Rotary Drum Blancher with Skinsheet Clamp

Abstract

A method and apparatus for changing all or part of the skinsheet of a rotary drum blancher/cooler from being clean in place totally removable is disclosed. The drum includes the skinsheet (in sections) with a plurality of clamps and catches. Each catch is comprised of two catches—a clean in place catch and a totally removable catch. Each clamp is attached to a section and has an clamping position and a release position, and includes a bail. When a clamp is in the clamping position and its bail is in either the clean in place catch or the totally removable catch of a corresponding catch on an adjacent second section, the catch and clamp hold the adjacent sections together to form a part of the drum. When the clamp is in the release position and the bail is in the clean in place catch of the adjacent section, the clamp and clean in place catch allow adjacent sections to separate, but do not allow them to be removed.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of changing a skinsheet on a rotary drum blancher/cooler for processing food from one of a clean in place skinsheet and a totally removable skinsheet to the other of the clean in place skinsheet and the totally removable skinsheet, comprising:
 adjusting a bail from a one of a clean in place length and a totally removable length to a selected other of the clean in place length and the totally removable length;   mating the bail with a clean in place catch when the clean in place length is the selected length and mating the bail with a totally removable catch when the totally removable length is the selected length; and   placing the clamp in an clamping position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein mating the bail with the clean in place catch includes placing a part of a u shaped bail in a U-shaped catch. 
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein mating the bail with the totally removable catch includes placing a part of the u shaped bail under a tab. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein mating the bail with the clean in place catch includes placing a part of the u shaped bail under a tab. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method is repeated a plurality of times.