Produce Washer Basket Layout for Continuous Washing and Fast Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous motion washing machines are inefficient for washing small edible items like produce due to difficulties in unloading and the need for manual or large, expensive conveyor-belt systems, which are not practical for moderately large volumes.
Innovation Solution
A produce washer assembly with partitioning walls and baskets is integrated into the wash tank, allowing for continuous motion washing and easy collection of produce using a recirculating wash action, where the basket is designed to intercept and redirect fluid flow to maintain efficiency and minimize disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If produce is washed in a continuous motion washing machine, then washing efficiency is improved, but unloading becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wash tank is divided into multiple compartments or zones using partition walls, allowing produce to be washed in one section while being easily removed from another. This segmentation enables simultaneous washing and unloading operations, resolving the contradiction between washing efficiency and unloading time.
Solution Approach 2:
A conveyor mechanism or intermediate transfer system is introduced to bridge the washing zone and the unloading zone. This intermediary device automatically transports washed produce from the wash tank to the collection area, eliminating manual unloading and maintaining continuous operation.
2Ease of operation
If hand washing is used for produce, then flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing system is designed to automatically perform washing operations without manual intervention. Produce is fed into the wash tank, washed by the continuous motion mechanism, and then automatically conveyed to the unloading area, making the system self-serving and eliminating time-consuming manual washing.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical washing actions are replaced with an automated continuous motion washing mechanism. The system uses mechanical conveyors, pumps, and automated control systems to substitute human labor, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Extent of automation
If conveyor-belt systems are used for produce washing, then automation is achieved, but system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous motion washing machine is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated system. It combines washing, rinsing, and drying functions, and can handle different types of produce, thereby achieving automation without requiring separate specialized systems for each function, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a compact nested design where components are arranged in a space-efficient manner. The conveyor mechanism is integrated within the wash tank structure, and sub-components are nested within each other, reducing the overall footprint and system size while maintaining automation capabilities.
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
Enables efficient and automatic washing and unloading of produce in continuous motion washing machines, maintaining the recirculating wash action and fluid flow, thus addressing the inefficiencies of existing systems for moderately large volumes.
Implementation Method 1
a pump is activated to draw fluid from within the wash tank and direct it through the jets to create a jet stream
Implementation Method 2
Each jet directs its jet stream toward the bottom wall of the wash tank, the bottom wall then deflects the jet stream upward and towards the front wall of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A produce washer and method of washing produce or other items in a continuous motion washing machine is provided. The produce washer includes a basket, or other collector, that is positioned within a portion of the fluid flow path and sized and shaped to intercept items from a the fluid flow path while at the same time allowing the fluid to continue to flow through a perforated wall in the collector generally in the same circulatory flow path created by the washing machine. The method includes placing items within the wash tank; creating a fluid flow within the wash tank; intercepting one or more of the items from the fluid flow path by the collector; and allowing the fluid to continue flow through the perforated wall in the collector.