Immersion Systems & Methods for Washing & Performing Other Tasks
OwnerJohn CANTRELL, Richard POWERS +1inventors
InventorsJohn CANTRELL, Richard POWERS, Roger SHEALY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for washing and thawing objects, such as vegetables and fruits, where large amounts of lifting of heavy items is minimized, complex and expensive pumping and manifold systems and structures are not required; and system cost and daily maintenance is reduced. The system includes a structure for holding a volume of fluid, a vertical motion structure driven by an electric motor or the like that raises and lowers a basket carrier between an elevated position and a lowered position. In the lowered position, one or more baskets are positioned on a basket carrier and are repeatedly lowered into and raised from the volume of fluid.
Claims15
A system for introducing at least one mass of objects to and removing at least one mass of objects from a volume of fluid, the system comprising;
- a structure for holding a volume of fluid;
- a dedicated mechanical system for creating a substantially vertical linear motion for introducing the at least one mass of objects to and removing the at least one mass of objects from the volume of fluid;
- a support structure associated with the dedicated mechanical system that extends below the mechanical system;
- at least one permeable structure for holding the at least one mass of objects;
- such at least one permeable structure associated with the support structure;
- such dedicated mechanical system supported by a structure in proximity to the structure for holding the volume of fluid;
- and
- the location of such dedicated mechanical system being at least partially above the fluid level present in the structure for holding the volume of fluid.
A method of washing, thawing or processing masses of objects such method including the steps of:
- filling a structure for holding a volume of fluid with a fluid;
- monitoring the temperature of such volume of fluid;
- adding heating or cooling energy to the volume of fluid to achieve a predetermined temperature range based on the process of washing, thawing or processing being performed;
- placing at least one mass of objects at least partially onto or within at least one permeable structure;
- the at least one permeable structure being associated with a dedicated mechanical system that is at least partially above the fluid level present in the structure for holding the volume of fluid;
- initiating a predetermined process to introduce the at least one mass of objects in the at least one permeable structure to the volume of fluid by means of the dedicated mechanical system;
- continuing to monitor the fluid temperature and if required, adding heating or cooling energy to the fluid as needed to maintain the predetermined temperature range;
- and
- upon the completion of the predetermined process, removing the at least one mass of objects from the at least one permeable structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.