Food surface sanitation tunnel

Abstract

This invention is a modular, adjustable, easy to maintain, portable or fixed food sanitation tunnel, comprising an enclosing means for subjecting food to sanitizers including UV light, ozone, hydroperoxides, superoxides and hydroxyl radicals, and a method for using the system. The enclosing means includes one or more UV radiation sources and one or more target rods located within a tunnel, such as a c-shaped shell. The UV radiation sources are preferably UV light sources that emit UV light of approximately 185 to 254 nm. The target rods are approximately up to 0-30% titanium dioxide, up to 0-30% silver and up to 0-30% copper, by weight. The system may include a mister for the efficient production of hydroxyl radicals by the UV light sources. Parts of the system are easily removable for cleaning and for maintenance. Also, in an alternative embodiment, the tunnel is located on a frame, and the frame is on wheels.

1 . A modular, adjustable, movable food sanitation tunnel system, comprising: 
 enclosing means for simultaneously subjecting food on at least two sides of the food to sanitizers including sanitizing radiation and a sanitizing plasma.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosing means comprises at least one UV light source; and at least one target rod located in optical proximity to the at least one UV light source.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosing means comprises at least one UV radiation source that emits UV light of approximately 185 to 254 nm.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one UV radiation source is at least one of a low-vapor mercury UV light source and a high-vapor mercury UV light source.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosing means comprises means for draining fluid from the food.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sanitizers comprise target rods comprising 0-30% titanium dioxide, 0-30% silver and 0-30% copper, by weight.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sanitizing plasma comprises at least one of hydroxyl radicals, ozone, hydroperoxides and super-oxides.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising mister means for providing mist in proximity to the sanitizers for production of the sanitizing plasma.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the mister means comprises: 
 ultrasonic means for forming the mist; and    means for directing the mist toward the food.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mister means further comprises a mister header for controlling an amount of the mist directed toward the food.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sanitizing plasma is generated in part from moisture in the ambient air in proximity of the at least one target rod.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a door for a space defined by the enclosing means.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosing means for subjecting food to sanitizers surrounds the food on four sides.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein UV light sources and target rods are in generally alternating orientation.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one target rod is of modular construction.  
   
   
       16 . The system for  claim 2 , wherein the at least one UV light source is located within a modular assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the modular assembly comprises: 
 a reflector tube, and a shield.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable conveyor for moving food through the system.  
   
   
       19 . A food sanitation tunnel, comprising: 
 means for sanitizing food by generally simultaneously subjecting the food to radiation, ozone, and sanitizing plasma.    
   
   
       20 . The tunnel of  claim 19 , wherein the sanitizing plasma comprises at least one of hydroperoxides, superoxides and hydroxyl radicals.  
   
   
       21 . The tunnel of  claim 19 , wherein the means for sanitizing food comprising at least one sanitizing radiation source located in an assembly; and at least one target rod structure in optical proximity to the assembly.  
   
   
       22 . The tunnel of  claim 21 , wherein the assembly and the target rod structure are modular in construction.  
   
   
       23 . The tunnel of  claim 19 , further comprising an enclosure for the tunnel.  
   
   
       24 . The tunnel of  claim 23 , further comprising a door removably attached to the enclosure.  
   
   
       25 . Food sanitized by exposing a surface of the food within an enclosure generally simultaneously to UV light, ozone, and at least one target member for providing superoxides, hydroperoxides, and hydroxyl radicals.  
   
   
       26 . Food sanitized by exposing food to radiation, ozone and plasma.  
   
   
       27 . The food according to  claim 26 , wherein the plasma comprises a radical selected from the group consisting of a hydroperoxide, a superoxide, and a hydroxyl.