Long-term storage equipment for fruits

Abstract

This invention provides a long-term fruit storage device that helps keep fruits fresh for extended periods by adsorbing and removing ethylene gas, which causes excessive ripening of fruits, and also performing cooling and humidification. [Solution] The system includes a humidifier 4, a blower 5, a fruit receiving net, and an ethylene gas absorption section 3. The humidifier has a structure that blows air onto a water-absorbing sponge, cooling and humidifying the air with the heat of vaporization, and the ethylene gas absorption section has a structure that adsorbs and removes ethylene gas and other substances using porous activated carbon, thereby suppressing excessive ripening of the fruit 2 and storing it in a fresh state. Storing fruit, which releases ethylene gas and other substances as it ripens, requires appropriate cooling, appropriate humidification, and removal of ethylene gas and other substances. However, conventional commercially available household refrigerators lack ventilation functions, leading to accelerated ripening and rapid deterioration due to ethylene gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for suppressing the after-ripening of fruits and storing them for a long time while maintaining freshness.

Background Art

[0002] After purchasing fruits in a general household, they were stored in the vegetable compartment of a refrigerator or in a room at room temperature.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] According to the invention of the patent document with the title "Method for Maintaining Freshness of Fruits and Vegetables", chitin or chitosan is applied to the fruits and vegetables to be stored. Further, an ethylene absorbent is added.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the prior art, although it is necessary to apply chitin or chitosan and add an ethylene absorbent, it can be implemented in a specialized storage warehouse but is not suitable for a freshness-keeping method in a general household.

[0005] When storing in a general household refrigerator, it is possible to maintain a low temperature, but the ethylene gas emitted due to the ripening of fruits cannot escape and accumulates in the refrigerator, so the after-ripening progresses rapidly. In addition, the ethylene gas also acts on other vegetables stored in the refrigerator at the same time, causing them to ripen, and in severe cases, accelerating their deterioration. Although actively ventilating the air in the refrigerator can reduce the influence of ethylene gas, there are mutually contradictory problems that the stored items in the refrigerator dry out and the deterioration is accelerated. Also, when storing at room temperature, for example, on a dining table, although the ethylene gas can be emitted, there are problems that the fruits ripen and dry out because they are not stored in a refrigerator. Therefore, by integrating cooling, humidifying, and ethylene gas adsorption functions, the aim is to prevent excessive ripening and drying of fruits, and to preserve their freshness for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention provides a fully ventilated storage structure that prevents insect intrusion, and incorporates a ventilation fan, a porous water-absorbing sponge, a porous organic matter adsorbent, a power supply and control device for the ventilation fan. It solves the problem by cooling and humidifying the air with the heat of vaporization of water to prevent the cooling and drying of stored fruit, and by adsorbing and removing ethylene gas and other substances with the porous organic matter adsorbent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the fruit storage device of this invention not only adsorbs and removes ethylene gas, which has an excessive ripening effect on fruit, but also cools and humidifies, thus helping to store fruit fresh for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the long-term storage device for fruits according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a photograph showing the appearance of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Activated carbon, silica gel, and unglazed ceramic plates are placed in breathable bags if necessary and placed inside the storage area. A porous sponge soaked in clean water is also placed inside the storage area. Furthermore, a control device equipped with a motor with a fan, and powered by dry cell batteries or rechargeable batteries is installed, and fruits are stored on top of it. When the power is turned on, the fan rotates as needed to cool the fruits with evaporative cooling and humidified air, and at the same time adsorb and remove the ethylene gas produced. [Examples] )

[0010] The following describes an example with reference to the attached drawings. 1 is the main body of the long-term storage device for fruits, enclosed by a breathable surface; 2 is the fruits stored inside; and 3 is a porous adsorbent such as ethylene gas that adsorbs ethylene gas generated from the fruits, thereby suppressing excessive ripening.

[0011] 4 is a porous moisture-retaining material, 5 is a fan with a built-in motor for ventilation, 6 is the wiring to the fan motor, and 7 is the power supply, control device, and switch. By blowing air from the fan onto the porous moisture-retaining material, the moisture evaporates, lowering the temperature of the ventilated air and humidifying it. The fan's rotation speed, power-on time, and other parameters are adjusted as needed by the control device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0012] 1. Front view of a long-term storage device for fruits. 2. Fruits to store 3. Porous organic matter adsorbent 4. Porous water-retaining body 5. Fan with built-in motor 6. Wiring the fan motor. 7 Power supplies, control devices, and switches

Claims

[Claim 1] A fruit storage device comprising a humidifier, a blower, a fruit receiving net, and an ethylene gas absorption section. The humidifier generates cool air using the latent heat of evaporation of water during humidification to lower the fruit temperature, and absorbs or releases ethylene gas produced during fruit ripening, thereby suppressing further ripening and allowing for long-term storage of fruits.

Images