Abstract: A device for controlling the composition inside a shipping/storage container for produce, such as bananas, is disclosed. Such atmospheric control is particularly important when dealing with the ripening of respiring fruit. The device comprises a chamber surrounded by an outer wall, at least a portion of that wall made up of a selectively gas-permeable membrane which is in communication with the outside atmosphere. The chamber also includes at least two channels which are connected to the container: one which transmits gas form the chamber to the container, and one which transmits gas from the container to the chamber.

Abstract: A method for storing respiring produce, particularly bananas, during ripening is disclosed. The method allows bananas to remain in the ripened condition for an extended period of time while, at the same time, having improved sweetness and taste characteristics. In this method, during ripening, the produce is maintained in a gas medium which comprises oxygen and carbon dioxide and has the following characteristics: PR=ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide=(20.94?B)/C=from about 1.8 to about 3.8; wherein B is the percentage (by weight) of oxygen in the gas medium and C is the percentage (by weight) of carbon dioxide is the gas medium, and the percentage (by weight) of oxygen (in the gas medium) is from about 1.0 to about 6.0, and the percentage (by weight) of carbon dioxide in the gas medium is from about 3.0 to about 10.0.

Abstract: A method for storing respiring produce, particularly bananas, during ripening is disclosed. The method allows bananas to remain in the ripened condition for an extended period of time while, at the same time, having improved sweetness and taste characteristics. In addition, the method does not require separate handling and repackaging of the bananas between the starting of the ripening process and storage/shipment of the bananas. In this method, ripening is initiated by inserting additional gas into the banana package, such that the gas medium comprises from about 2.0% to about 5.0% oxygen, from about 5.0% to about 15.0% carbon dioxide, from about 0.8% to about 1.5% ethylene, the remainder of the gas medium being predominantly nitrogen, for a period of from about 0.5 to about 5 seconds. The composition of the gas medium in the package is then adjusted such that the gas medium has a ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide which meets the following conditions: (20.94?B)/C=from about 1.8 to about 3.

Abstract: A device which separates banana pulp from its peel, suitable for large-scale processing, is disclosed. The device consists of upper and lower conveyor belts, a roller installed above the upper belt, and a pressure generating element (e.g., a roller or a plate) installed below the lower belt. The belts are installed so as to converge in the direction of their movement. The axes of the roller(s) is oriented between the longitudinal direction of the lower belt and its transverse direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system of a ripening (store) room for fruit and/or vegetables, and more particularly for bananas, and a device(s) for carrying out that method. The invention relates to the construction of said room to provide the most symmetrical distribution of heat across the load stacked in room space during ripening/store periods, due to periodically switching ON and OFF of heating, cooling and process air fans, as well as due to a suitable process control method. The new process control system is designed for the most efficient operation and energy consumption of said system during ripening (storage) time.

Abstract: Coatings for fruit, particularly respiring fruit, such as bananas or melons, are disclosed. The coatings comprise food grade materials selected from polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, waxes, and mixtures of those materials. Preferred coating include xanthan and/or acylated glycerides.

Abstract: An article on which a message or a design appears when a certain temperature is reached is described. The article comprises a substrate, a first layer printed on said substrate using regular ink, and a second layer printed on said substrate or first layer using thermochromic ink. The substrate must be selected such that it is of a color which provides a visually discernable contrast between the substrate and the color of the first layer. Further, the hue and chroma of the first layer must be adjusted to the hue and chroma of the second layer in its cold state to ensure that the first layer is hidden. The method of making this article is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for the storage, transport and packaging of perishables. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel method to extend the freshness of foods, especially fresh cut produce (such as low acid fruit), by surrounding the food for a controlled time period with CO2 or other antimicrobial gas or vapor levels well in excess of the maximum levels widely accepted by those skilled in the art to be permanently damaging to the food's characteristic flavor, color, odor or texture.

Abstract: A ripening room is disclosed for ripening perishable products, such as fruits and vegetables, and more particularly bananas, in which the air flow and temperature are closely controlled by the room construction and by a cooling control system that archives uniform ripening of the fruit regardless of the physical location of the fruit within the room. These desired results are accomplished using a minimum quantity of energy and cooling capacity by use of an improved cooling controller that gradually changes the temperature setpoint over time to allow the cooling (refrigeration) system to operate near its full capacity without any periods of intense cooling (due to sudden changes of the temperature setpoint, as in the prior art). The uniform ripening is also achieved by an improved air distribution system that provides a greater back pressure in portions of a ripening room that, in conventional designs, receives far too much air flow.

Abstract: A ripening room is disclosed for ripening perishable products, such as fruits and vegetables, and more particularly bananas, in which the air flow and temperature are closely controlled by the room construction and by a cooling control system that achieves uniform ripening of the fruit regardless of the physical location of the fruit within the room. These desired results are accomplished using a minimum quantity of energy and cooling capacity by use of an improved cooling controller that gradually changes the temperature setpoint over time to allow the cooling (refrigeration) system to operate near its full capacity without any periods of intense cooling (due to sudden changes of the temperature setpoint, as in the prior art). The uniform ripening is also achieved by an improved air distribution system that provides a greater back pressure in portions of a ripening room that, in conventional designs, receives far too much air flow.

Abstract: A tool and method by which an inner oil seal may be installed in the hub of a wheel assembly which is in a normal upright position. The tool comprises a shaft with a tool mounting plate affixable to the outer end of a hub with the tool shaft extending axially therethrough and terminating in a threaded end. A seal locator and pusher is slidably mountable on said tool shaft from the threaded end thereof. The locator and pusher has a portion facing the tool mounting plate on which the inner seal may be slidably mounted. The opposite face of the locator and pusher is provided with a thrust bearing and thrust washer. The tool includes a nut engageable on the threaded tool shaft end. The wheel assembly is removed form its axle and is maintained in an upright position. The seal mounting tool is bolted to the hub. The inner oil seal is mounted on the locator and pusher which is mounted on the tool shaft from its threaded end.

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 method of producing a container of banana clusters is provided wherein a flexible inner container is inserted into an outer container prior to placing the banana clusters into the outer container, placing a first row of banana clusters in the inner container atop the interior bottom, placing a second row of banana clusters in the inner container such that a portion of the second row is positioned atop a portion of the first row, providing a tunnel pad having a width at least as great as the length of the sidewalls of the outer container and a length greater than the length of the endwalls of the outer container and positioning a portion of the tunnel pad atop and in contact with a portion of the banana clusters of the first and second rows, and placing a third and fourth row of banana clusters in the inner container atop a portion of and in contact with a portion of the tunnel pad. A method of transferring a load of bananas from the outer container to another outer container is also provided.

Abstract: A container system for the shipping and storing of product such as bananas, comprising: (a) a substantially rigid outer container having at least one ventilation opening; (b) a closable inner container positioned within the outer container receiving the product, the inner container having a bottom portion and a top portion; and (c) means attached to the top portion of the inner container for opening the inner container so as to provide increased ventilation to the product. The inner container preferably comprises a flexible bag having a sealed bottom as its bottom portion, an open top adjacent the top portion, and a perforation extending about at least a portion of the bag, so that the opening means opens the bag by severing the bag at the perforation. The opening means may comprise a cord attached to the top portion of the bag. A method of packing, shipping and storing product utilizing this container is provided.

Abstract: A unitized, stable stacking system with a tier sheet stabilizer is provided, along with a method for stacking containers. The tier sheet includes a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface, peripheral retainers disposed about and extending away from the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, and a plurality of protuberances extending downwardly away form the bottom surface such that said protuberances engage the sidewalls of each container to secure the tier sheet to the containers positioned below the tier sheet. The protuberances are positioned so that the tier sheet can be utilized with several different container layering patterns.

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 container system for the shipping and storing of product such as bananas, comprising: (a) a substantially rigid outer container having at least one ventilation opening; (b) a closable inner container positioned within the outer container for receiving the product, the inner container having a bottom portion and a top portion; and (c) means attached to the top portion of the inner container for opening the inner container so as to provide increased ventilation to the product. The inner container preferably comprises a flexible bag having a sealed bottom as its bottom portion, an open top adjacent the top portion, and a perforation extending about at least a portion of the bag, so that the opening means opens the bag by severing the bag at the perforation. The opening means may comprise a cord attached to the top portion of the bag.

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: A process for obtaining banana juice, banana essences and/or de-flavored banana juice from whole, ripe bananas is disclosed.