Patent · US Expired

Method for steam pasteurization of meat

US5711981A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
37References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 6, 1995
Grant dateJan 27, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 6, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA23B4/0056
  • WIPO fieldFood chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An apparatus for destroying pathogens on meat includes a dewatering station, a steam heating chamber, and a cooling chamber. The meat is treated as it is moved along by a conveyor. The dewatering chamber includes an air blower with nozzles for blowing air at the surface of the meat to remove surface water from the meat. The steam heating chamber is disposed adjacent the dewatering chamber and includes a steam heating chamber enclosure that is sealed for maintaining a positive pressure in the steam heating chamber relative to the dewatering chamber. In one embodiment the steam chamber moves along with the meat on the conveyor. The cooling chamber is disposed adjacent the steam chamber opposite from the dewatering station. The cooling chamber has nozzles for spraying chilled water onto the surface of the meat for rapidly cooling the meat after it is passed through the steam heating chamber. The meat conveyor extends through the dewatering chamber, the steam chamber, and the chilled water chamber. The meat conveyor supports the meat and transfers it from chamber to chamber. A method for destroying pathogens on meat is also disclosed that includes the steps of removing surface water fr…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.