Patent Publication Number: US-2009223543-A1

Title: Produce cleaning device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/035,091 filed Mar. 10, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, in general, to produce cleaning devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to a device for removing dirt, dust, debris, bacteria, insects, twigs, and the like from fruits and vegetables. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, it is generally well known in the prior art, to clean fruits and vegetables prior to cooking them, eating them, displaying them, and the like. However, washing and cleaning such fruits and vegetables can be time consuming, boring, difficult, and generally an annoying and disliked chore. Furthermore, if the cleaning is not done properly, bacteria, toxins, dirt and other debris may remain on such fruits and vegetables and eventually make those who consume such fruits and vegetables ill. 
     Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,461, discloses a produce washer wherein produce is supported upon a screen basket suspended within a closed cabinet. A plurality of nozzles disposed about the basket emit a filled cone of washing liquid to scour the produce and to dislodge by agitation and flotation debris there from. 
     Wen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,304, discloses a food article washer including a container for food articles and a cleaning liquid for cleaning the food articles. A basket is provided within the container for holding the food articles. A vibration device imparts vibrations to the cleaning liquid. 
     Rich, U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,257, discloses a hands-free, electrically operated food washing device having a fluid dispenser, such as a reservoir, a wash compartment, a motor-driven agitator, a removable food basket, and a drain for removing soiled fluid from the device. 
     Lyubchik, et al, U.S. Publication No. US 2006/0102193, discloses a method and apparatus for washing fruits and vegetables. The apparatus has a degassing means; a washing tank; an ultrasonic means; at least one water pumping means; a water jetting means for directing a plurality of jets of water, a holding means to facilitate passage of ultrasonic energy through the water; and a control means. 
     Kelly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,334, discloses a vegetables cleaning appliance for spraying vegetables with water while such vegetables are being agitated. 
     Reid, U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,051, discloses an apparatus for washing fruits and vegetables including a container for housing the food articles, an agitation system and washing system for removing undesired foreign materials from the surface of the food articles without causing bruising or damage, and a discharge system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a produce cleaning device. Such produce cleaning device includes a generally hollow housing member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. An access means is disposed on such housing member at a predetermined location for enabling a user to selectively access an interior portion of such housing member. A source of water supplies a flow of water to such housing member via a water dispensing means which is operably connected to such housing member and such source of water for dispensing water into such interior portion of such housing member. A first valve means is connected intermediate such source of water and such water dispensing means for turning on and off a flow of water from such source of water to such housing member. A water removal means is operably connected to such housing member for draining water from within such housing member. A second valve means is disposed intermediate such water removal means and a drain for controlling water removal from such housing member. A rotatable agitating means is disposed within such housing member for agitating water around predetermined produce housed within such interior portion of such housing member. A motor is operably connected to such rotatable agitating means for powering rotation of such rotatable agitating means. A power supply is operably connected to such motor, such first valve means, and such second valve means for supplying power thereto. A control means is operably connected to at least one of such first valve means, such second valve means, such agitating means, such motor, and a combination thereof for selectively controlling at least one of an amount of water being dispensed, a temperature of such water being dispensed, timing of water dispensing, timing of water removal, timing of agitation, and a combination thereof. A switch means is operably disposed between such control means and such power supply for selectively turning such power supply on and off. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device which can wash and decontaminate a predetermined quantity of produce in place of hand washing each piece of produce individually. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can clean a predetermined plurality of produce without bruising and damaging such produce. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be utilized to remove unwanted dirt, debris, insects, dust, pollen, and the like from produce. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable device for use in washing produce thereby making preparing and consuming produce easier and more enjoyable for a user of such device. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a machine which can wash produce for individuals who are unable to do so due to health, physical inability, arthritis, mental defects, etc. 
     In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the invention is illustrated connected to a sink and plugged into an electrical outlet. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cutaway view of the invention taken according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial schematic view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial schematic view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial schematic view of the back of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a basket holding member holds a plurality of baskets. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial schematic view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the invention is being stored inside a cabinet. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     Reference is now made, more particularly, to  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     The present invention provides a produce cleaning device, generally designated  10 . Such produce cleaning device  10  includes a generally hollow housing member  12  manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. 
     An access means  14  is disposed on such housing member  12  at a predetermined location for enabling a user (not shown) to selectively access an interior portion of such housing member  12 . It is presently preferred that such access means is a door member  15  hingedly connected to such housing member  12  at a predetermined location thereon. 
     A source of water  16  supplies a flow of water to such housing member via a water dispensing means  18  which is operably connected to such housing member  12  and such source of water  16  for dispensing water into such interior portion of such housing member  12 . It is presently preferred that such water dispensing means  18  includes a hose member  19  releasably connectable to a sink  21 . 
     A first valve means  22  is connected intermediate such source of water  16  and such water dispensing means  18  for turning on and off a flow of water from such source of water  16  to such housing member  12 . 
     A water removal means  24  is operably connected to such housing member  12  for draining water from within such housing member  12 . 
     A second valve means  26  is disposed intermediate such water removal means  24  and a drain  28  for controlling water removal from such housing member  12 . 
     A rotatable agitating means  32  is disposed within such housing member  12  for agitating water around predetermined produce  34  disposed within such interior portion of such housing member  12 . 
     A motor  36  is operably connected to such rotatable agitating means  32  for powering rotation of such rotatable agitating means  32 . 
     A power supply  38  is operably connected to such motor  36 , such first valve means  22 , and such second valve means  26  for supplying power thereto. It is presently preferred that such power supply  38  is at least one of AC and DC power. According to a preferred embodiment, such power supply  38  is AC and includes an electrical cord  41  for plugging into an electrical outlet  43 . However, the device is not meant to be limited as such and such power supply  38  may be DC and may include at least one battery; preferably such at least one battery is rechargeable. 
     A control means  42  is operably connected to at least one of such first valve means  22 , such second valve means  26 , such agitating means  32 , such motor  36 , and a combination thereof for selectively controlling at least one of an amount of water being dispensed, a temperature of such water being dispensed, timing of water dispensing, timing of water removal, timing of agitation, and a combination thereof. 
     A switch means  44  is operably disposed between such control means  42  and such power supply  38  for selectively turning such power supply  38  on and off. 
     It is presently preferred that such device  10  further includes a basket member  52  disposed within such interior portion of such housing member  12 . Such basket member  52  includes a plurality of apertures  54  disposed therethrough for passage of water and debris. Such basket member  52  is for supporting such predetermined produce at least one of thereon, therein, and a combination thereof. It is further presently preferred that such rotatable agitating means  32  is such basket member  52  and such basket member  52  is rotatably connected to such interior portion of such housing member  12 . It is presently preferred that such basket member  52  is releasably disposed within such housing member. It is further presently preferred that such device  10  includes a plurality of baskets  57  each being releasably disposable within such housing member  12 . It is meant that a user of such device choose the appropriate basket from such plurality of baskets  57  within which to put the specific items of produce to be washed. For example, a different basket would be used for berries, greens, broccoli, apples, etc. It is further presently preferred that a basket holding member  74  is disposed on a predetermined location on such housing member  12  for supporting such plurality of baskets  57  at least one of therein, thereon, and a combination thereof when such plurality of baskets  57  are not in use in such housing  12 . 
     It is presently preferred that such device  10  further includes a debris collection member  56  operably connected to at least one of such water removal means  24  for collecting debris there from, such housing member  12 , and a combination thereof. Preferably such debris collection member  56  is selectively removable from such at least one of such water removal means  24 , such housing member  12 , and a combination thereof for emptying such debris. It is meant that when a wash cycle is completed the debris collection member may be removed from the device for cleaning and then returned to its position for debris collection during the next wash cycle. The debris collection member may be a filter tray, screen, or other suitable means. 
     It is presently preferred that a timing means  62  is operably connected between such control means  42  and such switch means  44  for selectively terminating a predetermined wash cycle after a predetermined amount of time. 
     Preferably such device  10  includes an indicator means  64  disposed on such housing member  12  and operably connected to such control means  42 , such timing means  62 , such power supply  38 , and a combination thereof, for indicating termination of such predetermined wash cycle. It is presently preferred that such indicator means  64  is at least one of a light  66 , an audible alarm, and a combination thereof. 
     It is presently preferred that such device  10  is portable. It is presently preferred that such device  10  further includes a plurality of wheel members  72  disposed on a bottom portion of such housing member  12  for enabling a user to transport such device  10 . However, the device  10  is not meant to be limited as such and may be stationary and positioned as desired by a user. Such device  10  may also be made to fit within a cabinet  78  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     It is meant that a user may attach the device to a sink and plug in the electrical cord to supply power to the device then load the device with produce and select the wash cycle which best accommodates the type of produce being washed. Such device may be used to wash produce with water alone and may also be used with a predetermined cleanser, preferably a non-toxic cleanser. Once the wash cycle is completed (indicated by the indicating means) the produce may be removed from the housing and cooked, eaten, displayed and the like. The device is meant to be about 42 inches high, about 24 inches long, and about 24 inches wide. However, the device is not meant to be limited as such and the device may be made smaller and larger as necessary to fulfill its purpose. 
     According to another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4  such rotatable agitating means  32  is at least one rotating arm  72  disposed at least one of above such basket member  52 , below such basket member  52 , and a combination thereof, such at least one rotating arm  72  having a plurality of apertures  74  disposed therethrough at predetermined locations thereon and further being operably connected to such water dispensing means  18  such that water from such water dispensing means flows through such apertures  74 . 
     While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.