A permanently mounted tank cleaning apparatus cleans interior surfaces of a bulk milk storage tank using a plurality of cleaning cycles, each cycle characterized by a separate cleaning step. The tank includes a device for dispersing fluid against the interior surfaces of the tank and an outlet proximate its bottom interior surface. A pump is fixedly associated with the dispersing device by a conduit and pumps fluid to the dispersing device through the conduit. A three-way valve assembly is fixedly attached to the outlet of the tank and is positionable in a closed position, a milk removal position, and a tank cleaning position. A solenoid drain valve is positioned between the pump and the tank cleaning position of the three-way valve and below the bottom interior surface of the tank. The tank cleaning position of the three-way valve, the drain valve and the pump are all fixedly attached to each other by conduit and fluid is conveyed from the tank to the pump and to the dispersing device in the tank in a closed loop system. An electronic control device controls the length of each cycle and the input of fluid into the tank and controls operation of the pump and the drain valve such that the pump circulates fluid during each cycle and the drain valve opens and drains the fluid at the end of each cycle.
Cleaning apparatus for a vacuum-operated milk conveying system in a dairy comprises a cleaning liquid tank, timer-controlled components which periodically supply fresh cleaning liquid to the tank, connections by which liquid in the tank (fresh or used) is periodically provided to the system, and a timer-controlled drain control valve assembly mounted on the tank. The valve assembly comprises two (upper and lower) symmetrical molded plastic valve housings secured on opposite sides of a horizontal plate having sets of holes therein which are cooperable with chambers, ports and openings in the housings. The valve assembly also comprises an inlet port, an outlet port, a circulating port, and a single solenoid for operating three rod-mounted valves, namely: a fill valve located between the inlet port and the circulating port, a dump valve located between the inlet port and the outlet port, and a drain valve for a drain port on the tank. When the solenoid is de-energized, the drain valve closes to allow the tank to fill and used cleaning liquid from the system is directed from the inlet port, through the fill valve and through the circulating port into the tank for recirculation. When the solenoid is de-energized, the drain valve opens to allow the tank to empty and used cleaning liquid from the system is directed from the inlet port, through the dump valve and through the outlet port for disposal elsewhere than into the tank.
A system for periodically flushing accumulated sediment from hot water tanks including a drain valve controlled by an electric actuating means capable of rapid actuation of the valve from its normally closed position to a fully open position. The electric actuating means is electrically connected to a timing means, such as a time clock, for actuating periodic flush cycles. A flush cycle begins when the appropriate signal commands the actuating means to open the valve and ends upon closure of the valve. The invention contemplates that the duration of each flush cycle will depend on the water tank size, and that a series of flush cycles will provide optimized flushing of sediment from the tank.
A brewing system (30) with a beverage holding tank (124) and a spray assembly (300, 302, 304) for spraying hot water onto interior surface (314) of the tank (124) to clean the tank (124). The hot water is passed to a dispenser urn (66) by both a brew valve (176) and a by-pass valve (170) only so long as a flush switch (54') is held in an actuated position, and the hot water is then pumped from the dispenser urn (66) to the holding tank spray assembly (300, 302, 304).
The present invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning a liquid-containing vessel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device (1), suitable for cleaning liquid-containing vessels (such as bathtubs or swimming pools), equipped with an energy storage means, wherein said device (1) is a static device and uses a liquid present in said vessel as rinse-liquid.
A vacuum transfer system for transferring food grade products. A biased ball in a cage with a substantially uninterrupted cage wall is utilized as a check valve. The ball may be biased by a weight to float in a predictable orientation relative to the cage. The biased ball assures that a certain portion of the ball will consistently engage with an aperture. The biased ball also minimizes chattering of the ball in the cage under high flow conditions.
