The present invention provides improved apparatus and methods for the monitoring and control of apparatus designed to remove moisture from an initially wet product, such as a continuous dryer (14). The net rate of water removal from the wet product (16) is determined during drying thereof, preferably on a real-time basis. A control assembly (20) is operatively coupled with the dryer (14) and includes sensors (24, 26, 28, 34), which are operatively coupled with a digital controller (38). The controller (38) has a PID controller operable to continuously determine the average net rate of water removal from the product (16).

The present invention provides improved apparatus and methods for the monitoring and control of apparatus designed to remove moisture from an initially wet product, such as a continuous dryer (14). The net rate of water removal from the wet product (16) is determined during drying thereof, preferably on a real-time basis. A control assembly (20) is operatively coupled with the dryer (14) and includes sensors (24, 26, 28, 34), which are operatively coupled with a digital controller (38). The controller (38) has a PID controller operable to continuously determine the average net rate of water removal from the product (16).

The present invention relates to a method for producing a dried food from a fruit or vegetable, more particularly for producing potato flakes. The invention proposes the following method steps for providing a dried food pulp from a fruit or vegetable, more particularly potato flakes, having a low free starch content without the addition of emulsifiers or other additives: Treating the fruit by applying an electrical field; comminuting the treated fruit or vegetable to form a food pulp; and drying the food pulp. The present invention also relates to a dried food pulp, more particularly potato flakes, produced according to the method of the invention, and the use of such a dried food pulp.

A food dehydrator includes a housing, a blower member, and a plurality of food trays. The housing has an air intake port, a rear chamber disposed downstream of the air intake port, and a front chamber which is disposed downstream of the rear chamber and which has a plurality of dehydration sub-chambers for the food trays to be removably and respectively disposed therein. The blower member is disposed upstream of the air intake port for introducing air into the rear chamber. Each of the food trays is configured to permit the introduced air, which flows through an internal port of a corresponding one of the dehydration sub-chambers, to pass therethrough and leave through an outlet port of the corresponding one of the dehydration sub-chambers.

A food dehydrator includes a housing, a blower member, and a plurality of food trays. The housing has an air intake port, a rear chamber disposed downstream of the air intake port, and a front chamber which is disposed downstream of the rear chamber and which has a plurality of dehydration sub-chambers for the food trays to be removably and respectively disposed therein. The blower member is disposed upstream of the air intake port for introducing air into the rear chamber. Each of the food trays is configured to permit the introduced air, which flows through an internal port of a corresponding one of the dehydration sub-chambers, to pass therethrough and leave through an outlet port of the corresponding one of the dehydration sub-chambers.

The present invention relates to an air-drying plant for air drying cut-up food. The proposed plant consists of a conveyor (10) for cut-up food (1) defining a conveying surface (11), a plurality of blowing conduits (20) with blowing openings (21) channeling a treated airflow at a speed of treatment with a controlled temperature comprised between 4° C. and 60° C. and a controlled humidity; wherein the conveyor includes air treatment segments (12) with conveying surfaces (11) facing and adjacent to said blowing openings (21), said treated airflow being channeled against said conveying surface (11) in an upward or downward direction; and wherein the conveyor (10) also includes idle segments (13) intercalated between said air treatment segments (12), the conveying surface (11) of which is not facing the blowing openings (21), nor is it subjected to an airflow.

The present invention relates to an air-drying plant for air drying cut-up food. The proposed plant consists of a conveyor (10) for cut-up food (1) defining a conveying surface (11), a plurality of blowing conduits (20) with blowing openings (21) channeling a treated airflow at a speed of treatment with a controlled temperature comprised between 4° C. and 60° C. and a controlled humidity; wherein the conveyor includes air treatment segments (12) with conveying surfaces (11) facing and adjacent to said blowing openings (21), said treated airflow being channeled against said conveying surface (11) in an upward or downward direction; and wherein the conveyor (10) also includes idle segments (13) intercalated between said air treatment segments (12), the conveying surface (11) of which is not facing the blowing openings (21), nor is it subjected to an airflow.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a porous red ginseng. The porous red ginseng according to the present invention forms a uniform porosity therein and thus obtains a crispy mouthfeel and an excellent flavor without an additional process such as an addition of fructose, etc., such that the resulting red ginseng may be not only directly eaten as an original form or slices of the red ginseng, but also have a very high content of ginsenoside and a low content of moisture therein, thus achieving a very excellent storage quality.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a porous red ginseng. The porous red ginseng according to the present invention forms a uniform porosity therein and thus obtains a crispy mouthfeel and an excellent flavor without an additional process such as an addition of fructose, etc., such that the resulting red ginseng may be not only directly eaten as an original form or slices of the red ginseng, but also have a very high content of ginsenoside and a low content of moisture therein, thus achieving a very excellent storage quality.

A modular produce drying tunnel system comprising a loading module, at least one drying module, an end module, and a conveyor. The drying module may comprise at least one gullwing style access door which houses an independent heating element and a blower and which opens upwardly to provide broad access to the interior of the tunnel. The system may be customizable for different types and volumes of produce, comprising a plurality of drying modules, each having at least one access door, and each access door having an independent heating element and blower.