# US 10,368,556 B2 · Anti-microbial application equipment with controls

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,368,556 B2
- Document ID: US10368556B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/349,789
- Filed: 2016-11-11
- Published: 2017-03-23
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-09-09
- Assignees: Safe Foods Corporation
- Applicants: Safe Foods Corporation
- Inventors: Justin Massey; Tim Yeaman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10368556B2

## CPC

- A23B 4/30: by spraying of liquids
- G01F 23/00: Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F 23/0015: {with a whistle or other sonorous signal}
- G01N 33/00: Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01V 8/10: Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers (by reflection from the object G01S17/00)
- G05B 15/02: electric
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION

## Abstract

A control system for monitoring an antimicrobial application system may include a controller having a monitoring program including an operations unit and an interface unit. The operations unit may include a sensor module operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned to detect operation data associated with the application system in real-time. An adjustment module may adjust the operation of the application system. An analysis module may analyze real-time operation data and initiate a specified response when the analysis indicates that a trigger event has occurred. The response may include issuing a notification to a notification device or initiating the adjustment module to perform a control operation to modify the operation of the antimicrobial application system. A remote monitoring center may control multiple and remote application systems. Mobile devices and a control panel may be operable to interface with operations of the antimicrobial application system via the control system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A control system for monitoring operations of antimicrobial application equipment of an application treatment system, the control system comprising:
a controller configured to execute a monitoring program comprising an operations unit and an interface unit, the operations unit comprising:
a sensor module operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned to detect real-time operation data associated with operation of the antimicrobial application equipment,
an adjustment module operatively coupled to the antimicrobial application equipment and configured to adjust the operation of the antimicrobial application equipment, and
an analysis module configured to analyze the real-time operation data and initiate a specified response when the analysis indicates that a trigger event has occurred, wherein the response comprises at least one of issuing a notification to one or more notification devices or initiating the adjustment module to perform a control operation to modify the operation of the antimicrobial application equipment; and
wherein the antimicrobial application equipment comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of:
a rotary screen filter comprising a rotatable, cylindrical body defined by a screen and into which antimicrobial treatment solution is received for filtration of solid components;
a plurality of spray nozzles positioned to direct antimicrobial treatment solution onto work pieces as the work pieces are conveyed through a spray cabinet;
a dip tank for containing antimicrobial treatment solution and a conveyer for conveying work pieces through the antimicrobial treatment solution contained in the dip tank;
a suction box configured to fluidically couple to a dip tank and including a sensor for sensing a level of antimicrobial treatment solution in the dip tank;
a capture unit comprising a series of activated carbon filters to filter antimicrobial component from an antimicrobial treatment solution; and
a capture unit comprising a series of activated carbon filters each including a header having a plurality of arms defining fluid ports for distributing antimicrobial treatment solution over the activated carbon.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The control system of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises one of an audible alarm, visual alarm, text message, and email.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The control system of claim 1, wherein analysis of the real-time operation data comprises a comparison of the real-time operation data or an operational condition derived therefrom with a set point pre-defined in the monitoring program.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The control system of claim 3, wherein the set point comprise one of depth of antimicrobial treatment solution in a dip tank, depth of work pieces submerged in the dip tank during treatment, duration of treatment of work pieces conveyed through the dip tank, number of work pieces treated, and agitation jet pressure supplied to the dip tank.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a plant controller and a multi-plant controller, wherein the multi-plant controller is configured to remotely monitor and control operations of multiple anti-microbial treatment systems, wherein the plant controller comprises the sensor module and the adjustment module and the multi-plant controller comprises the analysis module, and wherein the plant controller is configured to transmit the real-time operation data to the multi-plant controller for remote analysis by the analysis module.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The control system of claim 1, wherein the interface unit is configured to provide a remote interface to authorized access devices to access the monitoring program, and wherein the remote interface is operable to allow authorized access devices to define or control operations of the operation unit including at least one of collecting real-time operation data with the sensor module and performing an adjustment of an operation of the antimicrobial application equipment with the adjustment module.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The control system of claim 6, wherein the remote interface is operable to allow authorized access devices to one or more of adjust an operation of the antimicrobial application equipment, define administrative parameters used by the analysis module to analyze operation data, define set points, and define administrative decision rules.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The control system of claim 6, wherein the interface unit comprises multiple access levels providing different functionalities to authorized access devices for each access level.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The control system of claim 8, wherein the access levels are limited by location of the access device.