Abstract: In one example, a hygienic fitting assembly is disclosed. The hygienic fitting assembly includes a first fitting member defining an exterior opening, an interior opening, and a passage extending therebetween. The hygienic fitting assembly further includes a second fitting member receivable by the first fitting member with the first and second fitting members configured for removable mechanical attachment with one another along an interface region within the passage. The hygienic fitting assembly further includes a seal formed from a compression controlled and self-lubricating material. The seal is configured to receive an annular feature of one of the first or second fitting members and define sanitary fitting connection therebetween. The sanitary fitting connection is operable to prevent fluid escape toward the interface region during flow of a product between the first and second fitting members.

Abstract: In one example, a fitting assembly including a first fitting, a second fitting, and a seal positioned between the two fittings is disclosed. The first fitting includes a first product contacting sidewall and a first sealing face and the second fitting is coupled to the first fitting and includes a second product contacting sidewall and a second sealing face. The seal is positioned between the first and second sealing faces and includes a radially curved outer surface forming an exterior edge of the seal and a tail extending radially inwards from the radially curved outer surface, where the tail forms an interior edge of the seal that defines an opening through the seal. As connected, the first product contacting sidewall is substantially coplanar with the second product contacting sidewall and the seal seals a connection gap between the two sealing faces.

Abstract: A mixer (10) includes a coupler (22) receiving an upper end of a shaft (24) rotatably connected to an offset pin (20) of a circulating plate (18) mounted to a rotatable output (14) of a motor (12). The shaft (24) is slideably mounted by a linear bearing (40) to a swivel plate (32) which is mounted to swivel relative to a support rod (106). Due to the non-parallel angle (C) of the offset pin (20) to the rotatable output (14), the shaft (24) and a paddle (30) mounted thereto moves up and down, rotates about the offset pin (20) and swivels at swivel angles (A, B) in first and second planes in a multi-direction which is angular and non true circular.

Abstract: An improved agitator assembly (10) for sanitary tanks includes a drive shaft (14) extending through a tubular housing (58, 84). A slide coupling (16) is connected between the outer end of the drive shaft (14) and a drive motor. An impeller (90) is secured to the other end of the drive shaft (14) which is supported on a bearing/seal member (86) in the inner end of the shaft housing (58, 84). The adjoining surfaces of the bearing/seal member (86) and impeller base (89) are normally engaged in rotary sealing relationship by springs (44, 78) but shift apart responsive to introduction of cleaning solution into the housing (58, 84) so that the cleaning solution is discharged into the tank at the base of the impeller (90) after washing the seals (74, 86) to facilitate cleaning without manual disassembly or scrubbing.