Abstract: Raisins that have been formed by field drying of grapes and that have been exposed to rain during the drying process that has caused solids, particularly sand, to become embedded in the surface folds of the raisins, are cleaned of such embedded solids by spraying with a mixture of pressurized air and water applied through an atomizing nozzle, which achieves both washing and drying of the raisins. The same process is applicable to other agricultural products with wrinkled skins, and produces unusually effective results.

Abstract: Raisins that have been formed by field drying of grapes and that have been exposed to rain during the drying process that has caused solids, particularly sand, to become embedded in the surface folds of the raisins, are cleaned of such embedded solids by spraying with a mixture of pressurized air and water applied through an atomizing nozzle, which achieves both washing and drying of the raisins. The same process is applicable to other agricultural products with wrinkled skins, and produces unusually effective results.

Abstract: A guard assembly (2) is used to protect the cutter blades (20, 21) of a cane cutter (10). The guard assembly includes a guard body (4) which is mounted to the cane cutter. A series of guard blades (6) are pivotally mounted to the guard body. The guard blades are shaped, sized and positioned to permit smaller diameter objects, such as a cane (18) of a grapevine to pass between the guard blades so to be severed by the cutter blades while preventing larger diameter objects, such as posts (26), stakes and the trunks of the grapevines, from passing between the guard blades, thereby protecting both the cutter blades and the larger diameter objects from damage.

Abstract: Clumps of dried fruit are separated into individual fruit pieces with reduced damage to the fruit itself by passing the clumps through an apparatus containing a rotating shaft from which robber-like resilient fingers protrude. As they rotate, the fingers pass between other fingers in the apparatus, and the combination exerts a force on the dried fruit clumps that varies with the degree of deflection of the fingers and hence with the sizes and resistances of the clumps.

Abstract: A method for producing natural, sun-dried raisins from the Thompson seedless grape variety in vineyards located in the Central Valley of California, or similarly situated vineyards, having about 4000 to 5100 degree days during the growing and drying season and an annual yearly rainfall of between about 10 to 12 inches. Rows (2) of grape vines (4) are grown at the vineyard site. The canes are trained so to create divided canopies along the rows of grape vines. The divided canopy has fruiting canes (26) primarily on one side of the row and replacement canes (28) separated from the fruiting canes, typically on the other side of the row. Once the grapes are sufficiently mature, the fruiting canes are cut (34) adjacent the crowns (32) of the grape vines. The grapes (30), still hanging from the cut fruiting canes, are left to dry naturally in the sun to create natural raisins. When sufficiently dry, the raisins are harvested directly from the cut canes.

Abstract: A trellis system (164) is used to produce dried-on-the-vine raisins in a row (2) of vines (4) having a split canopy of fruiting canes (26) and replacement canes (28). The fruiting canes are supported by bent metal posts (150) each having an upwardly inclined support arm (156). The inclined support arms support one or more wires (138, 140) which support the fruiting canes so that, after the fruiting canes are severed, the grapes can dry from the heat of the sun to create raisins. The replacement canes are supported away from the fruiting canes by a trellising arrangment (100) having wires (142, 144) supported by replacement cane support arms (106) mounted to posts (102).

Abstract: A method for producing natural, sun-dried raisins from the Thompson seedless grape variety in vineyards located in the Central Valley of California, or similarly situated vineyards, having about 4000 to 5100 degree days during the growing and drying season and an annual yearly rainfall of between about 10 to 12 inches. Rows (2) of grape vines (4) are grown at the vineyard site. The canes are trained so to create divided canopies along the rows of grape vines. The divided canopy has fruiting canes (26) primarily on one side of the row and replacement canes (28) separated from the fruiting canes, typically on the other side of the row. Once the grapes are sufficiently mature, the fruiting canes are cut (34) adjacent the crowns (32) of the grape vines. The grapes (30), still hanging from the cut fruiting canes, are left to dry naturally in the sun to create natural raisins. When sufficiently dry, the raisins are harvested directly from the cut canes.

Abstract: Raisins are preconditioned for use in food preparations where a high moisture content is required, by exposing the raisins to heated water or steam to elevate the temperature to 130.degree. F. (54.degree. C.) or above, followed by reducing the oxygen content of the atmosphere surrounding the raisins and sealing them in moisture-tight and air-tight packaging while still hot, and storing the raisins in this condition for a sufficient period of time to destroy substantially all spoilage microorganisms present. If held for at least twelve hours and the temperature is at least about 120.degree. F. (49.degree. C.), sugaring is prevented as well. The result is a highly uniform product with pleasing appearance and texture suitable for direct use in baking or other food preparations.

Abstract: A fastener strip, with interlocking profiles of resilient material for purposes of enabling one to reclose a plastic bag after its initial opening, is secured to the bag as the bag is being formed over a cylindrical forming tube. To accomplish this, a continuous carrier strip to which the fastener strip material is mounted is passed into the interior of the forming tube to a port in the tube wall, the strip thereby passing to the outer surface of the tube where it travels part way around the tube circumference, reentering the tube interior through a second port. Between the ports, the carrier strip exposes the fastener strip mounted to it to the web from which the bag is being formed, and the fastener strip is heat fused to the web. A specially constructed combination strip which combines the carrier strip and the fastener strip material allows the two to readily separate once the fastener strip material is bonded to the web.

Abstract: Raisins are treated by blanching, followed by fructose infusion, tempering and drying, all at elevated temperatures, to increase the fructose:dextrose weight ratio in the raisins to a level exceeding 1.5:1, without substantially increasing the total sugar content. The resulting raisins retain moisture and their natural raisin flavor in storage, even when combined with relatively dry, moisture absorptive food materials such as dry cereals, cakes and breads, and powdered baking mixes.

Abstract: Drive assemblies with two novel aspects are disclosed. According to one aspect, the drive assembly is an eccentric drive assembly which is comprised of a crankshaft with eccentric journals, a split bearing and a split housing to encircle and clamp on to the bearing. The housing is joined to a connecting rod with translates the rotation of the crankshaft into a reciprocating motion. The split character permits the bearing and housing to be opened for inspection and, if necessary, removed for repair or replacement by access through a direction transverse to the crankshaft, so that these functions can be performed without disturbing the crankshaft itself or any other units positioned on it. According to the second aspect, the housing and bearing are constructed in a manner which permits variation of the housing position along the direction of the crankshaft axis with a clamping capability at any selected position.

Abstract: An improved coating for sticky fruits and a process for preparing such coated fruits are disclosed.More particularly, the coating of the invention comprises a vegetable wax, a vegetable oil, a wetting agent and a protein.The process of the invention comprises the steps of:(a) coating the fruit with a composition comprising a wetting agent and a suspension of a vegetable wax in a vegetable oil,(b) adding to the fruit a composition comprising a protein,(c) removing excess mixture from the fruit, and(d) drying the fruit.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for separating low and high density particles from a mixture thereof. A foam is continuously generated and carried on the outer surface of a horizontal drum. The mixture of particles is deposited on top of the foam surface near the apex of the drum so that the dense particles fall through the foam while the less dense particles are supported on the upper surface of the foam. A first blade is provided to shear the upper surface of the foam and remove the less dense particles. A second blade engages the surface of the drum downstream from the first blade to remove the relatively dense particles. The system finds particular use in separating raisins (dense particles) from waste materials associated with raisins (less dense particles).