Ethylene-Absorbing Packing Material for Produce Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packing materials for fruits and vegetables are costly, complex to produce, and have insufficient preservative functions, particularly in maintaining freshness during display and delivery.

Innovation Solution

A packing material is developed by blending porous silicon oxide granules with calcium carbonate and a plastic matrix material, incorporating ethylene-absorbing or reacting agents like potassium permanganate, and forming a dry mixing powder that is coated on or filled within the granules, then combined with polyethylene to create a cost-effective, easy-to-produce packaging solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional multiple layered packing materials are used, then limited preservative functions are provided, but high cost and complicated producing processes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservative functionVSAvoidproducing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional materials (ethylene-absorbing material, moisture-absorbing material, and plastic matrix material) into a single integrated packing material composition, eliminating the need for multiple separate layers while maintaining comprehensive preservative functions including ethylene absorption, moisture control, and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system where ethylene-absorbing material (such as potassium permanganate), moisture-absorbing material (such as calcium chloride or silica gel), and plastic matrix material are combined in specific proportions and ratios, forming a unified packing material that delivers multiple preservative functions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional multiple layered packing materials are used, then limited preservative functions are provided, but high cost occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservative functionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the proportions and ratios of different materials in the composite formulation, adjusting the concentration and distribution of ethylene-absorbing material, moisture-absorbing material, and plastic matrix to achieve cost-effective preservative performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If material is sprayed with water during blending, then material coating on granules surface occurs, but water removal time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating uniformityVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the water content and spraying parameters during the blending process, optimizing the amount of water added and the spraying rate to achieve adequate coating of the ethylene-absorbing material on granule surfaces while minimizing the subsequent drying time required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs the material coating operation during the initial blending process rather than as a separate subsequent step, incorporating the ethylene-absorbing material coating into the mixing operation itself, which allows for simultaneous blending and coating, thereby reducing overall processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 packaging material effectively absorbs or reacts with ethylene, significantly extending the preservation time of fruits and vegetables, outperforming conventional methods while being simpler and more economical to manufacture.

Implementation Method 1

the multiple porous granules in the packing material may absorb or trap or even react with the ethylene released by fruits and vegetables

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the material absorbing, catching, trapping or reacting with ethylene and may be bromide solution, potassium permanganate or potassium bromide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9701818B2Packing material for preserving fruits and vegetables and producing method thereof

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 PLASTICS INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CENTER

AI summary

A producing method for fruit and vegetable fresh packing material has steps of (1) mixing porous granules, material and water, (2) blending the porous granules, material and water until the water is removed to form a dry mixing powder, and (3) mixing the dry mixing powder with plastic matrix material and forming plastic granules. Thus, a bag or a packing material may be produced using the plastic granules by standard plastic producing methods, such that the bag or packing material with an outstanding fruit preservation ability may be produced by a very simple way.