Patents by Inventor Richard E. Woodruff

Richard E. Woodruff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5156009
    Abstract: Method for storing and maintaining produce under controlled conditions in a transport container (5) during transportation. Nitrogen-rich gas and carbon dioxide gas are supplied to the container when required by a compact and efficient system wherein the nitrogen gas is generated from the ambient air surrounding the container using an air splitter (35) and the carbon-dioxide is generated from a store of dry-ice (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Transphere Systems Limited
    Inventor: Richard E. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 5063753
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing produce under controlled conditions embodied in a transport container (5) for maintaining produce under controlled conditions during transportation. Nitrogen-rich gas and carbon dioxide gas are supplied to the container when required by a compact and efficient system wherein the nitrogen gas is generated from the ambient air surrounding the container using an air splitter (35) and the carbon-dioxide is generated from a store of dry-ice (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: Richard E. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 4522835
    Abstract: Good color in fresh meat, fresh poultry, and fresh fish is established and maintained by subjecting such meat, poultry and fish to an atmosphere containing a low oxygen concentration to convert oxymyoglobin on the surface of the meat and poultry to reduced myoglobin, and both oxymyoglobin and oxyhemoglobin in fish to reduced myoglobin/hemoglobin, respectively, then subjecting the fresh meat, fresh poultry and fresh fish to a modified atmosphere containing a small amount of carbon monoxide to convert the reduced myoglobin to carboxymyoglobin to a depth of not more than about 0.375 inch below the surface of the meat and poultry, and to convert the reduced myoglobin/hemoglobin to reduced carboxymyoglobin/carboxyhemoglobin in the fish. The modified atmosphere is a new composition of matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: TransFRESH Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Woodruff, John H. Silliker
  • Patent number: 4411921
    Abstract: The growth of harmful fungi on fresh fruits and vegetables is inhibited by maintaining them in a modified atmosphere including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: TransFRESH Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 4224347
    Abstract: To extend their shelf life, certain vegetables are placed in enclosures that are at least as permeable to carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxygen as low density polyethylene that is not more than two mils thick, the atmosphere within the packages is modified to comprise at least about 25% oxygen by volume, at least about 3% carbon monoxide by volume, and the balance substantially all molecular nitrogen, and the packages are then sealed. The permeability should be sufficient to prevent the carbon dioxide concentration from rising much above 20% by volume, and to prevent the oxygen concentration from falling much below about 2% by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: TransFRESH Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 4209538
    Abstract: The storage life of citrus fruit, such as lemons, oranges and grapefruit, is extended and their resistance to deterioration upon exposure to air is improved by subjecting them to controlled or modified atmospheres (CA) consisting essentially of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Assignee: TransFRESH Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Woodruff