Method and apparatus for irradiating foodstuffs using low energy x-rays
First Claim
1. A method for irradiating foodstuffs, comprising the step of exposing a foodstuff to be irradiated to x-rays having energies selected exclusively from the range of below approximately 250 KeV for a period of time and at at least a first intensity sufficient to provide a desired dose of radiation to the foodstuff.
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Abstract
The specification discloses a method and apparatus for irradiating foodstuffs. The method comprises the step of exposing a foodstuff to be irradiated to x-rays having energies selected exclusively from the range of below approximately 250 KeV, for a period of time and at at least a first intensity sufficient to provide a desired dose of radiation to the foodstuff. The inventive apparatus comprises, in a first embodiment, a conduit adapted for the movement therethrough of a foodstuff to be irradiated, the conduit having a passageway defined between inlet and outlet ends thereof; means for moving the product to be irradiated through the conduit at at least a first velocity; and at least one x-ray tube disposed within the conduit passageway between the inlet and outlet ends in the path of travel of the foodstuff to be irradiated, the at least one x-ray tube being selectively capable of generating x-rays having energies exclusively in the range of below approximately 250 KeV. According to an alternative embodiment, the apparatus comprises the aforesaid conduit and means for moving the foodstuff to be irradiated, while providing at least one x-ray tube positioned substantially external of the conduit and arranged so that an x-ray beam emitted by the at least one x-ray tube is propagated substantially in a direction that is perpendicular to the path of travel of the foodstuff to be irradiated through the passageway. The at least one x-ray tube is selectively capable of generating x-rays having energies exclusively in the range of below approximately 250 KeV.
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Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A method for irradiating foodstuffs, comprising the step of exposing a foodstuff to be irradiated to x-rays having energies selected exclusively from the range of below approximately 250 KeV for a period of time and at at least a first intensity sufficient to provide a desired dose of radiation to the foodstuff.
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7. A method for irradiating orange juice having an initial pathogen population and an initial taste, comprising the step of exposing the orange juice to be irradiated to x-rays having energies selected exclusively from the range of below approximately 250 KeV for a period of time and at at least a first intensity sufficient to provide a dose of radiation to the orange juice that is sufficient to achieve at least a predetermined reduction in the initial pathogen population without altering the initial taste.
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8. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of mixing the orange juice during exposure to the x-rays.
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9. An apparatus for irradiating foodstuffs, the apparatus comprising:
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A conduit adapted for the movement therethrough of a foodstuff to be irradiated, the conduit having inlet and outlet ends and defining a passageway therebetween, the inlet and outlet ends defining a path of travel through the conduit for the foodstuff to be irradiated;
Means for moving the foodstuff to be irradiated through the conduit at at least a first velocity; and
At least one x-ray tube disposed within the passageway between the inlet and outlet ends in the path of travel of the foodstuff to be irradiated, the at least one x-ray tube capable of emitting an x-ray beam having energies exclusively in the range of below approximately 250 KeV. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for irradiating foodstuffs, the apparatus comprising:
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A conduit adapted for the movement therethrough of a foodstuff to be irradiated, the conduit having inlet and outlet ends and defining a passageway therebetween, the inlet and outlet ends defining a path of travel through the conduit for the foodstuff to be irradiated;
Means for moving the foodstuff to be irradiated along the path of travel through the conduit at at least a first velocity; and
At least one x-ray tube positioned substantially external of the conduit and arranged so that an x-ray beam emitted by the at least one x-ray tube is propagated substantially in a direction that is perpendicular to the path of travel of the foodstuff to be irradiated through the passageway, the at least one x-ray tube being capable of emitting an x-ray beam having energies exclusively in the range of below approximately 250 KeV. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification