Device and method for cooling food machinery

Abstract

A machine for producing or processing foods with a machine housing and a cooling system for cooling the machine housing interior, whereby the cooling system is formed in such a way that the ambient air is not contaminated by the cooling agent that is contaminated with germs, and a method for cooling the food processing or producing machine.

1 . A machine for the production or processing of food, comprising a machine housing, a cooling system for cooling the machine housing interior, the cooling system being formed in such a way that the ambient air is not contaminated by the cooling agent that is contaminated with germs. 
     
     
         2 . Machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system is an air cooling system with an air inlet, an air outlet, a ventilating device for generating a cooling air flow in the interior of the machine housing, and at least one device for removing germs from the cooling air. 
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the device for removing germs comprises a radiation source. 
     
     
         4 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the device for removing germs comprises a chamber for removing germs from the air in which the radiation source is arranged and through which the cooling air flow flows, and/or the radiation source is freely arranged in the machine housing interior and/or the radiation source is provided in a supply air line and/or exhaust air line. 
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claim 3 , and wherein an electronics box is arranged in the machine housing interior, wherein the radiation source is arranged in such a way that the electronics box is heated by the radiation source or its waste heat. 
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one device for removing germs comprises means for introducing a disinfecting active substance mist into the cooling air flow. 
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the air outlet is connected to an exhaust air line by means of which the cooling air flow can be blown off outside of the production area and/or that the cooling agent is conducted within a closed circuit and/or that the cooling system comprises a cooling machine. 
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claim 1 , and at least one filter element is arranged in a supply and/or exhaust air line. 
     
     
         9 . The machine according to  claim 1 , and the machine housing is formed as an open machine design or as a machine design that can be opened. 
     
     
         10 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the machine is a machine for sausage production. 
     
     
         11 . A method for cooling a machine for producing or processing food according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling agent is treated or conducted in such a way that the ambient air is not contaminated with germs as a result. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the cooling agent is air and the germs are removed from the cooling air flow. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the cooling agent flow is irradiated with UV radiation. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein, during the irradiation of the cooling air flow, heating an electronics box by the radiant heat or waste heat of the radiation source. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the intensity of the radiation source can be adjusted,
 and the duration of the introduction of the disinfecting active substance can be adjusted.   
     
     
         16 . Machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller of the device for removing germs is integrated in a machine controller of the machine. 
     
     
         17 . The machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the radiation source is a UV radiation source. 
     
     
         18 . The machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the UV radiation source is a UVC radiation source. 
     
     
         19 . The machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the cooling machine comprises a compression cooling machine. 
     
     
         20 . The machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the machine for sausage production comprising one of a filling machine, cutter, emulsifier, clipper, or packaging machine. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the germs are removed from the cooling air flow by means of irradiation or by a disinfecting active substance mist. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the UV radiation is UVC radiation. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the intensity of the radiation source is controlled or regulated depending on the germ density in the air and/or the irradiation duration or the quantity of disinfectant per time. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the duration of the introduction of the disinfecting active substance is controlled or regulated depending on the germ density in the air.