A vegetable and fruit washing apparatus which includes a dual lid system configured to couple with a cylindrical container, the dual lid comprising a first lid that is a cover containing a rectangular slot and the second lid is a strainer, wherein the first lid coupled to the second lid covers the second lid when both are closed, and the second lid includes a plurality of holes, coupled to a cylindrical container with an opening configured to allow fruit or vegetables to enter the container.

A vegetable and fruit washing apparatus which includes a dual lid system configured to couple with a cylindrical container, the dual lid comprising a first lid that is a cover containing a rectangular slot and the second lid is a strainer, wherein the first lid coupled to the second lid covers the second lid when both are closed, and the second lid includes a plurality of holes, coupled to a cylindrical container with an opening configured to allow fruit or vegetables to enter the container.

A kitchen appliance includes a self-contained pull string drive device and a work unit. The device is configured for manually rotating a work unit around a rotation axis by pulling a string transversely to the rotation axis A. The device includes a drive wheel, a return spring, all positioned coaxially relative to the rotation axis A, a string, one end of which is wound around the drive wheel and the other end of which is connected to a handle. The work unit includes a lid closing a bowl. The pull string drive device is configured to be detachable from the lid of the bowl. The lid includes a male or female part joined to a drive interface, to cooperate with the drive wheel by mechanical coupling in order to transmit a rotational movement from the device to the work unit.

A kitchen appliance includes a self-contained pull string drive device and a work unit. The device is configured for manually rotating a work unit around a rotation axis by pulling a string transversely to the rotation axis A. The device includes a drive wheel, a return spring, all positioned coaxially relative to the rotation axis A, a string, one end of which is wound around the drive wheel and the other end of which is connected to a handle. The work unit includes a lid closing a bowl. The pull string drive device is configured to be detachable from the lid of the bowl. The lid includes a male or female part joined to a drive interface, to cooperate with the drive wheel by mechanical coupling in order to transmit a rotational movement from the device to the work unit.

Systems and methods for washing and thawing objects, such as vegetables and fruits, where large amounts of lifting of heavy items is minimized, complex and expensive pumping and manifold systems and structures are not required; and system cost and daily maintenance is reduced. The system includes a structure for holding a volume of fluid, a vertical motion structure driven by an electric motor or the like that raises and lowers a basket carrier between an elevated position and a lowered position. In the lowered position, one or more baskets are positioned on a basket carrier and are repeatedly lowered into and raised from the volume of fluid.

Systems and methods for washing and thawing objects, such as vegetables and fruits, where large amounts of lifting of heavy items is minimized, complex and expensive pumping and manifold systems and structures are not required; and system cost and daily maintenance is reduced. The system includes a structure for holding a volume of fluid, a vertical motion structure driven by an electric motor or the like that raises and lowers a basket carrier between an elevated position and a lowered position. In the lowered position, one or more baskets are positioned on a basket carrier and are repeatedly lowered into and raised from the volume of fluid.

Methods and apparatus for validating wash processes and related operations for food processing, including preventing undesirable deviations in such food processing. One example method for validating a process for a food processing system generally includes: operating the food processing system on a food product according to the process, wherein the operating is performed for at least a validation period; measuring a process metric at multiple times during the validation period while the food processing system is operating according to the process, wherein the measuring generates a set of process metric measurements; and determining whether the process for the food processing system is valid, based on the set of process metric measurements.

Methods and apparatus for validating wash processes and related operations for food processing, including preventing undesirable deviations in such food processing. One example method for validating a process for a food processing system generally includes: operating the food processing system on a food product according to the process, wherein the operating is performed for at least a validation period; measuring a process metric at multiple times during the validation period while the food processing system is operating according to the process, wherein the measuring generates a set of process metric measurements; and determining whether the process for the food processing system is valid, based on the set of process metric measurements.

A salad spinner includes a lid with an integrated drive mechanism and a strainer bowl having a strainer basket supported therein. The strainer basket having a pivotable strainer handle. The strainer handle defines a centrally disposed aperture. The drive mechanism has a drive shaft with a predetermined geometric cross-section that is removably coupled to the aperture of the strainer handle having the same geometric shape. The drive shaft can be further configure to engage an opening of a food chopper.

A salad spinner includes a lid with an integrated drive mechanism and a strainer bowl having a strainer basket supported therein. The strainer basket having a pivotable strainer handle. The strainer handle defines a centrally disposed aperture. The drive mechanism has a drive shaft with a predetermined geometric cross-section that is removably coupled to the aperture of the strainer handle having the same geometric shape. The drive shaft can be further configure to engage an opening of a food chopper.