The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 26, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 28, 1997
Jonathan P Buesing, Maplewood, MN (US);
Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A., Pully, CH;
Abstract
An interface between an aseptic or pasteurized product supply vessel, one or more product dispensing machines, and a cleaning liquid supply vessel is disclosed. The interface can be used for directing milk and other foods from a process line to a packaging or other machine. In one variation, the interface has first and second spaced liquid supply valves, arranged in series, between the cleaning liquid inlet and the product dispensing machine outlet. The piping between the two valves can be drained, and optionally filled with steam or other sterilizing fluid, to provide a barrier between the cleaning fluid upstream of one valve and the food located downstream of the other valve which is en route to the packaging machine. In another variation, the interface has a product supply valve, a drain isolation valve, a drain between those two valves and itself controlled by a drain valve, and a cleaning liquid supply valve. The interface is versatile, and can be used for meeting the 3A standard for pasteurized dairy products, as well as the different standards for aseptic and near-aseptic packaging.