Abstract: A valve body (91) for enabling release of pressurized steam from a pressure vessel, the valve body comprising: a steam inlet (92), a steam outlet (93), and an internal wall defining a flow path between said inlet and said outlet, wherein at least a portion (102) of said internal wall in a region opposed to the steam inlet is removable.

Abstract: A rejector device for use within a system for sorting discrete objects, the divert device comprising at least one divert device arranged to change the trajectory of an object; and drive means arranged to drive the divert device between at least three discrete positions such that in use, at least one of said discrete objects passes along one of three paths.

Abstract: A valve body (91) for enabling release of pressurized steam from a pressure vessel, the valve body comprising: a steam inlet (92), a steam outlet (93), and an internal wall defining a flow path between said inlet and said outlet, wherein at least a portion (102) of said internal wall in a region opposed to the steam inlet is removable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rejecter for a product sorting system comprising at least two different co-located rejection means wherein each rejection means is independently activatable to deflect a product from a sorting stream.

Abstract: A double-acting cylinder and piston mechanism comprising a cylinder (1) substantially closed at both ends by front (5) and rear (7) end walls, a piston (8) axially displaceable within the cylinder (1), a first region (6) defined between the piston (8) and the rear end wall (7) of the cylinder (1) and a second region (4) defined between the piston (8) and the front end wall (5) of the cylinder (1), a piston rod (2) extending from the piston (8) through the front end wall (5) of the cylinder (1), an air inlet port (19) for communication with said first region (6) of the cylinder (1) and at least one exhaust vent (14) which is exposed during axial displacement of the piston (8) for release of air delivered to the cylinder (1) through the air inlet port (19).

Abstract: A valve (61) for enabling release of pressurized steam from a pressure vessel has a displaceable closure member (67) which is maintained in its closed disposition by exposure to the pressure of the steam within the pressure vessel. The closure member (67) is displaced between its closed disposition and an open disposition by a double-acting actuator (69), suitably an air-driven piston/cylinder device, the closure member (67) being preferably mounted at one axial end of a spindle (68) extending between the closure member (67) and the actuator (69). The closure member (67) is suitably mounted for substantially metal-to-metal contact with a valve seat portion (63), without interposition of any sealing element, preferably for substantially vertical displacement between its closed and dispositions.

Abstract: A steam peeling system has a rotatable pressure vessel (1) for steam treating and peeling product. The vessel is substantially spherical, having an oblong configuration with opposed flattened side surfaces. The pressure vessel has at least one internal lifter (51a, 51b, 51c) for entraining and lifting the product relative to the axis of rotation of the pressure vessel (1) when it is rotated. The pressure vessel also at least one internal region (53) that is closed-off against ingress of steam during product treatment. This region (53) defines a steam saver. The system can include a batcher for delivering the product to be peeled to the vessel. The pressure in the vessel can be released on completion of a peeling operation. Arrangements can be included to minimize release of entrained solid matter or odors in the exhaust steam. A controller minimizes unproductive displacement of the pressure vessel and can control the rotation speed and direction.

Abstract: A valve (61) for enabling release of pressurized steam from a pressure vessel has a displaceable closure member (67) which is maintained in its closed disposition by exposure to the pressure of the steam within the pressure vessel. The closure member (67) is displaced between its closed disposition and an open disposition by a double-acting actuator (69), suitably an air-driven piston/cylinder device, the closure member (67) being preferably mounted at one axial end of a spindle (68) extending between the closure member (67) and the actuator (69). The closure member (67) is suitably mounted for substantially metal-to-metal contact with a valve seat portion (63), without interposition of any sealing element, preferably for substantially vertical displacement between its closed and dispositions.

Abstract: A product-carrying unit side portions extending along two opposite regions for engagement with respective support features of a product treatment chamber. A floor region of the unit extends between the side portions and consists of an array of floor region portions with together define a discontinuous upper product-carrying surface of the unit. The surfaces are suitably defined by the upper surfaces of the ribs of the unit. The spaces between the top surfaces of the ribs provide access to the underside of product supported on the discontinuous product supporting surface of the unit and enable heat exchange contact between the heat exchange medium and the underside of the product. The floor region of the unit is shaped to define ducts through which flow of heat exchange medium is directed for contact with the underside of the product supported on the unit.

Abstract: An optical inspection system inspect products passed through an inspection region. Light is directed onto the products form optical control units including light emitting diodes. Light emitted from the diodes is directed by cylindrical lenses onto the products at a specified target region, and a sensor detects light reflected from the products. Focussing is achieved by an outer row of the diodes being displaced outwardly relative to axes of respectively cylindrical lenses, so that light originating from the outer rows of diodes converges towards that passing along a central axis extending from a central row of the diodes through a central lens to the target region, light from all rows of the diodes being therefore focussed substantially at the target region.

Abstract: An end mounting (2) for pivotally mounting a housing (5) of a ram (1) to a structure (3) is formed from a single solid piece of material. The end mounting (2) comprises a mounting block (9) which is secured to the structure (3), an end cap (10) which is sealably secured to the housing (5), and a connecting portion (14) which extends between the mounting block (9) and the end cap (10). The connecting portion (14) is of hour-glass shape, cross-section and extends the width of the mounting block (9) to form a plastic hinge. The connection portion (14) defines a pivot axis (18) at the waist (19) of the hour-glass shape about which the end cap (10) and the mounting block (9) are pivotal relative to each other.

Abstract: A product-carrying tray 1 has longitudinally slotted end members 3 for sliding engagement on guide rails in a conveyor installation or storage unit. Transverse edges 2 of the tray are provided with coupling members 5 for interengagement with other like units also accommodated on the guide rails. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling members 5 are defined by interengaging hook structures consisting of projecting portions 7 and laterally extending end portions 6. The tray of the invention is especially suited to accommodating food products within a storage or treatment chamber. The tray may however also serve as a product-carrying element in a conveyor installation. Apart from the hook-type interconnection illustrated, a multiplicity of other interconnecting arrangements may be provided, including, inter alia, alternative mechanical structures and magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A product-carrying tray 1 has longitudinally slotted end members 3 for sliding engagement on guide rails in a conveyor installation or storage unit. Transverse edges 2 of the tray are provided with coupling members 5 for interengagement with other like units also accommodated on the guide rails. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling members 5 are defined by interengaging hook structures consisting of projecting portions 7 and laterally extending end portions 6. The tray of the invention is especially suited to accommodating food products within a storage or treatment chamber. The tray may however also serve as a product-carrying element in a conveyor installation. Apart from the hook-type interconnection illustrated, a multiplicity of other interconnecting arrangements may be provided, including, inter alia, alternative mechanical structures and magnetic coupling.