System for bulk high pressure processing and related method
An HPP system uses large polymer based bags ( 20 ) to increase the amount of food product or other flowable product that can fit into a HPP carrier ( 22 ). Each bag 20 has a filling fitment ( 24 ), to which a flow valve ( 26 ) can be attached. The bag ( 20 ) is inserted into the carrier ( 22 ) and then the fitment ( 24 ) is manually or automatically connected to a flow valve ( 26 ). Next, the product is pumped into the bag ( 20 ) through a hose or pipe ( 30 ) which is attached to the flow valve. Thereafter, the flow valve ( 26 ) is removed and the fitment closed, and then carrier ( 22 ) together with the bag is inserted into the HPP press for high pressure processing of the product. After the HPP process, the flow valve is used to un-fill the treated product from the bag ( 20 ).
1 . A system for high pressure processing of a bulk, flowable product in a high-pressure processing chamber configured to receive the product in carriers, comprising:
a flexible, disposable, collapsible product holding bag sized for bulk processing of a flowable product, the bag having a fitment for filling and emptying the bag with the flowable product, the bag sized to be receivable within the carrier with the fitment positioned to be accessible for filling and emptying the bag while in the carrier;
a flow connector to connect with the fitment during filling and emptying of the bag;
a control system for controlling the filling of the bag through the flow connector and/or emptying the bag through the flow connector;
a support for supporting the carrier in tilted orientation during the filling and emptying with the bag while disposed within the carrier; and
wherein the control system alters the tilt of the bag as the bag is being filled and/or as the bag is being emptied.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fitment extends through an opening in the carrier for attachment to the flow connector.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the fitment extends through an opening in an end of the carrier for attachment to the flow connector.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fitment is at an end of the bag.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the support is tiltable relative to the horizontal.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system tilts the support at any angle from between −90 to +90 degrees from the horizontal when filling or emptying the bag.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the control system tilts the support at any angle from between −45 to +45 degrees from the horizontal when filling or emptying the bag.