• Key Technology Inc

Fresh-Cut Core Removal System

Key Technology has introduced onCore™, a new integrated system that revolutionises the processing of iceberg and romaine lettuces in bagged salads. The system, which combines a vibratory density separation shaker with a camera/laser sorter, eliminates manual coring to increase yields and improve product quality while reducing labour costs. In addition to eliminating manual coring, onCore simultaneously removes foreign material and product defects from the production line, further improving product quality and food safety. Currently in use at leading fresh-cut produce processing companies in the US, Canada, and the UK, onCore is driving a paradigm shift in how iceberg and romaine are processed. Traditionally, these lettuces are manually cored in the field or in the plant. Manual coring causes excess product to be cut away to assure the core is fully removed and the highly nutritional outer leaves are typically discarded as well. Significant yield is lost, the nutritional value of the product suffers, and labour costs are high. With onCore, the whole, uncored heads of lettuce are brought into the plant and cut using the same automated cutting technology that is traditionally used to cut cored heads of lettuce. After cutting, onCore’s two-step process removes the pieces of core as well as foreign material and defects from the product stream. Using Key’s small-volume Optyx 3000 series sorter, onCore processes up to 5000 lb (2268 kg) of iceberg or 4300 lb (1950 kg) of romaine per hour. For high volume lines, the company can design onCore using its Manta 2000 series sorter, which processes up to 16,000 lb (7258 kg) of iceberg or 14,500 lb (6577 kg) of romaine per hour. For mid-volume lines, Key’s Optyx 6000 series sorter or Manta 1600 series sorter are ideal.