Automated clean-in-place apparatus and method
AssigneeClean Safer Systems, LLC
InventorsRobert Tuchrelo, Nathan E. Smith, Richard T. Aab
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A food processor having a food flow path extending from a food flow path input to a food flow path output. Food product passes in a first direction along the food flow path from an upstream portion of the food flow path to a downstream portion of the food flow path. The food flow path has a freezer chamber, with the freezer chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A solution transfer line is connected to a source of pressurized solution, the solution transfer line includes an interface port translatable between a transferring position fluidly connected to the food flow path and a storage position fluidly independent of the food flow path.
Claims23
A food processor comprising:
- (a) a food flow path extending from a food flow path input to a food flow path output, wherein food product passes in a first direction along the food flow path from a first portion of the food flow path to a second portion of the food flow path, the food flow path having a freezer chamber, the freezer chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
- (b) a solution transfer line connected to a source of pressurized solution, the solution transfer line including an interface port translatable between a transferring position fluidly connected to the food flow path and a storage position fluidly independent of the food flow path;
- and
- (c) a valve located outside of the food flow path and fluidly intermediate the source of pressurized solution and the interface port, the valve moveable between a closed position inhibiting flow through the valve and an open position permitting flow of the pressurized solution through the valve to the interface port.
A food processor comprising:
- (a) a food flow path extending from a food flow path input to a food flow path output, wherein food product passes in a first direction along the food flow path from an upstream portion of the food flow path to a downstream portion of the food flow path, the food flow path having a freezer chamber, the freezer chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
- (b) a source of pressurized solution;
- (c) a solution transfer line connected to the source of pressurized solution, the solution transfer line including an interface port moveable between a transferring position wherein the solution transfer line is fluidly connected to the food flow path and a storage position wherein the solution transfer line is fluidly independent of the food flow path;
- (d) a valve located outside of the food flow path and coupled to the solution transfer line intermediate the source of pressurized solution and the interface port, the valve moveable between a closed position inhibiting flow of the pressurized solution through the valve and an open position permitting the flow of the pressurized solution through the valve;
- (e) a driver connected to the interface port to selectively translate/move the interface port to the transferring position wherein the solution transfer line is fluidly connected to the food flow path;
- and
- (f) a controller connected to i) the valve, and ii) at least one of the driver and the interface port, wherein the controller is configured to position the valve in the open position and the interface port in each of the transferring position and the storage position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.