Back to results
US 5,667,829 AGranted
Method and apparatus for treating meat products with ultrasonic energy in an ozonated water environment
AssigneeMedagri, Inc.
InventorRichard K. Herlig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process and apparatus for treating meat products with ultrasonic energy in an ozonated water environment to eradicate harmful pathopens from the surface of the meat products.
Claims20
A process for the eradication of pathogens from the surface of meat products, comprising the steps of:
- mixing ozone with water to provide an ozonated water bath;
- immersing the meat products in said ozonated water bath;
- and
- subjecting said ozonated water bath and the immersed meat products to an amount of ultrasonic vibration effective to dislodge pathogen containing particles from the surface of the meat products into said ozonated water bath, the dislodged pathogens being treated with an amount of the ozone in the ozonated water bath effective to render the pathogens harmless.
1 more element
A process for the eradication of pathogens from the surface of meat products, comprising the steps of:
- mixing ozone with water to provide an ozonated water mixture;
- introducing a first portion of the meat products into a treatment container;
- introducing an amount of said ozonated water mixture to said treatment container to fully immerse said first portion of the meat products;
- maintaining said first portion of meat products immersed in said ozonated water mixture for between about 1 to 2 minutes, and simultaneously subjecting said ozonated water mixture and the immersed meat products to an amount of ultrasonic vibration effective to dislodge pathogens from the surface of the meat products into the ozonated water mixture, where the dislodged pathogens being treated with an amount of the ozone in the ozonated water bath effective to render the pathogens harmless;
- separating the meat products from the ozonated water containing the dislodged pathogens;
- and
- conveying the meat products to a cleanroom having a positive air pressure.
4 more elements
An apparatus for the eradication of pathogens from the surface of meat products, comprising:
- an ozonator for providing a supply of ozone;
- a source of water;
- means for mixing said ozone with said water;
- containing means for containing the mixed ozone and water;
- a treatment container having a capacity effective to hold about one-hundred pounds of meat products along with about one-hundred gallons of water;
- means for producing ultrasonic vibration within said treatment container;
- conveying means for transporting the mixed ozone and water from said containing means to said treatment container;
- filling means for filling said treatment container with the mixed ozone and water from said conveying means to a level sufficient to submerse any meat products contained in the treatment container;
- transporting means for transporting the mixed ozone and water from said treatment container to said containing means.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.