Abstract:
The present invention relates to a data communication device and method for recording and transmitting data concerning conditions within or pertaining to a transportation container, such as a controlled environment transportation container. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, a port for receiving the data, a first power source, a communication module operatively coupled to the first power source, and a computer program stored in the memory. The program is operative, when executed on the processor, to store the received data in the memory and to cause the communication module to periodically power on, attempt for a specified time period to establish a network connection, and in the event of a successful connection, communicate data stored in the memory over the network, and to power off. The processor independently operates to switch between sleep and active modes in accordance with a system timer or receipt of data, and to determine whether the communication module is to be activated.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the monitoring of the state of produce within transport containers, with particular application to dynamic monitoring of the respiration rate of produce in controlled atmosphere container systems used in cargo container transportation. A method is provided for tracking, over an extended period, the respiration rate of produce contained in a leaky transport container, including the steps of, at intervals during said extended period, for a prescribed period, being a respiration rate data block (RRDB) cycle, ensuring that there is substantially no air passage between the interior and the exterior of the transport container other than leakage, identifying the leakage rate of the transport container, measuring, at intervals over said RRDB cycle, the concentration of one or more constituent gases in the transport container as the produce respires; and calculating, at a logic unit, from said measurements of concentrations of said one or more constituent gases and said leakage rate, a respiration rate of the produce for each RRDB cycle. In a controlled atmosphere container system, the method involves, under control of a controller, at intervals during said extended period, suspending controlled atmosphere (CA) operation and initiating a respiration rate monitoring (RRM) mode, in order to measure the concentration of the one or more constituent gases in the transport container as the produce respires, from which the respiration rate can be calculated.
Abstract:
A method of controlling gas composition within a container containing respiring produce is described. The container includes at least one gas outlet and at least one gas inlet and the method includes the steps of; drawing a selected gas from within the container through a selective membrane element and through the at least one gas outlet; detecting ambient pressure inside the container; and introducing ambient air under selected control conditions from outside the container into the container through the at least one gas inlet in response to the detected ambient pressure to control the relative composition of gases inside the container.
Abstract:
A method of controlling gas composition within a container containing respiring produce is described. The container includes at least one gas outlet and at least one gas inlet and the method includes the steps of: drawing gas from within the container through a selective membrane element under selected control conditions through the at least one gas outlet; introducing ambient air from outside die container into the container through the at least one gas inlet under selected control conditions to control the relative composition of gases inside the container. Apparatus for containing the goods and for controlling the atmosphere in the container according to the method are also described.