System and method for accelerating ripening of individual bananas

Abstract

A system including a plurality of banana containers is provided. Each banana container has a first container end and a second container end for containing unpeeled bananas. The system includes a gas distribution regulator connected to the plurality of banana containers. The gas distribution regulator includes a plurality of gas meters corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of banana containers. The respective metering devices are connected to the second container end of the respective banana containers to distribute a respective amount of ripening gas into the respective banana containers. The system can use a closure device to limit the pressure of the ripening gas in the banana containers to vary the ripening speed of the bananas. This can avoid spoiling the taste of the bananas.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for controlling ripening of fresh fruit, particularly bananas, where the rate of ripening is intended to selectively ripen individual bananas. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, when bananas are purchased from a grocer, whether the bunch of bananas is 4, 6, or 8 bananas, it is possible that all of the bananas are unripe and not ready for consumption. When they reach the ripening stage, they all ripen at the same time, often resulting in too many ripe bananas at the same time. Many times, the overripe bananas are discarded in the trash, resulting in a waste of money. Depending on the quantity of bananas provided by the grocer, a bunch of bananas can include bananas that are just ripe and can be selected from. But a bunch of bananas still ripens at the same time.

[0003] Bananas change color as they reach the ripening stage. The color of bananas at each stage can be used to determine the fiber to sugar content. The underripe stage has the highest fiber content and lowest sugar content compared to the overripe stage, which has the highest sugar content and lowest fiber content. For example, green bananas are considered unripe and have the lowest sugar content. The next stage is when bananas turn yellow. At this stage, bananas have a high fiber content and low sugar content. At this stage, bananas are yellow and have a high antioxidant and fiber content, which is the optimal stage for consumption. The next stage, bananas are very ripe. At the very ripe stage, bananas are yellow but covered in brown spots. Thus, as mentioned previously, the yellow stage is the optimal stage for consumption, but if no intervention is made, all of the bananas in a bunch will reach this stage at the same time, which can result in waste.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved system for ripening bananas so that they reach the yellow stage of ripening consecutively rather than simultaneously. SUMMARY

[0005] The present embodiments include systems and methods for ripening bananas to change the rate of banana ripening.

[0006] One aspect of the embodiments includes a system including a plurality of banana containers. Each banana container has a first container end for containing unpeeled bananas and a second container end. The system includes a gas generator including a gas distribution regulator connected to the plurality of banana containers. The gas distribution regulator includes a plurality of gas metering devices corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of banana containers. The corresponding metering device connected to the second container end of the corresponding banana container to distribute a corresponding amount of ripening gas into the corresponding banana container.

[0007] Another aspect of the embodiments includes a method comprising containing unpeeled bananas in a plurality of banana containers. Each banana container has a first container end and a second container end for containing unpeeled bananas. The method comprises dispensing ripening gas into respective banana containers at different flow rates by a gas generator connected to the plurality of banana containers. The gas generator comprises a plurality of gas meters corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of banana containers, a corresponding meter connected to the second container end of the corresponding banana container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] A more particular description of the subject matter briefly summarized above will be presented with reference to the detailed description that follows. It is to be understood that the detailed description is description by way of illustration only, and is not intended to be limiting, the scope of the embodiments being limited by the appended claims. The embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] Figure 1 A system for controlling ripening of bananas is shown in accordance with the embodiments herein;

[0010] Figure 2 A cover for a gas generator compartment of the system for Figure 1 controlling ripening of bananas is shown;

[0011] Figure 3 An end view of a gas dispensing regulator of the system for Figure 1 controlling ripening of bananas is shown;

[0012] Figure 4 An end view of a banana container tightening closure device of the system for Figure 1 controlling ripening of bananas is shown;

[0013] Figure 5 A side view of the system for controlling ripening of bananas with bananas loaded in banana containers, wherein the end closures are tightened is shown; and

[0014] Figure 6 A flowchart of ripening a bunch of bananas is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. The drawings are not to scale and are provided merely to illustrate disclosed aspects. Several aspects are described below with reference to non-limiting example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of embodiments disclosed herein. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the disclosed embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail or are omitted so as to not obscure the relevant aspects of the aspects disclosed herein. The embodiments are not limited by the order of the acts or events unless as otherwise implied by the context. Furthermore, not all of the illustrated acts or events are required to implement the methods in accordance with the embodiments.

[0016] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broadest scope of the application are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific non-limiting examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "less than 10" can include any and all subranges between (and including) the minimum value of zero and the maximum value of 10, that is, any and all subranges

[0017] The terms "front," "back," "rear," or "side" are relative terms used to describe a frame of reference when describing components. For example, "front" can be "back." "Side" can be right side, left side, front side, or back side. "Side" can be "front" or "back."

[0018] The present inventors have determined that by changing the ripening treatment applied to fruits such as bananas, a consumer can change the ripening of one or more individual bananas to ripen on different days. The ripening treatment can include changing at least one of the level of exposure to ethylene gas and pressure to accelerate ripening of the bananas at different rates.

[0019] A system for controlling ripening of bananas as described herein allows a consumer to selectively induce a level of ethylene gas and maintain a concentration of ethylene gas applied to the skin of a banana to control ripening of a banana or a pair of bananas.

[0020] A system for controlling banana ripening changes the ripening of bananas by changing the thickness of banana containers to, for example, maintain a particular concentration of ethylene gas within the banana containers. By effecting changes in one or more of the pressure, amount, and concentration of ethylene gas in different containers, the system controls the bananas in each container to ripen at different rates, rather than simultaneously.

[0021] For example, a consumer can purchase a bunch of green bananas and, by storing the green bananas in the banana ripening system, cause each banana to ripen sequentially or on different days, causing the treated bananas to ripen approximately sequentially on different days. However, most bananas sold at grocery stores have already been exposed to some amount of ethylene gas, starting the ripening process.

[0022] Additionally, a consumer can purchase a quantity of partially ripe bananas and, by storing the unripe bananas in the banana ripening system, cause each unripe banana to ripen sequentially or on different days, causing the treated bananas to ripen approximately sequentially on different days.

[0023] Reference will be made to the drawings wherein Figures 1-5 A banana ripening system 100 is described. Figure 1 A system for controlling banana ripening according to embodiments herein is shown. Figure 2 A cover device 110 of a gas generator compartment of Figure 1 is shown. Figure 3 An end view of a gas distribution regulator of Figure 1 is shown. Figure 4 An end view of a banana container cinching closure device of Figure 1 is shown. Figure 5 A side view of the system 100 is shown, with bananas packed in banana containers.

[0024] Referring to Figure 1 , the system 100 can include a plurality of banana containers 130, each container 130 having a first container end 134 and a second container end 136 for receiving unpeeled bananas 5 Figure 4 In this example, the number of banana containers 130 is six, denoted by 130 1 , 130 2 , 130 3 , 130 4 , 130 5 , and 130 6 . The system can have any number of banana containers greater than one. For example, the number of sleeves can be 2-8. Each container is configured to hold unpeeled bananas therein, as shown in Figure 5 The bananas can be green bananas.

[0025] The banana container 130 includes a housing 132 having a first container end 134 and a second container end 136 and a wall thickness that encloses the peel of an unpeeled banana between the first container end 134 and the second container end 136. The housing 132 of the container 130 can include a polyethylene material, a polymeric material, or other material that is semi-permeable to ethylene gas (C2H4). The thickness and density of the material of the container 130 allows for different concentration levels of ethylene to be maintained so that bananas ripen at different rates in the container.

[0026] The second container end 136 of the housing 132 can have a narrowed end compared to the diameter of the housing 132. The first container end 134 of the housing can be closed with a closure device 140. By opening the first container end 134 large enough to accommodate the size of a banana, the banana is configured to be placed in the housing 132. The housing 132 can be flexible.

[0027] In some embodiments, the plurality of banana containers 130 can include a first pair of banana containers 130 1 , 130 2 , a second pair of banana containers 130 3 , 130 4 , having a second housing wall thickness that is less than the first housing wall thickness, and a third pair of banana containers 130 5 , 130 6 , having a third housing wall thickness that is less than the second housing wall thickness, the third housing wall thickness being in the range of 2-6 mils.

[0028] Referring also to Figure 4 , the banana container can include a closure device 140 coupled to the first container end of the housing. The closure device 140 can be made of an elastic band with locking capabilities that is able to lock the closure device 140 around the banana with a lock or fastener 445, thereby creating a seal around the stem of the banana. In the case of a banana finger, the closure device 140 can close the first container end around the stem of the banana.

[0029] The banana container 130 can be in the shape of a banana sleeve for receiving a banana without scratching or harming the peel of the banana. In another embodiment, the shape and size of the container 130 can accommodate more than one banana. As a non-limiting example, a consumer can wish to use the banana container 130 to ripen two bananas at the same rate, where other containers can already contain other bananas.

[0030] The system 100 can include a gas generator 101 including a gas dispensing regulator 102 connected to a plurality of banana containers 130. The gas generator 101 includes a housing 120 having an interior compartment 104 for placing, for example, a material for generating ethylene gas. The gas dispensing regulator 102 can be connected to or integrated into the housing 120.

[0031] The gas dispensing regulator 102 can include a plurality of gas meters 301-306 in one-to-one correspondence with the banana containers 130 1 -130 6 3 -130 4 The respective gas meters 301-306 are connected to the second container end 136 of the respective banana containers 130 to dispense a respective amount of ripening gas from the compartment 104 of the housing 120 into the respective banana containers 130.

[0032] The gas generator 101 can include a removable lid device 110 that can be used to open and close the compartment 104. The lid device 110 is connected to the first compartment end 106 of the housing 120, which is configured as a lid end. The housing 120 further includes a second compartment end 108 opposite the first compartment end. The gas dispensing regulator 102 is integrated with the second compartment end 108 to form a gas regulating end 108. The removable lid device 110 can be selectively detached from the first compartment end 106 to replenish the gas generating material (or tablets T) in the compartment 104.

[0033] Referring to Figure 2 , the removable lid device 110 can include a lid body 202 having a hole 204 in a bottom end 204. The inner wall of the lid body 202 includes threads 206 for opening and closing the compartment 104. As can be appreciated, other closure mechanisms can be used, such as a snap-on lid, a hinged lid, etc. The housing 120 can be tubular with a lid on one end and a gas regulator on the other end, where tablets T of ethylene (gas) generating material can be placed. When the tablets come into contact with minimal moisture, they begin to generate ethylene gas. The moisture can come from the air or by using a small piece of moist material, such as a paper towel or other material.

[0034] Referring to Figure 3 , the gas dispensing regulator 102 can include a base 320 at the second compartment end 108 of the compartment 104. The base 320 includes a plurality of gas meters 301-306 that simultaneously, but at different dispensing rates, dispense ripening gas into the respective banana containers 130 3 -130 4 As a non-limiting example, the plurality of gas meters 301-306 includes a first pair of gas meters 301-302 for simultaneously dispensing a first respective amount of ripening gas into a first pair of banana containers 1301 -130 2 a second pair of gas meters 303-304 for simultaneously dispensing a second respective amount of ripening gas to a second pair of banana containers 130 3 -130 4 a third pair of gas meters 305-306 for simultaneously dispensing a third respective amount of ripening gas to a third pair of banana containers 130 5 -130 6 The second respective amount of ripening gas is less than the first respective amount. The third respective amount is less than the second respective amount. For ease of illustration, the first pair of gas meters is coupled in a one-to-one correspondence to the first pair of banana containers 130 1 -130 2 Each gas meter (i.e., meter 301) includes a plurality of holes through which fluid, air, or ethylene gas (C2H4) flows into a corresponding one of the banana containers (i.e., container 130 1 ). As a non-limiting example, the number of holes in the first pair of gas meters 301-302 is greater than the number of holes in the second pair of gas meters 303-304 and the third pair of gas meters 305-306. The hole diameter of each hole is substantially the same. In other embodiments, the size of the holes can vary such that the rate at which the gas is dispensed can vary.

[0035] In other embodiments, the number of holes can be the same, but the hole diameter can vary to vary the rate at which the gas flows through the gas meter and into the corresponding container.

[0036] The system 100 provides for the treatment (exposure to process) of up to three sets of pairs of bananas, which are individually and uniquely treated to achieve different ripening levels and schedules. In some embodiments, two people can want to eat ripe bananas on the same day. The system 100 allows for two bananas to ripen at the same time.

[0037] In other embodiments, a user can use the same system 100 to place bananas in alternative banana enclosures to delay the ripening of the bananas based on the thickness of the banana container and the gas meter flow of the ripening gas. Still further, a user can change the location of the bananas in the banana enclosures according to their own eating choices.

[0038] While the illustrated embodiment includes pairs of banana containers having the same wall thickness, alternatively, each banana container can have a different wall thickness. In such an embodiment, the first container can have the thickest wall thickness, while the last banana container will have the thinnest wall thickness.

[0039] Further, the flow rate of the gas meters can vary such that each gas meter has a different flow rate compared to the next gas meter in the series.

[0040] AsFigure 5 As shown, the corresponding banana container holds one banana corresponding to one banana of the bunch. The ripening speed is controlled by the plurality of banana containers having varying wall thicknesses such that the wall thickness and the rate of distribution of the corresponding amount of ripening gas to the respective banana container varies to control the ripening speed of the unpeeled bananas. For example, the thicker the wall thickness of the banana container, the faster the ripening speed. The slower the rate of distribution of the ripening gas into the banana container, the slower the ripening speed. Both parameters can be controlled to either speed up or delay ripening compared to the natural ripening speed that occurs in air to sequentially ripen the bananas.

[0041] In some embodiments, the level of ethylene gas can also be controlled by varying the molecular density of the polyethylene film, for example, from low density polyethylene (LDPE) to high density polyethylene (HDPE). Thus, the permeation rate is controlled by the combination of polyethylene density and thickness to achieve the desired permeation rate for each set of banana containers.

[0042] The inventors have determined that storing green bananas in the system for one day (a minimum of 24 hours) results in the bananas ripening sequentially on different days. The system 100 allows the consumer to ripen the bananas at different speeds to achieve the goal of ripening the same bunch of bananas on different days.

[0043] The system can include a means of generating low concentration ethylene gas (capsules or materials containing an ethylene generator at a particular humidity level). A piece of ethylene generating material is placed into the compartment, which reacts with the moisture of the connected banana in the compartment and generates ethylene gas. A second alternative material can also be used, which is moistened on the surface before insertion into the compartment, initiating the gas generation reaction, and then delivering ethylene gas at different rates and concentrations into the three pairs of banana containers.

[0044] The system 100 provides a means of introducing different amounts of ethylene gas into separate groups of bananas (e.g., banana sleeves of various thicknesses). The system 100 provides the consumer with the ability to change the speed of ripening of the bananas to achieve the goal of ripening the same bunch of bananas on different days.

[0045] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method 600 for ripening a plurality of bananas is shown. The method 600 of treating bananas to control ripening of such bananas will now be described. The method 600 can include housing unpeeled bananas in a plurality of banana containers, each banana container having a first container end and a second container end for receiving an unpeeled banana, at 602. The method 600 can include distributing ripening gas at different flow rates into respective banana containers by a gas generator connected to the plurality of banana containers, at 604. The gas generator includes a gas distribution regulator, which can include a plurality of gas meters corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of banana containers, a respective metering device connected to the second container end of the respective banana container.

[0046] As each banana container 130 includes a housing 132 having a first container end 134 and a second container end 136 and a wall thickness that encloses the unpeeled banana peel between the first container end and the second container end, the method can include varying the ripening speed based on the wall thickness of each banana container.

[0047] As the plurality of banana containers 130 can include pairs of banana containers, each banana container of the pair has the same wall thickness, and each pair of banana containers has a different wall thickness than another pair of banana containers, the method can include varying the ripening speed of the fresh (green) bananas in pairs.

[0048] As the plurality of gas meters 301-306 can be in pairs, the method can include varying the ripening speed based on the wall thickness of each banana container in the pair of banana containers and the amount of ripening gas dispensed from the pair of gas meters.

[0049] The method can include dispensing an amount of ethylene gas by the gas generator, the ethylene gas being the ripening gas.

[0050] As each banana container 130 can include a closure device 140 coupled to the first container end of the banana container 130 to control the pressure of the ripening gas in the banana container, the method can include using the closure device 140 to control or limit the pressure of the ripening gas in the banana container 130 to vary the ripening speed of the bananas.

[0051] The method can also include detaching the cover device 110 from the first compartment end 106. The method can then include adding a gas generating material (or tablet T) to the compartment 104. The method can include activating the gas generating material (or tablet T) in the compartment 104 to produce the ripening gas and placing the cover device 110 on the first compartment end 106.

[0052] Although the embodiments herein are directed to bananas, including green bananas, the system can be applied to other fresh fruits that can require additional ripening and can be accomplished with ripening gas.

[0053] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including," "includes," "having," "has," "with," or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising." Additionally, unless specifically stated otherwise, any use of the terms first, second, etc. does not indicate any order or importance, but rather is simply used for the purpose of nomenclature.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the application belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0055] While various disclosed embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. Further, the described implementations including, but not limited to, the best mode contemplated, can be implemented as a routine, a program, a component, an instruction, a process, a system, a method, a computer program product, a computer readable medium, a computer readable storage medium, or a computer readable non-storage medium associated with a computer readable storage medium. Additionally, where the disclosure is presented in the context of sequential processes, those processes can be understood as being potentially performed in parallel, sequentially, or in some other manner. Further, where the disclosure is presented in the context of sequential processes, those processes can be understood as being potentially performed in parallel, sequentially, or in some other manner. Further, many embodiments are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the described sequences of actions can be performed by specialized computers or computer systems, either in hardware or software, and typically with software programs being used to implement one or more sequences of operations. Alternatively, the sequences of actions can be performed by general computers or computer systems.

[0056] Moreover, the foregoing summary is intended to be merely illustrative of the present technology as provided in the present disclosure, and is not intended to be limiting thereof. The summary is not intended to be limiting of the scope or content of the disclosure.

[0057] Thus, the breadth and scope of the subject matter presented herein should not be limited by any of the above explicitly described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the embodiments should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a plurality of banana containers, each banana container having a first container end and a second container end for containing unpeeled bananas; and a gas generator comprising a gas distribution regulator connected with the plurality of banana containers to distribute ripening gas at different rates into respective banana containers, the gas distribution regulator comprising a plurality of gas meters corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of banana containers, a respective metering device connected to the second container end of a respective banana container to distribute a respective amount of ripening gas into the respective banana container to ripen unpeeled bananas in the respective banana container in response to the respective amount of ripening gas, and the gas generator comprising: a compartment having a first compartment end and a second compartment end; and a removable lid device coupled to the first compartment end to selectively replenish ripening gas in the compartment, wherein the gas distribution regulator is connected with the second compartment end opposite the first compartment end of the compartment, the gas distribution regulator comprising the plurality of gas meters; wherein each banana container comprises a housing having the first container end and the second container end and a wall thickness enclosing an unpeeled banana peel between the first container end and the second container end; wherein the plurality of banana containers have different wall thicknesses such that the wall thicknesses control a ripening speed of the unpeeled bananas with the rate of distributing the respective amount of ripening gas into the respective banana containers; wherein each banana container further comprises a closure device coupled to the first container end of the banana container to control a pressure of the ripening gas in the banana container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of banana containers comprises pairs of banana containers, each banana container of the pairs of banana containers having an equal wall thickness, and each pair of banana containers having a different wall thickness than another pair of banana containers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of banana containers comprises: a first pair of banana containers having a first housing wall thickness; a second pair of banana containers having a second housing wall thickness, the second housing wall thickness being less than the first housing wall thickness; and a third pair of banana containers having a third housing wall thickness, the third housing wall thickness being less than the second housing wall thickness.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of gas meters comprises: a first pair of gas meters to simultaneously distribute a first respective amount of ripening gas into the first pair of banana containers; a second pair of gas meters to simultaneously distribute a second respective amount of ripening gas into the second pair of banana containers, the second respective amount being less than the first respective amount; and a third pair of gas meters to simultaneously distribute a third respective amount of ripening gas into the third pair of banana containers, the third respective amount being less than the second respective amount.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the unpeeled bananas are unripe bananas.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of banana containers comprise a polyethylene material.

7. A method comprising: containing unpeeled bananas in a plurality of banana containers, each banana container having a first container end and a second container end for containing unpeeled bananas; ​ ​ And, each banana container includes a housing having a first container end and a second container end, and a wall thickness that encloses the unpeeled banana skin between the first container end and the second container end; distributing ripening gas into the respective banana containers at different flow rates by a gas generator connected to the plurality of banana containers, the gas generator including a plurality of gas meters corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of banana containers, a respective metering device connected to the second container end of the respective banana container to distribute a respective amount of ripening gas into the respective banana container; ripening each unpeeled banana in each respective banana container in response to the respective amount of ripening gas distributed, and varying the ripening speed based on the wall thickness of each banana container; wherein each banana container further includes a closure device coupled to the first container end of the banana container to control the pressure of the ripening gas in the banana container.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the gas generator includes: a compartment having a first compartment end and a second compartment end, a gas distribution regulator at the second compartment end, the gas distribution regulator including a plurality of gas meters, and a removable lid device coupled to the first compartment end to selectively replenish the ripening gas in the compartment; and the method further includes: removing the lid device from the first compartment end, adding a gas generating material into the compartment, activating the gas generating material in the compartment to produce ripening gas, and placing the lid device on the first compartment end.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of banana containers includes pairs of banana containers, each banana container in the pair of banana containers having an equal wall thickness, and each pair of banana containers having a different wall thickness than another pair of banana containers; and the method further includes: varying the ripening speed of the pairs of bananas.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of banana containers includes: a first pair of banana containers having a first housing wall thickness; a second pair of banana containers having a second housing wall thickness, the second housing wall thickness being less than the first housing wall thickness; and a third pair of banana containers having a third housing wall thickness, the third housing wall thickness being less than the second housing wall thickness.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of gas meters includes: a first pair of gas meters to simultaneously distribute a first respective amount of ripening gas into the first pair of banana containers; a second pair of gas meters to simultaneously distribute a second respective amount of ripening gas into the second pair of banana containers, the second respective amount being less than the first respective amount; and a third pair of gas meters to simultaneously distribute a third respective amount of ripening gas into the third pair of banana containers, the third respective amount being less than the second respective amount; and the method further includes: varying the ripening speed based on the wall thickness of each banana container in the pairs of banana containers and the amount of ripening gas distributed from the pairs of gas meters.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the unpeeled bananas are unripe bananas.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the distribution of ripening gas includes distributing an amount of ethylene gas, the ethylene gas being the ripening gas.

14. The method of claim 7, the method further including: The pressure of ripening gas in the banana containers is limited using a closure device to change the ripening speed of the bananas.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of banana containers comprise a polyethylene material.

16. A system comprising: a plurality of banana containers, each banana container having a first container end for containing unpeeled bananas and a second container end; and a gas generator comprising a gas distribution regulator connected to the plurality of banana containers to distribute ripening gas at different rates into respective banana containers, the gas distribution regulator comprising a plurality of gas meters corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of banana containers, a respective metering device connected to the second container end of a respective banana container to distribute a respective amount of ripening gas into the respective banana container, to ripen unpeeled bananas in the respective banana container in response to the respective amount of ripening gas, wherein the plurality of banana containers comprises pairs of banana containers, each banana container of the pairs of banana containers having an equal wall thickness to enclose a peel of an unpeeled banana, and each pair of banana containers having a different wall thickness than another pair of banana containers; wherein each banana container further comprises a closure device coupled to the first container end of the banana container to control the pressure of ripening gas in the banana container.

17. A system comprising: a plurality of banana containers, each banana container having a first container end for containing unpeeled bananas and a second container end; and a gas generator comprising a gas distribution regulator connected to the plurality of banana containers to distribute ripening gas at different rates into respective banana containers, the gas distribution regulator comprising a plurality of gas meters corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of banana containers, a respective metering device connected to the second container end of a respective banana container to distribute a respective amount of ripening gas into the respective banana container, to ripen unpeeled bananas in the respective banana container in response to the respective amount of ripening gas, wherein the plurality of banana containers have different wall thicknesses such that the wall thicknesses control the ripening speed of the unpeeled bananas with the rate of distributing the respective amount of ripening gas into the respective banana containers; wherein each banana container further comprises a closure device coupled to the first container end of the banana container to control the pressure of ripening gas in the banana container.

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