Abstract: A method for treating a perishable product is provided, the method comprising: determining a desired product treatment outcome selected from sanitization, protection, preservation, or enhancement of the perishable product; after harvesting, wet or dry washing the perishable product; directly or indirectly applying a substance to the surface of the perishable product using a carrier; and packaging the perishable product. A system for treating a perishable product with a substance treatment is provided, the system comprising: one or more devices for directed substance application to a surface of the perishable products prior to final packaging of the perishable product using a carrier; and wherein the one or more devices is an electrostatically charging device or a nebulizer. Embodiments of the invention which use multiple, sequenced, and engineered applications enhance the efficacy of sanitizers and other functional substances for increasing the quality, safety, and overall shelf life of perishable products.

Abstract: An improved system and method for treating, precooling, and handling perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of palletized perishable products during the precooling step. As the perishable is precooled, the system integrates humidity control to reduce dehydration. Sanitizing substances are dispensed into the recirculating air to significantly reduce micro-organisms on the surface coming from the field and avoid recontamination from the cooling warehouse. Conditioning and ripening management substances are recirculated to enable managing the ripeness of a perishable to a target. The mobile container is modified from a standard intermodal container or over-the-road semi-trailer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating and sealing perishable products in bulk bins and large bulk open top packaging are included. A modified atmosphere of industrial gas (i.e., nitrogen) and product specific treatments are injected within the contents of the liner bag or bin enclosure at the conclusion of the cooling cycle, in conjunction with or just after as the liner bag or open top bin enclosure is sealed. The methods and apparatuses provide alternative processes that can be applied manually or automated to seal of the bin liner bag or bin enclosure and then independently or in conjunction with cooling provide for the controlled and contained injection of modified atmosphere industrial gas treatments (i.e., nitrogen), sanitizer, and/or other functional substances to protect, preserve, or enhance the quality of the perishable product.

Abstract: An improved system and method for treating, precooling, handling, and packaging perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of perishable products during the precooling step. The mobile container is a prefabricated container or is modified from a standard intermodal container or over-the-road semi-trailer. The enhanced forced air and/or refrigeration equipment is contained within the container and/or mounted on the top and/or side exterior of the container and can accomplish rapid cooling. The mobile container can be located near harvest or facilities with no cooling assets. A combined system using conveyors and operational controls provides automated handling of the perishables from receiving, through precooling and treatment, through processing and packaging, preferably to a MAP process, and then to distribution.

Abstract: A method for treating a perishable product including determining a desired product treatment outcome selected from sanitation, protection, preservation, or enhancement of the perishable product; directly applying a substance to the surface of the perishable product after harvesting using a carrier; wet or dry washing the perishable product; and packaging the perishable product. A system for treating a perishable product with a substance treatment including one or more devices for directed substance application to a surface of the perishable products prior to final packaging of the perishable product using a carrier; and wherein the one or more devices is an electrostatically charging device or a nebulizer. Embodiments of the invention enhance the efficacy of sanitizers and other functional substances for increasing the quality, safety, and overall shelf life of perishable products through improved coating and distribution of the sanitizers and functional substances on the surface of perishable product.

Abstract: A container oxygen control system includes multiple containers to hold perishable goods in a controlled ripening atmosphere composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. A first atmosphere control system controls the container atmosphere during the first transportation leg, such as from the place of harvest to a distribution port. The first atmosphere control system has a centralized nitrogen generator and multiple oxygen controllers which are provided for corresponding containers. The nitrogen generator generates a nitrogen enriched stream which is supplied to each oxygen controller. Each oxygen controller has an oxygen sensor to determine the oxygen content of the ripening atmosphere within the container. If the oxygen content remains above a preset threshold level, the oxygen controller injects the nitrogen enriched stream into the container at a constant rate to purge the container in a continuous manner. The container has an exhaust port to exhaust part of the ripening atmosphere from the container.

Abstract: A method for uniformly controlling the ripening of bananas and other perishable products from harvest to delivery, wherein a combination shipping and ripening container having an internal volume capable of receiving and maintaining a controlled atmosphere is provided. Freshly harvested, unripened perishable products are loaded into the container and cooled to a holding temperature in a range of from about 57.degree. to about 70.degree. F. Once the products are stabilized at the desired holding temperature, a controlled atmosphere including ethylene is preferably substantially immediately provided to the internal volume to uniformly initiate ripening of all of the loaded products. Once ripening has been initiated, the ethylene is reduced within the internal volume by displacement with a low oxygen controlled atmosphere, which is maintained within the container during storage, transportation, and delivery procedures.

Abstract: A controlled atmosphere container system for shipping and storing perishable products, wherein the container system includes a plurality of individual, transportable containers to be connected from time to time with a central source for providing a controlled atmosphere to those containers. A controller preferably enables the container system to optimally allocate the capacity of the central source of the controlled atmosphere based upon the relative atmospheric conditions of the containers attached thereto and the capacity of the source. Such control is provided in the form of a predetermined hierarchy of priorities for allocating the controlled atmosphere gas to the individual containers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an enzyme and peroxyacid bleach granular composition comprising (1) a homogeneously mixed granulate of enzymes and alkaline buffer salt to protect the enzymes from deactivation when mixed with (2) a strong peroxyacid bleach granulate. This composition can also contain detergent surface-active agents, water-soluble builder salts, and other ingredients commonly used in detergents and laundry additive products.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved granulate enzyme composition comprising a core of enzyme material and a protective coating comprising alkaline buffer salt. The improved granulate enzyme composition has improved stability when mixed with a dry peroxyacid bleach granulate.