System and method providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods

A system for transporting or storing goods, comprising:

• a base cap having a top surface for receiving said goods thereon, and a bottom surface;
• a top cap having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the top cap is configured to be positioned on top of said goods after the goods have been placed onto said top surface of the base cap;
• a wrapping surrounding the side surfaces of said goods so as to form an enclosure around the goods in conjunction with said base cap and said top cap, wherein said wrapping overlaps said base cap and said top cap so as to form a sealed enclosure around said goods;
• and
• at least two valves coupled to said sealed enclosure for allowing a desired gas to flow into an interior area of the sealed enclosure, wherein at least one valve is attached to and extends outwardly from a surface of said base cap or sealed enclosure and at least one valve is attached to and extends outwardly from a surface of said wrapping overlapping said top cap;
• wherein said at least two valves comprise a first valve and a second valve and the system further comprises:
• a tank containing a gas source therein;
• a hose having a first end coupled to said first valve;
• an automated valve coupled to said tank, wherein a second end of said hose is coupled to the automated valve;
• at least one sensor coupled to said second valve, wherein the sensor receives an atmosphere sample from within said sealed enclosure via the second valve and measures at least one parameter associated with said atmosphere;
• and
• a controller coupled to said at least one sensor and said automated valve, wherein the controller receives data from said sensors and automatically controls said automated valves in response to the data so as to either start or stop said gas from flowing into said sealed enclosure.

A method of providing a desired atmosphere for goods, comprising:

• providing a sealed enclosure around said goods wherein there are at least two valves coupled to said sealed enclosure allowing a desired gas to flow into an interior area of the sealed enclosure;
• wherein at least a first valve is attached to and extends outwardly from a surface of a base cap or sealed enclosure and wherein at least a second valve is attached to and extends outwardly from a surface of a covering;
• coupling at least the first or second valve to said sealed enclosure so as to provide a port through which a desired gas from an external gas source may enter the sealed enclosure;
• coupling a first end of a hose to said at least the first or second valve and a second end of the hose to said external gas source, thereby providing a conduit through which said desired gas may flow from said external gas source into said sealed enclosure;
• injecting a desired gas from the external gas source into said sealed enclosure so as to provide a desired atmosphere within the sealed enclosure;
• automatically monitoring an amount of gas which enters said sealed enclosure from said external source;
• and
• controlling the flow of said desired gas into said sealed enclosure in response to said act of automatically monitoring.