Flexible ultra-low permeability transport system and method

Abstract

A system and method for long-term storage of a commodity in a weight range of 10-2000 kilograms includes hermetic sealing of an ultra-low permeability, easily transportable, flexible long-term storage container. The long-term storage container may also be treated using non-toxic insect repellents of botanical origin or using a synthetic pyrethroid. The long-term storage container includes a triple layer co-extruded film having an outer layer, an inner layer, and a middle layer. The middle layer is comprised of ultra-low permeability material or materials. After hermetic sealing, the long-term storage container having the commodity therein is placed into an outer container for protection during transport.

1 . A system for storage and transport of a commodity, the system comprising: 
 a commodity for long-term storage having a weight of 10-2000 kilograms;    a long-term storage container for containment and hermetic sealing of said commodity therein, said long-term storage container comprising:    an outer layer; an inner layer; and a middle layer, said middle layer comprised of an ultra-low permeability material; and    an outer container for containment of said long-term storage container, said outer container configured to protect said long-term storage container during transport.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer comprises multiple outer layers.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer comprises multiple inner layers.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said middle layer comprises multiple middle layers.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said middle layer is comprised of a combination of materials.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer and said inner layer are comprised of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said middle layer is comprised of at least one of nylon and EVOH.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said commodity has a weight of 10-100 kilograms.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said commodity has a weight of 250-2000 kilograms.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer container comprises at least one of a jute bag and a polypropylene bag.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said long-term storage container further comprises an insect repellent compound of botanical origin.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said compound is an essential oil.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said long-term storage container further comprises a synthetic pesticide.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said commodity is selected from the group consisting of: seeds, cereals, oilseeds, coffee, cocoa, spices, dry granular agricultural products, and flours.  
     
     
         15 . A method for storage and transport of a commodity, the method comprising: 
 placing the commodity in a long-term storage container comprising an outer layer; an inner layer; and a middle layer, said middle layer comprised of an ultra-low permeability material, wherein said placing includes providing a capability of storing for at least four months;    hermetically sealing said long-term storage container; and    placing the long-term storage container in an outer container.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 transporting said commodity in said long-term storage container and said outer container using conventional bag handling methodologies.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said transporting comprises placing said outer container into an unaltered standard shipping container.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said long-term storage container has a 10 to 100 kg capacity.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said long-term storage container has a 250 to 2000 kg capacity.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  in which said hermetically sealing is done by one of: 
 twisting an open end of the container and clamping said twisted end to maintain hermeticity;    rolling an open end of the container and clamping said rolled end to maintain hermeticity; and    heat sealing an open end of the container.