Abstract: A produce cleaning system (20) and process (10) that employs plural forms of energy in an ionic liquid-based washing system (22, 24, 26) is described. The washing system (22, 24, 26) includes employing solvents and solutes in the wash bath (24) which promote the conduction of electrical energy. The electrical energy can be applied to the produce in the wash bath (24) in various waveforms, such as a modulating wave superimposed on a carrier wave. Additionally, ultrasonic energy is employed to provide high-frequency mechanical pressure waves against the produce. The electrical energy and the mechanical energy combine to produce energy in the applicable resonant frequency range that acts to destroy or transform pathogens, dirt and synthetic molecules that may exist on the produce to either destroy them or render them harmless.

Abstract: 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. Also provided are controls allowing a user to vary wash cycle parameters.

Abstract: The present invention may include a cleanser having a liposome and greater than about 40 weight percent of a solvent. The liposome may be loaded with the solvent more than about 7 days after the manufacture of the liposome. The solvent may be an isoprenoid or ester solvent. Furthermore, the solvent may be d-limonene or a dibasic ester. In addition, the liposome may be selected from the group consisting of large unilamellar vesicles, multilamellar vesicles, paucilamellar vesicles, and small unilamellar vesicles. Desirably, the liposome is a paucilamellar vesicle. Desirably, the cleanser may have a solvent weight percent greater than about 60. More desirably, the cleanser may have a weight percent of solvent greater than about 80. Moreover, the solvent is about a 1:1 weight ratio of d-limonene and dibasic ester.

Abstract: A produce washing apparatus and method, which permits the washing of produce from both above and below in the field. The produce washing apparatus takes produce along a conveyor belt, from a loading section, to a washing section on which is located a washing unit, upward along an ascending section, and from there the produce travels along a dumping section and into a receptacle. The washing unit features spray nozzles located above and below the washing section, so as to direct spray from above and below the produce so as to more effectively wash it. The apparatus is preferably trailer mounted, so as to permit ready positioning in the field.

Abstract: A hard-surface cleaning composition for removing cooked-, baked-, or burnt-on food soil from cookware and tableware, the composition comprising a soil swelling agent and a thickening system comprising synthetic smectite type clay thickening agent having an average platelet size of less than about 100 nm. The composition has shear thinning properties and can be used as pre-treatment prior to the dishwashing process. The composition provides excellent removal of polymerized grease from metal and glass substrates.

Abstract: Liquid multipurpose cleaning compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, a surfactant that exhibits a foaming property in the presence of a peroxygen bleach and a foam reducing system and processes for using same are provided.

Abstract: Solid products to which dirt adheres are cleaned by introducing them into a container filled with water, mechanically transporting the products through the container to form in the container a suspension of sludge in the water, the sludge comprising dirt which has been removed from the products, the sludge having a specific mass that approaches the specific mass of water. A stream of finely divided air bubbles is fed through the sludge suspension in the container thereby to lower the specific mass of the water and to cause sludge to move by gravity toward a lower section of the container. Sludge-enriched water is removed from that lower section of the container. The products are mechanically transported by a conveyor into and through and out of the container after dirt has been removed therefrom.

Abstract: A drupe which is infested with a larva of a moth or larvae of other insects, and is contaminated with related excretions, referred to as a “frass”, in a central zone within the drupe, is cleansed with a longitudinally bored pitting knife mounted in the pitting head of a conventional pitting machine. A source of cleansing fluid is connected to the bore within the knife and fluid is discharged through radial passages in the knife, which radial passages communicate with the longitudinal bore. In operation, while the knife pits the drupe, fluid discharged from within the knife contacts the walls of the passage left by the ejected pit, and removes the frass. If desired, the drupe may be first pitted, then decontaminated or washed, and/or dried sequentially, in separate stages. The invention is particularly effective with dates, prunes, olives, cherries, nectarines, peaches and avocados.

Abstract: A novel cleaning-in-place process is described. The process is one which is segmented, and unused solution is pumped through more than two components of a machine targeted for cleaning, disinfecting or both. The process also results in superior cleaning in shorter cleaning cycles.

Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Liquid formulations comprising detergent surfactant, such as oleate, alcohol ethoxylates, etc., and neutralized phosphoric acid are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits, especially wax. Articles for applying the compositions to produce by spraying are disclosed. Use of the compositions for disinfectancy/sanitization of produce and cleaning/disinfectancy/sanitization of non-food inantimate surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical cleaning system for a multi-tank or a single-tank mechanical warewashing machine is provided, having at least two separate components for aqueous dissolution or dilution to respective use concentrations, a first component comprising an enzyme or a mixture of an enzyme and a cleaning agent, and a second component comprising a bleach, wherein the first component is introduced into a wash zone or step and wherein the second component is introduced into a post-rinse zone or step.

Abstract: A processing system for cleaning, washing, drying, and sorting cherry pits. Once the pits are removed from the cherries, they are washed, scrubbed, and cleaned. Any excess water is removed from them and the pits are then thoroughly dried. Any partial or broken pits are removed, as well as any metal impurities. The cleaned and dried whole cherry pits can then be inserted into bags or containers and included in a therapeutic product, such as a cushion, U-shaped neck device, or a huggable stuffed animal character.

Abstract: Acidic and basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Clear liquid formulations comprising oleate, alcohol ethoxylates and buffers are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits.

Abstract: The treatment of a food product is carried out using ozonized water in at least two containers, each container possibly being associated with a set value of the dissolved-ozone content that it is desirable to maintain therein, by ozonizing a stream of water so as to obtain a dissolved-ozone content of the stream of ozonized water greater than or equal to the highest of the set values of the dissolved-ozone content which are associated with each of said containers, and the dissolved-ozone content in each of the solution containers is analyzed in order to compare the result of each of the analyses with the associated set value and to carry out a feedback operation, where appropriate, depending on the result of each comparison, on the control of the flow of ozonized water injected into the container in question, so as to reestablish the dissolved-ozone content of this solution container at its associated set value.

Abstract: A wash tank has a conveyor belt traversing through a sterilizing wash bath. Fruit is loaded into the wash tank by way of an inclined ramp having a swinging barrier at the end thereof. The conveyor belt has rows of chevron shaped fingers extending generally transversely therefrom. The fingers extend through slots in the ramp to push the fruit through the swinging barrier and into a cage. The conveyor belt and fingers pass through the cage, which cage has a top and sides. The conveyor fingers push the fruit through the cage and the wash bath. The fruit, which tends to float, is kept wholly submerged in the wash bath by the cage. This ensures that the entire skin of the fruit is washed and sterilized. A grate along the sides of the conveyor captures large debris. Hold down plates guide the upper portion of the conveyor belt from a descending portion to a horizontal portion and then to an ascending portion relative to the water bath. There is also a second conveyor located at the outfeed end of the wash tank.

Abstract: A processing system for cleaning, washing, drying, and sorting cherry pits. Once the pits are removed from the cherries, they are washed, scrubbed, and cleaned. Any excess water is removed from them and the pits are then thoroughly dried. Any partial or broken pits are removed, as well as any metal impurities. The cleaned and dried whole cherry pits can then be inserted into bags or containers and included in a therapeutic product, such as a cushion, U-shaped neck device, or a huggable stuffed animal character.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing a plurality of cored lettuce heads as they are harvested in the field is disclosed. The apparatus incorporates a multi-segment hinged conveyer forming a loop, at least one support platform having an opening, at least one lettuce head guide connected to the support platform and an aqueous solution spraying system. Workers harvest lettuce heads, core the lettuce heads and then place them on the lettuce head guides which are moving along the conveyer. The lettuce heads are conveyed to an aqueous solution spraying system which washes the cored areas of the lettuce heads. The lettuce heads are then removed from the conveyer into a produce bin.

Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Liquid formulations comprising detergent surfactant, such as oleate, alcohol ethoxylates, etc., and neutralized phosphoric acid are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits, especially wax. Articles for applying the compositions to produce by spraying are disclosed. Use of the compositions for disinfectancy/sanitization of produce and cleaning/disinfectancy/sanitization of non-food inantimate surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for washing cored heads of lettuce includes placing such heads in a position with their cored holes facing downwardly toward an upwardly-directed spray of an aqueous solution, directing such a spray into, and washing the holes, then pushing the heads from that position onto a conveyor.

Abstract: Fabrics are laundered in detergent compositions containing a mixture of &agr;-amylase enzymes to remove malodorous materials.