Method and device for heat killing insects in bulk produce containers
OwnerMartin W. Washburn, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for killing insects in produce, which comprises an outer container; means for dividing a space enclosed by the outer container into first and second internal chambers; means for supporting a plurality of bulk produce bins in the first internal chamber; first and second air passage means for selectively allowing passage of air between the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber; means for circulating air in the second internal chamber successively through one of the air passage means, the first internal chamber, the other of the air passage means, and back into the second internal chamber; and means for heating the circulating air.
Claims28
An apparatus for killing insects in produce, which comprises:
- an outer container;
- means for dividing a space enclosed by said outer container into first and second internal chambers;
- first and second air passage means for allowing passage of air between said first internal chamber and said second internal chamber;
- means for circulating air from said second internal chamber successively through one of said air passage means, said first internal chamber, the other of said air passage means, and back into said second internal chamber;
- means for heating said circulating air while maintaining relative humidity in said first internal chamber below 75%;
- and
- means for supporting at least one bulk produce bin in said first internal chamber so that sides of said bin contact surfaces of said first internal chamber or surfaces of additional bins in said chamber, wherein contacting surfaces and bin sides block passage of air through said first internal chamber expect for passage through said bin or bins in said first internal chamber.
An apparatus for killing insects in produce, which comprises:
- an outer container;
- means for dividing a space enclosed by said outer container into first and second internal chambers;
- means for supporting at least one bulk produce bin in said first internal chamber;
- first and second air passage means for allowing passage of air between said first internal chamber and said second internal chamber;
- means for circulating air from said second internal chamber successively through one of said air passage means, said first internal chamber, the other of said air passage means, and back into said second internal chamber;
- means for heating said circulating air;
- access means for introducing said bulk produce bins into said container;
- and
- airflow control means for substantially preventing flow of air around said bins adjacent to said access means.
An apparatus for killing insects in produce, which comprises:
- an outer container;
- means for dividing a space enclosed by said outer container into first and second internal chambers;
- means for supporting at least one bulk produce bin in said first internal chamber;
- first and second air passage means for allowing passage of air between said first internal chamber and said second internal chamber;
- means for circulating air from said second internal chamber successively through one of said air passage means, said first internal chamber, the other of said air passage means, and back into said second internal chamber;
- means for heating said circulating air;
- and
- means for spraying water on said produce while said produce is located in said first internal chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.