Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of fruit processing and cleaning, particularly addressing the need for an eco-friendly and efficient method to decontaminate the surface of round fruits during the sorting and grading process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Apple fruit grading-sorting machines generally have facility for washing to remove surface dust and dirt. However simple water cannot remove the dust, dirt or soil and mud apart from insecticides. De-contamination process needs to be done efficiently. Some new system and method need to be developed for this process.
Traditional methods for cleaning fruits often involve the use of chemicals, which can leave residues and raise concerns about food safety. There is a growing demand for natural and sustainable alternatives for fruit cleaning. Shikakai, a natural plant-based cleanser, has shown promising results in removing contaminants and pesticide residues from fruits. The present invention integrates a shikakai dosing system into existing sorting-grading machines to provide an efficient and eco-friendly fruit cleaning solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention provides a dosing system for shikakai suspension-based fruit cleaning, comprising:
• Doser: A container for storing and dispensing a liquid suspension of shikakai. The doser mixes the suspension with water at a controlled ratio.
• Automatic Adjustable Nozzle: Controls the flow rate of the shikakai suspension and water mixture.
• Pump: Transports the mixture to the washing nozzles on the sorting-grading line (not part of the claimed invention).
• Electronic Control Panel: Regulates pump speed, dosing mix ratio, and washing process on/off control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
There is a need to develop a system and method to de-contaminate- the surface of round fruits which are generally sorted and graded on Automatic- sorting- Grading lines. Typical sorting-grading lines will have facility for water wash.
Present invention discloses a dosing system for shikakai suspension-based fruit cleaning, comprising: A doser configured to store and dispense a liquid suspension of shikakai; An automatic adjustable nozzle configured to control the flow rate and ratio of the shikakai suspension and water mixture; A pump configured to transport the shikakai suspension and water mixture from the doser to the washing nozzles on a sorting-grading line; An electronic control panel configured to regulate the dosing ratio, pump speed, and washing process on/off function. In another embodiment, the doser is configured to mix the shikakai suspension with water in a ratio ranging from 0 to 10 percent, with optimized values between 2 and 5 percent.
In another embodiment, the automatic adjustable nozzle is configured to adjust the flow rate of the mixture based on the desired cleaning ratio.
In another embodiment, the pump is capable of delivering the shikakai suspension and water mixture to washing nozzles integrated into the fruit sorting-grading line. In another embodiment, the electronic control panel provides user-adjustable settings for pump speed and dosing ratio to accommodate different cleaning requirements.
In another embodiment, the shikakai suspension-based cleaning process includes multiple wash cycles to ensure the removal of contaminants and pesticide residues. In another embodiment, syetm further comprising a secondary wash cycle using fresh water to remove any residual shikakai suspension and associated flavor or odor.
In another embodiment, the system is designed for integration into an existing sorting-grading line for fruit processing, ensuring seamless operation. The newly designed doser will facilitate the cleaning of fruits (apples) with acacia concinna (Shikakai) suspension.
A doser system is designed to facilitate the cleaning of apples with acacia concinna dosed water during continuous automatic washing process on an existing sorting-grading machine
Components:
1.Dosing system: It contains a pocket for storing liquid suspension of acacia concinna (Shikakai) suspension. Doser mixes the suspension with the water as per the percentage of mix required.
2. An automatic adjustable nozzle to vary the quantity of acacia concinna (Shikakai) suspension to be added to the volume flow of water
2.A pump to pump the mix to the nozzle set on the apple washing conveyer ( This is not part of claims. This is an existing line)
3.An electronic control panel to control pump speed, dosing mix ratio and on-off control of washing process
Procedure:
1. First the control system is connected to the Doser automatic adjustable nozzle, Pump- on/off
2. When the Grading machine is On, the control panel will be put On, based on the requirements of washing with acacia concinna (Shikakai) suspension for surface decontamination.
3. The control system has provision to adjust the nozzle opening to vary the mix ratio (water to suspension ratio). Typical ratio is 0 to 10 percent with a stepper control of 1 percent. The optimized values are in the range of 2-5 percent based on preliminary study on the grading line.
4. Then the pump will create suction effect from the water source and mixing nozzle from the doser.
5. The pump takes the water suspension mix and pumps to the washing nozzles on the existing Sorting-grading line of fruits.
6. Second level of wash is done with normal water through nozzles to remove the shikakai suspension cleaned surface and associated flavor/odor of the shikakai.
7. Multiple levels of wash is arranged to remove the contamination and pesticide residues thoroughly.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
1.Cleaning of apples using natural suspension from shikakai
2.No use of any kind of chemicals for de-contamination of apple fruit surface
3.Dosing of shikakai suspension with water with automatic control system
4.Eco-friendly
5.Simple construction and easy to operate and integrate with existing Sorting-grading machines
, Claims:1. A dosing system for shikakai suspension-based fruit cleaning, comprising:
A doser configured to store and dispense a liquid suspension of shikakai;
An automatic adjustable nozzle configured to control the flow rate and ratio of the shikakai suspension and water mixture;
A pump configured to transport the shikakai suspension and water mixture from the doser to the washing nozzles on a sorting-grading line;
An electronic control panel configured to regulate the dosing ratio, pump speed, and washing process on/off function.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the doser is configured to mix the shikakai suspension with water in a ratio ranging from 0 to 10 percent, with optimized values between 2 and 5 percent.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic adjustable nozzle is configured to adjust the flow rate of the mixture based on the desired cleaning ratio.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump is capable of delivering the shikakai suspension and water mixture to washing nozzles integrated into the fruit sorting-grading line.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control panel provides user-adjustable settings for pump speed and dosing ratio to accommodate different cleaning requirements.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shikakai suspension-based cleaning process includes multiple wash cycles to ensure the removal of contaminants and pesticide residues.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a secondary wash cycle using fresh water to remove any residual shikakai suspension and associated flavor or odor.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is designed for integration into an existing sorting-grading line for fruit processing, ensuring seamless operation.