Product and process of making sterile milk through dynamic microfiltration
AssigneePall Corporation
InventorsPeter J. Degen, Tony Alex, Joseph W. Dehn, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for treating raw milk to produce treated milk having a lower bacterial content than the raw milk. The milk is homogenized and within about 5 minutes from the homogenization, subjected to dynamic microfiltration, to yield a filtrate which has a lower bacterial content than the initial raw milk. The resultant milk can be sterile, free from Bacillus cereus bacteria that usually causes degradation of milk quality during refrigerated storage. The milk can be shipped even under non-refrigerated conditions without spoilage, for extended periods of time.
Claims23
A method for treating raw milk to produce treated milk having a lower bacterial content than the raw milk, comprising homogenizing the milk and within about 5 minutes from the homogenization, subjecting the milk to dynamic microfiltration by passing the milk through a microfilter having an average pore size sufficient to reduce the bacterial content of the milk flowing therethrough, to yield a filtrate which has a lower bacterial content than the initial raw milk and a concentrate having a higher bacterial content than the initial raw milk.
Nonpasteurized, dynamically filtered, homogenized, sterile milk, characterized by the absence of Bacillus cereus bacteria.
Nonpasteurized, dynamically filtered, homogenized, sterile milk, characterized by the absence of campylobacteria.
Nonpasteurized, dynamically filtered, homogenized, sterile milk, characterized by the absence of listeria.
Nonpasteurized, dynamically filtered, homogenized, sterile milk, characterized by the absence of E. coli.
Nonpasteurized, dynamically filtered, homogenized milk, having a bacterial content of less than about 10.sup.3 bacteria per ml, and having substantially retained the natural organoleptic components found is raw milk.
A method for processing milk for consumption by a consumer, comprising obtaining raw milk, homogenizing the milk and within about 5 minutes from the homogenization, subjecting the milk to dynamic microfiltration by passing the milk through a microfilter having an average pore diameter from about 0.1 to about 0.5, sufficient to reduce the bacterial content of the milk flowing therethrough, to yield a filtrate which has a lower bacterial content than the initial raw milk, packaging the milk into a container for use by the consumer, and transporting the milk, without refrigeration, to a point for distribution to the consumer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.