Portable microbial air monitoring equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable microbial air monitoring equipment that is used in places where clean air and clean environments are required, such as food factories, pharmaceutical factories, cosmetic factories, hospitals, schools / daycares, nursing homes, private or public institutions and organizations, and that enables sampling to measure microorganisms present in the air and air quality in pressurized closed circuit air ducts.

Description

[0001] Portable Microbial Air Monitoring Equipment

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a portable microbial air monitoring equipment that is used in places where clean air and clean environments are required, such as food factories, pharmaceutical factories, cosmetic factories, hospitals, schools / daycares, nursing homes, private or public institutions and organizations, and enables collecting samples for measuring microorganisms present in the air and air quality in pressurized closed circuit air ducts.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] Air quality measurement devices used today do not have a structure that can directly measure air quality by intaking air through filtration method. However, some commercially available devices use petri (growth medium) for air sampling. In these devices, air absorption is achieved through vacuum. The vacuum draws air into the device, and with the help of centrifugal force the air impacts the internal growth medium. During this multiplication process, microorganisms, particles or other contaminants present in the air adhere to the growth medium and can grow and multiply there. This makes it possible to obtain information about the type and concentration of pollution in the air. However, there is a significant deficiency in the design of these devices. After sampling, the environment inside the device is not sterilized. This means that any potential microorganisms and contaminants present in the device after a sample is taken remain in the environment for the next sample. This poses a risk of cross-contamination, which can lead to misleading results from different air samples mixing together. This situation can also pose a health risk, especially considering the potential dangers carried by microorganisms. In addition, organisms accumulated on the growth medium inside the device prevent accurate sampling and negatively affect air quality measurement results. However, there is no sampling device available to measure air quality from pressurized closed circuit air ducts.

[0006] Therefore, an important point to be considered when using these devices is that the sterilization processes are not performed properly. Cross-contamination and inaccurate results seriously impact the reliability and accuracy of these devices. These deficiencies can lead to potentially misleading air quality measurement results. As a result, in order to obtain safe and accurate results from the mentioned air quality measurement devices, sterilizationprocesses need to be improved and a device that allows measuring air quality from pressurized closed circuit air ducts needs to be developed.

[0007] As a result of the research carried out in the literature, a Turkish patent application with the application numbered "2023 / 003691" and the invention titled "Air Quality Measurement Device" was found. The said application relates to an electrical or battery-powered device that measures the oxygen level, humidity and temperature in the environment and gives audible and visual warnings for ventilation of the environment. However, in the said application, there is no indication of a portable microbial air monitoring equipment that allows taking samples to measure microorganisms in the air, used in places where clean air and clean environments are required, such as food factories, pharmaceutical factories, cosmetic factories, hospitals, schools / daycares, nursing homes, private or public institutions and organizations.

[0008] As a result, the problems mentioned above, which cannot be solved in the light of the present art, have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to portable microbial air monitoring equipment to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0011] The main purpose of the invention is to enable portable use in places where clean air and clean environments are required, such as food factories, pharmaceutical factories, cosmetic factories, hospitals, schools / daycares, nursing homes, private or public institutions and organizations, and to take samples to measure the microorganisms present in the air and the air quality in pressurized closed circuit air ducts.

[0012] In order to achieve all the objects mentioned above and to be arisen from the detailed description below, the present invention is a portable microbial air monitoring equipment used in places where clean air and clean environments are required, which enables sampling to measure the microorganisms present in the air and the air quality in pressurized closed circuit air ducts, wherein; it comprises a power supply that provides electrical energy to the components that require electricity to operate, a control actuator that is used for turning the system on and off, allows or cuts off the flow of energy from the power supply, and enables switching between programs, a time relay that enables the energy coming from the power supply to be transmitted to the desired point at the desired time and opens or closes theenergy transition at the desired time, a direction valve that directs pressurized / pressureless fluid according to the command from the time relay, a thermometer that measures the temperature of the air directed by the directional valve, a pressure controller that adjusts the pressure of the air fluid whose temperature is measured to the desired pressure level, a flow meter that measures the flow rate of the fluid whose pressure is adjusted coming from the pressure controller and adjusts the flow rate of the fluid if desired, a vacuum injector that is used to grip or move objects by creating vacuum and absorbs air from the desired environment, a filter holder where air with adjusted pressure and flow rate is directed and the filter is positioned, an ozone generator that produces ozone using oxygen, enables the ozonation / sterilization of the air vacuumed from the filter holder via a vacuum generator with the generated ozone, and transmits the ozonated / cleaned air to the flow meter, pressure controller, thermometer, and allows the air with the adjusted air flow rate and pressure to form a ring in order to sterilize the device, a filter that is located on the filter holder, allows molecules and microorganisms in the filtered air to cling to its walls in order to be analyzed and allows the purified air to be released into the environment by means of the ozone generator.

[0013] In order to best understand the structure of the present invention and its advantages with additional elements, it needs to be evaluated together with the figures described below.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0015] Figure 1 is a representative illustration of a portable microbial air monitoring equipment, which is the subject of the invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is a representative illustration of a different embodiment of a portable microbial air monitoring equipment, which is the subject of the invention.

[0017] The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and details not essential to understanding the present invention may be omitted. Furthermore, elements that are at least substantially identical, or at least have substantially identical functions, are designated by the same number.

[0018] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0019] 1. Direction valve

[0020] 2. Thermometer3. Pressure controller

[0021] 4. Vacuum injector

[0022] 5. Flow meter

[0023] 6. Ozone generator

[0024] 7. Time relay

[0025] 8. Power supply

[0026] 9. Filter holder

[0027] 10. Control actuator

[0028] 11. Filter

[0029] 12. Spare filter chamber

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In this detailed description, portable microbial air monitoring equipment which is the subject of the invention is described only by examples which will not create any limiting effect on the understanding of the subject.

[0032] A portable microbial air monitoring equipment comprises directional valve (1), thermometer (2), pressure controller (3), vacuum injector (4), flow meter (5), ozone generator (6), time relay (7), power supply (8), filter holder (9), control actuator (10), filter (11). The direction valve (1) directs the pressurized / unpressurized fluid according to the command from the time relay (7). The thermometer (2) is used to measure the air temperature directed by the direction valve (1). The pressure controller (3) is the element that adjusts the pressure of the air fluid whose temperature is measured to the desired pressure level (bar). The vacuum injector (4) is a device that is used to grip or move objects by creating vacuum in pneumatic (air pressure operated) systems and that performs vacuuming (absorption) to remove air from the desired environment. The flow meter (5) is the element that measures the flow rate of the fluid whose pressure is adjusted coming from the pressure controller (3) and adjusts the flow rate of the fluid if desired. The ozone generator (6) is the equipment that produces ozone using oxygen, ozonizes the air vacuumed from the filter holder (9) by means of the vacuum generator (4) with the ozone produced, sterilizes the device with the said ozonation process, and transmits the ozonated air to the flow meter (5), pressure controller (3), thermometer (2) to ensure the sterilization of the device, thus ensuring the ringing of the air with the adjusted air flow rate and pressure. The time relay (7) is the relay that enables the energy coming from the power supply (8) to be transmitted to the desired point at the desired time and opens or closes the energy transition according to the desired time. The power supply (8) is the element that provides electrical energy to the components that needelectricity to operate within the device and can be an accumulator or battery. The filter holder (9) is the device to which the air with adjusted pressure and flow rate is directed and the filter (11) is positioned, and the removable filtration head is used as a membrane filter holder (9) against air flows from both directions. The control actuator (10) is an element such as a button or knob, which is used to switch between programs and to turn on and off the device. The filter (11) is an element, preferably a membrane, located on the filter holder (9), which ensures that the molecules in the filtered air cling to its walls, allowing the cleaned air to be discharged into the environment and cleans the air to be analyzed and keeps the microorganisms on it.

[0033] In an embodiment of the invention, there are also elements such as a carrying handle, pressure indicator, spare filter chamber, thermometer, smart time relay, and air inlet. The spare filter chamber (12) is used as a spare filter and petri dish drawer. A portable microbial air monitoring equipment in a different configuration is shown in Figure 2. In the mechanical internal flow system, fluid circulation can be directed through the internal parts. According to the command from the time relay (7), which is a smart relay, the direction valve (1) can direct a compressed air flow in two directions.

[0034] The portable microbial air monitoring equipment allows microbiological analysis and air quality measurement by taking samples from the air circulating in compressed air ducts. The filters (11), which have the task of improving air quality, are changed periodically or non-periodically. The portable microbial air monitoring equipment ensures that the so-called clean environment or air outlets are used for their intended purpose and kept under control. On the other hand, although samples can be taken from ventilation ducts and ambient air using existing devices, sampling can be done at more than one point in the field and crosscontamination may occur. In a portable microbial air monitoring equipment, after each sample is taken, the ozone generators (6) located in the internal system of the device are activated automatically in a timed manner, sterilizing the device and preventing the risk of contamination of each subsequent sample from the previous point. In addition, instead of using elements such as growth medium and petri, which are very risky to keep in production areas for a long time, samples are taken directly in the device using the filter (11), preferably 40 microns and a membrane. Food safety risks are also eliminated by preventing glass materials from entering manufacturing sites and waiting on site for up to 4 hours.

[0035] The following processes can be performed by a portable microbial air monitoring equipment:

[0036] • Microbiological sampling from the air passing through the pressurized closed circuit system,• Microbiological sampling of air circulating in air conditioning and / or ventilation ducts, • Microbiological sampling from ambient air by vacuuming method,

[0037] • The device cleans and sterilizes its internal circulation system using ozonation technology after each sampling.

[0038] Functions performed by a portable microbial air monitoring equipment;

[0039] Microbiological sampling from the air passing through the pressurized closed circuit system;

[0040] In an embodiment of the invention, the device is turned on with the control actuator (10) used as an on / off button and energy is supplied from the power source (8), preferably used as an accumulator / battery. The energy is transferred to the air flow router from the selected program by the time relay (7) used as a smart relay. The energy coming to the direction valve (1) enables the direction valve (1) to be active and directs the air by determining the flow direction of the air circulating in the pressurized circuit. The temperature of the air passing through the thermometer (2) is used to determine the directed air temperature. The air flow pressure is adjusted by entering the measured air temperature into the pressure controller (3). The air pressure is reduced and enters the flow meter (5) to measure the air flow rate, and at the same time, an optional adjustable air flow is provided. The air with adjusted pressure and flow rate is directed to the filter holder (9), which is preferably polycarbonate. The molecules in the air that are placed in the filter holder (9), which is preferably polycarbonate, and flow through the filter (11), which is preferably a membrane, cling to the walls of the filter (11), and the air coming out of the filter (11) is discharged into the environment. The filter (11) inside the polycarbonate filter holder (9) is removed, and the inoculation is performed onto a pre-prepared or ready-to-use growth medium (petri) for microbiological analysis. The inoculated petri are placed in incubators prepared according to the required microorganism standards and monitored. If the presence of microorganisms circulating in the pressurized closed circuit is detected, the cleaning and disinfection of the filters (11) / HERA filters (Food / Medicine / Cosmetics, Hospital, etc.) in the main switchboards, as well as the air circulation ducts, are provided.

[0041] Microbiological sampling of air circulating in air conditioning and / or ventilation ducts;

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the device is turned on with the control actuator (10) used as an on / off button and energy is given from the power supply (8), preferably used as an accumulator / battery. Energy is transferred to the air flow router from the selected program by reaching the time relay (7), which is a smart relay. The energy coming to the direction valve (1) enables the direction valve (1) to be active and determines the flow direction of the aircirculating in the pressurized circuit and directs the air. After the router, the vacuum generator (4) comes into operation and starts vacuuming (absorption) to remove air from the desired environment. Since the air intake starts from the filter (11), which is preferably a membrane, and the filter holder (9), the circulating air is vacuumed (absorbed) and passed through the filter (11) with the help of the air transfer hose connected to the air conditioning or ventilation ducts with a socket. The air inlet, the membrane filter (11) and the air coming out of the filter holder (9) enter the flow meter (5). The air flow rate to be absorbed in is preset here, and the flow rate is verified at the set rate, or adjustments can be made during the flow. The air coming out of the flow meter (5) enters the pressure controller (3). The air pressure entering the pressure controller (3) can be adjusted both before and during flow. The air flow exits the pressure controller (3) and passes to the thermometer (2) and the temperature of the circulating air is measured. The air, whose temperature can be observed, has completed its process and is discharged through the air outlet section. In an embodiment of the invention, the filter (11) inside the polycarbonate filter holder (9) is removed and the inoculation is performed on a previously prepared or ready-to-use growth medium (petri) in order to perform the relevant microbiological analyses. The inoculated petri is taken to the incubators prepared according to the required microorganism standards and monitored. If the presence of microorganisms circulating in the pressurized closed circuit is detected, the cleaning and disinfection of the filters (11) / HEPA filters (Food / Medicine / Cosmetics, Hospital, etc.) in the main switchboards, as well as the air circulation ducts, are provided.

[0043] Microbiological sampling from ambient air by vacuuming method;

[0044] In an embodiment of the invention, the device is turned on with the control actuator (10) used as an on / off button and energy is given from the power supply (8), preferably used as an accumulator / battery. The energy is transferred to the air flow director from the selected program by the time relay (7). The energy coming to the direction valve (1) enables the direction valve (1) to be active and directs the air by determining the flow direction of the air circulating in the pressurized circuit. After the router, the vacuum generator (4) comes into operation and starts vacuuming (absorption) to remove air from the desired environment. Since the air inlet starts from the membrane filter (11) and filter holder (9) section, the free circulation air inhaled in the environment is vacuumed (absorbed) and passed through the filter (11), which is preferably a membrane. The air inlet, the membrane filter (11), and the air coming out of the filter holder (9) enter the flow meter (5). The flow rate of the air to be absorbed is pre-set, and it is verified that the flow occurs at the specified rate; alternatively, adjustments can also be made during the flow. The air coming out of the flow meter (5) enters the pressure controller (3). The pressure settings of the air entering the pressure controller (3) can be adjusted both before and during flow. The air flow exits the pressurecontroller (3) and passes to the thermometer (2), where the temperature of the circulating air is measured. The air, whose temperature has been measured, has now completed its process and is released through the air outlet. The filter (11) inside the filter holder (9), preferably made of polycarbonate, is removed and the inoculation is performed onto a previously prepared or ready-to-use growth medium (petri) in order to perform the relevant microbiological analyses. The inoculated petri are taken to the incubators prepared according to the required microorganism standards and monitored. If the presence of microorganisms circulating in the pressurized closed circuit is detected, cleaning and disinfection of the filters (11) / HEPAFILTERS (Food / Medicine / Cosmetics, Hospital, etc.) and air circulation ducts in the main switchboards are provided.

[0045] After each sample is taken, the device cleans / sterilizes its internal circulation system with ozonization technology;

[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, the device is turned on with the control actuator (10) used as an on / off button and energy is given from the power supply (8), preferably used as an accumulator / battery. Energy is transferred to the time relay (7) and transferred to the air flow director from the selected program. The energy coming to the direction valve (1) activates the direction valve (1) and directs the air by determining the direction of air flow circulating in the pressurized circuit. After the router, the vacuum generator (4) and the ozone generator (6) are activated simultaneously. Air absorption begins from the air inlet, filter holder (9). The absorbed air is taken into the ozone generator (6). The ozonated air in the ozone generator (6) is then adjusted with the flow meter (5), which adjusts the air flow rate. The device performs internal cleaning by ozonization, passing through the pressure controller (3) that regulates the air pressure, and making a ring between the thermometer (2) that measures the air temperature and the connection pipes in the internal parts of the device (going back and forth in a predetermined manner and on the way). When the process is completed, the air inlet is thrown back from the air absorption point and closed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A portable microbial air monitoring equipment used in places where clean air and clean environments are required, allowing sampling to measure microorganisms present in the air and air quality in pressurized closed circuit air ducts, characterized by comprising:• a power supply (8) that provides electrical energy to the components that need electricity for operation,• a control actuator (10) that is used to turn the system on and off, allows or interrupts the flow of energy from the power supply (8), and is used for switching between programs,• a time relay (7) that enables the energy coming from the power supply (8) to be transmitted to the desired point at the desired time, and opens or closes the energy passage according to the desired time,• a direction valve (1 ) that directs pressurized / pressureless fluid according to the command from the time relay (7),• a pressure controller (3) that adjusts the pressure of the air fluid to the desired pressure level,• a flowmeter (5) that measures the flow rate of the fluid with the adjusted pressure coming from the pressure actuator (3) and adjusts the flow rate of the fluid if desired,• a vacuum injector (4) that is used to grip or move objects by creating vacuum and absorbs air from the desired environment,• a filter holder (9) where the air with adjusted pressure and flow rate is directed and the filter (11 ) is positioned,• an ozone generator (6) that produces ozone using oxygen, provides the ozonization / cleaning of the air vacuumed from the filter holder (9) by means of the vacuum generator (4) with the produced ozone, and transmits the ozonized / cleaned air to the flow meter (5), pressure regulator (3), and if desired, to the thermometer (2) in order to ensure the sterilization of the device, and ensures the ringing of the air with the adjusted air flow rate and pressure,• a filter (11) that is located on the filter holder (9), ensures that the molecules and microorganisms in the filtered air cling to its walls to enable analysis and that the cleaned air is released into the environment by means of the ozone generator (6).

2. The portable microbial air monitoring equipment according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising a thermometer (2) that measures the temperature of the air directed by the direction valve (1).

3. The portable microbial air monitoring equipment according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising a spare filter (11) and spare filter chamber (12) used as a petri dish drawer.

4. The portable microbial air monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply (8) is an accumulator / battery.

5. The portable microbial air monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter holder (9) is made of polycarbonate material.

6. The portable microbial air monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the control actuator (10) is a button / knob.

7. The portable microbial air monitoring equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter (11 ) is made of membrane material.

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