Method and apparatus for controlled ripening of fresh produce
US5789007A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23B7/152
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A ripening room for controlled ripening of produce includes a chamber defined by a ceiling, a floor, and a plurality of walls connecting the ceiling and the floor. The chamber is configured to receive two rows of boxed produce that are spaced apart from each other to define an interstitial volume therebetween. Each row of produce is proximate and spaced apart from one of the walls to define a side airspace therebetween. The ripening room also includes an air control system for transferring air between the side airspaces and the interstitial volume and controlling the temperature of the transferred air. The side airspaces and the interstitial volume are generally enclosed to inhibit airflow therebetween except for airflow through the air control system and through openings in the produce boxes. The air control system transfers air from the interstitial volume to the side airspaces during one time period to form a low pressure plenum in the interstitial volume and high pressure plena in the side airspaces such that the pressure differential between the low and high pressure plena forces air to flow from the side airspaces to the interstitial volume through the produce boxes. The air …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.