FRUIT SURFACE PROTECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: fresh fruit storage. SUBSTANCE: method involves cleaning fruit surface from mechanical contaminants; applying mixture of essential oils of this fruit with epithetic substances of raw plant skin layer onto clean fruits by condensing them from supercritical medium used as carrier medium. Apparatus has washing chamber, drying chamber, processing chamber, conveyor system for conveying fruits through chambers and device for applying protective compound onto fruit surface. This device has at least one supersonic nozzle. Processing chamber is hermetically sealed and provided with inlet and outlet lock feeders. EFFECT: increased efficiency, provision for long-term storage and simplified construction. 6 cl, 4 dwg