Patent Publication Number: US-11019827-B1

Title: System for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water for decontamination of a food animal carcass

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a Divisional Application of application Ser. No. 16/816,860 filed Mar. 12, 2020 entitled SYSTEM FOR CREATING AN OXIDATION REDUCTION POTENTIAL (ORP) IN WATER FOR PATHOGENIC CLEANSING AND/OR DEGREASING OF HARD SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT, which is a Continuation-In-Part Applications of application Ser. No. 16/588,073 filed Sep. 30, 2019 entitled SYSTEM FOR CREATING AN OXIDATION REDUCTION POTENTIAL (ORP) IN WATER FOR PATHOGENIC CLEANSING AND/OR DEGREASING OF HARD SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT, which is a Continuation-In-Part Application of application Ser. No. 15/476,326 filed Mar. 31, 2017 entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING AN OXIDATION REDUCTION POTENTIAL (ORP) IN WATER FOR PATHOGENIC CLEANSING AND DEGREASING OF HARD SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an improved system and method for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water with the water being used in the microbiological decontamination of food animal carcasses such as beef cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, etc. This invention also relates to an improved method for spraying a water-ozone solution having an 800 (ORP) Oxidation Reduction Potential onto beef trimmings to microbiologically decontaminate the beef trimmings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Microbial contamination of animal carcasses is a result of the necessary procedures required to process live animals such as beef cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, etc., into retail meat. The primary microbial problem in the beef industries is  E. coli  0157 H7. There are two types of interventions in the beef industry: whole carcass interventions and “ingredients” used to reduce microorganisms on beef trimmings and ground beef. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     This application will specifically address the microbiological decontamination of beef carcasses, however, the system and method described herein will work equally as well in the microbiological decontamination of other food animal carcasses such as hogs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, etc. The system of this invention includes a plurality of ozone generators which are connected together in a series manner. In the preferred embodiment, pressurized and dried air is supplied to the ozone generators. The ozone generated by the plurality of ozone generators is supplied to an ozone adjustment housing. The ozone adjustment housing includes an elongated bore or ozone passageway having an ozone inlet end and an ozone discharge end. A metering screw is selectively movable into the elongated bore of the ozone adjustment housing for selectively adjusting the flow of ozone therethrough. The ozone adjustment housing is mounted on a regulator having a water inlet end and an ozone-water solution discharge end. A first bore extends between the water inlet end of the regulator and the ozone-water solution discharge end of the regulator. An adjustable water metering screw extends into the regulator with the inner end of the water metering screw selectively extending into the first bore to enable the flow of water through said first bore to be selectively adjusted. 
     A second bore extends between the water inlet end of the regulator and a venturi chamber formed in the regulator. A third bore extends from the venturi chamber to the ozone-water solution discharge end of the regulator. The discharge end of the elongated bore of the ozone adjustment housing is in communication with the venturi chamber. The water flowing through the Venturi chamber causes a venturi effect which will draw ozone from the elongated bore in the ozone adjustment housing into the venturi chamber to create a water-ozone solution which is supplied to the ozone-water discharge opening for further mixture with the water passing outwardly from the discharge end of the first bore of the regulator. 
     A plurality of the systems of this invention may be mounted in a cabinet mounted on a supporting wall with the outputs of the systems being fluidly connected together in a parallel manner to supply the water and ozone solution, having an ORP and surface tension suitable for microbiological decontamination of food product carcasses. 
     The system and method of this invention reduces the surface tension of the water from about 72 Millinewtons per meter at 20 degrees Centigrade to about 48-58 Millinewtons per meter at 20 degrees Centigrade. The reduced surface tension of the water and ozone solution of this invention enables the solution to microbiologically decontaminate the food animal carcasses by attacking any microorganisms on the carcass. 
     A method is also described for the microbiological decontamination of beef trimmings. 
     It is a principal object of the invention to provide improved systems and methods for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water for the microbiological contamination of food animal carcasses. 
     A further object of the invention is to entirely replace the use of chlorine in the microbiological decontamination of food product carcasses. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a system designed to reduce the effects of the environmental damages caused by the corrosive properties of chlorine on the floors, walls and equipment within a slaughter facility. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a system wherein the water and ozone solution produced by the system will not harm persons coming into contact with the water and ozone solution of this invention. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a water and ozone solution which is a FDA approved antimicrobial agent and which has FDA approval for contact with food products. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a system and method of reducing the surface tension of the water and ozone solution of this invention so that the water and ozone solution may be used to microbiologically decontaminate food animal carcasses. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a system for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water which includes a regulator for adjusting the water flow through the regulator and for adjusting the flow of ozone into the flow of water flowing through the regulator. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a system which includes a variable air pump which supplies pressurized air to an air dryer which supplies pressurized and dried air to the ozone generator or generator of the invention. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the cabinet in which the instant invention is enclosed; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the cabinet of  FIG. 1  with the door thereof being open; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the instant invention positioned in the open cabinet; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the adjustable water flow and gas regulator of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the regulator and the gas adjustment housing and related components thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the regulator as seen on lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the regulator as seen on lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The instant invention is to provide a system and method for microbiologically decontaminate food animal carcasses such as beef cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, etc. 
     An Oxidation reduction potential (ORP) value can be used for water system monitoring to reflect the antimicrobial potential of a given sample of water. ORP is measured in millivolts (mV), with typically no correction for solution temperature, where a positive voltage shows a solution attracting electrons (e.g., an oxidizing agent). For instance, chlorinated water will show a positive ORP value whereas sodium sulfite (a reducing agent) loses electrons and will show a negative ORP value. Similar to pH, ORP is not a measurement of concentration directly, but rather of activity level. In a solution of only one active component, ORP indicates concentration. The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted an ORP standard for drinking water disinfection of 650 millivolts. That is, the WHO stated that when the oxidation-reduction potential in a body of water measures 650 (about ⅔ of a volt), the sanitizer in the water is active enough to destroy harmful organisms almost instantaneously. For example  E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria , and Staph pathogens have survival times of under 30 seconds when the ORP is above 650 mV, compared against &gt;300 seconds when it is below 485 mV. 
     An example ORP sensor uses a small platinum surface to accumulate charge without reacting chemically. That charge is measured relative to the solution, so the solution “ground” voltage comes from the reference junction. For example, an ORP probe can be considered a millivolt meter, measuring the voltage across a circuit formed by a reference electrode constructed of silver wire (in effect, the negative pole of the circuit), and a measuring electrode constructed of a platinum band (the positive pole), with the water in-between. 
     Increasingly, microbial issues are commanding the attention of water treatment operators, regulators, media, and consumers. There are many treatment options to eliminate pathogenic microbes from drinking water. One such option includes ozone (O 3 ), an oxidizing agent approved for drinking water treatment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For instance, ozone is one of the strongest disinfectants approved for potable water treatment capable of inactivating bacteria, viruses, Giardia, and  Cryptosporidium.    
     Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water for microbiologically decontaminating food animal carcasses as will be described in detail hereinafter. An example system includes an ozone generator, a water inlet, a water outlet, and an adjustable regulator coupled with each of the ozone generator, the water inlet, and the water outlet. Such example system is configured to output water having an ORP of about 600 mV to about 800 mV, with particular implementations being configured to output water having an ORP of about 650 mV to about 750 mV. 
     Further, the present disclosure is specifically directed to a system and method for reducing the surface tension of the water being used to microbiologically decontaminate food animal carcasses by creating a water and ozone solution wherein the surface tension of the water is reduced from about 72 Millinewtons per meter at 20 degrees Centigrade to about 48-58 Millinewtons per meter at 20 degrees Centigrade to greatly improve the decontaminating qualities thereof. 
     The present invention will now be described. Referring now to the drawings, the numeral  10  refers to the system of this invention for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water for use in microbiologically decontaminating food product carcasses. System  10  includes a plurality of transformers  12  which are electrically connected to ozone generators  14  in conventional fashion. The first ozone generator  14  is connected to a connector  16  by air tube  17 . Connector or terminal  16  is connected to a source of air which will be described in more detail hereinafter. The ozone generators  14  are connected to one another in a series manner in conventional fashion. The last ozone generator  14  in the series of ozone generators  14  has a discharge tube  18  extending therefrom. 
     The system  10  of this invention is preferably mounted in a wall mounted box or cabinet  20  having a cover  22 . A power cord  24  extends into cabinet  20  for powering the components therein in conventional fashion. The numeral  26  refers to a water inlet which is in communication with a source of water. A pipe  28  extends inwardly from inlet  26  and has an electrical controlled valve  29  imposed therein. Pipe  30  extends from the discharge side of valve  29 . System  10  includes a water-ozone solution outlet pipe or tube  32  extending from cabinet  20 . A pipe or tube  34  extends inwardly from outlet pipe  30 . The numeral  36  refers to a regulator which is positioned between the pipes  30  and  34 . 
     For purposes of description, regulator  36  will be described as being in the position illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  although the regulator  36  could be positioned in other positions and attitudes. Regulator  36  includes an elongated body  38  with a first end  40 , a second end  42 , a front side  44 , a back side  46 , an upper side  48  and a lower side  50 . The first end  40  of regulator  36  has a water inlet opening  52  extending thereinto with the water inlet opening  52  having an inner end  54  and an outer end  56 . The second end  42  of elongated body  38  has a water-ozone solution discharge opening  58  extending thereinto with the water-ozone solution discharge opening  58  having an inner end  60  and an outer end  62 . 
     The numeral  64  refers to a body portion of elongated body  38  having a first end  66  and a second end  68 . The body portion  64  has a venturi chamber  70  formed therein and which has a first end  72  and a second end  74 . Body portion  64  has an elongated bore  76  formed therein which extends inwardly from end  66  to venturi chamber  70 . Body portion  64  also has an elongated bore  78  formed therein which extends from venturi chamber  70  to end  68  of body portion  64 . An elongated insert  80  is positioned in bore  76  and has a bore  82  formed therein. Bore  82  has a smaller diameter than bore  76  and is preferably tapered as seen in  FIG. 7 . An insert  84  is positioned in bore  78  and has a bore  86  formed therein. Bore  86  has a smaller diameter than bore  78  and is preferably tapered as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     Body portion  64  also has an elongated bore  88  formed therein which extends between ends  66  and  68  of body portion  64 . Body portion  64  has a small bore  90  formed therein which communicates with bore  88  as seen in  FIG. 6 . A threaded bore  92  extends into the upper side  48  of body  38  of regulator  36  and communicates with opening  88 . An O-ring  94  is positioned in the inner end of bore  92 . The numeral  96  refers to a water metering screw support having a reduced diameter threaded portion  98  at its inner end which is threadably mounted in threaded bore  92  of body  38 . Support  96  has an internally threaded bore  100  formed therein which extends between the ends of support  96 . The numeral  102  refers to an elongated water metering screw having a threaded portion  104  and a head  106 . The threaded portion  104  of screw  102  is adjustably threadably mounted in bore  100 . The head  106  of screw  102  is received in bore  90  of body portion  64  and adjustably protrudes into bore  88  of body portion  64 . The threadable rotation of screw  102  in one direction with respect to support  96  causes head  106  to move further into bore  88 . The threadable rotation of screw  102  in an opposite direction moves heat out of bore  88 . The metering screw  102  regulates the flow of water through bore  88 . 
     The numeral  108  refers to an ozone metering device which includes an ozone adjustment housing  110  having an outer end  112 , an inner end  114 , an upper side  116 , a lower side  118 , a first side  120  and a second side  122 . Housing  110  has four bolt or screw openings  124  extending therethrough which are configured to have bolts or screws  126  extending therethrough. The threaded ends of bolts or screws  126  are configured to be threadably mounted in threaded openings  128  formed in regulator  36  as seen in  FIG. 5 . As also seen in  FIG. 5 , the side  44  of body  38  of regulator  36  has an annular recess  130  formed therein which communicates with an opening  132 . A small opening or bore  134  extends inwardly from opening  132  to the Venturi chamber  70 . 
     Housing  110  has a barbed tube fitting  136  extending therefrom. An ozone passageway  138  extends inwardly through fitting  136 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , ozone passageway  138  includes an enlarged passageway portion  140 . An O-ring  142  is positioned in recess  130 . The inner end of tube  144  is positioned in passageway  140  as seen in  FIG. 7 . The inner end of tube  144  has an opening  146  formed therein. 
     A spring  148  is positioned in tube  144 . Spring  148  urges check valve ball  150  into engagement with O-ring  152  which defines a valve seat. Thus, the check valve ball  150  is normally closed. However, check valve ball  150  will be drawn inwardly when the system is operating due to the venturi effect in venturi chamber  70 . Housing  110  also includes an internally threaded bore  154  extending into housing  110  so as to be in communication with passageway  138 . An ozone metering screw  156  is threadably mounted in bore  154 . The metering screw  156  may be threadably adjusted so that the inner end of screw  156  will regulate the flow of ozone through passageway  138 . 
     Preferably an air tube  158  is connected to the input side of connector  16  and extends therefrom. Air tube  158  extends to the air discharge side  160  of a desiccate air dryer  162 . As seen, air dryer  162  is preferably vertically disposed and is mounted at one side of the housing  20 . Air dryer  162  has an air intake fitting  164  at its lower end. Air tube  166  extends from air intake fitting  164 . The numeral  168  refers to a pump which is an adjustable/variable air pump having an output range of 0.14 GPM/0.5 LPM @ 2.9 PSI to 2.83 GPM/10.7 LPM @ 2.32 PSI. A suitable air pump is the air pump AIR-4000 air pump of Danner Mfg. Co. Air pump  168  is an AC120 v, 60H3 and 3.5 W air pump. Air pump  168  is designated as a TOP FIN® air pump. Air pump  168  is powered by an electrical cord  170  which extends to an electrical receptacle  171  which is electrically connected to the electrical circuitry of the system  10 . 
     Air pump  168  has a pair of air output lines  172  and  174  extending from the air discharge side thereof which are connected to the air line or tube  166  which is connected to the air inlet side  164  of dryer  162  as described above. 
     The operation of the system  10  will now be described. The air pump  168  is activated to supply a variable amount of pressurized air to the air dryer which dries the pressurized air and supplies the dried pressurized air to the first ozone generator  14  by way of the tube  158 , connector  16  and tube  17 . The valve  29  will be electrically opened so that water from the source of water will flow through the open valve  29 . The water will then be supplied to the water inlet opening  52  of regulator  36 . The water flows through bore  88  and exits from the discharge opening  58 . The operator will threadably adjust the flow of water by rotating the elongated water metering screw  102  until the desired water flow rate is achieved. A portion of the water entering the water inlet opening  52  will pass through the bore  76  of the tapered insert  80  and into the venturi chamber  70  and then pass through the bore  86  of insert  84 . The water exiting from insert  84  will exit the regulator  36  by way of the opening  58  of regulator  36 . The water initially exiting the regulator will initially be deposited into a bucket or the like. The ozone generators  14  will then be activated, if not done so previously. The water passing through the Venturi chamber  70  creates a venturi effect therein. The ozone metering screw  156  will usually be in the position of  FIG. 7 . Ozone will then pass through ozone passageway  138  due to the suction created by the venturi effect in venturi chamber  70 . The suction created by the venturi effect will draw or suck the ozone through the passageway  138 . The suction in passageway  138  also causes the check valve ball  150  to unseat from the valve seat  156 . The ozone then passes into the venturi chamber  70  where it is mixed with the water passing through the venturi chamber  70 . The water ozone solution will then pass through bore  86  and will further be mixed with the water passing outwardly from bore  88 . The water-ozone solution will then be measured in conventional fashion. The operator will adjust the ORP of the water-ozone solution by adjusting the metering screw  156 . The operator may also adjust the water flow rate by means of the adjustment screw  106 . 
     When the water-ozone solution has reached the desired ORP, a hose or the like may be attached to the outlet  32  to enable the water-ozone solution to be sprayed onto the food product carcasses as will be described hereinafter. For description purposes, the water-ozone solution will be referred to as Biosafe o3. 
     The use of the air pump  168  to provide a pressurized air supply system allows for maintaining consistent ORP of the solution even when there is a fluctuation or change in the water input pressure. The air pump  168  eliminates the problems faced in the industry with changing input with pressure drops which impacts the required ORP. 
     Biosafe o3 Beef Carcass Intervention 
     After the hide is removed, the carcass is completely washed followed by application of one of the USDA approved solutions (lactic or acetic acid). Because the wash is done so quickly after hide removal, bacteria have less time to attach and the antimicrobial solution give an even greater kill for any bacteria left on the carcass surface. After final USDA inspection, the carcass goes through a high-volume low pressure “cabinet” to remove bone dust, blood, etc., where it is blanketed with 180-degree hot water and a lactic acid 2-5% antimicrobial and placed in the cooler before further processing occurs. The concept is to cool the carcass as quickly as possible. 
     The problem is even after the conventional process there are many carcasses that still test positive for  E. coli  0157 H7, causing the processing plant to lose a significant portion of profit from the further processing. 
     Biosafe o3 intervention was applied to the carcasses as a final rinse @800 (ORP) oxidation reduction potential, after the lactic acid wash and prior to the carcass entering the cooler. The Biosafe o3 solution denaturation process was designed to modify the molecular structure of a protein that might remain attached to the carcass after the lactic acid washing process. Denaturation involves the breaking of many of the weak linkages or bonds (e.g. hydrogen bonds), within a protein molecule that are responsible for the highly ordered structure of a protein in its natural state. By depriving the bacteria cell of its natural character properties, any of the DNA of the bacteria cell wall that remain on the carcass cannot multiply. By applying the Biosafe o3, the solution dissolved the cell and the nuclear membranes that protect the DNA. The lower surface tension of the Biosafe o3 solution acts as a surfactant that breaks apart the DNA structure. This intervention decreased the  E. coli  0157 H7 positive tests by over 90%. 
     Biosafe o3 Intervention to Reduce Microorganisms on Beef Trimmings and Ground Beef. 
     FSIS has determined that raw ground beef and other non-intact raw beef products are considered adulterated if found to contain  E. coli  0157 H7. The reasoning was that raw ground products present significant public health risk because they are consumed after cooking that may not destroy  E. coli  0157-H7 organisms that can be introduced internally by chopping or grinding. In a test, Biosafe o3 was sprayed onto the trim meat on the production line, at 800 (ORP) Oxidization Reduction Potential. The trim meat traveled under four different spray bars with the contact time being 5 seconds for each spray which resulted in a 0.7 log reduction for each spray totaling 2.8 log reduction. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.