The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 07, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2009
Bob Jay Dull, Akron, OH (US);
Jerry Lynn Crawford, Salinas, CA (US);
Frank Edward Davis, Oak Brook, IL (US);
Jose Emilio Villarreal Lozoya, Monterey, CA (US);
Yuki Mikoshiba, Salinas, CA (US);
Bob Jay Dull, Akron, OH (US);
Jerry Lynn Crawford, Salinas, CA (US);
Frank Edward Davis, Oak Brook, IL (US);
Jose Emilio Villarreal Lozoya, Monterey, CA (US);
Yuki Mikoshiba, Salinas, CA (US);
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., Monterey, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for drying produce in a centrifugal drier is described. The drier includes a housing and a drum configured to receive a multi-volume basket. The method includes loading produce into a first volume and a second volume of the multi-volume basket. The basket may include perforated walls, a closed lower end, and an open upper end. The interior volume of the basket is divided into at least a first volume and a second volume by a perforated inner divider that is oriented concentrically to the basket walls. The first volume is disposed inside the inner divider. The second volume is disposed between the inner divider and the basket walls. A drive assembly rotates the drum and the basket, loaded with produce in the first and second volumes, to cause fluids to drain out of the produce to yield dried produce.