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

2. The food pasteurization method of claim 1, wherein the foodstuff is a nut or a seed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the pasteurizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(5) Preferably the food product is a nut or seed. Particularly, the nuts are almonds.

(6) 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).

(7) 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.

(8) Particularly, the number of injection systems is 4.

(9) 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.