GB2430861A

GB2430861A - Washing, rinsing and draining of provisions such as fruit or vegetables

Info

Publication number: GB2430861A
Application number: GB0520466A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stefano Rubertelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2005-10-07
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-07
Also published as: GB2430861B; ITRE20060099A1; GB0520466D0

Abstract

A package and/or tool for washing, rinsing and draining of fruit and vegetables comprises a tube A for the introduction of water or washing fluid through either an open end B or through holes C in the wall of the tube. Water can then escape from the package/tool by drainage holes D. The package/tool can contain air holes. Once the washing/rinsing/draining process is complete a cover or lid can be removed.

Description

1 2430861 Smartwash This invention is a system that allows the washing,

rinsing and draining of anything that needs those practises and this all directly in the package or tool where the system is applied.

In an alimentary setting, Smartwash allows washing and rinsing provisions like fruit and vegetables. This process is possible directly under the running water, in a few minutes and without damaging of the product. The system also provides the quick drainage of water.

The usual washing procedure after purchasing an ordinary packed foodstuff (it can be strawberry as an example) is: open the package, put the strawberry in a pot, fill the pot with water, leave the strawberry some time in the water and, finally, drain them with a strainer. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat this course of actions depending on how much cleaning is needed.

For running water washing/rinsing, the normal procedure is: put the item to wash/rinse in a drainer and put it under running water for some time. This practice is dangerous for damaging delicate stufl for spilling of water and it keeps the operator busy during the entire process.

To drastically facilitate the washing/rinsing/draining process, including the one under running water, this invention allows the procedure to be completed directly in the package without the use of other tools, without the risk of damaging the content and without spilling water. The invention also save time because it does not need the constant presence of the operator (during the rinsing under running water) and because tools are not used to wash after use.

The Smartwash system can be designated to a disposable packaging and reuse packaging. It can also be designated to a tool itself or applied to tools with different purposes.

The invention will now be described solely by way of references to the accompanying drawings: in the Smartwash system (Fig. 1) the water or washing fluid can enter in the package/tool by a tube (A) that can be open at the bottom (B) and/or been designed with holes (C) on the side of it. The tube crosses the body of the package/tool nearly totally in order to protect its content from the waterfall that can damage the contents.

After it has completely submerged its content, the water/washing fluid, can escape from the package/tool by the draining holes (Dl) been positioned in the perimeter walls adjacent to the entry side of it or on the same entry side (D2).

At this point the possibilities are: leave the water/washing fluid running, leave in submersion the content for some time or combine those procedures; this is depending on the individual needs.

Throughout the same draining holes it is then possible to drain the water/washing fluid from the package/tool simply by turning it upside down (Fig.2).

In order to facilitate the draining procedure, one or more vent-holes (E) can be positioned at the opposite side of the draining holes in order to avoid the vacuum effect and accelerate in this way the draining; effect especially possible in hermetically sealed lids. Those vent-holes must be small in order to not slow down the filling of the package/tool but just allow the inflowing of air during the drain phase. * 3

Once the washing/rinsing/draining process is complete, it is enough to remove the cover or lid of the package/tool, to find its content ready for use (Fig. 3).

In the drawing, which is just to consider as an example, the tube is been positioned at the base of the package/tool in order to facilitate the filling of the package/tool with its content; consequently the position of the draining holes is suggested in the lowest perimeter side or on the base itself, but the location of those can change from design or manufacture needing.

Smartwash system is easily applicable on any existing packaging for provisions, such as fruits and vegetables, with a small addition of material in production and it can be moulded or formed with the package or tool.

Claims

Claims Smartwash system when applied to any container can give it the

possibility of: introducing water or any different washing fluid; the filling; the possibility to leave its content submerged for the necessary time, leave it under running water or combine those operations; the easy draining; the possibility to repeat any of those stages when necessary.

Smartwash system can be part of the package/tool itself and because of this can be made using the same material whatever it is. It can also be made as a separate part of the package/tool in the same or in different material, depending on manufacture, manufacturer or design needing.

Smartwash is a system and not a design, and because of this, aesthetic characteristics and details are not a considered part of it.

Example of those can be: * the shape of the package/tool; * the sections, the shape and different sizes of the tube; * the different number of holes on the tube, the shapes and the position of those; * the different numbers of draining holes, the shape and the positioning of those on the sides of the package/tool; * different numbers of vent-holes, the shape and the positioning of those on the walls of the package/tool; * the different kind of materials and the different combination of materials used to realise the packaging/tool; * the different choice about where the system can be positioned in the packaging/tool * anything not interfering with Smartwash principle Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, comprising of a tubular entry for water or any washing fluid which across almost the entire internal length of the packaging/tool where the system is been applied. It also comprises of drainage openings placed around the perimeter of the packaging/tool and adjacent the surface where the tubular entry is positioned and/or on it. It also comprises of one or more vent openings placed around the perimeter of the packaging/tool and opposite to the drainage openings, or on the opposite surface where the entry has been positioned.
2. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim 1, that can be part of the packaging or tool itself; and because of this made in the same or different material and attached to it, or as extension of the package or tool so manufactured in one piece.
3. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim 1, where the tubular entry can be designed in different shapes, sections, and sizes.
4. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim 1, where the tubular entry can be open in its internal end, and with additional openings positioned anywhere on the tubular enter surface.
5. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim I, where the tubular enter can be closed in its internal end, and where different openings can be positioned anywhere on the tubular enter surface.
6. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim 4 and 5, where the openings positioned on the tubular entry surface can be designed in any size or shape.
7. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim 1, where different drainage openings can be positioned on all the perimeter surfaces of the packaging/tool, or some, or one of them.
8. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim 1, where the different drainage openings can be designated in any size or shape.

Application No: GB0502466.4
9. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim 1, where different vent openings can be positioned on all the perimeter surfaces of the packaging/tool, or some, or one of them.
10. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to claim I, where the different vent openings can be designated in different size or shape.
11. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to any of the preceding claims, that can be made in any kind of materials or in combinations of different materials.
12. A system for washing, rinsing, and draining, according to any of the preceding claims, that can be positioned in different ways in the package or tool where the system and its principle is been applied.