Apparatus and methods for washing the cored areas of lettuce heads during harvest

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.

1 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said conveyer further comprises 
 a middle segment with a first end and a second end;    a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;    a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;    a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and    a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said aqueous solution spraying system is fixedly attached at a point along said proximal end segment.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3  wherein said conveyer further comprises a double pitch attachment style chain.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising outward facing vanes; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer through a double pitch attachment style chain;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising outward facing vanes; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising outward facing vanes; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer through a double pitch attachment style chain;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising outward facing vanes; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising outward facing vanes; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said proximal end segment.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached through a double pitch attachment style chain to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising outward facing vanes; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said proximal end segment.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising an elliptical ring; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer through a double pitch attachment style chain;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising an elliptical ring; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising an elliptical ring; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer through a double pitch attachment style chain;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising an elliptical ring; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising an elliptical ring; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said proximal end segment.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached through a double pitch attachment style chain to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising an elliptical ring; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said proximal end segment.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising a spike; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer through a double pitch attachment style chain;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising a spike; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising a spike; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer through a double pitch attachment style chain;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising a spike; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop.    
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising a spike; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said proximal end segment.    
   
   
       22 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached through a double pitch attachment style chain to said conveyer;    said conveyer comprising; 
 (A) a middle segment with a first end and a second end;  
 (B) a distal end segment rotatably attached to said first end;  
 (C) a proximal end segment rotatably attached to said second end;  
 (D) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said distal end segment; and  
 (E) a rotator to rotate and hold in place at a desired angle said proximal end segment;  
   at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    said lettuce head guide comprising a spike; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said proximal end segment.    
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one finger located substantially adjacent to said proximal end.  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform; and    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop;    said aqueous solution spraying system comprising;    a tank for holding an aqueous solution;    a pump;    said pump delivering said aqueous solution under pressure to at least one nozzle.    
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop;    said aqueous solution spraying system comprising;    a tank for holding an aqueous solution;    a determiner of a level of said aqueous solution in said tank;    said determiner connected to an inlet valve;    said inlet valve connected to a reservoir containing said aqueous solution;    a pump; and    said pump delivering said aqueous solution under pressure to at least one nozzle.    
   
   
       26 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop;    said aqueous solution spraying system comprising;    a tank for holding an aqueous solution;    a pump;    said pump delivering said aqueous solution under pressure to at least one nozzle; and    where said at least one nozzle delivers said aqueous solution at a high pressure and a low volume.    
   
   
       27 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop;    said aqueous solution spraying system comprising;    a tank for holding an aqueous solution;    a pump;    said pump delivering said aqueous solution under pressure to at least one nozzle;    where said at least one nozzle delivers said aqueous solution at a low pressure and a high volume.    
   
   
       28 . An apparatus for washing a plurality of cored heads of lettuce comprising 
 a conveyer forming a loop with a distal end and a proximal end;    at least one support platform having at least one opening;    said at least one support platform attached to said conveyer;    at least one lettuce head guide connected to said at least one support platform;    an aqueous solution spraying system fixedly attached at a point along said conveyer loop;    said aqueous solution spraying system comprising;    a tank for holding an aqueous solution;    a pump;    said pump delivering said aqueous solution under pressure to at least two nozzles at least one of which delivers said aqueous solution at a high pressure and a low volume and at least one of which delivers said aqueous solution at a low pressure and a high volume.    
   
   
       29 . A method for washing at least one head of lettuce with a cored hole comprising the steps of 
 placing said at least one cored lettuce head in a position such that the cored hole faces substantially downward;    conveying said at least one cored lettuce head to an aqueous solution spraying system;    delivering an aqueous solution into said core hole for a time and at a pressure sufficient to wash said core hole; and    removing said at least one cored lettuce head from said position.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein said placing step comprises seating said cored lettuce head on a guide which has a path for said aqueous solution, said guide being attached to a support platform which has at least one opening.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein said conveying step comprises conveying said guide along a path forming a loop.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said path forming a loop has a distal end, and a proximal end, such that said guide is conveyed in a substantially upright position from said distal end to said proximal end, and in a substantially inverted position from said proximal end to said distal end.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said proximal end is elevated in relation to said distal end.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29  where said step of delivering an aqueous solution into said core hole further comprises using 
 a tank containing said aqueous solution;    at least one nozzle; and    a pump to deliver said aqueous solution to said at least one nozzle.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34  where said at least one nozzle sprays said aqueous solution at a high pressure and a low volume.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34  where said at least one nozzle sprays said aqueous solution at a low pressure and a high volume.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34  where at least two nozzles are used, where at least one nozzle sprays said aqueous solution at a high pressure and a low volume, and where at least one nozzle sprays said aqueous solution at a low pressure and a high volume.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34  comprising the further steps of collecting, filtering, and recycling said aqueous solution which drains from said lettuce heads.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 34  comprising the further step of maintaining a level of said aqueous solution in said tank at a predetermined level.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said level of said aqueous solution is maintained by using a float level which is connected to an inlet valve connected to a reservoir tank.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the step of removing said at least one lettuce head from said guide further comprises rotating said lettuce head through an angle to a substantially inverted position.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the step of removing said at least one lettuce head from said guide further comprises using at least one finger.