[0001] The invention relates to a device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses, for example samples of food products.

[0002] The device and plant are also suitable for preparing non-food products for laboratory analyses.

[0003] Preparing a sample of a product for laboratory analyses requires a series of tasks to be performed that, currently, are performed manually by a qualified operator.

[0004] The tasks to be performed to prepare a sample of a product for laboratory analyses are disclosed below.

[0005] 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.

[0006] When the product sample to be analyzed is received by an analysis laboratory, the first task to be performed is to identify the product univocally and encode the tasks to be performed.

[0007] 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).

[0008] The initial preparation includes a first step of homogenization of the product sample. For this purpose, 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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

20230499PCT EN [0011] At the end of the homogenization process, 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.

[0012] After completion of the homogenization process, 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The type of test tube and quantity of product vary according to the analyses to be performed.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] After filling has been carried out, each test tube has to be sealed with a lid, in order to keep the product sterile. For the same sterility consideration, all this operation has to be performed in a suitable environment and following a specific protocol.

[0018] Each test tube, in order to go on to the subsequent steps, has to be identifiable by a label.

[0019] At the end of the operation of filling all the test tubes associated with a single product sample, a product part, which remains in the container of the homogenizing device, has to be stored in a reserve container, to be able to be possibly used if necessary. The same procedure for preparing the test tubes can be followed to transfer to the reserve container the product part remaining in the container of the homogenizing device.

[0020] In order to be able to be used for a new product sample, 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. For this purpose, 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.

[0021] The precision and safety of all the tasks disclosed above is ensured by the operator who does not have tools that can exempt the operator from liability. If it is kept in mind that an operator may process dozens of samples a day and that for each sample it may be necessary to prepare up to 20 test tubes, it appears clear that the possibility of an error is always present.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Lastly, 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.

[0027] The above objects are achieved by a homogenizing device and a plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses according to the appended claims.

[0028] Owing to the invention, it is possible to homogenize a product sample to be subjected to laboratory analysis and fill the test tubes requested for the analyses rapidly and safely, ensuring great precision in filling the test tubes and the sterility of the product during the homogenization tasks and filling of the test tubes, eliminating or at least minimizing the possibility of error.

[0029] These and other advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, the description being provided merely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a homogenizing device of the plant for preparing product samples for laboratory analyses according to the invention;

20230499PCT EN Figure 2 shows a version of a detail of the homogenizing device of figure 1;

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;

Figure 11 is a block diagram that illustrates the operation of the plant according to the invention.

[0030] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a homogenizing device 1 according to the invention includes a container 2, into which the product sample to be homogenized can be introduced.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

20230499PCT EN [0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, 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.

[0037] The homogenizing device 1 is completed by a lid 7 that is used to close the container 2 during the product homogenization step.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Between the feed screw 11 and a wall of the dispensing conduit 8 very small clearance exists, that is so selected as to be able to control with precision the outflow of the product so as to avoid uncontrolled leaks of product from the dispensing conduit 8.

[0040] In Figure 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. Inside the lid 7a, there is 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.

[0041] In one version of the coupling system, between the blade unit 3 and the dispensing element 4, disclosed above, which enables the dispensing element 4 to be disengaged from the blade unit 3, 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.

20230499PCT EN [0042] In this manner, 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.

[0043] Alternatively, 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.

[0044] In order to connect the drive shaft of the first motor 15 to the blade unit 3 and to the dispensing element 4, and to disconnect the drive shaft of the first motor 15 from the blade unit 3 and from the dispensing element 4, 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. If the blade unit 3 is driven by the first motor 15 and the dispensing element is driven by a second motor 15a, 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. [0045] In Figures 4 and 5, 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. In 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.

[0046] In Figure 4, 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.

20230499PCT EN [0047] In Figure 5, the homogenizing and filling unit 18 is shown in a second operating position in which test tubes and, possibly, a reserve container are filled by the homogenizing device 1.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

20230499PCT EN [0054] The carousel 24 can be rotated around the axis of rotation B by a second gearmotor 27.

[0055] Lastly, 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.

[0056] When a product sample has to be prepared for laboratory analyses, 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.

[0057] Subsequently, 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.

[0058] During the homogenization step, 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. In this step, the rotation speed of the drive shaft of the first motor 15 is of the order of thousands of revolutions a minute. In the solution with two independent motors, with the first motor 15 for the movement of the blade unit 3 and the second motor 15a for the movement of the dispensing element 4, 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.

[0059] After homogenization of the product sample has terminated, 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.

[0060] After the 180° rotation, 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.

[0061] Subsequently, by driving the third motor unit 27, a 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.

[0062] After the test tube 25 has been positioned, the first motor 15 is driven again, reversing the rotation direction of the first motor 15, such that, now, the unidirectional

20230499PCT EN transmitting element 6 maintains the dispensing element 4 connected to the drive shaft of the first motor 15, or the second motor 15a is driven, which drives the dispensing element 4 directly. The rotation of the dispensing element 4 determines dispensing of the homogenized product into the test tube 25.

[0063] In this step, 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.

[0064] During dispensing of the homogenized product to the test tube 25, 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.

[0065] When all the test tubes 25 present on the carousel 24 have been filled, 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.

[0066] Lastly, the first motor 15, or the second motor 15a is started up again, and the residual homogenized product content present in the homogenizing device 1 is transferred to the reserve container 26.

[0067] Lastly, the test tubes 25 and the reserve container 26 are extracted from the carousel 24 to be sealed and labelled, awaiting subsequent use.

[0068] In Figures 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.

[0069] In Figure 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.

20230499PCT EN [0070] In Figure 7, the homogenizing and filling unit 18a is shown in a second operating position in which test tubes and, possibly, a reserve container are filled by the homogenizing device 1.

[0071] The second embodiment 18a of the homogenizing and filling unit, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, 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.

[0072] For the remainder, 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.

[0073] In Figure 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] In Figure 8, four magazines of test tubes 25 are indicated, but there can be any number of magazines and the number depends on the different laboratory analyses to be conducted on the product to be analyzed.

[0076] The 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] In Figure 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.

20230499PCT EN Figure 9 shows a plant 29 embodiment in which the workstations 31 are equipped with the second homogenizing and filling unit 18a embodiment.

[0079] In Figures 8 and 9, three workstations 31 are shown that, in Figure 8, are marked by the words Station 1, Station 2 and Station 3, but the number of workstations can be other than three, depending on the productivity needs of the plant 29.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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. [0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] The distance D between two consecutive transferring containers 36a is the same as the space DI between two consecutive workstations 31.

[0085] The 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] When one of the containers 35 is full, it can be removed and replaced by an empty container.

20230499PCT EN [0088] 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.

[0089] 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. During the transit from the first conveyor belt 38a to the second conveyor belt 38b, 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.

[0090] Lastly, 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.

[0091] The plant 29 can be managed by a centralized control system, for example a custom card, a PLC, or a personal computer.

[0092] 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.

[0093] Figure 10 shows a block diagram that illustrates schematically the operation of a plant 29 according to the invention.

[0087] To summarize, 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.

[0088] When one of the stations 31 has finished processing a product contained in a homogenizing device 1, the latter is transferred from the station 31 to the second conveyor belt 38b and a new homogenizing device 1 is transferred from the first conveyor belt 38a to

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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] After the homogenizing device 1 has been loaded into a free workstation 31 and inserted into the homogenizing and filling unit 18, or 18a, of the workstation 31 in the position illustrated in Figure 4, or in Figure 6, i.e. with the lid 7; 7a of the container 2 oriented upwards, 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.

[0091] The startup of the homogenization step can be controlled by an operator via the user interface or automatically by the centralized control system.

[0092] At the end of the homogenization step, 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. Before rotation of the homogenizing device 1, 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.

[0093] When the homogenizing device is rotated, at the end of the homogenization step, the workstation 31 is ready to pour the product into the test tubes 25.

[0094] 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.

[0095] If the workstation 31 is provided with the first embodiment of the homogenizing and filling device 18, the 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,

20230499PCT EN or by a handling apparatus (not shown) that is managed by the centralized control system. When all the test tubes 25 have been placed on the carousel 24, the centralized control system, or the operator via the user interface, commands the startup of the test tube filling step.

[0096] 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.

[0097] During filling of the test tubes 25, 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, through a suitable algorithm, 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.

[0098] When all the test tubes 25 have been filled, the control system removes from the magazine 30 the appropriate reserve container 26, which will follow the same process as the normal test tubes 25.

[0099] In the automatic system 29, provided with the second embodiment of the homogenizing and filling device 18a, at the end of the homogenization step the 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.

[0100] When an empty test tube 25 comes under the port of 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. [0101] During filling of the test tubes 25, the weighing system associated with the support element 45 continuously monitors the weight of the product delivered to the test

20230499PCT EN 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, through a suitable algorithm, 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.

[0102] When the test tube 25 has been filled, 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.

[0103] As several stations 31 can request a test tube 25 simultaneously, 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.

[0104] The filled 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.

[0105] Each 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.

[0106] When, in a workstation 31, all the test tubes 25 requested by the product processing sheet have been filled, the control system removes from the respective magazine 30 the appropriate reserve container 26 that will follow the same course as the normal test tubes 25.

[0107] 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.

20230499PCT EN [0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

20230499PCT EN