WO2002014968A1 - A storage system and a related storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors - Google Patents

A storage system and a related storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002014968A1
WO2002014968A1 PCT/FI2001/000728 FI0100728W WO0214968A1 WO 2002014968 A1 WO2002014968 A1 WO 2002014968A1 FI 0100728 W FI0100728 W FI 0100728W WO 0214968 A1 WO0214968 A1 WO 0214968A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
storage
storage box
produce
box
information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2001/000728
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Antti Ruokolainen
Original Assignee
A-Lab Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by A-Lab Oy filed Critical A-Lab Oy
Priority to AU2001282203A priority Critical patent/AU2001282203A1/en
Priority to EP01960804A priority patent/EP1337899A1/en
Publication of WO2002014968A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002014968A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D22/00Control of humidity
    • G05D22/02Control of humidity characterised by the use of electric means
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/10Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
    • Y02A40/25Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a storage system for fresh produce grown outdoors, which includes:
  • the invention also relates to a storage box for use in the storage system.
  • Potatoes, green vegetables, root vegetables, and fruit, as well as other fresh produce are stored, depending on the produce and situation, for periods of days or even years.
  • the storage is generally intended to match the differences in the timing of the produce's supply and demand to each other, i.e. to store the produce for future requirements, or in some cases (such as bananas) to use the storage to ripen the produce. In all these cases, it is wished to keep the storage conditions as good as possible for the produce, so that it will retain its weight and quality during storage as intended.
  • the storage capacity of commercial fresh produce stores is generally in the order of 300 - 1000 tonnes.
  • the general conditions of the store are monitored by means of various measuring devices, while the temperature of the produce and the properties of its surface or interior can be monitored by means of sensors, which are situated on top of, or in the middle of the produce.
  • sensors which are situated on top of, or in the middle of the produce.
  • the sensors are located only on the walls or ceiling of the storeroom.
  • the sensors are placed manually in their measurement locations only after the produce being stored have already been put into the store, in which case problems such as the following arise. Because the sensors are connected to the measurement/automation system by means of cables, the store employees must lay the sensor cables over and between the boxes, while very often the sensors cannot be placed in the desired locations, because the boxes of produce have been stacked by fork-lift trucks into a tight- packed stack, which is typically ⁇ -m high, 15-m wide, and 30-m long.
  • the number and locations of the sensors are always a compromise between the amount of work needed and the desired measurement loca- tions.
  • the sensors are also often damaged, because the fork-lift truck drivers do not always remember to remove the sensors from the box before removing the box, so that the sensor falls from a great height and is broken, or else the sensor's cable breaks.
  • the produce storage boxes are passive, i.e. they really act only as produce storage boxes and are not used to measure and monitor the properties or quality of the produce.
  • the invention is intended to create an improved storage system for fresh produce grown outdoors and a related storage box, by means of which the problems arising from the state of the art can be avoided and by means of which a better overall picture of the produce being stored can be obtained.
  • the characteristics of the storage system according to the invention are stated in the accompanying Claim 1 and the characteristics of the storage box used in the system are stated in Claim 9.
  • the storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors described in this application participates .actively in the individuation of the produce it contains and in the monitoring of the properties of the produce.
  • this new type of storage box is referred to in short by the name ⁇ smartbox' .
  • the smartbox acts not only a storage receptacle and transfer/transportation device for produce, but also as a measuring device of the air surrounding the produce and/or of the temperature and other quality properties of the produce.
  • the smartbox incorporates measurement technology, which measures the temperature of the surrounding air and/or the temperature and other quality properties of the produce it contains and transmits these measurement results to a measurement/automation centre, for examination by the storekeeper and possibly for further processing.
  • the smartbox incorporates measurement electronics, which can measure the temperature of the procuce contained in the smartbox, and the surface moisture of potatoes, for example, the moisture and ethene content of the air in the smartbox, and, if necessary, record them for later use.
  • the smartbox also incorporates technology, by means of which the measured data can be transmitted either wirelessly (e.g., by radio), or over a cable to the store's measurement/automation system, for possible later processing and for monitoring carried out by the storekeeper. If the measurement data are transmitted over a cable, it is preferable to build the necessary cabling as part of the smartbox, so that the cabling apparently 'builds itself , when the smartboxes are stacked next to and on top of each other.
  • the smartbox technology By means of the smartbox technology, it is possible to increase the number of sensors monitoring the state and quality of produce in such a way that they can also be controlled in practice. Because the sensors are part of the produce box, they can be put in the precise locations that are preferable for measurement.
  • the smartbox technology even permits all the produce boxes to be monitored simultaneously. As a medium-sized store can have more than 1000 storage boxes, it is easy to understand that this would be in no way possible in practice using the state of the art.
  • the smartbox' s electronics includes individuation of the box, i.e. each box has a 'name and address' , and it is possible for the measurement system to know the location of each box in the store (in relation to the other boxes) and the history of the produce contained in it.
  • Produce is often put into storage boxes already in the field, to reduce damage to produce from handling.
  • Many plant diseases infect parts of the plant being stored, precisely when they are lifted from the field, if the lifting conditions favour this.
  • the spore of grey scale in potatoes can grow from the surface of the potato through the skin in about four hours, if the surface of the potato is sufficiently damp immediately after lifting.
  • the smartbox produce box begins to operate immediately after produce has been placed in it. It measures the properties of the produce already on the field and during transportation to the store and, if necessary, will warn of conditions favouring plant diseases.
  • the store's automation system will know where a particular produce batch is stored and when the produce is taken from the store the automation system will know the entire history of that precise batch of produce, starting from the field, and how it 'behaved' during storage. If the quality feedback from the sorting line is added to this history, the factors affecting the quality of the product can be analysed for the entire duration of the production chain. Individuation thus makes it possible to monitor the contents of each box individually, from filling in up to the time that the produce is taken to the packing line and packed.
  • the Smartbox technology permits the produce's quality properties (temperature, health, etc.) to be shown as a graphical display, in which the relevant quality property is distributed in the display in the same way as it is distributed in the store on which it is based. Similarly, it is possible to display the origin of the produce (place of growth, seed supplier, or variety of plant, etc.) and its distribution within the store, in relation to the store and to other produce.
  • Figure 1 shows a storage box according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a store according to the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a series bus according to the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows one way of measuring surface resistance.
  • a storage box 12 comprises a traditional box and the electronics installed in it. These electronics include a data unit 14, series bus contacts 15, 15' on one side and second series bus contacts 16, 16' on the opposite side, a temperature sensor 13, as well as surface resistance measurement electrodes 18 and 19 in the inside of the storage box.
  • the storage box includes the cables between the components, which can be quite easily hidden inside the construction.
  • the data unit 14 includes at least a microprocessor, I/O devices, and a memory, as well as preferably a clock circuit.
  • the box is generally a cage-like construction open at the top, but other kinds of box equipped with air-flow connections can also be contemplated.
  • the said 'smartbox' can form part of a detachable part of the box, for example, the lid. Either the harvesting machine drops a separate smartbox into each box, while recording the identifier of the box in the memory, or else the box identifier is linked to the other information at the stage when the produce is made ready for sale.
  • the temperature of the store 10 is controlled in a traditional manner, Figure 2. Once the storage boxes 12 have been stacked next to and on top of each other, ducts are formed under them to openings in the front wall of the store. Cooled air is blown in from these openings, and reaches the interior of the stack through the said ducts.
  • series-bus contacts 11 and 11' which are connected to the system's central unit.
  • eight storage boxes are stacked next to each other, in storage places LI - L8, between which the series bus is formed.
  • there a several queues of this kind on top of each other and several parallel to each other.
  • some known data transmission protocol can be used.
  • 'next to each other' can refer to both the vertical and lateral directions.
  • the series bus can be implemented in many different ways. Instead of a galvanic connection, it is possible to use either a capacitive or inductive connection. Entirely wireless data transmission is one alternative to the series bus.
  • the data unit preferably includes its own power supply, so that monitoring of the produce can commence already during harvesting, when a produce batch is placed in the box.
  • the location information devices connected to the storage boxes can comprise of nothing more than a remotely readable identifier in the box, which is recorded according to the stacking order of the boxes, or with the aid of a loading/unloading device equipped with a location information sensor.
  • a location information sensor equipped with a location information sensor.
  • the location information devices forming part of the system can be outside the storage box in such a way that, for example, the transit time delay technique is used to calculate the distances to at least three fixed points, on the basis of a signal sent by the storage box's 'smartbox'.

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system for fresh produce grown outdoors, which includes: a storage space with controlled temperature and humidity, a large number of storage boxes, means in each storage box, for measuring the properties of the produce, such as its temperature, surface moisture, and/or surface resistance, location information devices are connected to each storage box, for combining the location of the storage box with the measurement information, a central unit and data transmission devices, for collecting the property information.

Description

A STORAGE SYSTEM AND A RELATED STORAGE BOX FOR FRESH PRODUCE GROWN OUTDOORS
The present invention relates to a storage system for fresh produce grown outdoors, which includes:
- a storage space with controlled temperature and humidity,
- a large number of storage boxes,
- means for measuring the properties of the produce, such as its temperature, surface moisture content, and/or surface resistance,
- a central unit for collecting information of the characteristics .
The invention also relates to a storage box for use in the storage system.
Potatoes, green vegetables, root vegetables, and fruit, as well as other fresh produce, are stored, depending on the produce and situation, for periods of days or even years. The storage is generally intended to match the differences in the timing of the produce's supply and demand to each other, i.e. to store the produce for future requirements, or in some cases (such as bananas) to use the storage to ripen the produce. In all these cases, it is wished to keep the storage conditions as good as possible for the produce, so that it will retain its weight and quality during storage as intended. The storage capacity of commercial fresh produce stores is generally in the order of 300 - 1000 tonnes.
The general conditions of the store (such as the temperature, gaseous composition, and humidity of the air, i.e. the gaseous atmosphere, and the amount of light in the store) are monitored by means of various measuring devices, while the temperature of the produce and the properties of its surface or interior can be monitored by means of sensors, which are situated on top of, or in the middle of the produce. In some known technologies, only the properties of the air in the storeroom are monitored, in which case the sensors are located only on the walls or ceiling of the storeroom.
If, in stores based on the state of the art, the temperature and, for instance, the surface moisture of the produce are monitored directly from the surface of the produce, the sensors are placed manually in their measurement locations only after the produce being stored have already been put into the store, in which case problems such as the following arise. Because the sensors are connected to the measurement/automation system by means of cables, the store employees must lay the sensor cables over and between the boxes, while very often the sensors cannot be placed in the desired locations, because the boxes of produce have been stacked by fork-lift trucks into a tight- packed stack, which is typically β-m high, 15-m wide, and 30-m long. Therefore, when using the state of the art, the number and locations of the sensors are always a compromise between the amount of work needed and the desired measurement loca- tions. In the state of the art, the sensors are also often damaged, because the fork-lift truck drivers do not always remember to remove the sensors from the box before removing the box, so that the sensor falls from a great height and is broken, or else the sensor's cable breaks. In all the known technologies, the produce storage boxes are passive, i.e. they really act only as produce storage boxes and are not used to measure and monitor the properties or quality of the produce.
As such, a so-called intelligent foodstuff package is known, which measures and collects data on the conditions of the produce after packing. This does not solve the problem of monitoring the produce from harvesting to packing.
The invention is intended to create an improved storage system for fresh produce grown outdoors and a related storage box, by means of which the problems arising from the state of the art can be avoided and by means of which a better overall picture of the produce being stored can be obtained. The characteristics of the storage system according to the invention are stated in the accompanying Claim 1 and the characteristics of the storage box used in the system are stated in Claim 9.
The storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors described in this application participates .actively in the individuation of the produce it contains and in the monitoring of the properties of the produce. In the following, this new type of storage box is referred to in short by the name λsmartbox' . The smartbox acts not only a storage receptacle and transfer/transportation device for produce, but also as a measuring device of the air surrounding the produce and/or of the temperature and other quality properties of the produce. The smartbox incorporates measurement technology, which measures the temperature of the surrounding air and/or the temperature and other quality properties of the produce it contains and transmits these measurement results to a measurement/automation centre, for examination by the storekeeper and possibly for further processing.
The following describes the typical characteristics of a storage box (smartbox) according to the invention, without, however, in any way restricting the invention to only the characteristics that are depicted here. The smartbox incorporates measurement electronics, which can measure the temperature of the procuce contained in the smartbox, and the surface moisture of potatoes, for example, the moisture and ethene content of the air in the smartbox, and, if necessary, record them for later use. The smartbox also incorporates technology, by means of which the measured data can be transmitted either wirelessly (e.g., by radio), or over a cable to the store's measurement/automation system, for possible later processing and for monitoring carried out by the storekeeper. If the measurement data are transmitted over a cable, it is preferable to build the necessary cabling as part of the smartbox, so that the cabling apparently 'builds itself , when the smartboxes are stacked next to and on top of each other.
The advantages of the invention according to this patent application, compared to the state of the art are:
An 'intelligent' storage box for produce and an 'intelligent' store
By means of the smartbox technology, it is possible to increase the number of sensors monitoring the state and quality of produce in such a way that they can also be controlled in practice. Because the sensors are part of the produce box, they can be put in the precise locations that are preferable for measurement. The smartbox technology even permits all the produce boxes to be monitored simultaneously. As a medium-sized store can have more than 1000 storage boxes, it is easy to understand that this would be in no way possible in practice using the state of the art. The smartbox' s electronics includes individuation of the box, i.e. each box has a 'name and address' , and it is possible for the measurement system to know the location of each box in the store (in relation to the other boxes) and the history of the produce contained in it.
Continuous monitoring of produce, from field to package
Produce is often put into storage boxes already in the field, to reduce damage to produce from handling. Many plant diseases infect parts of the plant being stored, precisely when they are lifted from the field, if the lifting conditions favour this. For example, the spore of grey scale in potatoes can grow from the surface of the potato through the skin in about four hours, if the surface of the potato is sufficiently damp immediately after lifting. The smartbox produce box begins to operate immediately after produce has been placed in it. It measures the properties of the produce already on the field and during transportation to the store and, if necessary, will warn of conditions favouring plant diseases.
Individual monitoring of batches of produce
If all of the produce in the store are stored in smartboxes, the store's automation system will know where a particular produce batch is stored and when the produce is taken from the store the automation system will know the entire history of that precise batch of produce, starting from the field, and how it 'behaved' during storage. If the quality feedback from the sorting line is added to this history, the factors affecting the quality of the product can be analysed for the entire duration of the production chain. Individuation thus makes it possible to monitor the contents of each box individually, from filling in up to the time that the produce is taken to the packing line and packed.
By displaying the product data graphically to the user, the Smartbox technology permits the produce's quality properties (temperature, health, etc.) to be shown as a graphical display, in which the relevant quality property is distributed in the display in the same way as it is distributed in the store on which it is based. Similarly, it is possible to display the origin of the produce (place of growth, seed supplier, or variety of plant, etc.) and its distribution within the store, in relation to the store and to other produce.
In the following, the invention is examined with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show one store system for fresh produce grown outdoors, such as green and root vegetables, and the boxes used in it.
Figure 1 shows a storage box according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a store according to the invention. Figure 3 shows a series bus according to the invention. Figure 4 shows one way of measuring surface resistance.
A storage box 12, according to the invention, a 'smartbox', comprises a traditional box and the electronics installed in it. These electronics include a data unit 14, series bus contacts 15, 15' on one side and second series bus contacts 16, 16' on the opposite side, a temperature sensor 13, as well as surface resistance measurement electrodes 18 and 19 in the inside of the storage box. In addition, the storage box includes the cables between the components, which can be quite easily hidden inside the construction. The data unit 14 includes at least a microprocessor, I/O devices, and a memory, as well as preferably a clock circuit.
The box is generally a cage-like construction open at the top, but other kinds of box equipped with air-flow connections can also be contemplated. The said 'smartbox' can form part of a detachable part of the box, for example, the lid. Either the harvesting machine drops a separate smartbox into each box, while recording the identifier of the box in the memory, or else the box identifier is linked to the other information at the stage when the produce is made ready for sale.
The temperature of the store 10 is controlled in a traditional manner, Figure 2. Once the storage boxes 12 have been stacked next to and on top of each other, ducts are formed under them to openings in the front wall of the store. Cooled air is blown in from these openings, and reaches the interior of the stack through the said ducts.
In addition to the air-conditioning openings in the front wall of the store in Figure 2, there are series-bus contacts 11 and 11', which are connected to the system's central unit. In the store in Figure 3, eight storage boxes are stacked next to each other, in storage places LI - L8, between which the series bus is formed. In the store, there a several queues of this kind on top of each other and several parallel to each other. In each queue, there is a series bus between the front wall of the store and the storage boxes, through which the measurement information is transmitted to the central unit. For this, some known data transmission protocol can be used. In the series bus, 'next to each other' can refer to both the vertical and lateral directions.
The series bus can be implemented in many different ways. Instead of a galvanic connection, it is possible to use either a capacitive or inductive connection. Entirely wireless data transmission is one alternative to the series bus.
The data unit preferably includes its own power supply, so that monitoring of the produce can commence already during harvesting, when a produce batch is placed in the box.
At their simplest, the location information devices connected to the storage boxes can comprise of nothing more than a remotely readable identifier in the box, which is recorded according to the stacking order of the boxes, or with the aid of a loading/unloading device equipped with a location information sensor. Alternatively, in connection with the series bus, there can be means for identifying the sequence number of the storage box in the chain, from which its location can be determined.
The measurement of surface resistance takes place with the aid of two sensor electrodes 18 and 19, which are attached to the inner sides of the box. The resistance between them depicts the surface resistance of the produce, Figure 4. In a series bus implemented by means of a galvanic two-terminal connection, the surface resistance can be easily measured between the termi- nals. According to Figure 4, the surface resistance sensor 18 on the front side is connected to the lower contact 15' of the series bus and on the rear side the sensor 19 is connected to the contact 16, in which case the resistance between the terminals will depict the average situation in the entire queue .
The location information devices forming part of the system can be outside the storage box in such a way that, for example, the transit time delay technique is used to calculate the distances to at least three fixed points, on the basis of a signal sent by the storage box's 'smartbox'.

Claims

Claims
1. A storage system for fresh produce grown outdoors, which includes: - a storage space (10) with controlled temperature and humidity,
- a large number of storage boxes (12) ,
- means (13, 18, 19) for measuring the properties of the produce, such as its temperature, surface moisture, and/or surface resistance,
- a central unit for collecting information on the properties of the stored produce, characterized in that
- location information devices are connected to the system, preferably to each storage box, for combining the location of the storage box (12) with the measurement information,
- the system includes data transmission devices (11, 15, 16) , for transmitting the measurement/location information of each individual storage box (12) to the central unit.
2. A storage system according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the measurements are arranged to be carried out in each storage box (12) .
3. A storage system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each storage box (12) and the wall or similar of the store includes series-bus devices (11, 15, 16) , in such a way that the sequential storage boxes (12) form a series bus for collecting information on the properties of each storage box.
4. A storage system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the system includes devices for transmitting the information of each storage box (12) wirelessly.
5. A storage system according to any of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that each storage box includes a power supply, a microprocessor, and a memory, for recording information as a temporal series beginning from the start of the use of the box during harvesting.
6. A storage system according to Claim 3, characterized in that the series-bus devices include matching electrodes (15, 15', 16, 16') on the opposite walls of the box, for creating a two or multi-terminal galvanic, capacitive, or inductive connection between the sequential storage boxes .
7. A storage system according to any of Claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the interior of the storage box (15) includes opposing sensor electrodes (18, 19) and the system includes means for measuring surface resistance using these sensor electrodes.
8. A storage system according to Claim 7, which uses storage boxes equipped with a galvanic matching electrode connection, characterized in that one matching electrode (18, 19) of each pair in turn is galvanically connected to a sensor electrode in the interior of the box, in which case a value proportional to the surface resistance can be measured from the resistance between the terminals of the entire chain.
9. A storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors, which includes: a receptacle equipped with air-flow connections and able to be handled by a fork-lift truck, characterized in that the storage box includes - means for measuring the properties of the produce, such as its temperature, surface moisture, and/or surface resistance,
- a microprocessor and memory, for collecting the property information,
- data transmission devices for transferring the measurement information from the storage box to an external collection unit .
10. A storage box according to Claim 9, characterized in that the storage box (12) includes a location information sensor.
PCT/FI2001/000728 2000-08-17 2001-08-17 A storage system and a related storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors WO2002014968A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001282203A AU2001282203A1 (en) 2000-08-17 2001-08-17 A storage system and a related storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors
EP01960804A EP1337899A1 (en) 2000-08-17 2001-08-17 A storage system and a related storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20001825A FI20001825A (en) 2000-08-17 2000-08-17 Storage systems for fresh produce grown outdoors and thus useful storage box
FI20001825 2000-08-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002014968A1 true WO2002014968A1 (en) 2002-02-21

Family

ID=8558913

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI2001/000728 WO2002014968A1 (en) 2000-08-17 2001-08-17 A storage system and a related storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1337899A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2001282203A1 (en)
FI (1) FI20001825A (en)
WO (1) WO2002014968A1 (en)

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1393276A2 (en) * 2001-05-03 2004-03-03 Emerson Retail Services INC. Food-quality and shelf-life predicting method and system
US7024870B2 (en) 2001-05-03 2006-04-11 Emerson Retail Services Inc. Method of managing a refrigeration system
US7027958B2 (en) 2002-02-27 2006-04-11 Emerson Retail Services Inc. Food quality and safety model for refrigerated food
US7069168B2 (en) 2001-02-21 2006-06-27 Emerson Retail Services, Inc. Food quality and safety monitoring system
US7490477B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2009-02-17 Emerson Retail Services, Inc. System and method for monitoring a condenser of a refrigeration system
US8316658B2 (en) 2001-05-03 2012-11-27 Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc. Refrigeration system energy monitoring and diagnostics
US8473106B2 (en) 2009-05-29 2013-06-25 Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc. System and method for monitoring and evaluating equipment operating parameter modifications
US8700444B2 (en) 2002-10-31 2014-04-15 Emerson Retail Services Inc. System for monitoring optimal equipment operating parameters
US8964338B2 (en) 2012-01-11 2015-02-24 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System and method for compressor motor protection
US8974573B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-03-10 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
US9121407B2 (en) 2004-04-27 2015-09-01 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor diagnostic and protection system and method
US9140728B2 (en) 2007-11-02 2015-09-22 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor sensor module
US9285802B2 (en) 2011-02-28 2016-03-15 Emerson Electric Co. Residential solutions HVAC monitoring and diagnosis
US9310094B2 (en) 2007-07-30 2016-04-12 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Portable method and apparatus for monitoring refrigerant-cycle systems
US9310439B2 (en) 2012-09-25 2016-04-12 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor having a control and diagnostic module
US9551504B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-01-24 Emerson Electric Co. HVAC system remote monitoring and diagnosis
US9638436B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-05-02 Emerson Electric Co. HVAC system remote monitoring and diagnosis
US9765979B2 (en) 2013-04-05 2017-09-19 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Heat-pump system with refrigerant charge diagnostics
US9803902B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-10-31 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System for refrigerant charge verification using two condenser coil temperatures
US9823632B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2017-11-21 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor data module
US9885507B2 (en) 2006-07-19 2018-02-06 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Protection and diagnostic module for a refrigeration system
US10041713B1 (en) 1999-08-20 2018-08-07 Hudson Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for measuring and improving efficiency in refrigeration systems

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5211476A (en) * 1991-03-04 1993-05-18 Allflex Europe S.A. Temperature recording system
US5460006A (en) * 1993-11-16 1995-10-24 Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Monitoring system for food storage device
GB2312054A (en) * 1996-04-03 1997-10-15 Business And Technology Links A food handling control system
EP1057752A1 (en) * 1999-06-04 2000-12-06 EmbaCycle A/S A product carrier unit, a method of recycling product carrier units, a system and a method for management of the recycling of product carrier units

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5211476A (en) * 1991-03-04 1993-05-18 Allflex Europe S.A. Temperature recording system
US5460006A (en) * 1993-11-16 1995-10-24 Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Monitoring system for food storage device
GB2312054A (en) * 1996-04-03 1997-10-15 Business And Technology Links A food handling control system
EP1057752A1 (en) * 1999-06-04 2000-12-06 EmbaCycle A/S A product carrier unit, a method of recycling product carrier units, a system and a method for management of the recycling of product carrier units

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
MEIJER G.C.M. ET AL.: "Smart sensor systems", pages 1 - 4, XP002965131, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.dimes.tudelft.nl/1998/s1/c1/c1-3-smartsensorsystems.html> *
Tekesin tutkimusrahoituspaatoksen kohteen n:o 40492/00, 25.4.2000, "'Elektronikkaan ja radiotaajusteknikkaan perustuvat alypakkaukset" projektin julkinen tiivistelma *

Cited By (51)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10041713B1 (en) 1999-08-20 2018-08-07 Hudson Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for measuring and improving efficiency in refrigeration systems
US7069168B2 (en) 2001-02-21 2006-06-27 Emerson Retail Services, Inc. Food quality and safety monitoring system
US8316658B2 (en) 2001-05-03 2012-11-27 Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc. Refrigeration system energy monitoring and diagnostics
EP1393276A4 (en) * 2001-05-03 2004-08-18 Emerson Retail Services Inc Food-quality and shelf-life predicting method and system
US7024870B2 (en) 2001-05-03 2006-04-11 Emerson Retail Services Inc. Method of managing a refrigeration system
EP1393276A2 (en) * 2001-05-03 2004-03-03 Emerson Retail Services INC. Food-quality and shelf-life predicting method and system
US7027958B2 (en) 2002-02-27 2006-04-11 Emerson Retail Services Inc. Food quality and safety model for refrigerated food
US8700444B2 (en) 2002-10-31 2014-04-15 Emerson Retail Services Inc. System for monitoring optimal equipment operating parameters
US7845179B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2010-12-07 Emerson Retail Services, Inc. System and method for monitoring a compressor of a refrigeration system
US7490477B2 (en) 2003-04-30 2009-02-17 Emerson Retail Services, Inc. System and method for monitoring a condenser of a refrigeration system
US9121407B2 (en) 2004-04-27 2015-09-01 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor diagnostic and protection system and method
US10335906B2 (en) 2004-04-27 2019-07-02 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor diagnostic and protection system and method
US9669498B2 (en) 2004-04-27 2017-06-06 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor diagnostic and protection system and method
US8974573B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-03-10 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
US9021819B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-05-05 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
US9023136B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-05-05 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
US9046900B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-06-02 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring refrigeration-cycle systems
US9081394B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-07-14 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
US9086704B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-07-21 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
US9017461B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2015-04-28 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system
US9690307B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2017-06-27 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring refrigeration-cycle systems
US9304521B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2016-04-05 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Air filter monitoring system
US10558229B2 (en) 2004-08-11 2020-02-11 Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring refrigeration-cycle systems
US9885507B2 (en) 2006-07-19 2018-02-06 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Protection and diagnostic module for a refrigeration system
US9823632B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2017-11-21 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor data module
US9310094B2 (en) 2007-07-30 2016-04-12 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Portable method and apparatus for monitoring refrigerant-cycle systems
US10352602B2 (en) 2007-07-30 2019-07-16 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Portable method and apparatus for monitoring refrigerant-cycle systems
US9140728B2 (en) 2007-11-02 2015-09-22 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor sensor module
US9194894B2 (en) 2007-11-02 2015-11-24 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor sensor module
US10458404B2 (en) 2007-11-02 2019-10-29 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor sensor module
US8761908B2 (en) 2009-05-29 2014-06-24 Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc. System and method for monitoring and evaluating equipment operating parameter modifications
US9395711B2 (en) 2009-05-29 2016-07-19 Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc. System and method for monitoring and evaluating equipment operating parameter modifications
US8473106B2 (en) 2009-05-29 2013-06-25 Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc. System and method for monitoring and evaluating equipment operating parameter modifications
US9703287B2 (en) 2011-02-28 2017-07-11 Emerson Electric Co. Remote HVAC monitoring and diagnosis
US9285802B2 (en) 2011-02-28 2016-03-15 Emerson Electric Co. Residential solutions HVAC monitoring and diagnosis
US10884403B2 (en) 2011-02-28 2021-01-05 Emerson Electric Co. Remote HVAC monitoring and diagnosis
US10234854B2 (en) 2011-02-28 2019-03-19 Emerson Electric Co. Remote HVAC monitoring and diagnosis
US8964338B2 (en) 2012-01-11 2015-02-24 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System and method for compressor motor protection
US9876346B2 (en) 2012-01-11 2018-01-23 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System and method for compressor motor protection
US9590413B2 (en) 2012-01-11 2017-03-07 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System and method for compressor motor protection
US9310439B2 (en) 2012-09-25 2016-04-12 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor having a control and diagnostic module
US9762168B2 (en) 2012-09-25 2017-09-12 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Compressor having a control and diagnostic module
US10274945B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-04-30 Emerson Electric Co. HVAC system remote monitoring and diagnosis
US9803902B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-10-31 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System for refrigerant charge verification using two condenser coil temperatures
US9551504B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-01-24 Emerson Electric Co. HVAC system remote monitoring and diagnosis
US9638436B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-05-02 Emerson Electric Co. HVAC system remote monitoring and diagnosis
US10488090B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-11-26 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System for refrigerant charge verification
US10775084B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-09-15 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. System for refrigerant charge verification
US10060636B2 (en) 2013-04-05 2018-08-28 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Heat pump system with refrigerant charge diagnostics
US10443863B2 (en) 2013-04-05 2019-10-15 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Method of monitoring charge condition of heat pump system
US9765979B2 (en) 2013-04-05 2017-09-19 Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. Heat-pump system with refrigerant charge diagnostics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI20001825A0 (en) 2000-08-17
FI20001825A (en) 2002-02-18
EP1337899A1 (en) 2003-08-27
AU2001282203A1 (en) 2002-02-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1337899A1 (en) A storage system and a related storage box for fresh produce grown outdoors
JP7160933B2 (en) Product handling and packaging system
NL2012078C2 (en) Crate, control unit for a crate, stack of crates and method for operating these.
EP3449440A1 (en) A perishable product condition system including an ad-hoc wireless mesh network of detectors
US7835885B2 (en) Pre and post-harvest QC data acquisition system for agricultural products
CN208026473U (en) A kind of food sampling apparatus
US11263585B2 (en) Systems and methods for environmental monitoring of supply chains
US20050050796A1 (en) Method for varietal crop seed production and identity preserved grain system
CN207655514U (en) A kind of materials-sorting system
Jedermann et al. Supervision of banana transports by the intelligent container
CN211021882U (en) Goods shelf capable of electronically displaying commodity information
CN211996715U (en) Agricultural remote monitoring packing carton based on thing networking
Khoshtaghaza et al. Quality of alfalfa cubes during shipping and storage
CN219807080U (en) Informationized tray for packing grain three-dimensional goods shelf
CN213324767U (en) Packaging container for thin-skin pulp
JP2019121116A (en) Container management device and agricultural management system provided with container management device
Nkwocha et al. Evaluation of logistic alternatives in the fresh fruit refrigerated container
CN214139382U (en) Commodity circulation is with set packing tray
Kerezovic et al. Case study: Optimization of end-of-line packaging in fishery industry
de Kramer-Cuppen et al. Second quest regular trial shipment: mandarins from Chile to the Netherlands and the UK
CN111301826A (en) Intelligent fruit fresh-keeping transport case
TW202209240A (en) Product delivery system and product delivery information processing system
JP2002166912A (en) Sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural and animal product
WO2003005277A1 (en) Tracking systems
Miller Unitized versus hand loading of van containers for exporting Florida grapefruit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EC EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2001960804

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2001960804

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP