CLOSED LOOP RECYCLING SYSTEM AND DIP TANK FOR ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS

• US 20160100596A1
• Filed: 10/09/2014
• Published: 04/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safe Foods Corporation
• Original Assignee: Safe Foods Corporation
• Inventors: Massey, Justin, Yeaman, Tim
• Granted Patent: US 9,924,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/22 Microorganisms; Enzymes; Antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/30 by spraying of liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/001 Details of apparatus, e.g. for transport, for loading or unloading manipulation, pressure feed valves
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/3454 in the form of liquids or solids
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/3544 Organic compounds containing hetero rings
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/3589 Apparatus for preserving using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2029/033 bar screens
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/03 self-supporting
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/605 by level measuring
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/06 with rotary cylindrical filtering surfaces, e.g. hollow drums B01D33/044 takes precedence ; rotating drums for paper-making D21B
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/11 arranged for outward flow filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/48 by flushing, e.g. counter-current air-bumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions

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.

Claims

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.

2. The dip tank according to claim 1, wherein a same number of discharge nozzles is provided on each side of the tank.

3. The dip tank according to claim 2, wherein four discharge nozzles are provided on each side of the tank.

4. The dip tank according to claim 1, wherein the discharge nozzles are arrayed along a direction of travel of food items on the conveyor.

5. The dip tank according to claim 1, wherein the drain is located on the bottom of the tank.

6. The dip tank according to claim 1, wherein the drain is located in a side of the tank.

7. The dip tank according to claim 6, wherein the drain is provided in a suction box attached to a side of the tank, and wherein an aperture is provided in the side of the tank for ingress of the antimicrobial solution into the suction box.

8. The dip tank according to claim 7, wherein a filter screen is provided between the suction box and the tank, the filter screen at least partially covering the aperture in the side of the tank.

9. The dip tank according to claim 8, wherein the filter screen comprises a plurality of rods.

10. The dip tank according to claim 8, wherein the filter screen does not extend to the top of the aperture.

11. The dip tank according to claim 7, wherein the suction box further includes at least one sensor to measure a level of antimicrobial solution in the tank.

12. The dip tank according to claim 11, wherein the sensor is a pressure transducer located in the bottom of the suction box.

13. The dip tank according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet section comprising a drip pan positioned to catch antimicrobial solution that drips from the food items after the food item exits the antimicrobial solution held within the tank.

14. The dip tank according to claim 13, further comprising a stop drip pan positioned to isolate a rinse solution applied to the food items in a rinse application from the antimicrobial solution caught by the drip pan.

15. A method of applying antimicrobial solution to food items, comprising the steps of:

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.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the discharge nozzles are arrayed along a direction of travel of food items on the conveyor, and the spray from each discharge nozzle agitates the food items in turn.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the liquid antimicrobial solution is a solution containing cetylpyridinium chloride.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the antimicrobial solution drained from the tank is continuously filtered and recycled to the discharge nozzles.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the antimicrobial solution drained from the tank is filtered using a rotary screen filter.

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising catching in a drip pan antimicrobial solution that drips from the food items after the food items exit the tank, and recycling the antimicrobial solution caught in the drip pan.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising isolating with a stop drain pan a rinse solution that is applied to the food items in a rinse application from the antimicrobial solution caught in the drain pan.

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:

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.

23. The suction box according to claim 22, wherein the filter screen comprises a plurality of rods.

24. The suction box according to claim 22, wherein the filter screen does not extend to the top of the aperture located in the side wall of the tank.

25. The suction box according to claim 22, further comprising at least one sensor to measure a level of antimicrobial solution in the tank.

26. The suction box according to claim 25, wherein the sensor is a pressure transducer located in the bottom of the suction box.

27. A rotary screen filter for filtering particulates from a liquid, the rotary screen filter comprising:

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.

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.

29. The rotary screen filter according to claim 28, wherein the collection tank further includes at least one drain and conduit for recycling the collected filtered fluid.

30. The rotary screen filter according to claim 28, wherein the screw impeller comprises a band positioned perpendicular to an inner surface of the screen portion, and extending around the inner surface of the screen portion in a spiral.