NZ550868A - Fruit treating apparatus and procedures - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for a method of enhancing food safety and longevity of produce that has been subject to a mechanical reduction, the apparatus having a first immersion apparatus to receive and to discharge produce pieces, a second immersion apparatus to receive the discharge from the first immersion apparatus and to discharge the produce pieces, and at least one of a vibratory conveyor and/or an air knife between the immersion apparatus, the conveyor and/or air knife to have the effect of shedding excess liquid on the produce pieces prior to the second immersion apparatus receiving the discharge from the first immersion apparatus.

Description

55 0 8 68 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 Divided out of Application No: 533459 Date: 10 June 2004 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FRUIT TREATING APPARATUS AND PROCEDURES We, FRESH APPEAL LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 227 Jericho Road, Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 33 m o rrt < m o i~o -n m ao ro C3 C3 oo o = =» $ o 2. ® c 03 o — — T 28 NP The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for use in a process for treating fruit.

In PCT/NZ02/00168 (published as W003/017773 of The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Limited) discloses a process for the treatment of fruit pieces and particularly apple pieces.

There is a need for suitable procedures and apparatus to provide for a systems handling of such a process and it is to various aspects of such methodology and such apparatus that the present invention is directed.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in an apparatus for a method of enhancing food safety and longevity of produce that has been subject to a mechanical reduction, said apparatus having a first immersion apparatus to receive and to discharge produce pieces, a second immersion apparatus to receive the discharge from the first immersion apparatus and to discharge the produce pieces, and at least one of a vibratory conveyor and/or an air knife between the immersion apparatus, said vibratory conveyor and/or air knife to have the effect of shedding excess liquid on the produce pieces prior to the second immersion apparatus receiving the discharge from the first immersion apparatus.

Preferably the second immersion apparatus follows the first immersion apparatus. Preferably when operated, said first immersion apparatus receives the produce pieces after UV irradiation in a first liquid.

Preferably one of, or each of, the first immersion apparatus has an endless flighted conveyor travelling a locus that is capable of pooling a liquid on or about the conveyor over part of its locus.

Preferably the discharge zone from or each conveyor is above the level of any pooled liquid.

Preferably the first immersion apparatus has or includes water.

Preferably the water has a CaCl2 inclusion.

Preferably the first immersion apparatus has its water at a temperature above ambient.

Preferably the second immersion apparatus has a chilled liquid.

Preferably the chilled liquid is that of an aqueous preservative system.

In another aspect the present invention consists in a process of enhancing the longevity of mechanically modified produce ("produce") which uses apparatus of any one of the preceding claims where, in conjunction with a UV irradiation step, the produce is subject to immersion in warm or hot water or in CaCl2 including warm or hot water of the first immersion apparatus prior to immersion in liquid of the second immersion apparatus.

Preferably the liquid of the second immersion apparatus is an aqueous preservative system.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a produce piece enhanced by a process as herein described.

The present invention is directed to the treatment of produce vis fresh fruit and/or fresh vegetables and in particular peeled, cut, sliced and/or like fruit and/or vegetables. We see apparatus and procedures in accordance with the present invention being applicable in respect of procedures as in the aforementioned W003/017773 or derivatives or variations thereof or therefrom. That specification determined a procedure that was applicable to fruit such as apples but was equally applicable to other fruits (such as pears and persimmons) and which is applicable to vegetables (such as, for example, squash, pumpkin, carrot and radish) thereby to improve shelf life of, for example, sliced or any other mechanically modified pieces for a period of, say, 21 days at low temperature but without a requirement for constant refrigeration below 4°C. The treatment regime materials utilised in procedures of the present invention however are not critical and all variations are envisaged. The present invention relates to the apparatus and methodology arising from the use of such apparatus which has application in such a procedure but not necessarily so.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or" and in some circumstances can mean both.

As used herein the term "s" following a noun means the singular and plural forms of that noun.

As used herein the term "vortex" includes any circulatory, spiral or other such flow whether symmetric, asymmetric or otherwise.

As used herein "UV" refers to light at or near UV wavelengths suitable for the purpose as disclosed in, for example, the aforementioned W003/017773.

As use herein "produce" includes fresh and/or live fruit and/or vegetable (e.g. apples, pears, squash, pumpkin, carrot, radish, persimmons, broccoli, cauliflower, kumara, onions, beans, etc).

As used herein "chilled" is preferably below 10°C e.g. preferably from 0°C to about 8°C. Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 1 2 FEB 2008 RECti VED Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1A is a side elevation view of the preferred arrangement for the UV apparatus where it feeds via a bath to a vibrating screen or like conveyor so as to shed excess liquid from the produce pieces for recovery and if desired some measure of recycle, the apparatus showing a tangential inflow as well as an axial inflow from a first bath, Figure IB is a view A-A of the apparatus of Figure 1 A, Figure 1C is a plan view of the apparatus of Figures 1A and IB, Figure ID is a view B-B of the arrangement of Figure 1 A, Figure 2A shows immersion apparatus in accordance with the present invention in side elevation with respect to its service tank, Figure 2B is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 2 A, the cloud like form in each of Figures 2A and 2B, Figure 3 shows how the apparatus of Figure 2A if desired can piggy back in part upon a similar immersion apparatus, a service tank provision not being shown for the ease of explanation, Figure 4A shows the apparatus of Figures 1A and 2A combined as they would be in use showing how the vibratory roller can arrange for movement of produce pieces from the UV irradiation apparatus to the immersion apparatus, Figure 4B is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 4A, Figure 5 is Figure 4 showing how if desired there can be the piggy backing of the immersion apparatus, Figure 6 shows a floor layout suitable for an arrangement as shown in Figure 4B, Figure 7 shows a side elevation sectional view of one embodiment of a UV irradiation apparatus, Figure 8 is a top plan view of a funnel for supplying liquid from the infeed tank into the top end of the treatment tube of the apparatus shown in Figure 7, Figure 9 is a side elevation sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a portion of UV irradiation apparatus as shown in Figure 7, Intellectual Property Office of N Z. 1 2 FEB 2008 RECEIVED Figure 10 is an isometric view, partly exploded, of the embodiment shown in Figure 9, Figure 11 is a flow diagram showing a cold (Figure 11 A) and hot and cold (Figure 1 IB) process.

Figure 12 is a flow diagram depicting a preferred form of the present invention where, for each of the first and second immersion apparatus, an endless flighted conveyor is adapted to drag the produce through a tube configured so as to have a liquid pooling region about part of the locusts thereof.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and processes as disclosed in W003/017773 or variants thereof. In its simplest form as will be described a radiation apparatus applies UV light to the produce pieces in a first liquid system whereupon there is then forced immersion in a second liquid system after some shedding of excess liquid (preferably with a vibrating screen to avoid the potential contamination an alternative, such as an air knife, may introduce) of the first liquid system from the produce pieces. The forced immersion can be in one or more liquid systems. Temperatures can vary throughout the process as suggested in the aforementioned W003/017773.

A preferred form of apparatus includes a form of UV radiation apparatus exemplified in greater detail hereinafter by reference to Figures 7 through 10 but being shown in a constructional sense with respect to the plant as a whole in Figures 1A, B and C, 4 A and 4B when in association with a single forced immersion apparatus.

In Figure 1A through D there is shown the UV irradiation apparatus 1 and the outtake vibratory and/or the like screen or the like conveyor 2 which is to take the produce substantially shed of the intake 3 of a forced immersion apparatus 4.

Shown perhaps best in Figure 4A is a first bath 5 supplied by the supply 6 (see Figure IB) having an ability to commence the vortex flow down through the apparatus 1 preferably under the influence of any additional liquid input at 7 as described hereinafter in greater detail with respect to Figures 7 to 10. As a consequence of irradiation during transit down the column 8 there is an uptaking of the irradiated apples into a second bath at 9 from whence they pass onto a drainer tray 11 thereafter to be uplifted by the vibratory or the like screen or other drainage assisting conveyor 2 from whence they can be cascaded or otherwise fed down into the forced immersion apparatus via the intake 3. Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 12 FEB 2008 RPP.Pn/cn Liquid of the first liquid system is lowered through 13 into a tank that can if desired be return of such liquid to one or other of the baths or for use as the tangential inflow whether after treatment or not.

The forced immersion apparatus involves the aforementioned intake 3 and multiple flights on an endless conveyor. These flights moving anti-clockwise with respect to the arrangement in Figure 4 means that within, for example, a stainless steel housing having an outlet 16 flight 17 will move the produce pieces to the left on the carrier belt 19 and will force such pieces in time under the liquid level 20, such liquid pieces being supported prior to that time on the preceding flight 21 on that side of the flight facing that side of the flight 17 which will force the pieces under the liquid up to the level 20 within the forced immersion apparatus.

As can be seen means is provided whereby the speed of the conveyor 19 is caused by an appropriate drive at, for example, 22, such that the belt runs taut around a roller 23 and over a supporting drainer surface under the belt 19 between 23 anti-clockwise around almost to the drive 22. As can be seen in turn a flight 17A following a flight 21A will cause the apple pieces to cascade out of the outlet 16. This cascading out of the apple pieces can be into a below positioned similar or other forced immersion or other immersion apparatus or indeed even a spraying apparatus.

As shown however the forced immersion apparatus has almost modified to the form of a kiwi an inverted j or other type configuration such that there can be vertical support down to the liquid and thereafter forcing of the buoyant produce pieces around a submerged locus to be emergent to a position from whence they can cascade out of the apparatus.

Figure 6 shows for the arrangement as shown in Figure 4A and 4B how a skid 24 can support the apparatus of Figures 1A to ID and a skid 25 can support the immersion apparatus. Some overhang at 26 can be provided. Region 49 accommodates piping connections whilst 50 accommodates pumps/filters heat exchanges etc preferably on a skid. Piping connections can be provided at 51 whilst a chiller plant and control panel can be on the skid 52.

An electrical panel can be at 53. Optionally a downstream treatment plant (e.g. a further immersion apparatus) can be accommodated at 55. 56 shows the position whereby a feed conveyor can feed to the arrangement of Figures 1 to ID region 57 shows the prospect of discharge conveyors from the overhang of the immersion apparatus as depicted.

Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. ' 2 FEB 2008 received The construction of the ultraviolet radiation chamber 10 in one of several embodiments (still others contemplated in Figures 1 to 6) is described with reference to Figure 7. The chamber will be described starting with the central passage and moving radially outward.

A tube 34 made from an advanced fluoropolymer ("AFP") which is transparent to ultraviolet radiation (AFP-840TM) defines a passage 36 extending from funnel 14 to outlet pipe 18. The tube 34 is held in position at either end by compression rings 32 and in between by compression bands 35. The rings 32 are preferably stainless steel hose clips. Their purpose is to stop leakage.

In the annular chamber 39 surrounding tube 34 there are positioned a series of ultraviolet radiating tubes 30. In the preferred embodiment these tubes are of a low pressure mercury vapour quartz type. The optimum ultraviolet radiation wavelength to achieve maximum germicidal activity is 253.7 nanometres. This is considered to be 100% efficient when the lamps' surface temperature is 42.2°C.

The tubes 30 are held at either end in tube holders 29. These are powered by a wiring loom 31.

To the outside of the annular chamber 39 surrounding tube 36 is a cylindrical reflector shield 28. Preferably the inner reflective surface 28 is brushed aluminium which is highly reflective to ultraviolet radiation.

The ultraviolet radiating chamber construction is completed by a cylindrical outside casing 27 which may be made of stainless steel. At the bottom of the chamber 10 is a base plate 38.

From the bottom end of tube 34 there is a funnel-shaped portion 37 which joins the bottom end of passage 36 to the end of outlet pipe 18. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 there is a sleeve fitting 43 over an open end of pipe 18.

The funnel 14 leading from the edge of infeed tank 12 into the top of ultraviolet radiation chamber 10 is shown in plan view in Figure 8. An opening through a side of infeed tank 12 through which an aqueous solution containing floating produce pieces passes is provided above a weir 42. From the weir 42 a downward sloping sluiceway 44 leads over a steeply sloping portion 45 down a scrolling portion 46 and into the top of passage 36. A sloping side 48 completes the passageway from the top edge of funnel 14 down to the scrolling portion 46. Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 1 2 FEB 2008 Rpr, Piwcn In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 the passageway 36 is shorter and has a greater diameter than that illustrated in Figure 7. Otherwise the componentry and the construction is substantially the same. In addition, there is provided an auxiliary tangential jet 40 which injects water into funnel-shaped portion 37 as shown by the arrow C in Figure 9. The injection of this jet has an effect on the flow through rate of the vortex formed within passageway 36 as will be explained below. Jet 40 is connected to a source of high pressure water or the like.

Three ultraviolet tubes 30 are illustrated. In this embodiment a casing (not shown) surrounds the total irradiation portion of the apparatus, that is both AFP tubes 34, and to the outside of the outer ring of UV tubes 30.

A second water jet 40 also directed tangentially into elbow 54 can optionally be provided. It too has a control valve in common with water jet 41.

The operation of the UV irradiation apparatus involves produce pieces, for example sliced apples, being caused to travel down the scrolling pathway 46 as its carrier liquid establishes a vortex which then swirls down passageway 36 through the ultraviolet radiation chamber 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8 the flow rate of the vortex including flow is not able to be varied. In the embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 10 the speed of the vortex is able to be varied by the tangential injection of a jet of water or the like within the main flow i.e. the produce pieces and its liquid carrier. The flow valves of the water jets 40 and 41 are able to control their flow rate. The faster the speed of the resultant vortex the longer is the residence time in the AFP tube or tubes.

The effectiveness of ultraviolet treatment depends on the length of exposure to the radiation, the wavelength of the radiation and the intensity of the radiation applied. The advantage of forming a vortex within passageway 36 is that it allows for a controlled dwell time in passage 36 during which it is exposed to the radiation. The pieces of produce (e.g. fruit) within the vortex may remain more or less stationary depending on the speed with which the vortex descends down the passage 36. A vortex, effective in suspending the pieces within the radiation chamber momentarily, can be achieved by the use of an infeed funnel 14 as described with reference to Figure 8.

By way of example only a possible process of treating, by way of example, apple slices is as follows. In this respect see Figure 11. In this respect it can be seen that there can Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. , 1 2 FEB 2008 be a cold (Figure 11 A) or a hot and cold process arrangement (Figure 11B), the latter using, for example, two immersion apparatus as in Figure 3.

A preferred form of the apparatus is that depicted in Figure 12.

The solid arrows in Figure 12 show the direction of liquid flows, and in the case of the tubes, also the produce carried thereby. The non-solid arrows depict flows of the produce preferably without any accompanying liquid.

In Figure 12, the UV irradiation apparatus is shown with a receiving hopper above the irradiation tube 60 which is to irradiate the produce (e.g. as pieces) as they descend in an induced or forced vortex down to an outlet tube for liquid recovery and then transfer (after shed of excess liquid) into the intake zone of the first immersion apparatus 61. Here the first immersion apparatus is in the form of a tube having a cable or otherwise supported flight system adapted to pass through the tubes to carry down into the liquid pooling region of the locus of the tube, the produce for immersion prior to discharge of the produce at 68 into the second immersion apparatus 62 which is of a like kind but which has its discharge at 69.

Preferably each of the two apparatus 61 and 62 is similar in so far as operation is concerned reliant on sprockets each externally of its tube. Each can be independently driven as far as speed and thus produce dwell time is concerned. Such conveyor systems can use seamless stainless steel tubes with a stainless steel cable carrying disc-like flights (e.g. of TEFLON) fixed to a plastics (e.g. TEFLON™) sheeting of the cable. The SS tubes should be bent smoothly (e.g. by the Cojafex Induction Bending process).

Shown in the diagram is a heating unit 63 for the liquid of the first immersion apparatus 61 and a chilling unit 64 (e.g. a sludge ice BELUGA™ type chilling unit) for the liquid of the second immersion apparatus 62. A control unit 65 centrally controls the electrical functions. Such control can be of the apparatus 61 and 62 via their respective sprockets (shown as connected to the controller 65) by the broken lines) as well as the heating unit 63, the chilling unit 64 and the circulation system 66 adapted to receiver liquid of the UV apparatus 60 i.e. the first liquid. In the form of the invention as shown therefore, the first liquid is that of the apparatus 60 and recycled by 66, the second liquid is that from apparatus 63 and in apparatus 61, and the third liquid is that chilled by 64 and of apparatus 62. To the extent that there can be any recycling, there is recycling consistent with the needs of a treatment regime of a kind as previously contemplated.

Intellectual Property Office of n.z. 1 2 FEB 2008 R EC EI v f n

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for a method of enhancing food safety and longevity of produce that has been subject to a mechanical reduction, said apparatus having a first immersion apparatus to receive and to discharge produce pieces, a second immersion apparatus to receive the discharge from the first immersion apparatus and to discharge the produce pieces, and at least one of a vibratory conveyor and/or an air knife between the immersion apparatus, said vibratory conveyor and/or air knife to have the effect of shedding excess liquid on the produce pieces prior to the second immersion apparatus receiving the discharge from the first immersion apparatus.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second immersion apparatus follows the first immersion apparatus.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 or 2 when operated to have said first immersion apparatus receive the produce pieces after UV irradiation in a first liquid.

4. Apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein one of, or each of, the first immersion apparatus has an endless flighted conveyor travelling a locus that is capable of pooling a liquid on or about the conveyor over part of its locus.

5. Apparatus of claim 4 wherein the discharge zone from or each conveyor is above the level of any pooled liquid.

6. Apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first immersion apparatus has or includes water.

7. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein the water has a CaCh inclusion.

8. Apparatus of claim 5 or 6 wherein the first immersion apparatus has its water at a temperature above ambient.

9. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the second immersion apparatus has a chilled liquid.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the chilled liquid is that of an aqueous preservative system.

11. A process of enhancing the longevity of mechanically modified produce ("produce") which uses apparatus of any one of the preceding claims where, in conjunction with a UV irradiation step, the produce is subject to immersion in warm or hot water or in CaCl2 including warm or hot water of the first immersion apparatus prior to immersion in liquid of the second immersion apparatus. Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 1 2 FEB 2008 RECEIVED 11 -

12. A process of claim 11 wherein the liquid of the second immersion apparatus is an aqueous preservative system.

13. A produce piece enhanced by a process of claim 11 or 12. Intellectual Property Offie® of N.Z. 12 FEB 2008 RECEIVED