The disclosure relates to methods for operating a pasteurizing device for pasteurizing foods filled into sealed containers. The foods are treated in treatment zones by applying a tempered, aqueous treatment liquid to an exterior of the containers. The treatment liquid is re-supplied to at least one treatment zone for reuse via circulation circuit pipes of a circulation circuit. At least one actual value of a concentration of at least one chemical substance contained in the treatment liquid and/or of at least one process chemical added and/or of at least one internal standard added is detected by means of at least one concentration measurement sensor at at least one measurement point. A concentration, in the treatment liquid, of the at least one contained chemical substance and/or of the at least one process chemical added is manipulated on the basis of a detected actual value.

The disclosure relates to methods for operating a pasteurizing device for pasteurizing foods filled into sealed containers. The foods are treated in treatment zones by applying a tempered, aqueous treatment liquid to an exterior of the containers. The treatment liquid is re-supplied to at least one treatment zone for reuse via circulation circuit pipes of a circulation circuit. At least one actual value of a concentration of at least one chemical substance contained in the treatment liquid and/or of at least one process chemical added and/or of at least one internal standard added is detected by means of at least one concentration measurement sensor at at least one measurement point. A concentration, in the treatment liquid, of the at least one contained chemical substance and/or of the at least one process chemical added is manipulated on the basis of a detected actual value.

Apparatus and method for pasteurizing food products and ready meals in hermetically sealed packages (22) by means of microwaves, comprising a microwave chamber (14); a lower conveyor belt (20) for the packages (22); an upper conveyor belt (18), extending substantially horizontally and vertically movable, and a microwave source (16) located below the lower conveyor belt (20), the microwave chamber (14) being under atmospheric ambient pressure. The apparatus comprises a cooling plate (10) in close contact with the upper conveyor belt (18) so that during microwave heating the top of the package (22) is cooled to below the condensation point of water vapor and overpressure in the package is avoided.

Apparatus and method for pasteurizing food products and ready meals in hermetically sealed packages (22) by means of microwaves, comprising a microwave chamber (14); a lower conveyor belt (20) for the packages (22); an upper conveyor belt (18), extending substantially horizontally and vertically movable, and a microwave source (16) located below the lower conveyor belt (20), the microwave chamber (14) being under atmospheric ambient pressure. The apparatus comprises a cooling plate (10) in close contact with the upper conveyor belt (18) so that during microwave heating the top of the package (22) is cooled to below the condensation point of water vapor and overpressure in the package is avoided.

The present invention provides a vacuum sealed, container suitable for containing preserved pickled food. In a preferred approach, the container includes at least one foil wall formed from a flexible foil and defining a chamber; pickled food within the chamber; and brine, in which the food is immersed, and which fills the chamber when the chamber is sealed. Preferably, the ratio of brine to pickled food by mass is in the range 1:2.5 to :5. The claimed containers can reduce the mess associated with eating pickled foods from traditional containers, and can assist in improving the shelf life of such foods.

The present invention provides a vacuum sealed, container suitable for containing preserved pickled food. In a preferred approach, the container includes at least one foil wall formed from a flexible foil and defining a chamber; pickled food within the chamber; and brine, in which the food is immersed, and which fills the chamber when the chamber is sealed. Preferably, the ratio of brine to pickled food by mass is in the range 1:2.5 to :5. The claimed containers can reduce the mess associated with eating pickled foods from traditional containers, and can assist in improving the shelf life of such foods.

An apparatus for thermally processing food products in sealed packages comprises heating/cooling chambers with an endless conveyor guided through them with product carriers connected thereto. Each product carrier 10 comprises insertion spaces 17 for packages 27 to be placed in. A side wall 11 of the carrier 10 comprises slits 20 which open out towards insertion openings of the respective insertion spaces 17. Operating members are provided which comprise load bearing organs 32 with operable holding means 33 for picking up and carrying packages 27. The load bearing organs 32 are movable in an insertion direction x while projecting through the slits 20 during placing of packages 27 into the insertion spaces 17.

An apparatus for thermally processing food products in sealed packages comprises heating/cooling chambers with an endless conveyor guided through them with product carriers connected thereto. Each product carrier 10 comprises insertion spaces 17 for packages 27 to be placed in. A side wall 11 of the carrier 10 comprises slits 20 which open out towards insertion openings of the respective insertion spaces 17. Operating members are provided which comprise load bearing organs 32 with operable holding means 33 for picking up and carrying packages 27. The load bearing organs 32 are movable in an insertion direction x while projecting through the slits 20 during placing of packages 27 into the insertion spaces 17.

A microwave irradiation device including: a holder that holds an irradiated object; a power feeder configured to conduct with an oscillator; and a directional antenna configured to emit microwaves from an irradiation source in an irradiation surface by power feed through conduction via the power feeder.

A microwave irradiation device including: a holder that holds an irradiated object; a power feeder configured to conduct with an oscillator; and a directional antenna configured to emit microwaves from an irradiation source in an irradiation surface by power feed through conduction via the power feeder.