초록 ▼

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 ve

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 vibratory table for packing.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for processing fresh produce and the like, comprising, in related order: means for washing the produce; a trimming table, including a conveyor for advancing the produce; means for slicing the produce; a supply of cooling liquid; means for mixing the sliced produce with said cooling liquid t

A system for processing fresh produce and the like, comprising, in related order: means for washing the produce; a trimming table, including a conveyor for advancing the produce; means for slicing the produce; a supply of cooling liquid; means for mixing the sliced produce with said cooling liquid to form a slurry-like mixture; means for transporting by gravity flow said cooling liquid with the sliced produce, whereby the sliced produce remains in contact with said cooling liquid for a period of time substantial enough to cool the sliced produce to a desired temperature, said gravity flow transporting means comprising a long, stationary, unpressurized conduit to carry a large volume of said slurry-like mixture of cooling liquid and sliced produce, said conduit being pitched slightly vertically downward to maintain said slurry-like mixture of cooling liquid and produce in a flow at a low velocity to permit cooling of and preventing damage to the sliced produce; means for separating said cooling liquid from the sliced produce; and means for drying the sliced produce with forced air.