Method and apparatus for processing produce
US5097755A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1989 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23N15/00
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for processing produce and particularly fresh vegetables for salads. The vegetables are stored in an area near the beginning of the process line, and the storage area is partitioned by vinyl strips to create a temperature gradient for different vegetables. The vegetables are first cleaned on mesh conveyors under high pressure nozzles that spray chlorinated water at the desired storage temperature of the vegetables. A trimming table includes a lower conveyor for moving the vegetables for hand processing. An upper, cleated conveyor carries the vegetables to a slicer. Another cleated conveyor lifts the sliced vegetables vertically into a hopper where they are mixed with cooling water that then flows through a significant horizontal length of pipe. The vegetables move to shaker tables that provide the bulk of the dewatering and then vibrate the vegetables into a single layer for air drying. The air drying is provided by air knives and a vacuum that draws water through the cotton belt on which the vegetables travel. Additional drying is provided by a fluidizing bed with a perforated belt of different sized holes, and then the vegetables move to a vib…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.