US 12,439,937 B2
Self cleaning flow control valve in clean in place system
Robert Tuchrelo, Williamson, NY (US); Nathan E. Smith, Hamlin, NY (US); and Richard T. Aab, Fairport, NY (US)
Assigned to Clean Safer Systems, LLC, Victor, NY (US)
Filed by RTA Associates, LLC, Victor, NY (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/084,819.
Application 17/084,819 is a continuation of application No. 15/893,084, filed on Feb. 9, 2018, granted, now 10,888,102.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/456,995, filed on Feb. 9, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0045408 A1, Feb. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. B23K 11/30 (2006.01); A23G 9/04 (2006.01); A23G 9/12 (2006.01); A23G 9/22 (2006.01); A23G 9/28 (2006.01); A23G 9/30 (2006.01); B23K 11/31 (2006.01); B67D 1/07 (2006.01); F25C 1/14 (2018.01); F25D 23/12 (2006.01); G07F 13/06 (2006.01); G07F 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A23G 9/30 (2013.01) [A23G 9/04 (2013.01); A23G 9/12 (2013.01); A23G 9/224 (2013.01); A23G 9/228 (2013.01); A23G 9/283 (2013.01); B67D 1/07 (2013.01); F25C 1/14 (2013.01); F25D 23/126 (2013.01); G07F 13/065 (2013.01); G07F 17/0071 (2013.01); F25C 2400/12 (2013.01); F25D 2400/22 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A food processor, comprising:
(a) a food flow path configured to pass a food product from an upstream portion to a downstream portion, the food flow path including a reservoir for retaining a food product;
(b) a freezer chamber in the food flow path, the freezer chamber fluidly connected to the reservoir by a portion of the food flow path, the freezer chamber having an inlet port for receiving the food product into the freezer chamber and an outlet port for passing the food product from the freezer chamber; and
(c) a self-cleaning flow control valve in the food flow path, the self-cleaning flow control valve having a valve housing and a valve body, the valve housing having (i) an interior, (ii) an inlet connected to the food flow path, (iii) an outlet connected to the food flow path, wherein the valve body is exposed to the interior and the food flow path and is selectively moveable within the valve housing between a first position precluding flow between the inlet and the outlet and a second position wherein the valve body is configured to selectively permit food product to pass from the inlet to contact the valve body and the interior to pass to the outlet, (iv) a solution inlet, and (v) a solution outlet, the solution inlet and the solution outlet fluidly connected to the interior, the food flow path, and the valve body exposed to the interior, wherein a solution passing from the solution inlet (aa) contacts the interior of the valve housing and the valve body exposed to the interior to impart at least a cleaning of the interior of the valve housing and the valve body exposed to the interior, and (bb) passes to the solution outlet.