Patent ID: 9095152
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: A23B,A23L,A23N,B08B

Abstract:
1. A berry washing method comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of berries; providing a berry preparation device; loading said plurality of berries into said berry preparation device; wherein said berry preparation device comprises a first washing portion, a second washing portion, a third wash portion, and a drying portion; washing said berries in an oxidizer sanitizer wash by said first washing portion of said berry preparation device; washing said berries in a surfactant sanitizer wash by said second washing portion of said berry preparation device; washing said berries in a final rinse sanitizer combined with a potable water rinse by said third wash portion of said berry preparation device; wherein said second washing portion and said third wash portion comprise a plurality of sprayers; drying said berries by said drying portion of said berry preparation device without increasing a temperature of said berries; wherein said drying portion is separated between two separate rooms, such that a wall separates a first drying portion in a first room and said second drying portion in a second room; wherein said first drying portion comprises one or more of vacuums and one or more air knife dryers; wherein said second drying portion comprises one or more vacuums and one or more air knife dryers; wherein a conveyor belt moves said berries through said first drying portion, then passes through a hole in said wall that separates said first drying portion from said second drying portion, and then moves said berries through said second drying portion; wherein each of said one or more vacuums are configured to be below said conveyor belt and each of said one or more air knife dryers are configured to be above said conveyor belt, such that said one or more air knife dryers blow air down onto said berries and said one or more vacuums sucks air down, such that bruising of said berries is minimized; packaging said berries; and wherein said washed and dried, berries are ready-to-eat and have a shelf life of at least 21 days.