초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating goods, such as, for example, fumigating and re-cooling perishable goods, such as fruit, using a tarp and floor seal. The apparatus encloses goods on a surface and includes a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating goods, such as, for example, fumigating and re-cooling perishable goods, such as fruit, using a tarp and floor seal. The apparatus encloses goods on a surface and includes a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials, such as gas, liquid, or a combination thereof; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of the canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of the canopy, the lower perimeter to be placed in proximity to the surface; a support structure for supporting the upper perimeter and lower perimeters; and a gasket in communication with the lower perimeter, wherein the gasket is deformable to substantially seal the chamber by compressing the gasket against the surface. The apparatus may also include an intermediate support structure for providing support to the canopy and a conduit in communication with the chamber to supply cool air to the chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. An apparatus for enclosing goods on a surface for treatment comprising: a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of said canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of said canopy, said lower perim

We claim: 1. An apparatus for enclosing goods on a surface for treatment comprising: a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of said canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of said canopy, said lower perimeter being moveable with respect to said upper perimeter to form a chamber; a perimeter support for supporting said upper perimeter and lower perimeter; and a gasket in communication with said lower perimeter, said gasket being deformable to substantially seal the chamber by compressing said gasket against the surface and wherein the gasket has a hollow portion along its length and an inner surface in communication with the chamber, the inner surface having a plurality of perforations extending from the chamber to the hollow portion of the gasket. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flowable material supply in communication with the hollow portion of the gasket. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flowable material supply is a cold air supply. 4. A method of treating goods with a flowable material comprising the steps of: placing the goods on a surface; providing an apparatus comprising: a canopy that is substantially impermeable to the flowable material; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of said canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of said canopy; a perimeter support for supporting said upper perimeter and lower perimeter; and a gasket in communication with said lower perimeter, said gasket being deformable and wherein the gasket has a hollow portion along its length and an inner surface in communication with the chamber, the inner surface having a plurality of perforations extending from the chamber to the hollow portion of the gasket, lowering the apparatus to form a chamber over said goods on said surface; causing the gasket to deform against said surface to substantially seal the chamber; treating the goods comprising injecting the flowable material into the chamber wherein the step of injecting the flowable material into the chamber further comprises connecting a flowable material supply to the hollow portion of the gasket; and venting the chamber. 5. An apparatus for enclosing goods on a surface for fumigation comprising: a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of said canopy; a lower perimeter supporting a lower portion of said canopy, said lower perimeter to be placed in proximity to said surface; a support structure capable of supporting said upper perimeter and lower perimeters; and a gasket in communication with said lower perimeter, wherein said gasket is capable of being compressed by said lower perimeter against said surface to form a chamber, wherein the gasket has a hollow portion along its length and an inner surface in communication with the chamber, the inner surface having a plurality of perforations extending from the chamber to the hollow portion of the gasket. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a flowable material supply in communication with the hollow portion of the gasket. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the flowable material supply is a cold air supply. 8. An apparatus for enclosing produce on a surface for fumigation and re-cooling comprising: a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of said canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of said canopy, said lower perimeter being moveable with respect to said upper perimeter to form a chamber; a perimeter support for supporting said upper perimeter and lower perimeter; a gasket in communication with said lower perimeter, said gasket being deformable to substantially seal the chamber by compressing said gasket against the surface; a fumigation conduit for injecting a flowable material into the chamber; a vent to release the flowable material from the chamber; a means for changing a pressure within the chamber; and a cooling conduit for supplying chilled air to the chamber, wherein the cooling conduit forms a bore along the length of said gasket, the cooling conduit having an inner surface in communication with the chamber, the inner surface having a plurality of perforations extending from the chamber to the cooling conduit. 9. A method of fumigating and re-cooling produce comprising the steps of: placing the produce on a surface; providing an apparatus comprising: a canopy that is substantially impermeable to flowable materials; an upper perimeter for supporting an upper portion of said canopy; a lower perimeter for supporting a lower portion of said canopy; a perimeter support for supporting said upper perimeter and lower perimeter; and a gasket in communication with said lower perimeter, said gasket being deformable; lowering the apparatus to form a chamber over said produce on said surface; causing the gasket to deform against said surface to substantially seal the chamber; injecting a first flowable material into the chamber to fumigate the produce; venting the flat flowable material from the chamber; creating a first negative pressure within the chamber; and supplying a second flowable material to the chamber for re-cooling the produce, wherein the second flowable material is supplied to the chamber via a cooling conduit in communication with the chamber and wherein the cooling conduit forms a bore along the length of said gasket, the cooling conduit having an inner surface in communication with the chamber, the inner surface having a plurality of perforations extending from the chamber to the cooling conduit, and the step of supplying the second flowable material further comprises connecting a chilled air supply to the cooling conduit.