Method and apparatus for aseptic filling of food product
First Claim
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1. A method for handling a sterilized food product comprising:
- securing a cap-type aseptic fitment to a filling port of an intermodal container comprising a rigid shell having an elongate shape with opposed closed ends, and at least one frame assembly supporting the rigid shell, said rigid shell also having a discharge port therein;
closing the discharge port;
sterilizing the intermodal container;
maintaining the intermodal container in a fixed position while aligning a cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head by moving the cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head in at least an x-y plane relative to the intermodal container; and
aseptically filling the sterilized intermodal container with the sterilized food product through the cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head and the cap-type aseptic fitment.
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Abstract
A method is for handling a sterilized food product and includes securing an aseptic fitment to a filling port of an intermodal container including a rigid shell having an elongate shape with opposed closed ends, and at least one frame assembly supporting the rigid shell. The method also includes sterilizing the intermodal container, and aseptically filling the sterilized intermodal container with the sterilized food product through the aseptic fitment. The method may also include sealing the aseptic fitment after aseptic filling. A related intermodal container and filling station are also disclosed.
40 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for handling a sterilized food product comprising:
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securing a cap-type aseptic fitment to a filling port of an intermodal container comprising a rigid shell having an elongate shape with opposed closed ends, and at least one frame assembly supporting the rigid shell, said rigid shell also having a discharge port therein; closing the discharge port; sterilizing the intermodal container; maintaining the intermodal container in a fixed position while aligning a cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head by moving the cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head in at least an x-y plane relative to the intermodal container; and aseptically filling the sterilized intermodal container with the sterilized food product through the cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head and the cap-type aseptic fitment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for handling a sterilized food product comprising:
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securing a cap-type aseptic fitment to a filling port of an intermodal container comprising a rigid shell having an elongate shape with opposed closed ends, said rigid shell also having a discharge port therein, and at least one frame assembly supporting the rigid shell for transporting in a generally horizontal orientation via at least one of rail, truck, and ship; closing the discharge port; sterilizing the intermodal container; maintaining the intermodal container in a fixed position while aligning a cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head by moving the cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head in at least an x-y plane relative to the intermodal container; aseptically filling the sterilized intermodal container with the sterilized food product through the cap-type aseptic fitment and using the cap-type compatible moveable aseptic filling head; and sealing the intermodal container after aseptic filling. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification