Method of obtaining acceptable configuration of a plastic container after thermal food sterilization process

摘要

A method is provided for obtaining an acceptable configuration of a thermally processed container packed with food. Improvement in container configuration is attained by proper container design, by maintaining proper headspace of gases in the container during thermal processing, proper pressure outside the container during the cooking cycle and cooling cycle of the process and/or by controlled reforming of the bottom wall of the container. Further improvements are attained by controlling the thermal history of the empty container, such as by pre-shrinking the container before it is filled with food and sealed.