Vacuum Pump Sterilization Buffer for Food Packaging Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum packaging installations face contamination risks due to pathogenic microorganisms developing in the connection lines between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump, necessitating regular maintenance interventions and temporary shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a sterilization element, such as ultraviolet light sources or heating elements, within the vacuum pump to create a buffer zone that sterilizes gases and prevents microbial contamination, ensuring the vacuum pump's internal volume is sanitized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular cleaning of connection lines is performed, then microbial contamination is prevented, but maintenance intervention and temporary shutdown are required
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is equipped with self-sterilization capabilities through integrated sterilization elements (UV-C lamps, heating elements, or chemical injection systems) that automatically disinfect the internal buffer zone and connection lines during operation or maintenance cycles, eliminating the need for external manual cleaning interventions and temporary shutdowns
Solution Approach 2:
A buffer zone is created within the vacuum pump upstream of the pumping chamber, which serves as a pre-sterilization barrier. This buffer zone is continuously or periodically sterilized before gases are pumped, preventing microbial contamination from propagating to the connection lines and vacuum chamber in advance
2Reliability
If connection lines are disconnected for cleaning, then contamination risk is reduced, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization elements are integrated directly into the vacuum pump structure, enabling self-sterilization of connection lines and internal components without requiring disconnection or external cleaning operations. The system performs its own maintenance function automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization elements serve multiple functions: they sterilize the buffer zone, disinfect connection lines, and can be integrated with the pumping operation itself, eliminating the need for separate cleaning procedures and reducing maintenance complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces the risk of microbial contamination by destroying pathogens within the vacuum pump's buffer zone, maintaining sanitary safety and preventing contamination of the vacuum chamber and surrounding areas.
Implementation Method 1
the sterilization element is an ultraviolet light source. The one or more ultraviolet light sources produce ultraviolet light alone or ultraviolet light and one or more other lights
Implementation Method 2
the sterilization element is or comprises an antiseptic chemical substance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum pump (1), having a suction (11), a discharge (9) and an interior volume intended to be traversed by gases conveyed from the suction (11) to the discharge (9) by pumping by the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump (1) comprises at least one sterilization element (15) of at least a portion (18) of the interior volume.The invention also relates to an installation for processing and/or packaging food products.