Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Apparatus – Sequential work treating receptacles or stations with means...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-01
2001-08-21
Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Apparatus
Sequential work treating receptacles or stations with means...
C134S16900A, C134S16800C, C134S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276375
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to an apparatus and methods for washing the cored area of a lettuce head.
These apparatus, in preferred embodiments, include a perforated platform, preferably a perforated platform, connected to and supporting a tripod, or other lettuce head guide, that fits into the core hole of a cored lettuce head, and orients the lettuce head during washing of the core hole. Preferably, the guide includes three L-shaped vanes that project upwardly from the support platform.
In preferred embodiments, a support platform includes supports for a lettuce head holder. This holder has an opening sufficiently large to permit the guide to project through the opening with the holder in a first position over the guide. The opening in the holder includes, near the top of the holder, a recess, preferably of sufficient size and shape to receive and support a cored head of lettuce. In the first position, the core hole of a lettuce head is placed over the guide and into the recess of the holder, with the lettuce head otherwise resting in the recess of the holder.
The holder is pivotally connected to two holder supports. The two holder supports are connected to the support platform so that the holder can move upwardly from the first, preferably horizontal position, where the guide projects through the opening in the holder, to a second raised position at a distance of 45° to 75° from the first position. This movement to a second position unseats the cored area of the lettuce head from the guide and propels the lettuce head onto a conveyor that carries the cored, washed lettuce head from the washing apparatus.
Below the perforated platform is a housing for a chamber that stores and dispenses aqueous, lettuce head washing solution. Inside this chamber is an inlet valve through which such a solution enters the chamber. This inlet valve is connected to a float mechanism. The inlet valve maintains a predetermined, adjustable level, usually at or near the middle of the chamber.
Inside the chamber are a screen and screen housing through which the aqueous solution exits the chamber and flows, via lines and valves, into a pressurizable chamber. At least one valve is a check valve that prevents the aqueous solution from escaping the pressurized chamber, and flowing upstream toward the screen and screen housing. Inside the pressurized chamber is a syphon, preferably of cylindrical shape, with an opening at a distal end near the bottom of the pressurizable chamber. Aqueous solution enters the syphon from this distal end, and flows, under pressure, upwardly toward a nozzle at the proximal end of the syphon. The pressurized chamber also includes an opening for admitting a pressurizing gas such as air into the chamber. In preferred embodiments, the nozzle at the proximal end of the syphon discharges a spray of aqueous solution upwardly into and through the area within the guide, and into and around the cored area of a lettuce head to wash the head efficiently.
The washing apparatus also includes pressure driven timers. These timers control the time for aqueous solution to exit the chamber and flow into the pressurizable chamber; start and stop the flow of pressurizing air or other gas into the pressurizable chamber; initiate and sustain the spray from the nozzles into the area with the guide and into the core hole of a cored lettuce head placed on the guide; control the time for ejecting the cored lettuce head; and control the time delay between one wash cycle and another.
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Brown Richard S.
Rizzo Eugene D.
Bright Patrick F.
Fresh Express, Inc.
Stinson Frankie L.
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