AU2020201716B2 - System and method for providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods - Google Patents

Abstract

A method may be provided for supplying a desired substance treatment within a sealed enclosure containing at least one product. The method may include regulating gas and pressure levels within the enclosure through a conduit to create an atmosphere with a first predetermined gas level and/or pressure level within the enclosure, wherein the gas and/or pressure levels are controlled by a controller programmed with one or more target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions to provide a substance treatment in combination with the desired atmosphere within the sealed enclosure; and metering and/or adding a predetermined quantity of at least one substance into the enclosure through the conduit, wherein the addition of the substance is controlled by the controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions, wherein the at least one substance coats, is absorbed into, or infuses into the at least one product. -68- WO 2014/146094 1/22 PCT/US2014/031054 FIG. 1 PRIOR ART 10 f- 2 12 Ff0J2 FIG, 2 PRIOR ART 10 12

Description

FIG. 1 PRIOR ART

f- 2 10 12

Ff0J2 FIG, 2 PRIOR ART

10

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A REGULATED ATMOSPHERE FOR PACKAGING PERISHABLE GOODS

Cross Reference To Related Applications

[0001] This application is in a chain of divisionals ultimately

having a parent based off U.S. Patent Application No.

13/839,460, filed March 15, 2013, which is a continuation-in

part of U.S. Patent Application No. 13/602,988, filed Sept. 4,

2012, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No.

11/932,611, filed on Oct. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,190,

issued Sept. 4, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.

Patent Application No. 10/336,962, filed on Jan. 6, 2003, now

U.S. Pat. No. 7,644,560, issued Jan. 12, 2010, which is a

continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 10/000,211,

filed on Oct. 22, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,012, issued Feb.

3, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. Patent Application No.

09/393,047, filed Sep. 9, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,148,

granted Oct. 23, 2001. Each of the foregoing U.S. patent

applications claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S.

Provisional Application No. 60/099,728, filed Sep. 10, 1998,

entitled "System and Method Providing a Regulated Atmosphere for

Packaging Perishable Goods." Each of the foregoing U.S. patent

applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its

entirety.

Field Of The Invention

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and

apparatus for creating a sealed enclosure around perishable or

atmosphere-sensitive products for transport or storage. More

particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a storage

method and system for enclosing goods being transported, on a

pallet, for example, providing a desired environment or

atmosphere within the enclosure, and optionally monitoring and controlling the environment or atmosphere within the enclosure during transport. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to methods and systems for the introduction of sanitizing, flavoring, preserving, and other substances into sealed enclosures containing products such as perishable food products.

Background Of The Invention

[0002A] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices,

articles or the like which has been included in this

specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context

for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission

that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base

or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the

present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before

the priority date of this application.

[0003] Perishable or environmentally sensitive goods risk damage

from numerous sources such as wind, dirt, heat, insects, etc.

during transportation. Various forms of packaging have been used

to minimize damage or decay of such goods. For example, goods

are often secured to a pallet to facilitate the transport of

such goods and to protect the goods from damage caused by

shifting during transport. In order to further protect and

preserve the goods during transport, it is well known to cover

the goods so as to form an enclosure around the goods. Known

techniques to create an enclosure include heat shrinking plastic

around the goods which has been placed on a pallet or placing a

plastic bag around the goods on a pallet. By forming such an

enclosure, referred to as a "sealed enclosure" herein, the goods

can be protected from environmental factors such as moisture or

other contaminants. The more airtight the sealed enclosure, the better the sealed enclosure protects the goods from external contaminants.

[0004] FIG. 1 shows a well-known apparatus 50 for storing goods

during transport. The apparatus 50 includes a base cap 10

positioned over a pallet 30. After the base cap is positioned on

the pallet 30, the base cap 10 is usually held in place by the

goods 40 that are stacked on top of the base cap 10. The base

cap 10 further includes side flaps or walls 12 which extend

upwardly from the peripheral edges of the base cap 10, for

surrounding and holding the goods 40 within their boundaries.

Typically, the goods 40 are then further secured to the base cap

10 and the pallet 30 with staples or some type of tape that

wraps around the goods 40 and the base cap 10.

[0005] The base cap 10 forms a barrier between the goods 40 and

the pallet 30 and is typically made from some type of plastic,

relatively impermeable material shaped to fit over the pallet

30. The base cap 10 seals and protects the bottom surface of the

goods 40 from contamination and also provides a surface to which

the goods 40 can be secured. The base cap 10 can be any shape or

material, but is preferably sized to cover the pallet 30 and

preferably made of a relatively water and gas impermeable

material to form a seal barrier at the underside of the goods

40. Goods 40 are stacked on the base cap 10 which is placed on

top of the pallet 30. The goods 40 can be a variety of types or

sizes and preferably are in boxes or containers. While three

layers of boxed goods 40 are shown, there can be more or less

layers. The combination of stacked goods 40 on the base cap and

the pallet 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is referred to herein

as the loaded pallet 50.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a well-known method of creating a sealed

enclosure around the loaded pallet 50 of FIG. 1. A bag-like

covering 90 is placed around the goods 40 and secured to the base cap 10 of the loaded pallet 50, thereby forming a sealed enclosure around the goods 40. Preferably, the bag covering 90 is adhered to the base cap 10 and the pallet 30 with tape, or other well-known technique, to create an air-tight seal.

[0007] Prior art enclosure systems, such as those discussed above,

suffer from many disadvantages. Using a bag covering 90 to form

the enclosure, as shown in FIG. 2, is disadvantageous in that it

is difficult to seal the bottom end of the cover 90 with the

base cap 10. The bag covering 90 is often larger than the base

cap 10, so sealing the bag covering 90 to the base cap 10

requires folding and creasing of the bag covering 90. The

folding and creasing of the bag covering 90 to fit the base cap

10 prevents a smooth contact between the inside surface of the

bag covering 90 and outside edges of the base cap 10.

Furthermore, the folds and creases form possible gaps or

channels for gases to bypass the seal, thus, preventing an

airtight enclosure.

[0008] Likewise, when wrapping plastic around palletized goods, it

is difficult to completely seal the enclosure, especially at the

top and bottom sides. The wrapping must curve around the corners

and edges of goods 40, leading to potential gaps or creases in

the wrapping. As previously discussed, the gaps and creases are

undesirable in that they provide possible channels for air to

escape or enter the sealed enclosure.

[0009] After the goods 40 have been loaded onto the pallet 30 and

sealed by some method, such as by covering 90 and base cap 10 as

described above, the goods 40 can be further protected and

preserved by providing a modified atmosphere inside the

enclosure surrounding the goods 40. For example, it is well

known to inject gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide within

the enclosure in order to deter deterioration of the goods, for

example, by the growth of organisms that may contribute to the natural deterioration of produce. Other mixtures of gases can help maintain the goods 40 if held at an appropriate temperature and humidity.

[0010] Good sealed enclosures are especially important in these

modified air systems. If the sealed enclosure leaks, the

beneficial gases may escape. Furthermore, a change in the

composition of gases in the enclosure may damage the goods. For

example, an excessive amount of CO, in the enclosure may cause

food to discolor and to change taste.

[0011] The predominant present technique for introducing the

modified atmosphere into the sealed enclosure is to inject the

gas mixture through a needle-tipped hose. The needle-tipped hose

is inserted through the covering of a sealed enclosure (such as

bag covering 90 in FIG. 2). The needle-tipped hose is then taped

to the covering and a desired gas mixture is injected through

the hose into the sealed enclosure. The process ends by removal

of the needle-tipped hose from the enclosure and re-sealing of

the resulting hole in the covering with tape or other adhesive.

[0012] This present system for introducing the modified atmosphere

into the sealed enclosure is disadvantageous. The steps of

manually piercing the enclosure to insert the needle hose and

resealing the resulting hole are labor extensive, adding cost

and delays to the shipping process. The process of piercing and

resealing the enclosure is also undesirable in that it may

create a potential leak in the enclosure. The tape or adhesive

may not seal properly, creating leaks in the sealed enclosure.

[0013] Another disadvantage of the present enclosed pallet

transport systems is that they do not allow the user to monitor

and adjust the atmosphere within the sealed enclosure during

storage or transport. A typical result of this shortcoming is

that the atmosphere deteriorates during storage or transport.

For example, respiration to produce will accelerate the ripening and aging of produce during transport and will change the quality of the gases in the enclosure. As a result, the goods may deteriorate during transport, especially if delayed by unforeseen circumstances.

[0014] Furthermore, the transporter cannot adjust the atmosphere

to accommodate a good with varying needs. For example, the

ripening of fruits is generally undesirable during transport and

storage but may be desirable as the fruits near their final

markets. It is well known that certain combinations of gases

prevent the ripening of fruits while others encourage the fruits

to ripen. Thus it is desirable to have the enclosure containing

the former gas mixture during most of transport, but changing to

the latter gas mixture as the fruits near their final markets.

[0015] It is also known to be beneficial to provide a controlled

environment around the goods 49 during transportation and

storage. For example, the goods 40 can be transported in

refrigerated trucks, ships, or railcars. Within the cargo

holding area of specialized transport vehicles, the temperature

or atmospheric contents around the goods can be adjusted and

controlled during transport. However, transportation of goods by

these environment controlling vehicles has several problems.

Foremost, most transport vehicles do not have the ability to

control the atmospheric environment of the cargo holding area.

For example, most trucks have the capacity to only maintain the

cool temperature of their cargo. Environmental control requires

additional specialized equipment and this specialized equipment

significantly raises the costs for the transport vehicle, ship

or storage facility. As a result, there are not enough

environment controlling vehicles to transport goods.

Transportation of a larger range of goods in controlled

environments could provide significant benefits to the consumer

by reducing loss of goods during transport.

J016] A further disadvantage of current vehicles having a

combined temperature and controlled atmosphere enclosure is the

dehydration of products during storage (due to evaporation

through cooling). Much energy is required to cool a large

enclosure. The energy consumption raises fuel and transportation

costs and the negative affects of product dehydration and weight

loss due to relative vapor pressure on unprotected produce may

be significant.

J017] Thus, in view of the deficiencies and problems associated

with prior art methods and systems for storing and transporting

perishable or environment-sensitive goods, an improved method

and system of transporting such goods is needed. A method and

system for more easily and efficiently creating a sealed

enclosure around the perishable goods is desired. What is

further needed is a method and system which can provide, monitor

and/or maintain a controlled environment within the sealed

enclosure of a standard pallet, bin or other shipping unit

without the use of expensive, specialized vehicles having

atmosphere-controlled cargo holds, such as ships, specialized

sea containers, and refrigerated trucks, for example.

J018] Additionally, improved methods and systems for effectively

and efficiently introducing substances such as sanitizing,

flavoring, and preserving substances into sealed enclosures

containing products such as perishable products are needed.

Summary Of The Invention

0018A] According to a first aspect of the invention there is

provided a method for providing a desired atmosphere and/or

environment within a sealed enclosure, wherein at least one

product is disposed within the sealed enclosure, the method

comprising: evacuating air from the sealed enclosure through at

least one conduit to create a first predetermined pressure within the sealed enclosure, wherein the evacuating is controlled by a controller programmed with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions to provide a desired atmosphere and/or environment within the sealed enclosure; injecting a predetermined quantity of at least one substance into the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit, wherein the injecting of the substance is controlled by the controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; monitoring the atmosphere and/or environment inside the sealed enclosure by sampling the atmosphere and/or environment and comparing at least one sampled parameter to the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; maintaining and/or adjusting the atmosphere and/or environment inside the sealed enclosure based on the monitoring, wherein the maintaining and/or adjusting of the atmosphere and/or environment is controlled by the controller in accordance with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; and applying, spraying, and/or coating a treatment to the at least one product in the sealed enclosure via an atomized liquid, charged particles, suitable gas, or vaporized liquid substance.

0018B] According to another aspect of the invention there is

provided a method for providing a desired atmosphere and/or

environment within a sealed enclosure, wherein at least one

product is disposed within the sealed enclosure, the method

comprising: evacuating air from the sealed enclosure through at

least one conduit to create a first predetermined pressure

within the sealed enclosure, wherein the evacuating is

controlled by a controller programmed with target parameters,

set-points and/or operating instructions to provide a desired

atmosphere and/or environment within the sealed enclosure; introducing a predetermined quantity of at least one substance into the sealed enclosure, wherein the introduction of the at least one substance is controlled by the controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; monitoring the atmosphere and/or environment inside the sealed enclosure by sampling the atmosphere and/or environment and comparing at least one sampled parameter to the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; maintaining and/or adjusting the atmosphere and/or environment inside the sealed enclosure based on the monitoring, wherein the maintaining and/or adjusting of the atmosphere and/or environment is controlled by the controller in accordance with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; and applying, spraying, and/or coating a treatment to the at least one product in the sealed enclosure via an atomized liquid, charged particles, suitable gas, or vaporized liquid substance.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention alleviate or

ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of known apparatus

and methods for transporting perishable goods, or provide a

useful alternative thereto, by providing an apparatus and method

for creating a sealed enclosure around perishable goods stacked

on a pallet, bin, or storage unit and further providing a method

and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a protective

atmosphere within the sealed pallet, bin or storage unit

enclosure.

0020] In one embodiment, a method for supplying a desired

substance treatment within a sealed enclosure either before,

during, or after creating a modified or controlled atmosphere,

wherein at least one product is disposed within the sealed

enclosure may be provided. The method includes regulating gas levels and/or pressure levels within the sealed enclosure through at least one conduit to create an atmosphere with a first predetermined gas level and/or a first predetermined pressure level within the sealed enclosure, wherein the gas levels and/or pressure levels are controlled by a controller programmed with one or more target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions to provide a substance treatment in combination with the desired atmosphere within the sealed enclosure; and metering and/or adding a predetermined quantity of at least one substance into the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit, wherein the addition of the substance is

-9a- controlled by the controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions, wherein the at least one substance coats, is absorbed into, or infuses into the at least one product.

[0021] A method for providing a desired atmosphere within a sealed

enclosure may be provided. At least one product may be disposed

within the sealed enclosure. The method may include: evacuating

air from the sealed enclosure through at least one conduit to

create a first predetermined pressure within the sealed

enclosure and applying a predetermined quantity of at least one

substance to the at least one product. The evacuating and

applying may be controlled by a controller programmed with

target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions to

provide a desired atmosphere within the sealed enclosure. The

method may include monitoring the atmosphere inside the sealed

enclosure by sampling the atmosphere and comparing at least one

sampled parameter to the target parameters, set-points and/or

operating instructions and maintaining and/or adjusting the

atmosphere inside the sealed enclosure based on the monitoring,

wherein the maintaining and/or adjusting of the atmosphere is

controlled by the controller in accordance with target

parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions. In

another embodiment, the at least one substance may include at

least one of a foam, a gel, an encapsulated material, a gas, a

powder, a micro- or nano- particle, a fluidized compound, a

liquid, or a vaporized liquid, a food grade acid, a mineral

salt, a mineral salt solution, a nutritional additive, a

sweetener, a flavor enhancer, a sanitizing substance, a

flavoring substance, a preservative substance, a food additive

substance, a coating substance, a coloring substance, a

nutritional substance, a sealing substance, a mineral substance,

a vitamin substance, an essence and/or essential oil substance, or a biological substance, a probiotic, or a substance containing at least one of ozone, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, nitrous oxide, peracetic acid, nitrite, nitrate compound, iodine, benzoate, propionate, nisin, sulfate, sorbate, thymol. In one embodiment, the method may further include treating one or more packaging materials with the at least one substance prior to the at least one product being disposed in the sealed enclosure, wherein the one or more packaging materials are used as a part of a consumer unit, a master shipping unit or to form the sealed enclosure; and activating the one or more packaging materials treated with the at least one substance using pressure, electrical or electrostatic charge, light, or sound waves.

[0022] In another embodiment, each of the methods and systems, described above, further includes a sensor, for measuring and/or monitoring the atmosphere or pressure within the enclosure, and a controller (e.g., a programmable logic controller) for controlling the amount of desired gases introduced into the sealed enclosure. The amount of select gas present in, or introduced into, the enclosure is monitored and/or measured by the sensor which is in turn coupled to the controller, or other well-known processor. By receiving data from the sensor, the controller may either open or close the valve to either start or stop the inflow of gas from the gas tanks into the enclosure. Optionally, the controller may be disconnected from the sealed enclosure after an initial desired atmosphere is achieved, or the controller can remain attached to the system during storage or transportation so as to continually monitor and maintain the desired atmosphere throughout the duration of the trip or storage period.

[0023] A further aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides for a method for introducing at least one substance, comprising positioning at least one product within a sealed enclosure, the sealed enclosure having at least one conduit through which one of gas or fluid may flow into or out of the sealed enclosure, evacuating air from the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit to create a predetermined pressure within the sealed enclosure, and injecting a predetermined quantity of the at least one substance into the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit.

[0024] A further aspect of an embodiment of the present

application provides for a method for introducing at least one

substance, comprising positioning at least one product within a

sealed enclosure, the sealed enclosure having at least one

conduit through which one of gas or fluid may flow into or out

of the sealed enclosure, evacuating air from the sealed

enclosure until a first value of pressure is created within the

sealed enclosure, maintaining the first value of pressure within

the sealed enclosure for a first predetermined period of time,

introducing air into the sealed enclosure until a second value

of pressure is created within the sealed enclosure, the air

containing a predetermined quantity of the at least one

substance, maintaining the second value of pressure within the

sealed enclosure for a second predetermined period of time,

evacuating the air from the sealed enclosure until a third value

of pressure is created within the sealed enclosure, and

maintaining the third value of pressure within the sealed

enclosure for a third predetermined period of time.

[0024A] Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or

variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be

understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer

or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the

exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of

elements, integers or steps.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art method and system of

packaging goods on a pallet by placing a base cap between the

goods and the pallet.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art sealed enclosure created by

a covering positioned over the goods and attached to the base

cap of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a sealed enclosure

formed by a base cap, a bag-like covering and at least one valve

coupled to the base cap, in accordance with one embodiment of

the invention. Optionally, at least one valve may be

incorporated into the covering in addition to, or alternatively

to, at least one valve coupled to the base cap.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a sealed enclosure

formed by a base cap, a top cap and a side wrapping which

adheres to the base and top caps in accordance with one

embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the base cap of FIGS. 3

and 4 having tabs in accordance with one embodiment of the

invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the base cap with tabs

of FIG. 5, taken from a perspective indicated by line 6-6 of

that figure.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the base cap with tabs of

FIG. 5 positioned on a pallet.

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the base cap of FIG. 7

positioned on a pallet, taken from a perspective indicated by

line 8-8 of that figure.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates a system for applying side wrapping

around goods positioned between a base cap and a top cap, in

accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates another system for applying wrapping to

the palletized goods, in accordance with another embodiment of

the invention.

[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a sensor, a pressure switch, a

controller and a gas tank coupled to a scaled enclosure, in

accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Optionally, a

computer is coupled to the controller.

[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates multiple sealed enclosures (or other

commercial transport or storage units) being monitored and/or

controlled by multiple sensors, at least one gas tank and at

least one controller, in accordance with one embodiment of the

invention.

[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of some of the

components of a controller in accordance with one embodiment of

the invention.

[0038] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating some steps of a

modified atmosphere process in accordance with one embodiment of

the invention.

[0039] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating some steps of a

controlled atmosphere process which first checks for oxygen

content, then for carbon dioxide content in accordance with one

embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating some steps of a

controlled atmosphere process which simultaneously checks oxygen

and carbon dioxide content in accordance with one embodiment of

the invention.

[0041] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a method used to create and

maintain a sealed enclosure with a top and base cap and a side

wrapping in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a method used to create and

maintain a scaled enclosure with a bag cover and a base cap in

accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating manual stacking process.

[0044] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating manual wrapping process.

[0045] FIG. 21 illustrates the pallet that is attached to a gas

controller.

[0046] FIG. 22 illustrates a semi-automatic process that packages

products on a pallet and inserts desired atmosphere inside the

pallet.

[0047] FIGS. 23a and 23b illustrate the lift table with fingers.

[0048] FIG. 24 illustrates an example of gassing station.

[0049] FIG. 25 illustrates automated procedure for wrapping and

inserting desired amount of gas into a pallet before the pallet

is ready to be shipped.

[0050] FIG. 26 illustrates a wrap station 800 in one embodiment.

[0051] FIGS. 27a and 27b illustrate a lift table with fingers for

holding a pallet in position.

[0052] FIGS. 28a and 28b illustrate wrapping process for one or

more products stacked on a pallet in one embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 29a illustrates a pallet having a wrap and bagging.

[0054] FIG. 29b illustrates a pallet 1104 having wrappings.

[0055] FIG. 30 illustrates a wrapped pallet in a manifold system

being connected to injection hoses.

[0056] FIG. 31 illustrates a pipe portion of a manifold having a

pressure relief valve.

[0057] FIG. 32a illustrates a multi-zone controller 1402.

[0058] FIG. 32b illustrates a single zone controller 1404.

[0059] FIGS. 33a-d illustrate a plurality of wrapped pallets

connected to a plurality of manifolds.

[0060] FIG. 34 shows a sensor, a pressure switch, a controller, an

optional computer, and a gas source coupled to a rigid container

in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

[0061] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures, wherein like elements are referred to with like

numerals throughout. In accordance with the present invention, a

method and apparatus for creating a sealed enclosure around

perishable or atmosphere-sensitive products for storage and

transport (e.g., palletized goods), introducing a desired

atmosphere into the sealed enclosure, and optionally maintaining

a controlled atmosphere within the enclosure during

transportation of the goods, is provided.

[0062] FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of one

embodiment of the invention that includes a base cap 10

positioned on top of a pallet 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the pallet

30 typically includes lifters or pegs 32, which raise the bottom

surface of the pallet 30 off the ground. This keeps the goods 40

away from contaminants that may be on the ground and further

facilitates machinery, such as a forklift, to lift the pallet

off the ground for transportation. The base cap 10 is typically

rectangular or square in shape, to conform to the size and shape

of a typical pallet, and includes four side flaps or walls 12

which extend upwardly from the four side edges of the

rectangular-shaped base cap 10. The goods 40 are placed on top

of the base cap 10 and at least a bottom portion of the goods 40

are surrounded by and retained within the four side walls 12 of

the base cap 10. The sealed pallet assembly further includes a

bag-like covering 90 which is placed over and around the goods

40 so as to form a sealed enclosure around the goods 40 in

conjunction with the base cap 10. The covering 90 may be

attached at its bottom edges to the base cap 10 by means of

glue, tape or any technique that is known in the art to create,

as near as possible, an airtight seal between the covering 90

and the base cap 10. Therefore, the goods 40 are enclosed in a sealed environment created by the covering 90 and the base cap

10.

[0063] FIG. 3 further illustrates a gas intake/outtake valve 16,

coupled to a side wall 12 of the base cap 10, for allowing an

appropriate coupling device attached to the end of a hose, for

example, to mate with the valve 16. In this way, the valve 16

can receive a desired gas directed through the hose into the

sealed enclosure or chamber. Additionally, the valve 16 may

expel unwanted gas out of the sealed enclosure or allow samples

of gas to travel to a sensor 140 (FIG. 11) for testing and

monitoring purposes. The sensor 140 is described in further

detail below with respect to FIG. 11.

[0064] Alternatively, or additionally, the sealed enclosure of the

present invention may include a gas intake/outtake valve 18

coupled to the bag-like covering 90. In one embodiment, the

valve 18 may be integrated into the covering 90 by any means

known in the art. Similar to valve 16 described above, the valve

18 allows an appropriate coupling device to mate with valve 18

thereby allowing a desired gas, or combination of gases, to flow

into and out of the sealed enclosure formed by the covering 90

and the base cap 10.

[0065] Each of the valves 16 and 18 may be any one of a number of

well-known valves which can be opened and closed, either

manually or automatically, to either start or stop the flow of

gases or liquids into or out of the sealed enclosure. For

example, the valves 16 and 18 may be threaded metal or plastic

pipe ends which can be "Closed" with a threaded cap and "opened"

by mating with a threaded end of a hose. As another example, the

valves 16 and 18 may be of the type that connects to the end of

a hose used to provide carbonation from a carbonation tank to a

soda dispensing machine found in most restaurants. In one embodiment, valves 16 and 18 are model no. PLC-12 "quick connector" valves, manufactured by Colder Products Company.

[0066] The base cap 10 functions as a barrier between the bottom

surface of the goods 40 and the pallet 30 and functions to

protect the goods 40 from contaminants and/or moisture present

on the pallet or the ground. The base cap 10 can be made from

any material such as coated paper, plastic, metal, wood, or

coated fabric but is preferably relatively gas and liquid

impermeable in order to prevent gases and/or moisture from

entering or leaving the sealed enclosure from the bottom.

[0067] The base cap 10 is preferably sized and shaped to conform

to the size and shape of the pallet 30. In one embodiment, the

base cap 10 is rectangular-shaped to substantially conform to

the rectangular shape of the pallet 30 on which it rests. The

base cap 10 further includes four side flaps or walls 12 which

each extend upwardly from a respective edge of the base cap 10

to cover and retain within their boundaries at least a bottom

portion of the goods 40. The base cap 10 can be optionally

shaped as needed for protection and transportation of any shape

and/or size of goods 40 or pallet 30.

[0068] The covering 90 may be made from any desired material

depending on the function desired to be performed. In one

embodiment, the covering 90 may be Semi-permeable to prevent

contaminants from entering the enclosure but to allow some gases

to escape from the sealed enclosure to prevent the build up of

undesirable gases. In another embodiment, the covering 90 may be

gas impermeable so as to prevent desired gases from escaping

from the internal enclosure.

[0069] In another embodiment, covering 90 is sealed to the base

cap 10 with adhesive stretch wrap or a heat-shrink wrap which is

well-known in the industry. The stretch wrap or heat-shrink wrap

encircles the goods 40 and the base cap 10. After heat is applied, the heat-shrink wrap reduces in size to tightly seal and secure the goods 40 and form a seal with the base cap 10.

[0070] Optionally, the covering 90 may also have insulating

qualities. For example, "bubble wrapping" is a well-known

technology that is an effective insulating material. The

insulating covering may have other forms such as fiberglass mesh

or other high tech fiber, various foam materials, plastic gels,

cardboard liners, encasing bags, etc. The particular composition

and form of the insulating covering is not limited in the

present invention. The insulating covering may be used alone to

cover the palletized good or may be layered with other

coverings. The insulating covering can be applied like any other

covering and helps preserve the goods 40 by preventing contact

with external contaminates and/or changes in the atmosphere

within the sealed enclosure.

[0071] Furthermore, the covering 90 may form an anti-pest barrier.

The covering 90 may be treated with a chemical treatment such as

an insecticide or an insect repellant. Alternatively, the

covering 90 may have a screen-like quality to prevent pests from

entering the sealed enclosure. The anti-insect covering may be

used by itself or in combination with other coverings and/or

wrappings.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of the invention

includes a base cap 10 positioned on top of a pallet 30 and

goods 40 placed on top of the base cap 10. As discussed with

reference to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the base cap 10 is

rectangular shaped to conform to the typical shape of a pallet

and includes four side walls 12 which extend upwardly from the

edges of the rectangular-shaped base cap 10 to surround and

retain within their boundaries at least a bottom portion of the

goods 40 after they have been placed on top of, and into, the

base cap 10.

[0073] A top cap 20 is then placed over the upper surface of the

goods 40 to create a top seal. To complete the enclosure, a side

wrapping 80 is applied around the side surfaces of the goods.

The side wrapping 80 overlaps the base cap 10 and the top cap 20

to create airtight seals at both intersections. Two methods of

applying the side wrapping 80 around the top and base caps, 20

and 10, respectively, and the goods 40, are described in further

detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0074] The top cap 20 functions as a barrier placed over the top

surface of the goods 40. The top cap 20 can be made from any

material such as coated paper, plastic, metal, wood, or coated

fabric but is preferably relatively gas and liquid impermeable

in order to prevent gases and/or moisture from entering or

leaving the sealed enclosure from the top. The top cap 20 is

preferably shaped to cover the top surface of the upper-most

goods 40. As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the top cap 20

is rectangular-shaped and includes four side flaps or walls 22

that extend downwardly from each of the four edges of the top

cap 20 to cover at least a top portion of goods 40. The top cap

20 can be optionally shaped as needed for protection and

transportation of any shape and/or size of goods. The

combination of a top cap 20 on a loaded pallet 50 is referred to

herein as a pallet assembly.

[0075] FIG. 4 further illustrates the wrapping 80 after it has

been applied around caps 10 and 20 and over goods 40. The

wrapping 80 overlaps the goods 40, the base cap 10, and the top

cap 20 to create a sealed enclosure. The wrapping 80 may be made

from any desired material depending on the function desired to

be performed. In one embodiment, the wrapping 80 may be semi

permeable to prevent contaminants from entering the enclosure

but to allow some gases to escape from the sealed enclosure to

prevent the build up of undesirable gases. In another embodiment, the wrapping 80 may be gas impermeable so as to prevent desired gases from escaping from the internal enclosure.

Also, the products contained inside the pallet enclosure may be

packaged in permeable or semi-permeable films to allow these

products to be treated with (or exposed) to sanitizing or

ripening control agents, and/or to allow for these pre-packaged

products to achieve a different modified atmosphere than the "master" pallet atmosphere after the pallet enclosure is

removed.

[0076] In another embodiment, wrapping 80 is sealed with adhesive

stretch wrap or a heat-shrink wrap which is well-known in the

industry. The stretch wrap or heat-shrink wrap encircles the

goods 40, base cap 10 and top cap 20. After heat is applied, the

heat-shrink wrap reduces in size to tightly seal and secure the

goods 40 between the base cap and the top cap 20.

[0077] Optionally, the wrapping 80 may also have insulating

qualities. For example, "bubble wrapping" is a well-known

technology that is an effective insulating material. The

wrapping may have other forms such as fiberglass mesh or other

high tech fiber, various foam materials, plastic gels, cardboard

liners, encasing bags, etc. The particular composition and form

of the insulating wrapping is not limited in the present

invention. The insulating wrapping may be used alone to cover

the palletized good or may be layered with other wrappings or

coverings. The insulating wrapping can be applied like any other

wrapping and helps preserve the goods 40 by preventing contact

with external contaminants and/or changes in the atmosphere

within the sealed enclosure.

[0078] Furthermore, the wrapping 80 may form an anti-pest barrier.

The wrapping 80 may be treated with a chemical treatment such as

an insecticide or an insect repellant. Alternatively, the

wrapping 80 may have a screen-like quality to prevent pests from entering the sealed enclosure. The anti-insect wrapping may be used by itself or in combination with other wrappings.

[0079] In the present invention, the base cap 10 optionally

includes tabs 14 sized to fit between slats typically found on

the pallet 30. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective side view of the

base cap 10 having tabs 14 which help secure the base cap 10 to

the pallet 30 by preventing the base cap 10 from moving or

sliding around on the pallet 30. FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom

view of the base cap 10 of FIG. 5, taken from a perspective

along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5. In the embodiment shown, the base cap

10 includes four tabs 14 which extend outwardly from the bottom

surface of the base cap 10. FIG. 7 illustrates how tabs 14 fit

into the slats of pallet 30 to horizontally lock base cap 10 in

position with respect to the pallet 30. The tabs 14 can be any

size or material and are preferably integrally constructed to

the base cap. As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the base cap 10 is

positioned on top of the pallet 30, tabs 14 extend downwardly

from the bottom surface of the base cap 10 and protrude into

slats 34 (FIG. 8) of the pallet 30 so as to secure the base cap

10 to the pallet 30. FIG. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of

FIG. 7 taken along lines 8-8 of that figure. The pallet includes

legs 32, also known as lifters 32, and three slats 34. In the

embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the tabs 14 of the base cap 10

fit into the external corner regions of the two exterior slats

to lock the base cap 10 into place with the pallet 30. In other

embodiments, the number and size of tabs 14 and slats 34 may be

varied depending on desired configurations.

[0080] Referring again to FIG. 4, although applying the wrapping

80 can be accomplished by a series of manually executed steps,

automated machinery improves the speed and accuracy of the

system application and provides significant economics of scale.

The machine can either circle the wrapping 80 around the pallet assembly or, alternatively, the machine can rotate the pallet assembly near a dispenser of wrapping 80.

[0081] FIG. 9 illustrates an automated wrapping system 100 that

revolves a roll 108 of wrapping 80 around the palletized goods

40, base cap 10 and top cap 20. The revolution of a revolving

robotic arm 106 dispenses the wrapping 80 around the pallet

assembly. Where the width of the wrapping 80 is not as tall as

the pallet assembly, the wrapping needs to spiral so that the

whole vertical surface of the side walls of the pallet assembly

is sealed. To accomplish this spiraling, a support structure 104

and the revolving arm 106 preferably combine to create a device

that vertically transposes the roll 108 of wrapping 80, coupled

to the robotic arm 106, during application of wrapping 80. For

example, revolving arm 106 may be threaded, causing the arm to

move up or down during spinning. Alternatively, support 104 may

have a hydraulic mechanism that raises or lowers the revolving

arm 106 while it spins. Such hydraulic mechanisms are well-known

in the art. The wrapping machine 100 may spiral the wrapping 80

automatically or the spiraling may be achieved manually by a

person operating the machine. Such automatic or manual machines

are also well-known in the art.

[0082] The wrapping system 100 further includes an optional

conveyer belt 102 that transports the palletized goods to and

from the wrapping location. Otherwise, the pallet assembly may

be moved to and from the wrapping location by another method

such as by forklift, for example. The support 104 holds the

revolving arm 106 that holds the roll of wrapping 80. The

revolving arm 106, in one embodiment, is coupled to a motor that

turns the revolving arm 106 around the palletized goods. In

another embodiment, the arm 106 can be turned manually.

[0083] FIG. 10 shows a wrapping machine 110 that rotates the

pallet assembly near a wrapping dispenser 114 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The wrapping machine 110 has a rotating platform 112 that spins the pallet assembly, in a direction indicated by arrow 116, for example, near the dispensing arm 114. The pallet assembly can be placed on the rotating platform 112 by a forklift, robotic arm or other mechanical device. Alternatively, the pallet assembly can be formed directly on the platform 112. The platform may be rotated either manually or automatically by a motor.

[0084] As previously discussed, if the width of the wrapping is less than the height of the loaded pallet assembly, there is a need to vertically transpose the wrapping 80. Preferably, the platform 112 and the dispensing arm 114 combine to form a mechanism that vertically moves a roll of wrapping 80, coupled to the dispensing arm 114, relative to the palletized goods 40 so as to spiral the wrapping 80 around the surfaces of the sealed enclosure. For example, dispensing arm 114 may be threaded to force the wrapping 80 to rise or fall at a desired rate as wrapping 80 is applied.

[0085] After a sealed enclosure has been formed by one of the methods described above, the present invention further includes a method to establish and, optionally, maintain a modified atmosphere within the sealed enclosure during storage or transportation of the palletized goods. FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a method and system for establishing, and optionally maintaining a controlled environment within the sealed enclosure. The system includes a sensor 140 which can receive samples of gas from the sealed enclosure via a hose 145 coupled to a valve 130 located on the top cap 20. The sensor 140 may be any one of a number of well-known sensors which can sense or measure a desired parameter such as, for example, temperature, concentration levels, humidity, pressure, chemical composition, etc. After the sensor 140 analyzes a gas sample, for example, it processes the information and converts the information into a predetermined data format. This data is then transmitted to a controller 150 for further processing.

[0086] In one embodiment, the controller 150 is a programmable

logic controller (PLC) which receives data from the sensor 140

and thereafter implements some sort of corrective or responsive

action. As shown in FIG. 11, the controller 150 is coupled to an

automated valve 160 which is in turn coupled to a gas tank 170.

When valve 160 is in an open state, it allows gas from tank 170

to flow through the hose 180 into the sealed enclosure via a

second valve 190 coupled to the top cap 20. The controller 150

regulates the flow of a desired gas from the gas tank 170 into

the sealed enclosure by either opening or closing the valve 160

in response to data received from the sensor 140. In alternate

embodiments, the valve 190 may be of a type capable of being

opened and closed automatically and the controller may be

coupled directly to valve 190, thereby directly controlling the

operation of valve 190 to regulate the flow of one or more gases

into the sealed enclosure.

[0087] The system of FIG. 11 further includes a third valve 132,

coupled to the top cap 20, for evacuating the internal area

surrounded by the sealed enclosure. Typically, an evacuation

process is carried out prior to injection of a desired gas from

an external gas source, e.g., gas tank 170, into the sealed

enclosure. A pressure switch 135, coupled to the third valve 132

measures the atmospheric pressure within the sealed enclosure

during the evacuation process to ensure that the sealed

enclosure has been sufficiently evacuated before the pressurized

flow of gas from the external gas source can enter the sealed

enclosure via hose 180 and second valve 190. The pressure switch

135 is coupled to the controller 150 and sends a signal to the

controller 150 once a sufficient vacuum is created by the evacuation process. Thereafter, the controller 150 can operate the automated valve 160 and/or valve 190 to begin the pressurized flow of gas, otherwise referred to herein as

"injection," into the sealed enclosure.

[0088] FIG. 11 further illustrates an optional computer 154 which

is linked to the controller 150 via a communications link 152.

The computer 154 may be a standard personal computer which is

well-known in the art and can be used to program the controller

150 with target parameters, set-points and/or operating

instructions so that the controller implements a desired

protocol for providing monitoring functions and maintaining a

desired atmosphere within the sealed enclosure. The computer 152

may be just one of many computers, or servers, connected

together in a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network

(WAN), or the inter-net, for example. The internet, and the LAN

and WAN networks are well-known technologies and need not be

further described herein. By providing connectivity through a

computer network, such as the internet, for example, users

located at remote computer terminals have the capability of

accessing data stored in the controller 150 and/or computer 154,

sending commands or instructions to the controller 150, and

monitoring the atmosphere within the sealed enclosure.

[0089] The communications link 152 can be any type of standard

link such as, for example, an ISDN communications line.

Alternatively, the communications link 152 may be a wireless

link such as an analog or digital communications link. Such

analog and digital wireless communication techniques are well

known in the art. By providing a wireless link 152, a user

located at the computer 154 can monitor and send instructions to

the controller 150 while the rest of the structures illustrated

in FIG. 11 are being transported to a location away from the

computer 154.

[0090] The particular desired atmospheric mixture of gases to be

monitored by the controller 150, as described above, depends on

the needs of the goods. Preferably, a person can program this

desired mixture into the controller 150. Achieving the correct

atmosphere is important because it can substantially increase

the longevity of many goods. The proper initial modified

atmosphere charge, along with the proper film (barrier or semi

permeable), can provide a high degree of atmospheric regulation

or maintenance capability, as well as atmospheric consistency

within the enclosed pallet of product(s). The gaseous mix may

also include ozone or other sanitizing treatments either

individually, in sequence, or in various combinations to kill

pathogens without harming the product. The particular gas

mixtures are well known and need not be further discussed

herein.

[0091] Each of the valves 130 and 190 is preferably a part that is

integrally connected to the top cap 20 to permit access to the

sealed enclosure. In one embodiment, each of the valves 130 and

190 is a "quick connector" made of plastic, rubber or another

similar material which allows hoses to be snapped on and off the

sealed enclosure. Quick connectors are a well-known technology.

For example, model PLC-12 quick connectors manufactured by

Colder Products Company may be used. The valves 130 and 190 may

be integral parts of the base cap 10 or the top cap 20.

Alternatively, the valves 130 and 190 may be attached to any

part of the bag-like covering 90 (FIG. 3) or wrapping 80 (FIG.

4). In such a system, a hole is cut into the bag 90 or wrapping

80. Then the valves 130 and 190 are attached to the hole with

glue, tape, heating or any other method known in the art.

[0092] The automated valve 160 and the third valve 132 may be any

one of a number of well-known valves which may be automatically

controlled and operated by a controller such as a programmable logic controller. Additionally, any one or all of the valves

130, 132 and 190 may, alternatively, be coupled to the base cap

10 rather than the top cap 20.

[0093] FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of multiple

sealed enclosures in an array being monitored by a single

controller 150. For each sealed enclosure, a sensor 140 is

coupled, via hose 145, to a valve 130 which is in turn coupled

to the top cap 20 of each sealed enclosure. In the embodiment

shown in FIG. 12, each sensor 140 is electronically coupled to

the controller 150 and periodically transmits data to the

controller 150 in accordance with a protocol programmed into the

controller 150. Based on the data received from each of the

sensors 140, the controller 150 controls the operation of the

tank valve 162. In one embodiment, valve 162 is an automatic

valve with one input port and multiple output ports which may be

automatically controlled by command signals received from the

controller 150. The controller 150 can initiate the flow of a

particular gas, or atmosphere, from the gas tank 170 into select

sealed enclosures by opening select output ports of the valve

162, thereby allowing the desired atmosphere to flow from the

gas tank 170 through a respective hose 180 and into the select

sealed enclosure via respective valves 190. It is understood

that the particular system configuration shown in FIG. 12 is

only one of many possible configurations in accordance with the

invention. For example, multiple types of sensors 140 may be

utilized to monitor multiple parameters, multiple gas tanks may

be employed, and valve 162 may be replaced with multiple

individual valves each coupled to a respective sealed enclosure.

[0094] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of

the controller 150. The controller 150 includes a processor 200

which is programmed by input device 202 coupled to the processor

200. The input device 202 may be an integral part of the controller 150, as shown in FIG. 13, or alternatively, may be an external peripheral device electronically coupled to the processor 200. In one embodiment, the input device 202 may be a computer and keyboard which can receive high-level instructions from a user, compile such instructions into a desired data format, and thereafter program the processor 200. However, any well-known method and device may be used to program the processor 200. The processor 200 receives information from sensor 140 and clock 204 and sends out instructions to valves

130 and 190 (FIG. 11), for example. Note that in contrast to the

embodiment shown in FIG. 11, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13,

the sensor 140 is integrated into the controller 150, rather

than being a separate device and the controller 150 is directly

coupled to the valves 130 and 190 which are coupled to the top

cap 20 (FIG. 11). Valve 190 connects to hose 192 from one or

more gas tanks allows gas to flow into the sealed enclosure.

Valve 130 allows gas to flow from the sealed enclosure to the

sensor 140. Clock 204 and input device 202 are optional

components of the controller 150.

[0095] The logic processor 200 can be any device designed to

receive and process information. In one embodiment, the

processor 200 is a standard laptop computer which can be

programmed, updated, mid/or reprogrammed at will, even via the

internet. The processor 200 makes choices based upon

instructions built into the processor or programmed by a human

operator. The processor 200 receives instructions from the input

device 202, which may be a standard computer keyboards for

example. The processor 200 further receives information from the

sensor 140 and clock 204. In another embodiment, the processor

200 may be a type of mass-produced, transistor-based

microprocessor such as a processor chip. These types of devices

are well-known and are readily and commercially available.

[0096] The input device 202 allows the human operator to alter the

decisions made by the logic processor 200. In this way the

controller can be adjusted to meet the needs of different goods.

As discussed above, the input device 202 may be any one of

various well-known input devices such as a computer keyboard, a

phone line, or a disk drive capable of programming the processor

200.

[0097] The clock 204 can be any time keeping unit which is well

known in the art. Commonly, the clock 204 is a digital timer on

the logic processor 200 that emits an intermittent time signal.

Alternatively, the clock 204 may be any time-keeping signal from

an outside source. The clock 204 permits the processor 200 to

make decisions based on time.

[0098] The sensor 140 receives gas or atmosphere samples from the

sealed enclosure and detects certain qualities. Such sensors are

well-known in the art and are readily commercially available.

The type of sensor 140 may vary depending on the qualities to be

measured. For example, the sensor 140 can contain a thermometer

to determine air temperature. The sensor 140 may also contain a

barometer to test for air pressure. Preferably, the sensor 140

contains various chemical detectors to determine the composition

of the gases introduced into the sealed enclosure. Such sensors

are well known and, therefore, will not be further described

here. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the sensor 140

in the controller 150 converts the results to digital signals

that are sent to the logic processor 200. A memory 206, coupled

to the processor 200, stores the data received from the sensor

140 for subsequent processing and/or analysis.

[0099] The processor 200 responds to information inputs from the

clock 204 and the sensor 140 by sending digital commands to open

and close the valves 130 and 190. In one embodiment, the valves

130 and 190 may control gas flow in and out of the sealed enclosure respectively. Digitally and electronically controlled valves are well known. In one embodiment, the processor 200 is also coupled to a peripheral device 208 which may be any one of a number of devices and/or circuits known in the art. In one embodiment, the peripheral device 208 may be the computer 154

(FIG. 11) connected to the processor 200 via link 152 (FIG. 11).

In another embodiment, the peripheral device may be a circuit

for generating an audio and/or visual alarm if data received

from the sensor 140 indicates that an atmospheric parameter is

not within a predetermined range of a target parameter

programmed into the processor 200. Such circuits for generating

an audio and/or visual alarm are well-known in the art.

Alternatively, the audio and/or visual alarm can be generated by

the computer 154 (FIG. 11) by sending an alarm signal from the

processor 200 to the computer 154 via the communications line

152 (FIG. 11).

[0100] In one embodiment, the controller 150 is a modified

atmosphere ("MA") controller that samples and introduces gases

into the sealed enclosure until the desired atmosphere is

achieved. After the desired atmosphere is achieved, the MA

controller is removed and the sealed enclosure is resealed and

transported or stored. A flowchart illustrating the operation of

one type of an MA controller, in accordance with one embodiment

of the invention, is shown in FIG. 14. This MA controller fills

the sealed enclosure with C02 until desired levels of air

pressure and C02 are achieved or the injection process runs out

of time.

[0101] In steps 210 and 230, a person enters conditions into the

MA controller. As previously discussed, these settings can be

programmed into the processor by anyone of numerous input

devices and/or methods. The drawdown pressure setting, step 210, defines the amount of air to be removed from the sealed enclosure.

[0102] In step 220, air is removed from the sealed enclosure until

a sufficiently low pressure or drawdown set point is achieved.

After the controller receives the new desired conditions in step

230, the controller opens valves to the gas tanks containing the

desired gases. The opening of the valves is the beginning of

step 240 in which the desired atmosphere is introduced into the

sealed enclosure. A sensor 140 (FIGS. 11 and 13) then begins to

monitor the atmospheric conditions within the sealed enclosure

by sampling the enclosed atmosphere. In steps 250 and 290, the

sensor measures the air pressure and the C02 levels and the

measurements are compared to desired levels in steps 260 and

300. If desired levels are achieved, conditions 270 and 3 10 are

satisfied and shutdown, step 330 is triggered. If either or both

conditions are not satisfied, the steps 280 and/or 320 occurs

and the controller continues to fill the sealed enclosure.

[0103] In step 340 the elapsed time is determined, and in 350 the

elapsed time is compared to the desired time limit. If elapsed

time has not yet exceeded the programmed time limit, condition

360 fails and the scaled enclosure continues to fill. If the

programmed time limit is exceeded, then condition 360 is

satisfied and step 380, shutdown, occurs.

[0104] After shutdown by either step 330 or 380, in step 390 a

check for system leaks or problems is performed. If there are

leaks or other problems, in step 390 the human operator fixes

the problem and the process returns to step 230 where desired

time, pressure, and atmospheric setpoints are reset.

[0105] In another embodiment, a controlled atmosphere ("CA")

controller establishes the desired atmosphere within the sealed

enclosure, and then continues to sample and adjust the

atmosphere during transportation. Generally, the CA controller will maintain the desired atmosphere conditions, but the controller can optionally be programmed to adjust the atmosphere during transport or refrigerated storage. For example, the atmosphere can be adjusted, as previously discussed, to allow fruits to ripen as they near market. The controller may also optionally be programmed to fumigate the sealed enclosure during transport. The controller may intermittently add sanitizers or even toxic gases to kill pathogens in the sealed enclosure, but allow the toxic gases to be evacuated or dissipated before reaching the end of transport or controlled storage consumer.

[0106] The operation or process of a CA controller, in accordance

with one embodiment of the invention, is summarized in the

flowchart of FIG. 15. The desired conditions or setpoints are

selected in step 400. The controller takes an atmosphere sample

from the sealed enclosure in step 410. In step 420, the

controller compares the levels of 02 to the setpoints selected

during step 400. If the 02 levels are low, the controller

performs step 440 in which ambient air is added to the sealed

enclosure. Conversely, if 02 levels are too high, in step 430

the controller adds N2 to the sealed enclosure. Once the desired

levels of 02 are achieved, in step 450, the controller next

checks the C02 levels. If the C02 levels are low, in step 470

the controller adds C02 to the sealed enclosure. If C02 are too

high, in step 460 the controller adds N2 to the sealed

enclosure. After either step 460 or step 470, the process

repeats step 420 in which the controller returns to checking the

02 levels. If the controller measures acceptable levels of both

02 and C02, the controller returns to step 410 to draw a new air

sample to test. The process may continue in time sequence for a

predetermined length of time or indefinitely until the

controller is removed from the sealed enclosure connection.

[0107] The operation or process performed by a CA controller in

accordance with another embodiment of the invention is

summarized in the flowchart of FIG. 16. The desired conditions

or setpoints are selected in step 480. In step 490, the

controller takes an atmosphere sample from the sealed enclosure

by drawing the enclosed gases over the sensor. In step 500, the

controller determines 02 levels and, in step 510, compares the

levels of 02 to the setpoints selected during step 480. If 02

levels are low, then condition 20 is true, and step 530 occurs.

In step 530, the controller opens a valve to add ambient air to

the sealed enclosure. If 02 levels are too high, condition 540

is true, and the controller responds in step 550 by adding N2 to

the sealed enclosure. Once the desired level of 02 are achieved

condition 560 is true, and the controller performs step 570 by

closing air valves coupled to the sealed enclosure, thereby

preventing the flow of any gases to/from the interior of the

enclosure.

[0108] While monitoring and maintaining the 02 levels, the

controller simultaneously checks and adjusts C02 levels. In step

580, the controller determines the levels of C02 and in step 590

the controller compares the measured levels of C02 levels to

desired setpoints. If C02 levels are low, condition 600 is true,

and in step 610, the controller opens the valve to C02 tanks for

a predetermined amount of time and, thereafter, returns to step

580 to determine the level Of C02--If the C02 levels are high,

condition 620 is true, and in step 630 the controller opens the

valves to the N2 tanks (or source) to allow N2 to enter the

sealed enclosure. Once desired levels Of C02 are achieved,

condition 640 is satisfied, in step 650 the controller closes

valves to the C02 tanks and N2 tanks (or sources).

[0109] A method for creating a sealed enclosure around perishable

agricultural products or other products stacked on pallets, and for establishing and maintaining a modified atmosphere within the sealed pallet or bin enclosure is provided. An exemplary process includes the following steps, as illustrated and described in FIG. 17.

[0110] Step 800: Provide pallet. The pallet can be positioned

manually. Alternatively, the pallet can be positioned

mechanically by a machine such as a forklift or mechanical arm.

[0111] Step 810: Put base cap on the pallet. The base cap can be

positioned manually or by a machine such as a forklift or

mechanical arm. FIG. 3 illustrates the base cap 10 positioned on

the pallet 30. The base cap may be:

[0112] a) placed on the pallet (later weighted by the goods and

secured by the wrapping of plastic film);

[0113] b) glued, taped or secured to the pallet; and/or

[0114] c) may be constructed with bottom locking tabs 14 (FIGS. 5

8) to fit securely between the boards of the pallet to prevent

the base cap from moving during transit. FIG. 4 shows a base cap

with side flaps 12 which retain a bottom portion of the goods 40

placed on top of the base cap 10. In one embodiment, flaps 12

can be either folded down to cover part of the pallet or folded

up to cover part of the goods. The folded flaps 12 create a

vertical surface onto which a cover 90 (FIG. 3) or wrapping 80

(FIG. 4) may be attached and sealed.

[0115] Step 820: Position goods onto the base cap. The goods can

be positioned on the base cap and pallet manually by workers or

by a worker with a pallet squeeze. Alternatively, a forklift or

overhead crane or even an industrial robot can mechanically

position the goods. Similarly, packaging materials may be placed

around the goods. The goods may also be glued, taped, or

otherwise secured to the base cap. Again, this securing process

can be accomplished manually or mechanically through a device

such an industrial robot.

[0116] Step 830: Position the top cap over the stacked containers

or boxes of goods, as illustrated in FIG. 4. A machine such as a

forklift, crane, or industrial arm, as described above can

position the top cap manually or mechanically. FIG. 4 shows the

top cap with side walls or flaps 22. The flaps 22 may be folded

down to cover a portion of the top boxes of goods. A robot arm

can accomplish the folding mechanically, for example. After

folding, the flaps 22 can be secured to the goods by glue, tape

or similar substances. The folded flaps 22 create a vertical

surface on which to connect a wrapping 80 (FIG. 4).

[0117] Step 840: Apply a wrap covering. The wrapping may be

applied by circling one or more tolls of wrapping 80 (FIGS. 9

and 10) around the pallet assembly so as to create an enclosure

around the goods in conjunction with the top and bottom caps.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred application of wrapping 80, which

includes overlapping the wrapping over base cap 10 and top cap

20. However, the wrapping 80 can be applied using any one of

numerous methods well known in the art. For example the

transporter could pour, spray, spin, etc., the cover onto the

palletized goods. Preferably, the application creates a smooth

seal between the palletized goods and the cover. Alternatively,

a worker can manually apply the wrapping by walking around a

pallet assembly while dispensing the wrapping. Alternatively,

the worker can spin the pallet assembly near a wrapping

dispenser. The wrapping machine's previously described with

respect to FIGS. 9 and 10 can also apply the wrapping.

Optionally after positioning, the wrapping is secured to the

caps and goods by various methods such as by heating, taping,

zip-sealing and/or gluing the wrapping to the top and base caps.

[0118] Step 850: Inject or establish the proper atmosphere in the

sealed enclosure and, as required during the injection or

metering process, vent sealed enclosure to allow for rapid and efficient replacement of the enclosure atmosphere. The proper atmosphere can be accomplished in the following ways:

[0119] a) in one embodiment, the method automatically measures and

adjusts the C02 and 02 levels within the enclosure by use of the

controllers previously described.

[0120] b) it is also possible to manually measure and adjust the

amount of C02 and N2 required within the enclosure. Based on

sample test runs, a simple automated system based on a uniform

sized sealed enclosure may be established.

[0121] c) the required atmosphere may be calculated based on

injection time and pressures, net volume of space within the

enclosure, the product's needs, etc. and then injected manually

or via an automated system.

[0122] d) in another embodiment, the product respiration may

create its own modified atmosphere within the sealed enclosure

(where time, value and product sensitivity or other factors

allow).

[0123] e) in another embodiment, a calculated amount of dry ice

may be placed within the sealed enclosure to achieve a desired

amount Of C02.

[0124] The methods described in options a to c require a human to

connect hoses and valves to the sealed enclosure to introduce

the desired gases. Such hoses would interconnect air tanks or

external gas sources (C02, N2, 03, 1-MCP, etc.) to the

controller and to the sealed enclosure. A controller can then be

used to control the emissions of gases from the tanks (or

sources) into the enclosures by automatically opening and

closing valves coupled between the air tanks (or sources) and

the enclosure.

[0125] The above steps 810-850 may be repeated to create to

separate enclosures on the same pallet. A new base cap 10, new

goods 40, and a new top cap 20 can be placed over a completed pallet assembly. After the side wrapping 80 is applied, two separate internal enclosures exist on the same pallet.

[0126] Step 860: Apply controller. A controller can monitor and

regulate the atmosphere within the sealed enclosure by

implementing one of the processes illustrated in FIGS. 14-16,

for example. Preferably, as previously discussed, the controller

has connections which allow workers to snap hoses on and off the

respective valves.

[0127] FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative pallet packing method in

which a bag-type covering 90 (FIG. 3) is used instead of a top

cap 20 and side wrapping 80. In this new method, Steps 930 and

940 replace Steps 830 and 840:

[0128] Step 930: Position Bag over goods. FIG. 3 illustrates a

covering 90 positioned over goods 40. The covering 90 is

installed by placing the open end over the top of the loaded

pallet. The covering 90 may be installed either manually or

automatically by a machine that positions the covering over the

goods.

[0129] Step 940: Seal covering to base cap. The open end of the

covering is secured to the base cap by various techniques such

as by gluing or taping. The glue or tape can be manually applied

or applied by a machine that circles the pallets. Sealing the

sealed enclosure may be accomplished using wide adhesive tape,

adhesive strips, stretch film, adhesive plastic film(s), or

adhesive sealant sprayed or applied between the plastic bag or

film wrap and the bottom cap or film, or any other method which

is known to create an air-tight enclosure. The introduction of

atmosphere (Step 850) and the application of the controller

(Step 860) are similar to those steps described above with

respect to FIG. 17. Therefore, the description of those steps is

not repeated here.

[0130] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a manual stacking process

in one embodiment. Bottom sheet 1906 is placed on an empty

pallet 1902. Products 1904 are stacked, e.g., by hand, on top until full pallet is built. Bottom sheet 1906 is then taped up

to side of pallet on all four sides. Similarly, top sheet 1908

is placed on top and taped down on all four sides. The pallet is

transported, e.g., with a fork lift, and placed on a portable

stretch wrap machine, such as the one shown in FIG. 20.

[0131] FIG. 20 illustrates a wrapping process in one embodiment

for a full pallet, e.g., built according to the embodiment shown

in FIG. 19. Pallet 2004 is wrapped from the bottom of the pallet

to the top and back to the bottom creating, for example, two

layers of stretch wrap on pallet. A stretch wrap machine 2002,

e.g., rolls out the wrap material 2008 to wrap the pallet 2004.

The pallet 2004 is then transported to a controller that

automatically adjusts the atmosphere inside the pallet as

described above.

[0132] FIG. 21 illustrates the pallet that is attached to a gas

controller. A vacuum wand or sample line 2106 is inserted

between a layer of boxes near the bottom of the pallet. An

injection wand 2110 is inserted between a layer of boxes near

the top of the pallet. When the wands 2106, 2108, 2110 are

connected between the controller 2102 and the pallet 2104, the

controller 2102 may be enabled, for example, by pressing an "enable" button 2112.

[0133] The controller then vacuums the pallet 2104, via the wand

2106 until a negative pressure is reached. The pallet 2104 is

vacuumed to ensure that there are no leaks on the wrapped pallet

2104. When a negative pressure is reached, assuring that there

is no leak, the injection cycle starts by injecting carbon

dioxide (C02) into the pallet 2104. In one embodiment, the

vacuum stays on to help "PULL" the C02 into the pallet 2104. The sample line 2108 connected between the pallet 2104 and the controller 2102 runs simultaneously, drawing sample atmosphere out from the pallet 2104. The controller detects the C02 levels in the pallet by reading the C02 level in the sample.

[0134] This C02 injecting and sampling cycle continues until a

desired C02 level is reached inside the pallet 2104. The desired

C02 level, e.g., may be preset in the controller, e.g., using

controller's touch screen input functionality. When the

controller detects that the desired C02 level has reached, the

controller 2102 stops the cycle and displays the C02 level in

the pallet 2104. The controller 2102 may also inform the

operator, e.g., by display 2114 or audio functions, that the

cycle has completed successfully. The lines 2106, 2108, 2110 are

then removed and the remaining openings in the pallet 2104 where

the lines were inserted are closed. The pallet 2104 is then made

ready for shipment.

[0135] FIG. 22 illustrates a semi-automatic process that packages

products on a pallet and inserts desired atmosphere inside the

pallet. A pallet 2202 of products from the field is placed on an

input conveyor 2204. The pallet 2202 moves down conveyor 2204

and enters the top/bottom sheeting section. Squeeze arms 2206

swing down into place and hold products 2202 while the conveyor

section 2204 lowers with the pallet to create a space for the

bottom sheet 2208 to be pulled into place. The conveyor then

lifts back up and the bottom sheet is cut, and the squeeze arms

release the pallet and swing back up out of the way for the

pallet to advance.

[0136] The leading edge of the bottom sheet may have an adhesive

on it and there may be a mechanism that will rise up to adhere

the edge of the sheet to the pallet to prevent it from getting

caught in the equipment while advancing to the next queue. There

may be a taping mechanism to tape the leading edge of the bottom sheet to the pallet before it advances to the next queue to prevent it from getting caught in the equipment.

[0137] A top sheet is then pulled into place and cut. The pallet

then advances to the wrap station. Once the pallet is in the

wrap station, a lift table with fingers rises from below the

conveyor to hold bottom sheet up in place for the wrap cycle.

FIGS. 23a and 23b illustrate the lift table with fingers. As

shown in FIG. 23a, fingers 2302 on a lift table 2304 rises up to

hold the bottom sheet 2306. A top plate also may lower with

fingers to hold the top sheet in place for the wrap cycle.

[0138] The wrap cycle begins, for example, by starting at the

bottom of the pallet and goes to the top of the pallet and back

to the bottom, creating two layers of stretch wrap on the

pallet. When the wrap cycle ends, the top plate lifts up sliding

the fingers out from between the stretch wrap and the pallet.

The bottom lift table lowers also removing the fingers.

[0139] The pallet then advances to the gassing station as shown in

FIG. 24. FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a gassing station.

Once in the station, an operator may insert the vacuum line 2402

and sample/pressure sensor line 2404 in between a layer of boxes

near the bottom of the pallet. In an exemplary embodiment,

vacuum line 2402 and sample/pressure sensor line 2404 are

integrated together so that one line is inserted by the operator

for vacuuming and sampling. For instance, sample line 2404 is

located inside vacuum line 2402. Alternatively, vacuum line 2402

and sample/pressure sensor line 2404 are separate lines so that

both lines are independently inserted by the operator. An

operator may also insert the injection line 2406 between a layer

of boxes near the top of the pallet. In an exemplary embodiment,

for a manual system and a semi-automated system, injection line

2406 will have integrated therein one or more other lines for

injecting different gases, for instance, C02 and/or nitrogen and/or ozone. Alternatively, injection line 2406 does not include any other lines integrated therein.

[0140] Once the lines or wands are in place, a controller 2410 may be engaged, for example, by pressing an "enable" button 2412 on the controller. The controller 2410 vacuums pallet until a negative pressure is reached. This is done to make sure that there are no leaks on the wrapped pallet. Once a negative pressure is reached assuring there is no leak, the injection cycle starts, injecting C02 into the pallet. The vacuum stays on to help pull the C02 through the pallet to create a mixed atmosphere more quickly. The sample/pressure sensor line 2404 is also running simultaneously to read the C02 levels in the pallet, in real time. The cycle continues until C02 level reaches the desired level. This desired level may have been set previously, for example, by using a touch screen 2414 on the controller 2410. The controller 2410 then stops, displays the C02 level in the pallet 2408, and informs the operator of a successful cycle. The operator then may remove the lines 2402, 2404, 2406 and place tapes over the holes. Operator then advances pallet onto the output conveyor where it is picked up by a forklift and is ready for shipment.

[0141] FIG. 25 illustrates automated procedure for wrapping and inserting desired amount of gas into a pallet before the pallet is ready to be shipped. Pallet 2502 of product from the field is placed on the input conveyor 2504. Pallet moves down conveyor and enters the top/bottom sheeting section. Squeeze arms 2506 swing down into place and hold product while the conveyor section 2504 lowers with the pallet to create a space for the bottom sheet 2508 to be pulled into place. The squeeze arms 2506 are, for example, mechanical or robotic arms. The conveyor 2504 then lifts back up and the bottom sheet 2508 is cut, and the squeeze arms 2506 release the pallet 2502 and swing back up out of the way for the pallet to advance.

[0142] The leading edge of the bottom sheet may have an adhesive

on it and there may be a mechanism that will rise up to adhere

the edge of the sheet to the pallet to prevent it from getting

caught in the equipment while advancing to the next queue. There

may be a taping mechanism to tape the leading edge of the bottom

sheet to the pallet before it advances to the next queue to

prevent it from getting caught in the equipment. Similarly, a

top sheet is then pulled into place and cut.

[0143] The pallet then advances to the wrap station. FIG. 26

illustrates a wrap station 2600 in one embodiment. FIGS. 27a and

27b illustrate a lift table with fingers for holding a pallet in

position. As shown in FIGS. 27a and 27b, once the pallet 2702 is

in the wrap station 2600 (FIG. 26), a lift table with fingers

2706 rises from below the conveyor to hold bottom sheet 2710 up

in place for the wrap cycle. A top plate also lowers with

fingers to hold the top sheet in place for the wrap cycle. The

wrap cycle begins, for example, by starting at the bottom of the

pallet and goes to the top of the pallet and back to the bottom,

creating two layers of stretch wrap on the pallet. Some or all

of the fingers 2706 are hollow tubes and may be equipped with

lines 2708. In an exemplary embodiment, lines 2708 are one or

more lines, such as vacuum, sample, pressure sensor and/or

injection lines. The injection lines may or may not be

integrated for a fully-automated system. The inject lines may be

joined to inject through a single finger or separate to inject

through different fingers. One or more gasses can be injected,

for example, three gases can be injected through the finger(s).

Additionally, the vacuum, sample and/or pressure sensor line(s)

may or may not be integrated. The line(s) may be joined to

vacuum, sample and/or sense through a single finger or vacuum, sample and/or sense through different fingers. Fingers 2706 remain in the wrap. Once the wrap cycle is complete, a controller starts the gas cycle.

[0144] In one embodiment, a controller vacuums the pallet until a

negative pressure is reached. This is done to make sure there

are no leaks on the wrapped pallet. Once a negative pressure is

reached assuring that there is no leak, the injection cycle

starts, injecting C02 into the pallet. The vacuum stays on to

help pull the C02 through the pallet to create a mixed

atmosphere more quickly. The sample line is also running

simultaneously to read what the C02 levels are in the pallet in

real time. The cycle continues until a desired C02 or prescribed

gas levels are reached. This desired level, for example, may

have been set previously, for example, using a touch screen on

the controllers. When the gas cycle is complete, the top plate

and the lift table pull away to slide the fingers out from

between the wrap and the pallet as shown in FIG. 27b. Additional

final wraps or sealing may be completed as required. The pallet

then advances to the output conveyor to be picked up by a

forklift.

[0145] FIGS. 28a and 28b illustrate wrapping process for one or

more products stacked on a pallet in one embodiment. A bottom

sheet 2804 is placed on the pallet 2802 by using either a fork

truck with squeeze attachments to lift the product off the

pallet to slide the sheet in place, or the sheet may be placed

on the pallet in the field prior to being "built" or stacked

with product. Bottom sheet 2804 is then taped up into place. A

quick-connect hose fittings 2806 are adhered in place on the

pallet 2802. As shown in FIG. 28b, a pallet bag 2808 may be

placed over the pallet, taped flush to the pallet 2802, and

taped down to the bottom sheet. A cardboard tie sheet may also

be placed on top of the pallet.

[0146] In one embodiment, the pallet is placed on the stretch wrap

machine and wrapped, for example, from the bottom of the pallet,

to the top of the pallet, and back down to the bottom. FIG. 29a

illustrates a pallet 2902 having a wrap and bagging. This double

wrapping results in secure and stable pallet for shipment. This

second layer also ensures an air tight seal around the pallet.

The second layer of wrap around the pallet allows for more rigid

cover, and helps to assure uniformity of desired air flow

equally to all the pallets.

[0147] In another embodiment, a wrap enclosure without a bag may

be utilized. FIG. 29b illustrates a pallet 2904 with wrappings.

This wrap may include a top and bottom sheet, for example a

stretch wrap that has adhesive properties for adhering to the

top and bottom sheet for an airtight seal.

[0148] Depending on the products to be packaged, different types

of bags and film wraps may be used. For example, there are wraps

that do not allow any gas transmission through a film. These

types of film are known as Barrier Films. The Barrier Films do

not let any C02 out, or any 02 in.

[0149] Other wraps have a microporous membrane. For example, some

products inside a pallet may use up 02 and give off C02 causing

gas levels to go out of an acceptable range when not plugged

into a control system. The microporous film allows C02 and 02 to

pass through at a specified exchange rate to maintain a proper

atmosphere.

[0150] The present automatic and continuous monitoring system

eliminates the hassle of trying to figure out which plastic bag

or wrap to use for the proper gas exchange. It also allows for

different respiration rates of the product enclosed, and the

impact of temperature, because it continuously monitors and

adjusts the atmosphere to maintain the desired set-point of

atmosphere.

[0151] After the pallet is wrapped, the pallet is moved to a

manifold system. FIG. 30 illustrates a wrapped pallet 3002 in a

manifold system being connected to injection hoses. Small

incisions are made in the enclosure at the quick-connect hose

fittings 3004a, 3004b to allow the hoses 3006a, 3006b to be

attached.

[0152] FIG. 31 illustrates a portion of a manifold having a

pressure relief valve. The hoses 3106a, 3106b are connected to

the manifold 3100 and the gas level may be set on a controller.

The controller is then enabled to start regulating the

atmosphere. A pressure relief valve 3102 on the manifold 3100

prevents over pressurizing the pallets or equipment. The valve

maintains 3102, for example, one to two pounds of positive

pressure in the manifold 3100 to ensure that no fresh air leaks

in.

[0153] FIG. 32a illustrates a multi-zone controller 3202. FIG. 32b

illustrates a single zone controller 3204. In one aspect, a

single-zone controller 3204 is used to control one manifold, and

adjusts to one atmosphere setting. Similarly, a multi-zone

controller 3202 that controls multiple manifolds, each with a

different atmosphere setting may be used. The multi-zone

controller 3202 may be modular and may include any desired

number of combinations of pallets and manifolds, resulting in

controlling many different atmosphere settings.

[0154] A single zone controller 3204 may include one 02

analyzer/sensor, one C02 analyzer/sensor, one sample pump, one

N2 solenoid, one C02 solenoid, one fresh air pump with solenoid.

The setting may be adjusted by turning 'pots' or potentiometers

on the front of the two analyzers. For example, turning

clockwise increases the percentage desired, and turning counter

clockwise decreases the percentage. In one embodiment, there are three flow meter controls for the 3 individual gases, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and fresh air.

[0155] The multi-zone controller 3202 may include one or more 02

analyzer/sensors, one or more C02 analyzer/sensors, on or more

sample pumps, one or more N2 solenoids, one or more C02

solenoids, one or more fresh air pumps with solenoid. The

settings, in one embodiment, may be adjusted by touch screen

software. The percentage of gas for each of the zones may be

selected by inputting the desired amount.

[0156] Multiple solenoids may also be attached to the three main

solenoids for each of the zones. One or more main solenoids may

open along with one or more of the zone solenoids, depending on

the gas needed. The multi-zone controller 3202 also may include

a modem connected to a Personal Computer ("PC"). The PC may be,

for example, located locally or remotely. Accordingly, gas

levels may be checked, adjusted, or zones completely shut off or

turned on from any laptop or desktop located anywhere. For

example, a user may be provided with a name and password to

enable the user to log into the controller. This way, a user

having the authorization may monitor and change the atmosphere

as desired.

[0157] FIGS. 33a-d illustrate a plurality of wrapped pallets

connected to a plurality of manifolds 3304 of a manifold system.

In this example, the manifold system is made up of at least two

different sections: a blower section and an add-on section. Each

section consists of at least two pallet locations. The blower

section incorporates a centrifugal fan or blower to force air

through the rest of the manifold sections. The blower section

also includes at least the gas inject points and gas sample

points. Hoses 3310 are used, for example, for the injecting and

sampling. In an exemplary embodiment, the add-on section does

not have any fans or inject/sample points. Rather, the add-on section connects to the blower section to expand the manifold systems' pallet capacity. When the manifold system has enough add on sections to meet a customers' needs, an end cap is then connected to the last section to make the manifold system air tight.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 33a-d, pallets 3302 having packaged

products are connected via hoses 3310 to the manifolds 3304. A

controller 3308 controls the amount of gas inside the packaged

pallets by controlling the amount of gas released from a gas

tank 3306 via the manifolds 3304. As described and shown, the

manifolds may be built in modular sections.

[0159] In an alternative embodiment of the present application,

vacuuming, injection and sampling occurs as follows. A vacuum

controlled by a controller vacuums a pallet until a negative

pressure is reached to determine at least whether any leaks

exist on the wrapped pallet. Once a negative pressure is reached

indicating that a leak does not exist, an injection cycle

starts, injecting ozone (03) and nitrogen (N2). The vacuum stays

on to help pull the 03 through the pallet and the N2 is used as

a carrier for the 03 and to lower the oxygen (02) level. After

the prescribed sanitizer exposure level is reached, the 03 shuts

off. In an exemplary embodiment, this is a combination of ppm of

03 over a set amount of time. Alternatively, however, it could

be a measured volume and a sensed quantity of 03. Carbon dioxide

(C02) is then injected. The N2 continues to be injected and the

vacuum continues to pull the gases through the pallet to create

a mixed atmosphere more quickly. A sample line is also running

simultaneously to read the C02 and 02 levels in the pallet in

real time. The cycle continues until a C02 level and 02 level

are reached. In an exemplary embodiment, the C02 level and the

02 level have been set previously using a touch screen

associated with the controller.

[0160] Alternatively, the sanitizer (03) is an option and can be

chosen to inject or not depending on the needs of the product.

Further, depending on the system, when the cycle is complete, an

employee can remove the hoses from the pallet or the fingers

will be removed automatically. The pallet can then be moved to

the next queue to be picked up and shipped. The above-described

alternative embodiment for injecting, vacuuming and/or sampling

is applicable to each of the exemplary embodiments described in

the present application.

[0161] In alternative exemplary embodiments of the present

application, the methods and systems operable for providing a

regulated atmosphere, as described above, may be utilized in

conjunction with systems and methods operable to introduce

substances within the enclosed area containing products such as

perishable and/or fresh products, to facilitate infusion of

substances into the products. The substance introduction and/or

infusion operations may be performed in association with a cold

pasteurization method. Such substance introduction and/or

infusion operations may be operable to increase the efficiency

of application and/or absorption of the introduced substance or

substances to the products.

[0162] The infusion and/or substance introduction methods and

systems may be utilized in conjunction with the methods and

systems described above. The substance introduction may be

performed in conjunction with the sealed enclosures of the

present application, as described above and including individual

consumer packages, or in conjunction with tube cooler systems,

containers, chambers, and the like. The sealed enclosures, tube

cooler systems, containers, chambers, and the like may be

transportable or may be stationary and fixed in position.

[0163] The infusion systems and methods may be utilized in

conjunction with vacuum cooling techniques. In a vacuum cooling technique, the products, such as perishable and/or fresh produce, may be placed inside a large sealed rigid container or chamber. The container or chamber may include, for instance, a sealed door and/or hatch that may be sealed to provide an airtight enclosure within the container or chamber. The container or chamber may be constructed of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, including for instance metal, composite, carbon fiber, plastic, glass, or any other material that allows regulation of pressure or vacuum within an enclosed space.

[0164] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the term "pressure" as used herein may generally refer to an air

pressure, and may have a value that is positive or negative. The

term "positive pressure" is meant to refer to a value of

pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, as resulting for

instance when air is pumped into a sealed volume, whereas "negative pressure" is meant to describe a value of pressure

less than atmospheric pressure, as resulting for instance when

air is evacuated from a sealed volume. The terms "pressure" and "vacuum" may alternatively be used, and may refer to their

commonly-understood meanings.

[0165] In an exemplary embodiment, for instance, the rigid

container may additionally be connected to a vacuum pump system,

a temperature monitoring and control system, gauges operable for

measuring a pressure within the container or chamber, a fluid

evacuation system for removing fluid evaporated from the

products, vents and associated valves operable for controlling

movement of air and fluid from the container or chamber, and

fluid introduction system for applying fluid to the products.

The vacuum pump system may include at least one motor, at least

one pump, and assorted air passageways operable to connect the

vacuum pump system to the container or chamber.

[0166] After placing the products in the container or chamber,

much or most of the air in the chamber may be evacuated through

the use of the vacuum pump system, thereby creating a negative

pressure or vacuum condition within the container or chamber.

The vacuum causes water to evaporate rapidly from the surface of

the products, thereby lowering their temperature. Such vacuum

cooling techniques may be particularly effective on products

that have a high ratio of surface area to volume, such as leafy

greens and lettuce, and products that have overlapping surfaces

that may be difficult or impossible to effectively cool with

other conventional cooling techniques, such as forced air or

hydrocooling techniques.

[0167] In an exemplary embodiment, cooling may be effected as

described above thorough the evaporation of fluid coating the

products at the time of their placement into the container or

chamber. Alternatively, additional fluid, such as water, may be

applied to the products prior to modification of the pressure,

to increase the cooling effect. Such application of fluid may

occur before operation of the vacuum system, or may be performed

in between successive cycles of operation of the vacuum system.

[0168] In an exemplary embodiment, such a vacuum cooling method

may be utilized in conjunction with the various exemplary sealed

enclosures of the present application, as described above. For

instance, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, a sealed

enclosure may be coupled to at least one sensor 140 which can

receive samples from the sealed enclosure, via a hose 145

coupled to a valve 130 located on the top cap 20. A controller

150 may receive data from the sensor 140, and thereafter

implement corrective or responsive action. The controller 150

may be coupled to an automatic valve 160 which may be coupled to

a gas tank 170, which may be operable to allow gas from tank 170

to flow through the hose 180 into the sealed enclosure via a second valve 190 coupled to the top cap 20. A third valve 132 may be coupled to the top cap 20 for evacuating the internal area surrounded by the sealed enclosure. A pressure switch 135 may be coupled to the third valve 132, and may be operable to measure the pressure within the sealed enclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer 154 may be linked to the controller 150 via a communications link 152, and may be used to program the controller 150.

[0169] In an exemplary embodiment, for instance, the internal area

surrounded by the sealed enclosure may be evacuated via the

third valve 132, and the quantity and duration of the vacuum or

negative pressure produced within the area surrounded by the

sealed enclosure may be controlled by the controller 150 and

computer 154.

[0170] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, in

alternative exemplary embodiments, the components and systems

described above with respect to the sealed enclosure may be

utilized in conjunction with sealed rigid containers or

chambers. Additionally, the components and systems described

above with respect to the sealed enclosure may be utilized in

conjunction with multiple sealed enclosures in an array, as in

the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12, and/or in conjunction

with an array of rigid sealed containers or chambers.

Additionally, the vacuum cooling and/or substance introduction

procedures may be performed utilizing a venturi delivery system.

Additionally, the components and systems described above with

respect to the sealed enclosure may be utilized in conjunction

with individual consumer packages including, for example, pre

packaged perishable food products enclosed, for example, in

permeable, semi-permeable, or impermeable film material. [0171]

In an exemplary embodiment, a rigid container and/or

chamber system may be utilized, as shown in FIG. 34. A rigid container 3402 may be connected with a gas source 3410, a sensor

3404 and a pump 3412. A controller 3406, for example a

programmable logic controller, may receive data from the sensor

3404. Air may be evacuated and/or introduced into the container

by pump 3412, or by valve 3414. An optional computer 3408 may be

linked to the controller 3406 via a communications link 3416.

[0172] Various substances may be introduced into the area

surrounded by the sealed enclosure and/or the sealed rigid

containers or chambers at any point before, during, or after the

performance of the vacuum cooling procedure described above or

variation of the pressure within the sealed enclosure. The

substance may include any suitable substance operable to improve

the value, safety, shelf-life, flavor, consumability, and or

marketability of the products.

[0173] The substance may include, for example, a sanitizing

substance, a flavoring substance, a preservative substance, a

food additive substance, a coating substance, a sealing

substance, an essence and/or essential oil substance, a mineral

substance, a vitamin substance, a biological substance, and

other substances. The sanitizer substance may be in the form of

a gas, a liquid, or a vaporized liquid, and may include, for

example, ozone, nitrous oxide, inert gases, chlorine in all its

forms, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, nitrite and nitrate

compounds, iodine, benzoates, propionates, nisin, sulfates, and

sorbates or any other suitable gas or gaseous sanitizer. The

flavoring substance may include any flavoring that is suitable

for application to and/or infusion in the products.

[0174] Additionally, the substance may include one or more of

coloring substances, food grade acid substances, mineral salt

and/or mineral salt solutions, nutritional additives,

sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and the like. The extracts,

essence and/or essential oil substance may be in the form of a gas, a liquid, or a vaporized liquid, and may include, for example, essential oils from fruits (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, pomegranates, grapes, lemons, grapefruits, oranges, other citrus, cherries, and the like), vegetables, flowers, and other perishable food products, including, for example but not limited to, mint, clove, green tea, rose hips, hibiscus, ginseng, cacao. An essence substance may possess in high degree the predominant qualities of a natural product (as a plant or drug) from which it is extracted (as, for example, by steam distillation or infusion). An essential oil substance may include a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds of the plant or product from which it was extracted. An essence and/or essential oil substance may be collected from distillate from processing fruit products and may have antimicrobial and/or anti-fungal properties. An exemplary essential oil may include thyme oil (thymol; 2-isopropyl-5 methylphenol, IPMP). The mineral substance may be in the form of a gas, a powder, a liquid, a fluidized compound, a vaporized liquid. The vitamin substance may be in the form of a gas, a powder, a liquid, a fluidized compound, or a vaporized liquid, and may include, for example but not limited to, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin (Vitamin B2), niacin, niacinamide, folate or folic acid, beta carotene, potassium iodide, iron or ferrous sulfate, alpha tocopherols, ascorbic acid, Vitamin D, amino acids (L-tryptophan, L-lysine, L-leucine, L-methionine)or any other suitable gas, powder, liquid, or vaporized liquid vitamin substance. The biological substance may be in the form of a gas, powder, micro or nano particle, a fluidized compound, a liquid, or a vaporized liquid, and may include, for example, probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium or any other suitable gas, liquid, or vaporized liquid biological substance. Probiotics may include live microorganisms that may confer a health benefit on the host when consumed such as, for example, naturally occurring beneficial or "friendly organisms" which are biologically active against pathogenic and spoilage organisms. In accordance with an embodiment, the biological substance can be added to the sealed enclosure, for example, after a sanitation cycle/sequence has occurred or as part of a stand alone treatment and may provide benefits by, for example, crowding out harmful organisms on the surface of the perishables and/or providing antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.

The substance may include, for example but not limited to, one

or more of calcium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, Ascorbic acid,

citric acid, sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, sodium

erythorbate, sodium nitrite, calcium sorbate, potassium sorbate,

BHA, BHT, EDTA, tocopherols (Vitamin E), Citrus Red No. 2,

annatto extract, beta-carotene, grape skin extract, cochineal

extract or carmine, paprika oleoresin, caramel color, fruit and

vegetable juices, saffron, supplements, phages, electrostatic

ally charged particles, or any other suitable gas, liquid,

powder, fluidized compound or vaporized liquid substance.

Application of electrostatically charged particles to a product

within the sealed enclosure may be applicable to a perishable

food product or a hybrid seed. Electrostatic spraying and/or

coating is defined herein as a manufacturing process that

applies charged particles, e.g., powdered particles or an

atomized liquid, to a work piece such as, for example, a

perishable food product or a hybrid seed.

[0175] Alternatively or additionally, substances such as water

and/or another suitable liquid may additionally be introduced,

either as the introduced substance or in addition to an

introduced gaseous and/or vaporized liquid substance, for

instance to regulate a water content of the product or to increase efficiency of the cooling and/or substance introduction.

[0176] In an embodiment, substances may be added or injected to an

enclosure without monitoring and adjusting the enclosed

atmosphere. Added, injected, or metered substances may include,

for example, foams, gels, or encapsulated material that has time

release or other properties of value delivered into a sealed

enclosure to benefit the product inside. A substance treatment

may include the addition of a substance into the sealed

enclosure and may be an enhancement to the modified or

controlled atmosphere by modifying pressure, temperature, or

other environmental factors that may be controlled by the

controller 3406. The value of a substance treatment may be

enhanced when a product is treated in a sealed enclosure and the

substance treatment is combined with, or made more effective

because of, a regulated environment, a modified atmosphere,

and/or a controlled atmosphere. To assure consistent product

protection, preservation, and/or enhancement, controller 3406

may be used for the substance treatment in combination with

target parameters, set-points, and/or operating instructions.

Substance treatments may occur at different times (e.g., before,

during, or after modified atmosphere/controlled atmosphere

techniques) and may provide different ways for preserving,

protecting and/or enhancing a perishable product. For example,

products may be pre-treated with one or more substances before

that product is placed in a sealed enclosure and then the pre

treated substances may be activated (or affecting the product

treated with the one or more substances) as a result of the

atmosphere, pressure, or other manipulation controlled by

controller 3406 while the product is in the sealed enclosure.

In one embodiment, controller 3406, when used in conjunction

with added substance treatments, may continue to monitor and/or adjust the additional substance treatments within the enclosure.

In one embodiment, the sealed enclosure (e.g., a pallet with

goods stacked on the pallet and a bag covering the pallet of

goods, a cooling tube apparatus, a rigid chamber, a shipping

unit, and/or a bin) may include substance treatments and forced

air cooling, pressure cooling apparatus, humidity control,

and/or atmospheric control (e.g., gas levels and pressure

levels).

[0177] Alternatively or additionally, substance treatments may be

applied directly to one or more products prior to the product

being placed into a sealed enclosure. These pre-enclosure

treatments may, for example, include substance applications

sprayed directly on the product or added to washes or dips so

that the one or more applied substances adhere, coat, or absorb

into the one or more products and when the pre-treated products

are placed in the sealed enclosure the one or more substances

may be activated (once enclosed) by utilizing options such as

pressure, electrical or electro static charge, UV light (or

other forms of light) and/or focused sound waves. Other examples

include thermal or chemical reactions with other substance(s),

gas treatments, various reagents, and/or other additives which

may be used or introduced to act as a catalyst or as a

complementary treatment to enhance the substance treatment

outcome. Similarly, packaging materials may be pre-treated with

substances and then used as a part of a consumer unit, a master

shipping unit and/or to form the sealed enclosure itself. These

pre-treated packaging materials may then be activated (as

discussed above) within the sealed enclosure.

[0178] Alternatively or additionally, substance treatments applied

to the environment, atmosphere, and/or product(s) within the

sealed enclosure, may include but are not limited to, a foam,

gel, powder, and/or a manufactured encapsulated substance with physical, chemical, thermal and/or time release properties that may benefit one or more products within the sealed enclosure.

The introduction of a foam or gel, for example, may be injected

or carried into the sealed enclosure via pressurized gas and/or

air. Alternatively, the ingredients required to make the foam

may be combined within the enclosure to optimize the process,

and/or maximize the benefits to the product within the

enclosure.

[0179] Alternatively or additionally, another technique for

introducing at least one substance may include positioning at

least one product within a sealed enclosure, the sealed

enclosure may have one or more conduits through which one of gas

and/or fluid may flow into or out of the sealed enclosure. Air

may be evacuated from the sealed enclosure through the one or

more conduits to create a predetermined pressure within the

sealed enclosure. A predetermined quantity of the at least one

substance may be injected into the sealed enclosure through the

one or more conduits. In one embodiment, the injection and/or

application of one or more substances and/or substance

treatments may be controlled by controller 3406 using the same

or similar techniques as during the creation of a modified or

controlled atmosphere.

[0180] In an embodiment, a technique may be provided for supplying

a desired substance treatment within a sealed enclosure either

before, during and/or after creating a modified or controlled

atmosphere, where at least one product is disposed within the

sealed enclosure. The technique may include regulating air

components (e.g., gas levels) and/or pressure (e.g., levels)

within the sealed enclosure through at least one conduit to

create a first predetermined gas level or pressure within the

sealed enclosure, where the air components or pressure may be

controlled by controller 3406 programmed with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions to provide a desired substance treatment in combination with the desired atmosphere within the sealed enclosure. Additionally, injecting, metering, and/or adding a pre-measured or predetermined quantity of at least one substance into the sealed enclosure may be performed through the at least one conduit, wherein the injecting or addition of the substance may be controlled by controller 3406 in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions. Additional monitoring of the atmosphere, substance, pressure level, and/or other parameters inside the sealed enclosure by sampling the atmosphere (pressure or substance) and comparing at least one sampled parameter to the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions may or may not be required for effective substance treatment of the perishable contained within the enclosure. An additional benefit may be derived by maintaining and/or adjusting the substance (amount), pressure, atmosphere gas level(s) and/or environmental conditions inside the sealed enclosure based on the monitoring, wherein the maintaining and/or adjusting of the substance, atmosphere, environment, or pressure may be controlled by controller 3406 in accordance with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions.

[0181] Alternatively or additionally, controlled substance treatments may also be added to a sealed enclosure even if the process of creating that enclosure or modified atmosphere differs from the techniques described herein. The substance treatments may be optimized for the product and the provided substance application. Injecting, introducing, and/or metering may be controlled by controller 3406 in accordance with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions. The described substance treatments may be applied by programming controller 3406 and scaling the equipment for injecting or adding the substance to match the product needs as well as the enclosure size, shape and/or material used to create the sealed enclosure. [0182] Any of the elements coupled to the sealed enclosure that may allow passage of gas and/or fluid into the sealed enclosure may be utilized to introduce the one or more substances into the area surrounded by the sealed enclosure. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, for example, such elements may include valve 130, second valve 190 which may be coupled to the top cap 20 and connected to the hose 180, and/or third valve 132 coupled to the top cap 20.

[0183] In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum cooling method as

described above may be performed any number of times, and the

quantity of vacuum and/or pressure, and the duration of

maintenance of the vacuum and/or pressure, may be varied. For

instance, the pressure within the area surrounded by the sealed

enclosure and/or the container or chamber may be cycled, within

any suitable combination of vacuum, positive pressure, and

atmospheric pressure. The substances may be introduced at any

point in any one or more of the cycles. The substances may be

introduced, for example, via one or more of the valves and/or

hoses described above. Quantities and compositions of the

introduced substances may be controlled via any of the sensors,

controllers, and/or computers described above. The substances

may be introduced either in conjunction with one or more vacuum

cooling operations, or independently of the performance of

vacuum cooling operations.

[0184] In an exemplary embodiment, more than one substance may be

introduced, and the plural substances may be introduced serially

or simultaneously. Additionally, different substances may be

introduced under different conditions, such as a first substance

being introduced under a first quantity of vacuum and for a

first duration, while a second substance may be introduced under a second quantity of vacuum and for a second duration. Some part of the substances may be evacuated from the area surrounded by the sealed enclosure and/or the container or chamber after introduction, or the substances may be allowed to remain within the sealed enclosure and/or the container or chamber.

[0179] In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure and/or vacuum

within the sealed enclosure and/or the container or chamber may

be cycled. Additionally, the pressure within sealed enclosure

and/or the container or chamber may be raised to any value above

atmospheric pressure. The introduced substance or substances may

be introduced under conditions of vacuum, increased pressure, or

atmospheric pressure, in any suitable concentration and for any

suitable duration.

[0180] In an exemplary embodiment, for instance, pressure within

the area surrounded by the sealed enclosure and/or the container

or chamber may be modified by a "bump" procedure. In a bump

procedure, for example, pressure within the area surrounded

sealed enclosure and/or container or chamber may be reduced to a

predetermined value, and maintained at that predetermined value

for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the pressure may

be increased, for instance by allowing air to enter the area

surrounded sealed enclosure and/or container or chamber, until

an internal pressure reaches a second predetermined value, and

it may be maintained at the second predetermined value for a

second predetermined period of time. During the increase of the

pressure through allowance of air into the sealed area, the one

or more substances may be introduced. This modification of

pressure, with or without the introduction of the substance

during the air allowance operation, may be repeated any number

of times, utilizing any suitable values for the predetermined

pressures and periods of time. Alternatively, the pressure

within the area surrounded by the sealed enclosure and/or the container or chamber may be cycled without maintaining the pressure for one or more predetermined periods of time.

Concentrations and/or quantities of the introduced substance or

substances may be varied, for example based upon a composition

and/or characteristic of the product located within the area

surrounded by the sealed enclosure and/or the container or

chamber.

[0181] In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum cooling and/or

substance introduction as described above may be performed at a

time of packaging of the product. Alternatively, the vacuum

cooling and/or substance introduction may be performed during

loading, unloading, transportation, shipping, or storage of the

product.

[0182] The various embodiments described above may be combined to

form a new embodiment. Additionally, the individual features of

the various embodiments described above may be combined to form

a separate new embodiment.

[0182] The invention described above provides an improved method

and apparatus for transporting perishable and/or atmosphere

sensitive goods. Whereas particular embodiments of the present

invention have been described above as examples, it will be

appreciated that variations of the details may be made without

departing from the scope of the invention. One skilled in the

art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced

by other than the disclosed embodiments, all of which are

presented in this description for purposes of illustration and

not of limitation. It is noted that equivalents of the

particular embodiments discussed in this description may

practice the invention as well. Therefore, reference should be

made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing discussion

of preferred examples when assessing the scope of the invention

in which exclusive rights are claimed.

Claims (22)

1. A method for providing a desired atmosphere and/or

environment within a sealed enclosure, wherein at least one

product is disposed within the sealed enclosure, the method

comprising:

evacuating air from the sealed enclosure through at least

one conduit to create a first predetermined pressure within the

sealed enclosure, wherein the evacuating is controlled by a

controller programmed with target parameters, set-points and/or

operating instructions to provide a desired atmosphere and/or

environment within the sealed enclosure;

injecting a predetermined quantity of at least one

substance into the sealed enclosure through the at least one

conduit, wherein the injecting of the substance is controlled by

the controller in accordance with the target parameters,

setpoints and/or operating instructions;

monitoring the atmosphere and/or environment inside the

sealed enclosure by sampling the atmosphere and/or environment

and comparing at least one sampled parameter to the target

parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions;

maintaining and/or adjusting the atmosphere and/or

environment inside the sealed enclosure based on the monitoring,

wherein the maintaining and/or adjusting of the atmosphere and/or environment is controlled by the controller in accordance with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; and applying, spraying, and/or coating a treatment to the at least one product in the sealed enclosure via an atomized liquid, charged particles, suitable gas, or vaporized liquid substance.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

injecting a gas into the sealed enclosure through the at

least one conduit to create a second predetermined pressure

within the sealed enclosure, wherein the injecting of the gas is

controlled by the controller in accordance with the target

parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the injecting the gas

facilitates the application to, coating of, absorption into, or

infusion into the at least one product by the at least one

substance.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

injecting a second predetermined quantity of the at least

one substance into the sealed enclosure through the at least one

conduit, wherein the injecting of the second predetermined quantity of the at least one substance is controlled by the controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

maintaining the predetermined pressure within the sealed

enclosure for a first predetermined period of time, wherein the

maintaining the predetermined pressure is controlled by the

controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points

and/or operating instructions; and

maintaining the second predetermined pressure within the

sealed enclosure for a second predetermined period of time,

wherein the maintaining the second predetermined pressure is

controlled by the controller in accordance with the target

parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one substance

is at least one of a gas, a powder, a micro- or nano-particle, a

fluidized compound, a liquid, or a vaporized liquid.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one substance

comprises at least one of a sanitizing substance, a flavoring

substance, a preservative substance, a food additive substance, a coating substance, a coloring substance, a nutritional substance, a sealing substance, a mineral substance, a vitamin substance, an essence and/or essential oil substance, or a biological substance.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sanitizing substance

includes at least one of ozone, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide,

nitrous oxide, peracetic acid, nitrite, nitrate compound,

iodine, benzoate, propionate, nisin, sulfate, and sorbate.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the biological substance

comprises a probiotic.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the essence and/or essential

oil substance comprises Thymol.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the substance includes at

least one of a food grade acid, a mineral salt, a mineral salt

solution, a nutritional additive, a sweetener, or a flavor

enhancer.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed enclosure

comprises: a pallet with goods stacked on the pallet; and wrapping wrapped around the pallet to enclose the pallet of goods.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed enclosure

comprises:

a pallet with goods stacked on the pallet; and

a bag covering the pallet of goods.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed enclosure

includes a cooling tube apparatus or a rigid chamber.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealed enclosure is a

shipping unit or a bin.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one product is

a perishable food product.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealed enclosure

comprises an individual consumer package and the at least one

product is pre-packaged in the individual consumer package.

18. A method for providing a desired atmosphere and/or

environment within a sealed enclosure, wherein at least one product is disposed within the sealed enclosure, the method comprising: evacuating air from the sealed enclosure through at least one conduit to create a first predetermined pressure within the sealed enclosure, wherein the evacuating is controlled by a controller programmed with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions to provide a desired atmosphere and/or environment within the sealed enclosure; introducing a predetermined quantity of at least one substance into the sealed enclosure, wherein the introduction of the at least one substance is controlled by the controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; monitoring the atmosphere and/or environment inside the sealed enclosure by sampling the atmosphere and/or environment and comparing at least one sampled parameter to the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; maintaining and/or adjusting the atmosphere and/or environment inside the sealed enclosure based on the monitoring, wherein the maintaining and/or adjusting of the atmosphere and/or environment is controlled by the controller in accordance with target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions; and applying, spraying, and/or coating a treatment to the at least one product in the sealed enclosure via an atomized liquid, charged particles, suitable gas, or vaporized liquid substance.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sanitizing the at least one product via the at least one

substance.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one substance

comprises at least one of a sanitizing substance, a flavoring

substance, a preservative substance, a food additive substance,

a coating substance, a coloring substance, a nutritional

substance, a sealing substance, a mineral substance, a vitamin

substance, an essence and/or essential oil substance, or a

biological substance.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one substance

includes at least one of ozone, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide,

nitrous oxide, peracetic acid, nitrite, nitrate compound,

iodine, benzoate, propionate, nisin, sulfate, or sorbate.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the evacuating facilitates

the application to, coating of, absorption into, or infusion

into the at least one product by the at least one substance.