Patent ID: 6092430
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: A23L,F25D,G05D

Abstract:
A method for maintaining controlled concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases within an interior of a shipping container, said method comprising the steps of:a) positioning a gas analyzer means within the interior of the shipping container, said analyzer means electrically interfaced with a controller and having a gas sample tube leading thereto in cooperative placement with a circulation fan of said shipping container such that said fan causes a vacuum to be pulled within said sample tube for drawing a gas sample into said analyzer means;b) purging said gas analyzer means with an external gas from outside said interior prior to performing gas quantity measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within said interior to thereby verify operability of the gas analyzer means;c) subjecting gas within the interior to the gas analyzer means;d) operating the gas analyzer means to quantitatively measure oxygen and carbon dioxide gasses within said interior and increasing or decreasing oxygen and carbon dioxide gas concentrations therein in accord with pre-selected concentration requirements; ande) periodically verifying operability of the gas analyzer means by periodically introducing a verified gas thereto whose quantification is generally known and performing gas quantity measurement of said verified gas by said analyzer means.