Abstract: A container for heating foodstuff contained therein comprising an electrically insulating outer wall forming an enclosure for the foodstuff, perforated inner electrically insulating wall means within the enclosure forming at least two pockets between said inner wall and said outer wall for receiving at least two spaced apart electrodes which are adapted to be connected to an electrical supply source, and removable closure means cooperating with said outer wall immediately adjacent said pockets whereby removal of said closure means opens said pockets for receiving the electrodes.

Abstract: Heat exchange between a fluid and products in sealed containers is effected by the homogeneous repartition at an adjustable flow rate of a liquid in the course of the successive phases of the heat exchange cycle, by streaming at all points of a large and compact batch of the containers along the walls of each of the containers. The fluid circulates continuously over the containers, in the course of successive phases of the heat treatment, after the temperature of said fluid has been readjusted, within a same heat treatment operation, or regulated from one heat treatment operation to the following one. The pressure, or the vacuum, if necessary for the heat treatment, is regulated independently of the temperature. The apparatus for performing this method has a fluid distributing device comprising at least one perforated plate and a number of perforated divider plates.

Abstract: A sterilizer for food products in containers receives carts having two tiers of channel-like trays, with water being circulated along the trays in direct contact with the containers. The underside of the bottom wall of each tray is welded to a pair of longitudinal channels, the inner sidewalls of which confine the lids of containers in the tray below and the outer sidewalls serve as tray locating flanges. The upper side of each tray bottom wall is welded to a pair of longitudinal angles having upstanding flanges for supporting the bottoms of the containers above the imperforate bottom wall of the tray. This construction facilitates direct contact of heat exchange liquid flowing along the trays with the surfaces of containers in the trays.

Abstract: A retort system for thin walled, generally flat containers filled with a food product or the like including a pressure vessel having one or more batches of flat containers therein disposed within a heat treatment tunnel. A heat transfer liquid is circulated through the tunnel parallel to the flat sidewalls of the containers at a rate sufficient to transfer heat between the fluid and the containers without incurring a large change in temperature of the liquid between the inlet and outlet of the tunnel for assuring uniform cooking of the contents of the containers. During a cooking cycle the liquid is reheated while being returned externally of the tunnel from the discharge end of the tunnel to the inlet end of the tunnel. The tunnel is partially defined by the side walls of nesting containers supporting trays, which trays may be rotated for an agitating cook or may be stationary for a still cook.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing food which significantly reduces the time required for cooling. A stream of water is directed onto selected metal lids of jars without risking breakage thereof, while at the same time eliminating the need for an air compressor to maintain the pressure within the pressure cooker during cooling. Pressure within the jars is reduced before or at the same time as the pressure of the steam in th pressure cooker, thus preventing loss of liquid from the jars. The lids are securely sealed to the jars as the jars complete their cooking cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for canning fruit and the like. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a platform having a plurality of legs thereon for placing it in a frying pan or other pan with the platform extending contiguous to the sides of the frying pan so that water placed in the frying pan will generate steam which will pass through holes in the platform. The platform is provided with a removable chamber which encloses a plurality of containers within the chamber and the chamber is provided with an outlet opening in the bottom thereof. The legs extending from the platform may also be passages for the admission of condensed steam back to frying pan and the holes in the platform may be provided with tubular passage means extending into the steam chamber.