Method and system for storing a bulk commodity

Abstract

A method and system for storing of a bulk commodity utilizes a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure in which the bulk commodity is hermetically sealed. The atmosphere in the sealed flexible sheet material enclosure is evacuated to establish a vacuum therein. The vacuum is maintained during at least a portion of the storage of the commodity to ensure a significant reduction of the commodity. The temperature of the commodity is maintained sufficiently high to ensure substantial total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period. At least a portion of the commodity can be removed from the enclosure by opening a hermetic seal therein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for storing a bulk commodity, comprising: 
 hermetically sealing the commodity in a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure;    evacuating the atmosphere in the sealed sheet material enclosure to establish a vacuum therein;    maintaining the vacuum during at least a portion of the storage of the commodity; and    maintaining a temperature sufficiently high within substantially all portions of the commodity to ensure substantial total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the established vacuum is in the range of about 35-100 mm of mercury at a temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius or higher.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the desired time period is a time period in which substantial degradation occurs if the commodity were not protected from degradation.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the degradation is caused by insects already in the commodity before it is sealed.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the degradation is produced at least in part by the effect of oxidation of the commodity.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the degradation is produced at least in part by the effect of heat produced by the commodity.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the degradation is produced at least in part by the effect of the growth of micro-organisms in the commodity.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the degradation is produced at least in part by the effect of the growth of fungi in the commodity.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the commodity has a weight in the range of one-half ton to three hundred metric tons.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sheet material includes plastic.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the plastic sheet material includes an ultraviolet-resistant polyvinyl chloride.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the sheet material has a thickness of at least about 0.813 mm (0.032 inches).  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising maintaining the vacuum during the storage of the commodity.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the commodity is stored in the enclosure for less than 4 days.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the commodity is stored in the enclosure for at least 30 days.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising injecting an insecticidal gas into the enclosure to reduce the desired time period.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising opening a hermetic seal in the sheet material enclosure in order to remove therefrom at least a portion of the commodity.  
     
     
         18 . A system for storing a commodity, comprising: 
 a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure for substantially hermetically enclosing the commodity; and    a vacuum pump coupled to the enclosure for establishing a vacuum therein for at least a portion of the storage of the commodity;    the temperature of the commodity being maintained sufficiently high within substantially all portions of the commodity to ensure substantial total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising at least one filter and/or condenser disposed between the enclosure and the vacuum pump to prevent clogging or damage to the pump.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a heatable environment for maintaining the temperature of the commodity.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the enclosure includes a polyvinyl chloride having a thickness of about 0.813 mm (0.032 inches).  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising an insecticidal gas that is injected into the enclosure to reduce the desired time period.  
     
     
         23 . A system for storing a commodity, comprising: 
 a flexible, low air-permeable container for substantially hermetically enclosing the commodity; and    a vacuum device for establishing a vacuum in the container;    the temperature of the commodity being maintained sufficiently high within substantially all portions of the commodity to ensure that substantially all of the infesting insects are killed within a desired maximum time.    
     
     
         24 . A method for storing a bulk food commodity which can be degraded by insects, comprising: 
 hermetically sealing the food commodity in a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure;    evacuating the atmosphere in the sealed sheet material enclosure to establish a vacuum therein;    maintaining the vacuum during at least a portion of the storage of the food commodity; and    maintaining a temperature sufficiently high within substantially all portions of the food commodity to ensure substantial total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period.    
     
     
         25 . A method for storing a bulk commodity which is degradable in the presence of oxygen, comprising: 
 hermetically sealing the commodity in a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure;    evacuating the atmosphere in the sealed sheet material enclosure to establish a vacuum therein;    maintaining the vacuum during at least a portion of the storage of the commodity to ensure a significant reduction in the production of aflatoxins; and    maintaining a temperature sufficiently high within substantially all portions of the commodity to ensure significant total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period.    
     
     
         26 . A method for storing a bulk commodity which is degradable in the presence of oxygen, comprising: 
 hermetically sealing the commodity in a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure;    evacuating the atmosphere in the sealed sheet material enclosure to establish a vacuum therein;    maintaining the vacuum during at least a portion of the storage of the commodity to significantly reduce the growth rate of bacteria which can degrade the commodity; and    maintaining a temperature sufficiently high within substantially all portions of the commodity to ensure substantial total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period.    
     
     
         27 . A method for storing a bulk commodity which is degradable in the presence of oxygen, comprising: 
 hermetically sealing the commodity in a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure;    evacuating the atmosphere in the sealed sheet material enclosure to establish a vacuum therein;    maintaining the vacuum during at least a portion of the storage of the commodity to ensure a significant reduction in chemical degradation thereof; and    maintaining a temperature sufficiently high within substantially all portions of the commodity to ensure substantial total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period.