Method of and package for sterilized edible material

Abstract

A thin walled, easily crushable container with an integral or seamed-on bottom is filled with an edible material which requires sterilization. The empty container has one end attached or integral that may have a concave slope relative to the inside of the container. A liquified or solidified inert gas is then inserted into the container. The container is then sealed with a concave shaped end before the inert liquified or solidified gas has completely vaporized. The ends are such that they do not bulge under the pressure left after sterilization, which pressure is due to the pressurization effect of the inert gas and which pressure is enough to overcome the vacuum caused by the cooling of hot water vapor or steam above the edible material and gives the can the required rigidity. If one end is concave shaped and will invert or bulge at bacterial gas pressure but not at the gas pressure left after sterilization, then the other end does not necessarily have to be concave as long as it does not bulge at the pressure left after sterilization.