The present invention provides apparatus and methods for adjusting the atmosphere within a substantially sealed chamber containing respiring produce. The chamber of the present invention includes inlet means to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber, and outlet means to permit chamber atmosp
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for adjusting the atmosphere within a substantially sealed chamber containing respiring produce. The chamber of the present invention includes inlet means to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber, and outlet means to permit chamber atmosphere to exit the chamber. Methods using apparatus of the present invention comprise: (a) monitoring the oxygen concentration within the chamber;(b) following detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined amount, opening the inlet means so that the amount of oxygen in the chamber increases; and(c) removing carbon dioxide from the chamber atmosphere substantially at a predetermined rate, the predetermined rate having been selected such that the carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber atmosphere does not substantially exceed a predetermined amount. The methods may also comprise opening the inlet means for a time that is approximately proportional to the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and an oxygen setpoint.
대표청구항▼
1. Apparatus for adjusting an atmosphere within a chamber, the apparatus comprising: a sealing arrangement for substantially sealing the chamber atmosphere from ambient atmosphere;an inlet arranged to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber;an outlet arranged to permit chamber atmosphere to e
1. Apparatus for adjusting an atmosphere within a chamber, the apparatus comprising: a sealing arrangement for substantially sealing the chamber atmosphere from ambient atmosphere;an inlet arranged to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber;an outlet arranged to permit chamber atmosphere to exit the chamber;a controller having an oxygen concentration sensor and a control device that is responsive to the oxygen concentration sensor, the control device being arranged to cause the inlet to open to admit ambient atmosphere into the chamber following the oxygen concentration sensor detecting that an oxygen concentration in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined amount; anda carbon dioxide remover adapted to remove carbon dioxide from the chamber atmosphere at a predetermined rate so that, in use, a carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber atmosphere will not substantially exceed a predetermined amount when the chamber contains respiring produce, wherein the apparatus does not comprise a device that actively monitors and actively controls carbon dioxide levels within the chamber. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide remover is a carbon dioxide absorbing material, contained in at least one carbon dioxide transmissible container. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one carbon dioxide transmissible container is selected so that a rate of carbon dioxide transmission into said at least one carbon dioxide transmissible container is substantially equal to said predetermined carbon dioxide removal rate. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the inlet to remain open for a time that is approximately proportional to a difference between the detected oxygen concentration and an oxygen setpoint. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the controller is further adapted so that if the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and the oxygen setpoint exceeds a predetermined amount, the inlet remains open until detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has exceeded a predetermined value. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller is adapted so that: (a) if the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and the oxygen setpoint exceeds a predetermined amount, the inlet remains open until detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has exceeded the oxygen setpoint; and(b) if the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and the oxygen setpoint does not exceed said predetermined amount in paragraph (a) then the inlet remains open for a time that depends on which of a number of predetermined ranges the said difference falls within such that the greater the average value of the range, the greater the time for which the inlet remains open. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to cause the outlet to open so as to substantially maintain a pressure within the chamber at ambient pressure. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the inlet to remain open for a time substantially proportional to a difference between the detected oxygen concentration and an oxygen setpoint. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller is adapted so that if the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and the oxygen setpoint exceeds a predetermined amount, the inlet remains open until detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has exceeded a predetermined value. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the controller is adapted so that: (a) if the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and the oxygen setpoint exceeds a predetermined amount, the inlet remains open until following detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has exceeded the oxygen setpoint; and(b) if the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and the oxygen setpoint does not exceed said predetermined amount in paragraph (a) then the inlet remains open for a time that depends on which of a number of predetermined ranges the said difference falls within such that the greater the average value of the range, the greater the time for which the inlet remains open. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller is further adapted to cause the outlet to open so as to substantially maintain the pressure within the chamber at ambient pressure. 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing arrangement includes at least one flexible substantially fluid impervious sheet having an inlet port or an outlet port. 13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing arrangement includes a substantially fluid impervious sheet for separating the chamber from leakage paths associated with a door of the chamber. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fluid impervious sheet is a curtain. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sealing arrangement includes a cover comprising an expanded rubber sheet. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cover includes one or more layers which are not substantially impermeable. 17. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inlet and/or outlet comprise one or more electromagnetically actuable valves having a solenoid so that said one or more valves may be opened from a closed position and closed from an open position by applying direct electric current to the solenoid, said one or more valves being held in either the open position or the closed position in the absence of the application of said direct electric current. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said at least one valve is adapted so as to be held in the closed position or the open position in the absence of an electric current in the solenoid by magnetic forces. 19. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said one or more valves comprises a bore, a member moveable within the bore, at least one sealing surface associated with the member, at least one aperture through which fluid may pass to pass through the valve, a solenoid adapted to generate a magnetic field in the bore in response to the application of a direct electric current, the member being adapted to move with respect to the bore in response to said magnetic field between a valve open position wherein fluid passes through said at least one aperture and a valve closed position wherein said at least one sealing surface prevents fluid passing through each said at least one aperture. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the member is slidable within the bore. 21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the slidable member carries at least one cover adapted to cover each said at least one aperture to prevent fluid passing through said at least one aperture. 22. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said one or more valves comprises at least one aperture through which fluid may pass to pass through the valve, a solenoid to generate a magnetic field in response to the application of a direct electric current and a flap which is adapted to move in response to said magnetic field between a valve open position wherein fluid may pass through the valve through said at least one aperture and a valve closed position wherein the flap prevents fluid passing through the valve through any said at least one aperture. 23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the solenoid is located between the flap and a member carried by the flap, the member and the flap each having a permanent magnet so arranged that when a direct electric current is passed through the valve in one direction the solenoid attracts the magnet on the member and repulses the magnet on the flap in order to move the flap to a valve open position and when a direct electric current is passed through the solenoid in a direction opposite to said one direction the solenoid repulses the magnet on the member and attracts the magnet on the flap in order to move the flap to a valve closed position. 24. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein an armature is provided in the solenoid, the flap may held in the valve open position in the absence of an electric current in the solenoid by the magnetic attraction between the armature and the magnet on the member, and the flap may be held in the valve closed position in the absence of an electric current in the solenoid by the magnetic attraction between the armature and the magnet on the flap. 25. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide remover is a carbon dioxide separator having a membrane substantially permeable to carbon dioxide. 26. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is defined by a standard shipping container.
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