Produce processor
First Claim
1. A process for preserving farm products by heating and cooling treatment of a product within a container while the container is positioned in a single process tank and remains there through the treating process to reduce contamination and enhance the flavor of the product comprising the steps of:
- a) filling and sealing a container with a product to be treated and stored in said same container;
b) positioning the filled container in a process tank so that its movement from its position is restrained but minimal movement at the position can take place;
c) filling the process tank with water heated to a pre-determined temperature level to cover said container;
d) causing the contents of the container to move while circulating heated water around the container for a pre-selected period of time;
e) removing the heated water and filling the tank with chilled water while continuing to cause movement of the product within said container; and
f) after the product has reached a pre-selected temperature removing the container from the process tank and storing the container in refrigerated storage for shipment or sale.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process for treating a farm product by heating and cooling, said treatment may include pasteurization of a product within the container in which they are to be sold by placing sealed containers containing the products within a process tank causing the products to move within the containers to enhance heat transfer into the product, holding the product at a desired temperature and then cooling the container while in the tank and distributing the containers to be sold.
23 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A process for preserving farm products by heating and cooling treatment of a product within a container while the container is positioned in a single process tank and remains there through the treating process to reduce contamination and enhance the flavor of the product comprising the steps of:
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a) filling and sealing a container with a product to be treated and stored in said same container; b) positioning the filled container in a process tank so that its movement from its position is restrained but minimal movement at the position can take place; c) filling the process tank with water heated to a pre-determined temperature level to cover said container; d) causing the contents of the container to move while circulating heated water around the container for a pre-selected period of time; e) removing the heated water and filling the tank with chilled water while continuing to cause movement of the product within said container; and f) after the product has reached a pre-selected temperature removing the container from the process tank and storing the container in refrigerated storage for shipment or sale. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A process for treating a farm product in a rigid or semi-rigid container by heating and cooling while the container is positioned in a process tank to reduce contamination and enhance the flavor of the product comprising the steps of:
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a) providing heated water in a hot water storage tank at a pre-selected temperature, said water being maintained at the pre-selected temperature which is sufficiently high to pasteurize a food product; b) filling the process tank with heated water from said hot water storage tank source; c) circulating the heated water from said process tank to said storage tank to maintain a pre-selected minimum temperature, the water in said circulating and filling step being directed against the walls of said container in a manner to cause movement of the product within the containers; d) stopping said circulation of heated water and storing a portion of said water in said storage tank; e) filling the process tank with ambient water and allowing it to remain for a pre-determined period; f) removing said ambient water from the process tank and filling the process tank with chilled water from a chiller; g) circulating the chilled water within the process tank for a pre-determined period of time while causing the product within the container to move in order to bring the temperature of the product in the containers to below about 40°
F.; andh) removing said containers and maintaining them in a chilled state for transportation and sale. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A process for treating a farm product in a rigid or semi-rigid container by heating and cooling while the container is positioned in a process tank to reduce contamination and enhance the flavor of the product comprising the steps of:
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a) filling the process tank with heated water from an in-line source, said water being at a pre-selected temperature; b) directing the heated water during the filling step; c) maintaining the temperature of the water in the process tank at a pre-selected level and period of time then draining the tank; d) filling the process tank with ambient water and allowing it to remain for a pre-determined period; e) removing said ambient water from the process tank and filling the process tank with chilled water from a chiller; f) circulating the chilled water within the process tank for a pre-determined period of time while causing the product within the container to move in order to bring the temperature of the product in the containers to below about 40°
F.; andg) removing said containers and maintaining them in a chilled state for transportation and sale.
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Specification