Method of modeling sanitation levels in food processing equipment
First Claim
1. A method of creating a sanitation level model with respect to a predefined microorganism in food processing equipment, comprising:
- a. creating a temperature history during a use cycle of the food processing equipment, the temperature history comprising a collection of a plurality of temperatures that the food processing equipment undergoes during the use cycle, the use cycle comprising a normal use stage and a sanitizing stage;
b. continuously applying a growth model of the microorganism to each applicable temperature in the temperature history; and
c. continuously applying a death model of the microorganism to each applicable temperature in the temperature history;
wherein the created sanitation level model is used to ascertain the microorganism growth/death rate in the food processing equipment during the use cycle.
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Abstract
A method of creating a sanitation level model with respect to a predefined microorganism in food processing equipment is provided. The method includes generally three steps. First, a temperature history during a use cycle of the food processing equipment is created. The temperature history includes a collection of a plurality of temperatures that the food processing equipment undergoes during the use cycle. The use cycle includes a normal use stage, a sanitizing stage, and perhaps an idle stage. Second, a growth model of the microorganism is continuously applied to each applicable temperature in the temperature history. Third, a death model of the microorganism is continuously applied to each applicable temperature in the temperature history. The created sanitation level model is used to ascertain the microorganism growth/death rate in the food processing equipment during the use cycle.
23 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of creating a sanitation level model with respect to a predefined microorganism in food processing equipment, comprising:
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a. creating a temperature history during a use cycle of the food processing equipment, the temperature history comprising a collection of a plurality of temperatures that the food processing equipment undergoes during the use cycle, the use cycle comprising a normal use stage and a sanitizing stage; b. continuously applying a growth model of the microorganism to each applicable temperature in the temperature history; and c. continuously applying a death model of the microorganism to each applicable temperature in the temperature history; wherein the created sanitation level model is used to ascertain the microorganism growth/death rate in the food processing equipment during the use cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for creating a sanitation level model of a predefined microorganism in food processing equipment, the system comprising:
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a temperature monitor thermally coupled to the food processing equipment; and a processor coupled to the temperature monitor, the processor loaded with computer-readable instructions for performing the steps of; a. creating a temperature history during a use cycle of the food processing equipment by obtaining the temperature of the food processing equipment from the temperature monitor, the temperature history comprising a collection of a plurality of temperatures that the food processing equipment undergoes during the use cycle, the use cycle comprising a normal use stage and a sanitizing stage; b. continuously applying a growth model of the microorganism to each applicable temperature in the temperature history; and c. continuously applying a death model of the microorganism to each applicable temperature in the temperature history. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification