PASTEURIZATION PROCEDURE AND APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a procedure of pasteurization of food, preferably nuts and, particularly, almonds.

Claims

1. A food pasteurization procedure comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the foodstuff through an inlet element that continuously receives the product from a weighing unit, into a cylindrical body; (b) recording and controlling the weight of product entering per unit of time; (c) conveying the foodstuff through the cylindrical body by means of a motor-driven screw; (d) injecting saturated steam into a first injection area of the cylindrical body by means of an injection system consisting of a first set of injection points which are located opposite to each other and at a distance between them of between 100 and 140 from the radial arc which they define; (e) injecting saturated steam into a second injection area of the cylindrical body by means of a second injection system consisting of a second set of injection points which are located opposite each other and at a distance between them of between 100 and 140 from the radial arc which they define; (f) injecting saturated steam into a third injection area of the cylindrical body by means of a third injection system consisting of a third set of injection points which are located opposite each other and at a distance between them of between 100 and 140 from the radial arc which they define; (g) recording and controlling the temperature at the inlet and outlet of the cylindrical body and recording and controlling the temperature and quantity of steam injected into the injection areas and recording and controlling the speed of the conveying means, so that the temperature inside the cylindrical body over the entire distance is between 85 C. and 100 C.; (h) collecting the pasteurized product.

2. Procedure according claim 1 where the foodstuff is a nut or seed.

3. Pasteurization appliance characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical body (1) in which the foodstuff is pasteurized and which has: a feeding element (2), a screw conveyor for conveying the foodstuff inside the cylindrical body which is driven by a motor (3), at least three injection systems (4), a record and control system in the injection areas where the injection system is constituted by a tube (4.1) positioned parallel to the height of the cylinder, pairs of steam injectors (4.2) emerge on both sides of the tube, facing each other and at a distance of between 100 and 140 degrees from the radial arc they define.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] For a better understanding of what has been exhibited, some drawings are included in which, schematically and only as a non-limitative example, a practical case of embodiment is represented.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the pasteurizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In a particular embodiment of the present invention the pathogens are reduced by four logarithmic units. More particularly, there is a reduction of pathogens by five logarithmic units.

[0028] As mentioned above, a second aspect of the invention relates to a pasteurization apparatus comprising an elongated body (1) in which the food product is pasteurized and which has: a feeding element (2), a means of conveying the food product inside the elongated body driven by a motor (3), at least three injection systems (4), a record and control system in the injection areas.

[0029] Preferably the food product is a nut or seed. Particularly, the nuts are almonds.

[0030] Preferably, the elongated body is a cylindrical body (1). Preferably the feeding element is a hopper (2). Preferably, the conveying element is a motor-driven screw conveyor (3).

[0031] Preferably, the injection system consists of a tube (4.1) positioned parallel to the height of the cylinder. Preferably, pairs of steam injectors (4.2) emerge on both sides of the tube, positioned opposite to each other and at a distance of between 100 and 140.

[0032] Particularly, the number of injection systems is 4.

[0033] Particularly, from the cylindrical body emerges a water inlet tube with a ball valve for the washing of the interior, preferably located in the product outlet area. Particularly, the cylindrical body has a drain for the evacuation of water and solids.