Abstract: Automatic control for achieving a required temperature of a food product feed stock being heated with steam injection is effected by calculating with at least one computer the required steam flow rate from the measured feed stock temperature, the measured feed stock flow rate, and the measured and required temperature of the feed stock product after steam injection and by controlling the quantity of steam supplied in relation to the deviation between the measured and the required steam flow rates and by controlling the feed stock flow rate in relation to the deviation between the measured and the required feed stock flow rates.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating a foodstuff in a container which is to be hermetically sealed characterized in that the container is extended by means of an extension piece, foodstuff is added so that it fills the container and at least part of the extension piece, the extended container is fitted with a closing member to form a closed assembly provided with an outlet for the escape of air, the contents are purged with steam until they have shrunk to such an extent that the foodstuff in the extension piece has subsided into the container and the required degree of heat processing has been achieved after which the container, extension piece and closing member are separated from each other.

Abstract: A piston filler for metering two fluids intermittently comprising a cylinder having a first and a second inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, means for closing the communication between the cylinder and the first inlet conduit and between the cylinder and the outlet conduit alternately, there being present inside the cylinder a first piston for drawing in a primary fluid from the first inlet conduit and discharging it into the outlet conduit and a second piston for drawing in a secondary fluid from the second inlet conduit which piston has at least one port provided with one or more valves through which the secondary fluid can flow to occupy the space between the two pistons where it can transmit the motion of the second piston to the first piston, and means for conveying secondary fluid from the space between the pistons to the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A process for canning vegetables characterized in that vegetables in the form of pieces of thin cross-section are treated osmotically to remove liquid, then pressed mechanically to remove further liquid, filled into cans and sauced, after which the cans are sealed and sterilized.

Abstract: A process for treating solid foodstuff pieces in a container which is to be hermetically sealed characterized in that the container is extended by means of an extension piece, solid foodstuff pieces are added so that they fill the container and at least part of the extension piece, the extended container is fitted with a closing member to form a closed assembly provided with an outlet for the escape of air, the contents are purged with steam until they have shrunk to such an extent that the foodstuff pieces in the extension piece have subsided into the container and the required degree of heat processing has been achieved after which the container, extension piece and closing member are separated from each other.

Abstract: A pump for metering two fluids comprising a cylinder having a first and second inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, means for closing the communication between the cylinder and the first inlet conduit and between the cylinder and the outlet conduit alternately, there being present inside the cylinder a first floating solid piston for drawing in a primary fluid from the first inlet conduit and discharging it into the outlet conduit and a second piston for drawing in a secondary fluid from the second inlet conduit which piston has at least one port provided with one or more valves through which the secondary fluid can flow to occupy the space between the two pistons where it can transmit the motion of the second piston to the first piston, and a by-pass for conveying secondary fluid from the space between the pistons to the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A batch process for the sterilization of particulate solid materials, in which a batch of particulate solid material to be sterilized is introduced into a rotary vessel shaped so that rotation of the vessel imparts a tumbling action to the solid material; the solid material is heated in the vessel while rotating the same to subject the material to a tumbling action; a lubricant liquid is injected under pressure into the vessel at a temperature in excess of the temperature of the solids; the lubricant liquid and solid material are held at a sterilization temperature while maintaining the tumbling action; and the sterilized solid material is withdrawn from the vessel under aseptic conditions.