Apparatus for diverting solid food pieces suspended in a flowing liquid
US10335971B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/0453
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A distributor valve for a hydrocutting system. The valve automatically diverts a flow of liquid and solid food products flowing from a source to one or both of two destinations. An entry conduit receives the suspended food products in liquid, and an angled plate deflects the food products downwardly. The food products and liquid enter a drum that is perpendicular to the entry conduit, causing rotational circulation in the drum. The food products and liquid flow into one or both of two longitudinally opposite outlets, depending on whether the path downstream of the outlets is flowing. Upon actuation of a valve on one side, or essentially complete blockage of one side, the fluid and products flow to the other side automatically. No moving parts are needed in the valve to change the flow path; the only change is to the flow downstream, which automatically affects the flow in the valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.