System and method for providing germicidal lighting for poultry facilities
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for reducing or eliminating microbes on surfaces, equipment or vehicles in poultry processing facilities without harm to the poultry or workers comprising:
- a source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation disposed to emit said radiation within said poultry processing facility;
a control unit for activating said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation;
at least one switch means disposed in at least one door, said switch means activated upon opening of said door;
said control unit responsive to activation of said switch means to deactivate said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation while said door remains open; and
said control unit also having a timer means to activate said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation for a determined time interval.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method to reduce or eliminate bacteria and fungus on surfaces, equipment or vehicles in poultry processing facilities without the use of antibiotics or antiseptics. The invention provides a cycling system and method which utilize ultraviolet light of a preferred wavelength (UV-C) to reduce or eliminate bacteria and fungus on surfaces, equipment or vehicles in poultry processing facilities and which can be used in poultry processing facilities without harm to the poultry or workers.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A system for reducing or eliminating microbes on surfaces, equipment or vehicles in poultry processing facilities without harm to the poultry or workers comprising:
-
a source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation disposed to emit said radiation within said poultry processing facility;
a control unit for activating said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation;
at least one switch means disposed in at least one door, said switch means activated upon opening of said door;
said control unit responsive to activation of said switch means to deactivate said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation while said door remains open; and
said control unit also having a timer means to activate said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation for a determined time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A system for reducing or eliminating microbes on surfaces of egg trays used in hatchers and incubators comprising:
-
a washing facility;
an incubation or hatching facility;
a conveyor system for moving the egg trays from the washing facility to the incubation or hatching facility;
wherein said conveyor system connects said washing facility to said incubation or hatching facility and said conveyor system is enclosed in a tunnel like structure;
a source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation disposed to emit said radiation within said tunnel like structure having doors at both ends;
a control unit for activating said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation;
at least one switch means disposed in at least one door, said switch means activated upon opening of said door;
said control unit responsive to activation of said switch means to deactivate said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation while said door remains open; and
wherein said conveyor moves the egg trays at a rate which allows sufficient time for the germicidal ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the egg trays.
-
-
10. A method for reducing or eliminating microbes on surfaces, equipment or vehicles in poultry processing facilities without harm to the poultry or workers comprising:
-
providing a source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation disposed to emit said radiation within said poultry processing facility;
controlling the activation of said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation through the operation of a control unit;
providing at least one switch means disposed in at least one door, said switch means activated upon opening of said door;
said control unit responding to activation of said switch means by deactivating said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation while said door remains open; and
further controlling the activation of said source of germicidal ultraviolet radiation for a determined time interval by a timer means in said control unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
-
Specification