APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A FOOD PROCESSOR

• Main Authors: SALMINEN, William, CAHOON, Jeffrey, PARISI, Jacob R, TUCHRELO, Robert, RUPPEL III, Edward F, MUSTARDO, Alfred S, AAB, Richard T, RUSSOTTI, Gary M, SMITH, Nathan E
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 04.05.2022
• Subjects: APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES; CHEWING GUM; CLEANING; CLEANING IN GENERAL; COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; COFFEE MILLS; CONFECTIONERY; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; FURNITURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; ICE-CREAM; KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL; SPICE MILLS; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES; TRANSPORTING

A manifold assembly (100) is provided for cleaning a food flow path in a food processor (10). The manifold assembly can be operably engaged without requiring disassembly and reassembly of the food processor or can be operably engaged after a partial disassembly of the food processor. Available positive pressure water supply, such as public utility water pressure can be employed to selectively and automatically push solutions, including rinses, backwards or forwards through a food flow path (20) in the food processor, though typically countercurrent to the normal processing food flow. The manifold assembly (100) includes an intake manifold (110) and a distribution manifold (150), with an induction port (170) and/or access port in the distribution manifold for introducing additives or agents into a controlled motive stream passing through the manifold assembly.