The system for cleaning fresh and freshly-cut produce is designed to clean produce as soon as practicable after the produce is cut. As the produce falls downwardly, a spray manifold directs a produce-washing liquid upwardly so that the produce-washing liquid directly sprays and impacts the falling produce. The impact of the produce-washing liquid causes the produce to tumble and the descent of the produce is slowed, and consequently the produce is thoroughly coated and cleaned by the produce-washing liquid. In an alternative embodiment, a suspending fluid (preferably air) is simultaneously directed to the falling produce to slow the descent of the produce and further ensure that the produce is thoroughly washed and directly sprayed by the produce-washing liquid.

The system for cleaning fresh and freshly-cut produce is designed to clean produce as soon as practicable after the produce is cut. As the produce falls downwardly, a spray manifold directs a produce-washing liquid upwardly so that the produce-washing liquid directly sprays and impacts the falling produce. The impact of the produce-washing liquid causes the produce to tumble and the descent of the produce is slowed, and consequently the produce is thoroughly coated and cleaned by the produce-washing liquid. In an alternative embodiment, a suspending fluid (preferably air) is simultaneously directed to the falling produce to slow the descent of the produce and further ensure that the produce is thoroughly washed and directly sprayed by the produce-washing liquid.

A method and device for processing berries. The method may comprise: providing a berry preparation device that is configured to prepare a plurality of berries; placing the plurality of berries in a plurality of trays; loading the plurality of trays into the berry preparation device; wherein the berry preparation device may be positioned substantially within two rooms, a first room and a second room; wherein the berry preparation device may comprise a first wash portion, a second wash portion, a third wash portion, a first drying portion, and a second drying portion; wherein the first wash portion, the second wash portion, the third wash portion, and the first drying portion may be within the first room; wherein the second drying portion may be within the second room; and wherein the plurality of berries may be prepared by the berry preparation device are ready-to-eat and have a shelf life of at least 21 days.

A method and device for processing berries. The method may comprise: providing a berry preparation device that is configured to prepare a plurality of berries; placing the plurality of berries in a plurality of trays; loading the plurality of trays into the berry preparation device; wherein the berry preparation device may be positioned substantially within two rooms, a first room and a second room; wherein the berry preparation device may comprise a first wash portion, a second wash portion, a third wash portion, a first drying portion, and a second drying portion; wherein the first wash portion, the second wash portion, the third wash portion, and the first drying portion may be within the first room; wherein the second drying portion may be within the second room; and wherein the plurality of berries may be prepared by the berry preparation device are ready-to-eat and have a shelf life of at least 21 days.

Described are an apparatus and method for washing produce involving a produce washer having a conveyor belt defining openings therethrough.

Described are an apparatus and method for washing produce involving a produce washer having a conveyor belt defining openings therethrough.

A method and apparatus for continuous pressure cooking product includes a pressure cooking section, an isolating chamber, and an output section. A first product and fluid valve is between the pressure cooking section and the isolating chamber. A second product and fluid valve is between the isolating chamber and the output section. A fluid valve is between a source of pressurized fluid and the isolating chamber. Product is provided to the pressure cooking section and cooked. The fluid valve is opened so that the isolating chamber becomes substantially the same pressure as the pressure cooking section. The first controllable product and fluid flow valve is opened and product enters the isolating chamber, and then closed to isolate product in chamber. The second controllable product and fluid valve is opened and product moves from the chamber to the output section. Then the second controllable product and fluid valve is closed.

This invention relates to a seaweed processing plant, more specifically a portable seaweed processing plant. The portable seaweed processing plant comprises a shipping container having a substantially rectangular cuboid shaped body with at least one releasably securable door to provide access to and from the interior of the container. The container is configured for transport on an articulated chassis. The shipping container houses a remotely monitored seaweed processing line including a seaweed washing station, a seaweed preprocessing station, a seaweed separation station to separate the seaweed into liquid seaweed and solid seaweed, and a seaweed packing station to pack the liquid seaweed and the solid seaweed for onward transport. In this way, the yield from the harvest is optimized, additional products are harvested, and the quality of the harvest is superior than would otherwise be the case.

This invention relates to a seaweed processing plant, more specifically a portable seaweed processing plant. The portable seaweed processing plant comprises a shipping container having a substantially rectangular cuboid shaped body with at least one releasably securable door to provide access to and from the interior of the container. The container is configured for transport on an articulated chassis. The shipping container houses a remotely monitored seaweed processing line including a seaweed washing station, a seaweed preprocessing station, a seaweed separation station to separate the seaweed into liquid seaweed and solid seaweed, and a seaweed packing station to pack the liquid seaweed and the solid seaweed for onward transport. In this way, the yield from the harvest is optimized, additional products are harvested, and the quality of the harvest is superior than would otherwise be the case.

A food processing apparatus including a tank having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, the tank having an inner wall defining a compartment and including a solid, imperforate wall portion, fluid being contained in the compartment, and a rotatable auger mounted in the compartment, the auger for advancing food product within the compartment from the inlet end toward the outlet end, the auger including flights having a flight wall with a radial edge, a clearance space being defined between the radial edge of the flights and the solid, imperforate wall portion of the inner wall. Flow of fluid through the clearance space may be inhibited. One of the inner wall and the flight wall may include a perforated wall portion. Flow of fluid between the first auger section and the second auger section may be provided through the perforated wall portion.