Device for slowing down the browning process of bananas

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for slowing down the browning process of a hand of bananas (2), comprising a container (3) having a cavity (4) and a first opening (5) for receiving a stem head (2a) of the hand of bananas, and a receiving element (6) having a first portion (6a) and a second portion (6b). The first portion is arranged inside the cavity and the second portion adjoins the first portion. The second portion comprises a second opening (6c) and projects outwards from the first opening. The receiving element is designed to receive the stem head in the first portion through the second opening. The device further comprises a replaceable antioxidant (7) arranged in the first portion of the receiving element. The second portion comprises a closure means (8) on the second opening, which closure means is designed such that it adapts to a cross-sectional shape of a stem neck (2b) of the hand of bananas so as to reduce an air supply from the surroundings into the cavity that has the stem head arranged therein in the first portion of the receiving element.

Description

[0001] Device for slowing down the browning process of a banana or a banana hand

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] The invention relates to a device for slowing down the browning process of a banana or a banana hand according to the independent claim.

[0004] background

[0005] Bananas are known for their rapid browning process. This is triggered by oxidation and ripening processes, particularly at the stem, where polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and ethylene are concentrated. Almost everyone is familiar with the problem of choosing bananas and deciding how many to buy. On the one hand, it's obviously desirable to have enough bananas, but on the other hand, one wants to avoid having too many that can't be eaten within the short timeframe before they become overripe and even unappetizing. Several methods are known to slow down this rapid ripening process. One solution is to wrap the stem with cling film. The disadvantage of this is that when a banana is pulled from the stem, the cling film is also torn off or no longer adheres properly, and the stem has to be re-wrapped, which also means a waste of material.Another solution is to refrigerate the bananas. A disadvantage of this is that the bunch takes up a lot of space in the refrigerator and requires energy.

[0006] Description of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the invention is to provide a sustainable solution for keeping bananas fresh.

[0008] RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026 The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a device for slowing down the browning process of a banana or a banana hand is provided, comprising a container with a cavity and a first opening for receiving the stem of a banana hand in the cavity. The device further comprises a receiving element with a first section and a second section. The first section is arranged within the cavity and the second section adjoins the first section. The second section has a second opening and projects outwards from the first opening. The receiving element is configured to receive the stem through the second opening into the first section. The device further comprises a replaceable antioxidant arranged in the first section of the receiving element.The second section has a closing means at the second opening, which is designed in such a way that it adapts to a cross-sectional shape of a stem neck of the stem in such a way that the supply of air from the environment into the cavity with the stem head arranged therein in the first section of the receiving element is reduced.

[0009] It has been shown that the inclusion of an antioxidant in the cavity of the second section of the device's receiving element significantly slows down the browning process of a banana. This slowing down is further enhanced when the air supply from the environment into the cavity is largely cut off, which is achieved with the sealing agent. A significant reduction in browning was observed in tests. The banana stayed fresh for up to twice as long without showing any signs of browning.

[0010] Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description based on the

[0012] RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026 Figure 1. It shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0013] Way (e) to carry out the invention

[0014] A bundle of bananas ready for sale is referred to as a "banana hand," which in this context can also refer to just one banana.

[0015] Figure 1 shows the device in the form of a sphere 1, which can have a diameter of, for example, 5-7 cm, but is adaptable to various banana stems. Naturally, the device can have any other external shape. The sphere has a hard outer shell 3, preferably made of a hard plastic. It is generally preferred that all materials of the sphere are food-grade, even if they are not in direct contact with the banana hand, such as the outer shell of the sphere. The container (the outer shell) 3 defines a cavity 4 inside the sphere, which is accessible via a first opening 5. The first opening serves indirectly (via the second opening of the receiving element) to receive the stem end 2a of the banana hand 2 in the cavity. A receiving element 6 with a first section 6a and a second section 6b is further provided.The first section is located within the cavity (dashed line), and the second section connects to the first section and extends outwards through the first opening. The second section has a second opening 6c. A stem head 2a (dotted line) comes to rest in the first section of the receiving element when it is inserted into the cavity through the second opening.

[0016] The second section has a sealing means 8 at the second opening, by means of which the air supply from the environment into the cavity is reduced when the stem head is inserted into the cavity.

[0017] In the first section of the receiving element, an exchangeable antioxidant 7 is arranged. The antioxidant is preferably cinnamon. It is preferred, RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026, if the cinnamon is present as a cinnamon slab or cinnamon flake. The flake can be cut from a commercially available cinnamon roll and normally has a thickness of approximately 1 mm.

[0018] In various embodiments, the device comprises a third opening 9, which extends through a wall of the container 3 and the first section 6a of the receiving element. The third opening is designed to receive the antioxidant in the first section of the receiving element and can, for example, be configured as a slot with a length of 3 cm and an opening width of 0.5 cm. This allows the cinnamon pieces to be inserted into the cavity even after the stem has already been inserted. Furthermore, the slot design reduces the ingress of ambient air into the cavity, while still being wide enough to allow for easy insertion of the cinnamon piece. The third opening can also be closable. Alternatively, the cinnamon piece can first be inserted through the second opening, followed by the stem.

[0019] It is preferred if the third opening has a clamping element 10 for holding the cinnamon stick in the first section of the receiving element. Advantageously, this ensures that the stick remains in the intended position when the device is removed from the stem.

[0020] Cinnamon powder can also be used, of course. In this case, the powder can be inserted through the second opening. Alternatively, and preferably, the powder is provided in a soft capsule that can be inserted into the second section of the receiving element through the third opening (not shown). For this purpose, the third opening naturally has a corresponding shape, which may differ from the slot for the cinnamon plate. In this embodiment, the soft capsule is cut open by a cutting element within the second section upon insertion, thus releasing the cinnamon powder. Alternatively, if the third opening is closable, the closing element can be designed (RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026) to cut, puncture, or burst the soft capsule. The soft capsule is replaceable.

[0021] It is preferred that the receiving element be made of a first elastic material, in particular a soft plastic or silicone. This allows the receiving element to better adapt to the shape of the stem. Advantageously, this also allows the receiving element to be replaced by pulling it out through the first opening. The first section of the receiving element is dimensioned such that it adapts to the shape of the stem, ensuring that the stem is in contact with the antioxidant, which is preferred to achieve the full effect of the antioxidant.

[0022] The sealing element preferably extends fully along the contour of the second opening and is ring-shaped in its resting state without the stem end inserted into the cavity. It may consist of or comprise a second elastic material. The ring-shaped sealing element possesses such elastic expansion and compression capacity that it can expand or contract by 5 to 20 times its diameter in its resting state to seal both the larger stem end of a banana hand and the smaller stem of a single banana. It is preferred if the ring-shaped sealing element can be selected such that, in its resting state, it narrows the second opening to the point where its diameter is smaller than the average diameter of the stem neck of a single banana. It is further preferred if the second opening is substantially completely closed by the ring-shaped sealing element in its resting state.These measures allow for the greatest possible reduction of air intake into the cavity. They also take into account that the cross-section of the banana stem (2b) can vary considerably. On the one hand, this significant variation is inherent due to the differences in each banana stem as a natural product. On the other hand, it results from the fact that the bananas are consumed sequentially, and the cross-section of the stem can change considerably when a banana is torn off. Finally, it should also be possible to keep a single banana fresh, even though its diameter at the neck is much smaller than that of an entire banana stem.

[0023] Preferably, the second elastic material is a sponge-like material. Closed-cell, yet elastic, sponge-like materials are preferred, e.g., selected from the group consisting of: food-grade silicone foam, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyethylene foam. Rubber-like materials are also suitable, e.g., selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic elastomers, EPDM rubber, silicone rubber. Finally, gel-like materials are also conceivable, e.g., silicone gel, TPE gel, or hydrogel. All of the aforementioned materials are also available in food-grade versions. Food-grade is defined here as conformity with EU Regulations No. 1935 / 2004 and / or EU 10 / 2011 and / or for the USA, 21 CE Part 177. Rubber-like materials such as silicone or TPE are preferred because they are robust and elastic.

[0024] This achieves the desired flexibility to accommodate variations in the cross-section of the stem neck. Therefore, when the stem is inserted into the cavity, the sealing element must be compressed to a greater or lesser degree depending on the diameter of the stem neck. In doing so, the sealing element conforms to the stem neck and assumes the contour of its cross-section, which is typically not round. It should be noted that the hatched sealing element in the figure is only drawn round for illustrative purposes. The high compressibility of the sealing element is also advantageous because the stem head is usually larger than the stem neck. The stem head must also fit through the second opening; however, after the stem head is inserted, the sealing element must be able to expand sufficiently to ensure that the thinner stem neck is still essentially tightly enclosed.Furthermore, as mentioned, when a banana is torn, the cross-section changes, creating a gap. Due to its high compressibility (RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026), the sealing agent can expand into such a gap and close it.

[0025] To further improve the sealing of the banana stem, the sealing device can, in various embodiments, include a reinforcing ring completely surrounded by the elastic material. It is preferred that the reinforcing ring be made of a plastically pliable material, particularly a plastically pliable metal. This allows the user to apply pressure to the sealing device for a better seal, causing the reinforcing ring to deform, for example, into the aforementioned gap and imprint a specific shape on the sealing device material. Due to the plastic deformation, the sealing device then remains in the imprinted shape until the reinforcing ring is bent back. Furthermore, one or more such reinforcing rings provide the otherwise flexible sealing device with greater stability.

[0026] In various designs, the inner wall of the receiving element has a honeycomb structure. This is advantageous when the antioxidant, e.g., cinnamon, is in powder form. In this case, it is introduced into the cavity through the second opening instead of the third and is distributed more effectively in the second section of the receiving element, as the powder can adhere to the honeycomb structure at multiple points.

[0027] The device is used as follows. First, the stem is preferably slightly moistened. The moisture acts as a catalyst, allowing the cinnamon stick to adhere better to the stem. Next, the cinnamon stick is inserted into the side slot. Then, the ball is placed over the stem until it is completely enclosed in the cavity. Finally, the banana can be stored as usual.

[0028] The present invention provides an easy-to-use and efficient solution to address the problem of rapid ripening and the associated browning of bananas (RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026). By using an antioxidant in conjunction with reduced oxygen supply at the stem of a banana, banana waste can be minimized. The solution is also sustainable, as the device is reusable, thus eliminating, for example, the disposal of cling film as required by the prior art, and no energy is needed for cooling.

[0029] While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly pointed out that the invention is not limited to these and can also be implemented in other ways within the scope of the following claims. Terms such as "preferred," "in particular," "especially," "advantageous," or the like therefore only denote optional and exemplary embodiments.

[0030] RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device ( 1 ) for slowing down the browning process of a banana or a banana hand ( 2 ), comprising - a container (3) with a cavity (4) and a first opening (5) for receiving a stem (2a) of a banana stem in the cavity, - a receiving element (6) with a first section (6a) and a second section (6b), wherein the first section is arranged inside the cavity and the second section connects to the first section, wherein the second section has a second opening (6c) and projects outwards from the first opening, wherein the receiving element is designed to receive the stem through the second opening into the first section, - an exchangeable antioxidant arranged in the first section of the receiving element (7 ) , wherein the second section at the second opening has a closing means ( 8 ) which is designed in such a way as to adapt to a cross-sectional shape of a stem neck (2b) of the stem in such a way as to reduce the supply of air from the environment into the cavity with the stem head arranged therein in the first section of the receiving element.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the antioxidant is cinnamon, in particular a cinnamon slab.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third opening (9) which extends through a wall of the container and the first section of the receiving element, wherein the third opening is for receiving the antioxidant in the first section of the receiving element and for removing it from it. RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026 is designed, in particular wherein the third opening is closable.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the third opening has a clamping element ( 10) for holding the antioxidant in the first section of the receiving element .

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the antioxidant is plate-shaped and the third opening is configured as a slit such that the plate-shaped antioxidant can be inserted through the third opening into the first section, or wherein the device comprises a soft capsule and the antioxidant is provided as a powder in the soft capsule and the third opening is configured such that the soft capsule can be inserted through the third opening into the first section, wherein the device comprises a cutting element in the region of the third opening which is configured to cut or puncture the soft capsule inside the first section.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving element is made of a first elastic material, in particular silicone.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the first section of the receiving element is dimensioned such that it adapts to the shape of the stem head so that the stem head is in contact with the antioxidant.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing means extends fully along the contour of the second opening and is in a resting state without a stem head inserted into the cavity. RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026 is ring-shaped and includes a second elastic material.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the annular sealing means has such elastic expansion or compression capacity that it can expand or shrink by 5 to 20 times its diameter in the rest state in order to seal both a larger stem of a banana hand and a smaller stem of a single banana, in particular wherein the thickness of the annular sealing means is selectable such that the sealing means, in the rest state, narrows the second opening so that its diameter is smaller than an average diameter of the stem neck of a single banana, in particular substantially completely closes the second opening.

10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second elastic material is a food-grade material, in particular a closed-cell elastic, sponge-like material selected from the group consisting of: silicone foam, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene foam, or a rubber-like material selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic elastomers, EPDM rubber, silicone rubber, or a gel-like material selected from silicone gel or TPE gel or hydrogel.

11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the closure means comprises a reinforcing ring which is completely surrounded by the elastic material, in particular wherein the reinforcing ring consists of a plastically flexible material, in particular of a plastically flexible metal.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner wall of the receiving element has a honeycomb structure. RN P194911PC00 03.03.2026

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