Claims
- 1. A method of storing produce, comprising:
- positioning produce in the interior of a substantially sealable container;
- substantially sealing the interior of said container from the outside atmosphere;
- monitoring the oxygen level in said container to determine the level of oxygen relative to a predetermined level;
- generating a nitrogen-rich gas from the ambient air surrounding said container;
- controlling a flow of said nitrogen-rich gas into said container in response to said monitoring of the oxygen level to establish and maintain said oxygen level substantially equal to said predetermined level;
- monitoring the carbon dioxide level within said container to determine the level of said carbon dioxide relative to a predetermined level;
- providing a store of dry ice associated with said container; and
- controlling a flow of carbon dioxide from said store of dry ice into the interior of said container to establish and maintain a level of carbon dioxide within said container substantially equal to said predetermined level of carbon dioxide in response to said monitoring of said carbon dioxide.
- 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:
- generating said nitrogen-rich gas by passing ambient under pressure through membranes in an air splitter to divide said ambient air into nitrogen and oxygen rich streams, respectively.
- 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, and further comprising:
- directing a nitrogen-rich gas into the interior of said container when a carbon dioxide level above a predetermined maximum level is determined by said monitoring thereof.
- 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising:
- directing carbon dioxide derived from degrading of said dry-ice into the ambient air about said container when said carbon dioxide is not being directed into said container.
- 5. A method as claimed in claim 2 and further comprising:
- directing carbon dioxide derived from degrading of said dry-ice into the ambient air about said container when said carbon dioxide is not being directed into said container.
- 6. A method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:
- directing a nitrogen-rich gas into the interior of said container when a carbon dioxide level above a predetermined maximum level is determined by said monitoring thereof.
- 7. A method as claimed in claim 6 and further comprising;
- directing carbon dioxide derived from degrading of said dry-ice into the ambient air about said container when said carbon dioxide is not being directed into said container.
- 8. A method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:
- directing carbon dioxide derived from degrading of said dry-ice into the ambient air about said container when said carbon dioxide is not being directed into said container.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
226929 |
Nov 1988 |
NZX |
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Parent Case Info
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/435,329 filed Nov. 13, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,753.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0120271 |
Feb 1984 |
EPX |
3203701 |
Aug 1983 |
DEX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Pamphlet "Prism-Controlled Atmosphere Systems" by Permea Inc./A Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Mo. (5 pp.). |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
435329 |
Nov 1989 |
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