Cyclonic Produce Cleaning via Vertical Pipe Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning produce are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often damage the produce due to the complexity and expense of existing cleaning machines, which fail to effectively remove debris such as dirt, rocks, leaves, fungicides, and pesticides efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A cyclonic water flow system within a container with vertically positioned pipes and angled apertures that creates a cyclonic path to separate debris from produce, using pressurized water to wash and agitate the produce, allowing for efficient removal of debris without manual scrubbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex cleaning machines with scrubbing brushes are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented into two distinct stages: a rough cleaning phase using a first brush roll to remove heavy debris, and a final cleaning phase using a second brush roll to remove remaining particles. This segmentation allows each brush to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush rolls are designed to rotate in opposite directions to create a tumbling motion of the produce. This dynamic interaction between the two brush rolls enhances cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex mechanical structures, as the motion itself performs the cleaning action.
2Ease of manufacture
If jets of water are directed at produce, then some cleaning is achieved, but water only contacts portion of surface and cleaning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The produce is set in motion through the interaction of two oppositely rotating brush rolls, creating a tumbling effect. This dynamic movement ensures that all surfaces of the produce are continuously exposed to the cleaning brushes and water flow, overcoming the limitation of stationary water jets that only contact fixed portions of the produce surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the inadequate water jet mechanism with a mechanical brush rolling system that provides direct contact cleaning. The brushes mechanically scrub the produce surfaces while water provides additional washing, creating a more effective cleaning action than water jets alone.
3Reliability
If manual scrubbing is used for garden-produced produce, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but time consumption and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The produce cleans itself through the tumbling motion created by the two oppositely rotating brush rolls. The produce items continuously rotate and present all their surfaces to the cleaning brushes, eliminating the need for manual handling and scrubbing by operators. This self-service mechanism maintains cleaning effectiveness while dramatically reducing labor intensity and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual scrubbing action is replaced by an automated mechanical system consisting of two motor-driven brush rolls. This mechanical substitution performs the scrubbing function that would otherwise require manual labor, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing time and labor requirements.
4Productivity
If produce is grouped for mass cleaning, then productivity is improved, but cleaning effectiveness of certain surfaces is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The tumbling motion generated by the oppositely rotating brush rolls ensures that produce items in the group continuously change orientation and position. This dynamic movement prevents produce items from blocking each other and ensures that all surfaces, including those that would be shielded in static arrangements, are exposed to the cleaning brushes for effective cleaning throughout the process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively cleans produce by separating debris from the produce quickly and efficiently, reducing the need for manual scrubbing and minimizing damage, ensuring the produce is ready for consumption or further processing without residual contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
The pipe has at least one aperture suitable for directing a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container
Implementation Method 2
the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container
Implementation Method 3
using pressurized water to wash and agitate the produce
Implementation Method 4
the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning produce has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall and a pipe positioned in the container adjacent the wall. The pipe has at least one aperture suitable for directing a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container. The pipe extends generally vertically along the wall of the container. The pipe includes a plurality of apertures formed in spaced relation to each other along the length of the pipe. The pipe has a closed end positioned below an upper edge of the container. The method includes overflowing the container such that the debris on the produce is removed from the produce.