Immersion container for treating produce with an ozonated concentrate liquid

A method of treating produce with an ozonated liquid using a container, the container comprising:

• an adjustable egress port at the base, configured to allow an ozonated concentrate liquid to drain at a controlled time rate;
• one or more produce agitation mechanisms, comprising at least one of an ultrasonic vibrator, a mechanical vibrator, an airflow blower, or a spinning motor;
• a drying platform, configured as a slotted or perforated surface for post-treatment drying;
• an aqueous ozone generator configured to generate the ozonated concentrate liquid from water;
• and
• a flow governor configured to regulate an ozonated concentrate liquid production dwell time of the water through the electrochemical generator, controlling an ozone concentration level of the ozonated concentrate liquid within a desired ozone concentration range, wherein the method comprises:
• placing produce inside the container;
• filling the container with the ozonated concentrate liquid;
• adjusting the egress port to drain the ozonated concentrate liquid at the controlled time rate corresponding to a desired disinfection treatment time;
• and
• operating the one or more produce agitation mechanisms.

A container for treating produce with an ozonated concentrate liquid, comprising:

• an immersion container configured to hold produce and an ozonated concentrate liquid;
• an adjustable egress port at the base of the immersion container, configured to allow the ozonated concentrate liquid to drain at a controlled time rate, wherein the time rate corresponds to a disinfection treatment time;
• one or more produce agitation mechanisms;
• an aqueous ozone generator, configured to receive water and generate from the water the ozonated concentrate liquid;
• and
• a flow governor configured to regulate an ozonated concentrate liquid production dwell time of the water through the electrochemical generator, controlling an ozone concentration level of the ozonated concentrate liquid within a desired ozone concentration range.

A method of treating produce with an ozonated liquid using a container, the container comprising:

• an adjustable egress port at the base, configured to allow an ozonated concentrate liquid to drain at a controlled time rate;
• one or more produce agitation mechanisms controlled by a produce agitator controller;
• a drying platform for supporting produce post-treatment;
• an aqueous ozone generator configured to generate the ozonated concentrate liquid from water;
• and
• a flow governor configured to regulate an ozonated concentrate liquid production dwell time of the water through the electrochemical generator, controlling an ozone concentration level of the ozonated concentrate liquid within a desired ozone concentration range, wherein the method comprises:
• immersing produce in the container;
• filling the container with the ozonated concentrate liquid;
• activating the one or more produce agitation mechanisms via the produce agitator controller during the immersion process to enhance treatment;
• and
• draining the ozonated concentrate liquid through the adjustable egress port.

A system for treating produce with an ozonated concentrate liquid, comprising:

• a container configured to hold produce and an ozonated concentrate liquid;
• an aqueous ozone generator in fluid communication with the container, the aqueous ozone generator configured to receive water and generate from the water the ozonated concentrate liquid;
• a flow governor configured to regulate an ozonated concentrate liquid production dwell time of the water through the electrochemical generator, controlling an ozone concentration level of the ozonated concentrate liquid within a desired ozone concentration range;
• a flow regulator, configured to control the flow of ozonated concentrate liquid into the container;
• an adjustable egress port at the base of the immersion container, configured to allow the ozonated concentrate liquid to drain at a controlled time rate, wherein the time rate corresponds to a desired disinfection treatment time;
• one or more produce agitation mechanisms;
• and
• a produce treatment controller, configured to automatically adjust the operation of the flow regulator, the egress port, and the one or more produce agitation mechanisms.