Abstract: A transition dock is disclosed allowing palletized product to be loaded into transport conveyors at a worksite. The product may be produce and the worksite may be a field where the produce is harvested. Where operating at a field where produce is harvested, the loading dock facilitates loading of the produce into a reefer to begin the cold chain at the field.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring a temperature of air within a container or other enclosure containing temperature controlled items or other product. The system includes a temperature sensor having a thermocouple within a shaft, and a fan for drawing air from within the container through the shaft and past a junction of the thermocouple. The temperature sensor further includes a control unit for correlating a voltage from the thermocouple to a temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cooling perishable goods including fruits and vegetables, such as for example grapes. The apparatus includes an air bypass prevention dam having a tarp for covering exposed surfaces of the containers of the perishable goods. The tarp may include wedges to prevent the containers from collapsing into a central space as air is forced through the containers. The air bypass prevention dam further includes a rigid restraint structure affixed to the tarp for preventing the tarp from being pushed away from the containers as air is forced through the containers.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring a temperature of air within a container or other enclosure containing temperature controlled items or other product. The system includes a temperature sensor having a thermocouple within a shaft, and a fan for drawing air from within the container through the shaft and past a junction of the thermocouple. The temperature sensor further includes a control unit for correlating a voltage from the thermocouple to a temperature.

Abstract: A portable cooling unit is disclosed for vacuum cooling products such as product at a worksite such as a field where the produce is harvested. When cooling product, the portable cooling unit includes a retort, at least one shuttle coupled to the retort and a condensation assembly. The condensation assembly includes primary and secondary refrigerant load subassemblies. Each of these components may be disassembled from each other into modular units which may be easily transported to and from the worksite.

Abstract: A transition dock is disclosed allowing palletized product to be loaded into transport conveyors at a worksite. The product may be produce and the worksite may be a field where the produce is harvested. Where operating at a field where produce is harvested, the loading dock facilitates loading of the produce into a reefer to begin the cold chain at the field.

Abstract: The invention provides a mobile container for cooling produce. The container includes a box-like housing and a plenum wall creating a plenum chamber and a treatment zone. Within the treatment zone, produce can be placed. A plurality of openings are located within the plenum wall to allow conditioning air flow to pass between the plenum chamber and the treatment zone. The openings are of a non-uniform size such that the conditioning air passes from the plenum chamber into the treatment zone through the openings in a substantially uniform manner, allowing the produce to be cooled in a substantially uniform manner.

Abstract: A portable, automated, cold-chain maintaining, cooling apparatus is disclosed. This apparatus comprises one or more portable cooling modules in communication with one or more portable transition modules. The cooling modules have cooling module conveyor apparatus to move containers of product through the module and a product cooling apparatus to provide cooling air to the product. The portable transition module is in communication with each of said one or more portable cooling modules in such a manner to maintain the cold temperature of said cooled product. A transition module conveyor apparatus within the transition module is in communication with the cooling module conveyor apparatus and automatically transfer the product from the cooling modules into the portable transition module.

Abstract: The invention provides a mobile container for cooling produce. The container includes a box-like housing and a plenum wall creating a plenum chamber and a treatment zone. Within the treatment zone, produce can be placed. A plurality of openings are located within the plenum wall to allow conditioning air flow to pass between the plenum chamber and the treatment zone. The openings are of a non-uniform size such that the conditioning air passes from the plenum chamber into the treatment zone through the openings in a substantially uniform manner, allowing the produce to be cooled in a substantially uniform manner.

Abstract: The invention provides a container for cooling produce. The container includes a box-like housing and a common plenum wall, creating a supply air distribution plenum, a return air distribution plenum and a treatment zone therebetween. Within the treatment zone, produce can be placed. A plurality of openings are located within the common plenum wall allows air flow to pass between the plenums and the treatment zone, and thus cooling the produced located therein.