Irradiator and method of using irradiator to irradiate
OwnerLawrence G. Barrettinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An irradiator which can be incorporated within a packing house and a method of irradiating food in the packing house are disclosed. Food products are placed on spaced baskets and conveyed into an enclosure, through a irradiation chamber, and then outwardly from the enclosure. The food products are conveyed through tortuously arranged ductwork which serves to absorb radiation streaming upwardly. The radiation source is maintained underwater both during operation and shutdown, and no lifting of the radiation source is thus required. A portion of the conveyor is positioned within one or more casings and can be withdrawn, if necessary, to facilitate maintenance and repair.
Claims12
A method of irradiating food products in a packing house irradiator with controlled dosages of radiation, said method comprising:
- (a) conveying said food products into an enclosure;
- (b) conveying said food products through a watertight duct, along a tortuous path, to an irradiation chamber located under water and within said enclosure;
- (c) conveying said food products at least two times past a source of radiation located within said irradiation chamber to expose said food products to direct radiation from said source;
- and
- (d) conveying said food products from said chamber to the exterior of said enclosure within said duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.