Method and system for detecting fecal and ingesta contamination on the carcasses of meat animals
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting ingesta or fecal contamination on a surface of an animal carcass during or after slaughter comprising:
- a. illuminating the surface of a carcass of an animal with UV or visible light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence of feces of an animal consuming plants containing photosynthetic pigments at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, andb. detecting fluorescent light emission from said surface at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm,wherein detection of fluorescent light emission at said wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on said surface of said carcass, and further wherein said illuminating and said detecting are conducted during slaughter or within about 1 hour of completion of slaughter of said animal.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting ingesta or fecal contamination on an animal carcass using fluorescent spectroscopy is disclosed. The surface of the carcass is illuminated with UV or visible light having an appropriate wavelength and fluorescent light emissions having a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm are then detected. The emission of fluorescent light having wavelengths between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on the carcass.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for detecting ingesta or fecal contamination on a surface of an animal carcass during or after slaughter comprising:
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a. illuminating the surface of a carcass of an animal with UV or visible light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence of feces of an animal consuming plants containing photosynthetic pigments at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, and b. detecting fluorescent light emission from said surface at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, wherein detection of fluorescent light emission at said wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on said surface of said carcass, and further wherein said illuminating and said detecting are conducted during slaughter or within about 1 hour of completion of slaughter of said animal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for detecting ingesta or fecal contamination on a surface of an animal carcass during or after slaughter comprising:
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a. illuminating the surface of a carcass of an animal with UV or visible light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence of feces of an animal consuming plants containing photosynthetic pigments at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, and b. detecting fluorescent light emission from said surface at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, wherein detection of fluorescent light emission at said wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on said surface of said carcass, and further wherein said illuminating and said detecting are conducted at more than one location along a slaughterhouse line, and determining the location on said line wherein said carcass is contaminated with ingesta or fecal material.
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19. A method for detecting ingesta or fecal contamination on a surface of an animal carcass during or after slaughter comprising:
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a. illuminating the surface of a carcass of an animal with UV or visible light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence of feces of an animal consuming plants containing photosynthetic pigments at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, and b. detecting fluorescent light emission from said surface at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, wherein detection of fluorescent light emission at said wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on said surface of said carcass, and further wherein said illuminating and said detecting are conducted within about 2 hours after the initiation of slaughter of said animal.
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20. A method for detecting ingesta or fecal contamination on a surface of an animal carcass during or after slaughter comprising:
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a. illuminating the surface of a carcass of an animal with UV or visible light having a wavelength effective to elicit fluorescence of feces of an animal consuming plants containing photosynthetic pigments at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, b. detecting fluorescent light emission from said surface at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm, wherein detection of fluorescent light emission at said wavelength between about 660 to 680 nm is an indication of the presence of ingesta or fecal material on said surface of said carcass, and c. washing or decontaminating any animal carcass wherein fluorescent light emission from said carcass at a wavelength between about 660 to 680 is detected.
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Specification