Fill system equipped with apparatus for continuous controlled inflow to a balance tank
US5941417A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7358
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system to be utilized at a dairy in the distribution of a pumpable food product from a storage tank to a filling machine for dispensing into containers. The system includes a balance tank for storing the product on the filling machine. The balance tank is in flow communication with a storage tank via a product line, and also has a level probe for monitoring the amount of product in the tank. A product pump pumps the food product to a valve mechanism which is also disposed on the product line. A programmable logic controller receives a signal from the probe indicative of the level of the product in the balance tank, and generates a series of signals to the product pump and the valve mechanism to maintain a steady flow of product from the storage tank to the balance tank. In this manner, foaming of the product in the balance tank is eliminated or substantially reduced to acceptable levels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.