Methods and system for the treatment of agricultural products

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for the generation of a treatment compound fluid to inhibit the ripening process of agricultural products, the application of the treatment compound fluid to a confined atmosphere at a location at which the products are stored, and the collection of a sample of the treated atmosphere. In one form, the system includes a treatment compound generator and a sampling subsystem. The treatment compound generator has an exit port fluidly connectable to the confined atmosphere and is configured to generate a treatment compound fluid in-situ. The sampling subsystem includes an inlet port fluidly connected to a pump and a collection chamber. The inlet port is fluidly connectable to the confined atmosphere such that the sampling subsystem can collect a sample of the treated atmosphere through the inlet port and store the sample within the collection chamber.

1 . A method of treating an agricultural product in a confined atmosphere within a space at a treatment location to inhibit a ripening process of the agricultural product, the method comprising the steps of:
 deploying a portable treatment system at the treatment location, the treatment system comprising at least one treatment compound generator configured to deliver a treatment compound fluid, and a sampling subsystem configured to obtain a sample of the confined atmosphere for analysis;   causing the at least one compound generator and sampling subsystem to be operated so that:   a) the at least one treatment compound generator delivers the treatment compound fluid to the confined atmosphere; and   b) the sampling subsystem automatically obtains a sample of the confined atmosphere treated by the treatment compound fluid at a preselected time.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the treatment compound fluid is a cyclopropene selected from the group consisting of cyclopropene, 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-ethylcyclopropene, 1-propylcyclopropene, 1-butylcyclopropene, 1-pentylcyclopropene, 1-hexylcyclopropene, 1-heptylcyclopropene, 1-octylcyclopropene and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of analyzing the sample to determine the concentration of the treatment compound fluid within the sample. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3  wherein the step of analyzing the sample is automatically performed by the portable treatment system at the treatment location. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 3  further comprising the step of repeating the step of causing the at least one compound generator and sampling subsystem to be operated if the concentration of the treatment compound fluid within the sample falls below a pre-determined threshold concentration. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the treatment compound fluid is 1-methylcyclopropene. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of evacuating a fluid from the sampling subsystem for a preselected time prior to obtaining the sample. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of supplying power to the treatment compound generator from one of an external power source and an internal power source carried within the treatment system. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing at least one visual or audio indication that a sample has been collected with the treatment system subsequent to obtaining the sample. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of maintaining the temperature within the treatment system below a preselected value. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the steps of fluidly connecting the at least one treatment compound generator with the confined atmosphere with a first flexible line and fluidly connecting the sampling subsystem with the confined atmosphere with a second flexible line. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the portable treatment system is a self-contained, operable unit and the step of deploying the treatment system comprises temporarily transporting the treatment system to the treatment location. 
     
     
         13 . A system for treating an agricultural product in a confined atmosphere within a space at a treatment location to inhibit a ripening process of the agricultural product, the system comprising:
 a portable case containing
 at least one treatment compound generator, the at least one treatment compound generator having an exit port and being configured to generate a treatment compound fluid at the treatment location, the exit port fluidly connectable to the confined atmosphere of the space at the treatment location to release a treatment compound fluid into the confined atmosphere; and 
 a sampling subsystem, the sampling subsystem including an inlet port fluidly connected to a pump and a collection chamber, the inlet port fluidly connectable to the confined atmosphere of the space at the treatment location to (i) collect a sample of the confined atmosphere through the inlet port with the pump, and (ii) store the sample within the collection chamber. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the treatment compound fluid is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropene, 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-ethylcyclopropene, 1-propylcyclopropene, 1-butylcyclopropene, 1-pentylcyclopropene, 1-hexylcyclopropene, 1-heptylcyclopropene, 1-octylcyclopropene and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the treatment compound fluid generated is a 1-methylcyclopropene gas. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the portable treatment system is a self-contained operable unit configured to be temporarily transported to, operated at, and transported away from the treatment location by a user of the system. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the case further includes a power supply subsystem, the power supply subsystem connected with, and supplying power to, the at least one of the treatment compound generator and the sampling subsystem. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the case further includes a control unit operably connected with the at least one of the treatment compound generator and the sampling subsystem, the control unit including at least one timing circuit configured to operate the sampling subsystem at a preselected time. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the case further includes a control unit operably connected with the at least one of the treatment compound generator and the sampling subsystem, the control unit including at least one indicator light indicating the status of the sampling subsystem. 
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the case further includes a fan mounted to the case and configured to draw air out of the case. 
     
     
         21 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the at least one treatment compound generator comprises a pair of 1-methylcyclopropene generators configured to generate a 1-methylcyclopropene gas. 
     
     
         22 . The system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the sampling subsystem includes a three-way valve fluidly connected between the pump and the collection chamber, the three-way valve fluidly connected to an exhaust line. 
     
     
         23 . A system for treating an agricultural product in a confined atmosphere within a space at a treatment location to inhibit a ripening process of the agricultural product, the system comprising:
 a portable case containing   at least one treatment compound generator, the at least one treatment compound generator having an exit port and being configured to generate a treatment compound fluid at the treatment location, the exit port fluidly connectable to the confined atmosphere of the space at the treatment location to release a treatment compound fluid into the confined atmosphere, the treatment compound fluid being a 1-methylcyclopropene gas; and   
       a power supply subsystem connected with, and supplying power to, the at least one treatment compound generator.