Calcium Hydroxide Gas Remover for Vacuum Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum packaging of plant-based agricultural products faces challenges due to gas generation, particularly carbon dioxide and ethylene, which leads to bag expansion and product deterioration, necessitating an effective and safe chemical method for gas removal.

Innovation Solution

A gas remover comprising calcium hydroxide, which absorbs carbon dioxide to form non-toxic calcium carbonate, is used in conjunction with aluminium oxide and water to absorb ethylene, ensuring the gas remover is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective, and is packaged in a way that prevents direct contact with the products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum packaging is used to store plant-based agricultural products, then the quality and nutrient of products are maintained and shelf life is extended, but gas generated by physiological activities causes the sealed bag to expand and products to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality maintenanceVSAvoidgas generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful gas (carbon dioxide) generated by agricultural products during vacuum packaging by introducing a gas remover containing calcium hydroxide and aluminium oxide. The gas remover selectively absorbs carbon dioxide through chemical reaction and physical adsorption, extracting the harmful component while preserving the vacuum packaging benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas remover acts as an intermediary substance between the agricultural products and the vacuum environment. It mediates the interaction by absorbing excess carbon dioxide produced by respiration, preventing bag expansion and product deterioration while maintaining the protective vacuum atmosphere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If chemical methods are used to remove carbon dioxide from vacuum sealer bags, then gas removal effectiveness is improved, but toxicity and environmental damage concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas removal effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity and environmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using calcium hydroxide, which reacts with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate. This chemical transformation converts harmful carbon dioxide into non-toxic calcium carbonate, achieving effective gas removal while eliminating toxicity concerns. The reaction parameter change ensures safety for food contact applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The gas remover employs a composite material system combining calcium hydroxide (for chemical absorption of carbon dioxide) and aluminium oxide (for physical adsorption and structural support). This composite approach enhances gas removal effectiveness while maintaining non-toxic and environmentally friendly properties, as both materials are food-safe and non-harmful.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If calcium hydroxide is used as a gas remover, then carbon dioxide removal is achieved, but the cost of the packaging solution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas removal capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gas remover is designed as a disposable, low-cost component using abundant materials like calcium hydroxide and aluminium oxide. Rather than creating a complex reusable system, the patent employs a simple single-use gas remover packet that can be easily discarded after use, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining effective gas removal capability throughout the storage period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The gas remover effectively extends the storage period and shelf life of the products by preventing bag expansion, maintaining product quality, and meeting food additive standards without toxicity or environmental harm.

Implementation Method 1

calcium hydroxide, which absorbs carbon dioxide to form non-toxic calcium carbonate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbon dioxide absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

aluminium oxide and water to absorb ethylene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11332272B2Gas remover and its use in vacuum packaging of agricultural products

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 SUBTROPICAL CROPS INST OF FUJIAN PROVINCE

AI summary

The present invention relates to the preservation and packaging of the agricultural products and discloses a gas remover and a method for packaging agricultural products. The gas remover provided herein is capable of effectively removing gas released in a vacuum sealer bag. The gas remover includes calcium hydroxide, which can effectively removes gas released by the plant-based agricultural products in the vacuum sealer bag, avoiding the expansion of the vacuum sealer bag.