The present invention provides a sterilizer which includes a steam chamber comprising a steam chamber upper member and a steam chamber lower member which are bolt-coupled to each other; an inlet door configured to open or close an inlet of the steam chamber; and an outlet door configured to open or close an outlet of the steam chamber, wherein each of the steam chamber upper member and the steam chamber lower member comprises a housing defining a steam chamber inner space and a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed on a surface of the housing at a predetermined height.

The present invention provides a sterilizer which includes a steam chamber comprising a steam chamber upper member and a steam chamber lower member which are bolt-coupled to each other; an inlet door configured to open or close an inlet of the steam chamber; and an outlet door configured to open or close an outlet of the steam chamber, wherein each of the steam chamber upper member and the steam chamber lower member comprises a housing defining a steam chamber inner space and a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed on a surface of the housing at a predetermined height.

Methods for pasteurizing or sterilizing liquid or semi-liquid materials in a liquid-filled microwave heating system are described herein. The methods described herein may be used for pasteurizing or sterilizing a variety of different liquids and semi-liquids, including foodstuffs and beverages, as well as medical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and veterinary liquids. Efficient and rapid heating using microwave energy can provide better temperature control, which permits the use of thinner bottles without sacrificing product quality or safety.

Methods for pasteurizing or sterilizing liquid or semi-liquid materials in a liquid-filled microwave heating system are described herein. The methods described herein may be used for pasteurizing or sterilizing a variety of different liquids and semi-liquids, including foodstuffs and beverages, as well as medical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and veterinary liquids. Efficient and rapid heating using microwave energy can provide better temperature control, which permits the use of thinner bottles without sacrificing product quality or safety.

Methods for pasteurizing or sterilizing liquid or semi-liquid materials in a liquid-filled microwave heating system are described herein. The methods described herein may be used for pasteurizing or sterilizing a variety of different liquids and semi-liquids, including foodstuffs and beverages, as well as medical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and veterinary liquids. Efficient and rapid heating using microwave energy can provide better temperature control, which permits the use of thinner bottles without sacrificing product quality or safety.

Methods for pasteurizing or sterilizing liquid or semi-liquid materials in a liquid-filled microwave heating system are described herein. The methods described herein may be used for pasteurizing or sterilizing a variety of different liquids and semi-liquids, including foodstuffs and beverages, as well as medical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and veterinary liquids. Efficient and rapid heating using microwave energy can provide better temperature control, which permits the use of thinner bottles without sacrificing product quality or safety.

Embodiments herein include surface sterilization systems and methods for sterilizing packaged food items. In an embodiment, a surface sterilization system is included. The system can have a conveying mechanism configured to move discrete food packages, the food packages having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed right and left surfaces, and opposed front and back surfaces. The system can further include a plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes configured to come into sliding contact with the discrete food packages as they are moved by the conveying mechanism. The system can further include an electrical current source in electrical communication with the plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes, the electrical current source delivering a current to the plurality of electrodes sufficient to generate a plasma inside of the discrete food packages. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Embodiments herein include surface sterilization systems and methods for sterilizing packaged food items. In an embodiment, a surface sterilization system is included. The system can have a conveying mechanism configured to move discrete food packages, the food packages having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed right and left surfaces, and opposed front and back surfaces. The system can further include a plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes configured to come into sliding contact with the discrete food packages as they are moved by the conveying mechanism. The system can further include an electrical current source in electrical communication with the plurality of dielectric discharge electrodes, the electrical current source delivering a current to the plurality of electrodes sufficient to generate a plasma inside of the discrete food packages. Other embodiments are also included herein.

The invention relates to a pasteurization plant and a method of operating a pasteurization plant. During operation of the pasteurization plant, a tempered process liquid is applied to containers filled with food products in one or more treatment zone(s). At least a part of the process liquid is fed back to the treatment zone(s) for reuse in at least one recirculation loop. At least a partial quantity of a volumetric flow of the process liquid fed per unit of time via the at least one recirculation loop is diverted to create at least one partial flow, circulated through at least one cleaning device and then returned to a recirculation loop or a treatment zone again. The at least one cleaning device comprises a membrane filtration device and an ion exchange device.

The invention relates to a method of operating a pasteurization plant whereby containers filled with food products and closed are treated with a tempered aqueous process liquid in one or more treatment zone(s). At least a part of the process liquid is circulated around the treatment zone(s) for reuse in at least one recirculation loop. A partial quantity of the process liquid circulated in the at least one recirculation loop is removed and fed to a cleaning device comprising a membrane filtration device. A flow rate through the membrane filtration device is continuously monitored by means of a sensor device. A volumetric flow through the membrane filtration device is influenced by adjusting a flow regulating position of at least one adjustable flow regulating means. The at least one partial flow is then returned to a recirculation loop or a treatment zone again.