초록 ▼

An ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection method and apparatus is provided that disinfects produce products such as fruits and vegetables by direct exposure to ultraviolet light. The disinfecting UV light eliminates pathogens, such as molds and bacteria from the surfaces that it illuminates. The produc

An ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection method and apparatus is provided that disinfects produce products such as fruits and vegetables by direct exposure to ultraviolet light. The disinfecting UV light eliminates pathogens, such as molds and bacteria from the surfaces that it illuminates. The produce product is disinfected over its entire surface. The produce product can be rotated on a conveyor, to illuminate all of the exterior surface of the produce product with a disinfecting UV light source. To better respond to produce products of varying height and size, the UV light disinfection apparatus can include an automatic actuator. The automatic actuator maintains the UV light source at a preselected level of separation between the produce product and the UV light source. The automatic actuator is responsive to a height sensor that detects the top height of the produce product.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An ultraviolet light disinfection apparatus for disinfecting an exterior surface of a produce product comprising:a produce product having an exterior surface;an ultraviolet light source for providing a disinfecting illumination with an ultraviolet light, to the exterior s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An ultraviolet light disinfection apparatus for disinfecting an exterior surface of a produce product comprising:a produce product having an exterior surface;an ultraviolet light source for providing a disinfecting illumination with an ultraviolet light, to the exterior surface of the produce product;a conveyor for moving the produce product into proximity of the ultraviolet light source, the conveyor including a minimum of a roller, the roller for rotating the produce product in relation to the ultraviolet light source, and the roller for presenting to the ultraviolet light source, to substantially disinfect all of the exterior surface of the produce product with the ultraviolet light;an automatic actuator for moving the ultraviolet list source to a preselected level above the produce product;the produce product having an upper surface limit, and the preselected level defined as a position of the ultraviolet light source that results in a desired separation distance between the surface limit of the produce product and the ultraviolet light source; anda height sensor for detecting the top height surface limit of the produce product, the automatic actuator responsive to the height sensor.