Pasteurization System for Root Vegetables
AssigneeUnitherm Food Systems, Inc.
InventorDavid Howard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for pasteurizing the surface of a food product includes a flame pasteurizing means arranged to transfer heat to an outer layer of the food product as it is carried by a cook belt. The flame pasteurizing means provides a medium that engulfs more than 50% of the surface area of the skin or outer layer and raises the temperature of the outer layer to at least 145° F. (about 62.8° C.). A washing means, arranged at an exit point of the flame pasteurizing means, removes the raised temperature outer layer and stops heat transfer to an adjacent inner layer of the food product. The pasteurized and washed product retains the same color and flavor as that of the unpasteurized product.
Claims22
A system for pasteurizing the surface of a food product, the system comprising:
- a flame pasteurizing means arranged to transfer heat to an outer layer of the food product being carried by a cook belt, the flame pasteurizing means providing a medium that engulfs more than 50% of the surface area of the outer layer and raises the temperature of the outer layer to at least 145° F. (about 62.8° C.);
- and
- a washing means arranged at an exit point of the flame pasteurizing means, the washing means removing the raised temperature outer layer and stopping heat transfer to an adjacent inner layer of the food product.
A method for pasteurizing the surface of a food product, the method comprising the steps of:
- arranging a food product on a cook belt, the food product being in an unpeeled state and not touching any adjacent food product on the cook belt;
- and
- passing the food product through a flame pasteurizing means, the flame pasteurizing means arranged to transfer heat to an outer layer of the food product, the flame pasteurizing means providing a medium that engulfs more than 50% of the surface area of the outer layer and raises the temperature of the outer layer to at least 145° F. (about 62.8° C.);
- and
- passing the flame-pasteurized food product through a washing means, the washing means removing the raised temperature outer layer of flame-pasteurized food product and stopping heat transfer to an adjacent inner layer of the flame-pasteurized food product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.