Reusable Container and Method for Retorting Flexible Packages Containing Foodstuff

Abstract

Method for retorting flexible packages containing foodstuff comprising retorting the flexible packages containing foodstuff in reusable, hermetically resealable, rigid retort containers. A retort container comprises a body portion including a base and outer side walls extending from the base to a mouth portion defining an opening and a resealable lid for selectively hermetically sealing the opening in the container and alternatively opening the container for removal of the flexible packages containing foodstuff.

1 . Method for retorting flexible packages containing foodstuff comprising: 
 placing the flexible packages containing foodstuff into reusable, hermetically resealable, rigid retort containers;    hermetically sealing the flexible packages containing foodstuff in the retort containers;    retorting the flexible packages containing foodstuff in the containers;    opening the containers; and    removing the retorted flexible packages containing foodstuff from the containers.    
   
   
       2 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the step of retorting is continuous and the method further comprises reusing the containers.  
   
   
       3 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the steps of placing, hermetically sealing, retorting, opening, and removing are continuous and the method further comprises reusing the containers.  
   
   
       4 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the step of retorting comprises hydrostatic retorting.  
   
   
       5 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the step of retorting comprises agitating retorting.  
   
   
       6 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the containers have avoid inside and the step of placing the flexible packages containing foodstuff into the containers comprises placing the flexible packages containing foodstuff in the void, the method further comprising the step of filling with water at least a portion of any void in the containers remaining after placing the flexible packages containing foodstuff.  
   
   
       7 . Method as in  claim 6  wherein the step of filling with water comprises filling with water substantially the entire void remaining in the containers.  
   
   
       8 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the retort containers comprise: 
 a body portion including a base and outer side walls extending from the base to a mouth portion defining an opening; and    a resealable lid for selectively hermetically sealing the opening in the container and alternatively opening the container for removal of the flexible packages containing foodstuff.    
   
   
       9 . Method as in  claim 8  wherein the containers are canisters.  
   
   
       10 . Method as in  claim 9  wherein the canisters are substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       11 . Method as in  claim 8  wherein:  
     the container body comprises an inner wall inside and spaced from the outer side wall and extending from an opening in the base to an opening proximate the mouth of the container to form an open passageway for allowing flow of a heating medium through the passageway; and 
 the lid has a mouth defining an opening for receiving the inner wall and hermetically sealing the lid to the inner wall when the lid is sealed to the container body.  
 
   
   
       12 . Method as in  claim 11  wherein the containers are substantially cylindrical canisters, the void inside the container body between the outer side wall and inner side wall is annular, and the passageway is annular.  
   
   
       13 . Method as in  claim 12  wherein the lid mouth and inner wall are threaded such that the lid mouth is threaded onto the inner wall when the lid is hermetically sealed to the container body.  
   
   
       14 . Method as in  claim 13  wherein the lid has a periphery and comprises an o-ring seal about the periphery for hermetically sealing the lid to the container body.  
   
   
       15 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the containers comprises first and second clam shell halves which are selectively hermetically sealable to one another and alternatively separable for opening the container for removal of the flexible packages containing foodstuff.  
   
   
       16 . Method as in  claim 1  wherein the flexible packages containing foodstuff comprise foodstuff packaged in flexible pouches.  
   
   
       17 . Method as in  claim 16  wherein the pouches comprise polymer film, metal foil, or a polymer film/metal foil laminate.  
   
   
       18 . A reusable, hermetically resealable, rigid retort container for retorting flexible packages containing foodstuff comprising: 
 a body portion including a base and outer side walls extending from the base to a mouth portion defining an opening; and    a resealable lid for selectively hermetically sealing the opening in the container and alternatively opening the container for removal of the flexible packages containing foodstuff.    
   
   
       19 . Retort container as in  claim 18  wherein the containers are canisters.  
   
   
       20 . Retort container as in  claim 18  wherein:  
     the container body comprises an inner wall inside and spaced from the outer side wall and extending from an opening in the base to an opening proximate the mouth of the container to form an open passageway for allowing flow of a heating medium through the passageway; and 
 the lid has a mouth defining an opening for receiving the inner wall and hermetically sealing the lid to the inner wall when the lid is sealed to the container body.  
 
   
   
       21 . Retort container as in  claim 20  wherein the containers are substantially cylindrical canisters, the void inside the container body between the outer side wall and inner side wall is annular, and the passageway is annular.  
   
   
       22 . Retort container as in  claim 21  wherein the lid mouth and inner wall are threaded such that the lid mouth is threaded onto the inner wall when the lid is hermetically sealed to the container body.  
   
   
       23 . Retort container as in  claim 22  wherein the lid has a periphery and comprises an o-ring seal about the periphery for hermetically sealing the lid to the container body.  
   
   
       24 . A reusable, hermetically resealable, rigid retort container for retorting flexible packages containing foodstuff comprising first and second clam shell halves which are selectively hermetically sealable to one another and alternatively separable for opening the container for removal of the flexible packages containing foodstuff.