Abstract: A process for reducing the bacterial count on a four-legged animal, poultry animal, carcass of such animals, or meat or processed meat products of such animals, during processing, such reduction using a solution comprising a N,N?-dichloro-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, a N,N?-dichloro-5-ethyl-5-methylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, or combinations thereof, and in some preferable aspects 1,3,-dichloro-5,5,-dimethylhydantoin, 1,3-dichloro-5-ethyl-5-methylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for reducing the bacterial count on a red meat carcass during the processing of livestock, such as bovine or swine, by applying an intervention solution having at least one equilibrium peroxycarboxylic acid or a pH modified peroxycarboxylic acid comprising peroxyacetic acid to the red meat carcass at an elevated temperature above 100° F. and at a concentration of at least 10 ppm, preferably an elevated concentration of at least 200 ppm, for a desired period of time of less than about 60 seconds, preferably less than about 30 seconds, to reduce the bacterial count by at least 60 percent.

Abstract: A process for reducing the bacterial count on a poultry carcass during poultry processing after the picking stage and prior to the chilling stage by applying an intervention solution having at least one equilibrium peroxycarboxylic acid or a pH modified peroxycarboxylic acid comprising peroxyacetic acid to the poultry carcass at an elevated temperature above 100° F. and at an elevated concentration of at least 200 ppm for a desired period of time of less than about 30 seconds to reduce the bacterial count by at least 60 percent. The process providing acceptable antimicrobial control in poultry processing prior to the chilling stage.

Abstract: A process for reducing the bacterial count on a poultry carcass during poultry processing after the picking stage and prior to the chilling stage by applying an intervention solution having at least one equilibrium peroxycarboxylic acid or a pH modified peroxycarboxylic acid comprising peroxyacetic acid to the poultry carcass at an elevated temperature above 100° F. and at an elevated concentration of at least 200 ppm for a desired period of time of less than about 30 seconds to reduce the bacterial count by at least 60 percent. The process providing acceptable antimicrobial control in poultry processing prior to the chilling stage.

Abstract: A carcass washing cabinet having a plurality of spray arbors having a desired spray performance, which can rinse a carcass side with a reduced fluid flow rates through the spray arbors. The reduced fluid flow rates and increased pressure reduces volumes of water and/or other rinsing chemicals as well as by treating lower volumes of liquid waste that are generated by the carcass wash cabinets. Methods of rinsing carcasses with an apparatus having the plurality of arbors with high pressure nozzles and lower flow rates reduces water and/or chemical consumption without affecting microbial load reduction.

Abstract: Rotating spray systems and related methods for enhancing spray performance can include one of more rotating spray assemblies formed of a plurality of individual, linear distribution manifolds to define a rotary cage. The rotary cage is fluidly coupled to a rotating distribution block on a distribution valve, with each linear distribution manifold being fluidly coupled to one of a plurality of distribution conduits defined in the rotating distribution block. The distribution valve further includes a fixed distribution block having an arcuate aperture defined therein. The rotating distribution block rotates relative to the fixed distribution block to individually and sequentially engage each distribution conduit with the arcuate aperture.

Abstract: A process for reducing the bacterial count on a poultry carcass during poultry processing after the picking stage and prior to the chilling stage by applying an intervention solution having at least one equilibrium peroxycarboxylic acid or a pH modified peroxycarboxylic acid comprising peroxyacetic acid to the poultry carcass at an elevated temperature above 100° F. and at an elevated concentration of at least 200 ppm for a desired period of time of less than about 30 seconds to reduce the bacterial count by at least 60 percent. The process providing acceptable antimicrobial control in poultry processing prior to the chilling stage.

Abstract: A process for reducing the bacterial count on a poultry carcass during poultry processing after the picking stage and prior to the chilling stage by applying an intervention solution having at least one equilibrium peroxycarboxylic acid or a pH modified peroxycarboxylic acid comprising peroxyacetic acid to the poultry carcass at an elevated temperature above 100° F. and at an elevated concentration of at least 200 ppm for a desired period of time of less than about 30 seconds to reduce the bacterial count by at least 60 percent. The process providing acceptable antimicrobial control in poultry processing prior to the chilling stage.

Abstract: Sanitation systems for treating an airstream, such as disinfection, sterilization, and/or deodorization, by ionization are disclosed. In embodiments, the air sanitation system is disclosed having an inlet and an outlet with a plenum between them. An ultraviolet (UV) light source is arranged within the plenum and provides UV light to an area of the plenum. A hydrated quad-metallic catalyst having a desiccant is disposed in the area, and a nebulizer is arranged between the inlet and the UV light source. The nebulizer can provide a nebulized agent within the plenum, and the UV light can generate reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl radicals, from water captured by the desiccant or from the nebulized agent.

Abstract: A dispensing device having a housing capable of receiving a pre-packaged charge of pre-whipped topping or icing. The housing has an inner wall with a slot formed therein for receiving a rod. The rod engages with a pawl mechanism to move a piston in the axial direction to force the pre-whipped topping or icing through the outlet in its packaging. The pawl engages with the rod when it moves in a first direction and the pawl disengages with the rod when it is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A topping dispenser for dispensing serving portions of topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a housing having a front product compartment and a rear drive compartment separated by a partition. The product compartment is adapted to receive a pastry bag containing topping such that the bag is suspended against the partition, and a vertically displaceable roller is provided in the product compartment to roll down along the partition to squeeze contents of the bag out through a bottom dispensing tip of the bag that extends through an opening in the housing to direct product onto a waiting beverage. The roller is advanced downward in predetermined increments by a pawl drive mechanism located in the drive compartment and coupled to the roller by a mounting bracket extending through travel slots in the partition. The pawl drive mechanism is actuated by an operating lever pivotally mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A topping tool assembly comprises a bag support defining a tapered receptacle having an open bag receiving end and an open dispensing end narrower than the bag receiving end, a mounting bracket fixed to the bag support, and an anchor bracket, wherein the mounting bracket and the anchor bracket are adapted such that the mounting bracket removably mounts onto the anchor bracket. The topping tool assembly is installed in a kitchen or other food preparation area by attaching the anchor bracket to a suitable supporting surface, and it receives and supports a pastry bag in a generally vertical orientation such that a top of the pastry bag is exposed through the bag receiving end of the bag support and a bottom decorative tip of the pastry bag protrudes from the bottom dispensing end of the bag support.

Abstract: It has been discovered that precise control of relative humidity within the Spray Chill rooms of meat processing facilities can help control carcass water weight loss. Through the use of a specially designed air wash system this loss can be controlled. As an additional beneficial effect of this process, it has been proven that a significant reduction of airborne bacteria can be seen through the application of proper air wash sump chemistry through the specialized process. Further to this development, and in combination with the proper sump chemistry humidifying system, continual cleaning of the process air and internal areas of the air handler as well as the filter and fill materials is seen, allowing for a continual cleansing of the system while delivering sanitized air and providing high room humidity for the control of water loss during the carcass chilling operation and the reduction of airborne bacteria in the spray chill room or any meat storage area.

Abstract: A pastry bag package comprises a dispensing tip assembly including a self-sealing dispensing valve having resiliently deflectable valve flaps that open when pressure is applied to allow product to pass through a valve orifice and close when pressure is removed to cleanly cut off a dispensed ribbon of topping, icing, or other fluid product. One or more of the valve flaps may be provided with a respective protrusion on a front side of the valve flap facing the direction of applied pressure, wherein the protrusion extends into the flow path of fluid product passing through the valve orifice to form a decorative longitudinal ridge along a dispensed ribbon of product.

Abstract: A topping dispenser for dispensing portions of chilled topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a housing having a drawer that includes a product compartment and an adjacent drive compartment separated by a partition. The product compartment is adapted to receive a bag containing topping, and houses a vertically displaceable pressure member, such as a roller, to roll down along one side of the bag opposite a pressure surface on the other side of the bag to squeeze contents of the bag out through a bottom dispensing valve assembly to direct product into a waiting container. The roller is advanced downward in predetermined increments by a motor-driven carriage assembly in the drive compartment that may be actuated by a push button on the housing. The dispensing valve assembly holds a pressure-actuated valve that closes automatically to cleanly cut off a dispensed ribbon of topping and is configured to impart a decorative appearance to the dispensed ribbon.

Abstract: A topping dispenser for dispensing serving portions of topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a housing having a front product compartment and a rear drive compartment separated by a partition. The product compartment is adapted to receive a pastry bag containing topping such that the bag is suspended against the partition, and a vertically displaceable roller is provided in the product compartment to roll down along the partition to squeeze contents of the bag out through a bottom dispensing tip of the bag that extends through an opening in the housing to direct product onto a waiting beverage. The roller is advanced downward in predetermined increments by a pawl drive mechanism located in the drive compartment and coupled to the roller by a mounting bracket extending through travel slots in the partition. The pawl drive mechanism is actuated by an operating lever pivotally mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A topping tool assembly comprises a bag support defining a tapered receptacle having an open bag receiving end and an open dispensing end narrower than the bag receiving end, a mounting bracket fixed to the bag support, and an anchor bracket, wherein the mounting bracket and the anchor bracket are adapted such that the mounting bracket removably mounts onto the anchor bracket. The topping tool assembly is installed in a kitchen or other food preparation area by attaching the anchor bracket to a suitable supporting surface, and it receives and supports a pastry bag in a generally vertical orientation such that a top of the pastry hag is exposed through the bag receiving end of the bag support and a bottom decorative tip of the pastry bag protrudes from the bottom dispensing end of the bag support.

Abstract: A topping dispenser for dispensing portions of chilled topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a housing having a drawer that includes a product compartment and an adjacent drive compartment separated by a partition. The product compartment is adapted to receive a bag containing topping, and houses a vertically displaceable pressure member, such as a roller, to roll down along one side of the bag opposite a pressure surface on the other side of the bag to squeeze contents of the bag out through a bottom dispensing valve assembly to direct product into a waiting container. The roller is advanced downward in predetermined increments by a motor-driven carriage assembly in the drive compartment that may be actuated by a push button on the housing. The dispensing valve assembly holds a pressure-actuated valve that closes automatically to cleanly cut off a dispensed ribbon of topping and is configured to impart a decorative appearance to the dispensed ribbon.

Abstract: A dispensing device having a housing capable of receiving a pre-packaged charge of pre-whipped topping or icing. The housing has an inner wall with a slot formed therein for receiving a rod. The rod engages with a pawl mechanism to move a piston in the axial direction to force the pre-whipped topping or icing through the outlet in its packaging. The pawl engages with the rod when it moves in a first direction and the pawl disengages with the rod when it is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions that comprise alcohol-free microemulsions and methods for their use that include a surfactant, a lipophilic linker, and/or a hydrophilic linker. These compositions can be used, for example, in cosmetic or hair applications. In certain aspects, compositions of the invention have the ability to microemulsify sebum while providing enhanced cleansing of cosmetic products from the skin or hair. In addition, the compositions have the ability to enhance the penetration of skin or hair active ingredients, such as emollients, humectants, anti-oxidants, lipids, vitamins, botanicals, dyes, tanning compounds, etc.