Method for spray washing fruit in a brush bed
US5451266A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23N12/023
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Described is a method, particularly applicable to a brush bed conveyor system, by which objects, typically citrus fruit, are washed or sprayed. A moveable high pressure spray manifold is contained within a manifold carriage and is disposed within the conveyor chassis such that it is moved along above a brush bed by a conveyor chain. Separation bars extend from the conveyor chain to segregate the objects into queues retained within the spray pattern of the manifold. When the manifold reaches a predetermined end position, a release latch is decoupled from the separation bars to disconnect the separation bars and conveyor chain from the manifold carriage. The predetermined end position is sensed and the manifold carriage is quickly returned to its initial position by means of a selectively activated pneumatic piston assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.