DEVICE IS PRESENT IN A STERILIZATION SYSTEM

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to the field of packaging. More particularly, to a device, system and method for detecting if a drying device is present in a sterilization system in a filing machine.

Background

When producing packages for various types of liquid foods it is crucial to assure that the packages are clean from any type of bacteria or similar that could damage the liquid food inserted into the package. Today this is performed by use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inserted in various ways into the package such that the H2O2 kills all or almost all of the bacteria and assures the cleanliness of the package before any liquid food is inserted in to it. However, H2O2 is a strong oxidizer, bleaching agent and disinfectant which has environmental and medical risks associated with it. It is therefore important to keep the use of H2O2 at a minimum when disinfecting packages for food liquids and remove as much as possible of the H2O2 by e.g. drying the package by blowing out any excessive H2O2.

Today this is achieved by use of drying pipes placed at or inserted into the package in a sterilization chamber. However the pipes are not visible or easily visible from outside the sterilization chamber.

Thus, it is desired to have a device, system and method that alert a user that the pipes are not in place and/or correctly placed.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present inventive concept to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in combination.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a detection device for detecting a presence of at least one drying device for drying H2O2 at at least one package and the drying device having a specific pressure signature, comprising, means for detecting a characteristic linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device, means for determining if the at least one drying device is present based on the detected characteristic.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a system for detecting a presence of at least one drying device for drying H2O2 at at least one package, comprising, at least one drying device having a specific pressure signature, a detection device, comprising, means for detecting a characteristic linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device, means for determining if the at least one drying device is present based on the detected characteristic.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a method for detecting a presence of at least one drying device for drying H2O2 at at least one package and the drying device having a specific pressure signature, comprising, detecting a characteristic linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device, determining if the at least one drying device is present based on the detected characteristic.

Further examples of the disclosure are defined in the dependent claims, wherein features for the fourth and subsequent aspects of the disclosure are as for the first to third aspects mutatis mutandis.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for detecting and determining a characteristic linked to a specific pressure signature of at least one drying device and if the drying device is present.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for detecting if a plurality of drying devices is present.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for detecting a threshold target.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for signaling if a drying device is present or not.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for detecting a difference of a frequency which equals a large pressure variation in a drying device.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a constant pressure at at least one drying device.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for detecting any variation to a pressure in a system.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a voltage of a fan that is needed to maintain a constant pressure is detected and analyzed.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a pre-set and/or variable duration of sampling times.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention/inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of different embodiments of the present invention/inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a device for detecting if at least one drying pipe is present in a system for drying H2O2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for detecting if at least one drying pipe is present in a system for drying H2O2.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of detecting if at least one drying pipe is present in a system for drying H2O2.

Detailed description

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a detection device 10 for detecting a presence of at least one drying device 20 for drying H2O2 at at least one package. The drying device 20 has a specific pressure signature. The detection device 10 comprises means for detecting a characteristic 1 1 linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device. The detection device 10 further comprises means for determining 12 if the at least one drying device 20 is present based on the detected characteristic. By detecting and determining the characteristic linked to the specific pressure signature it is possible to detect if the at least one drying device 20 is present.

In an example the detection device 10 is configured to detect if a plurality of drying devices 20 are present. In an example the drying device 20 is a drying pipe.

In an example, the means for detecting the characteristic is a pressure sensor and/or a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor and/or a frequency sensor and/or a current sensor and/or a combination of the above.

In an example, the characteristic is a pressure and/or a voltage and/or a current and/or a frequency.

In an example the means for determining 12 is set to detect a threshold target and which thus signals if a drying device 20 is present or not. In an example the means for determining 12 is set to detect a difference of 4-5Hz which equals a large pressure variation in the drying device 20. In an example the means for determining 12 is a computer, logic circuit, analog circuit and/or digital circuit. In an example the detection device 10 also comprises a memory for temporary storing, or long term storing, of detected characteristics.

In examples, the means for detecting 1 1 and the means for

determining 12 are connected to each other by being wired or wireless.

In an example, illustrated in e.g. fig.2 is a system 100 for detecting a presence of at least one drying device 20 for drying H2O2 at at least one package. The system 100 comprises at least one drying device 20 having a specific pressure signature. The system 100 also comprises a detection device 10 comprising means for detecting 1 1 a characteristic linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device 20 and means for determining 12 if the at least one drying device 20 is present based on the detected characteristic.

In an example, the system 100 further comprises a fan 21 for providing a constant pressure at the at least one drying device 20. By having the system 100 comprising the fan that maintains the constant pressure to the at least one drying device 20 any variation to the pressure in the system of e.g. a removal, not correctly placed or not placed at all of the at least one drier 20 will be detectable by the means for detecting 1 1 . In an example, the pressure is detected and analyzed by the means for determining 12 if the pressure signature of the at least one drying device 20 is present. In an example, the voltage of the fan 21 that is needed to maintain the constant pressure is detected and analyzed for the characteristic that is linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device 20 to determine if it is present or not.

In an example, the system 100 comprises one drying device 20 and the fan 21 provides the constant pressure of 80 hectopascal at a frequency of

44-45Hz. In this example the detection device 10 is configured to sample for 30 seconds and evaluate the measured data. Other duration of sampling times is also possible. The detection device 10 is also configured to detect if after and/or during these 30 seconds a frequency above 50 Hz and/or a pressure of 20 hectopascal is present. If so, the detection device 10 signals that the drying device 20 is not present in the system 100. In an example illustrated in figure 3 is a method 200 for detecting a presence of at least one drying device 20 for drying H2O2 at at least one package is disclosed. The drying device 20 has a specific pressure signature and the method 200 comprises detecting 210 a characteristic linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device 20. The method further comprises determining 220 if the at least one drying device 20 is present based on the detected characteristic.

In an example, the detection of the characteristic is by a pressure sensor and/or a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor and/or a frequency sensor and/or a current sensor.

In an example, the characteristic is a pressure and/or a voltage and/or a current and/or a frequency.

In an example, a fan 21 provides a constant pressure to the at least one drying device 20 and the fan speed is controlled by a pressure

transmitter, and wherein the determining 220 is based on the characteristic being a pressure detected by the pressure transmitter and/or a frequency corresponding to the fan speed of the fan 21 .

Further, the invention has mainly been described with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily understood by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.