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WO2014112998A1 - Appareil et processus d'injection à faible température d'une préparation de protection de culture liquide - Google Patents

Appareil et processus d'injection à faible température d'une préparation de protection de culture liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014112998A1
WO2014112998A1 PCT/US2013/021761 US2013021761W WO2014112998A1 WO 2014112998 A1 WO2014112998 A1 WO 2014112998A1 US 2013021761 W US2013021761 W US 2013021761W WO 2014112998 A1 WO2014112998 A1 WO 2014112998A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
crop
liquid
preservative
container
volatile liquid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2013/021761
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Forsythe
Curtis Lee EAMES
Jan W DE WEERD
James Zalewski
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
1 4 Group Inc
Original Assignee
1 4 Group Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 1 4 Group Inc filed Critical 1 4 Group Inc
Priority to PCT/US2013/021761 priority Critical patent/WO2014112998A1/fr
Publication of WO2014112998A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014112998A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
    • A23B7/00—Preservation of fruit or vegetables; Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
    • A23B7/14—Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group A23B7/08 or A23B7/10
    • A23B7/153—Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group A23B7/08 or A23B7/10 in the form of liquids or solids
    • A23B7/154—Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
    • A23B7/00—Preservation of fruit or vegetables; Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
    • A23B7/14—Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group A23B7/08 or A23B7/10
    • A23B7/153—Preserving or ripening with chemicals not covered by group A23B7/08 or A23B7/10 in the form of liquids or solids
    • A23B7/158—Apparatus for preserving using liquids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
    • A23B9/00—Preservation of edible seeds, e.g. cereals
    • A23B9/16—Preserving with chemicals
    • A23B9/24—Preserving with chemicals in the form of liquids or solids
    • A23B9/26—Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
    • A23B9/00—Preservation of edible seeds, e.g. cereals
    • A23B9/16—Preserving with chemicals
    • A23B9/24—Preserving with chemicals in the form of liquids or solids
    • A23B9/32—Apparatus for preserving using liquids

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to a process and apparatus for indirectly treating crops with vapors from a volatile liquid crop preservative. Particular embodiments also relate to apparatus and methods for treating potatoes after storage to prevent sprouting during shipment to warehouses, grocery stores, and the like, especially in small containers such as cardboard boxes, bags, and the like.
  • Tubers are treated with sprout inhibitors during storage ⁇ See U.S. Patent 6,010,728). These techniques involve placing upon the potato a residue of a sprout inhibitor, especially CIPC.
  • CIPC chloroisopropyl carbamate.
  • a sprout inhibitor such as a water-based formulation of CIPC (chloroisopropyl carbamate).
  • aerosol containers filled with DMN dimethyl naphthalene are placed in trucks to provide an enveloping vapor of DMN during shipment to a store or other destination.
  • the instant invention relates to apparatus and methods for treating small containers, such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, and the like with a predetermined quantity of a volatile crop preservative chemical.
  • a volatile chemical such as DMN, especially 1 ,4 DMN, results in its subsequent volatilization to provide a contained-vapor of DMN, for example, within the cardboard box or other suitable container.
  • the apparatus and methods are structured to apply a small predetermined quantity of volatile liquid chemical (e.g., DMN) onto an interior surface of a box or any other suitable container.
  • DMN volatile liquid chemical
  • the technique generally involves injecting a predetermined quantity of volatile crop-preservative chemical onto the interior surface of a cardboard box, paper bag, or similar small container just prior to that box or other container being filled with clean crops (e.g., ware potatoes or other crops such as berries, onions and the like) prior to shipment to market.
  • any surface containing a deposit of liquid volatile chemical be positioned so that it doesn't contact the surface of a crop (e.g., potato) to prevent surface damage to such a crop.
  • a crop e.g., potato
  • Only the vapors from a deposited predetermined quantity of liquid volatile chemical e.g., DMN
  • This vapor generation is generated when the liquid volatile chemical is applied directly to an interior of a box or other container.
  • the instant apparatus and process can be integrated with the continuous or semi-continuous system for filling containers with potatoes.
  • a filling station may be place various quantities of potatoes in a container; for example, the potato-dispensing machine may dispense 5 lbs., 20 lbs. or 25 lbs. of potatoes at various periods of time.
  • a feedback loop from the potato-dispensing machine to the chemical injection apparatus then controls the appropriate quantity, especially the proper amount of active ingredient to be applied to a box or carton for a particularly weight of potatoes.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the use of a metering pump according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the use of a metering pump including feedback loop 22 and a filling station controller according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus and method for applying a predetermined quantity of liquid DMN to the interior surface of a box.
  • the crop to be treated in one example, is potatoes, in order to preclude or minimize sprouting, dehydration, and/or loss of turgidity during shipment to market.
  • Potatoes for shipment to stores are generally placed in boxes at a filling station as the boxes are conveyed along a conveyor in a substantially continuous manner.
  • FIG. 1 such an empty box 17 is shown at a first position.
  • a sensor or trigger 16 senses the position of an empty box and sends a signal to controller 15, which sends an actuator signal to a solenoid valve 13.
  • Valve 13 can be a metering valve and can be opened for a controlled period of time to cause an injection of a predetermined, small quantity of DMN or other volatile sprout inhibitor to be injected into box 17 from an injector nozzle 14.
  • Injection nozzle 14 may be structured to squirt a tight stream or a fan-like spray of liquid chemical, depending upon the particular deposit of chemical desired on the box surface.
  • a tight stream of liquid may be applied to penetrate into the absorbent surface to provide for a time-release effect of the vapor. If the box surface is more dense (i.e., less absorbent) a larger imprint of chemical onto the surface may be applied.
  • the liquid chemical can be stored in a container 10 to flow by gravity through line 12 to pump 1 1, which provides a pressurized stream of liquid chemical to solenoid valve 13.
  • a constant pressure of chemical liquid may be used so that a predetermined amount of liquid chemical will be injected through solenoid valve 13 when it is opened for a predetermined period of time.
  • Controller 15 may be pre-set to control the amount of time solenoid valve 13 is open, thereby controlling the quantity of liquid chemical, which is ejected from nozzle 14.
  • a needle-type valve may be used to control the quantity of liquid ejected.
  • Pump 1 1 could be omitted if tank 10 were to be placed at a very elevated position above solenoid valve 13, so that gravity (pressure head of liquid) would provide a sufficient constant pressure of liquid chemical to solenoid valve 13. In order to have a predetermined quantity of liquid chemical ejected from nozzle 14, a constant liquid pressure may be effected on solenoid valve 13.
  • the quantity of liquid chemical to be injected into the box 17 depends upon the type of chemical, its efficacy as a crop preservative, the concentration of active ingredient in the liquid chemical, the quantity and type of crops to be placed in the box, the condition of the crop, and estimated transit time of the box to the ultimate destination of the crop (e.g., a grocery store).
  • the filling process may include empty boxes being transported on a conveyor in a continuous manner or, alternatively, in intermittent movement.
  • box 17 is shown in a first position where a predetermined quantity of liquid chemical is injected into the box.
  • the box is then conveyed to a filling station where a predetermined quantity (weight) of potatoes is dropped into the box.
  • the potatoes may be loose or bagged, in plastic or paper bags, which can contain ventilation pores therein so the potatoes may respire and the chemical vapors can intrude into the bag interior, surround the potatoes, and then be absorbed thereon.
  • the boxes then proceed to another station where the boxes are sealed.
  • the liquid chemical utilized may be a DMN, such as 1 ,4 DMN, or a formulation that contains a diluent, a solvent, surfactant or other additive to achieve a particular purpose.
  • 1 ,4 DMN is marketed as l ,4Sight® and may be obtained from 1 ,4 Group, Meridian, Idaho.
  • Other additions may include aroma enhancers, deodorizers, essential oils, higher alcohols of C 6 -Ci 2 carbon length, and the like.
  • DMN was shown to be effective on sprouting root and tuber crops, including but not limited to, beet, carrot, cassava, dasheen (taro), ginger, ginseng, horseradish, parsnip, pototato, sweet potato, turnip, and yam.
  • DMN was also shown to be effective on sprouting bulb crops, including but not limited to, garlic, leek, onion, and shallot.
  • DMN was also shown to be effective on sprouting ornamentals, such as flowering bulbs.
  • a diluent or solvent may be included in the liquid chemical for a variety of purposes.
  • Some active ingredients, such as DMN, are expensive and a precise quantity is desired to be applied to the interior surface of the box. That quantity, for small boxes, may be so small that the solenoid valve may be open for such a fraction of a second that precise control of liquid ejected is difficult.
  • a diluted active ingredient in a liquid composition provides for a greater liquid quantity to be ejected and, thereby, enabling a more precise control of the quantity of active ingredient (a.i.) to be applied.
  • a chemical composition containing a diluent may be used to effectuate a large spray pattern onto the box surface so that the evaporation rate of the active ingredient may be enhanced, if so desired.
  • other volatile active ingredients may be included in the liquid chemical composition, such as bactericides, fungicides, etc.
  • surfactants to reduce surface tension and/or viscosity of the injectable liquid may be also desirably included in an injectable chemical composition.
  • volatile active ingredients such as peppermint oil, clove oil, and other known volatile sprout inhibitors
  • These essential aromatic oils are sufficiently volatile, generally, to be useful.
  • suitable volatile chemicals include aliphatic alcohols, especially those of a molecular size C 6 -C
  • Aliphatic aldehydes and ketones may also be used, including those disclosed in Knowles, U.S. Patent 6,855,669.
  • Useful essential oils are also described in U.S. Patents to Vaughn (5, 139,562 and 5, 129,951 ), as well as U.S. Patent 5,580,596 to Winkelman, and U.S. Patent 6,313,073 to Farooqi.
  • U.S. Patent 5,334,619 to Vaughn discloses 2-nonanone as a useful fungicide for treatment of berries.
  • U.S. Patent 6,403,526 disclosed certain deodorant chemicals for inclusion with DMN to mask any residual DMN odor. These chemicals may be included in the applied liquid chemical formulation utilized in the instant disclosure.
  • the quantity of active ingredient applied to a box or other small container will be dependent upon the quantity (weight) of potatoes to be placed in the box.
  • Typical concentrations of DMN e.g., range from about 0.5mg per kilogram of potatoes to about 20mg/kg. Thus, for a box holding 25 lbs. (approx. 12kg), about 6.0 to about 250mg of DMN would preferably be applied to such a container.
  • the quantity of liquid chemical injected into a box is determined by the orifice opening in the valve, the liquid pressure, and time period for which the valve is open upon receiving an electrical signal (power input) of the desired duration. These factors can be calculated and modified to give a certain
  • FIG. 2 Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein a micro metering pump 18 e.g., a very small positive displacement (piston) pump, is Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein a micro metering pump 18 e.g., a very small positive displacement (piston) pump, is utilized.
  • a micro metering pump 18 e.g., a very small positive displacement (piston) pump
  • Such a pump will displace the contents of its cylinder on a volume per stroke of its piston. Given the minute quantities of chemical liquid to be injected, the cylinder volume of such a pump can be adjusted to be small (e.g., 0.05ml).
  • Multiple strokes of the piston can be used to provide for increased volumes of liquid chemical to be ejected into a box. Again, use of a diluent to reduce the
  • concentration of active ingredients may permit use of micropumps with larger displacement.
  • a controller 15 controls, by the duration of an electrical signal sent to the pump that indicates the number of times the piston reciprocates, the volume of liquid chemical introduced via injection nozzle 14 into a box, bag or other container with a receptive surface.
  • FIG. 2 The system of FIG. 2 is similar to that of FIG. 1, except that the control liquid ejected is via a metering pump 18.
  • a feedback loop 22 from the filling station controller 21 is shown in FIG. 3.
  • a control function associated with the dispensing unit 20, which dispenses a controlled quantity of potatoes to be discharged from a bin into an awaiting pre-treated box 17, may send a signal via the feedback loop 22 to the liquid chemical controller to control the quantity of chemical injected into an awaiting empty box 17 sitting upon a continuous or semi-continuous conveyor 19.
  • a feedback loop may be associated with a weighing mechanism to send a signal to a liquid chemical control to account for a quantity (weight) of potatoes being placed in the box so that the proper quantity of chemical can be injected into a box. Further, the quantity of potatoes discharged into a box and the quantity of chemical ejected may be controlled manually to apply the proper quantities.
  • a very minor quantity of a lubricant in any liquid chemical composition may be included, especially if a metering pump is used for injecting controlled quantities of DMN into a container.
  • Suitable lubricants may include vegetable oils, mineral oils and similar food-grade lubricants, including essential aromatic oils.
  • Alcohols of various types e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, are also solvents which have been used with respect to potato treatment chemical compositions.
  • solvents or diluents may be included alone or with a small quantity of a lubricant.
  • tags may be treated with an appropriate amount of a liquid chemical composition sprout inhibitor or dormancy enhancer, as indicated in certain patents referenced above, it is very advantageous to treat the potato container since such container is large and is less likely to accidentally become part of a food made from potatoes or otherwise accidentally ingested. Also, the instant disclosure forms part of the continuous process of filling boxes with potatoes or other crops or produce to be shipped to market.
  • An especially desirable feature of 1 ,4 DMN as an injectable chemical for the purposes of this disclosure is that it diminishes sprouting of potatoes during shipment by dormancy enhancement. This type of action, in contrast to the anti-sprouting effect of CIPC, helps to preserve moisture content in the potatoes, thus providing a firm, turgid healthy-looking potato to ultimate consumers. Further, it is advantageous that 1 ,4 DMN is present in freshly-harvested potatoes and is, thus, a naturally occurring ingredient.
  • liquid chemical injection systems described and claimed herein are suitable for rapid operation.
  • the ability of a solenoid valve to eject a predetermined amount of liquid chemical can occur in fractions of a second. This is also true for a micro-metering pump.
  • a liquid chemical ejection system of the present system can be implemented in a continuously conveyed, container-type-filling system for potatoes.
  • the invention may be adjusted on-site via the controller to regulate the quantity of chemical injected into a container in a continuous or semi-continuous conveyor system. Also, the controller can control the period (time lapse) between injections.
  • the system can be integrated with the filling system for filling boxes with potatoes, such as ware potatoes.
  • the system and method of the instant invention has been described as being useful in treating containers to be filled with ware potatoes.
  • crops such as fruits (e.g., pears, peaches, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries) may be shipped in containers similarly treated by the method and system disclosed herein.
  • Berries, such as strawberries are often contaminated with a mold or fungus, which tends to diminish the useful life of such a crop when it reaches an ultimate consumer. Raspberries are particularly vulnerable to mold formation within about 24 hours of being harvested, if allowed to be at room temperature.
  • a "volatile" liquid chemical for the purposes of this invention includes one that has a significant vapor pressure at temperatures as low as 40° F with a significant increase in vapor pressure with increase in temperature.
  • Liquid chemicals having a volatility similar to that of DMN, especially 1 ,4 dimethyl naphthalene are considered to be volatile chemicals for the purposes of this invention.
  • an herbicidal, fungicidal, bactericidal chemical which substantially evaporates during shipment (e.g., over a period of several days to a couple of weeks) is sufficiently volatile for the purposes for use in the disclosed methods and systems.
  • the apparatus and processes described and claimed herein may be used to treat a wide variety of produce during the filling of boxes, cartons, etc. in preparation for shipment to grocers.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil et un procédé qui permettent de traiter un substrat avec un liquide volatil, une préparation de protection de culture, ledit substrat étant à proximité d'une culture à traiter par la vapeur de ladite préparation. Le substrat est plus commodément une partie d'un contenant dans lequel ladite culture est stockée ou expédiée. L'appareil et le procédé sont conçus pour placer des quantités préétablies de ladite préparation sur le substrat souhaité.
PCT/US2013/021761 2013-01-16 2013-01-16 Appareil et processus d'injection à faible température d'une préparation de protection de culture liquide Ceased WO2014112998A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2013/021761 WO2014112998A1 (fr) 2013-01-16 2013-01-16 Appareil et processus d'injection à faible température d'une préparation de protection de culture liquide

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2013/021761 WO2014112998A1 (fr) 2013-01-16 2013-01-16 Appareil et processus d'injection à faible température d'une préparation de protection de culture liquide

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993002563A1 (fr) * 1991-08-10 1993-02-18 Oulton, Richard, John Ameliorations relatives au stockage des pommes de terre
WO1995009535A2 (fr) * 1993-10-07 1995-04-13 Darol Forsythe Procede d'application d'un inhibiteur liquide de la germination des pommes de terre
US5935660A (en) * 1995-12-29 1999-08-10 Forsythe; Darol Treatment of potato storage facilities with aerosols derived from solid CIPC
US6432882B1 (en) * 2000-09-22 2002-08-13 Christopher W. Yamamoto Method and apparatus for atomizing an organic compound
US6541054B2 (en) * 1996-07-26 2003-04-01 Darol Forsythe Method for releasing sprout suppressant into quantities of potatoes
US20080223227A1 (en) * 2007-03-16 2008-09-18 Robbs Steven E Method and apparatus for applying a liquid containing a post-harvest treatment organic compound to generally spherical or ovoid agricultural produce items

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993002563A1 (fr) * 1991-08-10 1993-02-18 Oulton, Richard, John Ameliorations relatives au stockage des pommes de terre
WO1995009535A2 (fr) * 1993-10-07 1995-04-13 Darol Forsythe Procede d'application d'un inhibiteur liquide de la germination des pommes de terre
US5935660A (en) * 1995-12-29 1999-08-10 Forsythe; Darol Treatment of potato storage facilities with aerosols derived from solid CIPC
US6541054B2 (en) * 1996-07-26 2003-04-01 Darol Forsythe Method for releasing sprout suppressant into quantities of potatoes
US6432882B1 (en) * 2000-09-22 2002-08-13 Christopher W. Yamamoto Method and apparatus for atomizing an organic compound
US20080223227A1 (en) * 2007-03-16 2008-09-18 Robbs Steven E Method and apparatus for applying a liquid containing a post-harvest treatment organic compound to generally spherical or ovoid agricultural produce items

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