Patent ID: 11958085
Assignee: MUNGER BROS., LLC
Field: Food chemistry (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC B  A | IPC A  B

Claim 0:
1. A berry preparation device comprising:
a first wash portion;
a second wash portion;
a tray removal device;
a third wash portion;
a first drying portion;
a second drying portion; and
a plurality of trays that are configured to hold a plurality of berries;
wherein said first wash portion comprises: a rain wash device, a solution spout, a rain sieve, an oxidizer sanitizer wash, a incoming pipe, a cover, a conveyor, one or more recirculation pipes, one or more legs, a controller, and a monitor;
wherein said first wash portion is configured to wash said plurality of berries in said oxidizer sanitizer wash;
wherein said plurality of trays are configured to move through said first wash portion, such that said plurality of berries are washed by said first wash portion within said plurality of trays;
wherein said oxidizer sanitizer wash is configured to be circulated out of said first wash portion, to a first chiller, and then recirculated back into said first wash portion, such that a temperature of said oxidizer sanitizer wash is kept between approximately 1-5° C.;
wherein said plurality of trays are configured to be moved from said first wash portion to said second wash portion;
wherein said second wash portion comprises: a structure, one or more sprayers, a sprayer support, a surfactant sanitizer wash, a source pipe, one or more recirculation pipes, a monitor, a controller, and legs;
wherein said second wash portion is configured to wash said plurality of berries in said surfactant sanitizer wash;
wherein said plurality of trays are configured to be moved through said second wash portion, such that said plurality of berries are washed by said second wash portion within said plurality of trays;
wherein said surfactant sanitizer wash is configured to be circulated out of the second wash portion, to a second chiller, and then recirculated back into said second wash portion, such that a temperature of said surfactant sanitizer wash is kept between approximately 1-5° C.;
wherein said plurality of trays are configured to be tipped over after said plurality of trays exit said second wash station, such that said plurality of berries are removed from said plurality of trays while creating a plurality of empty trays;
wherein said berry preparation device is configured to transport said plurality of berries to said third wash portion;
wherein said third wash portion comprises: a waterfall wash device;
wherein said third wash portion is configured to wash said plurality of berries in a final rinse sanitizer;
wherein said tray removal device is configured to automatically remove said plurality of empty trays;
wherein said berry preparation device is configured to automatically move said plurality of berries through said third wash portion, such that said plurality of berries pass under said waterfall wash device;
wherein said berry preparation device is configured to automatically move said plurality of berries from said third wash portion to said first drying portion;
wherein said tray removal device comprises: a tray decelerator, a tray tipper, a conveyor, a trough, and one or more legs;
wherein said berry preparation device is contained within two rooms, a first room and a second room;
wherein said first wash portion, said second wash portion, said third wash portion, and said first drying portion are within said first room;
wherein said second drying portion is within said second room; and
wherein said plurality of trays are configured to be loaded into said berry preparation device.