Identify Where Heating and Cooling Take Place
Muninmax's Cooker and Cooler is a continuous machine that combines heating and cooling. Products enter after packaging, and the machine operates at temperatures up to 100°C. Packaging examples include cans and pouches, including hot-filled bags.
The packaging format alone does not define the required treatment. The product, container and heat-treatment requirement are considered together when evaluating the system.
Separate Continuous Processing from Batch Retort Processing
The Cooker and Cooler operates continuously, while the retort systems described by Muninmax operate in batches. The required heat treatment helps determine which approach is appropriate for a packaged product.
Share the intended product and container before selecting the equipment. The operating limit of the Cooker and Cooler is specific to that machine and is not a processing specification for every packaged food.
Example: Pineapple Tidbits in Pillow Pouches
One application uses the Cooker and Cooler to pasteurize pineapple tidbits packed in plastic pillow pouches. The packaged product passes through heating and cooling in the machine.
After this stage, a dryer removes moisture from the exterior of the packages. It dries the outside of the pouches rather than the pineapple inside them. This example describes a particular application; the configuration for another product is assessed separately.
Prepare the Application Details
To begin a discussion, share:
- The product and its condition when it enters the packaged-product process.
- The container type and pack size.
- The required throughput, if known.
- The required heat treatment or existing process information, where available.
- The stages before and after the machine and any equipment connections needed.
Muninmax designs and manufactures the Cooker and Cooler. Installation, line integration and commissioning are included according to the agreed project scope. You can begin the discussion before a complete equipment specification has been prepared.