FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE I NVENTION
A CONDITIONED STORAGE CONTAINER FOR BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
2. APPLICANT(S)
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD.
GATEWAY BUILDING, APOLLO BUNDER, MUMBAI - 400001, MAHARASHTRA, INDIAN.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a conditioned storage container that is provided with a refrigeration system adapted to be driven / powered by an external vehicle mechanism so as to condition the space in the container to enable pre-cooling and/or ripening and/or refrigeration conditions in the container. The invention further relates to the container for biological material.
Background of the Invention
It is imperative that post harvesting biological material such as vegetables, fruit, flowers etc. need to be maintained at specific temperature and humidity levels that in a conditioned space so as to retain material properties reduce mineral loss and eventually enhance shelf life. There are three aspects to the conditioned zones necessary in this regard (1) pre-cooling zone/ storage to keep the material fresh immediately after harvesting (2) ripening zone to accelerate ripening of the pre aged products (3) refrigerated zone to store the material at a lower temperature than ambient.
Conventionally cold storage facility of considerable capacity is used to achieve these functions. The refrigerated vans of considerable capacity are as well used for this purpose. It is to be noted that pre-cooling of the harvested crop is absolutely necessary. The field heat of a freshly harvested crop (heat which the product holds from the sun and temperature) is usually high, and needs to be removed as quickly as possible before shipping, processing, or storage. This is necessary to enhance shelf life of the crop. The conventional refrigerated trucks are not designed to cool fresh commodities but only maintain the

temperature of pre-cooled produce. Likewise, most refrigerated storage rooms have neither the refrigeration capacity nor the air movement needed for rapid cooling. Therefore, pre-cooling is generally a separate operation requiring special equipment and/or rooms.
The problem aggravates wherein a single user / farmer / owner cannot afford to maintain such cold storage facility or refrigerated vans. They need to depend on therefore availability of such facility at distant locations. Therefore it is not possible for owner to use the pre-cooling facility immediately after harvesting. The material needs to be transported to the distant location based on the availability of space in the cold storage / refrigerated vans. This result in substantial wastages during transportation, handling and packaging at various stages and waiting time wherein the very purpose of using conditioned space is lost due to unscheduled and random nature of storage availability.
The challenge is to provide a storage container that can be used by a single user with the aid of available vehicle mechanism such as tractor power transferring mechanism (PTO) to provide input to the refrigeration system as well as provide flexibility to use the container without such power utilizing AC mains so that the single user can exploit benefits storage to reduce losses and enhance shelf life of the material.
Relevant systems are reported in the prior art, they are as follows: US patent 7296422 discloses a refrigerated unit for storing, vegetables at optimal storage conditions of maintaining humidity process, ripening processes. Further US patent 3600199 discloses aspects related to preserving potatoes. US patent 5228314 discloses method for storing fruits and/or vegetable and a refrigerating container for precooling.US patent 4845959 discloses fruits and vegetables pre-cooling, shipping

and for storage container construction. The process of carrying out ripening process is disclosed in US patents 5566608, US5531158, US7650835. Further US patent 4764385 discloses method of pre-cooling.
The systems disclosed in the prior art suffer from following drawbacks:
Lack of provision of adapting the refrigeration system that can be
driven/ powered external vehicle mechanism such as Tractor
Power Take off (PTO) of tractor / off road vehicle.
The refrigerated storage / containers are of stationary units of
considerable size
The facility and respective storage zones for pre-cooling, ripening
and refrigeration are not available in a single storage container.
Either containers are reported with considerable capacity only for
a single process or too small a capacity storage is reported that is
merely suitable for domestic purpose.
Lack of provision of flexibility for mobile and stationary use in one
system vvherein the refrigeration system could be powered by A C
mains or driven by the vehicle mechanism as per the user need.
There is unfulfilled need in the market place to provide a storage container that can aiso be used by a single user with the aid of available vehicle mechanism such as tractor power transferring mechanism (PTO) to provide input to the refrigeration system to enable functions of pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration in a single container during transportation of the biological harvested material and yet provide flexibility to provide input from AC mains so as to use the storage container for stationary use to reduce losses and enhance shelf life of the material.

Summary of the Invention
Main object of the invention is to provide a storage container provided with a refrigeration and / or conditioning system adapted to be powered / driven by an external vehicle mechanism yet have flexibility to be powered by AC mains so as to enable pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration conditions in the container.
Another object of the invention is to provide a storage container for biological material provided with a refrigeration system adapted to be driven / powered by an external vehicle mechanism so as to condition the space in the container to enable pre-cooling and/or ripening and/or refrigeration conditions in the container during transportation of the harvested biological material yet provide flexibility to provide input from AC mains so as to use the storage container for stationary use to reduce losses and enhance shelf life of the material.
Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration system that is adapted to be driven / powered by an external mechanism of a vehicle such as tractor yet can be powered by AC mains.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration system that operates so as to maintain conditions for pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration in the container as per the predetermined set values.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an electrical control system for the said refrigeration system to enable operation of the refrigeration system with the aid of the said external mechanism as well as AC mains.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide individual as well as comprehensive electrical control means to operate and control the functions of pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide flexibility to control the pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration zones in the container independent of each other based on the quantity of the biological material in the respective zones in the container.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system and method that takes into account AC main fluctuations.
One aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a storage container provided with pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration zones, alternator provided with pulley means adapted to be driven by vehicle mechanism such as tractor PTO; AC to DC converting means, a refrigeration system, humidity control system comprising of fogging means, a control system with individual controls for pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration zones.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description and the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 Schematic of the system of the present invention (Sheet 1) Figure 2 Schematic of the component layout (Sheet 2) Figure 1 depicts schematic of the storage container provided with a refrigeration system adapted to be powered / driven by an external vehicle mechanism yet have flexibility to be powered by AC mains so as

to enable pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration conditions in the container. The system of the present invention comprises of a storage container provided with pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration zones, alternator system provided with pulley means adapted to be driven by vehicle mechanism such as tractor PTO; AC to DC converting means, a refrigeration system, humidity control system comprising of fogging means.
Figure 2 depicts system of alternator drive and electrical means. The alternator system is provided with pulley means adapted to be driven by vehicle mechanism such as tractor PTO. The system comprises of set of pulleys 2 and 4 which is driven from PTO lof the tractor. The belt 3 is used for the drive between the said pulleys(2 and 4) for transmitting power from the said PTO with the aid of preferably shaft provided with universal joints. The pulley 4 is mounted on the alternator 5 shaft. The pulley diameters are selected so as to arrive at the desired rpm of the alternator. The said alternator 5is a brushless type so as to achieve AC with substantially reduced v ariation and obviate problems associated with wear and tear. The said alternator 5is mounted on the height adjustable platform (not shown) so as to adjust belt tension.
The system operates with the aid of external vehicle mechanism such as tractor PTO by providing required rpm to alternate through set of pulley arrangement to produce A.C, further the A.C is converted to D.C with the aid of Ac to DC converter.A set of AC-Dc converter 14 is configured with the said alternator. The motor runs on Ac inputs from alternator 5when tractor in use and in case tractor not in use then this motor runs on AC mains. Compressor of the vapour compression refrigeration system 11 is driven by the AC. When tractor is in use output of DC from converter 14 is supplied to controllers in set 6

.When tractor is not in use then another set of controller, which consists of relays, switch over switch works. Through this set AC current is routed through set of Ac-Dc converter 14. A set of controllers 6 controls individual controllers such as humidity controls, pre-cooling system8, and Ethylene dozing controls Ethylene gas9that is spread in chamberl5 through nozzleslO. The blower/fan 12 operates at the time of ripening process and exhaust fan 13operates to remove ethylene gas after ripening process is completed. A dedicated controller is configured with the said refrigeration system.11.
In operation generated AC is routed through main supply junction box that comprises of safety MCB and suitable relay and switch. Further the AC output is supplied to AC DC converter that comprises preferably alternator driven by 3 phase motor that is operated by the said AC output. The DC output is used to operate individual controller of processes. To initiate refrigeration operation, the respective controller is operated. The humidity controller is used to activate humidity control operation wherein the system comprises of water pump that pressurizes water to be passed through nozzle to spray droplets in the said storage container. These fine droplets are sprayed in the form of fog that maintain desired humidity level in the said container. To initiate process of ripening the gas doze controller is activated so that ethylene is sprinkled inside the said container. The gas is removed using the said exhaust fan upon completion of ripening process. Thus to accelerate ripening process predetermined quantity of ethylene gas is injected in the ripening zone of the container and maintained therein for predetermined time interval, humidity level is checked and maintained by the humidity controller though a fogging system. After completing cycle of required time ,the air is removed through exhaust fan and continuously fresh air is blown through a blower, if other product is required to pre-cool then in the same chamber required level

of humidity and temperature is maintained for required period of time to keep the product for longer period of time. The said refrigeration system can also be operated in a stationary mode using AC mains.
In one of the embodiments the three phase alternator is fitted with puiley/s that is / are operated / driven by PTO of the tractor through a transmission means comprising a connecting rod having universal arrangement. The AC generated by the alternator is fed to main supply junction box. This junction box consists of safety MCB to protect overall circuit. This 3 phase motor is operated by Alternator Mechanism. Through Ac DC converter DC is produced of desired rating. This DC output is used to operate individual controller of processes. When refrigeration is required through Refrigerated controller of 24 volt refrigerated system is operated. Through humidity controller humidity system is operated. In this system water pump is used to pump water with high pressure. This high pressure water is passed through nozzle which converts water into very small water droplets. These fine droplets are sprayed in the form of Fog to create desired level of humidity level in side of the van. For ripening process, through gas doze controller of 24 volt, ethylene is sprinkled in side zone. The flow rate and quantity is controlled with the help of valve mechanism. After the ripening process, gas is removed with the help of exhaust fan.
The synergistic combination of the alternator system that is adaptable to be coupled to the external power source such as PTO of tractor, refrigeration, pre-cooling and ripening system configured with the controllers enable a storage container that can also be used by a single user with the aid of available vehicle mechanism such as tractor power transferring mechanism (PTO) to provide input to the refrigeration system to enable functions of pre-cooling, ripening and refrigeration in a single container during transportation of the biological harvested

material and yet provide flexibility to provide input from AC mains so as to use the storage container for stationary use to reduce losses and enhance shelf life of the material.

We Claim
1. A conditioned storage container for biological material comprising
a storage container provided with pre-cooling, ripening and
refrigeration zones;
wherein ripening zone comprises of nozzles, exhaust fan, gas
doze controller to inject ethylene in the zone;
alternator system provided with pulley means adapted to be
driven by vehicle mechanism such as tractor power transferring
mechanism (PTO);
AC to DC converting means, a refrigeration system, humidity
control system comprising of fogging means, controllers
configured with the said converting means and the said
refrigeration and humidity control system.
2. A conditioned storage container for biological material as claimed
in claim 1 wherein the said alternator system comprises of
a set of pulleys (2 and 4) driven from PTO 1 of the tractor,
belt (3) that is used for the drive between the said pulleys (2 and
4) for transmitting power from the said PTO with the aid of
preferably shaft provided with universal joints,
pulley (4) that is mounted on the alternator (5) shaft wherein the
pulley diameters are selected so as to arrive at the desired
rotational speed of the alternator
wherein said alternator (5) is mounted on the height adjustable
platform so as to adjust belt tension.
3. A conditioned storage container for biological material as claimed
in claim 2 wherein the said alternator (5) is a brushless type so
as to achieve AC with substantially reduced variation.

4. A conditioned storage container for biological material as claimed
in claims 1-3
wherein in operation the system operates with the aid of external
vehicle mechanism such as tractor PTO by providing required rpm
to alternate through set of pulley arrangement to produce AC,
the motor runs on AC inputs from alternator (5) when tractor in
use and in case tractor not in use then this motor runs on AC
mains,
compressor of the vapour compression refrigeration system (11)
is driven by the AC,
when tractor is in use output of DC from converter (14) is
supplied to controllers in set (6),
when tractor is not in use then another set of controller, which
consists of relays, switch over switch operates to route AC
current of AC-DC converter (14),
a set of controllers (6) controls individual controllers such as
humidity controls, pre-cooling system (8),
a dedicated controller is configured with the said refrigeration
system (11),
Ethylene dozing controls Ethylene gas (9) spread in chamber (15)
through nozzles (10),
the blower(12) operates at the time of ripening process and
exhaust fan (13) operates to remove ethylene gas after ripening
process is completed.
5. A conditioned storage container for biological material as claimed
in claims 1-4 wherein a three phase alternator is fitted with pulley
system that is driven by PTO of the tractor through a
transmission means comprising a connecting rod having universal
arrangement

wherein AC generated by the alternator is fed to main supply
junction box comprising a MCB to protect overall circuit.
wherein
a three phase motor is operated by the said alternator,
using AC DC converter DC is produced of desired rating to
operate individual controller of processes.
6. A conditioned storage container for biological material as claimed
in claim 5 wherein refrigeration system is operated using
dedicated controller (24),
humidity is control system comprises of a water pump to provide
water at pressure through nozzle to spray droplets in the form of
fog to create desired level of humidity level in side of the
container,
in the ripening zone ethylene is sprinkled in side zone wherein the
flow rate and quantity is controlled with the help of valve
mechanism, gas is then removed using exhaust fan.
7. A conditioned storage container for biological material as claimed
in claims 1-6 in wherein the said refrigeration system is operated
in a stationary mode using AC mains.