Fully automatic washing and drying of whole heads of lettuce (31-08-2010)

There is an increasing demand for the automatic, but flexible processing of fresh products. The new washing and drying system of FTNON is purpose-made for a large flexibility. Many different lots of products, large or small, can be washed and dried soon after one another. In their own crate. This unique system offers the possibility to bring clean whole heads of lettuce on the market.

The system is suitable for all kinds of whole heads of lettuce, i.e. from Romaine to Oak leaf lettuce. Capacity: from 100 to 800 crates per hour.

Efficient cost effective processing

Fully automatic washing and drying of whole heads of lettuce.

As it is possible to wash and dry whole heads of lettuce in a crate, following advantages are being created:

• No extra product handling.
• Less manpower needed.
• Less risk of contamination.
• No product loss. No outer leaves will be damaged or got broken off.
• The factory can be fully automated.

Moreover, the high-capacity system operates with a minimum of energy.

Optimum hygienic washing and drying process

By means of a smart application of water streams resp. injections an optimal washing effect is created. With minimal water consumption. Thanks to a pulsating pressure and suction movement in the water stream it is possible to remove also the dirty parts between the leaves of the whole head.

Till this moment whole heads of lettuce could not be washed properly. Dirt stayed in between the leaves, certainly at the butt end.

The new system is using fluctuating water wave principles combined in one washer. This to arrange that the whole head will be opened in order to clean it properly. Because the whole heads stay in the crate, and an automatic centrifuge for these products in crate is developed too, a fully automatic system can be built.

With the FTNON product-in-crate centrifuge all types of salads can be centrifuged in their own rectangular crates. Thanks to its unique design the chance of product damage is minimal. The result is a considerable improvement of quality and shelf life of the end product. Furthermore, an efficient filling technique takes care of a high processing capacity. 

Do you want to know more about our new washing and drying installation? Please contact FTNON.
Tel. (+31) 546 574 222