Systems, methods, and apparatus for creating an enclosure, a regulated atmosphere, and functional treatments for perishable products

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a safe delivery system for a modified atmosphere and functional treatments into a sealed enclosure containing perishable products. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include an injector, a top sheet dispenser, a bottom sheet dispenser, and pallet wrapper. The top sheet, bottom sheet, and wrap sheet form the sealed enclosure. The injector may create a modified atmosphere in the sealed enclosure. The injector may include a stabilizing support bar and at least one nozzle formed at a right angle to the stabilizing support bar. The nozzle may be connected to a gas source for injecting at least one gas into the sealed enclosure. The nozzle may be connected to a vacuum or controlled venting source to remove air and control the pressure within the sealed enclosure. The injection process is protected from leakage using containment devices, pads and/or aspirating covers or a closed chamber. The system includes the use of modified atmosphere and various functional substances to sanitize, condition, protect, preserve, or enhance perishable products.

1 . A system for creating a modified atmosphere for goods, the system comprising:
 a sealed enclosure;   a delivery assembly for providing controlled delivery of a modified atmosphere and/or functional treatment to the sealed enclosure; and   a containment assembly for containing the modified atmosphere and/or functional treatment and for preventing leakage and exposure of the modified atmosphere and/or functional treatment outside of the sealed enclosure,   wherein the modified atmosphere and/or functional treatment is dispersed uniformly within the sealed enclosure and is prevented from being exposed outside of the sealed enclosure to operating personnel and to an operating environment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure is a bag or a wrap sheet surrounding the goods. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the wrap sheet includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and a side sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the delivery assembly is configured to be inserted through the wrap sheet and the containment assembly is configured to be outside of the wrap sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery assembly includes a center passage of a nozzle for delivering the modified atmosphere and/or functional treatment and the containment assembly includes a perimeter passage of the nozzle for vacuuming and venting a substance from within the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the containment assembly includes a pad configured to apply pressure to the sealed enclosure to maintain a seal of the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pad includes a connection configured to move the pad between an engaged position in contact with a side surface of the sealed enclosure and a disengaged position out of contact with the side surface of the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a mechanism configured to hold the pad in the disengaged position. 
     
     
         9 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for creating a modified atmosphere in a sealed enclosure, the apparatus comprising:
 a stabilizing support bar;   at least one nozzle attached to the stabilizing support bar at an angle, the at least one nozzle being configured to connect to a gas source, wherein the stabilizing support bar is configured for being placed on or adjacent to a package to be enclosed in the sealed enclosure; and   one or more containment devices, pads, and/or aspirating collars attached to the at least one nozzle and configured to prevent leaking of the modified atmosphere from the sealed enclosure,   wherein the at least one nozzle is configured to inject gas into the sealed enclosure through the nozzle, and   wherein, as the at least one nozzle slides out of a wrapping in which the at least one nozzle is inserted, the one or more containment devices, pads, and/or aspirating collars allows no contents of the sealed enclosure to leak into an operating environment.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the package comprises stacked goods on a pallet, a slip-sheet, in a bin, or other container. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the nozzle is connected to a vacuum, a controlled vent source, a gas, a substance treatment source, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the stabilizing support bar has a package facing side for positioning adjacent a first package side, and the nozzle, the at least one nozzle having a nozzle package facing side for positioning adjacent a second package side, different from the first package side,
 wherein the angle formed between the nozzle and the stabilizing support bar corresponds with a package angle, whereby the stabilizer bar is adjacent the first package side and the at least one nozzle is adjacent the second package side, the at least one nozzle is positioned to be a fluid conduit between the vacuum, controlled vent, gas, and/or substance treatment source and an interior of the sealed enclosure.   
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for creating a modified atmosphere in a sealed enclosure, the apparatus comprising:
 a wrapping around a package, the wrapping creating a sealed enclosure around the package;   a vacuum, controlled vent, and/or gas source;   one or more nozzles connected to the vacuum, controlled vent, and/or gas source, the one or more nozzles placed within the sealed enclosure between the package and the wrapping; and   a containment device, pad, and/or an aspirating cover,   whereby the one or more nozzles are covered outside the wrapping by the containment device, pad and/or an aspirating cover such that, as the one or more nozzles inject gas and/or functional ingredients into the sealed enclosure and are then removed, the containment device, pad, and/or aspirating cover prevent or capture any leaking gas materials.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein a vacuum is piped through an arm to the one or more nozzles, the one or more nozzles configured as a multipurpose nozzle to evacuate air and otherwise control the internal pressure and to inject the modified atmosphere or compressed air, and wherein one or more substances are injected through one or more channels, tubes, ports, turbos in the nozzle to direct, speed, or improve disbursement into the sealed enclosure enabling improved regulated substance treatments throughout the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the one or more nozzles includes multiple nozzles used in combination to evacuate air and otherwise control the internal pressure and to inject the modified atmosphere or compressed air, and wherein one or more substances are injected through one or more channels, tubes, ports, turbos in the nozzles to direct, speed, or improve disbursement into the sealed enclosure enabling improved regulated substance treatments throughout the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , further comprising applying a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and a wrap sheet to the package, wherein the top sheet, the bottom sheet, and the wrap sheet form the sealed enclosure, and wherein the vacuum and/or the modified atmosphere is performed simultaneously with wrapping of and/or sealing of the wrap sheet. 
     
     
         30 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A system for creating a modified atmosphere in a sealed enclosure, the system comprising:
 an injection system having one or more nozzles, the injection system configured to enable and facilitate mixing of air, industrial gasses, and/or substances from multiple sources,   wherein the one or more nozzles include one or more internal channels, the one or more internal channels configured to channel the air, industrial gasses, and/or substances from multiple sources to a point near a tip of the nozzle to improve distribution or a desired pattern of distribution,   wherein the one or more nozzles are configured for improved blending and distribution,   wherein the one or more nozzles include the use of a vacuum source or controlled venting to facilitate faster uniform distribution and prevent over-pressuring the sealed enclosure; and   wherein the one or more nozzles include a pressure pump, mixing chamber, high pressure air, industrial gas or volatized liquid, a high pressure surge chamber, a turbo boost, a turbo charger, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the one or more internal channels includes a first channel configured to channel the air, industrial gasses, and/or substances from multiple sources to the point near the tip of the nozzle and a second channel configured to channel the use of the vacuum source or controlled venting. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the first channel is a central channel and the second channel is a perimeter channel. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising an apparatus for wrapping a pallet to create the sealed enclosure, wherein the apparatus for wrapping and the injection system are contained within a chamber or partially enclosed area with openings for the pallet to enter and leave, whereby the chamber or partially enclosed area is maintained under slight negative pressure with continuous or sequential venting and filtering or scrubbing to eliminate or neutralize any leakage of harmful materials to the environment or human workspace.