Apparatus for fresh produce

Abstract

An apparatus for maintaining fresh produce, in particular fruit, in condition, comprising a container having a substantially cup-shaped cavity surrounded by a wall, and conditioning means, wherein the conditioning means comprise at least one cooling means (35) and at least one air displacement means (55), wherein the cavity (25) comprises at least one air passage (25, 27) in open communication with the air displacement means to at least partially direct a forced air flow, wherein the inner wall (21) is provided at the bottom with perforations (28) maintaining open communication between the cavity and at least one of the air passages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for conditioning fresh produce, particularly fruit, comprising a container having a substantially cup-shaped chamber and conditioning means designed and configured to influence the environmental climate within the chamber, the chamber being surrounded by walls and the fresh produce being contained in the container, wherein the walls include an inner wall adjacent to the chamber defining the bottom of the chamber and a peripheral edge away from the bottom of the chamber. Background Technology

[0002] For example, such a device is known from Chinese utility model publication CN203028786. The device shown therein includes a water reservoir at the bottom of a container, which is connected to a central rod. The rod extends above a chamber and includes a set of spray arms with sprayer devices for dispersing a mist over the chamber. The purpose of this is to moisten the fruit contained within the chamber, preventing it from drying out and thus extending its freshness.

[0003] It has been found that fruits can thus remain fresh and edible for a significantly longer period. The mist dispersed over the fruit provides saturated humidity to the surrounding air, thus minimizing evaporation. However, a drawback of this known device is that a considerable portion of the mist is released into the area surrounding the device, resulting in substantial water consumption. The water storage tank has a limited volume and must therefore be refilled periodically. Furthermore, this known device lacks controls designed to provide optimal conditions for specific fresh produce based on its type. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device of the type described in the preamble, which consumes little or no liquid and / or thus can serve the characteristics of fresh produce to be stored more efficiently.

[0005] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the device of the type described above has the features of the invention, namely, the wall includes at least one second wall that maintains an intermediate cavity with the inner wall, wherein the regulating device includes at least one cooling device and at least one air displacement device, wherein the air displacement device is capable of and configured to selectively and intermittently generate and maintain a forced airflow during operation, wherein the cooling device is capable of and configured to enter into heat exchange contact with the airflow on its cold side and extract heat therefrom, wherein the cavity includes at least one air passage that is openly connected to the air displacement device to guide the forced airflow at least partially, and wherein the inner wall is provided with a perforation in the bottom that maintains open communication between the chamber and at least one of the at least one air passage.

[0006] A first specific embodiment of the device has features according to the invention, wherein at least one second wall comprises the outer casing of the device, the inner wall and the outer casing are held relative to each other at their outer perimeters by an air gap toward the chamber, and at least one air passage leads to the air gap.

[0007] The second specific embodiment features, according to the invention, at least one second wall comprising an intermediate wall between the outer casing and the inner wall of the device, the intermediate wall, together with the bottom of the inner wall, defining a chamber in open communication with the outlet of the air displacement device. A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that the intermediate wall comprises a heat conductor, particularly formed of metal, which exchanges heat with the cold side of the cooling device.

[0008] The air exchange device and cooling device together provide a cooling air circulation through the chambers that retain fresh produce. By cooling the air and guiding it through the chambers, a cooler environment than the surrounding area can be created, thereby increasing relative humidity and inhibiting the ripening process of the produce. This airflow is guided into the chambers via at least one air passage in the cavity of the wall. Therefore, the double wall not only provides insulation but also actively helps maintain a cool climate within the container, thus inhibiting degradation and protecting fresh produce from spoilage for a longer period.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the inner wall and at least one of the at least two second walls is spatially separated from each other by a plurality of spacers extending therebetween in the lateral direction and mutually constraining a plurality of individual cavity channels, each cavity channel including an air passage through which airflow is maintained, at least during operation. This at least partially lateral closure of the airflow between the lateral spacers counteracts excessive divergence of the airflow, thereby maintaining a substantially forward airflow that will be able to penetrate far enough into the chamber and will require a small amount of air displacement (power) from the air displacement device.

[0010] The device provides continuous air ventilation within the chamber and is capable of removing and / or limiting any excess moisture within the chamber. Temperature and humidity sensors, specifically coupled to the electronic controls of the device, can be provided within the circulating airflow. Therefore, the internal climate management of the device can be actively intervened if needed. The airflow carried through the chamber and above the fresh produce by the air displacement device specifically provides dissipation of the relatively humid boundary layer between the fresh produce and the surrounding air. This has been found to particularly inhibit or at least counteract the development of Staphylococcus aureus (fungal damage) on fresh produce.

[0011] Fresh produce here is particularly vegetables and fruits. Fruits can be categorized into climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. Climacteric fruits continue to ripen to full maturity even after harvesting and separation from the plant. These fruits also develop additional aromas by converting starch into sugar, even after harvest. However, non-climacteric fruits ripen only on the plant. Once harvested, non-climacteric fruits cease ripening. The device according to the invention addresses this distinction by adapting the climate within the chamber to the type of fresh produce, for example, in the case of climacteric fruits, accelerating or decelerating the ripening process according to the user's preference.

[0012] Many fresh produce, especially fruits, have been found to undergo ripening and evaporation, leading to deterioration. In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention is therefore characterized in that the regulating device includes at least one sprayer device capable of and configured to generate and deliver an aerosol from a liquid into an airflow during operation and optionally intermittently, wherein at least one air passage is openly connected to the outlet of an air displacement device. The ripening process is significantly slowed down due to the cooling of the air. By also distributing the aerosol onto the fresh produce in this way, the relative humidity of the air surrounding the fresh produce can be increased, thereby also reducing excessive evaporation. This further extends the shelf life of the produce.

[0013] The relative humidity within a storage chamber typically plays a crucial role in the condition and shelf life of many fresh produce. On the one hand, low humidity leads to increased evaporation, ultimately causing the produce to dry out or wilt. On the other hand, excessive humidity, particularly condensation, can lead to rot and fungal growth. The device according to the invention also provides a solution here, for example, by selecting a suitable balance and increasing the humidity to a maximum of 85-95%, which seems like a suitable compromise for tomatoes, for example. However, strawberries can avoid drying for a longer period if a thin layer of condensation forms on them at a storage temperature of 8-18°C, as is possible in the device according to the invention: by controlling the cooling and spraying devices to maintain a cool climate and saturated humidity within the chamber. A similar approach applies to peppers, although in this case, the relative humidity is maintained at a minimum of at least 10% below the saturation level to prevent insufficient vapor pressure from causing rot within the chamber.

[0014] The atomizer device releases a liquid mist on the blow-out side of the air displacement device. The resulting mist is then entrained by the generated airflow and introduced into the chamber via the outlet of at least one air passage. Thus, the mist is carried into the chamber particularly effectively, preventing it from escaping into the area surrounding the device. This limits liquid waste into the environment. Although the device already largely controls the humidity within the chamber due to continuous air ventilation, in this embodiment, the device is also able to periodically and briefly increase the humidity, or even form condensation, to prevent over-drying of produce. It has been found that, due to this combination of air and mist inlets, a particularly uniform, efficient, and effective distribution of the mist within the chamber can be achieved, resulting in relatively low liquid consumption.

[0015] Sprayer devices exist in various forms and sizes, and are in principle suitable for application in the device according to the invention. What they have in common is that a fine mist or vapor is formed from a liquid, for example, in this case, particularly pure water, which is referred to herein as an aerosol, regardless of the manner in which it is generated. In this respect, a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention yields particularly good results, characterized in that the sprayer device comprises an ultrasonic nozzle having an electromechanical transducer, particularly a piezoelectric transducer, which is designed and configured to act together with an ultrasonically excitable nozzle member on a liquid, particularly water, thereby forming an aerosol. An air displacement device is here configured such that an airflow is carried onto the liquid at the location of the nozzle member. In this embodiment, the liquid is sprayed through an ultrasonically vibrating member, and the resulting mist is then entrained by the airflow into the air passage and the air or aerosol inlet of the chamber. This piezoelectric nozzle is characterized by a relatively high mist yield.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the atomizer device comprises at least one jet atomizer having a nozzle having at least one continuous spray opening, and is designed and configured to receive liquid, particularly water, at the inlet under increased pressure and to release the liquid in the form of an aerosol at the outlet of the spray opening. The application of one or more such jet atomizers allows for a particularly compact construction and integration in the device, which can be very small such that the nozzle can be significantly accommodated at or near the peripheral edge of the air passage outlet of the chamber. Therefore, another specific embodiment of the device is characterized in that the nozzle is arranged in or near the peripheral edge and oriented with the outlet facing toward the interior of the chamber.

[0017] The device can optionally be connected to a fixed main water pipe, and in this case, a fixed water pipe is provided for this purpose. However, for more autonomous operation, another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the reservoir forms a removable part of the container and is permanently or alternately connected to the sprayer device. A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that a liquid conduit connects the sprayer device to the reservoir, extending within a cavity between the inner wall and at least one second wall. Although the reservoir must be filled if the liquid level drops below a minimum, relatively long periods of continuous operation can still be achieved due to the particularly efficient and therefore low water consumption according to the invention. Furthermore, the container can therefore be arranged in almost any suitable location. The reservoir is advantageously a water tank and is directly accessible and removable from the outside of the container for filling. The capacity of the reservoir is sufficient to allow the device to operate for at least several days.

[0018] In another specific embodiment, the device according to the invention has a water recovery unit capable of and configured to condense and collect water vapor in the air as condensate. This condensate can then be used in a sprayer device, which, however, has the option of either a fixed water pipe or a removable reservoir to regulate the moisture balance within the chamber by carefully controlling the relative humidity. The relative humidity around the evaporated produce can be adjusted upwards or downwards by increasing or decreasing the airflow through the chamber, while spraying this condensate can provide additional stimulation. Cooling devices and / or components thereby cooled advantageously form part of this condensate recovery unit.

[0019] A specific embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the cooling device includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to a cooling body having cooling ribs in heat exchange contact with the airflow. Here, the airflow is guided between and along the cooling ribs, resulting in a particularly efficient and effective heat transfer from the air to the cooling body. The cooled air lowers the ambient temperature in the chamber, thus allowing the ambient temperature to be maintained specifically below or near the dew point. Because cold air can contain less water vapor than warm air, it will saturate faster than warm air, i.e., contain less water vapor. Therefore, the cooled air limits the possible water consumption required to generate and maintain optimal relative humidity within the chamber.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention achieves exceptionally quiet cooling, characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises at least one Peltier element. A Peltier element is a thermoelectric solid-state semiconductor element used here to extract heat from the airflow. Other names for the Peltier element include: Peltier cooler, Peltier heater, thermoelectric heat pump, Peltier diode, Peltier heat pump, solid-state cooler, semiconductor cooler, and thermoelectric cooler. The Peltier element acts as an active heat pump that transports heat against the temperature gradient, i.e., from cold to hot; in this case, from the airflow to the area surrounding the container. This achieves a heat pump without moving parts or liquid. Therefore, the pump has very low maintenance costs and is, in principle, completely silent and vibration-free.

[0021] The implementation of this device, which is particularly attractive from both a practical and aesthetic point of view, is characterized by a container comprising a bowl-shaped structure supported on a hollow base, with the regulating device at least substantially housed within the base. The base specifically houses cooling and air displacement devices that form part of the regulating device, as well as optional electronic components of the container, such as control units and optional accessories, such as microphones / speakers and / or telecommunications modules. Therefore, the present invention provides a fully functional device that can be embodied, particularly in a convenient desktop size, thereby enabling at least substantial control over the climate surrounding fresh produce.

[0022] To further enhance the operation of the container, another specific embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized by providing at least one light source therein for visually displaying illumination effects, particularly a ring-shaped light source, and more particularly, in the form of one or more LEDs. Such a light source may, for example, be positioned at the edge, particularly around the extended ring-shaped light source at least substantially throughout the edge; for example, it could also be a ring extending around the operation button. The light source here may emit light continuously, or only illuminate or change color to indicate, for example, a defined operating state, such as in the event of a malfunction, indicating that the reservoir must be filled, or, for example, when an optional sprayer device present therein is turned on.

[0023] Intelligent software can also provide the light source with signals that give users feedback on the equipment's status. In addition to information about malfunctions (e.g., indicated by a static red light), the light source can, for example, illuminate in blue during active cooling, where dynamic flashes of light, moving along a ring at an adjustable speed, further indicate the intensity of cooling or other operational states. For example, adjustment could be indicated by counter-clockwise flashes of light as a sign that the spoilage process is delayed. This would also explicitly motivate users to consume fresh produce more regularly, for example, by having the light source illuminate once per hour or a portion of every hour in a specific color, such as purple, as a reminder. Combinations are also possible, where both operation and motivation are represented by color changes. This produces a particularly appealing aesthetic effect in all cases.

[0024] Another preferred embodiment of the device features, according to the invention, that the container includes one or more sensors from a set of sensors capable of and configured to record the relative air humidity and / or temperature inside or around the container, wherein one or more sensors are connected to a control unit of the container. These sensors continuously record the (relative) air humidity and / or temperature inside and outside the chamber, respectively. Aerosol delivery can be optimally adjusted accordingly to prevent over-discharge and further limit water consumption of the container. For this purpose, the container provides a control unit that controls the sprayer device, cooling device, and / or air displacement device based on these measurements.

[0025] Embodiments of the device specifically designed to subject fresh produce to only cooling airflow preferably feature, according to the invention, that is, the outlet of the perforation and the air displacement device and at least one air passage having its inlet are openly connected. Thus, cooled air is directly blown into the chamber through the perforation, thereby achieving optimal cooling. To achieve a uniform distribution of cooling air above the fresh produce, another embodiment of the device according to the invention features that the perforation comprises a perforation system extending from the bottom to a portion of the height of the inner wall, particularly at least one-third of the height, and more particularly at least substantially half the height. This portion of the inner wall is preferably flanked by at least one second wall of a heat conductor, and in particular, at least one air passage is defined together with the inner wall, and metal walls in thermal contact with the cold side of the cooling device are located on both sides. This significantly enhances the uniform cold distribution at the bottom of the chamber.

[0026] Another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention achieves remarkable good results in this regard, characterized in that the system comprises a regular perforation pattern, particularly where each perforation is located in a mathematically determined position, and more particularly along a mathematical curve. This mathematical approach and the resulting curve achieve optimal spatial distribution of airflow within the chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be further illustrated based on exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] Figures 1A-1B An isometric side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in front view and rear view, respectively;

[0029] Figure 2 A cross-section of the device in Figure 1 is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 A top sectional view of the cooling device in the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is displayed;

[0031] Figure 4 A bottom sectional view of the device in Figure 1 is shown;

[0032] Figure 5 An isometric side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown; and

[0033] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 Partial sectional side view and cross-section of the equipment.

[0034] It should be noted that these figures are purely schematic and not drawn to scale. For clarity, certain dimensions may be exaggerated to some extent. Corresponding parts are usually indicated by the same reference numerals in the figures. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The device in Figure 1-4 includes a hollow base 1 on which a cup-shaped object 2 is placed. The cup-shaped object 2 includes a chamber 4 surrounded by walls 3, and can contain fresh produce, particularly fruit in this case. For this purpose, the chamber 4 is accessible through an opening 5 on its upper side across its entire cross-section, the opening being defined by the edge 6 of the wall 3 of the cup-shaped object 2. See also... Figure 1A The bowl-shaped object includes a removable or detachable water reservoir 7 on its front side, which supplies water to a sprayer device, described further below, which releases aerosol in chamber 4 through aerosol inlet 58 in edge 6. The bowl-shaped object is advantageously constructed at relatively low cost from suitable plastic components (e.g., ABS) by injection molding. If desired, the outer shell of the bowl-shaped object can be, for example, provided with a metallic or high-gloss coating to give the device a luxurious appearance. For the same purpose, the outer shell of the bowl-shaped object 2 can also be partially or entirely formed or covered with metal or natural products such as wood or textiles. To allow for direct visual inspection of the liquid level, the reservoir 7 can be formed from a transparent plastic such as polycarbonate, or a transparent window can be provided therein.

[0036] The base 1 includes a main control switch 9 on its front side, which can be used to turn the device on or off. See also Figure 1B A power connection for the device is located on the rear side. In this example, a standard port 10 with a plug for a standard external power adapter is used for this purpose, which provides 12 volts DC power to the device. A status indicator 11 in the form of an LED ring 11 is located on the front side, which indicates the current status of the device by illuminating with a specific color, such as green for normal operation, and orange or red to indicate that the liquid level in the reservoir is approaching or has reached its minimum value, respectively. The LED ring 11 is positioned around the main switch 9. If needed, the continuous operation of this LED ring can be turned off via a switch provided for this purpose or a separate user interface (such as a smartphone), where the LED ring will always be lit when a status warning occurs. For an attractive aesthetic effect, the LED ring 8 (see...) Figure 2 The LED ring 8 is also housed in the edge 6 around the opening 5 of the chamber 4, and this ring can be controlled to have different colors. The LED ring 8 can also be set via a smartphone switch or application provided for this purpose.

[0037] The base 1 is hollow to provide space for the various operating components of the equipment, as will be explained further below. See also Figure 2 An air inlet 13 with a wide gap is provided to the cavity at the front of the base bottom. The air supply can be discharged through a set of air outlets 15 at the rear. See [reference needed] Figure 1B Just like the bowl-shaped object 2, the base 1 can advantageously be constructed from suitable plastic components (e.g., ABS) at a relatively low cost, although a more luxurious finish can also be chosen by providing at least a metallic or high-gloss coating to the outer shell of the base 1. For the same purpose, the outer shell of the base 1 can also be partially or entirely formed or covered with metal or natural products such as wood or textiles.

[0038] The structure of the device is Figure 2 The cross-section provides further illustration. The bowl-shaped object 2 has double walls and includes an inner wall 21 and a second wall 22, the second wall 22 falling around the inner wall and maintaining a cavity 25 relative to the inner wall 21. The inner wall 21 defines a chamber 4 for receiving agricultural products, while the second wall 22 also forms the outer shell of the device in this example. The two bowl-shaped objects 21, 22 are held apart from each other by a set of spacers 24, which divide the cavity into a plurality of adjacent cavity channels 25. See also Figure 3At the bottom of container 2, the inner wall 21 is supported by a set of metal cooling ribs 33, which extend from the cooling body 35 and are formed together with the cooling body by good thermal conductivity. In this example, the cooling body 35 and the cooling ribs 33 are formed as a single piece in the form of an aluminum casting.

[0039] The cooling ribs 33 not only support the inner wall 21, but also primarily function as heat sinks for the cooling body 35, which is thermally coupled to the cold side of the active heat exchanger. For this purpose, a set of Peltier elements 30 is used in this example. See also Figure 4 The Peltier element 30 has a heat sink 60 with a fan 16 on its hot side to fully release the heat extracted from the cavity 25 through the cooling body 35 and cooling ribs 33. To this end, one or more fans 16 in the base 1 maintain an airflow 14 from the air inlet 13 to the air outlet 15 to release the heat to the surrounding area. A temperature sensor at the Peltier element 30 records the temperature of the cooling body 35 in situ and exchanges this information with the central control unit 40 in the base 1.

[0040] The control unit 40 specifically controls the sprayer assembly 50 housed in the center of the base. The sprayer assembly includes an ultrasonic electromechanical nozzle equipped with a piezoelectric transducer, which is supplied from the reservoir 7 via a liquid conduit 52 provided for this purpose. Optionally, a switchable valve or a reversible (peristaltic) pump can be installed in the liquid conduit 52, connected to and controlled by the control unit 40, to supply water to the reservoir 50 when requested. For such a pump, a silent peristaltic pump or gear pump is preferred, pumping at a rate on the order of 100-200 ml / min. The reservoir is equipped with an electronic level sensor, which is also connected to the control unit 40 and generates an alarm when the reservoir 7 is in danger of running out of water. This is, for example, a Reed contact, which is located near the reservoir and communicates with a float in the reservoir 7.

[0041] The piezoelectric element of the sprayer device acts ultrasonically on the liquid to form a fine mist. Adjacent to the sprayer device 50 is an air displacement device 55 in the form of a central fan, which maintains the airflow in which the formed mist is entrained. This airflow carries the mist along the cooling ribs 33 and through an air passage formed by the cavity channel 25 to the air inlet 58, which also forms a mist inlet 58 and directs it toward the interior of the chamber 4. The formed and cooled mist diffuses into the chamber and onto fresh produce, particularly fruit, located within it. Therefore, optimal air humidity and temperature, which protect fresh produce from premature drying and thus preserve it for longer under edible conditions, always dominate within the chamber. The fan 55 feeds airflow back to the sprayer device through an outlet at the bottom of the bowl-shaped structure 2, thereby maintaining continuous air circulation within the chamber 4.

[0042] Sensors (not shown further), such as air humidity and temperature sensors, are installed inside and outside container 2. These sensors continuously record the climate within chamber 4 and share the data with control unit 40. Additionally, control unit 40 receives measurement data from optional additional sensors, such as temperature sensors for the Peltier cooler 30 and the cooling body 35, a power sensor for the fan indicating the current exhaust volume, and a level sensor for the liquid level in storage tank 7. Based on the measurement data exchanged with control unit 40, control unit 40 can monitor the process and adjust it as needed to maintain optimal conditions for fresh produce within the chamber. Here, the temperature and air humidity within the chamber are specifically monitored by control unit 40 for fresh produce and adjusted as needed, in conjunction with optimal air circulation over the fresh produce. In this regard, the following table provides example values ​​for ideal air humidity and storage temperature for various types of vegetables and fruits:

[0043]

[0044]

[0045] Near the aerosol inlet 58 is a light source in the form of an LED ring 8, which extends around and adds light to the entering mist as an additional aesthetic effect. If desired, the base 1 also provides space for various accessories (not shown further), such as a speaker / microphone combination, enabling the device to function as an audio player and recorder. Combined with a telecommunications module for this purpose, such as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi chip and antenna, it can be connected to, for example, a smartphone or (tablet) computer. This also provides a means for exchanging the current state of the device and the storage conditions in the chamber with a user via an application installed on such an electronic device for this purpose, and can further provide control over the device.

[0046] The range of sensors can also be expanded to include, for example, a weight sensor that measures the weight of the actual fresh produce contents in chamber 4 and generates a value for the control device. Based on this, mist delivery can be adjusted and optionally limited, thereby providing the user with current information about his / her fruit inventory, and optionally automatically placing orders to replenish supplies.

[0047] Figure 5 and Figure 6A second embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. This device is largely similar to the device of the first exemplary embodiment. However, unlike the first exemplary embodiment, this is a device that maintains only a cooling airflow within the chamber. Therefore, there is no removable reservoir, and no sprayer device is provided therein. This provides additional space for construction in the base 1, and the chamber 4 for storing fresh produce (e.g., fruit, in particular) is also larger, while having the same external dimensions as the container.

[0048] An important distinction is that, in this case, the air displacement device in the form of a powerful fan 55 directs the airflow in the opposite direction. For illustrative purposes, the flow direction is indicated by arrows in the figure. In addition to the second wall in the form of the outer casing 22, in this example, the chamber walls also include a second wall in the form of an intermediate wall 23, both of which surround the inner wall 21 at least a portion of its height and define air passages 25, 27. The cup-shaped inner wall 21 is covered from its bottom and most of its height with a perforated system 28, which communicates openly with the outlet of the air displacement device 55 to receive the cooled airflow therefrom. Furthermore, for better efficiency, the fan 55 responsible for this is positioned downstream of the cooling device 30. The cooled airflow is received in the cavity 27 between the inner wall 21 and the intermediate wall 23. The intermediate wall is preferably formed of metal, for example by deep drawing a sheet body, and is thermally coupled to the cold side of the cooling device 30. The conductive inner wall thus provides a uniform heat distribution over the intermediate cavity 27, such that the cooled airflow will enter the chamber through the perforations at substantially the same temperature.

[0049] The cavity 27 thus formed between the bottom of the intermediate wall 23 and the inner wall 21 further provides a chamber in which pressure build-up and balancing occur between the air exchange device on one side and the perforation on the other. This acts as a plenum, through which the airflow through the different perforations will be substantially the same regardless of their position relative to the air exchange device.

[0050] In this example, the perforation system 28 extends to approximately half the height of the inner wall, and the perforations are mathematically positioned, in this example, as points on the mathematical curve FC according to the Fibonacci sequence. Therefore, the curve spirals radially outward from the center, resulting in an optimal flow pattern from the perforations. Furthermore, since the airflow is delivered directly from the cooling device through the bottom of the container to the fresh produce, energy loss (i.e., heating of the airflow) is minimized. These two effects together ensure a fairly long shelf life for the fresh produce and maintain its good condition for an extended period.

[0051] Any condensation in the bowl-shaped structure is also neutralized, as any excess water vapor is entrained in the forced airflow. This escapes into the environment above the bowl-shaped structure instead of being fed back into the equipment. Fresh airflow is drawn in at the outer edge of the bowl-shaped structure and delivered through air channels in the cavity to the inlet side of the cooling and air displacement devices.

[0052] On the upper side of the chamber, the cooled airflow is at least partially trapped in the gap between the inner wall 21 and the outer shell 22, where fresh air can also be drawn in. The airflow thus introduced is delivered (returned) to the air replacement device through the cavity 25 between the outer shell 22 and the inner wall 21 or the intermediate wall 23.

[0053] In summary, the present invention provides an interactive device for fresh produce (such as fruit in this example), thereby allowing the user to preserve the produce for a longer period of time and to understand and control the storage conditions of the produce.

[0054] Although the invention has been further described above with reference to only a single exemplary embodiment, it is clear that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, many variations and embodiments will still be apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention. Thus, the exemplary embodiment is based on a container that opens completely from the top, but the chamber therein may also be completely or partially covered with a lid or optional framed insect net for the purpose of further covering the fresh produce contained therein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for maintaining the conditioning of fresh produce, comprising a container and a conditioning device, the container having a generally cup-shaped product chamber surrounded by walls in which the fresh produce can be contained, the conditioning device being designed and configured to influence the ambient climate within the product chamber, wherein the walls include an inner wall adjacent to the product chamber defining a bottom and a peripheral edge of the product chamber away from the bottom, wherein the walls include at least one second wall maintaining an intermediate cavity with the inner wall, wherein the conditioning device includes at least one cooling device and at least one air displacement device, wherein the air displacement device is capable of and configured to selectively and intermittently generate and maintain a forced airflow during operation, wherein the cooling device is capable of and configured to enter on its cold side to exchange heat with the airflow and extract heat therefrom, wherein the cavity includes at least one air passage in open communication with the air displacement device to guide the forced airflow at least partially, and wherein the inner wall has perforations in its bottom maintaining open communication between the product chamber and at least one of the at least one air passage, characterized in that... The at least one second wall includes an intermediate wall between the housing and the inner wall of the device, the intermediate wall together with the inner wall defining another chamber in open communication with the outlet of the air displacement device, and the perforation includes a perforation system extending from the bottom to a portion of the height of the inner wall adjacent to the product chamber between the other chamber and the product chamber.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one second wall includes the housing of the device, the inner wall and the housing are maintained relative to each other at their peripheral edges with an air gap toward the product chamber, and the at least one air passage leads to the air gap.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate wall includes a heat conductor made of metal, which exchanges heat with the cold side of the cooling device.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling device includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to a cooling body having cooling ribs that are in heat exchange contact with the airflow.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat exchanger includes at least one Peltier element.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air exchange device includes at least one electric fan.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the inner wall and the at least one second wall is spatially separated from each other by a plurality of spacers that extend therebetween in the lateral direction and constrain each other by a plurality of separate cavity channels, each cavity channel including an air channel through which airflow is maintained at least during operation.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The regulating device includes at least one atomizer device capable of and configured to optionally intermittently generate an aerosol from a liquid and deliver it into an airflow during operation, wherein the at least one air passage is openly connected to the outlet of an air displacement device.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sprayer device includes an ultrasonic nozzle with a piezoelectric transducer, which is designed and configured to act on water together with an ultrasonically excitable nozzle component, thereby forming an aerosol.

10. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sprayer device includes at least one jet sprayer having a nozzle having at least one continuous spray opening and is designed and configured to receive water at the inlet under increased pressure and release liquid in the form of aerosol at the outlet of the spray opening.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The nozzles are arranged in or near the outer edge and oriented with the outlet facing the inside of the product chamber.

12. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, A liquid conduit connects the atomizer device to a reservoir, the liquid conduit extending in a cavity between an inner wall and at least one second wall.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The reservoir forms a removable portion of the container and is permanently or interchangeably connected to the sprayer device.

14. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container includes a bowl-shaped structure supported on a hollow base, and the adjustment device is at least largely housed within the base.

15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one LED light source is provided therein for the purpose of visually displaying the lighting effect.

16. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet of the perforation and air displacement device and at least one air passage having its inlet are openly connected.

17. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes a regular perforation pattern.

18. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container includes one or more sensors from a set of sensors that are capable of and configured to record relative air humidity and / or temperature inside the product chamber or around the container, wherein one or more sensors are connected to the container's control unit.

19. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The perforation system extends from the bottom to at least one-third of the height of the inner wall.

20. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The perforation system extends from the bottom to at least half the height of the inner wall.

21. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system comprises a regular perforation pattern, wherein each perforation is located at a mathematically determined position along a mathematical curve.

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