Method and apparatus for harvesting, washing, and drying cut vegetables and produce

摘要

Produce is harvested and de-cored in a field where they are grown. The de-cored produce is loaded in totes and transported to a processing facility. The processing facility includes a washing device that immerses the de-cored ends of the produce in a tank of washing fluid (e.g., a cleaning solution that includes anti-bacterial agents). In one embodiment, a flow of washing fluid is directed through the de-cored end of the produce and out a leafy end of the produce while the produce is still loaded in totes. A washing device having a tank and a transport mechanism that moves totes loaded with de-cored produce into the tank. Optionally, a device such as a pump maintains a flow in the tank in a direction toward de-cored ends of produce.