A down feather microorganism content measuring device and method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of down detection technology, and provides a device and method for determining the microbial content of down, including a pretreatment mechanism, a culture mechanism, and a counting mechanism. The pretreatment mechanism includes a container, a down-pulling component for moving the down in the container, and an air-injection component for injecting air into the container. The down-pulling component includes a cylinder that can move up and down and multiple sets of down-touching components evenly distributed on the cylinder. The down-touching components include multiple circumferentially distributed down-touching rods that can move synchronously radially. The down-pulling component moves the down in the container to loosen the clumps of down, and the air-injection component injects air into the container to agitate the eluent, further loosening the already loosened down and achieving a dispersion effect. This effectively solves the problem of down clumping, promotes gentle down dispersion, and achieves full dispersion of down in the eluent, allowing the microorganisms in the down to be fully separated and dispersed in the eluent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of down testing technology, specifically a device and method for determining the microbial content of down. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of down testing technology, the determination of microbial content in down is of vital importance for assessing the hygienic quality of down products and protecting consumer health. Currently, the commonly used method in the industry for determining the microbial content in down is as follows: quantitatively weigh down samples and mix them with elution solutions (such as sterile elution solutions, sterile deionized water, etc.) in a predetermined ratio. Through shaking and other operations, the microorganisms in the down are dispersed into the elution solution. Then, a certain amount of elution solution containing microorganisms is inoculated into a culture medium. After constant temperature incubation, the colony-forming units are counted, and finally, the microbial load of the down sample is calculated.

[0003] However, due to their high specific surface area and natural lipid layer, down fibers tend to clump together after contact with the eluent due to capillary forces between fibers. The clumps of down, due to fiber entanglement and liquid film surface tension, form a locally closed microenvironment, significantly hindering the dispersal of microorganisms. While conventional shaking or stirring can generate shear force, it is not effective in dispersing down clumps. Although existing technologies have attempted to improve extraction efficiency by increasing mechanical stirring intensity, excessive mechanical stirring can lead to down fiber breakage and damage to the barb structure, exacerbating the co-precipitation phenomenon of microorganisms and fiber fragments (broken fiber fragments, due to increased surface charge and roughness, form physical adsorption with microorganisms through van der Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions, causing microorganisms to be encapsulated or fixed on the surface of the fragments and unable to escape into the liquid phase). As a result, the extracted eluent sample cannot accurately reflect the actual content of microorganisms in the down, ultimately affecting the accuracy of the down microbial content determination results.

[0004] Therefore, this invention proposes a device and method for determining the microbial content of down feathers to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device and method for determining the microbial content of down feathers, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A device for determining the microbial content of down includes a pretreatment mechanism, a culture mechanism, and a counting mechanism. The pretreatment mechanism includes a container for holding the down sample to be tested and the eluent, a down-pulling component for loosening the clumps of down in the container, and an air-injection component for injecting air into the container to agitate the eluent and disperse the down. The down-plucking assembly includes a cylinder that can move up and down and multiple sets of down-touching components evenly distributed on the cylinder. Each down-touching component includes multiple circumferentially distributed down-touching rods that can move synchronously radially.

[0007] In one alternative: the pretreatment mechanism further includes a frame, the cylinder is mounted on the frame, and the down-removing assembly further includes a first mounting plate mounted on the cylinder and a second mounting plate located inside the cylinder and capable of moving up and down. The first mounting plate is provided with an arrangement area corresponding to each down-touching component. The arrangement area is provided with circumferentially and divergently through grooves corresponding to the down-touching rods in a single set of down-touching components. A slider is slidably engaged in the through groove, and the down-touching rods in a single set of down-touching components are respectively fixedly passed through the corresponding sliders. The second mounting plate is provided with conical parts corresponding to the velour components. The tips of the conical parts face downwards, and the central axis of the conical parts is coaxial with the central axis of the corresponding velour components. The conical parts are provided with sliding grooves in the circumferential direction that correspond to the velour rods in a single set of velour components. The velour rods are provided with protruding buttons that are adapted to the sliding grooves. The protruding buttons are slidably engaged in the corresponding sliding grooves.

[0008] In one alternative: the flocking assembly further includes at least one telescopic component for driving the cylinder to move up and down.

[0009] In one alternative: the inner side of the cylinder is provided with several protrusions, a spring is provided between the second mounting plate and the protrusions, a strip is also hinged on the cylinder, a first column is provided on the second mounting plate to contact and abut against the resistance arm section of the strip, and a second column is provided on the frame for the cylinder to descend to a set stroke and contact and abut against the power arm section of the strip.

[0010] In one alternative: both the first column and the second column are provided with rollers for contacting and abutting against the strip.

[0011] In one alternative embodiment: the gas injection assembly includes a distribution cylinder and a control cylinder mounted on a frame. The distribution cylinder has an open upper end and is adapted to the radial profile of the container. The container is detachably mounted on the distribution cylinder. The control cylinder has a sealing piston. The distribution cylinder and the control cylinder are connected. The control cylinder has an air inlet, and the air inlet is equipped with a first one-way valve that only allows external gas to enter. The bottom side of the container has air inlets evenly distributed, and each air inlet is equipped with a second one-way valve that only allows external gas to enter. The gas injection assembly also includes a driving component for driving the sealing piston to move up and down.

[0012] In one alternative embodiment: the driving component includes a counterweight and a limiting rod mounted on a frame. The limiting rod has a square radial cross-section and slides through the counterweight. The sealing piston is provided with a first magnetic attractor. The counterweight is provided with a second magnetic attractor directly opposite the first magnetic attractor. The counterweight is also provided with a third magnetic attractor. The cylinder is provided with a fourth magnetic attractor for magnetically attracting the third magnetic attractor to drive the counterweight upward. The magnetic attraction strength between the third and fourth magnetic attractors is greater than the magnetic attraction strength between the first and second magnetic attractors. The frame is also provided with a stop bar for the cylinder to drive the counterweight upward to reach a set stroke and contact the counterweight to overcome the magnetic attraction force between the third and fourth magnetic attractors, so that the counterweight falls and acts on the sealing piston to deliver instantaneous airflow into the diverter cylinder. The flow divider is also equipped with a limiting block to restrict the maximum vertical movement of the sealing piston.

[0013] In one alternative: a sealing ring is also provided along the upper edge of the diverter.

[0014] A method for determining the microbial content of down, using the down microbial content determination equipment described in any of the above technical solutions, includes the following steps: S1: Place a certain amount of the down sample to be tested and the elution solution into a container according to the ratio; S2: The down in the container is moved by the down-pulling component to loosen the clumps of down, and the air-injection component injects air into the container to make the eluent churn and further loosen the already loose down, thereby achieving a dispersion effect. S3: Take a certain amount of eluent and incubate it in a culture facility; S4: The microbial content of the down sample is calculated by counting the colony-forming units using a counting mechanism.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: The down-pulling component loosens the clumps of down in the container, while the air-injection component injects air into the container, causing the eluent to churn and further disperse the already loosened down. This effectively solves the problem of down clumping, promotes gentle down dispersion, and ensures that the down is fully dispersed in the eluent. This allows the microorganisms in the down to be fully separated and dispersed in the eluent, accurately reflecting the actual content of microorganisms in the down and ensuring the accuracy of the down microbial content measurement results.

[0016] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. Furthermore, these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concepts of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to specific embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the first mounting plate and multiple sets of lint-sensitive components in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement between the tapered component and the multiple lint rods in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of section B in the middle.

[0023] Figure reference numerals: 1-Frame, 2-Container, 3-Pulling assembly, 301-Cylinder, 302-Pulling rod, 303-Telescopic component, 304-First mounting plate, 305-Second mounting plate, 306-Conical component, 307-Boss, 308-Spring, 309-Strip component, 310-First column, 311-Second column, 312-Arrangement area, 313-Through groove, 314-Slider, 315- 4-Gas injection assembly, 401-Diverter cylinder, 402-Gas control cylinder, 403-Air inlet, 404-First one-way valve, 405-Sealing piston, 406-First magnetic attractor, 407-Second magnetic attractor, 408-Counterweight, 409-Third magnetic attractor, 410-Fourth magnetic attractor, 411-Stop bar, 412-Limit bar, 413-Air inlet, 414-Second one-way valve, 415-Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments are only used to further illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present application based on the above application content.

[0025] Please see Figure 1A device for determining the microbial content of down includes a pretreatment mechanism, a culture mechanism, and a counting mechanism (the culture mechanism and the counting mechanism are existing technologies, and their specific structures will not be described in detail here). The pretreatment mechanism includes a container 2 for holding the down sample to be tested and the eluent, a down-pulling component 3 for loosening the clumps of down in the container 2, and an air-injection component 4 for injecting air into the container 2 to agitate the eluent and disperse the down. The down-plucking assembly 3 includes a cylindrical body 301 that can be moved up and down and multiple sets of down-plucking components evenly distributed on the cylindrical body 301. The down-plucking components include multiple circumferentially distributed down-plucking rods 302 that can move synchronously radially.

[0026] First, a certain amount of the down sample to be tested and the eluent are placed in container 2 according to the specified ratio. The down in container 2 is loosened by the down-pulling component 3. Air is injected into container 2 through the air-injection component 4 (injected from the bottom of container 2), causing the eluent to churn and further loosen the already loosened down, thus achieving a dispersion effect. This effectively solves the problem of down clumping and promotes a gentle dispersion process, ensuring that the down is fully dispersed in the eluent. This allows the microorganisms in the down to be fully separated and dispersed in the eluent, truly reflecting the actual content of microorganisms in the down and ensuring the accuracy of the microbial content measurement results. After elution, a certain amount of the eluent is cultured through a culture device. Finally, the colony-forming units are counted by a counting device to calculate the microbial content of the down sample.

[0027] Please see Figures 1-4 In one embodiment of the present invention, the pretreatment mechanism further includes a frame 1, the cylindrical body 301 is disposed on the frame 1, and the down-removing assembly 3 further includes a first mounting plate 304 disposed on the cylindrical body 301 and a second mounting plate 305 disposed inside the cylindrical body 301 and capable of moving up and down. The first mounting plate 304 is provided with an arrangement area 312 corresponding to the down-removing components. The arrangement area 312 is provided with a through groove 313 in a circumferential and divergent manner, corresponding to the down-removing rods 302 in a single set of down-removing components. A slider 314 is slidably engaged in the through groove 313, and the down-removing rods 302 in a single set of down-removing components are respectively fixedly passed through the corresponding sliders 314. The conical member 306 is provided with a conical member 306 corresponding to the tactile component. The tip of the conical member 306 faces downward, and the central axis of the conical member 306 is coaxial with the central axis of the corresponding tactile component. The conical member 306 is provided with a sliding groove 315 in the circumferential direction corresponding to the tactile rod 302 in the single set of tactile components. The tactile rod 302 is provided with a protruding button adapted to the sliding groove 315. The protruding button is slidably engaged in the corresponding sliding groove 315.

[0028] In this embodiment, the vertical movement of the cylinder 301 causes the down-touch component to move accordingly. Specifically, the lower end of the down-touch rod 302 cyclically enters and exits the container 2. When the cylinder 301 moves downwards, causing the lower end of the down-touch rod 302 to penetrate the container to a certain depth (i.e., the down-touch rod 302 is inserted into the down), the second mounting plate 305 moves downwards, causing the conical component 306 to move downwards relative to the first mounting plate 304. This causes the circumferentially arranged down-touch rod 302 to synchronously expand radially outwards, thus agitating the down and promoting its movement. When the clumped down is loosened (down will inevitably clump together in the elution solution, so the dispersion of down is actually a continuous disruption of the clumping tendency, not that the clumping will not occur again after dispersion), when the cylinder 301 moves upward and drives the down-touching rod 302 to move upward to a certain stroke, the second mounting plate 305 moves upward and drives the conical part 306 to move upward relative to the first mounting plate 304, so that the circumferentially arranged down-touching rod 302 moves radially inward to reset, and this cycle continues, so that the down in the container 2 is continuously loosened.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flocking assembly 3 also includes at least one telescopic member 303 for driving the cylinder 301 to move up and down. The telescopic member 303 is a telescopic cylinder, electric telescopic rod, etc. in the prior art, and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of protrusions 307 are provided on the inner side of the cylinder 301, a spring 308 is provided between the second mounting plate 305 and the protrusions 307, a strip member 309 is also hinged on the cylinder 301, a first column 310 is provided on the second mounting plate 305 to contact and abut against the resistance arm section of the strip member 309, and a second column 311 is provided on the frame 1 for the cylinder 301 to descend to a set stroke and contact and abut against the power arm section of the strip member 309.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the cylinder 301 moves down to a certain stroke, the power arm section of the strip 309 comes into contact with the second column 311, and as the cylinder 301 continues to move down, the resistance arm section of the strip 309 gradually deflects downward, thereby driving the second mounting plate 305 to move down, while the spring 308 is compressed; when the cylinder 301 moves up, the mounting plate 305 moves up and resets under the action of the spring 308, which also resets the strip 309.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the first column 310 and the second column 311 are provided with rollers for contacting and abutting against the strip 309. By setting the rollers, the sliding friction between the strip 309 and the first column 310 and the second column 311 is changed to rolling friction, thereby improving the smoothness of the fit.

[0033] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 5 In one embodiment of the present invention, the gas injection assembly 4 includes a distribution cylinder 401 and a control cylinder 402 disposed on the frame 1. The upper end of the distribution cylinder 401 is open and adapted to the radial contour of the container 2. The container 2 is detachably disposed on the distribution cylinder 401 (it can be locked by a snap-fit, a pin, or other means, which are not limited in this embodiment). The control cylinder 402 is provided with a sealing piston 405. The distribution cylinder 401 and the control cylinder 402 are connected. The control cylinder 402 is provided with an air inlet 403, and a first one-way valve 404 that only allows external gas to enter is provided at the air inlet 403. Air inlets 413 are evenly distributed on the bottom side of the container 2, and a second one-way valve 414 that only allows external gas to enter is provided at each air inlet 413. The gas injection assembly 4 also includes a driving component for driving the sealing piston 405 to move up and down. The driving component includes a counterweight 408 and a limiting rod 412 mounted on the frame 1. The limiting rod 412 has a square radial cross-section (to prevent the counterweight 408 from rotating) and slides through the counterweight 408. The sealing piston 405 is provided with a first magnetic attractor 406. The counterweight 408 is provided with a second magnetic attractor 407 directly opposite the first magnetic attractor 406. The counterweight 408 is also provided with a third magnetic attractor 409. The cylinder 301 is provided with a magnetic attractor for magnetically attracting the third magnetic attractor 409 to drive the counterweight. The fourth magnetic attractor 410 moves the weight 408 upward. The magnetic attraction between the third magnetic attractor 409 and the fourth magnetic attractor 410 is greater than the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic attractor 406 and the second magnetic attractor 407. The frame 1 is also provided with a stop bar 411, which is used by the cylinder 301 to drive the counterweight 408 upward to reach a set stroke and contact the counterweight 408 to overcome the magnetic attraction between the third magnetic attractor 409 and the fourth magnetic attractor 410, so that the counterweight 408 falls and acts on the sealing piston 405 to realize the delivery of instantaneous airflow into the diversion cylinder 401. The diverter cylinder 401 is also provided with a limiting block for limiting the vertical movement limit position of the sealing piston 405.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the cylinder 301 moves downward to its position, the third magnetic attractor 409 and the fourth magnetic attractor 410 magnetically attract each other. Subsequently, as the cylinder 301 moves upward, it drives the counterweight 408 to move upward. The upward movement of the counterweight 408 drives the sealing piston 405 to move upward, thereby performing a suction action. When the sealing piston 405 moves upward to its upper limit position, it overcomes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic attractor 406 and the second magnetic attractor 407 under the blocking action of the limiting block, and the counterweight 408 continues to move upward. Before body 301 moves to its position, counterweight 408 will first contact the stop bar 411. Under the blocking action of the stop bar 411, it overcomes the magnetic attraction between the third magnetic attractor 409 and the fourth magnetic attractor 410. Under the action of gravity, counterweight 408 falls and drives the sealing piston 405 to move down instantly, thereby generating an instantaneous airflow that enters the diverter 401. Then, it enters the container 2 from the bottom through the air inlet 413, causing the elution liquid in the container 2 to churn and thus promote the dispersion of down.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sealing ring 415 is also provided on the upper edge of the diverter cylinder 401. By setting the sealing ring 415 to contact and abut against the bottom of the container 2, the airtightness between the container 2 and the diverter cylinder 401 is ensured.

[0036] The present invention also provides a method for determining the microbial content of down, using the down microbial content determination equipment described in any of the above technical solutions, comprising the following steps: S1: Place a certain amount of the down sample to be tested and the elution solution into container 2 according to the ratio; S2: The down in container 2 is loosened by the down-pulling component 3, and the air injection component 4 is used to inject air into container 2 to make the eluent churn and further loosen the already loosened down, thereby achieving a dispersion effect. S3: Take a certain amount of eluent and incubate it in a culture facility; S4: The microbial content of the down sample is calculated by counting the colony-forming units using a counting mechanism.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A device for determining the microbial content of down feathers, comprising a pretreatment unit, a culture unit, and a counting unit, characterized in that, The pretreatment mechanism includes a container (2) for holding the down sample to be tested and the eluent, a down-pulling component (3) for loosening the clumps of down in the container (2), and an air-injection component (4) for injecting air into the container (2) to agitate the eluent and disperse the down. The down-plucking assembly (3) includes a cylinder (301) that can be moved up and down and multiple sets of down-plucking components evenly distributed on the cylinder (301). The down-plucking components include multiple down-plucking rods (302) that are evenly distributed circumferentially and can move synchronously radially.

2. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pretreatment mechanism also includes a frame (1), the cylinder (301) is mounted on the frame (1), and the down-removing assembly (3) also includes a first mounting plate (304) mounted on the cylinder (301). The first mounting plate (304) is provided with an arrangement area (312) corresponding to the down-removing components. The arrangement area (312) is provided with a through groove (313) in the circumferential direction and in a divergent manner, corresponding to the down-removing rod (302) in a single set of down-removing components. A slider (314) is slidably mounted in the through groove (313). The down-removing rod (302) in a single set of down-removing components is fixedly inserted through the corresponding slider (314).

3. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The down-plucking assembly (3) further includes a second mounting plate (305) located inside the cylinder (301) and capable of moving up and down. The second mounting plate (305) is provided with a conical part (306) corresponding to the down-plucking component. The tip of the conical part (306) is downward, and the central axis of the conical part (306) is coaxial with the central axis of the corresponding down-plucking component. The conical part (306) is provided with a sliding groove (315) in the circumferential direction corresponding to the down-plucking rod (302) in the single set of down-plucking components. The down-plucking rod (302) is provided with a protruding button adapted to the sliding groove (315). The protruding button is slidably locked in the corresponding sliding groove (315).

4. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flocking assembly (3) also includes at least one telescopic component (303) for driving the cylinder (301) to move up and down.

5. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner side of the cylinder (301) is provided with several bosses (307), and a spring (308) is provided between the second mounting plate (305) and the bosses (307). A strip (309) is also hinged on the cylinder (301). A first column (310) is provided on the second mounting plate (305) to contact and abut against the resistance arm section of the strip (309). A second column (311) is provided on the frame (1) for the cylinder (301) to descend to a set stroke and contact and abut against the power arm section of the strip (309).

6. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the first column (310) and the second column (311) are provided with rollers for contacting and abutting against the strip (309).

7. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas injection assembly (4) includes a distribution cylinder (401) and a control cylinder (402) mounted on the frame (1). The upper end of the distribution cylinder (401) is open and adapted to the radial profile of the container (2). The container (2) is detachably mounted on the distribution cylinder (401). A sealing piston (405) is provided in the control cylinder (402). The distribution cylinder (401) is connected to the control cylinder (402). An air inlet (403) is provided on the control cylinder (402). Air inlets (413) are evenly distributed on the bottom side of the container (2). The gas injection assembly (4) also includes a driving component for driving the sealing piston (405) to move up and down.

8. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driving component includes a counterweight (408) and a limiting rod (412) provided on the frame (1), and the limiting rod (412) slides through the counterweight (408). The sealing piston (405) is provided with a first magnetic attractor (406). The counterweight (408) is provided with a second magnetic attractor (407) directly opposite to the first magnetic attractor (406). The counterweight (408) is also provided with a third magnetic attractor (409). The cylinder (301) is provided with a fourth magnetic attractor (410) for magnetic attraction with the third magnetic attractor (409) to drive the counterweight (408) to move upward. The frame (1) is also provided with a stop bar (411). The diverter (401) is also provided with a limiting block for limiting the vertical movement limit position of the sealing piston (405).

9. The down microbial content determination device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The upper edge of the diverter (401) is also provided with a sealing ring (415).

10. A method for determining the microbial content of down, using the down microbial content determination equipment described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Place a certain amount of the down sample to be tested and the elution solution into container (2) according to the ratio; S2: The down in the container (2) is moved by the down-pulling component (3) to loosen the clumps of down, and the air injection component (4) injects air into the container (2) to make the eluent churn and further loosen the already loose down, thereby achieving a dispersion effect. S3: Take a certain amount of eluent and incubate it in a culture facility; S4: The microbial content of the down sample is calculated by counting the colony-forming units using a counting mechanism.

Images