Importance

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Abstract

A clean in place system for a system handling a flow of dry particulate or powder products therethrough, which includes a plurality of flow conduits through which the dry product flows. A plurality of spray nozzles are strategically placed within the system, and include a plurality of flush mounted spray nozzles mounted flush along the interior walls of the flow conduits, and several barrel spray nozzles mounted within the system. One barrel spray nozzle is supported by and below a mounting plate which during a cleaning operation is placed temporarily over a top aperture in a vibrating hopper of a tote table, and is removed therefrom after the cleaning operation is completed. Additional barrel flow nozzles are mounted within filler hoppers of the pouch filling system. A vacuum system is provided for removing air and any dry product carried therewith, and includes vacuum conduits coupled near the base of the system. A drain system is provided for removing water and any product carried therewith, and also includes drain conduits coupled near the base of the system, and the vacuum and drain conduits are alternately coupled to common removal outlets at the product filler auger outlets of the pouch filling system. A control system first introduces compressed air to be sprayed through the plurality of spray nozzles to dislodge and blow clean any dry product in the system. The vacuum system removes the sprayed compressed air and any dry product carried thereby. Secondly, water is sprayed through the plurality of spray nozzles to wash and flush away any dry product remaining in the system after completion of the first air spraying operation. The drain system removes the sprayed water and dry product carried therewith. Thirdly, compressed air is sprayed through the plurality of spray nozzles to evaporate any water remaining after the second water spraying step and to dry the system.

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First Claim