Modular mobile treatment and precooling apparatus and systems
US12369595B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2317/041
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved system for treating, precooling, and handling perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of palletized perishable products during the precooling step. Sanitizing substances are dispensed into the recirculating air to significantly reduce micro-organisms on the surface coming from the field and avoid recontamination from the cooling warehouse. Conditioning and ripening management substances are recirculated to enable managing the ripeness of a perishable to a target. The mobile container is able to operate independently outside of a refrigerated warehouse used for storage and distribution of the cooled perishable product. The mobile container can be located near harvest or facilities with no colling assets. A combined system using conveyors and operational controls provides automated handling of the perishables from receiving, precooling and treatment and then distribution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.