Abstract: A fluid cleaning device includes a spheroid-shaped member defining an internal void. The spheroid-shaped member further includes a wall defining a plurality of apertures and at least partially surrounding the internal void and an inlet orifice that receives a cleaning fluid under pressure. A tubular nozzle projects from the inlet orifice and into the internal void to mitigate fluctuation of one of the internal pressure and flow velocity of the cleaning fluid within the spheroid-shaped member.

Abstract: Coaxial, dual agitator top-entering mixer has coaxial vertical drive shafts penetrating the center of the head of the vessel, driving a lower-speed outer scraper agitator and a higher-speed inner agitator. An inner rotary seal closes the upper end of an annular space between the inner and outer shafts. An outer rotary seal closes the opening around the outer drive shaft in the head of the vessel. A central bore along the inner drive shaft axis extends from its upper end down to a position just below the inner seal, with one or more cross-bored radial passages to the annular space between the drive shafts. A rotary fitting at the upper end of the inner drive shaft permits the introduction of a cleaning fluid into the central bore. The cleaning fluid passes through the bore and the radial passage into the annular space to clean accumulations from within the annular space. The cleaning fluid exits the annular space into the interior of vessel.

Abstract: An aseptic valve or sanitary valve employs a floating plug situated within a cylindrical valve housing. The floating valve plug has a head that seats against an inlet opening, and has a stem and a generally conic foot that rests upon a diaphragm formed of a flexible, food-grade membrane. An actuator below the diaphragm urges the plug up to lodge against the inlet opening, and relieves force on the membrane and plug to open the valve. Spacer arms radiate from the stem or head of the plug, to keep the plug centered in the housing.

Abstract: An aseptic valve or sanitary valve has an elongated tubular, cylindrical valve housing, with one or more top-hat diaphragms and associated valve plugs positioned transverse to the axis of the tubular valve housing. An actuator urges the stem and head of the valve plug upward so that the associated diaphragm is urged against a valve seat to close the valve. The actuator also moves these elements downward and away from the seat to open the valve. Plural valve arrangements can be joined end to end to accommodate multiple flow paths.

Abstract: An aseptic or sanitary diaphragm valve has a valve body and at least one cylinder-actuated valve mechanism. A chamber is defined between a cylinder head and a plate or disk, which has a central bore or passage. A flexible diaphragm extends across the cylinder below the plate or disk. A piston within a cylinder is connected with a valve member foot portion, with a stem passing from the foot portion, penetrating the diaphragm, and passing through the bor or passage to the piston. A compression spring urges the piston to either its raised or lowered position, and air pressure may be used to lower or to raise the piston and the associated valve foot. An aperture in the cylinder can reveal a compromise of the diaphragms.

Abstract: A pressure gauge adapter for sanitary conduit accepts a standard pressure gauge with a male threaded stem. The adapter has a flange to mate with an upper flange of a tubular stub where a diaphragm is positioned to serve as fluid barrier to block process liquid from leaving, and to serve as a seal gland. A hollow cylindrical wall rises from the flange member, with a sealing flange at its upper end. An elongated piston is situated within the hollow cylindrical wall with a lower head upon the lower diaphragm, and an upper head reaching the top end of the cylinder. A cap or dome situated above the cylinder has a flange member that mates with the upper flange member of the cylinder, with an upper diaphragm therebetween. The cap defines a space above the upper diaphragm, and is filled with a transfer liquid. A threaded bore in the cap accepts the threaded stem of the pressure gauge.

Abstract: A pasteurization/homogenization arrangement with regeneration brings raw milk or other liquid food product up to a few degrees below a UHT pasteurizing temperature. The product is denaturized at 175° F. so that proteins do not deposit out. The product proceeds through a product-product regenerative heat exchanger where it emerges at about 260°. Here a homogenizer serves a timing pump and avoids the need for an additional pump or flow meter for the UHT stage. The homogenized product proceeds to a water-product heater to heat the product to 280° F. The temperature differential at any reference point in the heater and the regenerative heat exchanger is below 20°, and the ratio of rate of water flow to product flow in the heater is below about 3:1. More efficient homogenization is achieved than at the conventional temperature (175° F.).

Abstract: A pasteurization arrangement employs regeneration to bring raw milk or other liquid food product up to a few degrees below a UHT pasteurizing temperature. The product is first heated up by regeneration to about 175° F., and held at this temperature for about sixty seconds to denaturize proteins so that they do not deposit on the heat exchange walls of following stages. Then the product proceeds through a product-product regenerative heat exchanger where it emerges at about 264° and proceeds to a water-product heater to heat the product to 280° F. The water flows in counter current to the product. The temperature differential at any reference point in the heater and the regenerative heat exchanger is below 20°, and the ratio of rate of water flow to product flow in the heater is below about 3:1.

Abstract: A sanitary tank is provided with a clean-in-place agitator assembly in which the impeller portion is removably installed at the tip or the shaft or along the shaft. A shaft housing that penetrates the wall of the tank employs lip seals around the drive shaft so that cleaning fluid supplied at an inlet pipe will spray out through the interior or distal lip seal for spraying the proximal side of the impeller. The impeller is mounted on a non-round drive portion at the tip of the drive shaft, avoiding need for welding or threaded fasteners. A vertical stirrer or impeller has a square drive shaft with transverse grooves, and blades that are removably fitted into respective pairs of these grooves.

Abstract: A heat exchange system utilizing flow reducers at 180 degree bends in the tubes includes a first set of media tubes in which heating/cooling media flows, and a set of product tubes positioned concentrically within the media tubes and in which liquid product flows in a counter direction to the heating/cooling media. The tubes are arranged in a serpentine, back and forth manner, and U-shaped tubes interconnect successive pairs of product tubes to achieve the 180-degree change in flow direction. The U-shaped tubes are of a cross-sectional diameter greater than the product pipes. Tapering flow reducers extend between the opposing ends of the U-shaped tubes and the product tubes. The exit flow reducer is eccentrically formed to facilitate a smooth transition of the product from the U-shaped bend to the product tube and prevent liquid product from becoming entrapped along the bottom of the flow reducer.