Abstract:
Dual foods pump arrangement that includes a pump manifold, two food pumps, and a rotary valve element removably located within the manifold. The rotary valve element is operated to selectively direct the flow of food product from the two food pumps in alternating fashion through a single manifold outlet. The food pumps are driven by servo actuated cylinders. A tool is provided for lifting the valve element from the manifold that includes a pivotal removal bar that can be attached to a top of the valve element.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/586,481 filed Jan. 13, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Food material pumps using overlapping, alternating plungers that pressurize alternating supplies of food material are known. 
         [0003]    Food processors utilize high-speed molding machines, such as FORMAX® MAXUM700®, F-6™, F-12™, F-19™, F-26™, or F-400™ reciprocating mold plate forming machine, available from Formax, Inc. of Mokena, Ill., U.S.A., for supplying patties to the fast food industry. High-speed molding machines are also described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,887,964; 4,372,008; 4,356,595; 4,821,376; 4,996,743, and 7,255,554. 
         [0004]    The FORMAX® F-26™ reciprocating mold plate forming machine has enjoyed widespread commercial success for many years. A typical FORMAX®F-26™ molding machine can operate at 90 strokes per minute and produce about 32,400 patties per hour based on the standard width mold plate for the F-26™ which is about 27 inches wide and can include 6 mold cavities. 
         [0005]    The FORMAX® F-26™ molding machine is generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,887,964; 4,356,595 and 4,996,743. The FORMAX® F-26™ includes a supply system for supplying a moldable food material, such as ground beef, fish, or the like, to the processing mechanisms of the machine. The supply system comprises a large food material storage hopper that opens into the intake of a food pump system. The food pump system includes at least two food pumps that continuously pump food, under pressure, into a manifold connected to a cyclically operable molding mechanism. 
         [0006]    In the operation of a FORMAX® F-26™ patty-forming machine, a supply of ground meat or other moldable food material is disposed into the hopper from overhead. The floor of the hopper comprises a conveyor belt for moving the food material longitudinally of the hopper toward the other components of the food material supply system. 
         [0007]    At the forward end of the hopper the food material is fed downwardly by the supply system into the intake of the reciprocating pumps constituting the pumping system. The pumps operate in overlapping alteration to each other; at any given time when the machine is in operation at least one of the pumps is forcing food material under pressure into the intake of the manifold. 
         [0008]    The manifold comprises a valving system for feeding the food material, still under relatively high pressure, into the molding mechanism. The molding mechanism operates on a cyclic basis, first sliding a multi-cavity mold plate into receiving position over the manifold and then away from the manifold to a discharge position wherein a knock out system removes the molded products from the mold cavity. 
         [0009]    The molding mechanism further comprises a knockout system. The knockout system comprises knockout cups, which are affixed to a carrier bar that is removably mounted upon a knockout support member. The knockout cups are coordinated in number and size to the mold cavities in the mold plate; there is one knockout cup aligned with each mold cavity and the mold cavity size is somewhat greater than the size of an individual knockout cup. 
         [0010]    Although the FORMAX® F-26™ patty-forming machine includes an integrated overlapping, alternating dual food pumps, the present inventor has recognized the advantages of an improved food pumping system with more flexibility of application that can be incorporated into a food patty molding machine or another food processing machine such as a separator. The present inventor has recognized the need for a pumping system that had a reduced cost of maintenance and a rugged construction. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A pumping system for a food machine such as a food patty molding machine has two reciprocating food pumps for pumping food product in an alternating fashion. The reciprocating food pumps are located horizontally and adjacent to each other. Each food pump comprises an actuating cylinder connected to a piston rod. The distal end of the piston rod is connected to a plunger. The plunger moves within a pump cavity to receive and push food product into a manifold. 
         [0012]    Within the manifold is a valve which alternates between two positions to channel food product from a first pump cavity into the manifold, and to channel food product from a second pump cavity into the manifold. The rotary valve element rotates horizontally between the two positions to receive food product from the food pumps and to channel the food product through the manifold and into a downstream food machine such as into mold cavities. The rotating movement of the rotary valve element is actuated by a linkage system comprising an actuating arm connected to a shaft with which the rotary valve element moves. 
         [0013]    The rotary valve element is disposed within the manifold between a fan shaped receiving area which receives food material from each of the pumps, and the manifold outlet. The rotary valve element is supported in position within the manifold by a bottom cover. The top of the rotary valve element is beneath a top cover. Both the bottom and top covers of the rotary valve element are secured to the manifold housing by fastening mechanisms such as screws or bolts. 
         [0014]    To remove the rotary valve element from the manifold for cleaning, maintenance, or for other purposes, the top cover is removed to allow the top of the rotary valve element to be accessible. A valve removal tool engages with the top of the pump to form a connection which allows the tool to lift the rotary valve element from its position within the manifold. 
         [0015]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a right side elevation view of a prior art high speed food patty molding machine which can be used with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates the supply apparatus for supplying moldable food material from the hopper to the pumps of the prior art patty molding machine. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of one exemplary embodiment of the pump system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of parts of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the actuating cylinder for the pump system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the rotary valve element of the pump system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a top view of actuating mechanism of the rotary valve element. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the actuating mechanism of  FIG. 7  with the rotary valve element removed for clarity. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates the actuator for the rotary valve element. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the linkage member. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the linkage system. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 12A to 12E  illustrate various views of the bottom of the shaft secured to the molding machine. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged side view of the top portion of the shaft. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the rotary valve element within the manifold. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the valve removal tool. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a top view of the valve removal tool in position for removal of the rotary valve element. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged front view of the valve removal tool removing the rotary valve element. 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a front view of the valve removal tool removing the rotary valve element. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0035]    The directions “left” side and “right” side of the patty-forming machine are according to the convention shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       The General Organization and Operation of the Patty Molding Machine 
       [0036]    A high speed food patty molding machine  20  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The FORMAX® F-26™ patty-forming machine is generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,887,964 (RE 90,036), 4,356,595 and 4,996,743. These patents are herein incorporated by reference to assist in the understanding of the basic operation and configuration of the machine  20 , except as modified herein. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , molding machine  20  includes a machine base  21 , preferably mounted upon a plurality of rollers or wheels  22 . Machine base  21  comprises an external skin  21   a  and an internal frame  21   b  and supports the operating mechanism for machine  20 . The base  21  comprises a mechanical compartment that contains hydraulic actuating systems, electrical actuating systems, and most of the machine controls. 
         [0038]    Molding machine  20  includes a supply system  24  for supplying a moldable food material, such as ground beef, fish, or the like, to the processing mechanisms of the machine. As generally illustrated in  FIG. 1  supply system  24  comprises a large food material storage hopper  25  that opens into the intake of a food pump system  26 . The exterior surface of the storage hopper has a hygienic logo  25   a  permanently etched into stainless steel surface. The food pump system  26  includes at least two food pumps that continuously pump food, under pressure, into a manifold  27  connected to a cyclically operable molding mechanism  28 . Molding mechanism  28  can be provided with an elevator system for use in changing the molding mechanism from one product to another, as described in detail. 
         [0039]    In the operation of machine  20 , a supply of ground meat or other moldable food material is disposed into hopper  25  from overhead. The floor of hopper  25  comprises a conveyor belt  31  for moving the food material longitudinally toward the other components of the food material supply system  24 . An elevated mirror  25   g  allows operating personnel to view inside the hopper  25 . 
         [0040]    At the forward end of the hopper  25 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , the food material is fed downwardly by the supply system  24  into the intake of the reciprocating pumps constituting pumping system  26 . The pumps of system  26  operate in overlapping alteration to each other; at any given time when machine  20  is in operation at least one of the pumps is forcing food material under pressure into the intake of manifold  27 . 
         [0041]    The manifold  27  comprises a valve system for feeding the food material, still under relatively high pressure, into the molding mechanism  28 . Molding mechanism  28  operates on a cyclic basis, first sliding a multi-cavity mold plate into receiving position over manifold  27  and then away from the manifold to a discharge position aligned with a series of knockout cups as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0233226, herein incorporated by reference. 
       Infeed Conveyor 
       [0042]    The food supply system  24  and associated hopper  25  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Conveyor belt  31  extends completely across the bottom of hopper  25 , around an end roller  35  and a drive roller  36 , to convey food towards the forward end of the hopper and the vertical pump feed opening. 
         [0043]    The drive roller  36  can comprise a sealed drum motor. The sealed drum motor is located inside the roller. Such drum rollers are available from ITOH DENKI. The use of a drum motor eliminates the need for chains and sprockets such that the roller could be driven from the machine motor. Furthermore, the use of a drum motor allows the drive to be more effectively sealed since only an electrical connection need be connected. 
       Feed Screw System 
       [0044]    The forward end of hopper  25  communicates with a vertical pump feed opening  39  that leads downwardly into a pump intake chamber  41 . An inverted U-shaped frame  42  is mounted on machine base  21 , extending over hopper  25 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , three electric feed screw drives  45 ,  46  and  47  are mounted upon a motor mount plate  48  that is mounted to and above the support plate  43  by long bolts  48   a  and end walls  49   a ,  49   b . The plate  43  includes tapped holes to engage the bolts  48   a . Bolts  50   a  and sleeves  48   b  extend down from the support plate  43  to hold a cover or shield  48   c  around and above the feed screws  51 - 53 . The feed screw drives  45 ,  46 ,  47  may be compact, integrated electric motor/gearbox assemblies such as SUMITOMO model #CNVMO5-6100YC-35, 0.5 horsepower. 
         [0046]    Drive  45  drives a feed screw  51  that extends downwardly through opening  39  in alignment with a pump plunger. Drive  46  drives a centrally located feed screw  52 , whereas drive  47  drives a third feed screw  53 , located at the opposite side of hopper  25  from screw  51  and aligned with another pump plunger. 
         [0047]    The feed screws  51 ,  52 ,  53  include heavy wall thickness flights of about 0.25 inches. 
         [0048]    The drives  45 - 47  are substantially identical and the feed screws  51 - 53  are substantially identical. 
         [0049]    The feed screw system as illustrated in  FIG. 2  is enclosed in a one piece stainless steel feed screw drive enclosure  57 . The support plate  43  is placed within the enclosure  57  as part of the assembly. A cover  57   a  is fastened onto the enclosure  57 . 
         [0050]    The feed screw system can comprise two independent level sensing elements  54 ,  55  extending downwardly from shafts  54   a ,  55   a  as shown in FIG.  2 . The level sensing elements are pneumatically biased and configured as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,554, herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0051]    When machine  20  is in operation, the feed screw drives  45  and  46  are energized whenever plunger is withdrawn, so that feed screws  51  and  52  supply food product from hopper  25  downwardly through opening  39  and into one side of the intake  41  of the food pumping system  26 . Similarly, drives  46  and  47  actuate feed screws  52  and  53  to feed meat to the other side of intake  41  whenever plunger is withdrawn. In each instance, the feed screw drives are controlled to shut off shortly after the plunger is fully retracted, avoiding excessive agitation of the meat. As the supply of food material in the outlet  39  of hopper  25  is depleted, conveyor belt  31  continuously moves the food forwardly in the hopper and into position to be engaged by feed screws  51 - 53 . If the level of meat at the outlet end  39  of hopper  25  becomes excessive, conveyor  31  is stopped, as described above, until the supply at the hopper outlet is again depleted. The wall of the hopper outlet  39  immediately below conveyor drive roller  36  comprises a belt wiper blade  57  that continuously engages the surface of belt  31  and prevents leakage of the meat or other food material from the hopper at this point. 
       The Food Pump System 
       [0052]    A new pump system  26 ′ is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 18 . This pump system  26 ′ can be a stand-alone unit that is connected as desired to another downstream food processing machine such as a separator, or incorporated into a forming machine such as the machine  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , pump system  26 ′ comprises two reciprocating food pumps  61  and  62  mounted upon the top of machine base  21 . The first food pump  61  includes a servo actuated cylinder  64 . A piston (not shown) in cylinder  64  is connected to an elongated piston rod  67 ; the distal end of piston rod  67  is connected to a large plunger  68 . Plunger  68  is aligned with a first pump cavity  69  formed by a pump cavity enclosure  71  that is divided into two chambers by a central divider wall  72 . The pump cavity has an outlet which allows food material to flow into a receiving channel  73  of a manifold  27 ′. 
         [0054]    The second food pump  62  is essentially similar in construction to pump  61  and comprises a servo actuated cylinder  84 . Cylinder  84  has a piston rod  87 , shown in its retracted position, connected to a large plunger  88  that is aligned with a second pump cavity  89  in housing  71 . The pump cavity has an outlet which allows food material to flow into a receiving channel  73   a  of manifold  27 ′. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  illustrates one of the servo actuated cylinders  64 . Piston rod  67  is shown in its extended position (“B”), and retracted position (“A”). A motor  64   a  drives the actuating cylinder  64 . A drive belt  64   b  is coupled to a toothed gear  64   d  of the motor  64   a , and a toothed gear  64   d  of the actuating cylinder such that rotation of the gear  64   c  causes the gear  64   d  to rotate in a corresponding rotation to retract or extend the piston rod  67 . 
         [0056]    In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pumping system  26 ′ is illustrated with the first pump  61  compressing food material to the desired pressure prior to pumping the moldable food material into manifold  27 ′, and with the second pump  62  ready to receive a supply of the moldable food material for a subsequent pumping operation. The supply can be though an opening  89   a  in the top of the cavity  89 , such as the vertical pump feed opening  39 , described above with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A hopper and feed screws for holding and transferring food material down into the pump cavity, such as described above with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , can also be associated with the pumping system  26 ′. Alternately, other methods of refilling the pump cavities are incorporated by the invention. 
         [0057]    Pump  61  has begun its pumping stroke, and is compressing the food product in pump cavity  69  by pressing the food material against the closed valve, in anticipation of forcing the moldable food material into the receiving channel when the valve is opened. 
         [0058]    When the valve  710  is rotated into its open position, the food product in the pump cavity  69  passes through the receiving channel  73 , past the open region  730  of the valve, and through the manifold  27 ′ towards a manifold outlet  727 . As operation of pumping system  26 ′ continues, pump  61  advances plunger  68  to compensate for the removal of food material through manifold  27 ′, maintaining a relatively constant pressure on the remaining food in chamber  69 . 
         [0059]    As plunger  68  advances, servo actuated cylinder  64  senses that plunger  68  is near the end of its permitted range of travel. When this occurs, pump  62  is actuated to advance plunger  88  through pump cavity  89 , compressing the food material in the second pump cavity in preparation for feeding the food from that cavity into manifold  27 ′. When the rotary valve element is in a position to allow the contents in a pump cavity  69  to pass through the manifold, the rotary valve element is also in a position to prevent the contents of pump cavity  89  from passing through the manifold, thus allowing the contents of pump cavity  89  to be compressed due to a buildup of pressure. 
         [0060]    When the food in the second pump cavity  89  is under adequate pressure, the input to manifold  27 ′ is modified so that subsequent feeding of food product to the manifold is effected from the second pump cavity  89  with continuing advancement of plunger  88  of the second pump  62 . After the manifold intake has been changed over, pump  61  is actuated to withdraw plunger  68  from cavity  69  and to allow the pump cavity  69  to be once again filled with food product through top opening  69   a . The manifold intake is changed over using a rotary valve system which is discussed in further detail below. 
         [0061]    Thereafter, when plunger  88  nears the end of its pressure stroke into pump cavity  89 , pumping system machine control transfers pumping operations to pump  61  again. The changeover process described immediately above is reversed; pump  61  begins its compression stroke, manifold  27 ′ is changed over for intake from pump  61 , and pump  62  subsequently retracts plunger  88  back to the supply position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  to allow a refill of pump cavity  89 . This overlapping alternating operation of the two pumps  61  and  62  continues as long as the pumping system  26 ′ is in operation. 
       The Manifold and Rotary Valve System 
       [0062]    The pump manifold  27 ′, shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  7  comprises a rotary valve system  700  ( FIG. 6 ). The rotary valve system  700  comprises a rotary valve element  710  which is disposed within a fan shaped manifold  27 . The rotary valve element  710  rotates within the manifold  27 ′ to direct the flow of food product from pump cavity  69 ,  89  to the manifold outlet  727 . The rotary valve element comprises a solid portion  720  and an open region  730 . Rotation of the solid portion  720  into the first receiving channel  73  closes off communication between the first pump cavity  69  and the manifold outlet  727 , thus preventing the food product in the first pump cavity  69  from flowing into the pump manifold  27 . The extension of the plungers into the pump cavity while the solid portion  720  is turned toward the pump cavity allows the pressure to increase in the pump cavity to the desired level. When the solid portion  720  is within the first receiving channel  73 , the open region  730  is in communication with the second pump cavity  89 , which allows the food product in the second pump cavity to flow into the manifold outlet  727 . Once food product in the first pump cavity  69  reaches the desired level, the valve element is rotated such that the open region  730  is in communication with the first pump cavity, and the solid portion  720  is in position to allow the food product in the second pump cavity  89  to be compressed against it. 
         [0063]    When pumping system  26 ′ changes over between pump  61  and pump  62 , the input into the manifold  27  is accordingly changed to receive food product from pump  62 . The rotational position of the rotary valve element  710 , is actuated to its alternate operating conditions by actuator  106  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). Actuator  106  retracts and extends piston rod  105 , to rotate the rotary valve element  710 . On one end  106   a , the actuator  106  is pivotally connected to a pin  107  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). Extending from the actuator is a piston rod which is connected to a coupling member  105   a  which joins to the linkage member  108 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the piston rod  105  in its extended  105   b  and retracted  105   c  states. Linkage member  108  has an actuator connection end  108   a , and a rotary valve shaft connection end  108   b  ( FIG. 10 ). The linkage member  108  is connected to the actuator  106  at the actuator connection end  108   a  by a pin  109  which extends through hole  108   b  and coupling member  105   a  to allow the linkage member and the piston rod  105  to pivot relative to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The linkage member  108  is connected to the rotary valve element at the rotary valve connection end  108   b  by a rigid connection to a shaft  110  ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0065]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the rotary valve connection end  108   b  of the linkage member  108  has a longitudinal groove  111  along the height of the linkage member  108  which is keyed to receive a protrusion  112  from the shaft  110 . The protrusion  112  allows the shaft to rotate with the linkage member  108  such that rotational movement of the linkage member  108  as a result of the extension or retraction of the actuator  106 , rotates the shaft  110 . The linkage member  108  is secured to the shaft  110  by surrounding the shaft  110  and is tightened about the shaft using fastening mechanisms such as screws  113  ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0066]    The shaft  110  extends upwards from a lower machine housing. Within the lower machine housing, the shaft  110  is secured within a receiving member  120  to an attachment plate  130  by bolts  131  ( FIGS. 12A-12E ). A bearing shaft  140  is disposed within the receiving block  120  to receive the bottom end of the shaft  110 . The bearing shaft  140  receives a ball bearing  150  disposed around the bottom end  115  ( FIG. 12A ) of the shaft. The bearing shaft  140  is held in place by two bolts  141  which are disposed to overlap a portion of the bearing shaft and secure it in position within the receiving member  120 . The shaft  110  is then disposed within the bearing  150  and secured to the bearing  150  with a bolt  151 . Thus, when the shaft  110  is rotated by the actuating mechanism  106 , the shaft  110  is able to pivot about the bearing shaft  140 . 
         [0067]    The shaft  110  on its top end  116  ( FIG. 13 ) is connected to a rotary valve engagement member  117 . The top end  116  of the shaft extends upwards from the lower housing and is received by the rotary valve engagement member  117 . The top end  116  of the shaft passes through a bearing block  118  to extend above the lower housing. 
         [0068]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 14 , the rotary valve engagement member  117  comprises a cylindrical top  200  with a rectangular perimeter extension  210  which extends from either side of the cylindrical top section  200 . The cylindrical top section  200  fits within the bottom section  300  of the rotary valve element  710 . The bottom section  300  of the rotary valve element has contoured recesses  310  which are snugly complementary in shape to the top of the cylindrical top section  200  and the rectangular perimeter extension  210 . The rectangular perimeter extension  210  that is snugly complementary with the contoured recesses  310  in effect key the engagement member  117  to the rotary valve element  710  to force the rotary valve element to move with the movement of the shaft  110 . 
         [0069]    The manifold  27 ′ wherein the rotary valve element is received comprises a top cover  740  and a bottom cover  750  ( FIG. 14 ). Both the top cover and the bottom cover are secured to the manifold housing  27   a  by fastening mechanisms such as bolts  741  and  751 . The bottom cover receives the bottom section  300  of the rotary valve element. The bottom section of the rotary valve element comprises a stepped section  760  which is circular and smaller in diameter than the diameter of the rotary valve element. The stepped section  760  is disposed in a complementarily shaped recessed section  761  in the bottom cover  750 . The bottom cover  750  has an opening  766  which allows the stepped section  760  to extend through the thickness of the bottom cover  750  to receive the cylindrical top  200  and its associated rectangular perimeter extension  210 . 
         [0070]    The top cover  740  is disposed over the top  745  of the rotary valve element, and has a bottom surface  742  contoured to complementarily receive the stepped top surface of  743  the rotary valve element. The rotary valve element has a support rod  780  which extends between the bottom of the rotary valve element to the top of the rotary valve element. The support rod  780  is disposed off center from a central axis  800  of the rotary valve element. The support rod  780  is secured to the bottom of the rotary valve element by a threaded fastening mechanism  781 . The support rod  780  extends to the top of the rotary valve element wherein the top end of the support rod has a threaded bore  790  accessible from the top  745  of the rotary valve element. 
       The Removal Tool 
       [0071]    The removal tool as illustrated in  FIGS. 15-18  comprises a removal bar  800  and vertical removal rod  810 . The removal bar  800  has a plate  821  with a longitudinal slot  820  through which the vertical removal rod  810  is passed. The vertical removal rod  810  has a handle portion  811  which does not pass through the longitudinal slot due to its larger size. The rest of the vertical removal rod  810  is passed through the longitudinal slot  820  and fastened to the threaded bore  790  at the top  745  of the rotary valve element. Once the vertical removal rod  800  is secured to the top  745  of the rotary valve element, the user raises the removal bar  800  to lift up the rotary valve element from its position within the manifold.  FIG. 15  illustrates the removal bar in position before and after the rotary valve element is removed. The vertical removal of the rotary valve element from its position within the manifold minimizes the number of parts that need to be removed to access the rotary valve element. Only the cover of the rotary valve element needs to be removed to allow the top surface of the cylindrical valve to be accessible to the removal tool. 
         [0072]    The removal bar  800  is pivotally connected at a base end  800   a  to a vertical support bar  830  which extends from the top surface of the manifold  27 ′. As the removal bar  830  is lifted at a distal end  800   b , a rotational motion about the base end  800   a  is translated to a vertical lifting motion at the vertical removal rod  810  by the sliding movement of the vertical removal rod  810  within the longitudinal slot  820 . To this end the handle portion  811  has a rounded bottom  811   a  that slides on the plate  821 , through the slot  820 . 
         [0073]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. 
         [0074]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein, to the extent that the references are not inconsistent with the present disclosure.