Method for exchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid and a perishable product fluid, a removable heat exchange cartridge and a heat exchange system

A method for exchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid and a perishable product fluid, the method comprising:

• providing a replaceable heat exchange cartridge to a base unit by engaging a base unit heat exchange outlet to a heat exchange enclosure inlet of the cartridge;
• and,
• engaging a base unit heat exchange inlet with a heat exchange enclosure outlet of the cartridge;
• providing the heat exchange fluid to an enclosure of the cartridge via the base unit heat exchange outlet and the heat exchange enclosure inlet of the cartridge;
• providing the perishable product fluid to a tube comprising a flexible portion in the enclosure;
• exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube;
• allowing the heat exchange fluid to exit the enclosure of the cartridge via the heat exchange enclosure outlet and the base unit heat exchange inlet;
• interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube;
• compressing the flexible portion of the tube to decrease a volume of the tube and to press a substantial part of the perishable product fluid out of the tube;
• and,
• removing the replaceable cartridge from the base unit and replacing it with another cartridge.

A replaceable heat exchange cartridge being engageable with a base unit to form a heat exchange system for providing a temperature controlled perishable product fluid, wherein the cartridge further comprises:

• a heat exchange enclosure inlet of the cartridge to engage with a base unit heat exchange outlet to provide heat exchange fluid to an enclosure of the cartridge;
• a heat exchange enclosure outlet of the cartridge to engage with a base unit heat exchange inlet to allow the heat exchange fluid to exit the enclosure;
• a product fluid inlet for receiving the perishable product fluid;
• a product fluid outlet to provide the temperature controlled perishable product fluid;
• and,
• a tube to supply the product fluid from the product fluid inlet to the product fluid outlet through the enclosure so as during use to exchange heat between a heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube, and the tube comprises a flexible portion with a flexibility such that the volume of the tube decreases if the flexible portion of the tube is compressed.