Patent Application
20200116596
The present specification relates generally to an apparatus and method of sampling food, and more particularly to an apparatus and method of sampling food for further testing.
Current methods of acquiring a food samples for testing are generally not simple and easy to accomplish. The sample collector ideally has minimum physical contact with the food sample of interest and uses instruments to reduce the likelihood of contamination. The instruments need to be cleaned, dried and ensured free of cross-contaminants. In most cases, sterile tools/devices such as utensils, tongs, and tweezers are used when collecting food samples for testing. In addition, persons conducting testing generally wear gloves during sampling.
Sample collection and preparation typically requires a combination of user actions to optimize sample collection directly from the point of interest. These actions involve manual steps that make it difficult to collect samples from multiple points over an area, such as a plate of food, without extensive manual effort. Some conventional sampling strategies in food inspection involve using a pelican-type sampling tool, hand scoops, double sleeved trier or the traditional Nobbe trier. The double sleeve trier and Nobbe trier use a pointed tube with openings along the length of the tube that allow for the sampling of food. The manual steps introduce potential for error as well as slow the whole process down. For example, some methods require manual action for accessory attachment or sample loading between each sample collection.
An apparatus having a disposable sampling cartridge for sampling food is provided. The apparatus can significantly improve the quality and quantity of sampled food per cartridge.
Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:
In describing the components of the apparatus and alternative versions, or embodiments, of some of these components, the same reference number can be used for elements that are the same as, or similar to, elements described in other versions or embodiments. As used herein, any usage of terms that suggest an absolute orientation (e.g. “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, etc.) are for illustrative convenience and refer to the orientation shown in a particular figure. However, such terms are not to be construed in a limiting sense as it is contemplated that various components will, in practice, be utilized in orientations that are the same as, or different than those described or shown.
When collecting food samples, each sample is to be collected by means that preserve integrity and reduce potential for contamination. Anomalies in sample integrity can arise from an inability of a sample to represent the chemical properties of an entire food plate due to improper sampling. Accordingly, the sampled food is not to be disturbed from its container or plate, especially for allergen detection in food, prior to testing. In addition, the sampling apparatus is to collect an adequate amount of sample for sample processing and testing. The sampled food is also to be representative of the entire food plate. For example, a sampling of 5 g or 5 ml of food can be sufficient in some situations, after which 0.25 g is used for an extraction process and further processing.
Referring to
The activation button 55 is to activate the sample procedure. An internal PCB mounted within the outer casing will initiate the process.
The outer-casing 60 is the active component of the apparatus 50, and may be a permanent fixture used by a consumer. It is to be appreciated, as discussed in greater detail below, the other parts may be disposable, such as the unit 70. In addition, the apparatus 50 includes a PCB housing unit 75, a motor and/or vacuum pump housing area 80, and a communication port 85 for the vacuum.
Furthermore, the apparatus 50 includes a sampling unit 6, a transfer unit, and extraction system and a valve between the transfer unit and the extraction system.
Referring to
In the present embodiment, the sampling unit 6 is shaped like a cylindrical biopsy punch. The sampling head 6 includes a cutter 7, a grinder 8, and a plurality of passages 9 passing through the sample unit 6. The cutter 7 is not particularly limited and can include any type of cutting edge configured to cut food during sampling. For example, the cutter 7 can be a straight edge, a curved edge or include a serrated edge. The grinder 8 is also not particularly limited and can include any surface capable of grinding food. In particular, the grinder 8 is generally comprised of a hard material such as a hardened plastic. For example, the grinder 8 can be made from 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or other suitable material. In other examples, the grinder 8 can be injection molded using various plastics, including recycled plastics. To facilitate with grinding, the grinder 8 may also include a roughened surface or an abrasive textured surface. The surface of the grinder 8 may also contain multiple pointed or sharp channeled protrusions to enhance the ability of the device to grip and separate a food sample from the source. In other embodiments, the grinder 8 can be modified to be an adhesive substrate to sample the food plate. In this embodiment, the adhesive substrate can function as both the sampling unit and an intermediate storage unit instead of having a separate transfer chamber 10.
The passages 9 are not particularly limited and are generally configured to allow a food sample to pass therethrough. For example, the passages 9 can be of any shape or size compatible with the samples to be collected. The passages 9 can be smaller for softer solid or liquid food. Conversely, if the food is expected to include larger solid pieces, the passages 9 can be larger to facilitate sample collection. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the passages 9 are shown to be cylindrical to reduce the internal resistance of food passing therethrough. However, in other embodiments, the passages 9 can be formed with a different shape. In addition, the passages 9 also do not need to be straight and can be curved.
Referring to
The transfer chamber 10 is further connected to an extraction unit having an extraction chamber 17. The extraction chamber 17 is configured to receive food samples from the transfer chamber 10. In addition, the transfer chamber 10 is separated from the extraction chamber 17 by a valve disposed therebetween. The valve is generally configured to control the flow of food between the transfer chamber 10 and the extraction chamber 17 by opening and closing. In the present embodiment, the valve includes a movable wall 13, and the stationary wall 15 as shown in
As the food sample passes from the transfer chamber 10 to the extraction chamber 17 through the opening 11, the ledge 16 directs food particles away from traveling further into the upper part of the extraction chamber 17.
On completing the sample collection steps, the wall 13 is moved to a position that opens another opening 19 to the buffer chamber 20 containing an extraction buffer. It is to be appreciated that the buffer is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the buffer can be a water based salt solution, along with parts of alcohol to extract a target protein into an aqueous form. In particular, one example of a buffer solution can contain about 70% aqueous ethanol. In another example, the buffer may contain 40 mm of Sodium chloride aqueous solution in Phosphate buffer saline.
In this embodiment, the position of the wall 13 can also simultaneously close the opening 18 to the transfer chamber 10 as shown in
It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description that variations are contemplated. For example, the apparatus can be a unitary body containing an integrated sampling unit, transfer unit, and extraction unit in a single housing. As another example, the apparatus can include a motorized element to open and close the valve that controls the flow of sampled food and extraction buffer. In this example, the motor can be used in place of the handle 14. Furthermore, the motor can also be used to power an agitator (not shown) to agitate the extraction buffer/food matrix to enhance the reaction. In addition, the motor can also be used to extract the processed sample, for example, through centrifugation or other mechanical means.
In use, the apparatus is configured to obtain multiple samplings of a food plate using generally three sub-units: a sampling unit, a transfer unit and an extraction system. The setting in which the apparatus is used is not particularly limited. For example, the plate of food may be one at a restaurant or one obtained from a retail store, wholesaler or an importer. In the present embodiment, the extraction system can also be used as a sample storage until the samples are removed from the apparatus for additional processing. It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description that one or more of the sub-units can be disposable “one-time” use to prevent cross-contamination between sampling events
Referring to
Block 210 comprises choosing an area on a food plate from which a food sample is to be connected. The manner by which the area is selected is not limited and may involve an automated process or a manual process. Next, a sampling device may be placed on an area of interest (block 220) and a sampling process initiated (block 230). It is to be appreciated, that blocks 210 to 230 may be repeated until a determination is made at block 240 that the sampling process is completed. The manner by which this determination at block 240 is made is not limited. For example, the process may request a specified number of samples and each execution of block 240 may determine whether the specified number of samples has been achieved. Once the sample collection process is completed, the sample may be moved to a storage area (block 250) and subsequent sent for post-sampling processing at block 260.
Referring to
It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art that the food sampling area is not particularly limited. For example, although the platform 2 is flat in the present embodiment, in other embodiments, the platform 2 can be shaped and have contours or be in the form of a scoop. In another embodiment, the platform 2 can have concentric through holes along the direction 1 which can limit the amount of food sampled along the horizontal direction. In yet another embodiment, the food sampling area can be omitted and the sampling head 6 can be applied directly on a plate of food.
The apparatus provides the ability to sample different portions of a food plate by passing the food sampling area over the region of interest. The food sampling area can also meter a set quantity of food onto the platform 2, thus collecting sizable and/or uniform portions suitable for subsequent processing.
While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and should not serve to limit the accompanying claims.
