Flexible ultra-low permeability transport system and method

Abstract

A system and method for long-term storage of a commodity in a weight range of 10-2000 kilograms includes hermetic sealing of an ultra-low permeability, easily transportable, flexible long-term storage container. The long-term storage container may also be treated using non-toxic insect repellents of botanical origin or using a synthetic pyrethroid. The long-term storage container includes a triple layer co-extruded film having an outer layer, an inner layer, and a middle layer. The middle layer is comprised of ultra-low permeability material or materials. After hermetic sealing, the long-term storage container having the commodity therein is placed into an outer container for protection during transport.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority from Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 658,586 filed on Mar. 7, 2005 and titled “Flexible Transport Bags,” the entire subject matter and contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to a system and method of hermetic storage and easy transport of commodities. More specifically, the present invention is directed to providing an insect- and mold-resistant method for use in storage and transportation of bagged dry commodities using a hermetic, portable container. The purpose of the present invention is to combine easy transport with safe storage for dry commodities such as seeds, pulses, oil seeds, nuts, and grains normally transported either in unprotected man-portable grain or seed bags or by mechanized handling using “Big Bags.” The present invention provides a storage system having low permeab...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a system for long-term storage and transport of commodities. The system includes a container for containing the commodity, which is sealed and protected during transport. The container is made of layers of flexible material, such as polyethylene, and includes a middle layer of ultra-low permeability material, such as nylon or EVOH. The commodity can be seeds, cereals, oilseeds, coffee, cocoa, or any other dry food or feed commodity. The system also includes a compound of botanic origin, such as essential oil or synthetic pesticide, to prevent insect infestation or penetration. The method involves placing the commodity in the long-term storage container, sealing it, and placing it in an outer container for transport. The outer container can be a jute bag or other commonly used bag for transport. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a system and method for long-term storage and transport of commodities with improved protection and prevention of damage or contamination."

Problems solved by technology

If left untreated, the insect population may undergo rapid growth, resulting in damage or contamination of the commodity.

The use of these pesticides and chemicals is undesirable, as many pesticides can have an adverse effect on the health of the user, the consumer or the environment, including earth's upper atmosphere, and further may cause the development of insect resistance to the pesticide.

Further, any residual moisture in the absence of Oxygen will not as easily cause moisture-produced damage.

However, the Cocoons™ are restricted by the requirement that they be sufficiently hermetic to allow a low oxygen atmosphere to develop due to insect and / or commodity respiration and to prevent significant moisture ingress in humid atmospheres.

Thus, the smallest feasible Cocoons™ are limited by permeability considerations of available robust and moderately priced materials to a minimum capacity of about 7.5 cubic meters in bags with approximate dimensions of 2 m×3m×1.5m.

However, this size involves compromises in the degree of permeability and therefore the ability to kill insects based on their, and the commodity's, respiration rates versus infiltration rates of oxygen from the outside.

Thus, these enclosures are too large and too unstable to be readily transportable when full.

Although flexible, such bags alone do not afford sufficient protection from infestation or molds, do not result in a low oxygen atmosphere, or prevent the effects of absorbing moisture from the atmosphere.

This PVC material is not suitable for long-term storage of small quantities; it is relatively too permeable, expensive and too stiff to be used in individual bags below five ton size without significantly compromising performance.

These “Joseph” bags, however, are expensive, easily punctured, difficult to close, and do not protect against insect penetration, making them a less than optimal choice.

None are lightweight, flexible, inexpensive and easily transportable.

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