Abstract: An improved heating, packaging and sterilization system for pumpable particulate food product (e.g., soups, stews, fruits) is provided which makes use of an upstream pump and an automated packaging chamber maintained at superatmospheric pressure to achieve precise processing control without deleterious overcooking or flashing of the food product. The upstream pump is coupled to the chamber via a constant diameter conduit, and the open delivery end of the latter is in direct communication with the pressurized interior of the packaging chamber; in this way the easily controllable chamber pressure provides back pressure within the product conduit, so that a substantially uniform decreasing pressure gradient and essentially plug product flow are established throughout the length of the conduit from the pump to the chamber. Moreover, the chamber pressure is of sufficient magnitude to prevent flashing throughout the system.

Abstract: A closed system for continuous processing of a pumped food product and scraped surface liquid adjustment devices for use therein are described. In the system, a pumped product is heated or sterilized by a scraped surface heat exchanger from which it is pumped to a scraped surface liquid adjustment device wherein liquid is either added or drained off in a continuous manner as required by the particular apparatus.