US3620765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for ripening fruit and the like
Assignee: Banana Control Inc
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Filing: 1968-10-14
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1988-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A process for accelerating the ripening of unripe fruits in boxes, such as bananas, tomatoes, melons, pears, avocadoes, and the like, wherein the fruit is subjected to a timed ripening initiation step at temperatures of 68* to 95* F. in the presence of ethylene gas, and may then be subjected to subsequent stages of ripening and storage at selected temperatures. Improved uniformity of ripening may be made by subjecting unripe fruit to an initial high temperature whereby fruit previously uninitiated to ripening may be effected while simultaneously retarding ripening of fruit previously initiated to ripening.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald F Mcdonnell
- 👤 Hugh T Freebairn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:13
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/14; A23B7/144; A23B7/152
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said bananas are subjected to a temperature between 72*-75* F.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the concentration of ethylene is 25-1,000 p.p.m.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the concentration of ethylene is 25-1,000 p.p.m., the initiation is at a temperature of 72*-75* F. and maintaining the fruit after ripening at a holding temperature of 56*-80* F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process for producing greater uniformity in ripening of unripe tomatoes in boxes containing a mixture of unripe tomatoEs wherein a portion of the unripe tomatoes have attained ripening initiation and the remainder are uninitiated to ripening comprising: initiating the ripening of the uninitiated unripe tomatoes by subjecting said mixture to a fruit temperature range of over 86* F. to 95* F. for a time between 10-72 hours to a continually forcing and moving gaseous atmosphere containing between 0.5-30,000 p.p.m. ethylene into continuous contact with said tomatoes whereby said previously initiated unripe tomatoes will be retarded in ripening while said unripe previously uninitiated tomatoes will have initiated ripening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 5 including ripening said tomatoes at a temperature between 58*-72* F. for a time between 24-96 hours.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the ripening temperature is 60*-72* F. for a time between 60-96 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the tomatoes after ripening are held at a temperature thereafter of 58*-80* F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the holding temperature is 60*-72* F.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3411894A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |