Apparatus and System for Grain Storage

Abstract

A modular food storage apparatus for storing dry goods and/or perishable goods. The food storage apparatus may be fixed or mobile. The apparatus includes a scalable frame. A plurality of scalable side panels are securely affixed to the frame. A plurality of scalable roofing panels are securely affixed to the frame and to the side panels. The food storage apparatus may be stationary and affixed to a concrete foundation. The apparatus may be modified with monitoring devices and venting devices for storage of dry goods. The apparatus may be modified for storage of perishable goods using refrigeration or a controlled atmosphere environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stationary, modular food storage apparatus comprising:
 a scalable frame;   a plurality of scalable side panels, each side panel securely attachable to one or more other side panels, and the frame; and   a plurality of scalable roofing panels, each roofing panel securely attachable to one or more scalable side panels and the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scalable frame comprises a plurality of beam-like elements, each beam-like element having a length. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of scalable aeration floor panels. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more extenders, said extenders being configured to attach to at least one of the plurality of beam-like elements to increase the length of the beam-like elements. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side panels and floor panels are made of rust-resistant material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panels are securely attachable using internal pin locking hinges. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the floor panels are recessed and hole-vented. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the each roofing panels and side panels include insulating material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the insulating material comprises one of fiberglass or foam. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side panels includes an opening. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the opening includes a security apparatus comprising one of a padlock, keypad, or hand scanner. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of roofing panels includes a rain capture feature. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of roofing panels, and side panels are treated with reflective material. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the reflective material comprises at least one of paint or enamel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the roofing panels includes a top opening. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side panels or roofing panels is made of translucent material. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more power-generation devices. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 at least one venting component, securely integrated with at least one side panel; and   at least one monitoring device.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one venting component comprises one of passive inlets, exhaust outlets, and mechanical ventilation fans. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more power generation devices includes at least one of solar panels, wind turbines, and fuel-powered generators. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one monitoring devices comprises one of a temperature monitor, a gas monitor, and a humidity monitor. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the roofing panels and sidewall panels are made of translucent material. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one refrigeration device 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one controlled atmosphere device. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a foundation, wherein the frame is securely attached to the foundation. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the foundation is one of concrete, asphalt, or earth. 
     
     
         27 . A mobile modular food storage apparatus comprising:
 a scalable frame;   a plurality of scalable hole-vented floor panels, each floor panel securely attachable to the frame and other floor panels;   a plurality of wheels, securely attachable to the floor panels;   a plurality of scalable side panels, each side panel securely attachable to one or more floor panels and securely attachable to one or more other side panels and securely attachable to the frame; and   a plurality of roofing panels, each roofing panel securely attachable to one or more scalable side panels and securely attachable to the frame.