Abstract:
An HPP system uses large polymer based bags (20) to increase the amount of food product or other flowable product that can fit into a HPP carrier (22). Each bag 20 has a filling fitment (24), to which a flow valve (26) can be attached. The bag (20) is inserted into the carrier (22) and then the fitment (24) is manually or automatically connected to a flow valve (26). Next, the product is pumped into the bag (20) through a hose or pipe (30) which is attached to the flow valve. Thereafter, the flow valve (26) is removed and the fitment closed, and then carrier (22) together with the bag is inserted into the HPP press for high pressure processing of the product. After the HPP process, the flow valve is used to un-fill the treated product from the bag (20).
Abstract:
A high pressure process for decontamination comprises subjecting a hermetically-sealed package (320) containing a product and a gas to an operating pressure by a pressurizing media containing water, wherein the product has a water activity less than or equal to 0.9; increasing the operating pressure to change the gas into a different phase; and maintaining the operating pressure for a sufficient length of time to achieve some decontamination inside the package.
Abstract:
A container or load basket (80, 90) constructed for addressing thermal stratification of a product in the container/load basket and addressing thermal stratification of the processing medium during high pressure processing with a pressurized processing medium. The container includes an upper section (86, 96) forming a volume for receiving the product to be processed and a truncated lower section forming the bottom of the container. The bottom of the container is defined by a floor or partition (84, 92) extending across the lower portion of the container.The floor or partition can be constructed from the same material from which the upper section of the container is formed or a material that is more adiabatically active than the material from which the upper section of the container is formed.
Abstract:
A high pressure processing system includes a pressure vessel configured to receive a basket or container, a high pressure pump configured to pump a pressure media to the pressure vessel to raise pressure in the pressure vessel, and a heater or cooler system, such as thermal jacket surrounding the pressure vessel, and the thermal jacket contains heat transfer media that is heated and cooled. The high pressure processing system, in addition to processing food stuff at a very high pressure of at least 2,000 bar also processes the food stuff at any high temperature of about 40°C or greater.
Abstract:
A basket for high pressure processing includes a body having first and second ends and a sidewall extending therebetween. The body defines an interior space and the first end includes a first opening for providing access to the interior space. The basket includes a first end cap removably attachable to the body at the first end for at least partially covering the first opening by positioning the first end cap adjacent the first opening and rotating the first end cap in place. A method for limiting the access to the interior space of a basket is also claimed.
Abstract:
A bulk HPP container (10) includes a flexible body portion (12) having closed off ends (14), at least one of which is depicted as being recessed to enable the containers (10) to be positioned end-to-end in an efficient manner, for example, when placed into an HPP pressure vessel, such as a wire wound vessel. One or more openings are provided in the body portion of the container with an appropriate closure for pumpable product to enter and exit the container. In this regard, an inlet valve (16) or other type of closure may be located at the opening in one or both of the ends of the container. Also, one or more outlet valves (18) or other type of closure are located at an opening on the body portion (12) of the container for emptying the container, for example, after HPP. The body portion (12) is composed of sufficient flexural strength and sufficient flexural modulus to enable the container to reduce in volume by from 0 to at least 30% while being rigid enough for reuse over a desired number of HPP cycles.
Abstract:
A product carrier (10) for use in ultrahigh pressure processing substances is substantially fluidically closed, and is insulated, to prevent heat transfer from the product being treated to the cooler wall of the pressure vessel. The insulating material (18) has compression heating properties, such that as the product is pressurized, the temperature of the insulation increases as does the temperature of the product and pressure media, thereby helping to prevent heat transfer from the product to the surrounding media and pressure vessel wall.