Insect de-infestation method
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorsHoward F. McKinney, Frederick C. Wear
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This application covers a method of treating grain and packaged foodstuffs with microwave energy under vacuum to kill insects, larvae, and eggs without raising the temperature of the product being treated to an extremely high level.
Claims9
A method of treating products such as grain and packaged foodstuffs containing insects, larvae, and eggs to kill said insects, larvae, and eggs in the products by microwave energy comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing the product in an atmosphere of reduced pressure of about 5 to about 85 Torr, and
- (b) subjecting the product to microwave energy of about 10.sup.2 MH.sub.z to about 10.sup.4 MH.sub.z frequency and a power density of at least about 4 watts/in.sup.3 of product being treated for a time sufficient to kill any insects and larvae in the product without raising the temperature of the product substantially above 120.degree. F. and without substantially injuring the grain or foodstuff.
A method of treating products such as grain and packaged foodstuffs containing insects and larvae to kill said insects and larvae in the products by microwave energy including:
- (a) placing the product in a chamber having a pressure of about 5 to about 85 Torr,
- (b) exposing the product to microwave energy of about 10.sup.2 MH.sub.z to about 10.sup.4 MH.sub.z frequency and a power density of about 4 to about 8 watts/in.sup.3 of product being treated for an exposure duration of about 0.5 to about 1.4 watt hours/in.sup.3 of product,
- (c) maintaining the temperature of the product below 120.degree. F. during treatment with the microwave energy, and
- (d) recovering a product substantially free of viable insects, larvae and eggs.
A method of treating products such as grain and packaged foodstuffs containing insects, larvae, and eggs to kill said insects, larvae, and eggs in the products by microwave energy comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing the product in an atmosphere of reduced pressure, and
- (b) subjecting the product to microwave energy of about 10.sup.2 MH.sub.z to about 10.sup.4 MH.sub.z frequency and a power density of at least about 4 watts/in.sup.3 of product being treated for an exposure duration of at least about 0.5 watt hours/in.sup.3 of product treated, while the temperature of the product is not raised substantially above 120.degree. F.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.