Sono Tek Corporation (SOTK)

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Spray coater protects against contamination
By Ahmed ElAmin
FoodProductionDaily.com
July 27, 2007

A new spray coater can protect foods from becoming contaminated by pathogens, according to its manufacturer.

Sono-Tek's pilot plant scale Universal Food Coater features six independently controlled, ultrasonic atomising nozzles.

The coater can be used to provide anti-microbial protection of baked goods, produce, dairy, meat products. It can also be used to apply nutriceuticals, herbal extracts, and natural flavours directly on to food surfaces, the company stated.

The nozzles are non-clogging and allow a complete 360° coverage of the food target, the company claimed.

This new versatile equipment was developed in response to specific requests from food manufacturers that observed the advantages of Sono-Tek's uniform, low flow, ultrasonic spraying capabilities at our laboratory in a batch mode," the company stated. "These manufacturers are interested in investigating further these benefits in a continuous, pilot plant scale manufacturing capacity."

The unit comes with a variable width, variable speed conveyor, allowing processors to conduct tests in-line with other manufacturing equipment.

The features make the Universal Food Coater suitable for research and development and for those with small production needs.

Christopher Coccio, president and chief executive of Sono-Tek said the machine can help processors achieve uniform, low dose coating, which is of particular importance in the food and pharmaceutical industries.