Immersion retort
First Claim
1. A retort system for sterilizing a work product, comprising:
- (a) a process vessel for receiving work product and for receiving process fluid to sterilize the work product within the process vessel;
(b) a storage vessel for storing the process fluid;
(c) a process fluid recirculation system, comprising a recirculation circuit interconnecting in fluid flow communication an outlet at the storage vessel to an inlet at the process vessel and also interconnecting an outlet at the process vessel with an inlet at the storage vessel;
(d) a heating subsystem for heating the process fluid;
(e) a cooling subsystem for supplying cooling process fluid to the process vessel; and
(f) a pressure system in gas flow communication with the process vessel to maintain the pressure within the process vessel at desired levels during the retort process.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An overpressure retort system includes a process vessel in fluid flow communication with a storage vessel. Heated process fluid from the storage vessel is transferred to the process vessel, including through spraying outlets or nozzles to direct heated process fluid onto the nutrient product containers. After the cooking process has been completed, the heated process fluid is returned to the storage vessel and then cool process fluid is used to cool the nutrient products in the process vessel, including by spraying the cooled process fluid onto the nutrient product containers. During the cooking and cooling processes, the process fluid from the process vessel is recirculated, and the overpressure within the process vessel is controlled by supplying compressed gas at a controlled pressure to the headspace of the process vessel. The headspace of the process vessel and the headspace of the storage vessel are in fluid flow communication. In the cooling process, process fluid may be withdrawn from the process vessel, then cooled in a heat exchanger, then reintroduced to the process vessel.
-
Citations
48 Claims
-
1. A retort system for sterilizing a work product, comprising:
-
(a) a process vessel for receiving work product and for receiving process fluid to sterilize the work product within the process vessel;
(b) a storage vessel for storing the process fluid;
(c) a process fluid recirculation system, comprising a recirculation circuit interconnecting in fluid flow communication an outlet at the storage vessel to an inlet at the process vessel and also interconnecting an outlet at the process vessel with an inlet at the storage vessel;
(d) a heating subsystem for heating the process fluid;
(e) a cooling subsystem for supplying cooling process fluid to the process vessel; and
(f) a pressure system in gas flow communication with the process vessel to maintain the pressure within the process vessel at desired levels during the retort process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. An overpressure retort system comprising:
-
(a) a process vessel for receiving containers of nutritional products therein and for also receiving process fluid for sterilizing the nutritional product within the containers when within the process vessel;
(b) a process fluid storage vessel for receiving and storing process fluid therein;
(c) a process fluid recirculation system, comprising a recirculation circuit interconnecting the storage vessel and the pressure vessel for directing process fluid to and from the storage vessel, to and from the process vessel and between the storage and process vessels;
(d) a heating system for heating the process fluid and introducing the heated process fluid into the storage vessel and/or process vessel;
(e) a cooling system for supplying process fluid to the process vessel for cooling the sterilized nutritional products therein; and
(f) an overpressure system for supplying pressurized gas to the process vessel and the storage vessel, to maintain the pressure in the process vessel at the desired levels during the sterilization process. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
-
-
42. A method for sterilizing nutrient products disposed in containers utilizing an overpressure retort system having a process vessel and a storage vessel, wherein the process vessel and storage vessel are interconnected in fluid flow communication therebetween, the process comprising:
-
(a) placing containers of the nutrient products within the process vessel;
(b) filling the storage vessel to a desired level with heated process fluid;
(c) introducing the heated process fluid from the storage vessel to the process vessel, leaving a desired headspace within the process vessel;
(d) recirculating the process fluid within the process vessel by drawing the process fluid from the process vessel, reheating the withdrawn process fluid as needed, and reintroducing the heated process fluid back into the process vessel;
(e) supplying gas at a desired pressure to the headspace of the process vessel to maintain a desired overpressure within the process vessel;
(f) after completion of the sterilization process, withdrawing the process fluid from the process vessel and routing such withdrawn process fluid back to the storage vessel;
(g) cooling the nutrient product containers within the process vessel with process fluid; and
(h) maintaining a desired overpressure within the process vessel during the sterilization process by controlling the pressure of the compressed gas supplied to the headspace of the process vessel. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
Specification