Abstract: An automated process for cleaning fruit bins, and particularly grape bins, deploys a conveyer system in which bins are simultaneously rinsed on the inside and outside in an inverted position. Two rinse cycles are rapidly completed with the conveyance of the inverted bins through a wash station. The wash station deploys a pivoting V-shaped spray rod inside the bin, below the conveyor track, while the outside is rinsed by a second surrounding inverted V-shaped spray bar that moves transverse to conveyor direction will the bin is stationary inside the wash station. A pivoting L-shaped arm with an integrated conveyor track move the bins on or off the central conveyor, while flipping them 90 degrees. Two such conveyors return the bins to an upright position for use and stacking. The water from a first rinse is optionally screened and treated before its use to rinse subsequent bins.

Abstract: A oscillating sorting conveyor is adapted for separating whole berries of wine grapes from undesirable components such as “shot berries” (immature grapes), stems, raisins, leaf material, bugs, pebbles and the like. The sorter deploys a downward tilting trough that is driven to oscillate. A screen is disposed at the bottom of the trough such that whole berries are conveyed over the screen while the undesirable components pass through the screen. The preferred embodiment of the screen has a non-uniform cross-section to improve the efficiency of removal the undesirable components without clogging or requiring constant maintenance. The preferred embodiment of the oscillating conveyor is driven by a cam and cam follower, in which the cam driving shaft is counterweighted to minimize vibration. The more preferred embodiments minimize damage to the grape berries while efficiently removing the undesirable components.