Abstract: A gasket retention for heat exchanger plates includes a projection on the gasket which passes through an aperture in the plate with an interference fit. According to the present invention the apertures (2) are made so as to provide two alternative positions for the gasket projections (3), namely a tight position as illustrated in FIG. 1c and a freely movable position. The movement between positions may be by twisting as in FIG. 1c, or by a longtitudinal movement, e.g. in a key-hole slot aperture. The aperture may be tapered through the plates.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the ultra-high temperature treatment of liquids, such as milk, with a minimum of thermal damage. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for indirect ultra-high temperature treatment of a liquid in which the flow rate of a liquid through a holding tube (20) is capable of being varied and in which the holding temperature of the liquid is selected between the characteristic holding temperature for that liquid and a temperature above the said characteristic holding temperature by a temperature control means (28).The invention provides a method and apparatus for ultra-high temperature treatment which reduces the thermal damage to a product when variable plant throughputs are employed.

Abstract: Shaft seals of the lip type with a sealing member bonded to an apertured insert have a tendency to form blisters in the sealing member near the bond. In order to avoid this, and provide a seal suitable for use in hygienic environments, the sealing member is mechanically engaged with the insert, for example, by being in the general form of a grommet with a central boss filling in the aperture and carrying the sealing lips, and having a wide radial flange forming a cleanable face exposed to the process fluid and a narrow deformable flange adapted to pass through the aperture of the insert and to expand into mechanical engagement therewith.

Abstract: In order to provide a valve which can provide separate flow paths for independent liquids and the possibility of interchanging the flow paths, there is provided an elliptical valve member 8 mounted on a spindle 7 within a cylindrical valve chamber. In the axial region of the valve member 8 there are provided ports 2 and 3 which are selectively placed in communication with the ports 4 and 5 in accordance with the position of the valve member 8. In order to provide for a safety break leakage path, the valve member 8 is preferably provided with two seals 13, e.g. lip seals or O-ring separated by a space which is vented, e.g. via a hollow passage 18 in the spindle 7.