Packaged food sterilization - in inert gas filled bags inside containers of sterilizing tank with pressure differential maintenance

• Main Author: N. OHASHI, C. SAKAI, M. NAGAI, T. ENDO, K. OHASHI, S. YASHIRO, S. KUMAZAKI ET T. KONDO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 15.10.1976
• Subjects: FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BYSUBCLASSES A23B - A23J; HUMAN NECESSITIES; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OFNUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES

To sterilise feed packed in flexible platic bags or in aluminium cans the packages are first filled with a gas, pref. CO2 or N2, before they are closed. They are placed in a sterilising tank in containers where they are in contact with a flexible diaphragm so taht the difference in the pressures of the package and of the steriliser can be supervised. This difference is held to between 0 and 2 kg/cm2 during preheating, sterilising by heat, and cooling. This does not deform the shape of the food as in the case of vacuum packages. Th packages can contain any other food, apart from soup or fluids, and have a long shelf life.