MILTON, N.Y. — Sono-Tek Corporation announced today that it has successfully
completed a 4 month field test of its anti-microbial coater in a full industrial
scale setting. The ultrasonic spray coater applies a solution of the FDA
approved anti-microbial agent, Potassium Sorbate. The application was tested on
a high capacity, hi-speed line of muffins, as they freshly exit from the oven.
The muffins, which are a relatively high moisture content, high water activity
product, are susceptible to mold spoilage and a very short shelf life, unless
they are protected by a topical anti-microbial solution.
The new coating equipment provides a superior technical solution to the
challenge of applying “just the right amount” of a continuous, uniform thin
layer of an anti-microbial protection on the product, to enhance safety,
increase shelf life and as a result reduce waste and increase profits.
Previous generation, conventional pressure-assisted spraying systems, produce a
large range of droplet sizes, and as a result they depend on significant
overspray to guarantee application of the anti-microbial solutions across the
entire surface of the product. Also, their nozzles are easily clogged by
Potassium Sorbate, and require constant supervision and maintenance.
The unique advantages of Sono-Tek ultrasonic spraying are superior transfer
efficiency and no clogging. Accordingly, the Sono-Tek ultrasonic spray coater
uses significantly less anti-microbial solution, while providing a controllable,
uniform, micronic layer protection, with practically no maintenance. These
technical advantages are of significant economical value for the Food industry
in general, and for the Baked Goods industry in particular.
The equipment was field tested by a leading global baked goods manufacturer, and
has the potential to become the standard operational unit for enhancing shelf
life of high water activity food products, by direct application onto the food
surface.
According to Dr. Joseph Riemer, President, “Sono-Tek’s patent pending ultrasonic
spray coating applications for the food industry are based on technology
transfer from the Company’s successful experience and expertise in medical
device coating (cardiac stents) and in specialty coating of moisture barriers on
biodegradable packaging films and trays. We are now evaluating the use of the
same ultrasonic spraying technology to enhance the safety of meat and dairy food
products and operations, by accurate and uniform application of FDA approved
anti-microbial solutions directly onto food and equipment surfaces.”
Sono-Tek’s new Ultrasonic Food Coating systems are available to food
manufacturers for evaluating the compatibility of their liquid coating needs
with ultrasonic atomization technology. These needs can be tested in a
continuous, pilot plant setting in Sono-Tek’s laboratory, as well as in a full
industrial scale capacity at the client’s manufacturing plant. Sono-Tek
Corporation provides food manufacturers with state-of-the-art tools for new
product and process development not available elsewhere or before.
Sono-Tek will present its ultrasonic food coating technology at the Institute of
Food Technologists (IFT) annual Conference and Expo, in Chicago on July 18 20,
2010, Booth # 7242.
For further information, contact Dr. Joseph Riemer, at 845-795-2020, or visit
our website at www.sono-tek.com
Sono-Tek Corporation is a leading developer and manufacturer of liquid spray
products based on its proprietary ultrasonic nozzle technology. Founded in 1975,
the Company’s products have long been recognized for their performance, quality,
and reliability.
This press release contains forward looking statements regarding future events
and the future performance of Sono-Tek Corporation that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These
factors include, among other considerations, general economic and business
conditions; political, regulatory, competitive and technological developments
affecting the Company’s operations or the demand for its products; timely
development and market acceptance of new products; adequacy of financing;
capacity additions, the ability to enforce patents and the ability to achieve
increased sales volume and continued profitability. We refer you to documents
that the company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which
includes Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs containing additional important information.
Source:
Sono-Tek Corporation