Methods and apparatus for preserving pallet units of fresh perishables in modified atmosphere-containing bags

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for enclosing a palletized container of fresh containers of perishables inside a modified atmosphere-containing plastic bag stretched over the containers and over upwardly-extending margins of a plastic sheet placed between the pallet and the containers to seal the containers of perishables inside the bag and to facilitate forming a modified atmosphere inside the bag.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus comprising: 
 a squeezer for temporarily supporting containers of perishables above a pallet creating a gap such that a plastic sheet may be placed atop said pallet with margins of said sheet extending beyond the perimeter of said pallet;    a bag dispenser that stretches a plastic bag over said perishables and said containers and over the upwardly extending margins of the plastic sheet; then releases the stretching force so that said bag fits tightly over said perishables and said containers; and    a sealer for sealing said pallet and said perishables inside of said plastic bag.    
     
     
         3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said sealer comprises a heat sealer, a tape sealer, a wrapping system, or a gluing system.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a gaseous pressure system or a mechanical system for positioning and holding the margins of said plastic sheet vertically upwardly from said pallet against the sides of said containers.  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a gas delivery system for delivering a gaseous modified atmosphere inside said bag.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said gas delivery system includes a plurality of injectors for delivering one or more gases inside said bag.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said gas delivery system includes one or more injectors linked to said bagging system.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 2  or  claim 23  or  claim 24  further comprising a hole-forming device for forming one or more holes in one or more sides of said bag to form and to maintain a desired, modified atmosphere inside said bag.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 2  or  claim 23  or  claim 24  further comprising a system for forming a desired modified atmosphere inside said bag based on the nature of the perishables, the weight of the perishables, and on the respiration load of the perishables inside said bag.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus comprising a system for sealing containers of perishables on a pallet that has a plastic sheet atop said pallet and beneath said containers, with margins of said sheet extending beyond the perimeter of said pallet; inside a plastic bag stretched tightly over said perishables, over said containers and over the upwardly extending margins of the plastic sheet that includes a sealer for sealing said pallet and said perishables inside of said plastic bag, and a system for forming a desired modified atmosphere inside said bag based on the nature of the perishables, the weight of the perishables, the permeability of the bag to oxygen and carbon dioxide, and on the respiration load of the perishables inside said bag.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising a hole-forming device for forming one or more holes in one or more sides of said bag to form and to maintain a desired, modified atmosphere inside said bag.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said system further comprises a system that secures said margins in a vertically upward position.