Abstract: A gasket 17 for a demountable pipe joint 1 of an hygienic food processing system, the gasket 17 comprising a first part 19 defining a surface 27 for providing a smooth transition from a first pipe end 3 to a second pipe end 5 at a pipe joint 1, the sides of the gasket 17 each defining a plateau 25 adjacent the surface 27 for abutting the pipe ends 3, 5, in use, to produce an hygienic seal, wherein the first part 19 of the gasket 17 is made from a plastics material having sufficient structural strength when not fully supported to withstand pressures within the pipes 3, 5, during use, without damaging or separating from the pipe ends. Such a gasket has been found to be extremely efficient and appropriate in hygienic food processing systems, which in the past have relied heavily on elastomeric gaskets.

Abstract: A gasket for a demountable joint of an hygienic food processing system, the gasket comprising a surface for providing a smooth transition from a first joint part to a second joint part at a joint. The sides of a preferred embodiment gasket each define a plateau adjacent the surface for abutting the joint parts which, in use, produce a hygienic seal. The gasket of the present invention in preferably made from a plastics material having sufficient structural strength(i.e. engineering plastics) which, even when not fully supported to withstand pressures and/or temperatures, during use maintain the hygienic performance of the joint.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and/or cooling a particulate material, e.g. vegetables, by heat exchange with a liquid comprises a horizontal tubular chamber of waisted internal cross-section containing a rotatable mesh cylinder having an auger blade corotatable therein. A row of inlets for heat exchange liquid along the bottom of the chamber are connected via external pipe work to a row of outlets for heat exchange liquid at the top of the chamber. Upward flow of heat exchange liquid causes suspension of particulate matter as it is conveyed through the chamber by the auger, thus minimizing rubbing contact on the particulate material. The apparatus includes a heating section defined by inlets A-D, a holding section defined by inlets E to L, and a cooling section defined by inlets M to Q, all within a common chamber. Within each section, each outlet is connected externally to the alphabetically preceding inlet except for the leftmost outlet which is connected to the rightmost inlet.

Abstract: The maximum acceptable operating current of an electrode immersed in an electrically conductive liquid is increased by providing at least one shield member in front of the electrode and serving to reduce the current density at the part or parts of the electrode where current density would otherwise be highest.