System for microorganism control
US7238381B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
8References
15Claims
0Family size
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23L25/20
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of infrared heat-processing of nuts (e.g., almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and mixtures thereof) in order to reduce the microorganism level thereof is provided wherein the nuts are sequentially moisturized by application of water and then subjected to infrared radiation, preferably through a series of treatment cycles. Nut treatment apparatus (10) includes opposed banks of infrared heaters (38,40), with plural water application stations (48,50,52) along the length of the heater banks (38,40).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.