Method and apparatus for continuous thermal processing of packaged products
AssigneeMars, Incorporated
InventorsCharley Brokaw, James E. Wilson, Tom Manley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuously sterilizing and cooking packaged products. The packages are drawn through a hydrostatic-pressure cooker utilizing a cable-driven drive mechanism where clipped-packages are attached to the cable. As the package is maneuvered through the hydrostatic-pressure cooker heated water and steam may cook the contents of the package while sterilizing the exterior surface of the package. Batch sterilizing techniques are thereby avoided.
Claims28
A packaged product sterilization process, said process comprising the steps of:
- filling one or more packages with a food product,
- attaching said one or more packages to a continuous conveyance mechanism,
- moving said continuous conveyance mechanism with attached packages through a sterilizer for sterilization of said packages.
A hydrostatic pressure sterilizer for sterilizing packages, said sterilizer comprising:
- a pressurized leg having a pressurized steam chamber;
- a first water leg connected before said pressurized leg, said first water leg having an atmospheric chamber and a fluid chamber;
- a second water leg connected after said pressurized leg, said second water leg having a fluid chamber and an atmospheric chamber;
- and
- a moveable cable disposed through the first water leg, pressurized leg, and second water leg.
A manufacturing system for sterilizing packages, said system comprising:
- a product filler for filling packages with a food product;
- a clip loader for attaching package clips to said packages;
- a sterilizer having a moveable cable disposed through said sterilizer for moving said packages;
- a cable loader for attaching package clips to said moveable cable;
- and
- a cable unloader from removing said package clips from said cable.
An apparatus for conveying a package via a cable or a rail, said apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising a rail head and a clip arm,
- an arm plate hingedly attached to said clip arm, and
- a slideable attachment arm positioned on said rail head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.