Beverage Sterilization Method and Beverage Sterilization Apparatus

2:

• A beverage sterilization method, comprising a step of:
• arranging a container in a pressurized chamber, the container is hermetically sealed and is filled with a beverage,
• increasing the temperature of the container by increasing the internal temperature of the pressurized chamber to a predetermined temperature and by increasing the pressure of the pressurized chamber in such a manner that the difference between the pressure of the container and the pressure of the pressurized chamber may remain within a predetermined range,
• sterilizing the beverage in the container by holding the pressurized chamber at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined length of time, and
• decreasing the temperature of the container by decreasing the internal temperature of the pressurized chamber and by decreasing the pressure of the pressurized chamber in such a manner that the difference between the pressure of the container and the pressure of the pressurized chamber may remain within a predetermined range.

6:

• A beverage sterilization apparatus comprising:
• a pressurized chamber accommodating a container, which is hermetically sealed and is filled with a beverage;
• a pressure increasing/decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the pressure of the pressurized chamber;
• a temperature increasing/decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the container by increasing or decreasing the temperature of the pressurized chamber;
• and
• a control means to control the pressure increasing/decreasing means and the temperature increasing/decreasing means to sterilize the beverage in the container;
• wherein the control means increases the pressure of the pressurized chamber to a first pressure using the pressure increasing/decreasing means,
• increases the internal temperature of the pressurized chamber to a first temperature using the temperature increasing/decreasing means in such a manner that the difference between the pressure of the container and the first pressure of the pressurized chamber at the first temperature may remain within a predetermined range,
• sterilizes the beverage in the container by holding the pressurized chamber at the first temperature for a predetermined length of time,
• decreases the internal temperature of the pressurized chamber to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature, using the temperature increasing/decreasing means in such a manner that the difference between the pressure of the container and the first pressure of the pressurized chamber at the second temperature may remain within a predetermined range, and
• decreases the pressure of the pressurized chamber to a second pressure lower than the first pressure using the pressure increasing/decreasing means.

7:

• A beverage sterilization apparatus comprising:
• a pressurized chamber accommodating a container which is hermetically sealed and is filled with a beverage;
• a pressure increasing/decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the pressure of the pressurized chamber;
• a temperature increasing/decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the container by increasing or decreasing the temperature of the pressurized chamber;
• and
• a control means to control the pressure increasing/decreasing means and the temperature increasing/decreasing means to sterilize the beverage in the container;
• wherein the control means increases the internal temperature of the pressurized chamber to a predetermined temperature using the temperature increasing/decreasing means, while increasing the pressure of the pressurized chamber using the pressure increasing/decreasing means in such a manner that the difference between the pressure of the container and the pressure of the pressurized chamber may remain within a predetermined range,
• sterilizes the beverage in the container by holding the pressurized chamber at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined length of time, and
• decreases the internal temperature of the pressurized chamber using the temperature increasing/decreasing means, while decreasing the pressure of the pressurized chamber using the pressure increasing/decreasing means in such a manner that the difference between the pressure of the container and the pressure of the pressurized chamber may remain within a predetermined range.

11:

• A beverage sterilization apparatus comprising:
• a chamber for arranging therein at least a container filled with a beverage and hermetically sealed;
• a mechanical pressure means for applying pressure to the container in the chamber by exerting a mechanical force on the container;
• and
• a temperature increasing/decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the container by increasing or decreasing the temperature of the pressurized chamber;
• wherein the container pressurized by the mechanical pressure means is held for a predetermined length of time in the chamber increased in temperature by the temperature increasing/decreasing means thereby to sterilize the beverage in the container.