Abstract:
A swivel body for a packing house washer which includes a hollow housing, a ball joint mounted on a water line coupler which is mounted into the hollow swivel body. The waterline coupler has a hollow neck which is in fluid communication with the swivel body chamber. Water is forced into the swivel body chamber and passes through the waterline coupler into a spray bar. The ball joint fastened to the coupler and neck allows the waterline coupler to articulate within the swivel body. When animal carcasses forcibly contact the sprayer bar, the movement afforded by the ball joint diminishes the likelihood of damage to the sprayer bar or any part of the swivel body. Bushings are used for water tight fitting of the ball joint within the housing. This device is easy to disassemble and repair and has a substantially longer life span than known devices.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of Ser. No. 61/257,923 filed Nov. 4, 2009 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    This disclosure relates generally to the field of washing devices for use in packing houses, and more particularly to a unique sprayer swivel body for a packing house carcass washer. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Meat packing houses or slaughter houses utilize a variety of machinery to clean animal carcasses. Washing machines that spray pressurized jets of water onto animal carcasses are generally known within the industry. Particular to packing houses for large animals, such as beef or pork facilities, washing devices have long been used which include a number of spaced apart spray bars, each bar having a plurality of openings through which pressurized water is sprayed directly onto an animal carcass to remove debris, blood and the like. 
         [0006]    These systems may include two (2) or more spray assemblies spaced apart to form an alleyway. Carcasses, often hanging from shackles, are transported along the alleyway between the rows of spray bars so that all sides of the carcass are washed. 
         [0007]    It is also common for the spray bars to be mounted on racks to form a sprayer wall assembly. Multiple spray bars are spaced apart and aligned such that the spray nozzles on each spray bar are generally oriented in the same direction, aimed generally inward the alley way. It should be understood that the orientation of the spray bars and spray wall assemblies can vary. Regardless of the spray wall orientation or composition, animal carcasses are transported between the spaced apart sprayer walls such that all sides of the carcass are sprayed. 
         [0008]    Known spray devices include a water source that is connected to a water valve, sometimes called a swivel body in the industry. The water valve or swivel body directs the water source through an impeller shaft into a water spray line. Pressurized water is then forced through spray nozzles or jets formed into each water line for application directly onto the animal carcass. In known devices, the connection between the water valve and the water spray line is rigid. A number of replaceable bushings are utilized within the water valve to limit or control water leakage between the valve and the impeller shaft and between the valve and the water spray line. At least one set screw is secured through the water valve body to maintain each bushing in place. 
         [0009]    Currently, as large animal carcasses travel along the line and move between the water washing walls, they are subjected to the forcible water spray that causes the carcasses to pivot, swivel and swing side to side. It is common for the animal carcasses to forcibly contact the water spray lines, the water valves and other parts of the assembly. 
         [0010]    Because the impeller shaft is rigidly fixed within the water valve, as animal carcasses repeatedly strike the mechanism, it causes substantial wear of the bushings. Moreover, the impeller shaft itself may become bent over time which results in pressure loss or water leaking. Because the water spray lines are rigidly fixed to the water valve they are also often bent by contact from the animal carcasses and they quickly become damaged or inoperable. This necessitates substantial repair and maintenance of the known systems. 
         [0011]    Each spray bar is mounted on a rack and is generally connected to a water source at each end. A water valve is used to connect the water source to the water spray bar at each opposing end. Thus, each water bar includes two (2) water valves assemblies. A typical production line usually includes about 20 sprayer bars having 40 total water valves. Because of the extreme wear and tear on the devices, it is necessary to repair or replace these water valves every few months. What is needed is a water valve assembly for use in a packing house that is not easily damaged by the carcasses contacting the spray bars as the carcasses travel along the process line. The instant invention achieves this stated goal by replacing the traditional washer water valve with a very durable manufactured swivel body which includes a ball joint attachment between the swivel body and the spray bar. The swivel body allows the spray bar to move when contacted by animal carcasses thereby limiting damage. Further, the inventive swivel body eliminates the use of set screws, impeller shafts and set collars and is, accordingly, much easier to repair and maintain. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    The instant invention is a unique and novel swivel body for a packing house washer. The swivel body is intended to replace the traditional water valves used for packing house water spray devices. The swivel body is manufactured from durable materials such as stainless steel. An inlet into the swivel body is provided through which pressurized water is forced. At one end of the swivel body a pivot ball or ball joint assembly is attached to a waterline coupler. A pair of bushings are mounted adjacent the ball joint to eliminate water leaking as the ball joint articulates within the chamber of the swivel body. A bore through the waterline coupler allows fluid communication with the swivel body chamber. Accordingly, water forced into the swivel body chamber through the inlet then passes into the bore of the waterline coupler and then into a sprayer bar attached thereto. As animal carcasses contact the spray bar the ball joint is articulated, within limits defined by the dimensions of the swivel body chamber, and this movement significantly diminishes the likelihood of damage to the spray bar or the swivel body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spray bar assembly for use in a packing house. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the swivel body showing the water line connections. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross section view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the inventive device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a prior art spray body. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the prior art spray body taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring now generally to the drawings, the inventive swivel spray body assembly for use in a packing house spray line is shown and generally referenced by  102 . As shown best in  FIG. 1 , each swivel spray body assembled on a spray wall includes at least one (1) water valve attached at one end of the spray bar. In some applications, a separate water valve is provided at each end of the spray bar. Water is passed from the source into the water valve and is forced through the swivel body or water valve into the spray bar. A plurality of jets or water openings (not shown) are provided along each spray bar and water is forced out of these onto an animal carcass as it passes along a processing line. Nozzles may be used at each water opening on the spray bar to allow the user to customize water flow, water pressure and water direction. 
         [0020]    The instant invention is generally limited to the manufacture and assembly of the water valve attached to the spray bar. For purposes of this invention, the term water valve is used interchangeably with the term swivel body. It is well known within the industry that multiple water valves will be used to form a spray rack or spray wall. The detailed description herein, however, is limited to a disclosure of a single water valve with the understanding that each water valve provided in a spray assembly is identical to the exemplar water valve described and disclosed herein. This is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims appended hereto. 
         [0021]    The spray bar is preferably constructed of durable but flexible material such as high density rubber. It is understood that the spray bar can also be manufactured of rigid tube or pipe and from a variety of materials such as galvanized steel, stainless steel or iron and the use of the novel swivel body will achieve substantial and similar improvements over the known devices. The preferred flexible spray bar has several significant advantages. First, the material cost of flexible hose is substantially less than metal piping. Further, the flexibility of the hose material further decreases damage to the spray valve when forcibly contacted by an animal carcass. The flexible hose also is easier to install, repair and replace. In particular, in conjunction with the moveability of the swivel connector of the innovative spray valve, the flexible material is extremely easy to connect. 
         [0022]    It is helpful to fully understand the prior art device to appreciate the advantages and improvements of the instant invention. Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a prior art device is shown. The water valves which have long been used in packing houses include a water valve body  202  having a housing  204  with a chamber  212  formed axially through its length. A water inlet  210  is formed through the water valve housing  204  and is generally threaded for attachment to a water line  206 . Thus, the chamber  212  of the water valve housing  204  is in fluid communication with an attached water line  206 . 
         [0023]    The water valve  202  is generally cylindrical in shape and may be formed from aluminum, hardened steel, stainless steel or other suitable materials. An impeller shaft  216  is mounted longitudinally through the water valve chamber  212 . The water impeller shaft  216  also has a bore  220  and at least one opening  218  is provided in the impeller shaft  216  so that water can pass from the water valve chamber  212  into the bore  220  of the impeller shaft  216 . 
         [0024]    The impeller shaft  216  is longer than the water valve housing  204  and extends beyond the periphery of the water valve  204 . At the first end  215  of the impeller shaft  216  a set collar  228  is provided for mounting the device onto a rack or other assembly (not shown). At the second end  217  of the impeller shaft  216  a water line coupler  214  is integrally formed. The water line coupler  214  includes a threaded socket  230  fixed at the second end  217  of the impeller shaft  216  and open at the opposite end for fastening to a spray bar  208 . 
         [0025]    Because the water valve  202  carries pressurized water, it is necessary to seal the impeller shaft  216  within the water valve chamber  212  to prevent water leaks. Accordingly, a forward bushing  224  is provided on the impeller shaft  216  substantially adjacent the water line coupler  214 . A second or rear bushing  222  is provided on the impeller shaft  216  substantially adjacent to the set collar  228 . Both the forward bushing  224  and rear bushing  222  are held in place by at least two set screws  226 . The bushings are formed from nylon or other suitable material. 
         [0026]    During use, when the prior art water valve became damaged, it was necessary to unfasten the set screws  226  to release the bushings  222 ,  224 . Repair generally requires replacement of the impeller shaft  216  and integral water line coupler  214 . New bushings are generally installed as a maintenance item. The old bushings may be somewhat difficult to remove and it is particularly difficult to align the bushings such that they can be fastened in place with the set screws. In cases of extreme damage, the water line might have to be cut and then replaced. 
         [0027]    Now referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the swivel body  102  of the instant invention is illustrated. Again, it will be appreciated that the swivel body  102  described herein is a single unit for attachment to one end of a single spray bar  108  and several of these devices are generally provided in a spray assembly. Each swivel body  102  described is identical in configuration to the others which are generally shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  but not specifically described herein. 
         [0028]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inventive assembly includes a swivel body housing  104 . The swivel body housing  104  is generally cylindrical in shape and is formed of aluminum, hardened steel, stainless steel or other suitable materials. The swivel body housing  104  defines a longitudinal chamber  127  therethrough. A water inlet bore  110  is provided substantially perpendicular to the chamber  127  of the swivel body housing  104 . Pressurized water from a source is forced through the water inlet bore  110 . The water inlet bore  110  is preferably provided with internal threads for attachment to an externally threaded water source line  106 . The swivel body housing  104  is open at both ends of the chamber  127 . It is preferred that external threads  142  are provided at each end of the swivel body housing  104 . At a first end of the swivel body housing  104 , an internally threaded cap  112  is fastened. The cap  112  may be provided with an internal seal  126  such as an O-ring to make the cap  112  to swivel body housing  104  connection water tight. 
         [0029]    The chamber  127  of the swivel body housing  104  is formed such that it has an integral internal sleeve  144 . The internal sleeve  144  is integral to the inner wall  146  of the inner body housing  104  and is formed by boring larger diameter water line coupler seats  128  in the chamber  127  at each end of the housing  104 . Accordingly, the inner chamber  127  of the swivel body housing  104  has two (2) diameters as best shown in  FIG. 3 . The inner sleeve  144  forms a seat  128  at the juncture of the sleeve  144  and the inner wall  146  of the swivel body housing  104 . A bushing  134  is frictionally retained at the junction of the sleeve  144  and the inner wall  146  of the swivel body housing  104 . It will also be appreciated that the larger diameter portion of the chamber  127  is provided at both ends of the housing  104 . This allows the water line coupler  114  to be installed at either end of the housing  104 . Because the water inlet  110  is in a fixed position through the housing  104  if the water line coupler  114  could only be installed at one end of the housing  104  the orientation of the housing  104  at installation to the water line  106  would dictate the which end the water line coupler  114  would be mounted and two different housings would be required so that the water line coupler could be oriented to either the right or left side of the housing  104 . Because the housing  104  includes a water line coupler seat  128  at both ends, the coupler  114  can be installed in either a left or right direction after the housing  104  is connected to the water supply line  106 . 
         [0030]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a ball joint  132  is mounted to a coupler neck  130  which is formed on the water line coupler  114 . The water line coupler  114  includes an internally threaded connector  116  for attachment to the water line spray bar  108 . The neck  130  is formed opposite the threaded connector opening  116 . Further, the neck  130  of the water line coupler  116  is hollow. The ball joint  132  is sized to slide over the outer periphery of the neck  130 . The tolerances are such that the ball joint  132  can be frictionally retained on the neck  130 , although, as shown, the neck can be provided with external threads  148  to mate to internal threads  150  formed in the ball joint  132 . 
         [0031]    An internally threaded cap  118  is also mounted on the neck  130  between the water line connector  116  and the ball joint  132 . This cap  118  necessarily has an opening  120  through which the neck  130  is positioned. It is preferred that a small race  138  is formed on the inner surface of the cap  118  around the opening  120 . A ball joint bushing  136  is placed between the internally threaded cap  118  and the ball joint  132 . The race  138  of the threaded cap generally urges the ball joint bushing  136  onto the ball joint  132  as the cap  118  is fastened to the threads  142  of the swivel body housing  104 . The opening  120  through the cap  118  is larger in diameter than the neck  130  of the coupler  114 . This allows the ball joint  132  of the coupler  114  to articulate within the coupler seat  128  of the housing  104 . As the cap  118  is secured onto the threads  142  of the housing  104 , the ball joint  132  is captured by the bushings  134 ,  136  and a water tight seal is formed around the ball joint  132 . This eliminates any leakage of water around the coupler  114  to housing  104  connection. 
         [0032]    The bore  140  through the water line coupler neck  130  is in fluid communication with the internal chamber  127  of the swivel body housing  104 . Thusly, as water is forced through the inlet  110  of the swivel body  102  it is then forcibly passed through the chamber  127  and through the bore  140  of the neck  130  and subsequently into an attached spray bar  108 . The ball joint  132  allows the water line coupler  114  to articulate within the swivel body housing  104  to diminish damage to the line  106  and the swivel body  102  when forcibly contacted by animal carcasses. 
         [0033]    While the present invention has been described above, it should be clear that many changes and modifications may be made to the device without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.