Container and fitment for use in high pressure processing

• US 9,849,429 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2016
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RIPE BAR Juice LLC
• Original Assignee: 87K, LLC
• Inventors: Boissy, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): JENNISON, BRIAN W
• Application Number:
  US15/081,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20170006899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 99295, 993231
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/0155 using sub- or super-atmospheric pressures, or pressure variations transmitted by a liquid or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/45 using flow mixing
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/84 Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7176 using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/02 Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/12 having removable closures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/121 Stoppers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/283 between tubular parts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/1611 by means of an orifice, capillary or labyrinth passage B65D51/1616, B65D51/1622 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/5877 connected to a planar surface of the package wall
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/72 for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials

Abstract

A container assembly configured for use in a high pressure process (HPP) includes a container defining a container cavity and a fitment assembly coupled to the container. The fitment assembly defines a passageway arranged in fluid communication with the container cavity. The fitment assembly further defines a chamber within the passageway isolated from the container cavity. A pressure relief mechanism is operably coupled to the fitment assembly to relieve pressure within the chamber.

Claims

1. A container assembly configured for use in a high pressure process (HPP), comprising:

a container defining a container cavity;

a fitment assembly coupled to said container, said fitment assembly including;

a gland connected to an opening formed in the container;

a fitting coupled to the gland, the fitting defining a passageway arranged in fluid communication with said container cavity, and

a sealing element hermetically sealed to the fitting, wherein a chamber isolated from the container cavity is defined within the passageway between the sealing element and a portion of the fitting; and

a pressure relief mechanism associated with the chamber, wherein when the high pressure process is applied to the container assembly, the pressure relief mechanism is operable to maintain a pressure within the chamber below a threshold to avoid damage to the fitment assembly.

2. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said container has a flexible shape.

3. The container assembly according to claim 2, wherein said container includes a bag.

4. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said container cavity is configured to store a single serving of a consumable material.

5. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein said container cavity is configured to store a plurality of servings of a consumable material.

6. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein during HPP, the pressure relief mechanism is configured to elastically deform.

7. The container assembly according to claim 6, wherein said pressure relief mechanism includes a sealing element configured to deform when a pressure in said chamber exceeds a threshold.

8. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein during HPP, said pressure relief mechanism is configured to vent fluid from said chamber to maintain a pressure within said chamber such that no damage occurs to the fitment assembly.

9. The container assembly according to claim 8, wherein said pressure relief mechanism is a hole.

10. The container assembly according to claim 8, wherein said fitment assembly further includes:

a gland connected to said container;

a fitting arranged within said gland; and

a sealing element coupled to at least one of said gland and said fitting.