Method and apparatus for heating and aseptic dispensing of sterile product
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus ( 20 ) for heating and dispensing a sterile product is disclosed herein. The apparatus ( 20 ) preferably includes a source of the sterile product ( 25 ), a flow containment means ( 30 ), a pumping means ( 35 ), a heating means ( 40 ) and a dispenser ( 45 ). Preferably, the sterile product is sterile milk which is pumped from an aseptic bag ( 25 ) through tubing ( 30 ) using a peristaltic pump ( 35 ). Then, the sterile milk is heated within tubing positioned within a microwave oven ( 40 ), and then flowed to a dispenser ( 45 ).
1. An apparatus for heating and aseptic dispensing of a sterile product, the apparatus comprising:
an aseptic bag of sterile milk;
a peristaltic pump;
a microwave oven for heating the aseptic bag of sterile milk;
a dispenser having a source of sterile air maintained at a higher pressure to prevent contamination; and
a tubing connected between the aseptic bag and the peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump and the microwave oven, and the microwave oven and the dispenser.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an ultraviolet light and a source of air for providing the source of sterile air, the sterile air flowing around the dispenser.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a heating block to generate a temperature greater than 75° C. about an outlet of the dispenser.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a steam generator to generate a temperature greater than 75° C. about an outlet of the dispenser.
5. An apparatus for heating and aseptic dispensing of a sterile product, the apparatus comprising:
an aseptic bag of sterile milk;
a peristaltic pump;
a microwave oven for heating the aseptic bag of sterile milk;
a dispenser; and
a tubing connected between the aseptic bag and the peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump and the microwave oven, and the microwave oven and the dispenser wherein a portion of the tubing is positioned within a cavity of the microwave oven.