum pump 1.

[0042] Similar to section 10a, section 210a of the conduit is provided with sterilization elements. Instead of the ultraviolet light source 15, each of these sterilization elements is a heating element 215. The heating element 215 is capable of radiatively heating the inner wall 216 of section 210a and the upstream surface 217 of the grid 212 to a temperature at which at least certain microorganisms are destroyed. For example, this temperature can be greater than about 50°C. It is preferably higher than about 70°C, and even more preferably higher than about 120°C. The entire buffer area 218, including the inner wall 216 and the upstream surface 217, is thus sterilized up to the inlet 211. The radiation emitted by the heating element 215 is indicated by arrow R in Figure 4.

[0043] A vacuum pump 301 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. Hereinafter, only the differences between vacuum pump 301 and vacuum pump 1 will be described. Furthermore, when the marking portion of vacuum pump 301 is the same as or equivalent to the marking portion of vacuum pump 1, its marking is formed by adding 300 to the marking indicating this marking portion on vacuum pump 1. For example, this is how the marking of the discharge port 309 of vacuum pump 301 is formed.

[0044] As in the first embodiment of the invention, the lower portion of the housing 307 forms a groove 330, which is a lubricating oil groove and is used to recover and store the lubricating oil 331 for the blades (not shown) of the vacuum pump 301 in a manner known per se in lubricated impeller pumps. Again, as in the first embodiment, the upper portion of the housing 307 includes an oil filter 308, which is configured to extract the lubricating oil 331 present in the gases after they are forced through the blades (not shown) into the pumping chamber (not shown). The lubricating oil 331 extracted by the oil filter 308 flows into the groove 330 by gravity.

[0045] Lubricating oil 331 includes a disinfecting element, which is an antiseptic chemical capable of killing one or more microorganisms and / or one or more viruses. For example, this antiseptic chemical may be p-chloro-m-cresol (PCMC), or any other chemical suitable as a biocide, such as o-phenylphenol (OPP), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), benzisothiazolinone (BIT), or bronopol. In one variant, lubricating oil 331 itself may be a disinfecting element by composition. Lubricating oil 331 disinfects the area including the buffer zone 318 of the pumping chamber and the filter cartridge 332 including the oil filter 308. Any viruses that can be extracted by vacuum pump 301 are destroyed in the buffer zone 318 and therefore not released into the surrounding atmosphere through the discharge port 309.

[0046] The vacuum pump 301 may include an ultraviolet light source as in the first embodiment of the invention, in which case the ultraviolet light source may be arranged and oriented in a manner similar to the ultraviolet light source 15 in the first embodiment or as similar to the ultraviolet light source 115 in the second embodiment of the invention. The vacuum pump 301 may also include a heating element, which may be arranged and oriented in a manner similar to the heating element 215 in the third embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the vacuum pump may not include an ultraviolet light source or a heating element.

[0047] In the vacuum pump (not shown) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, ultraviolet light sources may be disposed in a housing having the same function as the housing 307 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this case, these ultraviolet light sources may be disposed in the lower part of the housing so that they can illuminate the lubricating oil and oil tank, or they may be disposed in the upper part of the housing, for example, replacing one of the several oil filter cartridges.

[0048] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, although the vacuum pumps in these embodiments are lubricated impeller pumps, this invention is not limited to lubricated impeller pumps. In fact, any type of vacuum pump, lubricated or non-lubricated, can be used according to this invention. In particular, the vacuum pump conforming to this invention can be selected from impeller pumps, screw pumps, gear pumps, ejector pumps, and lobe pumps.

[0049] 1: Vacuum pump 2: Upstream sub-components 3: Pumping Chamber 4: Rotor 5: Leaf 6: Motor 7: Outer shell 8: Oil Filter 9: Emission outlet 10: Catheter 10a: Part (Cavity) (Partial) 10b: Parts 11:Suction port 12: Grid 13: Check valve 15: Ultraviolet light source 16: Inner wall 17: Upstream surface 18: Buffer Area 50: Vacuum Chamber 51: Connecting conduit (line) 102: Upstream sub-component 110: Pipeline 110a: Part 110b: Part 111:Suction port 112: Grid 113: Check valve 115: Ultraviolet Light Source 118: Buffer Zone 120: Insert catheter 121: Inner wall 202: Upstream sub-component 210: Pipeline 210a: (Pipeline) section 211:Suction port 212: Grid 215: Heating element 216: Inner wall 217: Upstream Surface 218: Buffer Area 301: Vacuum Pump 307: Outer shell 308: Oil Filter 309: Emission outlet 330: slot 331: Lubricating oil 332: Filter cartridge F: Arrow R: Arrow

Claims

1. A vacuum pump comprising an inlet (11, 111, 211), an outlet (9, 309), and an internal volume through which gas to be pumped from the inlet (11, 111, 211) to the outlet (9, 309) by means of the vacuum pump flows, characterized in that the vacuum pump includes at least one sterilization element (15, 115, 215, 331) of at least a portion (18, 118, 218, 318) of the internal volume, and the internal volume includes a buffer region (18, 118, 218, 318) capable of being sterilized by means of the sterilization element (15, 115, 215, 331), the buffer region (18, 118, 218, 318) including a passage for all gases to be pumped by means of the vacuum pump.

2. The vacuum pump as requested in item 1, wherein, The sterilization element (15, 115, 215, 331) is one of the plurality of sterilization elements (15, 115, 215, 331) included in the vacuum pump.

3. The vacuum pump as requested in item 1, wherein, The buffer area (18, 118, 218) extends to the suction port (11, 111, 211) of the vacuum pump.

4. The vacuum pump as requested in item 1, wherein, The vacuum pump includes at least one pumping chamber (3) where the delivery of gas by the vacuum pump occurs, and at least a portion of the passage of the buffer region (18, 118, 218) is located upstream of the pumping chamber (3).

5. The vacuum pump as requested in item 1, wherein, The vacuum pump includes a grid (12, 112) for filtering the pumped gas, the grid (12, 112) being located upstream of the pumping chamber (3), and at least a portion of the passage of the buffer region (18, 118, 218) being located upstream of the grid (12, 112).

6. The vacuum pump as described in claim 5, wherein, The disinfection element (15, 215) can be used to disinfect one of the upstream surfaces (17, 217) of the two opposing main surfaces of the grid (12, 112).

7. The vacuum pump as requested in item 1, wherein, The vacuum pump includes an insertion conduit (120) forming the suction port (111) of the vacuum pump, the insertion conduit (120) being provided with at least one sterilization element (115).

8. The vacuum pump as requested in item 1, wherein, At least one of these disinfection elements is an ultraviolet light source (15, 115).

9. The vacuum pump as requested in item 8, wherein, The ultraviolet light source is one of several ultraviolet light sources (15, 115) contained in the vacuum pump, and together they are able to illuminate the entire portion of the inner wall (16, 17, 121) of the channel that defines and surrounds the buffer area (18, 118).

10. The vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein, At least one of these sterilization elements is a heating element (215).

11. The vacuum pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The vacuum pump is a lubrication pump, which includes a pumping chamber where the delivery of gas by the vacuum pump occurs, and a lubricating oil (331) is specifically present in the pumping chamber, the lubricating oil (331) being at least one of the sterilization elements or including at least one of the sterilization elements.

12. The vacuum pump as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The disinfection element is made of or contains preservative chemicals.

13. An apparatus for processing and / or packaging food, comprising a vacuum chamber (50), characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least one vacuum pump (1, 301) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, the suction port (11, 111, 211) of the vacuum pump (1, 301) being connected to the vacuum chamber (50).

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