Patent GB-107396-A (GB)
Title: Improved Apparatus for Sterilizing and Preserving Foods.
IPC: A23L3/10
Filed: 1916-04-26
Abstract: 107,396. Marks, E. C. R., (Anchor Cap & Closure Corporation). April 26, 1916. Sterilizing and preserving liquids; preserving food.-In apparatus for sterilizing and preserving foods, of the type in which the containers, preferably exhausted before scaling, are heated by steam or other fluid in a closed chamber connected to a compressed air or other fluid supply so that a pressure at least equal to that developed in the containers is maintained, the temperature and the pressure are automatically and independently maintained within any predetermined limits. In the apparatus shown, glass containers 10, sealed in vacuo by gaskets 12 and covers 11 as described in Specifications 17144/14 and 5271/15, [both in Class 125 (ii), Bottles &c., Filling &c.], and 5926/15, [Class 125 (iii), Stoppers &c.], are heated in a chamber 15 by steam from a boiler 26 or other source and pipes 29, 30, 16, a counterpressure being maintained by air from a tank 35 and pipes 39, 40, 41 and a pipe 45 placed within the steam-pipe 30 and having openings 46 so that the air is heated and mixed with the steam before entering the chamber 15. After the sterilization, the steam is cut off, and the chamber and containers cooled preferably by warm water from the tank 47 and pipe 50, the air, not now heated or mixed with steam, maintaining the necessary pressure. The temperature during sterilization is controlled by a valve 32 which, when the desired temperature is reached, closes the steampipe 29 through the agency of a pressure diaphragm, a tube 56, and a controller 58 operated through the tube 61 by a thermostat 60 on the chamber 15. The pressure is controlled by a motor valve 42 which, when the desired pressure is exceeded, closes the air-pipe 41 through the agency of a pressure diaphragm, pipe. 62, and one part of a duplex controller 57 connected to the chamber 15 by a pipe 83. Any excess pressure in the chamber 15, as that due td the heating effect of the steam, is relieved through an exhaust pipe 54; but in order to allow heating of the chamber by steam, even when the pressure is sufficient to cut off the air supply, the motor valve 53 en the exhaust pipe is arranged to open only at an adjustable pressure of say 2 lb. greater than that closing the valve 42. The valve 53 is operated by a pressure diaphragm through a pipe 63 and the second part of the controller 57. The valves 32, 42, and 53 open again under the action of springs. In a modified form of apparatus, the air is heated, before mixing with the steam, by a coil placed between the pipes 41 and 45, direct connexion between the pipe 41 and the chamber 15 also being provided to admit unheated air during the cooling; the exhaust pipe 54 is dispensed with, and the valve 53 is placed on the steam pipe 29 so that it admits steam when the pressure cuts off the air, but only until the pressure is raised say 2 lb.; the cooling water is supplied to the air tank 35 and forced by the air to a rose at the top of the chamber 15; and the chamber 15 is fitted with a blow-off valve for rehaving the pressure directly or running off the water. Other heating or pressure, fluids as air or water may be used, and the heating may be in. direct as by coils within the chamber 15. Four forms of container 10 are described.