| 摘要 |
An apparatus for disinfecting foodstuffs comprises a liquid tank 1, a conveyor 8 for conveying foodstuff 13 into, through, and out of the liquid tank, and at least one ultrasonic transducer 6 for producing ultrasonic waves through the liquid and into the foodstuff 13 being conveyed through the tank. Means (not shown) may be provided for causing liquid to flow in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. Conditioning means 15 may be provided for cleaning or sanitising the liquid, and may comprise filtration means, heating means, and/or means for applying ultraviolet light of a germicidal wavelength. The heating means may be provided vertically above the ultrasonic transducer such that any bubbles emitted by the heating means do not interfere with passage of the ultrasonic waves. The conditioning means may apply a surfactant to the liquid. The foodstuff 13 may be conveyed in baskets 12, and may follow a serpentine or convoluted path through the tank. A second tank having an ultrasonic transducer may be provided (see figure 4). A method for disinfecting foodstuffs by conveying them through a liquid tank subject to ultrasonic waves is also claimed. The foodstuff is preferably meat. |
