Method and Apparatus for Material Handling for a Food Product Using High Pressure Pasteurization

Abstract

A method and apparatus for high-pressure pasteurization utilizes a basket ( 40 ) for holding food packages ( 95 ). The basket ( 40 ) is transported on a cart ( 60 ) from a loading station ( 90 ), to the high-pressure pasteurization processing apparatus ( 10 ) and back to an unloading station ( 100 ). Two robots ( 17, 18 ) are utilized to reduce cycle time of the high-pressure pasteurization vessels ( 11 ).

1 . A basket for holding product for use in high pressure pasteurization, the basket comprising:
 a) an elongate cylindrical body member, the body member having first and second ends, the body member defining an inner cavity;   b) a dividing member operatively connected to the body member, the dividing member separating the inner cavity into a first subchamber and a second subchamber;   c) first and second end members operatively connected proximate to the first and second ends of the body member, the end members having a circular surface extending radially outward further than the body member, thereby defining a circular surface for rotating the basket on a cart;   d) the body member having a plurality of openings, wherein water may enter into the inner cavity; and   e) a door operatively connected to the body member, wherein product is insertable into the inner cavity.   
   
   
       2 . The basket of  claim 1 , further comprising the end members constructed from ultra high molecular weight plastic, wherein the high pressure vessel is less likely to be scarred when the basket is inserted therein. 
   
   
       3 . The basket of  claim 1 , further comprising a robot pick-up member operatively connected to one of the first and second ends. 
   
   
       4 . The basket of  claim 1 , the door further comprising a first door member and a second door member, the door members sliding with respect to each other, wherein when the first door member is moved to be aligned with the second door member, the first subchamber is exposed for loading and unloading and when the second door member is moved to be aligned with the first door member, the second subchamber is exposed for loading and unloading. 
   
   
       5 . A method of processing product in a high pressure pasteurization vessel, the product carried in a basket, the method comprising:
 a) positioning a gantry over at least a first high pressure pasteurization vessel;   b) providing a first robot carried on the gantry;   c) providing a second robot carried on the gantry;   d) positioning a first basket for pick-up by the first robot;   e) picking up the first basket by the first robot and placing the basket in the at least first high pressure pasteurization vessel;   f) processing the product in the first basket in the at least first high pressure pasteurization vessel;   g) removing the first basket with the second robot;   h) while the second robot is removing the first basket, picking up a second basket with the first robot and placing the second basket in the at least first high pressure pasteurization vessel, whereby cycle time is reduced and the at least first high pressure pasteurization vessel is able to be utilized a greater percentage of time.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the baskets are elongate cylindrical baskets. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a second high pressurization vessel that is loaded and unloaded by both the first and second robots.