An opening/closing module according to the present invention comprises a middle door part having a curved shape that is located at an entrance of a sterilization module to separate, from the outside, the sterilization module that provides a sterilization space for accommodating a hand truck, and selectively opens/closes the entrance of the sterilization module by including a sliding part.

The invention relates to a method and a device for treating foods and/or containers for holding foods. The foods and/or containers are treated in at least one treatment zone by a process liquid, wherein the process liquid is at least partially recirculated into the treatment zone or the treatment zones after completed treatment of the foods and/or the containers. At least one membrane filtration system and at least one UV irradiation apparatus are provided for cleaning and sterilisation of the process liquid.

Method and apparatus for industrial microwave (MW)-assisted thermal sterilization and pasteurization using solid-state MW generators. One or more phased array generators heat packaged foods or liquids conveyed in transport carriers through a processing liquid providing supplemental temperature control and hydrostatic pressure. Generator output signals are computer controlled, allowing phase and power-ratio modulation to both adjust interference patterns within heating cavities and shift focus of heating energy.

Method and apparatus for industrial microwave (MW)-assisted thermal sterilization and pasteurization using solid-state MW generators. One or more phased array generators heat packaged foods or liquids conveyed in transport carriers through a processing liquid providing supplemental temperature control and hydrostatic pressure. Generator output signals are computer controlled, allowing phase and power-ratio modulation to both adjust interference patterns within heating cavities and shift focus of heating energy.

An automated, unmanned continuous system (200) for packaging flowable food products at elevated temperatures and pressures includes an upstream thermal processing station (202) to heat the food products and direct the heated food products to a pressurized unmanned filling station (204), whereat containers (242) are filled with the heated food products within a pressurized housing (232), and then transported to a pressurized and unmanned sealing station (206) where the containers are sealed with a lid or cover (283) within a pressurized housing (282). Thereafter, the filled and sealed containers (242) are routed from the pressurized housing (282) through a pressurized transfer tube or passageway (208) for further processing at a downstream thermal processing station (210).

An automated, unmanned continuous system (200) for packaging flowable food products at elevated temperatures and pressures includes an upstream thermal processing station (202) to heat the food products and direct the heated food products to a pressurized unmanned filling station (204), whereat containers (242) are filled with the heated food products within a pressurized housing (232), and then transported to a pressurized and unmanned sealing station (206) where the containers are sealed with a lid or cover (283) within a pressurized housing (282). Thereafter, the filled and sealed containers (242) are routed from the pressurized housing (282) through a pressurized transfer tube or passageway (208) for further processing at a downstream thermal processing station (210).

A container-processing apparatus includes a pasteurizer with plural zones, and a transport element. The zones, which follow one another in a transport direction, include a preheating set, a cooling set, and pasteurizing set. The transport element moves containers through the sets, where they are subjected to a treatment medium at different treatment temperatures. Treatment temperatures in zones in the preheating set rise in steps from zone to zone. In the pasteurizing set, treatment temperature is maintained at or above pasteurizing temperature. In the cooling set, treatment temperatures decrease in steps zone to zone. The transport element transports containers in the pasteurizer at a changeable transport speed that is subject to continuous control.

A container-processing apparatus includes a pasteurizer with plural zones, and a transport element. The zones, which follow one another in a transport direction, include a preheating set, a cooling set, and pasteurizing set. The transport element moves containers through the sets, where they are subjected to a treatment medium at different treatment temperatures. Treatment temperatures in zones in the preheating set rise in steps from zone to zone. In the pasteurizing set, treatment temperature is maintained at or above pasteurizing temperature. In the cooling set, treatment temperatures decrease in steps zone to zone. The transport element transports containers in the pasteurizer at a changeable transport speed that is subject to continuous control.

A vessel having an opening for receiving the product and walls surrounding the vessel at all sides except the opening. The interior of the vessel is filled with a fluid having a specific gravity lower than a specific gravity of a medium surrounding the walls outside the vessel. While the vessel is oriented with the opening facing downwards, the vessel and/or product is/are conveyed to ensure that the product enters the interior through the opening.

The present invention relates to the field of processing food. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a fruit-containing product using high pressure pasteurization. The fruit-containing product obtained by the method of the invention is microbiologically safe and can be stored at ambient temperatures. The fruit-containing product according to the invention can be used to feed babies and infants during mixed diet introduction.