Abstract: A safety shut-off system especially adapted for propane delivery trucks and the like utilizes a pressure differential switch to immediately close the outlet valve of the cargo tank in the event that the differential between an initial reference pressure in the system and the current delivery pressure becomes high enough. When the delivery process is started, both sides of the pressure differential switch are simultaneously exposed to the delivery pressure so that the switch remains in a standby condition. As the delivery pressure becomes stabilized, a timer closes a trapping valve on the high pressure side of the pressure differential switch, trapping a quantity of fluid against the high pressure side of the switch to comprise a reference pressure.

Abstract: An improved, rapid clean-out valve assembly (36) is provided which is especially adapted for use on a food pump (10) or similar device. The assembly (36) includes a stationary valve body (38) presenting a pair of inlets (44, 46) as well as an outlet (50) and adapted to receive a pivotal valve rotor (52) therein; the rotor (52) is selectively pivotal via an actuator (60) between alternate flow-directing positions respectively communicating each inlet (44 or 46) with outlet (50). Rapid clean-up of the assembly (36) is afforded by means of structure (42) permitting manual translational movement of the internal valve rotor (52) from its operational position within housing (48) to a lowered, clean-out position outside of the confines of the housing (48). The structure (42) includes apertured slider blocks (76, 78) secured to an actuator housing (68), with the blocks (76, 78) receiving corresponding stationary guides (80, 82).

Abstract: An improved, slide plate-type patty forming apparatus (20) is provided which preferably includes a reciprocating slide plate (60) with a removable, multiple piston and cavity head (78) adapted to move between a retracted meat-filling position wherein respective patty forming cavities (90) are filled with meat to an extended patty-discharging position wherein formed meat patties (264) are ejected. Each of the patty forming pistons (96) is equipped with a porous bottom plate (104) formed of sintered metal or ceramic, an appropriate compressed air passageways (120, 122, 106) are provided for delivery of air through the bottom plate (104) for cleanly ejecting the formed patty (264). Adjusting mechanism (26) for altering the thickness of formed patties (264) includes a plurality of adjusting units (166) each equipped with a vertically shiftable, piston-engaging foot (176); movement of the feet (176) in unison is effected by means of handwheel (164) and connecting gear train (162, 200, 194, 192, 174).

Abstract: A jet-knife assembly for meats or like products is provided which assures even, predictable grinding with a minimum of objectionable fines or agglomerated strings, so as to yield final products of consistent dimensions and characteristics. The overall assembly preferably includes a plate presenting only a single set of circularly arrayed apertures therethrough, together with a cooperating, multiple-blade, rotating knife adjacent the plate; the knife blades each have elongated fluid-conveying channels along the operating faces thereof, which are sized relative to the plate apertures so that the cross-sectional area of the channel is always greater than the total plate open area in communication with the channel during blade rotation. Pressurized steam or air is directed to the blade channels during operations, so that as the knife rotates and blade channels come into communication with the plate apertures, product is expelled or "popped" out of the plate apertures.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the continuous vacuum grinding of meat or other products is provided which permits continuous deaeration and grinding so as to materially enhance the organoleptic properties of final meat products such as sausages and the like. Broadly speaking, the apparatus of the invention includes a pumping apparatus together with a grinder and a closed conduit coupling the pump and grinder; deaeration apparatus is also provided which serves to evacuate the meat products prior to grinding, and the latter are maintained in that condition throughout the grinding operation. In preferred forms, use is made of a reciprocating piston-type pump together with remote, separately powered grinding apparatus. In this form of the invention, deaeration is accomplished by means of apertured pistons within the pumping unit which are operatively coupled to a vacuum pump or other suitable evacuating device.

Abstract: A greatly improved aseptic processing apparatus and method for pumpable foods is provided which gives accurate, uniform aseptic cooking conditions (e.g, time, temperature and pressure) while at the same time preserving the integrity of particulates in the food product. In preferred forms, the apparatus includes a reciprocating piston food pump which generates a continuous product stream at a substantially constant nominal pressure. This stream is fed to a heat exchanger in order to elevate the temperature of the product, whereupon the stream passes through a holding tube to complete the aseptic cooking process. A metering device such as a rotary pump is located downstream of the holding tube for creating a substantially constant flow rate of product from the apparatus.

Abstract: Sausages or other articles having initial lengths several times longer than their final, packaged lengths are automatically severed to their proper dimensions, accumulated into multisausage clusters and then inserted into awaiting containers, all automatically. Each long initial length of material is initially severed into separate lengths, then gathered into side-by-side relationship with other severed lengths, then severed a second time into the final length. The final lengths are then arranged into generally cylindrically configured clusters for axial packing into the awaiting containers. Special handling techniques are used throughout the process so as to render the system fully automated without damaging the materials or failing to pack the prescribed number of materials into each container.

Abstract: A viscous products pumping machine meters the volume of product that it dispenses by simultaneously displacing a proportionate amount of fluid through a separate metering circuit. The fluid of the metering circuit also serves as the medium for driving the pumping pistons of the machine, and provision is made for obtaining an accurate measurement notwithstanding any product of fluid leakage that might occur between the pistons during operation. A pneumatic logic control system governs sequencing of the machine operations, including control of a shut-off valve in the product discharge line that can be used to portion the pumped product according to the amount of fluid that has been displaced in the metering circuit.

Abstract: A compact, yet easy-to-clean machine has a pair of pumping plungers that reciprocate alternately to force plastic materials, such as food products, out of their respective pump chambers and into a common delivery conduit, thereby effecting substantially continuous operation. Each plunger has a chamber-defining sleeve associated therewith which precedes the plunger into the product supply so as to load the sleeve in readiness for the oncoming plunger. The plungers and their sleeves are operated by a common control and operating pack of hydraulic power devices and pneumatic limit switches located behind the plungers and sleeves within the cabinet of the machine, and the pack is journaled on the cabinet by spherical bearings which enable the pack and the plungers and sleeves to be cocked upwardly as a unit out of the cabinet into an access position for cleaning.