A two stage system for extraction of oil from whole citrus fruit is provided. The first stage is known in the art and includes a first plurality of toothed rollers which convey citrus as the teeth penetrate and rupture oil glands. The oil passes into a first water pan. A novel second stage uses a second plurality of toothed rollers to continue the penetration and rupturing of oil glands. The second plurality of rollers are positioned in an isolated second pan to partially submerge the citrus. A middle phase liquor with extremely low oil concentration is transferred into said second pan to initiate desorption of oil from the citrus. The desorption technique in one embodiment increases yield by 4% or more. This technique is expected to increase yield even more as the recovery by the first stage is reduced.

A two stage system for extraction of oil from whole citrus fruit is provided. The first stage is known in the art and includes a first plurality of toothed rollers which convey citrus as the teeth penetrate and rupture oil glands. The oil passes into a first water pan. A novel second stage uses a second plurality of toothed rollers to continue the penetration and rupturing of oil glands. The second plurality of rollers are positioned in an isolated second pan to partially submerge the citrus. A middle phase liquor with extremely low oil concentration is transferred into said second pan to initiate desorption of oil from the citrus. The desorption technique in one embodiment increases yield by 4% or more. This technique is expected to increase yield even more as the recovery by the first stage is reduced.

A device and method for altering biochrome ratios in plant leaves is provided. The device and method generally include a light source; and means of directing the light source to deliver an altering spectrum to a group of cells. The altering spectrum alters the biochrome content of a group of cells to produce a contrasting color that creates a desired pattern on a leaf. The device may include a first light source that emits a main growth spectrum, a second light source that emits an altering spectrum; and means of directing the first and second light source to a group of cells, wherein the altering spectrum alters the biochrome content of a group of cells to create a desired pattern on a leaf. Methods of altering the biochrome ratio in a group of cells on a leaf generally involve aligning a surface of a leaf with a light source, activating the light source to produce an altering spectrum, and directing the altering spectrum towards the leaf to create a pattern, wherein cells of the leaf exposed to the altering spectrum exhibit a desired pattern.

A device, which can be used to convey a message on the skin of fruits and/or vegetables, the device having at least one prong capable of piercing the skin of a fruit and/or vegetable and connected to a rigid base that limits the depth the prong pierces the skin of the fruit and/or vegetable. The prongs may be configured in the mirror inverse shape of a character, symbol, picture and/or pattern. The device may be used to convey messages or designs on the skin of bananas.

A device, which can be used to convey a message on the skin of fruits and/or vegetables, the device having at least one prong capable of piercing the skin of a fruit and/or vegetable and connected to a rigid base that limits the depth the prong pierces the skin of the fruit and/or vegetable. The prongs may be configured in the mirror inverse shape of a character, symbol, picture and/or pattern. The device may be used to convey messages or designs on the skin of bananas.

A system for coordinated laser marking of mid-conveyance food includes a controller, multiple lasers, and one or more industrial components. The lasers are in network communication with the controller. The controller can send a first instruction set, having a first language, to a first laser, and a second instruction set, having a second language different from the first language, to a second laser, the first laser associated with a first conveyor of multiple conveyors, and the second laser associated with a second conveyor different from the first conveyor. During operation, the first laser applies a marking to a first product as the first product is conveyed along the first conveyor, based on the first instruction set. Also during operation, the second laser applies the marking to a second product as the second product is conveyed along the second conveyor, based on the second instruction set.

There is provided an apparatus for injecting an additive into a food comprising a storage unit for storing an additive to be injected into a food; an injection unit mounted with a storage container storing the food and injecting the additive into the food; a vacuum suction unit for sucking air in an injection tank to make a vacuum pressure; a compression unit for increasing the pressure by supplying air into the injection tank; a supply unit for supplying the additive in a storage tank to the injection tank; a return unit for returning the additive in the injection tank to the storage tank; a recovery unit for recovering the additive in the storage tank and the injection tank; and a control unit for controlling the storage unit, the injection unit, the vacuum suction unit, the compression unit, the supply unit, the return unit, and the recovery unit.

Described herein are conveyor systems and application units which can be used to transport and simultaneously treat, or to facilitate treatment and inspection of produce, agricultural products, or other items. The conveyor systems and application units can be configured to allow products to be simultaneously rotated as they are moved along a packing line, which can facilitate the uniform application of spray coatings and/or allow the products to be uniformly blow dried while they are moved. Exemplary conveyor systems and application units can include a bed formed of a plurality of rollers and a rotation inducing device that causes the rollers to rotate while they are laterally transported, thereby causing the products lying on top of the bed to rotate during transport.

Described herein are conveyor systems and application units which can be used to transport and simultaneously treat, or to facilitate treatment and inspection of produce, agricultural products, or other items. The conveyor systems and application units can be configured to allow products to be simultaneously rotated as they are moved along a packing line, which can facilitate the uniform application of spray coatings and/or allow the products to be uniformly blow dried while they are moved. Exemplary conveyor systems and application units can include a bed formed of a plurality of rollers and a rotation inducing device that causes the rollers to rotate while they are laterally transported, thereby causing the products lying on top of the bed to rotate during transport.

A fluid dispensing system is described herein. In some embodiments, the fluid dispensing system includes a CDA cone constructed as a unitary body; a motor comprising a sealed housing resistant to liquid ingress, the motor configured to rotate the CDA cone around a central longitudinal axis of the CDA cone; and a reducer tube configured to deliver a fluid solution to the CDA cone.