Aspetic food processing apparatus and method
US4637936A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F3/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A greatly improved aseptic processing apparatus and method for pumpable foods is provided which gives accurate, uniform aseptic cooking conditions (e.g, time, temperature and pressure) while at the same time preserving the integrity of particulates in the food product. In preferred forms, the apparatus includes a reciprocating piston food pump which generates a continuous product stream at a substantially constant nominal pressure. This stream is fed to a heat exchanger in order to elevate the temperature of the product, whereupon the stream passes through a holding tube to complete the aseptic cooking process. A metering device such as a rotary pump is located downstream of the holding tube for creating a substantially constant flow rate of product from the apparatus. Use of a downstream metering device in conjunction with an upstream constant pressure pump permits attainment of even, relatively high system pressures which in turn facilitates accurate temperature control and eliminates localized internal steam flashing which can deleteriously affect product quality. By virtue of the present apparatus and method, aseptic processing of low acid heterogeneous food products such as st…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.