Nozzle for powder handling device

Abstract

An apparatus for processing food powder comprises a sealable container having an inner surface defining a volume space in which the food powder is processed and a powder outlet. The apparatus comprises a nozzle (6) connected to the sealable container and configured to send air into the sealable container and direct the air towards the inner surface to remove product powder from the inner surface, such that the air and the removed product powder can flow out of the sealable container through the powder outlet. The nozzle (6) comprises a ceiling jet (33) formed on a first side (28) of the nozzle (6) and directed towards a ceiling of the inner surface, and a sidewall jet formed on a second side (30) of the nozzle (6) opposite the first side (28) and directed towards a sidewall of the inner surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing food powder and a method of cleaning an apparatus for processing food powder. BACKGROUND

[0002] Food powders can be used to produce a variety of food products. An advantage of using such product powders is that the powders can be stored for long periods of time without spoiling, in contrast to liquid food products. Food powders can also be easily dissolved in a liquid to form a desired food product. Food products formed from powders can include dairy beverages, such as milk, non-dairy beverages, such as soft drinks, and other dairy products, such as ice cream, yogurt, or cheese. Product powders can include raw materials, such as sugar, milk powder, salt, or flour, as well as finished products, such as instant formula milk powder, instant beverages, or dry bouillon. In the production of milk replacers similar to fresh milk, raw milk powder can be used. Raw milk powder is easily dissolved in water to form a reconstituted liquid milk, which can be further processed, including filtration, homogenization, and heat treatment, to form a final food product.

[0003] Product powders can require a mixing process, which typically occurs in a sealable container, which includes a stirring apparatus, a paddle mixer, or other suitable mixing equipment. After mixing has occurred and the product mixture is removed from the sealable container, residual powder can remain on the interior walls of the sealable container. Conventional methods of cleaning the interior walls include maintenance personnel manually removing the powder using compressed air. A disadvantage of conventional cleaning methods is that the cleaning process is labor intensive. Conventional cleaning methods can also require the opening of the container, which can result in the interior of the container being susceptible to contamination. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome one or more limitations of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to more effectively remove food powder from an apparatus arranged to process food powder.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for processing food powder includes a sealable container having an interior surface defining a volume space in which the food powder is processed and a powder outlet, and a nozzle connected to the sealable container and configured to send air into the sealable container and direct the air toward the interior surface to remove product powder from the interior surface, such that the air and the removed product powder can flow out of the sealable container through the powder outlet. The nozzle includes a ceiling jet opening forming a ceiling on a first side of the nozzle and directed toward a ceiling of the interior surface, and a sidewall jet opening forming a sidewall on a second side of the nozzle opposite the first side and directed toward a sidewall of the interior surface.

[0006] Thus, cleaning according to the present application is not performed in the conventional manner, i.e. by opening the container and manually removing the powder from the inner surfaces using compressed air and removing it from the container. Instead, the powder is removed from the inner surfaces using nozzles that direct air towards different surfaces inside, such as the ceiling and the side walls, and the removed powder and air can be drawn out of the container. The device for handling food powder described herein has the advantage that it enables cleaning in a very efficient and hygienic manner. During cleaning, the container can remain in a closed state. The device can comprise more than one nozzle arranged to direct a flow of air towards different inner surfaces of the container. The arrangement of the nozzles facilitates ensuring that powder is removed from different inner surfaces of the container and directed to a location from which it will be drawn out of the container.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present application, a method of cleaning a device for handling food powder, the device comprising a sealable container having an inner surface defining a volume in which the food powder is handled and a powder outlet, the method comprising: supplying air into the sealable container using a nozzle attached to the sealable container, wherein the air is directed by the nozzle towards the inner surface to remove product powder from the inner surface; directing air towards a ceiling of the inner surface using a ceiling jet opening formed on a first side of the nozzle and towards a side wall of the inner surface using a side wall jet opening formed on a second side of the nozzle opposite the first side; and exhausting air from the sealable container such that the air and the product powder exhausted can flow out of the sealable container through the powder outlet.

[0008] The method can comprise the same features and have the same advantages as the device for handling food powder.

[0009] Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The features of the present application will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a device for handling food powder, the device comprising a sealable container having an inner surface, the container having a volume in which food powder is handled; and a plurality of nozzles attached to the container and configured to supply air into the container.

[0012] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a side perspective view of one of the nozzles of

[0013] Figure 3 is Figure 1is a side perspective view of one of the nozzles of the device of

[0014] Figure 4 is Figure 1 is another side perspective view of the nozzle of the device of

[0015] Figure 5 is Figure 1 is another side perspective view of the nozzle of the device of

[0016] Figure 6 is Figure 1 is a side view of the nozzle of the device of

[0017] Figure 7 is Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of the device of

[0018] Figure 8 is Figure 1 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the nozzle of the device of

[0019] Figure 9 is Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the device of

[0020] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a control system of the device for processing Figure 1 food powder.

[0021] Figure 11 is a flowchart of a method for cleaning the device for processing Figure 1 food powder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of the present application will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the application are

[0023] Reference Figure 1An exemplary device 1 for processing food powder is shown. The device 1 comprises a sealable container 2 having an inner surface 3 defining a volume 4 for processing food powder and a powder outlet 5. The device 1 can be horizontally oriented such that the powder outlet 5 is arranged at the bottom of the device 1. One or more nozzles 6 are connected to the container 2 and configured to feed air into the container 2 for removing residual food powder from the container 2 during a cleaning process after a bulk of food powder has been removed from the container 2. The bulk of food powder is removed from the container 2 for further processing to produce a food product. Each nozzle 6 is configured to direct air towards a different surface of the inner surface 3 for removing product powder from the inner surface 3. The different surfaces comprise at least a ceiling 7 and a sidewall 8. After removal of product powder from the inner surface 3, the air and removed product powder exit the container 2 through the powder outlet 5.

[0024] Processing food powder in the container 2 can comprise agitating or mixing the food powder. The food powder can be any combination of milk powder, sugar, salt or flour, or a powder mixture, such as infant formula, cake and baking mix and similar food powders.

[0025] The device 1 can be any device for processing food powder, such as a storage tank or a mixer. In the shown example, the device 1 is a mixer. The device 1 then has a rotatable agitating equipment 9, 10 mounted to a rear wall 11 of the container 2 for agitating or mixing the product powder. The rotatable agitating equipment 9, 10 extends through the volume space 4 of the container 2 when the device 1 is assembled. The rotatable agitating equipment 9, 10 can comprise one or more rotatable shafts 9 comprising mixing paddles 10. If more than one rotatable shaft 9 is provided, the rotatable shafts 9 can be arranged to counter-rotate relative to each other. The shape of the container 2 can be formed to accommodate the rotation of the one or more rotatable shafts 9 and mixing paddles 10.

[0026] The inner surface 3 of the container 2 is defined by the sidewall 8, the ceiling 7, the rear wall 11 and a front wall arranged opposite the rear wall 11. The front wall can be formed as a pivotable door 12. The door 12 can be connected to the container 2 by a hinge and handle 12a. The ceiling 7 extends from the sidewall 8 to a further sidewall 13 opposite the sidewall 8 and between the rear wall 11 and the door 12. The sidewalls 8, 13 can be angled relative to the ceiling 7 which is substantially flat and horizontally extending.

[0027] The nozzles 6 are mounted to the ceiling 7 of the container 2 at a portion where the ceiling 7 transitions to the sidewall 8. Each nozzle 6 is positioned to direct a flow of air towards one or more of the ceiling 7, the sidewall 8, the rotatable agitating equipment 9, 10 and the door 12. An actuator 14 is connected to each nozzle 6 and configured to actuate the nozzle by moving it along its axis to push it into the volume space 4.

[0028] Any number of nozzles 6 can be provided, and the arrangement of the nozzles 6 depends on the shape of the container 2. Two to eight, or even more, nozzles can be provided. Six nozzles 6 can be provided, comprising: a set of three nozzles 6 arranged on the top plate 7 near the side wall 8; and a second set of three nozzles 6 arranged on the top plate 7 near the opposite side wall 13. These two sets of nozzles 6 can be arranged tangentially relative to the top plate 7 and inclined inward toward the center of the container 2. Each nozzle 6 in the same set can have the same orientation. The nozzles 6 are arranged to ensure coverage of the entire area of ​​the inner surface 3, so that product powder can be removed from the entire surface area of ​​the inner surface 3.

[0029] Figure 2 Showing the connection Figure 1 The actuator 14 and the rod 15 of the nozzle 6. The nozzle 6 is positioned within a housing 16, which is mounted to the container 2 via a flange 17, which can be welded to the housing 16. The nozzle 6 includes an inlet 19 that provides fluid connection between the air source 20 and the inlet 21 of the nozzle 6, such as... Figure 3 As shown. The air source 20 can be a pressurized tank. The nozzle 6 can be provided with four inlets 19. Fewer or more than four inlets can be provided, and the number of inlets can correspond to the number of spray holes formed on the nozzle 6. Each inlet 19 can be connected to a corresponding fluid supply line 22 and a corresponding control valve 23, so that the air supply to each inlet 19 can be controlled independently. The control valve 23 can be a solenoid valve or any other suitable control valve.

[0030] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A nozzle 6 with a cylinder 26 is shown, a first cut 27 formed in a first side 28 of the cylinder 26, and a second cut 29 formed in a second side 30 of the cylinder 26 opposite to the first side. The cylinder 26 includes a first end face 31 defining an inlet 21, as shown... Figure 3 As shown, and the second end face 32 opposite to the first end face 31, as... Figure 4 As shown. When the product powder is to be removed from the inner surface 3 of the container, the actuator 14 pushes the nozzle 6 into the volume 4 defined by the container 2, and air is supplied through the nozzle 6. When the product powder has been removed from the inner surface 3, the actuator 14 retracts the nozzle 6 back to a position where the second end face 32 is flush with the inner surface 3 of the container 2.

[0031] The nozzle 6 includes a top plate injection port 33 formed on the first side 28 of the nozzle 6 near the second end face 32. When the nozzle 6 is attached to the container 2 and when the nozzle 6 is within the volume space 4, the top plate injection port 33 points towards the top plate 7 of the inner surface 3 to direct the air towards the container 2. Figure 1 The top plate 7 is shown.

[0032] Figure 5 A nozzle 6 is shown, which includes a sidewall injection port 34 formed on a second side 30 near the second end face 32 of the nozzle 6. When the nozzle 6 is actuated, the sidewall injection port 34 points toward the sidewall 8 to guide air toward... Figure 1 The sidewall 8 is shown. The top plate nozzle 33 and the sidewall nozzle 34 are offset relative to the center of the corresponding first side 28 and second side 30. The top plate nozzle 33 and the sidewall nozzle 34 are offset in opposite radial directions, such that the top plate nozzle 33 and the sidewall nozzle 34 are positioned relative to each other on the cylinder 26.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, nozzle 6 may also include an axial injection port 35, which points downwards towards the rotatable stirring devices 9 and 10. Figure 1 (As shown). The axial injection port 35 is configured to provide a fan-shaped injection pattern and can be formed on the first side 28 of the nozzle 6 above the top plate injection port 33. Figure 5 As shown, nozzle 6 may include a door spray port 36 pointing towards the door 12 of container 2 (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown). The gate nozzle 36 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder 26 and can be formed on the second side 30 of the nozzle 6 above the sidewall nozzle 34.

[0034] Advantageously, the nozzles 33, 34, 35, and 36 are formed in the same integral cylinder 26 of the nozzle 6, so that a single nozzle 6 can direct air to different surfaces inside the container 2. Each of the top plate nozzle 33, the side wall nozzle 34, the axial nozzle 35, and the door nozzle 36 can be configured with different flow rates and different flow patterns.

[0035] During operation, when Figure 2 When the rod 15 is actuated to push the nozzle 6 into the volume space 4 of the container 2, the nozzle 6 is displaced relative to the outer shell 16 fixed to the container 2. The nozzle 6 then extends out of the outer shell 16 and into the volume space 4 of the container 2 so that air from the air source 20 can enter the container 2 through the nozzle 6. The nozzle 6 can be positioned such that the top plate nozzle 33 and the side wall nozzle 34 are spaced between 50 and 60 mm from the inner surface 3 of the container 2. When the nozzle 6 is retracted by the rod 15, the nozzle 6 moves back into the outer shell 16, causing the outer shell 16 to block the nozzles 33, 34, 35, and 36.

[0036] Figure 6Each of the first and second cutouts 27, 29 is shown to include a directly upwardly directed surface 37, 38, a downwardly directed surface 39, 40, and a side surface 41, 42 extending between the directly upwardly directed surface 37, 38 and the downwardly directed surface 39, 40. The side surfaces 41, 42 can be substantially planar. The upwardly directed surfaces 37, 38 and the downwardly directed surfaces 39, 40 are angled relative to the side surfaces 41, 42. Each upwardly directed surface 37, 38 can be angled at an angle Θ that is greater than an angle a, where each downwardly directed surface 39, 40 is angled at an angle a relative to the side surfaces 41, 42. The angle Θ can be between 110 and 130 degrees and the angle a can be between 100 and 120 degrees. The upwardly directed surfaces 37, 38 can be inclined at the same angle Θ and the downwardly directed surfaces can be inclined at the same angle a.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the top panel injection port 33 can be formed on the side surface 41 of the first side 28 of the nozzle 6 proximate to the upwardly directed surface 37 of the first side 28. The top panel injection port 33 can be formed offset from the center of the side surface 41. The axial injection port 35 can be formed on the downwardly directed surface 39 of the first side 28 of the nozzle 6. The axial injection port 35 can be centered or proximate to centered on the downwardly directed surface 39. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 3, the top panel injection port 33 can be formed on the side surface 41 of the first side 28 of the nozzle 6 proximate to the upwardly directed surface 37 of the first side 28. The top panel injection port 33 can be formed offset from the center of the side surface 41. The axial injection port 35 can be formed on the downwardly directed surface 39 of the first side 28 of the nozzle 6. The axial injection port 35 can be centered or proximate to centered on the downwardly directed surface 39.

[0038] Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 3, the top panel injection port 33 can be formed on the side surface 41 of the first side 28 of the nozzle 6 proximate to the upwardly directed surface 37 of the first side 28. The top panel injection port 33 can be formed offset from the center of the side surface 41. The axial injection port 35 can be formed on the downwardly directed surface 39 of the first side 28 of the nozzle 6. The axial injection port 35 can be centered or proximate to centered on the downwardly directed surface 39.

[0039] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body 26 is shown including the top panel injection port 33, the sidewall injection port 34, the axial injection port 35, and the door injection port 36. Each of the door injection port 36, the top panel injection port 33, the sidewall injection port 34, and the axial injection port 35 is fluidly connected to a respective one of the inlets 21, 21a, 21b, 21c. The inlets 21, 21a, 21b, 21c are fluidly connected to the door injection port 36, the top panel injection port 33, the sidewall injection port 34, and the axial injection port 35, respectively.

[0040] ​The top plate ejection port 33 can include a plurality of openings arranged close to each other and pointing in different directions. The top plate ejection port 33 is defined by a cylindrical fluid passage that extends from a fluid passage 33a connected to the fluid inlet 21a and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The cylindrical fluid passage of the top plate ejection port 33 extends through the cylinder 26 of the nozzle 6 to the side surface 41. Three to seven openings can be provided. Five openings can be provided. Each of the openings of the top plate ejection port 33 can be inclined at a different angle μ with respect to the longitudinal axis L, and the top plate ejection port 33 is inclined downward. The average angle μ of a group of the top plate ejection ports 33 can be about 80 degrees, such that some of the top plate ejection ports 33 can be inclined at an angle greater than the average angle μ with respect to the longitudinal axis L, and some of the top plate ejection ports 33 can be inclined at an angle less than the average angle μ.

[0041] The side wall ejection port 34 can also include a plurality of openings arranged close to each other and pointing in different directions. The side wall ejection port 34 is defined by a cylindrical fluid passage that extends from a fluid passage 34a connected to the fluid inlet 21b and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The cylindrical fluid passage of the side wall ejection port 34 extends through the cylinder 26 of the nozzle 6 to the side surface 42. Three to seven openings can be provided. Five openings can be provided. Each of the openings of the top plate ejection port 33 can be inclined at a different angle ω with respect to the longitudinal axis L, and the side wall ejection port 34 is inclined downward. The average angle μ of a group of the top plate ejection ports 33 can be about 80 degrees, such that some of the side wall ejection ports 34 can be inclined at an angle greater than the average angle ω with respect to the longitudinal axis L, and some of the side wall ejection ports 34 can be inclined at an angle less than the average angle ω.

[0042] Figure 5 Detailed cross-sectional views of the axial ejection port 35 and the gate ejection port 36 are shown. The lower side slot 43 of the gate ejection port 36 extends along the downwardly directed surface 40 of the second side 30, and the side slot 44 of the gate ejection port 36 extends upward from the lower side slot 43 toward the inlet 21. The flat body 45 of the gate ejection port 36 defines the lower side slot 43 and the side slot 44 and extends through the cylinder 26 to the inlet 21. The width of the lower side slot 43 and the side slot 44 can be uniform along the respective lengths of the lower side slot 43 and the side slot 44. The flat body 45 can be inclined at an angle between 10 and 40 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the nozzle 6 (as shown). Figure 9

[0043] ​The axial jet 35 is defined by a truncated triangular shape extending from another inlet 46 of the nozzle 6 through the cylindrical body 26 to the downwardly directed surface 39 of the second side. The truncated triangular shape is configured to provide a fan-shaped jet pattern outwardly from the axial jet 35. Unlike the door jet 36 which includes the side slot 44, the axial jet 35 can have a single lower side slot 47 which extends along the downwardly directed surface 39.

[0044] Figure 1 Different jet patterns provided by the roof jet 33, the sidewall jet 34, the axial jet 35, and the door jet 36 of the nozzle 6 are shown. The different jet patterns are used during cleaning operations of the powder handling apparatus 1 to direct air to different surfaces inside the vessel 2. A first jet pattern 48 is provided by the roof jet 33 and is directed towards the roof 7. A second jet pattern 49 is provided by the sidewall jet 34 and is directed towards the sidewall 8. A third jet pattern 50 is directed towards the rotatable shaft 9 of the rotatable stirring device 9, 10. A fourth jet pattern 51 is provided by the door jet 36 and is directed towards the door 12. As will be described below, each jet pattern 48, 49, 50, 51 can be different. Figure 9 The different surfaces inside the vessel 2 during cleaning operations of the powder handling apparatus 1 are shown to direct air to these surfaces. A first jet pattern 48 is provided by the roof jet 33 and is directed towards the roof 7. A second jet pattern 49 is provided by the sidewall jet 34 and is directed towards the sidewall 8. A third jet pattern 50 is directed towards the rotatable shaft 9 of the rotatable stirring device 9, 10. A fourth jet pattern 51 is provided by the door jet 36 and is directed towards the door 12. As will be described below, each jet pattern 48, 49, 50, 51 can be different. Figure 10 The different surfaces inside the vessel 2 during cleaning operations of the powder handling apparatus 1 are shown to direct air to these surfaces. A first jet pattern 48 is provided by the roof jet 33 and is directed towards the roof 7. A second jet pattern 49 is provided by the sidewall jet 34 and is directed towards the sidewall 8. A third jet pattern 50 is directed towards the rotatable shaft 9 of the rotatable stirring device 9, 10. A fourth jet pattern 51 is provided by the door jet 36 and is directed towards the door 12. As will be described below, each jet pattern 48, 49, 50, 51 can be different.

[0045] Figure 2 An exemplary control system 52 for the apparatus 1 is shown. The cleaning process can be automated using the control system 52 which includes a processor 53 communicatively coupled with the control valves 23 and the actuator 14 to activate the nozzle 6. The processor 53 can include any suitable processor and electronic control mechanism, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a control circuit, etc. The air source 20 can include a compressor, and the control system 52 can control the compressor to supply air to the supply line 22 at a predetermined flow rate, such as a flow rate between 40 and 200 Nm 3 / h. The control system 52 can be used to maintain a constant pressure in the supply line 22 Figure 1 and 3 the inlets 19, 21 as shown.

[0046] The control system 52 can also be used to vary the air flow through the nozzle 6 to temporarily increase the air flow through the nozzle 6. The control system 52 can be used to control different control valves 23 and vary the air flow through each of the supply line 22 corresponding to one of the jet patterns 33, 34, 35, 36 of the nozzle 6. The flow rates of the roof jet 33, the sidewall jet 34, the axial jet 35, and the door jet 36 at 5 barG gauge pressure can be 70 Nm 3 / h, 70 Nm 3 / h, 100 Nm 3 / h, and 100 Nm 3Any predetermined sequence of air flow within the vessel 2 can be provided using the control system 52. Pulsed air flow, alternating air flow velocity and different flow rates can be provided for different nozzles 6 or the inlets 21 of the nozzles 6.

[0047] The processor 53 can be configured to control Figure 1 the actuator 14 shown in Fig. 1 to push the nozzle 6 into the volume space 4 of the vessel 2 when product powder is to be removed from the inner surface 3 and to retract the nozzle 6 when product powder has been removed from the inner surface 3. In operation, after the nozzle 6 has been pushed into the volume space 4 of the vessel 2, the control valve 23 can be opened to enable air to flow into the vessel 2 through the jet opening of the nozzle 6. A vacuum pump 55 can also be controlled by the processor 53 and fluidly connected to the vessel 2 to create a suction effect to draw air and powder out of the powder outlet 5 of the vessel 2 shown in Fig. 1. The vacuum pump 55 can operate independently of the nozzle 6. The vessel 2 can be closed such that air can only exit through the powder outlet 5. Figure 11

[0048] Figure 1 A method 56 for cleaning a device for processing food powder is shown. Figure 10 The device 1 and ​ The control system 52 shown in Fig. 1 can be used to perform the method 56. The method 56 comprises a step 57 of supplying air into the vessel 2 using the nozzle 6 attached to the vessel 2. The air is directed by the nozzle 6 towards the inner surface 3 to remove product powder from the inner surface 3. A step 58 of the method 56 comprises directing air towards the ceiling 7 of the inner surface 3 using the ceiling jet opening 33 formed on the first side 28 of the nozzle 6 and towards the side wall 8 of the inner surface 3 using the side wall jet opening 34 formed on the second side 30 of the nozzle 6 opposite the first side 28. A step 59 comprises letting air exit from the vessel 2 such that air and removed product powder can flow out of the vessel 2 via the powder outlet 5.

[0049] A device for processing food powder comprising a nozzle is advantageous in providing more effective cleaning of the device. The nozzle in the nozzle arrangement is configured to direct air flow at multiple surfaces of an inner surface of a sealable vessel to remove residual product powder from the inner surface. The removed product powder and air can flow out of the vessel through a powder outlet and a vacuum pump such that the manual cleaning process of the device can be less intensive or eliminated. In addition to providing a more effective cleaning process, using the nozzle device advantageously enables a more hygienic cleaning process as the vessel can remain sealed during the cleaning process.

[0050] From the above description it is manifest that various embodiments can be made of the application without departing from the scope of the subject-matter set forth in the annexed claims.​

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for processing food powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: A sealable container (2) having an inner surface (3) defining a volume space (4) and a powder outlet (5) for processing the food powder within the volume space (4), and A nozzle (6), which is connected to the sealable container (2) and configured to introduce air into the sealable container (2) and direct the air toward the inner surface (3) to remove product powder from the inner surface (3), such that the air and the removed product powder can flow out of the sealable container (2) through a powder outlet (5), characterized in that: The nozzle (6) includes a top plate spray port (33) formed on a first side (28) of the nozzle (6) and pointing to the top plate (7) of the inner surface (3), and a side wall spray port (34) formed on a second side (30) of the nozzle (6) opposite to the first side (28) and pointing to the side wall (8) of the inner surface (3). The nozzle (6) includes a cylinder (26) having a first cut (27) in a first side (28) of the cylinder (26) and a second cut (29) in a second side (30) of the cylinder (26) opposite to the first side (28); Each of the first cut (27) and the second cut (29) includes an upward-pointing surface (37, 38), a downward-pointing surface (39, 40), and a side surface (41, 42) extending between the upward-pointing surface (37, 38) and the downward-pointing surface (39, 40). The top plate spray nozzle (33) is formed in the side surface (41) of the upward-pointing surface (37) of the first side (28) and the side wall spray nozzle (34) is formed on the side surface (42) of the upward-pointing surface (38) of the second side (30) near the second side (30).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The device (1) is a mixing device (1) which includes a rotatable stirring device (9, 10) for the food powder, wherein the nozzle (6) includes an axial spray port (35) toward the rotatable stirring device (9, 10).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The axial injection port (35) is configured to provide a fan-shaped injection pattern.

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The nozzle (6) includes a door spray port (36) pointing toward the door (11) of the sealable container (2).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the gate spray port (36) is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle (6).

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The axial injection port (35) is formed on the downward-pointing surface (39) of the first side (28), and the door injection port (36) is formed on the downward-pointing surface (40) of the second side (30).

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 6, wherein, The upward-pointing surfaces (37, 38) are inclined at an angle (θ) relative to the side surfaces (41, 42), and the angle (θ) is greater than the angle (α) at ​​which the downward-pointing surfaces (39, 40) are inclined relative to the side surfaces (41, 42).

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an actuator (14) configured to: When product powder is to be removed from the inner surface (3), the nozzle (6) is pushed into the volume space (4) defined by the sealable container (2), and When the product powder has been removed from the inner surface (3), the nozzle (6) is retracted to a position where the end face (32) of the nozzle (6) is flush with the inner surface (3) of the sealable container (2).

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle (6) comprises at least two inlets (21), each inlet (21) being fluidly connected to an air source (20) via a separate fluid supply line (22), each of the two inlets (21) being arranged to supply air to a corresponding one of the top plate nozzle (33) and the side wall nozzle (34).

10. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The top plate spray port (33) includes a plurality of top plate spray ports pointing in different directions relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle (6), and wherein the side wall spray port (34) includes a plurality of side wall spray ports pointing in different directions relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle (6).

11. A method (56) for cleaning an apparatus (1) for processing food powder according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the apparatus (1) comprising a sealable container (2) having an inner surface (3) defining a volume space (4) and a powder outlet (5), wherein the food powder is processed in the volume space (4), the method (56) comprising: Air is supplied (57) into the sealable container (2) using a nozzle (6) attached to the sealable container (2), wherein the air is guided by the nozzle (6) toward the inner surface (3) to remove product powder from the inner surface (3). Air is guided (58) toward the top plate (7) of the inner surface (3) using a top plate injection port (33) formed on the first side (28) of the nozzle (6), and air is guided (58) toward the side wall (8) of the inner surface (3) using a side wall injection port (34) formed on the second side (30) of the nozzle (6) opposite to the first side (28). Air is expelled (59) from the sealable container (2) so that the air and the expelled product powder can flow out of the sealable container (2) through the powder outlet (5).

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