Fluid Application And/or Work Heating (e.g., Drying) Patents (Class 15/3.12)
  • Patent number: 8082931
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for washing and drying leaf products and more generically vegetables, comprising a frame (2), a centrifugation basket (3), a container (tank) (4) within which said centrifugation basket (3) is provided, a basin (6), communicating with said container (4) for inlet and discharge of washing water, said centrifugation basket (3) being pivoted on said frame (2) so as to rotate of about 180° from a working position to a discharge position, and vice versa, and means (7) for collection and removal of washed and dried product, said means being provided raised with respect to said centrifugation basket (3), in a position corresponding to the discharge position of the same centrifugation basket (3), being further provided driving means for said centrifugation basket permitting driving said basket (3) at at least two rotation speeds, respectively a washing speed and a drying speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Turatti S.r.l.
    Inventor: Antonio Turatti
  • Patent number: 6883528
    Abstract: Apparatus for washing eggs including a housing with a first feed conveyor for receiving them through the housing inlet for conveying same to a second conveyor which transports them through an intermediate egg washer with various brushes and including a dispenser to apply cleaning solution onto eggs therebelow. Eggs are then transferred from the second conveyor to a third conveyor and transported through a lower washing station for final cleaning. Eggs then exit through a housing outlet for sanitizing and/or drying as may be necessary. The three conveyors are vertically tiered with, optionally, the second conveyor moving oppositely relatively to the first and third conveyor. In this manner a three tiered arranging of conveyors is provided. A pre-washing station can also, optionally, be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Kuhl
  • Patent number: 6640818
    Abstract: A refrigerated automatic fruit and vegetable washer that washes fruits and/or vegetables and stores them in a cool environment after they have been washed. A portable self-contained embodiment has a cabinet that sits on a countertop and contains a water spray system and a thermoelectric cooling system and sits on a kitchen countertop and has water inlet and drain hoses releasably connected to the sink faucet. Another self-contained embodiment fits into a lower storage compartment of a refrigerator and can be removed and placed on the countertop for the washing operation. A built-in cabinet embodiment is permanently installed in the kitchen. A wash-only embodiment is slidably received in the lower portion of a refrigerator in place of the existing vegetable crisper to be cooled by the refrigerator cooling system and is removed therefrom and placed on a countertop for the washing operation. The fruit and vegetable washer may also be built into a refrigerator as an integral component of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Rueben Talisman
  • Patent number: 6269509
    Abstract: An automated apparatus for cleaning golf balls constructed of light weight, portable type material and operable via standard battery power. The apparatus utilizes a housing having a fluid reservoir in the lower portion for holding a cleaning fluid, and a screw-type driven auger along with a pair of driven brushes and a fluid spray nozzle in the upper portion. A driven pump transports the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle, which sprays the cleaning fluid on the golf ball as the auger and brushes engage the ball and remove the soil, respectively. Multiple sensing means are employed to energize and disable the apparatus upon the occurrence of predetermined events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Audie L. Mays
  • Patent number: 6224929
    Abstract: A new and improved cleaning method and apparatus facilitates a more thorough cleaning of delicate comestibles such as eggs. The process includes using an open frame basket composed of thermoplastic or thermoset material to help prevent damage to the comestibles. The side wall of the basket has openings defined by axial and peripheral impact absorbing liquid-deflecting ribs. Once the comestibles to be cleaned are confined within the basket, a cleaning fluid under pressure is deflected from the ribs at the outer surface of the walls and into the openings to cause an agitation of the fluid to clean more thoroughly the comestibles confined therein. The side wall openings are critically dimensioned to be sufficiently small to retain the comestibles within the basket and sufficiently large to permit adequate agitation of the fluid entering the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher J. Cruce