# US 10,440,969 B2 · Produce ripening system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,440,969 B2 - Document ID: US10440969B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/480,880 - Filed: 2017-04-06 - Published: 2018-03-22 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-16 - Applicants: Christophe Obolo - Inventors: Christophe Obolo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10440969B2 ## CPC - A23B 7/00: Preservation of fruit or vegetables; Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables - A23B 2/00: Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general - A23B 2/001: {Details of apparatus, e.g. pressure feed valves or for transport, or loading or unloading manipulation} - A23L 19/00: Products from fruits or vegetables; Preparation or treatment thereof (marmalades, jams, jellies or the like A23L21/10; treating harvested fruit or vegetables in bulk A23N) - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION ## Abstract A system and apparatus for ripening produce is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber having a plurality of walls integrally coupled to a floor, and a lid configured to be coupled with the chamber at an upper end thereof. A top surface of the floor comprises a plurality of first flanges extending therefrom. Each first flange is positioned adjacent to each other and a first set of grooves is formed between adjacent first flanges. The top surface of the floor also comprises a plurality of second flanges extending therefrom. Each second flange is positioned adjacent to each other and a second set of grooves formed between adjacent second flanges. The first set of grooves intersect the second set of grooves and each intersecting groove forms a grid. At least one of the plurality of walls and the lid include an aperture extending therethrough. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for ripening produce, the apparatus comprising: a chamber having a plurality of walls integrally coupled to a floor; and a lid configured to be coupled with the chamber at an upper end thereof; wherein a top surface of the floor comprises: a plurality of first flanges extending therefrom, each first flange positioned adjacent to each other, a first set of grooves formed between adjacent first flanges; and a plurality of second flanges extending therefrom, each second flange positioned adjacent to each other, a second set of grooves formed between adjacent second flanges, the first set of grooves intersecting the second set of grooves, each intersecting groove forming a grid; and wherein at least one of the plurality of walls and the lid include at least one aperture extending therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each aperture is between 2 to 3 mm in diameter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flow cell, the flow cell configured to transfer air within the chamber to the atmosphere. ### Claim 4 An apparatus for ripening produce, the apparatus comprising: a chamber having a plurality of walls integrally coupled to a floor; a lid configured to be coupled with the chamber at an upper end thereof; wherein at least one of the plurality of walls and the lid include at least one aperture extending therethrough, wherein a top surface of the floor comprises a plurality of first flanges extending therefrom, each first flange positioned adjacent to each other, a first set of grooves formed between adjacent first flanges. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the top surface of the floor further comprises a plurality of second flanges extending therefrom, each second flange positioned adjacent to each other, a second set of grooves formed between adjacent second flanges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first set of grooves intersect the second set of grooves, each intersecting groove forming a grid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the grid is about 0.5 inches in length, width and depth. ### Claim 8 An apparatus for ripening produce, the apparatus comprising: a chamber having a plurality of walls integrally coupled to a floor; a lid configured to be coupled with the chamber at an upper end thereof; wherein at least one of the plurality of walls and the lid include at least one aperture extending therethrough; and a flow cell, the flow cell configured to transfer air within the chamber to the atmosphere. ### Claim 9 An system for ripening produce, the system comprising: a substantially enclosed storage means for storing ethylene producing produce; an engagement means within the enclosed storage means for maximizing surface area of the stored produce exposed to air within the enclosed storage means; and an outlet means for releasing gases from the enclosed storage means to the atmosphere, wherein the engagement means comprises a plurality of first flanges extending from a top surface of the floor, each first flange positioned adjacent to each other, a first set of grooves formed between adjacent first flanges; and wherein the engagement means further comprises a plurality of second flanges extending the top surface of the floor, each second flange positioned adjacent to each other, a second set of grooves formed between adjacent second flanges, the first set of grooves intersecting the second set of grooves, each intersecting groove forming a grid. ### Claim 10 An system for ripening produce, the system comprising: a substantially enclosed storage means for storing ethylene producing produce; an engagement means within the enclosed storage means for maximizing surface area of the stored produce exposed to air within the enclosed storage means; and an outlet means for releasing gases from the enclosed storage means to the atmosphere, wherein the outlet means comprises a flow cell, the flow cell configured to transfer air within the enclosed storage means to the atmosphere.