Method for operating a tunnel pasteuriser with a plurality of sequentially successive treatment zones, wherein containers with a product packed therein are transported by means of a conveying device through the treatment zones and in so doing are heated with treatment media having different actual media temperatures, are pasteurized and preferably then cooled again, wherein the actual media temperatures are detected by a control unit and compared with target media temperatures, and wherein heating and/or cooling devices are controlled based on the comparison, characterised in that during the treatment of the containers, initial values for an optimisation are formed from the actual media temperatures of the treatment zones, and the target media temperatures are determined by means of a prediction model for determining the expected degree of pasteurisation with the optimisation, such that at least a minimum degree of pasteurisation of the containers is achieved.

Method for operating a tunnel pasteuriser with a plurality of sequentially successive treatment zones, wherein containers with a product packed therein are transported by means of a conveying device through the treatment zones and in so doing are heated with treatment media having different actual media temperatures, are pasteurized and preferably then cooled again, wherein the actual media temperatures are detected by a control unit and compared with target media temperatures, and wherein heating and/or cooling devices are controlled based on the comparison, characterised in that during the treatment of the containers, initial values for an optimisation are formed from the actual media temperatures of the treatment zones, and the target media temperatures are determined by means of a prediction model for determining the expected degree of pasteurisation with the optimisation, such that at least a minimum degree of pasteurisation of the containers is achieved.

Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shape of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shape of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

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.

An improved transport carrier for use in a fluid filled microwave sterilization or pasteurization system includes patterned electrically conductive layers or carriers which extend over or under items to be sterilized or pasteurized and occlude 1 to 30% of the area in the direct path of microwave emissions to the items. When the patterned electrically conductive layers or cages are present, heating of the items to be sterilized or pasteurized is substantially more uniform compared to when there is nothing occluding or otherwise interrupting the direct pathway from the microwave emitters to the items. Enhanced automation is achieved for sterilization or pasteurization systems by configuring the preheating and cooling sections as loading and unloading sections. Furthermore, superior fluid temperature control between the loading, heating, and unloading sections is achieved using double gates or dividers between sections.

An improved transport carrier for use in a fluid filled microwave sterilization or pasteurization system includes patterned electrically conductive layers or carriers which extend over or under items to be sterilized or pasteurized and occlude 1 to 30% of the area in the direct path of microwave emissions to the items. When the patterned electrically conductive layers or cages are present, heating of the items to be sterilized or pasteurized is substantially more uniform compared to when there is nothing occluding or otherwise interrupting the direct pathway from the microwave emitters to the items. Enhanced automation is achieved for sterilization or pasteurization systems by configuring the preheating and cooling sections as loading and unloading sections. Furthermore, superior fluid temperature control between the loading, heating, and unloading sections is achieved using double gates or dividers between sections.

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.

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.