Container oxygen control system for transporting and ripening perishable goods
US5799495A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/70
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A container oxygen control system includes multiple containers to hold perishable goods in a controlled ripening atmosphere composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. A first atmosphere control system controls the container atmosphere during the first transportation leg, such as from the place of harvest to a distribution port. The first atmosphere control system has a centralized nitrogen generator and multiple oxygen controllers which are provided for corresponding containers. The nitrogen generator generates a nitrogen enriched stream which is supplied to each oxygen controller. Each oxygen controller has an oxygen sensor to determine the oxygen content of the ripening atmosphere within the container. If the oxygen content remains above a preset threshold level, the oxygen controller injects the nitrogen enriched stream into the container at a constant rate to purge the container in a continuous manner. The container has an exhaust port to exhaust part of the ripening atmosphere from the container. If the oxygen content falls below the threshold level, however, the oxygen controller turns on a mixer to mix the nitrogen enriched stream with ambient air. This mixture is injected i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.