Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

A unit is disclosed for sterilizing and disinfecting an object, and particularly, a drink or beverage. The unit includes a housing with a set of retractable doors. The unit includes an interior chamber in which an object, including a drink or beverage, can be placed for sterilization and disinfection. The unit includes ultraviolet lights that can be activated when the drink or object is placed within the interior chamber. The ultraviolet lights are configured to emit ultraviolet wavelengths that sterilize and disinfect the surfaces of the drink or object. The unit includes sensors to detect motion in front of the unit and to open and close the set of retractable doors automatically. The unit further includes a drip tray and removable base that houses the electronics of the unit.

The embodiments disclose a method including bottling alcoholic beverages with selected ingredients including alcohol neutral spirits, alcohol and whisky, beer, wine, ingredients to add flavors and nutritional additive ingredients to benefit the health of an alcoholic beverage drinker, wherein a selection of alcohols includes vodka, tequila, gin, rum, brandy and other alcoholic spirits, wherein a selection of ingredients to add flavors includes flavorings including fruit flavorings, an artificial sweetener, and natural sweetener, wherein a selection of nutritional additive ingredients includes vitamins, minerals, fulvic acid, humic acid, ulmic acid and a purified and sanitized black water with humic acid and fulvic acid molecules in a mixed solution, and wherein bottling includes a bottling electronic monitoring, at least one control network, at least one bottling quality control process and a bottling labeling and packaging process and devices.

Methods used to monitor a baby formula manufacturing process are disclosed herein. Consequently, the methods and systems provide a way to perform monitoring of a standardization process on an integrated level whereby baby formula manufacturers can achieve data and product integrity and ultimately minimize cost.

An automated robotic food handling or preparation apparatus includes one or more food contact surfaces and an antimicrobial lighting fixture. The antimicrobial lighting fixture includes an enclosure forming a sanitization chamber and one or more antimicrobial lighting elements, wherein each element emits light at a wavelength, irradiance, and direction sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms on a target surface(s) within the sanitization chamber. The automated food handling apparatus subjects itself to an antimicrobial lighting treatment within the sanitization chamber upon detection of one or more conditions. The systems and/or methods of the present disclosure may sanitize food contact surfaces of automated robotic food equipment and help reduce the frequency at which such food contact surfaces need to be manually sanitized to keep microbial growth below acceptable levels.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for treating and/or transporting food items. The apparatus and method are designed to facilitate treating food items in liquid. The device of the present invention is designed as a spiral pump with a tubing that is wound around a frame structure which rotates around a horizontal axis. The apparatus of the present invention and the use thereof provides a method to treat food items in a spiral pump, where the food items are treated cycle by cycle in the pump.

A system and a method for irradiating an object and potentially for controlling the irradiation or other conditions relating to an effect of the irradiation. A sensor is translated along a longitudinal direction of the radiation emitter and in a space between the radiation emitter and the objects irradiated to arrive at information relating to a parameter relating to the effect of the irradiation, such as the radiation, and derived in the space between the radiation emitter and the objects irradiated. Calibrating the sensor readings and adjusting the radiating emitter output, thereby controlling the irradiation.

The oxygen detecting agent composition according to the present invention includes a redox dye, a reducing agent and a basic substance, wherein the redox dye is an iron blue pigment and the reducing agent is lactose.

A continuous flow sterilization system includes an inclined treatment chamber having a first end and a second end. An ozone generator generates a flow gas containing ozone; an input opening to receive a bulk material into the treatment chamber. An input port is provided for introducing the flow gas containing of ozone into the treatment chamber. A first sensor measures a level of ozone in the gas output of the treatment chamber. The other sensors measure ozone concentration and temperature within the treatment chamber. An output opening provides an exit for the bulk material. An output port provides an exit for the flow gas. An auger is disposed within the treatment chamber to move the bulk material through the treatment chamber.

Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.