US4411921A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for inhibiting fungal growth on fresh fruits and vegetables
Assignee: Transfresh Corp
•
Filing: 1982-03-08
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Granted: 1983-10-25
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Expires: 2002-03-08
Abstract
Abstract The growth of harmful fungi on fresh fruits and vegetables is inhibited by maintaining them in a modified atmosphere including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Woodruff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:06
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/14; A23B7/144; A23B7/152
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A process for inhibiting the growth of fungi on fresh fruits and fresh vegetables other than leafy and head vegetables comprising maintaining said fresh fruits and fresh vegetables in a modified gaseous atmosphere, including carbon dioxide in an amount from zero to about 20% by volume, molecular oxygen in an amount of about 1% to about 20% by volume, carbon monoxide in an amount of about 3% to about 25% by volume, with the remainder being substantially all molecular nitrogen, at a temperature in the range of about 29° F. to about 60° F. for a time sufficient to inhibit growth of fungi on said fresh fruits and fresh vegetables.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for inhibiting the growth of fungi on fresh fruits and fresh vegetables other than leafy and head vegetables comprising maintaining said fresh fruits and fresh vegetables in a modified gaseous atmosphere, including carbon dioxide in an amount from zero to about 20% by volume, molecular oxygen in an amount of about 1% to about 20% by volume, carbon monoxide in an amount of about 3% to about 25% by volume, with the remainder being substantially all molecular nitrogen, at a temperature in the range of about 29° F. to about 60° F. for a time sufficient to inhibit growth of fungi on said fresh fruits and fresh vegetables.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are bell peppers, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 10%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 5% to about 20%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are mushrooms, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 20%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 20%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are grapes, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of zero to about 15%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 15%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are blueberries, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 15%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are tomatoes, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about zero to about 7%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 10%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are squash, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 15%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are pineapples, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 15%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 15%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are peaches, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 10%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are papayas, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are nectarines, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 10%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are mangoes, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are melons, the carbon dioxide concentration is the range of about 2% to about 20%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 15%.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are eggplants, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of zero to about 8%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 15%.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are green beans, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are apples, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 10%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 10%.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are pears, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of zero to about 8%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 8%.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are apricots, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 8%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 8%.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are cherries, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 20%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 15%.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fruit are avocadoes, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 15%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 2% to about 10%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are potatoes, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 5% to about 20%, the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 10%.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are onions, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 4% to about 15%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 7%.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the vegetables are sweet potatoes, the carbon dioxide concentration is in the range of about 3% to about 5%, and the oxygen concentration is in the range of about 5% to about 7%.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3453119A
Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |