Method and apparatus for applying aggregating sampling
Inventors
ARTHUR, TERRANCE • WHEELER, TOMMY • Wilhelmsen, Eric Child • Wu, Florence Q. • Huang, Yongqing • Wu, Wei
Assignees
Fremonta Corp • US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-11911717-B2
Publication Date
2024-02-27
Expiration Date
2039-07-29
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Abstract
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, a method may include providing at least one aggregating sampler at one or more sampling locations, and sampling a production lot of produce or other food items such as meat using the at least one aggregating sampler to create one or more samples that makes up a microbial sampling. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, an apparatus, such as a microbial aggregating sampler, may include a covering having a microbial sampling material with a pocket formed in the covering to receive an appendage or a tool for handling of the covering.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods, specifically to improve the food safety of ready-to-eat produce and other consumable products. The invention includes providing aggregating samplers at various sampling locations to collect microbial samples from production lots of produce or other food items such as meat. These samples are analyzed to detect microorganisms including potential pathogens, allowing for a more representative and effective microbial sampling process.
The invention also provides an apparatus termed a microbial aggregating sampler, which comprises a covering having microbial sampling material with a pocket formed in the covering. This pocket is designed to receive an appendage or a tool to facilitate handling of the sampler. In some embodiments, the sampler may include a mobile frame, a guide surface to direct consumable products along the sampler, and sample sheets of microbial sampling material positioned to contact the products. Various configurations of the sampler may include gloves, mittens, or curved surfaces to improve contact and sampling efficiency.
The problem being solved is that traditional microbial sampling techniques, especially grab sampling, are statistically and technically flawed due to their small sample size relative to heterogeneous production lots. These methods often fail to provide representative or timely results, leading to insufficient assurance of food safety. Conventional sampling methods have low data density and biases due to lot geometry and inhomogeneous distribution of microorganisms. The invention addresses these shortcomings by providing methods and devices that enable larger effective sample sizes, automated or semi-automated sampling, and faster analysis to provide real-time or near-real-time assessment of microbial contamination risk.
Claims Coverage
The claims include several independent claims defining aggregating samplers and methods for microbial sampling with various features. The main inventive features focus on sampler configuration, mobility, sample sheet use, and integration into food processing.
Aggregating sampler structure with mobile frame and guide surfaces
An aggregating sampler includes a mobile frame with an upper and lower end, a guide with a guide surface positioned to receive and pass consumable products along it, and one or more sample sheets positioned along or adjacent a lower portion of the guide surface at a non-horizontal angle, wherein the sample sheet comprises microbial sampling material contacting the products.
Adjustable and food-contact compliant sampler components
The guide surface and sample surface can be positioned at angles between 1 and 89 degrees relative to horizontal, including being coplanar, adjustable in angle and height with respect to the frame, constructed from food-contact materials as defined by regulation.
Removable and replaceable sampling sheets held by cartridges or conveyor systems
Sampling sheets are removably secured within cartridges including a body and movable cover with fasteners. Sampling sheets can be moved with respect to the frame via sampling conveyors which may rotate or translate. Sampling sheets may also be supplied as rolls of microbial sampling material configured to feed through roll housings with perforations for dispensing.
Sampler mobility and stability features
The sampler includes wheels or pads coupled to the mobile frame to enable movement, with lock mechanisms, adjustable legs or feet for leveling or lifting wheels, handles for manual movement, hitch points for coupling to carts, vehicles, or conveyors, and materials and structural designs configured for easy cleaning and sanitation.
Chute and cowling configurations to facilitate product flow
The sampler may include side guide surfaces and above guide surfaces together forming a chute to facilitate consumable product flow toward the sampling sheet. The chute may be tapered with larger height at intake than discharge, and removably attachable or adjustable. A cowling can be coupled above the guide or sample surfaces to route the products to these surfaces.
Bin support and conveyor integration
The sampler includes a bin support below the sample surface configured to receive bins to collect the consumable products after sampling. The sampler may also include conveyors adjacent to the sample surface to convey products away from the sampler, including powered conveyors controlled by user input or automated systems.
Sampler foldability and disassembly for storage and cleaning
The mobile frame of the sampler may be foldable and disassemblable via hinges and removable fasteners to facilitate space saving storage and cleaning operations.
Method of applying aggregating sampling
Methods claim positioning of the aggregating sampler at conveyance system discharge, attaching sampling sheets, conveying products to contact the sheets, removing the sheets after sampling, and testing the sheets for microbial presence and associating results with the conveyed items.
The independent claims cover innovative aggregating samplers with mobile frames, adjustable and sanitary structures, removable microbial sampling sheets in cartridges or rolls, flow-guiding surfaces and cowling configurations, collection bins and conveyors, with capabilities for storage and cleaning. The methods include their application for microbial sampling integrated into product conveyance systems.
Stated Advantages
Provides improved microbial sampling over traditional grab samples by significantly increasing the effective sample size, leading to more representative results.
Enables faster and near real-time analysis eliminating or reducing enrichment culture delays.
Increases executional efficiency with non-destructive continuous or aggregated sampling.
Facilitates detection of cross-contamination and validation of wash processes.
Offers enhanced flexibility and mobility to adapt to diverse consumable product flow lines and environments.
Supports automation and integration with rapid reporting and cloud-based data systems reducing human error and accelerating decision making.
Documented Applications
Microbial sampling of ready-to-eat produce, meat, and other consumable products in various stages such as in the field, at harvest, after dumping or cutting, in wash systems, or post-wash.
Assessment and validation of cross contamination control and wash processes in food production lines.
Robotic sampling of field crops and delivery of results with mobile laboratories.
Sampling of consumable product streams conveyed on lines, including use in form fill and seal machines, conveyor systems, and chute discharges.
Testing for plant pathogens affecting crop health in agricultural applications.
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