Self-Cleaning Valve Assembly for Internal Food-Path Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing systems require manual and time-consuming cleaning of beverage and food flow paths, which is inefficient and labor-intensive, especially with the increasing variety of beverages offered in commercial settings, necessitating a system for reduced operator input and enhanced treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning valve assembly is integrated into the food processor, allowing for automated washing, rinsing, and sanitizing of the food flow path, with a valve body and movable valve creating a dead space for treating solution circulation, enabling selective connection of food flow path ports and treating solution lines for efficient treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual portable chemical dispenser systems are used to clean beverage lines, then cleaning can be performed, but the process is extremely time consuming and requires manual movement between various lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning through automated chemical dispensing. The food processor automatically circulates cleaning chemicals through the food flow path and valves without requiring manual intervention to move dispensers between lines, resolving the contradiction by making the system clean itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical dispensing with an automated fluid circulation system. The system uses pumps and controlled flow paths to automatically deliver cleaning chemicals throughout the food processor, eliminating the need for manual movement of portable dispensers
2Adaptability or versatility
If more beverage varieties are offered in commercial settings, then product selection is enhanced, but the cleaning process becomes even more time demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides universal cleaning capability that can handle multiple beverage types and their respective cleaning requirements through a single integrated food flow path. The automated circulation system can deliver appropriate cleaning chemicals for different beverage residues without requiring separate manual cleaning processes for each line
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous cleaning action by automatically circulating cleaning chemicals through the entire food flow path without interruption or manual repositioning. This continuous automated process efficiently handles cleaning regardless of how many beverage varieties are offered
3Extent of automation
If self-cleaning valve assembly is integrated into the food processor, then automated cleaning is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning function directly into the existing food flow path and valve structure. By integrating the self-cleaning capability within the existing architectural framework rather than adding separate external systems, the automation is achieved with minimal increase in overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A Clean in Place assembly for a food processor includes a self-cleaning valve assembly, wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly is in fluid communication with a food flow path in the food processor. The self-cleaning valve assembly includes a valve receiving chamber and valve configured to selectively fluidly connect a food flow path inlet port to a food flow path outlet port; fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to a multivalent port; and fluidly connect a treating solution to a dead space between the valve and the valve receiving cavity. Food product can be selectively drained or retained in food flow path, wherein the self-cleaning valve can be continuously or intermittently exposed to a treating solution for treating non-food flow path portions of the self-cleaning valve assembly.