Shelf stable carbonated milk beverage

Abstract

An aerated or carbonated milk product drink comprising a shelf stable pre-heated and pressurized ultra-heat treated milk product which has been carbonated with a gas or gases under pressure and packaged into a container. The milk product may be natural or artificial milk product including dairy products and non-dairy milk products and includes combinations of milk products with other beverages such as fruit juices. The method of producing the shelf-stable carbonated milk product of the present invention comprises injecting under pressure carbon dioxide gas or a mixture of gases into the milk product at low temperature of less than 10 degrees centigrade and high pressure of from 50 kpa to 200 kpa. The carbonated milk product remains carbonated and shelf stable in the package until opened.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An aerated or carbonated shelf stable liquid milk beverage comprising a pre-heated and pressurized ultra heat treated milk product aerated or carbonated with a gas or gas mixture in a suitable package made in accordance with the method of aerating or carbonating a shelf stable pre-heated and pressurized ultra heat treated milk dairy liquid product to a high level of carbonization while not destabilizing the shelf stable pre-heated milk liquid dairy product, comprising: 
 (1) pre-heating the milk liquid dairy product within a temperature/time range of at least 85 to 138 degrees centigrade for a time period not in excess of 5 seconds;    (2) ultra heating the milk liquid dairy product within a temperature/time range of at least 150 degrees centigrade where it is held at a pressure of 700 KPA or an appropriate pressure to kill microorganisms, pathogens, bacteria and the like;    (3) cooling the liquid dairy product to a temperature of less than about 10 degrees centigrade;    (4) subjecting the cooled liquid dairy product to pressurized carbon dioxide from the carbonator at sufficient pressures and for a sufficient time preferably 11 to 56 kg per hour at a pressure in the range from 50 KPA to 200 KPA such that the taste and mouth feel of carbonated liquid dairy product is no longer that of the un-carbonated liquid dairy product, provided that at least 3 vols. to 8 vols. Of carbon dioxide are dissolved in the liquid dairy product, and;    (5) packaging the so carbonated liquid dairy product in shelf stable closed containers capable of retaining the said degree of carbonation without refrigeration.    
     
     
         2 . The milk beverage of  claim 1  in which the pre-heated ultra heated treated milk product is whole milk, skim milk, low fat milk, total milk solids, modified milk, non-fat milk, oy milk, non-fat soy milk, or any other milk product either essentially natural or essentially artificial.  
     
     
         3 . The milk beverage of  claim 2  wherein the preheated and pressurized ultra heat treated carbonated liquid dairy product is at a PH level of between 3.8 and 5.7 and the carbonated liquid dairy product is not destabilized.  
     
     
         4 . The milk beverage of  claim 3  wherein the liquid milk product is pre heat treated in a plate heat exchange or a comparable industry standard apparatus.  
     
     
         5 . The milk beverage of  claim 4  wherein the pre heated liquid milk product is ultra heated in an ultra heat treatment apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The milk beverage of  claim 5  wherein the pre heated and ultra heated liquid milk product is cooled to 2 degrees centigrade.  
     
     
         7 . The milk beverage of  claim 6  wherein the liquid milk product which is at 4-8 degrees centigrade is pre heated to a temperature of 65 to 85 degrees centigrade.  
     
     
         8 . The milk beverage of  claim 7  wherein the pre-heated ultra heat treated liquid milk product is homogenized.  
     
     
         9 . The milk beverage of  claim 1  wherein flavoring is added in the liquid milk product before packaging.  
     
     
         10 . The milk beverage of  claim 9  wherein flavoring is added after the ultra heat treatment process.  
     
     
         11 . The milk beverage of  claim 9  wherein flavoring can be chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, malt and any other flavor desired.  
     
     
         12 . The milk beverage of  claim 1  in which the pre heated and pressurized ultra heat treated milk is carbonated by a carbonator comprising a direct injection of sterilized, purified carbon dioxide gas or gas mixture.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12  in which the carbonator is substantially integral with the ultra heat treatment apparatus.  
     
     
         14 . The milk beverage of  claim 12  in which the supply of carbon dioxide from the carbonator is from 11 to 56 kg per hour at a pressure in the range from 50 KPA to 200 KPA.  
     
     
         15 . The milk beverage of  claim 14  in which the injector of the carbonator has an adjustable needle-like valve.  
     
     
         16 . The milk beverage of  claim 15  in which the carbonator has an injection tube part of which is located in a tube for injecting carbon dioxide perpendicularly to the direction of flow of milk in the tube.  
     
     
         17 . The milk beverage of  claim 16  in which the amount of carbonation is in the range of from 3 vols. to 8 vols.  
     
     
         18 . The milk beverage of  claim 12  in which the carbonation takes place at about 0 to 5 degrees centigrade, preferably 2 to 1 degrees centigrade.  
     
     
         19 . The milk beverage of  claim 18  in which the carbonated milk product is maintained in a pressurized carbonator holding tank or settling tank in order to facilitate the carbonated milk product to mature and saturate.  
     
     
         20 . The milk beverage of  claim 19  in which the holding or settling tank is maintained at a pressure of 459 KPA and a temperature of from 2 to 6 degrees centigrade.  
     
     
         21 . The milk beverage of  claim 12  in which the carbonated milk product is packaged into sterile containers.