CONTROLLER AND METHOD FOR ADMINISTERING AND PROVIDING ON-LINE HANDLING OF DEVIATIONS IN A ROTARY STERILIZATION PROCESS
First Claim
1. A method of administering a sterilization process being performed by a rotary sterilizer on a continuous line of containers, the method comprising the steps of:
- controlling the rotary sterilizer to perform the rotary sterilization process according to scheduled parameters; and
when a deviation in a specific one of the scheduled parameters occurs, identifying those of the containers that will in response have a total lethality predicted to be delivered to them during the sterilization process that is less than a predefined target lethality.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rotary sterilization system, a controller for use in the rotary sterilization system, and a method performed by the controller are disclosed. The system, controller, and method are used to administer a sterilization process performed on a line of containers and provide on-line handling of a deviation in a scheduled parameter during the process. The containers contain a shelf stable food product that is to be sterilized in the sterilization process. In addition to the controller, the rotary sterilization system includes a rotary sterilizer. The controller controls the rotary sterilizer in performing the sterilization process according to scheduled parameters. When a deviation in a specific one of the scheduled parameters occurs, the controller identifies those of the containers that will in response have a total lethality predicted to be delivered to them during the sterilization process that is less than a predefined target lethality.
17 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of administering a sterilization process being performed by a rotary sterilizer on a continuous line of containers, the method comprising the steps of:
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controlling the rotary sterilizer to perform the rotary sterilization process according to scheduled parameters; and
when a deviation in a specific one of the scheduled parameters occurs, identifying those of the containers that will in response have a total lethality predicted to be delivered to them during the sterilization process that is less than a predefined target lethality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A controller for administering a sterilization process performed by a rotary sterilizer on a continuous line of containers of containers, the controller comprising:
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control circuitry configured to control the rotary sterilizer;
a memory configured to store a process control program and a deviation program, the process control program being programmed to cause the control circuitry to control the rotary sterilizer in performing the sterilization process according to scheduled parameters, the deviation programmed being programmed to identify, when a deviation in a specific one of the scheduled parameters occurs, those of the containers that will in response have a total lethality predicted to be delivered to them during the sterilization process that is less than a predefined target lethality; and
a microprocessor coupled to the memory and the control circuitry and configured to execute the process control and temperature deviation programs. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A rotary sterilization system comprising:
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a rotary sterilizer configured to perform a sterilization process on a continuous line of containers;
a controller configured to;
control the rotary sterilizer in performing the rotary sterilization process according to scheduled parameters;
when a deviation in a specific one of the scheduled parameters occurs, identify those of the containers that will in response have a total lethality predicted to be delivered to them during the sterilization process that is less than a predefined target lethality. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. The rotary sterilization system of claim 26 wherein:
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the lethality predicted to be delivered over the second time interval is based on the portion of the product cold spot time-temperature profile over the second time interval;
the scheduled parameters include one or more scheduled retort temperatures that are scheduled for the sterilization process in the second time interval; and
the portion of the product cold spot time-temperature profile over the second time interval is based on the one or more scheduled retort temperatures.
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Specification