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Abstract

A food packaging system wherein one or more food component preparation lines deliver heated, e.g., cooked, components to a packaging station that operates at overpressure to maintain aseptic conditions as a container is filled and sealed. The preparation line may be a high pressure heated conduit, a covered batch conveyer, sealed pocket feeder or similar line, and prepares each component at a temperature and time suitable for the particular ingredient. Plural separate preparation lines may deliver different food components to the pressure chamber in which filling occurs, and each component attains a narrowly-defined degree of cooking or uniform stage of undercooking. A loading lock interfaces the packaging and preparation sections so as to prevent evaporative fluid loss or cooling and preserve aseptic conditions during filling and sealing. The sealed containers may be heated or held in a sterilizing chamber for a brief time, after which they may be cooled, labeled and placed on or in pallets or cartons for shipping or storage. The food preparation lines (if more than one) may be configured to specifically perform cooking a different food component in each line before packaging. When a segmented flow preparation line is used, the segmenting elements may operate as pressure seals to deliver successive batches into the packaging station. For other lines, an entry chamber may include one or more load locks to transfer cooked food components into the station for packaging, and dosing pumps or robotic handlers may apportion, assemble or package the various components. The system extends the range of heat-sensitive food components, and of heat-sensitive packaging materials that may be used, providing a higher quality product.

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First Claim