Method and apparatus for controlling the storage condition of perishable commodities in long-distance transport vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of maintaining field fresh perishable agriculture commodities in optimum condition during storage and transportation comprising the steps of:
- a. packing commodities in a chamber having a controllable environment;
b. forcing temperature regulated, humidified air through the floor of said chamber and upwardly through said stored commodities;
c. withdrawing air from the top of said chamber;
d. sensing circulating air for temperature and humidity;
e. circulating withdrawn air through heating, cooling, and humidifying means for altering the temperature and humidity thereof according to predetermined desired criteria;
f. sensing the temperature of said packed commodities; and
g. changing the predetermined desired criteria to achieve a desired optimum storage temperature of said commodities.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transporting perishable commodities provides recirculation of moisture saturated air at a predetermined optimum storage temperature through the cargo from bottom to top of individual van containers. Temperature sensors are provided in each container and, if possible inside the commodity itself to enable monitoring of the conditions of storage by remote recorders. A central station powers the containers and maintains records for all containers of selected storage parameters such as temperature and humidity.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method of maintaining field fresh perishable agriculture commodities in optimum condition during storage and transportation comprising the steps of:
-
a. packing commodities in a chamber having a controllable environment; b. forcing temperature regulated, humidified air through the floor of said chamber and upwardly through said stored commodities; c. withdrawing air from the top of said chamber; d. sensing circulating air for temperature and humidity; e. circulating withdrawn air through heating, cooling, and humidifying means for altering the temperature and humidity thereof according to predetermined desired criteria; f. sensing the temperature of said packed commodities; and g. changing the predetermined desired criteria to achieve a desired optimum storage temperature of said commodities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of maintaining field fresh perishable agriculture commodities in optimum condition during storage and transportation comprising the steps of:
-
a. packing commodities in a chamber having a controllable environment; b. forcing temperature regulated, humidified air through the floor of said chamber and upwardly through said stored commodities; c. withdrawing air from the top of said chamber; d. sensing circulating air for temperature and humidity; e. circulating withdrawn air through heating, cooling, and humidifying means for altering the temperature and humidity thereof according to predetermined desired criteria; f. retaining a predetermined quantity of water in the floor of said chamber for affecting the humidity of recirculating air; and g. withdrawing excess water from the floor of said chamber.
-
-
11. A method of maintaining field fresh perishable agriculture commodities in optimum condition during storage and transportation comprising the steps of:
-
a. packing commodities in a chamber having a controllable environment; b. forcing temperature regulated, humidified air through the floor of said chamber and upwardly through said stored commodities; c. withdrawing air from the top of said chamber; d. sensing circulating air for temperature and humidity; e. circulating withdrawn air through heating, cooling, and humidifying means for altering the temperature and humidity thereof according to predetermined desired criteria; f. sensing temperature exterior to said chamber; and g. modifying said predetermined criteria in accordance therewith. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification