Storage and display device for plants

Abstract

The storage and display device for plants comprises a body having an outer container (1) and an inner container (2) within the outer container, with an enclosed space between the outer container (1) and the inner container (2). The interior of the inner container (2) is open at a top surface of the inner container (2) for receiving plants during use. The enclosed space includes a water tank (11, 25) and at least one mist generating device (14, 27) connected to the water tank. A number of passages (16) are provided between the enclosed space and the interior of the inner container. In an alternative arrangement, the inner container comprises a through passage (40) opening at one end below the inner container and at the other end above the top surface of the inner container, and is equipped with a deflector (42) for deflecting mist passing through the passage downwards towards the interior of the inner container.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage and display device for plants, for example a storage and display device for fruit. [Background technology]

[0002] Fruits and vegetables tend to lose moisture during storage and display, for example, as is used commercially to enhance freshness on supermarket shelves. A problem associated with this type of shelf is the difficulty of controlling the atmosphere around the fruits and vegetables while still allowing customers to select which products to purchase, and at the same time ensuring that excessive moisture does not accumulate, which can encourage bacterial growth and spoilage.

[0003] In a domestic context, fruit is often stored and displayed in open bowls, meaning that the problem of moisture loss means that the shelf life is limited. China Utility Model No. 20857528 discloses a device in which a replaceable bowl can be mounted on a base with a misting column protruding into the bowl to deliver a mist for preservation or sterilization. However, the storage is short-term and is used with washed and peeled fruit intended to be consumed fairly quickly, and there is no disclosure of preventing excessive moisture build-up. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] China Utility Model No. 20857528 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a storage and display device for plants, the device comprising a body having an outer container and an inner container within the outer container, with an enclosed space between the outer container and the inner container, the interior of the inner container being open at a top surface of the inner container in use for receiving plants, the enclosed space including a water tank and at least one mist generating device connected to the water tank, and a plurality of passages being provided between the enclosed space and the interior of the inner container.

[0006] The present invention also provides a storage and display device for plants, the device comprising a body having an outer container and an inner container within the outer container, with an enclosed space between the outer container and the inner container, the interior of the inner container being open at a top surface of the inner container in use for receiving plants, the enclosed space including a water tank and at least one mist generating device connected to the water tank, the inner container having a through passage, one end of which opens below the inner container and the other end of which opens above the top surface of the inner container, the other end being equipped with a deflector plate for deflecting mist passing through the passage downwards towards the interior of the inner container.

[0007] Other features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

[0008] The storage and display device of the present invention provides the benefits of misting fruit during storage while making the fruit bowl more attractive and accessible.

[0009] The drawings depict a cross-sectional elevation showing a fruit bowl according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 shows a first embodiment having multiple low voltage transducers. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a second embodiment having a single high voltage transducer. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a variant of the second embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 and 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] With reference to Figure 1, the fruit storage bowl comprises a hollow moulded body suitably formed from a plastic material, the body of which defines an outer container 1 and an inner container 2, the inner container 2 fitting over and separable from the outer container 1. A removable decorative trim 5 fits around the outside of the body of the outer container. This can be replaced to change the appearance of the bowl. The outer container 1 is moulded on its lowermost surface with a trapezoidal cone 6 and is provided with a closure plate 7 which fits over a cavity formed on the underside of the trapezoidal cone 6, the cavity containing a rechargeable battery 8 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 9 on which the control electronics are mounted. A removable charging cable 10 connected to a suitable power source (not shown) provides a 5V charging power source to the battery when required. A water tank 11 is moulded to fit over the trapezoidal cone 6 and projects upwardly from the trapezoidal cone 6. The bottom 12 of the tank 11 shows an outer surface 13 inclined at 40°-60°, for example 45°, with respect to the horizontal, and the outer surface 13 is mounted with two diametrically opposed transducers 14 (it being recognized that there may be additional transducers equally spaced around the surface 13 depending on the size of the bowl). The transducers 14 are electrically connected to the PCB 9 and each comprises a porous membrane exposed to the water in the tank on one side and to air on the other side. The pores in the membrane are sized such that when the membrane is at rest, water does not penetrate, but when the membrane is vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies, water passes through the pores and forms droplets on the air side propelled by the vibration into the air.

[0012] A guide member 15 surrounds the inner container 2 within the outer container 1 but is separate therefrom and provides a flow path for the mist upwardly around the outside of the inner container 2 and is provided with a series of holes or passages 16 through the interior which are separated around the top of the inner container 2 for the mist to enter into the inner container. The guide member 15 extends across the transducer 14 but does not contact it.

[0013] The inner surface of the inner container 2 is provided with a groove 17 which extends radially outwardly and upwardly from a central region at the bottom of the inner container 2 to its upper open surface. The groove 17 serves to prevent moisture building up around the contents of the inner container in use by allowing water to drain downwards along the groove to the bottom, and drainage holes 18 are provided to allow water to drain out back into the water tank 11.

[0014] The configuration shown in FIG. 2 has a hollow moulding with an inner container 1 and an outer container 2 formed therein with a space between them, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The outer container 1 has a flat surface at the bottom that supports a rechargeable battery 8 and a PCB 9 on which the control electronics are mounted. In addition, an axial fan 20 is mounted in the centre of the base. A two-part removable water tank 21 is located in the base above the battery 8 and other electrical components. The first part 22 generally matches the shape of the base part 3 while leaving a gap around the outside and a series of openings 23 around the top. The second part 24 fits within the first part 22 and defines a main tank 25 and a removable refill tank 26 above it. The first part 22 has a central opening at the base and just below the base is mounted an ultrasonic transducer 27 that closes the opening. The second section 24 has a bottom formed with a central cylindrical wall 29 surrounding an opening through the main tank, and a recess 30 in which a spring loaded float valve 31 is mounted in an aperture to allow water to flow from the supply tank 26 to the main tank 25 when the supply tank is in place inside the first section 22, but closes when the level of the main tank is flush with the bottom of the cylindrical wall 29. A flood detector 32 in the main tank is linked to the PCB 9 to monitor the water level in that tank and send a signal to stop operation of the device when the water level falls below a predetermined level.

[0015] In use, ultrasonic transducer 27, a high power device operating at, for example, 24V and generating more powerful ultrasonic vibrations than the individual transducers used in the embodiment of Figure 1, is positioned just below the water surface in central cylindrical wall 29, disturbing the water surface and causing a jet of small droplets of water in the form of mist to emerge from the water surface. The mist passes out the top of cylindrical wall 29 into the space around the outside of inner vessel 2, passing through holes or passages 16 and into the interior of inner vessel 2. Axial fan 20 creates an airflow between tank 21 and outer vessel 1, which flows out openings 23 and helps push the mist upwards and through holes 16.

[0016] The embodiment shown in Figure 3 differs from that of Figure 2 only in that the holes 16 are distributed across the base of the inner container 2 instead of around the top edge of the inner container 2, allowing the mist to rise from the bottom of the bowl contents.

[0017] The embodiment shown in Figure 4 differs from the embodiment of Figure 2 in that, instead of holes 16 for dispensing mist, a central chimney 40 opens through the lowermost surface of the inner vessel 2 and opens to a position above the upper open surface through a series of apertures 41 which extend upwardly through the inner vessel and radially separate just below the canopy component 42, providing a concave surface which, in use, directs the mist outwardly and downwardly towards the contents of the inner vessel.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5, the device has an outer container 1 and an inner container 2 as part of the molded body, with the inner container 2 provided with an internally raised concentric circle 50 at its base so that the contents of the inner container do not come into contact with the base and any moisture thereon during use. The inner container is provided with a drainage hole 51 which allows excess moisture to flow back into a water tank within and directly beneath the outer container. The outer container 1 rests on a support base 52 which provides a sealed enclosure for the battery 53 and electronic components.

[0019] The low voltage ultrasonic transducer 54 is mounted on a floating carriage 55 in the tank space, the carriage 55 being guided on a vertical pin 56 extending from the lowest inner surface of the outer vessel 1. Usually, the type of transducer using a porous membrane is used horizontally and is fed with water by means of a wick. However, the wick would have a surface on which, for example, bacteria could grow. To overcome this problem, the transducer 54, in direct contact with the water, may be tilted at 40° to 60° to the horizontal plane, avoiding the formation of air bubbles at the bottom of the transducer and preventing the generation of mist. The tilting of the transducer provides the added advantage that the mist generated by the water passing over the membrane surface of the transducer will travel away from the center of the device towards the upper space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel. The inner vessel 2 is provided with a through slot 57 separated around its upper edge, allowing the mist to flow into the bowl defined by the inner vessel.

[0020] An IP68 rated fan 58 is mounted within the outer vessel in the space below the inner vessel and serves to generate an outward airflow that encourages the mist generated by the transducer 54 to flow outward and upward towards the slot 57. The fan 58 is positioned directly below the drain hole 51 and also serves as a suction device to pull excess water from the inner vessel 2 and back into the tank. A UVC-LED device 59 is mounted within the tank and serves to sterilize the water within the tank, preventing the growth of algae and bacteria. The UVC-LED device 59 includes a detector that monitors the radiation output, thereby allowing it to provide a warning when the output of UVC radiation is decreasing to a level that requires replacement of the LEDs. A water level sensor 60 is mounted within the tank to detect when the water level within the tank is low and provides a signal indicating that refilling is required.

[0021] A removable decorative trim 62 can be attached around the outer vessel 1, which is provided with structure to receive it. LED lights 61 are mounted around the inner vessel just above the slots 57 to illuminate the mist that enters the bowl. The inner vessel 2 can be lifted off of the outer vessel 1 to provide access to the tank and components contained therein, such as the UVC-LED unit.

[0022] Although the invention has been described with reference to the storage and display of fruit, it will be appreciated that it may also be used with vegetables and, with appropriate adaptation, for the display of flowers and plants.

[0023] Low voltage ultrasonic transducers are preferred and whilst battery operation is possible without the need for permanent connection to a mains power supply, it will be recognised that it will be possible to use transducers designed to operate from a supply voltage (e.g. 230V in the UK and Europe, 110V in the USA).

Claims

1. 1. A storage and display device for plants, comprising: a body having an outer container and an inner container within the outer container, an enclosed space between the outer container and the inner container, the interior of the inner container being open at an upper surface of the inner container in use to receive the plant, the enclosed space including a water tank and at least one mist generating device connected to the water tank, and a plurality of passages being provided between the enclosed space and the interior of the inner container.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the passageway is adjacent to the top surface of the inner container.

3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner container has a through passageway, one end of which opens below the inner container and the other end of which opens above the top surface of the inner container, and the other end is equipped with a deflector plate that deflects mist passing through the passageway downwardly toward the interior of the inner container.

4. A storage and display device for plants, comprising a body having an outer container and an inner container within the outer container, an enclosed space between the outer container and the inner container, the interior of the inner container being open at a top surface of the inner container in use to receive the plant, the enclosed space including a water tank and at least one mist generating device connected to the water tank, the inner container having a through passage, one end of which opens below the inner container and the other end of which opens above the top surface of the inner container, the other end being equipped with a deflector that deflects mist passing through the passage downwardly towards the interior of the inner container.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each mist generating device comprises an ultrasonic transducer.

6. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein a transducer is mounted beneath the tank and configured to generate a mist at a water surface beneath the inner vessel.

7. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the or each mist generating device comprises a porous membrane configured to generate water droplets on a surface of the membrane by allowing water to pass therethrough only when ultrasonically vibrated.

8. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the transducer is mounted on a carriage configured to float on water within the tank, in use.

9. 9. A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the transducer is mounted such that the membrane extends at an angle of between 40° and 60° to the horizontal.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including a fan within the enclosed space to push the mist upwards.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosed space includes a UV source arranged to kill bacteria within the tank or in the mist.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises two separable parts by means of which at least the inner container can be removed to access the water tank.

13. 13. The device of claim 12, comprising a removable auxiliary water reservoir connectable to the tank via a valve arranged to maintain a predetermined water level in the tank.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the valve incorporates a float.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a rechargeable battery.

16. 16. The device of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the inner container is provided with at least one drain hole in a bottom surface of the inner container, the drain hole allowing water in the inner container to return to the tank.

17. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the inner container is provided with a plurality of grooves on the inner surface of the inner container configured to drain water droplets directed toward the drainage hole or holes.

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