Deactivation of microorganisms

US5768853A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• PurePulse Technologies, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Andrew H. Bushnell · San Diego, US
• Hakan Moller · Malmö, SE
• R. Wayne Clark · Del Mar, US
• Miriam Gersten · San Diego, US
• Don Meader · San Diego, US
• Lars A. Naslund · Furulund, SE
• Håkan Mellbin · Hörby, SE
• Par Olanders · Lund, SE
• Olof Stark · Ystad, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 12, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 23, 1998
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61L2202/24
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are described for food product preservation by deactivation of microorganisms and enzymes by applying high-intensity, short-duration pulses of polychromatic light in a broad spectrum to packaging material surfaces. In some embodiments, a photodiode is employed for detecting the intensity of the light, and a control circuit is used to adjust power delivered to a flashlamp if the intensity of the light needs adjustment. In some embodiments, an outer safety glass is employed to protect the flashlamps. The outer safety glass may include coating materials at ends thereof. In addition, several variations of lamp assembly geometries accommodate small diameter packaging material tubes by, for example, using an fill pipe having offset first and second portions with a transitional region thereinbetween, or be eliminating the water jackets and using an outer safety glass to contain water as it is passed over flashlamps. In another additional embodiment, a lamp holding device includes a holding cylinder with a first flange, which, together with a compression cylinder, compresses the first O-ring into the flashlamp. In yet another embodiment, a lamp holding device is pos…