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:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2000
Lloyd F. Hay, Oakdale, CA (US);
FMC Corporation, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
An aseptic product discharge valve and related methods for injecting steam into a sterile fluid delivery system used to transport a sterile fluid food product. The aseptic product discharge valve includes a tubular member having a longitudinal passageway and an outlet for discharging the flow of food product. The valve also includes a chamber disposed radially outward of the passageway. The chamber receives steam that is exhausted through an opening disposed adjacent to the valve. A valve member is disposed within the longitudinal passageway and fluid food product must flow about the valve member. The diverted flow of fluid food product may be intersected by the flow of injected steam. The tubular body further includes a valve seat which is bathed with the injected steam to promote sterility at the discharge location.