Device for fresh produce
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for keeping fresh produce conditioned, such as fruit, suffer from high water consumption and lack of climate control tailored to specific types of produce, leading to inefficient preservation and potential spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a double-walled structure incorporating a cooling device and air displacing system to maintain a controlled airflow and humidity, using a sprayer device to distribute a fine mist efficiently, and sensors for climate management, minimizing water usage and extending shelf life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spray device is used to moisten fruit in a sealed chamber, then the fruit freshness is improved by preventing drying out, but water consumption increases significantly due to aerosol escaping to the surrounding area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealed chamber as an intermediary environment between the spray device and the surrounding area. This chamber contains the aerosol generated by the spray device, preventing it from escaping to the surrounding area. The chamber acts as a mediator that allows the moistening function to be effective while containing the water within a defined space, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining fruit freshness and reducing water loss to the environment.
2Loss of time
If a large water reservoir is used to reduce refilling frequency, then the device complexity increases, but the water consumption problem persists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a condensation collection system that automatically recovers water from the chamber atmosphere and returns it to the reservoir. The cold wall surfaces cause water vapor to condense, and drainage channels collect this condensed water and return it to the reservoir. This self-service mechanism continuously replenishes the reservoir without external intervention, reducing refilling frequency without requiring an excessively large reservoir capacity.
3Loss of substance
If the chamber is completely sealed to contain aerosol, then water loss is reduced, but climate control adaptability for different produce types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs controllable ventilation openings with adjustable openings rather than a completely sealed or completely open chamber. The ventilation system can be dynamically adjusted to provide different levels of sealing based on the specific produce type and storage requirements. This dynamic adjustability allows the chamber to maintain adequate sealing to contain aerosol and reduce water loss, while still permitting climate customization for different produce types through controlled ventilation.
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 device achieves efficient climate control, reducing water consumption and preventing spoilage by maintaining optimal humidity and temperature conditions, thereby prolonging the freshness of fruits and vegetables.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling device is able and configured to enter on a cold side thereof into heat-exchanging contact with the airflow and to extract heat therefrom
Implementation Method 2
The double wall thereby provides not only for an insulating function but also contributes actively to maintaining a cool climate inside the receptacle
Implementation Method 3
comprise at least one sprayer device which is able and configured to generate during operation and optionally intermittently an aerosol from a liquid and deliver it to the airflow
Implementation Method 4
the air displacing device is able and configured to generate and maintain, optionally intermittently, a forced airflow during operation
Data Source
AI summary
Device for keeping fresh produce conditioned, particularly for fruit, comprising a receptacle with a substantially cup-shaped chamber which is enclosed by a wall and conditioning means, wherein the conditioning means comprise at least a cooling device (35) and at least an air displacing device (55), wherein a cavity (25) comprises at least one air channel (25, 27) which is in open communication with the air displacing device so as to guide the forced airflow at least partially, and wherein an inner wall (21) is provided in the bottom with perforations (28) which maintain an open communication between the chamber and at least one of the at least one air channel.