Apparatus and method for manipulating foodstuffs to reduce microbe content
First Claim
1. A process for manipulating comminuted foodstuffs to decrease live microbe content therein, the process comprising:
- (a) cooling comminuted foodstuffs to be processed to a process temperature below the freezing point of the foodstuff, and forming the foodstuffs to be processed into a plurality of workpieces; and
(b) manipulating the workpieces within a working area, the manipulation producing relative movement between points within each workpiece, the relative movement occurring substantially throughout each workpiece.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. One preferred manipulating apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart, ridged rollers (24,25). The rollers (24,25) have a minimum clearance less than an initial thickness of the workpieces (23). A drive arrangement (30) drives the rollers (24,25) in counter-rotating fashion toward each other to pull workpieces (23) through the minimum clearance area. As the workpieces (23) pass between rollers (24,25), the workpiece material spreads out laterally and bends between opposing ridges (38). This lateral spreading and bending produces relative movement throughout the volume of the workpieces (23).
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A process for manipulating comminuted foodstuffs to decrease live microbe content therein, the process comprising:
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(a) cooling comminuted foodstuffs to be processed to a process temperature below the freezing point of the foodstuff, and forming the foodstuffs to be processed into a plurality of workpieces; and (b) manipulating the workpieces within a working area, the manipulation producing relative movement between points within each workpiece, the relative movement occurring substantially throughout each workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for manipulating foodstuffs to reduce microbe content, the foodstuffs comprising pieces of comminuted foodstuffs which have been cooled to a process temperature below the freezing point of the foodstuffs, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a first roller; (b) a second roller having a rotational axis substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the first roller, the second roller being spaced apart from the first roller such that the clearance between the first roller and second roller is less than an initial thickness of the foodstuff pieces so that the pieces are compressed and allowed to expand laterally as they are drawn between the first roller and second roller; and (c) a drive arrangement for driving at least the first roller about its rotational axis toward the second roller. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for manipulating foodstuffs to reduce microbe content, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a freezer for cooling a workpiece to a process temperature below the freezing point of the workpiece, the workpiece comprising a piece of foodstuff to be processed; (b) a manipulating arrangement comprising a first roller and a second roller, the second roller having a rotational axis substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the first roller and being spaced apart from the first roller such that the clearance between the first roller and second roller is less than an initial thickness of the workpiece so that the workpiece is compressed and allowed to expand laterally as the workpiece is drawn between the first roller and second roller; (c) a drive arrangement for driving at least the first roller about its rotational axis toward the second roller; and (d) a transport device for transporting the workpiece from the freezer to the manipulating arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for manipulating a comminuted foodstuff to reduce microbe content therein, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a freezer for rapidly cooling the comminuted foodstuff to a process temperature below the freezing point of the comminuted foodstuff; (b) a manipulating arrangement defining a working area, the manipulating arrangement for manipulating a workpiece of the comminuted foodstuff at the process temperature, the manipulation producing relative movement between points within the workpiece and the relative movement occurring substantially throughout the workpiece; and (c) a transport device for transporting the workpiece from the freezer to the manipulating arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification