CLOSED LOOP RECYCLING SYSTEM AND DIP TANK FOR ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS
First Claim
1. A dip tank for application of antimicrobial solution to food items, the dip tank comprising:
- a tank having a bottom and sides, the tank holding a liquid antimicrobial solution therein;
a conveyor to convey food items through the tank, the conveyor passing through the liquid antimicrobial solution held in the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are dipped in the liquid antimicrobial solution;
at least two discharge nozzles for spraying fresh antimicrobial solution into the tank, wherein the discharge nozzles are located in the sides of the tank, and are positioned above the level of the conveyor but below an expected top level of the liquid antimicrobial solution contained within the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are agitated by the force of the spray from the discharge nozzles; and
a drain for draining and recycling antimicrobial solution from the tank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dip tank and recycling system for applying antimicrobial solution to food items, including a dip tank having a bottom and sides, and holding a liquid antimicrobial solution. A conveyor to convey food items through the tank passes through the liquid antimicrobial solution held in the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are dipped in the liquid antimicrobial solution. At least two discharge nozzles spray fresh antimicrobial solution into the tank. The discharge nozzles are located in the sides of the tank, and are positioned above the level of the conveyor but below an expected top level of the liquid antimicrobial solution contained within the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are agitated by the force of the spray from the discharge nozzles. The spray from the discharge nozzles causes unstacking of items on the conveyor, producing an even application of the antimicrobial solution.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A dip tank for application of antimicrobial solution to food items, the dip tank comprising:
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a tank having a bottom and sides, the tank holding a liquid antimicrobial solution therein; a conveyor to convey food items through the tank, the conveyor passing through the liquid antimicrobial solution held in the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are dipped in the liquid antimicrobial solution; at least two discharge nozzles for spraying fresh antimicrobial solution into the tank, wherein the discharge nozzles are located in the sides of the tank, and are positioned above the level of the conveyor but below an expected top level of the liquid antimicrobial solution contained within the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are agitated by the force of the spray from the discharge nozzles; and a drain for draining and recycling antimicrobial solution from the tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of applying antimicrobial solution to food items, comprising the steps of:
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providing a tank having a bottom and sides, filling the tank with a liquid antimicrobial solution to a designated level within the tank; conveying food items through the tank with a conveyor that is submerged in the liquid antimicrobial solution held in the tank, such that the food items conveyed on the conveyor are dipped in the liquid antimicrobial solution; spraying fresh antimicrobial solution into the tank through discharge nozzles located in the sides of the tank, wherein the discharge nozzles are positioned above the level of the conveyor but below the top level of the liquid antimicrobial solution contained within the tank, such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are agitated by the force of the spray from the discharge nozzles; and draining and recycling antimicrobial solution from the tank. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A suction box for withdrawing liquid antimicrobial solution from a dip tank, the suction box having a bottom and at least three side walls, and being at least partially open at a fourth side for attachment to an aperture located in a side wall of a tank, the suction box comprising:
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a filter screen in the at least partially open side for at least partially covering the aperture in the side of the tank; and a drain opening that is attachable to a suction pump for withdrawing liquid therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A rotary screen filter for filtering particulates from a liquid, the rotary screen filter comprising:
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a rotary drum comprising a screen, mesh or apertured filter portion and at least one solid portion having no apertures therein; at least one spray nozzle located above the rotary drum for spraying clean liquid onto the drum surface; an inlet spout for entry of liquid containing particulates, wherein the inlet spout is located in the interior of the rotary drum, and discharges liquid onto the solid portion of the rotary drum; a collection tank located underneath the rotary drum for collecting fluid filtered by the filter portion; and a screw impeller provided on the interior of the rotary drum, such that rotation of the drum causes solid particulates remaining in the drum to be impelled to an end of the drum for collection.
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- 28. The rotary screen filter according to claim 28, wherein the at least one solid portion of the rotary drum defines a rim portion of the drum.
Specification