초록 ▼

The disclosure is related to a method and apparatus for controlling the ripening of fresh produce, particularly the ripening of fresh fruit such as bananas. The fresh produce is arranged into a palletized load which is inserted into a ripening chamber. The palletized load is arranged into two spaced

The disclosure is related to a method and apparatus for controlling the ripening of fresh produce, particularly the ripening of fresh fruit such as bananas. The fresh produce is arranged into a palletized load which is inserted into a ripening chamber. The palletized load is arranged into two spaced rows, each of said rows including two vertically spaced tiers to maximize the total amount of produce to be processed for the given floor space of the ripening chamber. A low pressure plenum is formed between the two rows of palletized produce by sealing the space between the rows and the vertical space between the two tiers. A controlled fluid flow is introduced around the palletized produce load and fluid is exhausted from the low pressure plenum to create a pressure differential across the produce load such that the introduced fluid is forced to flow from the space around the produce load, uniformly through the produce load and into the low pressure plenum. The uniform fluid flow is utilized to control the ripening of the inserted produce load.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for controllably ripening fresh produce comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a load of palletized produce into a chamber having a ceiling and front, rear and side walls; (b) arranging and supporting said palletized produce into two rows each of two vertically spaced tiers; (c) further arr

A method for controllably ripening fresh produce comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a load of palletized produce into a chamber having a ceiling and front, rear and side walls; (b) arranging and supporting said palletized produce into two rows each of two vertically spaced tiers; (c) further arranging said two rows to be spaced from one another to define an intersitial volume therebetween and to be spaced from said ceiling and side walls to define a fluid circulation space around said load of palletized produce; (d) sealing said intersitial volume from said fluid circulation space about the spacing between said two rows of palletized produce; (e) sealing the vertical space between said two tiers of palletized produce to prevent fluid circulation therethrough; and (f) thereafter simultaneously introducing controlled fluid into said fluid circulation space and exhausting fluid from said intersitial space to thereby create a pressure differential between said intersitial space and said fluid circulation space such that said introduced, controlled fluid is forced to flow uniformly through said load of palletized produce.