Flexible container for microwave sterilization of foodstuffs therein

• US 3,311,287 A
• Filed: 02/21/1966
• Issued: 03/28/1967
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1963
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ludlow Corporation (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Florren E. Long, Fred B. Shaw, Harvey C. Lisle
• Inventors: Long, Florren E., Shaw, Fred B., Lisle, Harvey C.
• Application Number:
  US04/529,111
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• US Class Current: 383/100
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/01 using microwaves or dielectric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/04 with packages on endless chain or band conveyors A23L3/022 takes precedence

Claims

1. A POUCH PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR FORMATION INTO A PACKAGE FOR PRODUCTS WHICH ARE STERILIZED BY STEAM GENERATED IN THE POUCH AND VENTED TO ATMOSPHERE THROUGH A PASSAGE WHICH IS SUBSEQUENTLY HERMETICALLY SEALED COMPRISING A GENERALLY TUBULAR BODY WALL HAVING A CLOSED END PORTION AND AN OPPOSITELY HEAT-SEALED END PORTION, SAID HEAT-SEALED END PORTION BEING DEFINED IN PART BY A FREE EDGE AND ADJACENT SIDE EDGES, SAID HEAT-SEALED END-PORTION HAVING AT LEAST A SINGLE UNSEALED TORTUOUS PORTION FORMING A PASSAGE FROM AN INTERIOR CHAMBER OF SAID POUCH TO THE EXTERIOR THEREOF, SAID TORTUOUS PORTION INCLUDING HEAT SEALABLE MEANS FOR SUBSEQUENTLY CLOSING SAID PASSAGE UNDER THE APPLICATION OF HEAT AND PRESSURE THERETO, SAID CHAMBER BEING DEFINED IN PART BY SAID HEAT-SEALED END PORTION, AND AN EDGE PORTION OF SAID HEAT-SEALED END PORTION EXTENDING ANGULARLY FROM SAID PASSAGE TO ONE OF SAID SIDE EDGES WHEREBY STEAM GENERATED IN SAID CHAMBER IS GRADUALLY GUIDED TOWARD THE PASSAGE BY SAID EDGE PORTION AND ANY BACTERIA THEREALONG ARE DESTROYED BY THE STEAM.