Abstract: A structural support beam having a top wall joined to a side wall at an angle substantially different from a right angle. When installed in a facility or machine with the side wall parallel to a vertical reference, no surface on the support beam is parallel to a horizontal reference, thereby providing for rapid and thorough draining of water deposited on any surface of the beam. Some beam embodiments place the top wall at an angle of about twenty degrees above a horizontal reference when the beam is installed. Alternatively, the top wall may be at an angle of about twenty degrees below the horizontal reference. Some beam embodiments have an open side. Alternatively, a bottom wall may be attached to a side wall to form a tubular support beam. A support beam may include a lower beam joined to an upper beam by a connector bar.

Abstract: A height adjustable support comprising a three-sided support channel, a cylindrical support post positioned within the support channel and at least one saddle brace positioned within the support channel and to partially surround the cylindrical support post. In the present invention, the downward force resulting from the weight of the equipment results in static friction between the saddle brace and the cylindrical support post that is sufficient to hold the equipment surface at a desired height. The height adjustable support may be implemented into hygienically designed food processing equipment to eliminate undesirable bacteria harboring surfaces and to improve height adjustability of the equipment.

Abstract: An effluent removal system comprising, a vacuum plenum to receive, at an inlet of the vacuum plenum, an effluent mixture comprising a gas and a liquid, a droplet separator having an inlet coupled to an outlet of the vacuum plenum, the droplet separator to substantially remove the liquid from the effluent mixture and a blower having an inlet coupled to a gas outlet of the droplet separator, the inlet of the blower to receive the gas of the effluent mixture after the liquid has been substantially removed from the effluent mixture by the droplet separator.

Abstract: A tubular support beam having a self-draining surface, comprising a first channel having a first channel side wall and a first channel bottom wall, wherein the first channel side wall forms a substantially 90° interior angle with the first channel bottom wall and a second channel having a second channel side wall and a second channel bottom wall, wherein the second channel side wall forms a substantially 90° interior angle with the second channel bottom wall. Either the first channel and/or the second channel having an angled or convex top wall, wherein the first channel and the second channel are joined to provide a self-draining surface for the tubular support beam. The self-draining tubular support beam may be implemented into hygienically designed food processing equipment to eliminate undesirable horizontal surfaces.

Abstract: A height adjustable support comprising a three-sided support channel, a cylindrical support post positioned within the support channel and at least one saddle brace positioned within the support channel and to partially surround the cylindrical support post. In the present invention, the downward force resulting from the weight of the equipment results in static friction between the saddle brace and the cylindrical support post that is sufficient to hold the equipment surface at a desired height. The height adjustable support may be implemented into hygienically designed food processing equipment to eliminate undesirable bacteria harboring surfaces and to improve height adjustability of the equipment.

Abstract: A structural support beam having a top wall joined to a side wall at an angle substantially different from a right angle. When installed in a facility or machine with the side wall parallel to a vertical reference, no surface on the support beam is parallel to a horizontal reference, thereby providing for rapid and thorough draining of water deposited on any surface of the beam. Some beam embodiments place the top wall at an angle of about twenty degrees above a horizontal reference when the beam is installed. Alternatively, the top wall may be at an angle of about twenty degrees below the horizontal reference. Some beam embodiments have an open side. Alternatively, a bottom wall may be attached to a side wall to form a tubular support beam. A support beam may include a lower beam joined to an upper beam by a connector bar.

Abstract: An effluent removal system comprising, a vacuum plenum to receive, at an inlet of the vacuum plenum, an effluent mixture comprising a gas and a liquid, a droplet separator having an inlet coupled to an outlet of the vacuum plenum, the droplet separator to substantially remove the liquid from the effluent mixture and a blower having an inlet coupled to a gas outlet of the droplet separator, the inlet of the blower to receive the gas of the effluent mixture after the liquid has been substantially removed from the effluent mixture by the droplet separator.

Abstract: A height adjustable support comprising a threaded support channel a cylindrical support post, positioned within the support channel and at least one saddle brace positioned within the support channel and to partially surround the cylindrical support post. In the present invention, the downward force resulting from the weight of the equipment results in static friction between the saddle brace and the cylindrical support post that is sufficient to hold the equipment surface at a desired height. The height adjustable support may be implemented into hygienically designed food processing equipment to eliminate undesirable bacteria harboring surfaces and to improve height adjustability of the equipment.

Abstract: A height adjustable support comprising a three-sided support channel, a cylindrical support post positioned within the support channel and at least one saddle brace positioned within the support channel and to partially surround the cylindrical support post. In the present invention, the downward force resulting from the weight of the equipment results in static friction between the saddle brace and the cylindrical support post that is sufficient to hold the equipment surface at a desired height. The height adjustable support may be implemented into hygienically designed food processing equipment to eliminate undesirable bacteria harboring surfaces and to improve height adjustability of the equipment.

Abstract: A tubular support beam having a self-draining surface, comprising a first channel having a first channel side wall and a first channel bottom wall, wherein the first channel side wall forms a substantially 90° interior angle with the first channel bottom wall and a second channel having a second channel side wall and a second channel bottom wall, wherein the second channel side wall forms a substantially 90° interior angle with the second channel bottom wall. Either the first channel and/or the second channel having an angled or convex top wall, wherein the first channel and the second channel are joined to provide a self-draining surface for the tubular support beam. The self-draining tubular support beam may be implemented into hygienically designed food processing equipment to eliminate undesirable horizontal surfaces.

Abstract: A processing apparatus and method for removing rind from a spheroidal food article, such as a melon is provided. The apparatus includes infeed and outfeed componentry for conveying melons to be processed into and out of the apparatus, providing an apparatus well suited for use in an automated environment. The infeed componentry includes a positioning device for positioning a melon to be processed between revolving mandrels, for achieving a desired orientation of the melon relative to the mandrels. The mandrels retain the melon on its axis and revolve the melon on its equator. Knife members are positioned on either side of the melon and aligned with the equator thereof when the melon is in an initial position. The knife members have detachable blades to accommodate rinds of different thicknesses, so that the blades extend through the rind, without extending into the flesh. Rollers are secured to the knife members to control the cutting depth of the blades and to enhance the ease with which the rind is cut.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing rind from a spheroidal food article, such as a melon is provided. The apparatus includes a carriage assembly having revolving spindles that retain a melon on its axis and revolve the melon on its equator. The spindles are aligned with a first axis when the carriage assembly is in an initial position. A cutting assembly is located adjacent to the carriage assembly. The cutting assembly includes reciprocating knifes that are positioned on either side of the melon and aligned with the equator thereof. The knifes are configured with a blade dimensioned to extend through the rind of the melon, without extending substantially into the flesh of the melon. A rotating assembly is provided for rotating the carriage assembly between the initial position and a completed position, and parallel to the first axis. The spindles revolve the melon on its equator, so that the knifes initially remove rind from the melon along the equator thereof.