Atmosphere Conditioner Package for Fresh Produce Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fruit and vegetable packaging methods, such as MA packaging, take longer to reach equilibrium and result in sugar and moisture loss due to respiration and evaporation, limiting their effectiveness in maintaining freshness, especially for diverse varieties and small quantities, hindering widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A fruit and vegetable package incorporating an atmosphere conditioner package with oxygen absorption, carbon dioxide generation, and moisture generation capacities, specifically using ascorbic acid-based or polyhydric phenol-based conditioners, to quickly adjust the packaging atmosphere to low-oxygen, high-carbon dioxide, and high-humidity conditions, suitable for various fruits and vegetables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MA packaging using porous polymer film is used for gas atmosphere adjustment, then gas exchange and atmosphere adjustment are achieved, but it takes longer to reach equilibrium state causing sugar and moisture loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-placing oxygen absorber and carbon dioxide generator packets inside the packaging before sealing. These packets immediately begin adjusting the gas atmosphere upon sealing, eliminating the long equilibrium time required in conventional MA packaging where atmosphere adjustment relies solely on slow diffusion through porous films.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances (oxygen absorber and carbon dioxide generator packets) that actively mediate the atmosphere adjustment process. These packets chemically absorb oxygen and generate carbon dioxide, directly controlling the internal atmosphere rather than relying on passive film permeation, thus rapidly achieving the desired equilibrium state.
2Device complexity
If unified isolation film is used for packaging, then packaging simplicity is maintained, but insufficient suppression of hypoxia disorder and respiration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional packets (oxygen absorber packet and carbon dioxide generator packet) into a single packaging system. This combination approach achieves comprehensive atmosphere control (suppressing both hypoxia disorder through oxygen removal and respiration through carbon dioxide generation) while maintaining relatively simple packaging structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite packaging structure combining non-porous polymer film for sealing with multiple functional packets containing different chemical substances (oxygen absorber, carbon dioxide generator). This composite approach enables sophisticated atmosphere control without requiring complex single-material films, balancing structural simplicity with functional reliability.
3Reliability
If CA preservation facility is used for optimized gas atmosphere, then high freshness-maintaining effect is achieved, but facility size is large making diversification difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas atmosphere adjustment function from large-scale CA preservation facilities and implements it at the individual packaging level using chemical packets. This extraction enables optimized atmosphere control for each fruit or vegetable package without requiring large centralized facilities, allowing diversification and flexibility in packaging applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of CA preservation functionality by using chemical packets that replicate the atmosphere control effects of large facilities. Each small package contains its own atmosphere adjustment system, copying the essential function of CA preservation at a miniaturized, diversified scale suitable for various fruit and vegetable types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables rapid adjustment of the packaging atmosphere, effectively suppressing respiration and transpiration, maintaining freshness for a longer period and accommodating diverse fruit and vegetable varieties, even in small quantities, thus enhancing the packaging's practicality and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the atmosphere conditioner package (X) has an oxygen absorption capacity
Implementation Method 2
the atmosphere conditioner package (X) has a carbon dioxide generation capacity
Implementation Method 3
the atmosphere conditioner package (X) has a moisture generation capacity
Implementation Method 4
a polymer film having a predetermined water vapor permeation rate
Data Source
AI summary
A fruit and vegetable package includes at least one fruit and/or vegetable, at least one atmosphere conditioner package, and a packaging material for accommodating them, and the atmosphere conditioner package has an oxygen absorption capacity, a carbon dioxide generation capacity, and a moisture generation capacity.