Abstract: A method of controlling gas composition within a container containing respiring produce is described. The container includes at least one gas outlet and at lease one gas inlet and the method includes the steps of: drawing a selected gas from within the container through a selective membrane element and through the at least one gas outlet; detecting ambient pressure inside the container; and introducing ambient air under selected control conditions from outside the container into the container through the at least one gas inlet in response to the detected ambient pressure to control the relative composition of gases inside the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to the monitoring of the state of produce within transport containers, with particular application to dynamic monitoring of the respiration rate of produce in controlled atmosphere container systems used in cargo container transportation.

Abstract: A method of controlling gas composition within a container containing respiring produce is described. The container includes at least one gas outlet and at least one gas inlet and the method includes the steps of; drawing a selected gas from within the container through a selective membrane element and through the at least one gas outlet; detecting ambient pressure inside the container; and introducing ambient air under selected control conditions from outside the container into the container through the at least one gas inlet in response to the detected ambient pressure to control the relative composition of gases inside the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for adjusting the atmosphere within a substantially sealed chamber containing respiring produce. The chamber of the present invention includes inlet means to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber, and outlet means to permit chamber atmosphere to exit the chamber. Methods using apparatus of the present invention comprise: (a) monitoring the oxygen concentration within the chamber; (b) following detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined amount, opening the inlet means so that the amount of oxygen in the chamber increases; and (c) removing carbon dioxide from the chamber atmosphere substantially at a predetermined rate, the predetermined rate having been selected such that the carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber atmosphere does not substantially exceed a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method of controlling gas composition within a container containing respiring produce is described. The container includes at least one gas outlet and at least one gas inlet and the method includes the steps of: drawing gas from within the container through a selective membrane element under selected control conditions through the at least one gas outlet; introducing ambient air from outside die container into the container through the at least one gas inlet under selected control conditions to control the relative composition of gases inside the container. Apparatus for containing the goods and for controlling the atmosphere in the container according to the method are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for adjusting the atmosphere within a substantially sealed chamber containing respiring produce. The chamber of the present invention includes inlet means to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber, and outlet means to permit chamber atmosphere to exit the chamber. Methods using apparatus of the present invention comprise: (a) monitoring the oxygen concentration within the chamber; (b) following detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined amount, opening the inlet means so that the amount of oxygen in the chamber increases; and (c) removing carbon dioxide from the chamber atmosphere substantially at a predetermined rate, the predetermined rate having been selected such that the carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber atmosphere does not substantially exceed a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for adjusting the atmosphere within a substantially sealed chamber containing respiring produce. The chamber of the present invention includes inlet means to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber, and outlet means to permit chamber atmosphere to exit the chamber. Methods using apparatus of the present invention comprise: (a) monitoring the oxygen concentration within the chamber; (b) following detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined amount, opening the inlet means so that the amount of oxygen in the chamber increases; and (c) removing carbon dioxide from the chamber atmosphere substantially at a predetermined rate, the predetermined rate having been selected such that the carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber atmosphere does not substantially exceed a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for adjusting the atmosphere within a substantially sealed chamber containing respiring produce. The chamber of the present invention includes inlet means to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber, and outlet means to permit chamber atmosphere to exit the chamber. Methods using apparatus of the present invention comprise: (a) monitoring the oxygen concentration within the chamber; (b) following detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined amount, opening the inlet means so that the amount of oxygen in the chamber increases; and (c) removing carbon dioxide from the chamber atmosphere substantially at a predetermined rate, the predetermined rate having been selected such that the carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber atmosphere does not substantially exceed a predetermined amount.