Environmentally controlled storage and ripening apparatus

• US 6,901,768 B1
• Filed: 05/30/2004
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Windecker
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Windecker
• Inventors: Windecker, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Melvin
• Application Number:
  US10/858,861
• Time in Patent Office: 373 Days
• Field of Search: 622/39, 623/71, 623/74, 623/88, 624/08, 624/40, 624/579
• US Class Current: 62/407
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/148 in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/045 Air flow control arrangements

Abstract

A self-contained apparatus for maintaining perishable produce in a controlled environment has a novel air vent and damper system to provide optimal airflow within the apparatus to maintain and ripen perishable produce. An arrangement of seals within insulated compartments cooperate with the physical dimensions of palletized produce inserted therein to direct air flow therethrough to achieve optimal air flow characteristics. The air vent and damper system of the invention allows the apparatus to operate at peak efficiency regardless of the number of pallets present in the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a horizontal push back cart system which does not interfere with the seal arrangement by using an elastic biasing means instead of prior art gravity feed methods. The self-contained apparatus can be used as a modular unit, and encompasses all the equipment necessary for installation while offering temperature stability, simplified maintenance requirements, and ultimately, precise control of ripening.

Claims

1. An apparatus for maintaining palletized goods in a controlled environment, comprising:

an insulated cabinet defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall, and left and right side walls defining an upright container with a generally open front having a perimeter;

said open front being sealable by a front wall constructed as a selectively openable access means in sealing engagement with said perimeter, said cabinet having a depth sufficient to receive two rows deep of palletized goods and a height sufficient to receive a plurality of palletized goods in a vertically stacked arrangement wherein said cabinet has a plurality of tiers;

at least one insulated vertical wall normal and contiguous to said back wall and extending from said top wall to said bottom wall which define at least two vertically oriented chambers in said cabinet, said at least one vertical wall having front edges in a coplanar arrangement with said perimeter and including sealing means thereon engageable with said front wall, each of said vertically oriented chambers have opposing side surfaces and a width sufficient to received two pallets of produce in a spaced apart relationship;

a plurality of horizontal rack assemblies in each of said chambers corresponding to each of said tiers defining a plurality of pallet receiving compartments within said chamber, said horizontal rack assemblies adapted to receive palletized goods in a two deep and two across arrangement such that the palletized goods are in a spaced apart relationship defining an interstitial air space there between and side airspaces on either side, said plurality of horizontal rack assemblies each having left and right sides adjacent said opposing side surfaces;

left and right vertical sidewalls respectively adjacent to said opposing side surfaces in each of said pallet receiving compartments, said left and right vertical sidewalls positioned to adjacently align with pallets inserted therein wherein said sidewalls cooperate with the pallets to define left and right plenum chambers encompassing said side air spaces;

said vertical sidewalls dimensioned to expose portion of the pallets to said plenum chamber;

an airflow generating means in airflow communication with each of said chambers constructed and arranged to provide airflow into each chamber;

a refrigeration means in operative communication with said airflow generating means; and

at least one damper disposed between said vertical side walls and one of said opposing side surfaces configured to prevent airflow through said plenum chamber in a closed position and permitting airflow therethrough in an open position;

with said damper being operatively associated with a lever means adjacent thereto which is configured and positioned to be displaceable by the insertion of a pallet of goods into said pallet receiving compartment;

wherein the displacement of said lever means opens said damper to permit airflow through said plenum chamber adjacent the pallet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vertically oriented gaskets affixed to each of said opposing side surfaces of said plurality of chambers and extending from said top wall to said bottom wall, said gaskets adapted to engage with vertical edges of a pallet of goods inserted therein.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least three gaskets are respectively positioned proximate said back wall, said front perimeter, and at a midpoint therebetween thus defining a division of each of said compartment into forward and rearward sections;

wherein said gaskets engage with vertical edges of a pallet of goods inserted therein to partially close said side airspace adjacent to the pallet of goods, and said airflow generating means causes air to flow between said interstitial spaces and said side plenum chambers.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said dampers are located in each of said forward and rearward sections of said pallet receiving compartments whereby airflow is only directed through said forward or rearward sections having pallets inserted therein.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front wall is be constructed as a plurality of sliding doors disposed in tracks in said top wall said bottom wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration means and airflow generating means are disposed in a housing positioned under said bottom wall, and said bottom wall includes a plurality of apertures permitting airflow therethrough.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said plurality of apertures are respectively positioned to align with said plenum chambers and said interstitial air space.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration means and airflow generating means are disposed in a housing positioned above said top wall, and said top wall includes apertures therein permitting airflow therethrough.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said plurality of apertures are respectively positioned to align with said plenum chambers and said interstitial air space.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said horizontal rack assemblies has a perimeter, wherein a portion of said perimeter adjacent said front wall includes a gasket attached thereto adapted for sealing engagement with said front wall.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said airflow means is a forced-air fan.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a means for introducing gas into said chambers.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gas is ethylene.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal rack assembly comprises:

two pairs of longitudinal carrier rails, each spaced apart to support a pallet load therebetween and extending from said back wall to said front perimeter;

a lateral support coplanar with said front perimeter attached to said opposing side surfaces of said chamber wherein said carrier rails are secured to said lateral support;

at least one cart sized to receive a pallet load, said cart including wheels positioned within one of the two pairs of longitudinal carrier rails permitting rolling translation of said cart along one of the two pairs of longitudinal carrier rails; and

elastic biasing means connecting said lateral support and said cart, wherein said cart is biased in a forward position, whereby a first pallet can be loaded onto said cart and urged to a rearward position by loading a second pallet onto said carrier rails, and said cart returns to the forward position upon removal of the second pallet.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said elastic biasing means comprises a length of elastic cord.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one cart includes a top wall having upper and lower surfaces, said top wall having a front lip and a rear lip depending downwardly therefrom;

and said length of elastic cord includes first and second ends, wherein said first end is secured to said lateral support rack and said second end is secured to said rear lip of said at least one cart.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one cart includes at least two pulleys rotatably mounted under said top wall having an axis of rotation normal to said top wall, and said at least two pulleys each have a circumferential groove sized to receive said elastic cord, wherein said elastic cord is looped around said at least two pulleys.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said at least two pulleys comprise a first pulley secured to said rear lip and a second pulley means secured to said front lip, whereby said elastic cord extends from said lateral support rack to loop around said first pulley second pulley sequentially and said second end of said elastic cord is fixedly attached to said rear lip.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said elastic biasing means comprises a length of elastic cord.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said at least one cart includes a top wall having upper and lower surfaces, said top wall having a front lip and a rear lip depending downwardly therefrom;

and said length of elastic cord includes first and second ends, wherein said first end is secured to said lateral support rack and said second end is secured to said rear lip of said at least one cart.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said at least two pulleys comprise a first pulley secured to said rear lip and a second pulley means secured to said front lip, whereby said elastic cord extends from said lateral support rack to loop around said first pulley second pulley sequentially and said second end of said elastic cord is fixedly attached to said rear lip.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said elastic biasing means is a bungee cord having hooks attach to each end, and said lateral support and said rear lip of said cart each have eye bolts attached thereto, whereby said hooks of said bungee cord can be inserted through said eye bolts.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said front wall is be constructed as a plurality of sliding doors disposed in tracks in said top wall said bottom wall.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said refrigeration means and airflow generating means are disposed in a housing positioned under said bottom wall, and said bottom wall includes apertures therein permitting upward therethrough.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said refrigeration means and airflow generating means are disposed in a housing positioned above said top wall, and said top wall includes apertures therein permitting airflow therethrough.

28. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of said horizontal rack assemblies has a perimeter, wherein a portion of said perimeter adjacent said front wall includes a gasket attached thereto adapted for sealing engagement with said front wall.

19. An apparatus for maintaining palletized goods in a controlled environment, comprising:

an insulated cabinet defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall, and opposing side walls defining an upright container with a generally open front having a perimeter;

said open front being sealable by a front wall constructed as a selectively openable access means in sealing engagement with said perimeter, said cabinet having a depth sufficient to receive two rows deep of palletized goods and a height sufficient to receive a plurality of palletized goods in a vertically stacked arrangement wherein said cabinet has a plurality of tiers;

at least one insulated vertical wall normal and contiguous to said back wall and extending from said top wall to said bottom wall which define at least two vertically oriented chambers in said cabinet, said at least one vertical wall having front edges in a coplanar arrangement with said perimeter and including sealing means thereon engageable with said front wall, each of said vertically oriented chambers have opposing side surfaces and a width sufficient to received two pallets of produce in a spaced apart relationship;

an airflow generating means in airflow communication with each of said chambers constructed and arranged to provide airflow into each chamber;

a refrigeration means in operative communication with said airflow generating means; and

a plurality of horizontal rack assemblies in each of said chambers corresponding to each of said tiers defining a plurality of pallet receiving compartments within said chamber, said horizontal rack assemblies adapted to receive palletized goods in a two deep and two across arrangement such that the palletized goods are in a spaced apart relationship defining an interstitial air space there between and side airspaces on either side, said plurality of horizontal rack assemblies each having left and right sides adjacent said opposing side surfaces, said horizontal rack assemblies each comprising;

two pairs of longitudinal carrier rails, each spaced apart to support a pallet load therebetween and extending from said back wall to said front perimeter;

a lateral support coplanar with said front perimeter attached to said opposing side surfaces of said chamber wherein said carrier rails are secured to said lateral support;

at least one cart sized to receive a pallet load, said cart including wheels positioned within one of the two pairs of longitudinal carrier rails permitting rolling translation of said cart along one of the two pairs of longitudinal carrier rails; and

elastic biasing means connecting said lateral support and said cart, wherein said cart is biased in a forward position, whereby a first pallet can be loaded onto said cart and urged to a rearward position by loading a second pallet onto said carrier rails, and said cart returns to the forward position upon removal of the second pallet.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said at least one cart includes at least two pulleys rotatably mounted under said top wall having an axis of rotation normal to said top wall, and said at least two pulleys each have a circumferential groove sized to receive said elastic cord, wherein said elastic cord is looped around said at least two pulleys.