US4003728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling the storage condition of perishable commodities in long-distance transport vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-10-09
•
Granted: 1977-01-18
•
Expires: 1994-10-09
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Rath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/20; F; F24; F24F; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/14; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/005; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/06; F25D2317/065; F25D2317/0655; F25D2317/066; F25D2317/0661; F25D2700/00; F25D2700/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
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withdrawing air from the top of said chamber; d. sensing circulating air for temperature and humidity; e. circulating withdrawn air through heating, cooling, and humidifying means for altering the temperature and humidity thereof according to predetermined desired criteria; f. sensing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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of repeating steps (b) through (f) on a continuous basis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, above, wherein in said sensing step the temperature is sensed on air entering said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, above, wherein in said sensing step the humidity is sensed at the entrance to said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, above, wherein said step of sensing the temperature of said packed commodities includes the sensing of the temperature of the air circulating within the commodity cargo.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, above, wherein said step of sensing the temperature of said packed commodities includes the sensing of the internal temperature of an individual commodity item.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, above, wherein said predetermined desired criteria include a temperature differential of approximately 1° F. between the commodities and the circulating air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, above, wherein said predetermined desired criteria include a relative humidity of the recirculated air greater than 80%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, above, including the step of signalling if the relative humidity falls below 80%.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
118 words
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.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
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.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
103 words
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.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, above, wherein said circulating step includes heating if said exterior temperature sensing step indicates exterior temperatures that are colder than said predetermined desired criteria for said commodities.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2095780A
Cited
US2053042A
Cited
US2130430A
Cited
US2195781A
Cited
US2506448A
Cited
US2780923A
Cited
US2904254A
Cited
US3132012A
Cited
US3088290A
Cited
US3521459A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |