Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating a produce item with a treatment solution that includes water and a first and second treatment acid. The disclosed methods and systems may be particularly beneficial when used to sanitize the produce item of pathogens and/or to maintain the quality of the produce item. A disclosed treatment method includes measuring an amount of water; measuring an amount of a first treatment acid; measuring an amount of a second treatment acid; mixing the water, the first treatment acid, and the second treatment acid to form a treatment-solution concentrate; diluting a quantity of the treatment-solution concentrate to form a treatment solution; and contacting an exterior surface of the produce item with a quantity of the treatment solution.

Abstract: Circumferential pasteurizers and related methods are disclosed. A circumferential pasteurizer includes a vessel having an inner guide surface, a thermal medium inlet disposed on a first side of the vessel, a thermal medium outlet disposed on a second side of the vessel, a food product inlet disposed on the second side of the vessel, a food outlet disposed on the first side of the vessel, and a rotating paddle wheel suspended for rotation in the vessel. The paddle wheel includes a hub and a plurality of paddles distributed around the hub and extending outwardly therefrom to adjacent the vessel inner guide surface to form food receiving pockets extending the length of the hub. The paddle wheel conveys the food product from the food product inlet to the food product outlet along the vessel inner guide surface and counter to the flow of the thermal medium.

Abstract: A process for producing a fresh pineapple spear package product from fresh whole pineapple is disclosed. The process includes removing the crowns from the fresh whole pineapples; removing surface soil and microbial loads from the fresh whole pineapples; eliminating the rind from the fresh whole pineapples to form peeled fresh pineapples; eliminating the core from the fresh whole pineapples to form cored and peeled fresh pineapples; forming fresh pineapple spears from the cored and peeled fresh pineapples; packaging the fresh pineapple spears in sealed heat-resistant packages to form packaged fresh pineapple spears; and pasteurizing the fresh pineapple spears in the sealed heat-resistant packages to form the fresh pineapple spear package product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for fresh fruit processing that minimizes the exposure of the fruit to microbial contamination. The apparatus includes: a controlled environment chamber having an inlet portion configured to receive whole fruit and an outlet portion configured to deliver processed fresh fruit; a floor that is sloped downward from the inlet portion toward the outlet portion; an access portal on a lateral side of the controlled environment chamber, which is configured to provide access from the outside of the controlled environment chamber to the inside of the controlled environment chamber through a sealable barrier; an outlet portion having a container inlet that is configured to receive a container into the interior of the controlled environment chamber and a container outlet that is configured to deliver a container filled with processed fresh fruit out of the controlled environment chamber.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for washing a product with a fluid. The tank may receive a plurality of product, such as fruits and vegetables, into the fluid and be configured to receive a moving conveyor, having a first end, a second end, a first section, and a second section. The conveyor may have a plurality of protruding panels being structured and arranged on the conveyor to push the product through the fluid in the tank and to lift the product from the fluid in the tank to the second end of the conveyor. At least one first nozzle may be positioned substantially above the conveyor and configured to deliver the fluid onto the product as the product is pushed by the plurality of panels. The fluid delivered from the at least one first nozzle may rotate the product in the fluid in the tank.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for washing a product with a fluid. The tank may receive a plurality of product, such as fruits and vegetables, into the fluid and be configured to receive a moving conveyor, having a first end, a second end, a first section, and a second section. The conveyor may have a plurality of protruding panels being structured and arranged on the conveyor to push the product through the fluid in the tank and to lift the product from the fluid in the tank to the second end of the conveyor. At least one first nozzle may be positioned substantially above the conveyor and configured to deliver the fluid onto the product as the product is pushed by the plurality of panels. The fluid delivered from the at least one first nozzle may rotate the product in the fluid in the tank.

Abstract: An eating utensil, having a first portion having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first distal end having more than one prong, and the first proximal end having a first engagement portion; and a second portion having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second distal end having more than one prong, and the second proximal end having a second engagement portion, the first and the second engagement portions being complementarily shaped to releasably receive and engage one another. The inventive eating utensil can be operable in three different operational modes. In a first operational mode, each of the first portion and the second portion is operable as a fork-like utensil. In a second operational mode, the first portion and the second portion together are operable as a server-like utensil. In a third operation mode, when the first and the second engagement portions are engaged, the eating utensil is operable as a tong-like utensil.

Abstract: A method of transporting produce on a conveyor and rotating the produce substantially continuously during the transport. While the produce is being transported, steam is applied to an outer surface of the produce on the conveyor. Lane dividers are provided along the conveyor in a direction of travel of the conveyor to prevent the produce from touching each other and to help keep the produce rotating in various directions.

Abstract: A method of transporting produce on a conveyor and rotating the produce substantially continuously during the transport. While the produce is being transported, steam is applied to an outer surface of the produce on the conveyor. Lane dividers are provided along the conveyor in a direction of travel of the conveyor to prevent the produce from touching each other and to help keep the produce rotating in various directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing a cored head of a leafy vegetable or a coreable vegetable including a support, a head holder and a release. The support includes a support mount for mounting the apparatus adjacent a conveyor and a support frame extending from the support mount. The head holder is pivotally connected to the support frame and movable between a first support position and a second release position. The holder is adapted to support a cored head of a vegetable when in the support position. The holder has an opening sufficiently large to permit a wash spray to project through the opening for washing the cored head. The release is affixed to the head holder, whereby moving the release moves the holder from the first support position to the second release position thus allowing displacement by gravity of the cored head onto the conveyor. A method of washing a cored head is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for harvesting fresh produce using a produce harvesting apparatus wherein the method includes trimming the fresh produce and placing the trimmed produce into a container. The container is placed onto a transport device located on the produce harvesting apparatus. The container is then transported on the transport device to a wash station and it is washed at the wash station. The container may be shaken during transport after the wash station.

Abstract: A method of controlling the environment of a field of plants. The method includes providing a movable cover and moving the cover the cover over the field of plants. The cover is left over the field of plants for an amount of time to control at least one parameter of the environment of the field of plants. The cover is then removed from at least a portion of the field of plants and at least some harvesting is done from at least some of the plants in the field of plants. The parameters include temperature, light and parasites.

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: Systems and methods for harvesting fresh produce using a produce harvesting apparatus wherein the method includes trimming the fresh produce and placing the trimmed produce into a container. The container is placed onto a transport device located on the produce harvesting apparatus. The container is then transported on the transport device to a wash station and it is washed at the wash station. The container may be shaken during transport after the wash station.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for gas-tight sealing a plastic bag about perishable containers carried on a pallet utilize a rotatable turntable having an upper support surface for a pallet bearing produce, a tape dispenser for applying tape to seal a plastic bag to plastic sheeting at the periphery of the pallet, and a roller system that includes four rotatable rollers rotatably mounted on a single carrier. The carrier applies pressure through two of the rollers simultaneously against the tape during rotation of the turntable to seal the tape to the plastic sheeting and bag.

Abstract: A closure system for attachment to and use in gas flushing a container of fresh produce includes a body portion, a closure connected to the body portion, and a pressure-sensitive mechanism connected to the body portion and to the closure that moves the closure to an open position or to a closed position, depending on the pressure exerted on said mechanism.

Abstract: Methods for processing freshly harvested leafy produce, fruits and vegetables comprising cutting such produce, fruits and vegetables from their growth sites, removing the cores of the produce as necessary, positioning the produce, fruits and vegetables to allow their natural juices to exude from the cutting and coring sites for a time sufficient to permit substantially all the free-flowing natural juices at or near such sites to exude, and then washing the coring site to remove the exuded natural juices.