Method and apparatus for material handling for a food product using high pressure pasteurization
A method and apparatus for high-pressure pasteurization utilizes a basket ( 40 ) for holding food packages ( 95 ). The basket ( 40 ) is transported on a cart ( 60 ) from a loading station ( 90 ), to the high-pressure pasteurization processing apparatus ( 10 ) and back to an unloading station ( 100 ). Two robots ( 17, 18 ) are utilized to reduce cycle time of the high-pressure pasteurization vessels ( 11 ).
1. A method of processing a product for processing in a high pressure pasteurization vessel in a high pressure pasteurization and processing apparatus, the method:
a) positioning an elongate cylindrical basket on a moveable cart, the basket in a horizontal position;
b) loading product inside of the basket while the basket is on the moveable cart and is still in the horizontal position;
c) moving the cart and basket, while the basket is still in the horizontal position to the high pressure pasteurization and processing apparatus;
d) orienting the basket vertically;
e) loading the basket into the high pressure pasteurization vessel and subjecting the product to high pressure pasteurization;
f) removing the basket from the high pressure pasteurization vessel;
g) orienting the basket horizontally;
h) moving the cart and basket, while the basket is still in the horizontal position to an unloading station; and
i) unloading the product from the basket, while the basket is still in the horizontal position.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising after removing the basket from the high pressure pasteurization vessel, placing the basket on the cart in a vertical position and then orienting the cart, with the basket, horizontally.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
a) moving the basket to a vertical position just prior to loading the basket in the high pressure pasteurization vessel; and
b) loading the basket into the high pressure pasteurization vessel while the basket is still in the vertical position.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the basket having a door for access into a cavity in the basket in which the product is placed and during loading positioning the cart and basket proximate a conveyor, such that the conveyor, with product to be loaded, is between the basket and operator.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising rotating the basket along its horizontal axis so that when the door is open, a bottom of an opening covered by the door is proximate a same level of the conveyor to facilitate loading.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising during unloading of the product after high pressure pasteurization a second conveyor is positioned between the operator and the basket.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising rotating the basket along its horizontal axis so that when the door is open, the bottom of the opening covered by the door is proximate a same level of the conveyor to facilitate unloading.