Method for durability treatment of a pumpable material as well as a device therefor

Abstract

A method for durability treatment or sterilization of a pumpable material by high pressure treatment of the same in a high pressure press for killing and/or inactivating harmful microorganisms and enzymes in the material includes placing the pumpable material into a flexible bulk container with a larger volume than the end-user or consumer containers in which the material is intended to be packed, placing the bulk container in a high pressure press and subjected to high pressure treatment, removing the bulk container from the press. The material may be moved from the bulk container to end-user containers by arranging, in a sterile manner provided, a connector on the bulk container, which, via a tube connects the interior of the bulk container with an emptying system, for the purpose of draining the pumpable material into the end-user or consumer containers, or into an intermediate storage tank.

1 . A device for emptying a pumpable material from a bulk container, comprising: 
 a connecting device having an open end defined by a circumferential abutment edge, the connecting device including an inner connecting portion which is displaceably arranged in an outer connecting portion;    a penetration tube which is located in an inner space defined by the connecting device and which is movingly arranged between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position; and    a supplying tube opening in the inner space of the connecting device and intended for a sterilizing agent, in such a manner that the inner space of the connecting device including the penetration tube and an abutment area between the connecting device and the bulk container which is to be emptied, are sterilizable.    
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer connecting portion comprises a hook which is engageable with a portion of the bulk container.  
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the connecting device has a sterilizing position in which the abutment edge is held at a certain minimum distance from the bulk container in order to allow a sterilizing gas to flow into the inner space of the connecting device and out through an open end between the abutment edge and the bulk container.  
   
   
       4 . A method for increasing shelf life of a product, comprising: 
 placing the product in a bulk container configured to receive sufficient product to fill a plurality of end-user containers;    placing the bulk container in a high pressure press;    subjecting the bulk container to isostatic pressure; and    removing the bulk container from the press.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising removing a portion of the product from the bulk container and placing the removed portion in an end-user container.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 sterilizing a region of the bulk container;    sterilizing a connection device configured to seal against the region of the bulk container;    pressing the connection device against the region of the bulk container; and    penetrating the region of the bulk container with a tube in fluid communication with the end-user container.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the region of the bulk container is a threaded cap.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the sterilizing steps are performed simultaneously by introducing steam from within the connection device while the connection device is adjacent to, but not sealed against the region of the bulk container.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising removing a plurality of portions of the product from the bulk container and placing each in a respective one of a plurality of end-user containers.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the subjecting step is maintained for a period of time selected to achieve a desired reduction of microorganisms in the product.  
   
   
       11 . A device, comprising: 
 a container configured to receive a volume of product sufficient to fill a plurality of end-user containers, having a degree of flexibility sufficient to tolerate isostatic pressure when filled with product, and having a size and shape selected to conform to a press chamber.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a first cap configured to be placed on a first socket of the container, the first cap configured to be pierced by a tube for removal of the product.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a second cap configured to be placed on a second socket of the container, the second cap configured to be pierced by a tube for injection of gas.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a cylindrical pipe in which the container is configured to be suspended.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the cylindrical pipe includes mounting means for connecting a lifting device to the cylindrical pipe.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the container comprises mounting means for connecting a lifting device to the container.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the selected shape includes longitudinal flutes configured to permit passage of pressurizing fluid while in the press chamber.  
   
   
       18 . A connector device for sterile removal of product from a storage container, comprising: 
 an outer connector having a hook configured to engage a corresponding structure of the container;    an inner connector received into the outer connector and being slideably positionable into first and second positions, the inner connector being configured to sealingly engage a surface of the container while in the second position; and    a tube received into the inner connector and being slideably positionable into third and fourth positions, the tube configured to channel steam into the connector for sterilizing the connector and surface of the container while in the third position, the tube also being configured to penetrate the surface of the container when moved to the fourth position.    
   
   
       19 . The connector device of  claim 18 , further comprising a first pressure duct for receiving fluid pressure to move the inner connector between the first and second positions, and a second pressure duct for receiving fluid pressure to move the tube between the third and fourth positions.  
   
   
       20 . The connector device of  claim 18  wherein the corresponding structure of the container is a cap threaded onto a socket of the container, and wherein the surface of the container is a surface of the cap.  
   
   
       21 . A method, comprising: 
 engaging a structure of a container with an outer connector of a connecting device;    injecting steam through a tube of the connecting device, such that surfaces of the connecting device and a portion of a surface of the container are sterilized;    sliding an inner connector of the connecting device from within the outer connector until a rim of the inner connector seals against the portion of the surface of the container; and    sliding the tube from within the inner connector until the tube penetrates through the portion of the surface of the container.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein each of the sliding steps includes the step of pressurizing a chamber to effect the respective sliding step.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising draining product from the container via the tube into an end-user container.