Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with blade assemblies that extend from opposing sides of a rotating shaft. The blade assemblies may be curved or otherwise face different directions at different locations along their respective lengths. The vat may have a pair of rotating shafts and the rotation of the shafts may be timed so that the blade assemblies of the shafts simultaneously travel through a common swept volume. The blade assemblies may be positioned on the shafts so that they intermesh through each other while simultaneously moving through the common volume.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that provides zoned temperature control to the vat. The zoned heat transfer system selectively transmits heat to or removes heat from different portions of a bottom wall and/or side walks) of the vat. A heat transfer fluid may be directed through the zoned heat transfer system along a flow path that is selected based on a target size and/or a target temperature of a batch of food product being processed in the vat.

Abstract: A shaft bushing is provided that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician, and that can be used with food processing equipment. The shaft bushing has a body with a circumferential sidewall, opposing ends, and an opening in at least one of the ends the can accept cleaning fluid thereinto. The opening may be defined by ends of longitudinal grooves that extend along the bushing and that may direct the cleaning fluid between the bushing body and the support structure, and/or the bushing body and the shaft.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with blade assemblies that extend from opposing sides of a rotating shaft. The blade assemblies may be curved or otherwise face different directions at different locations along their respective lengths. The vat may have a pair of rotating shafts and the rotation of the shafts may be timed so that the blade assemblies of the shafts simultaneously travel through a common swept volume. The blade assemblies may be positioned on the shafts so that they intermesh through each other while simultaneously moving through the common volume.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that provides zoned temperature control to the vat. The zoned heat transfer system selectively transmits heat to or removes heat from different portions of a bottom wall and/or side walks) of the vat. A heat transfer fluid may be directed through the zoned heat transfer system along a flow path that is selected based on a target size and/or a target temperature of a batch of food product being processed in the vat.

Abstract: A manway is provided that can be used with food processing equipment. The manway may be provided at an intersection of a top wall and an end or side wall of the food processing equipment. The manway may extend angularly with respect to the food processing equipment so that a passage extending through the manway extends into an inside space of the food processing equipment at an angle. A nozzle may be mounted so as to position an opening(s) of the nozzle in a direction that faces the passage of the manway, and the nozzle may deliver a cleaning fluid so that the manway can be automatically cleaned in place.

Abstract: A rennet injection system is provided for use with food processing or other equipment that uses rennet as a processing ingredient. The rennet injection system includes at least one injector that has multiple openings for delivering rennet to multiple rennet delivery locations that are spaced apart from each other within the food processing or other equipment. The injector may include a nozzle with a middle bore and angled bores on opposing sides of the middle bore that face away from a direction that the middle bore faces.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with blade assemblies that extend from opposing sides of a rotating shaft. The blade assemblies may be curved or otherwise face different directions at different locations along their respective lengths. The vat may have a pair of rotating shafts and the rotation of the shafts may be timed so that the blade assemblies of the shafts simultaneously travel through a common swept volume. The blade assemblies may be positioned on the shafts so that they intermesh through each other while simultaneously moving through the common volume.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that provides zoned temperature control to the vat. The zoned heat transfer system selectively transmits heat to or removes heat from different portions of a bottom wall and/or side wall(s) of the vat. A heat transfer fluid may be directed through the zoned heat transfer system along a flow path that is selected based on a target size and/or a target temperature of a batch of food product being processed in the vat.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a vent that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician or removal of the vent from the vat. A nozzle is mounted to at least one of the vent and the vat and has an opening(s) that is posited with respect to the vent to direct cleaning fluid into the vent. The vent may include a canister that concentrically surrounds at least a portion of a vent tube that is fluidly connected to the vat, which collects cleaning fluid and/or condensate from gas that enters or exits the vat.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that includes a heat exchanger with a baffle that extends between a pair of spaced apart sheets. The baffle directs a flow of a heat transfer fluid through a void space between the sheets of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may also include multiple spaced apart posts that extend through the heat exchanger and around which the heat transfer fluid can flow. The posts and/or baffle may be defined by welded points of joinder between the sheets, and the sheets may be inflated to provide the space therebetween, such that the posts and/or baffles extend as webs of material that connect the sheets of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A temporary shaft support system is provided that can be used with an enclosure such as food processing equipment. The system may include a holder for engaging a shaft to be supported, and a lift that is supported from the food processing equipment at a position that is higher than the shaft to allow the shaft to be suspended and supported without occupying floor space of the food processing equipment. The lift may be supported by a top wall of the food processing equipment or may be supported by a drive mount that attaches a shaft-rotating drive to the food processing equipment.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician, and that can be used with food processing equipment. The seal assembly has a back plate that is attached to a wall of the food processing equipment and a seal cover that connects to the back plate. A cavity is defined between the seal cover and a rotating shaft that extends into the seal assembly, and a cleaning fluid may be introduced into the cavity. The cavity may house a pair of seals that are longitudinally spaced from each other and a hub collar between the seals and which may influence a fluid flow path of the cleaning fluid through the cavity.

Abstract: A temporary shaft support system is provided that can be used with an enclosure such as food processing equipment. The system may include a holder for engaging a shaft to be supported, and a lift that is supported from the food processing equipment at a position that is higher than the shaft to allow the shaft to be suspended and supported without occupying floor space of the food processing equipment. The lift may be supported by a top wall of the food processing equipment or may be supported by a drive mount that attaches a shaft-rotating drive to the food processing equipment.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that provides zoned temperature control to the vat. The zoned heat transfer system selectively transmits heat to or removes heat from different portions of a bottom wall and/or side wall(s) of the vat. A heat transfer fluid may be directed through the zoned heat transfer system along a flow path that is selected based on a target size and/or a target temperature of a batch of food product being processed in the vat.

Abstract: A shaft bushing is provided that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician, and that can be used with food processing equipment. The shaft bushing has a body with a circumferential sidewall, opposing ends, and an opening in at least one of the ends the can accept cleaning fluid thereinto. The opening may be defined by ends of longitudinal grooves that extend along the bushing and that may direct the cleaning fluid between the bushing body and the support structure, and/or the bushing body and the shaft.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that includes a heat exchanger with a baffle that extends between a pair of spaced apart sheets. The baffle directs a flow of a heat transfer fluid through a void space between the sheets of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may also include multiple spaced apart posts that extend through the heat exchanger and around which the heat transfer fluid can flow. The posts and/or baffle may be defined by welded points of joinder between the sheets, and the sheets may be inflated to provide the space therebetween, such that the posts and/or baffles extend as webs of material that connect the sheets of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A manway is provided that can be used with food processing equipment. The manway may be provided at an intersection of a top wall and an end or side wall of the food processing equipment. The manway may extend angularly with respect to the food processing equipment so that a passage extending through the manway extends into an inside space of the food processing equipment at an angle. A nozzle may be mounted so as to position an opening(s) of the nozzle in a direction that faces the passage of the manway, and the nozzle may deliver a cleaning fluid so that the manway can be automatically cleaned in place.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a vent that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician or removal of the vent from the vat. A nozzle is mounted to at least one of the vent and the vat and has an opening(s) that is posited with respect to the vent to direct cleaning fluid into the vent. The vent may include a canister that concentrically surrounds at least a portion of a vent tube that is fluidly connected to the vat, which collects cleaning fluid and/or condensate from gas that enters or exits the vat.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with blade assemblies that extend from opposing sides of a rotating shaft. The blade assemblies may be curved or otherwise face different directions at different locations along their respective lengths. The vat may have a pair of rotating shafts and the rotation of the shafts may be timed so that the blade assemblies of the shafts simultaneously travel through a common swept volume. The blade assemblies may be positioned on the shafts so that they intermesh through each other while simultaneously moving through the common volume.