Container and fitment for use in high pressure processing
A container assembly configured for use in a high pressure process (HPP) includes a container defining a container cavity and a fitment assembly coupled to the container. The fitment assembly defines a passageway arranged in fluid communication with the container cavity. The fitment assembly further defines a chamber within the passageway isolated from the container cavity. A pressure relief mechanism is operably coupled to the fitment assembly to relieve pressure within the chamber.
1. A method of pascalizing a consumable material in a container assembly comprising a fitting adapted to dispense said consumable material from said container assembly subsequent to said pascalization, said method comprising:
filling an internal cavity of a flexible container of said container assembly with a consumable material;
sealing said internal cavity;
applying a uniform pascalization pressure to an exterior of said container assembly; and
providing pressure relief between said exterior of said container assembly and a chamber of a passageway within said fitting such that a pressure within said chamber does not cause catastrophic damage to said fitting during said applying of said uniform pascalization pressure, said passageway being adapted to be in fluid communication with said internal cavity during said dispensing of said consumable material from said internal cavity subsequent to said application of said pascalization pressure.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said pressure relief occurs via elastic deformation of a pressure relief mechanism provided between said chamber and said exterior of said container assembly.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said pressure relief is provided by venting fluid between said chamber and said exterior of said container assembly.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said fluid is vented through a hole in said fitting.
5. The method according to claim 1 which further includes attaching a sealing element to a second end of said passageway to form said chamber, said second end of said passageway being an opening of said passageway to said exterior of said container assembly.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said pascalization pressure is in the range of 30,000 to 130,000 psi.