Rotating drum food processor with cleaning spray accessible panels

A method for cleaning a food processing apparatus having a tank, a drum rotatable inlet end plate, an outlet end plate, and a plurality of support members which extend between the inlet end plate and the outlet end plate, where two support members which are spaced from one another define a pair of support members, and a curved perforated skin panel, having two flanges which extend generally radially outwardly to engage against the support members of the pair, and a clamping means which releasably secures the panel flanges to the support members;

• the method comprising:
• a) releasing the clamping means to allow the skin panels to hang loosely from the support members while still retained in association with the support members;
• b) rotating the drum with the skin panels hanging loosely thereon;
• and
• c) discharging a spray of cleaning fluid onto the rotating drum.

A food processing apparatus comprising:

• a) a tank;
• b) a drum rotatable within the tank, wherein the drum has a plurality of support members which extend between an inlet plate and an outlet plate;
• c) at least one perforated skin panel which extends between support members, wherein the skin panel has a flange which extends adjacent a support member;
• d) a bracket which overlies the skin panel flange, wherein portions of the bracket define at least two fastener openings;
• and
• e) a plurality of clamps, wherein each clamp is positioned to engage the panel flange between the bracket and the support member, and wherein the clamp has portions which extend through the support member, such that when the clamp is in a nonclamped disposition, it is retained on the support member and supports the panel in spaced relation to the support member, thereby permitting access of a cleaning spray to the interstices between the panel flange and the support member.