Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for treating fresh fruit and the like to prevent and retard the growth of fungus

US5007335A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
39References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 24, 1989
Grant dateApr 16, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 24, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA23B7/16
  • WIPO fieldFood chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating fresh fruit to prevent and retard the growth of fungus. The techniques of the invention include simultaneously scrubbing the fresh fruit while drenching with a falling liquid containing a fungicide. Large volumes of liquid are used and the liquid can be recycled. The liquid also removes dirt and debris and, while containing a rather small amount of fungicide, such amount is present in a concentration sufficient to apply a coating to the fruit at the end of the scrubbing step given proper pH control. The pH of the solution is controlled. During the scrubbing step, the fruit is continuously rotated to provide even fungicidal deposit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.