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US 12,013,183 B2Granted
Spinning dryer system and methods for use
OwnerJesus R. Oropezainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for drying wet food articles (such as produce) is disclosed herein. The system can comprise a turntable capable of rotating multiple barrel stations. The system can comprise various loading, drying, dumping, and cleaning positions, and the barrel stations can be rotated to each of these positions. The present disclosure also describes various methods for drying wet food articles utilizing such systems.
Claims18
A spinning dryer system, comprising:
- a turntable being configured to rotate about a central axis;
- a first barrel station comprising a first barrel coupled to the turntable, a first motor coupled to the first barrel, and a first housing enclosing at least a portion of the first barrel, wherein the first motor spins the first barrel about a first spin axis, wherein the first housing comprises a first housing segment, a second housing segment, and a stationary third housing segment, wherein at least one of the first housing segment or the second housing segment is moveable relative to the first barrel, and wherein the stationary third housing segment is coupled to at least one of the first housing segment or the second housing segment;
- a second barrel station comprising a second barrel coupled to the turntable and a second motor coupled to the second barrel, wherein the second motor spins the second barrel about a second spin axis independent of the first barrel station,
- wherein the first barrel station and the second barrel station are disposed on a perimeter of the turntable, and the turntable rotates the first barrel station and the second barrel station between a plurality of outer positions;
- and
- at least one air injection device coupled to the stationary third housing segment to expedite drying and emptying of the first barrel.
3 more elements
A spinning dryer system, comprising:
- a turntable being configured to rotate about a central axis;
- a first barrel station comprising a first barrel coupled to the turntable, a first motor coupled to the first barrel, and a first housing enclosing at least a portion of the first barrel, wherein the first motor spins the first barrel about a first spin axis, wherein the first housing comprises a first housing segment and a second housing segment, wherein at least one of the first housing segment or the second housing segment is moveable relative to the first barrel;
- a second barrel station comprising a second barrel coupled to the turntable and a second motor coupled to the second barrel, wherein the second motor spins the second barrel about a second spin axis independent of the first barrel station,
- wherein the first barrel station and the second barrel station are disposed on a perimeter of the turntable, and the turntable rotates the first barrel station and the second barrel station between a plurality of outer positions;
- and
- at least one air injection device coupled to at least one of the first barrel station and the second barrel station to inject air into at least one of the first barrel and the second barrel to expedite drying and emptying of at least one of the first barrel and the second barrel;
- and
- a control system operably coupled to the turntable and to at least one of the first barrel station or the second barrel station, wherein the control system, in response to being commanded, causes the first motor to spin the first barrel in response to at least a portion of the first barrel being exposed by at least one of the first housing segment and the second housing segment being pivoted away from the first barrel.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.