Patent ID: 9055764
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: A23L,A23V,C01B

Abstract:
1. A system comprising: a process vessel configured to process a solid food ingredient at a non-atmospheric pressure; a material delivery apparatus configured to deliver the solid food ingredient to the process vessel, the material delivery apparatus including a chamber that defines a feed end and a discharge end, a first valve proximate the feed end of the chamber, a second valve proximate the discharge end of the chamber, and a control system configured to operate the first valve and the second valve, wherein the control system is configured to open the first valve so as to fill the chamber with the solid food ingredient while holding the second valve closed and the control system is further configured to close the first valve so as to pressure isolate the solid food ingredient within the chamber of the material delivery apparatus; and a pressure source in pressure communication with the chamber of the material delivery apparatus, the pressure source being configured to adjust a pressure within the chamber so that the pressure is substantially equal to the non-atmospheric pressure in the process vessel.