Abstract: 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).

Abstract: A bulk HPP container (10) includes a flexible body portion (12) having closed off ends (14), at least one of which is depicted as being recessed to enable the containers (10) to be positioned end-to-end in an efficient manner, for example, when placed into an HPP pressure vessel, such as a wire wound vessel. One or more openings are provided in the body portion of the container with n appropriate closure for pumpable product to enter and exit the container. In this regard, an inlet valve (16) or other type of closure may be located at the opening in one or both of the ends of the container. Also, one or more outlet valves (18) or other type of closure are located at an opening on the body portion (12) of the container for emptying the container, for example, after HPP. The body portion 12) is composed of sufficient flexural strength and sufficient flexural modulus to enable the container to reduce in volume by from 0 to at least 30% while being rigid enough for reuse over a desired number of HPP cycles.

Abstract: A high pressure processing system includes a pressure vessel configured to receive a basket or container, a high pressure pump configured to pump a pressure media to the pressure vessel to raise pressure in the pressure vessel, and a heater or cooler system, such as thermal jacket surrounding the pressure vessel, and the thermal jacket contains heat transfer media that is heated and cooled. The high pressure processing system, in addition to processing food stuff at a very high pressure of at least 2,000 bar also processes the food stuff at any high temperature of about 40° C. or greater.

Abstract: A container or load basket (80, 90) constructed for addressing thermal stratification of a product in the container/load basket and addressing thermal stratification of the processing medium during high pressure processing with a pressurized processing medium. The container includes an upper section (86, 96) forming a volume for receiving the product to be processed and a truncated lower section forming the bottom of the container. The bottom of the container is defined by a floor or partition (84, 92) extending across the lower portion of the container.The floor or partition can be constructed from the same material from which the upper section of the container is formed or a material that is more adiabatically active than the material from which the upper section of the container is formed.

Abstract: A method of treating meat includes the steps of applying hemoglobin to the meat and pressure treating the meat by application of pressure to the meat at sufficiently high pressure and for a duration of time sufficient to rupture the cell walls of at least some microorganisms present in the meat. The method preserves the natural color of the meat, while eliminating pathogens and bacteria in the meat.

Abstract: A connector for a pressure vessel includes a connector assembly having a first plurality of contacts, and a receiver assembly configured to be positioned within a receiver aperture formed in a closure of the pressure vessel and having a second plurality of contacts. The receiver assembly is configured to receive the connector assembly and place each of the first plurality of contacts in electrical contact with a corresponding one of the second plurality of contacts. A seal is provided between the connector assembly and the wall of the pressure vessel, for substantially sealing the receiver aperture from pressure within the vessel. The connector assembly is configured to be coupled to a product carrier, and sensors positioned in the vessel are coupled via the connector assembly to a data acquisition unit. When the closure is lowered onto the vessel, the receiver assembly contacts the connector assembly coupled to the carrier, closing the electrical contacts connecting the sensors to the acquisition unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a stepwise depressurization of a high-pressure fluid (liquid) filled chamber are shown and described. At least two valves are controllably opened and closed in a sequence to release a predetermined amount of pressure from the high-pressure chamber. At least some of the pressurized fluid released from the high-pressure chamber is stored, at least temporarily, in a second pressure chamber. The second pressure chamber is located between the two controllable valves. A control system controls the valves in response to a signal from at least one pressure sensor coupled to the high-pressure chamber. Additional components can be included in the system such as a pressure intensifier and a high-pressure pump, both coupled to the high-pressure chamber, and at least one other pressure sensor to improve the accuracy of the measured pressure in the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: A product carrier for use in pressure processing substances is substantially fluidically closed, and is insulated, to prevent heat transfer from the product being treated to the cooler wall of the pressure vessel. The insulating material has compression heating properties, such that as the product is pressurized, the temperature of the insulation increases as does the temperature of the product and pressure media, thereby helping to prevent heat transfer from the product to the surrounding media and pressure vessel wall.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided to seal a pressure vessel and an adjacent enclosure. A metal support ring configured to contact a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface when installed in a pressure vessel, is provided with a low friction coating with transferable low friction additives which results in the transfer of a solid lubricant film onto the vessel wall enclosure. Two polymer seals are provided adjacent the metal support ring and the pressure vessel and enclosure respectively, the polymer seals having a configuration and being formed of a high resilience material, to increase the longevity of the seal assembly.

Abstract: A connector for a pressure vessel includes a connector assembly having a first plurality of contacts, and a receiver assembly configured to be positioned within a receiver aperture formed in a closure of the pressure vessel and having a second plurality of contacts. The receiver assembly is configured to receive the connector assembly and place each of the first plurality of contacts in electrical contact with a corresponding one of the second plurality of contacts. A seal is provided between the connector assembly and the wall of the pressure vessel, for substantially sealing the receiver aperture from pressure within the vessel. The connector assembly is configured to be coupled to a product carrier, and sensors positioned in the vessel are coupled via the connector assembly to a data acquisition unit. When the closure is lowered onto the vessel, the receiver assembly contacts the connector assembly coupled to the carrier, closing the electrical contacts connecting the sensors to the acquisition unit.