| 摘要 |
An apparatus and method for the drying of produce and particularly leafy vegetables. A spin dryer (100) is provided which releasably receives and holds a plurality of manually liftable field baskets (21). A turntable assembly (110) is rotatably mounted to a stationary support structure (105) and operatively coupled to a drive assembly (121). Turntable (110) is adapted to hold a plurality of baskets (21) preferably with the baskets (21) positioned on their sides with their perforated bottom walls (24) facing outwardly and away from the turntable spin axis (14). Produce pieces (22) are preferably stacked in baskets (21) in a parallel vertical orientation with their stems (31) proximate the bottom walls (24) of the baskets (21). When the baskets (21) are placed on the turntable (110) on their sides, the baskets (21) reorient the produce pieces (22) to parallel horizontal planes which are perpendicular to the spin axis (114) for efficient water ejection and for support of the produce pieces (22) on their stems (31). A method of centrifugal drying of produce also is disclosed in which the produce pieces (22) are placed in a product basket (21) and the basket is mounted to a turntable (110), while the produce (22) remains in the basket (21), for centrifugal drying while in the field basket.
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