Herb Storage Assembly with Docking Port for Refrigerator Hydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Perishable herbs stored in refrigerators often wilt, die, or deteriorate due to lack of hydration and nutrients, leading to reduced flavor and undesirable odors, resulting in wasted food.
Innovation Solution
An herb storage assembly within the refrigerator that includes a water reservoir and docking port for receiving a flow of water, with herb containers seated partially within the reservoir, ensuring improved hydration and freshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If herbs are stored in a conventional refrigerator without specialized hydration systems, then the storage structure remains simple, but the herbs wilt, die, or deteriorate due to lack of water and nutrients
Solution Approach 1:
The herb storage assembly is nested within the refrigerator door, with the herb container seated inside the water reservoir. This nested configuration allows the hydration system to be integrated into the existing refrigerator structure without requiring separate external components, thus improving herb freshness while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables herbs to hydrate themselves by being seated directly in the water reservoir, where they can access water and nutrients autonomously. The docking port automatically connects to the water supply when the assembly is installed, eliminating the need for manual watering or complex irrigation mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If herbs are precut from stems and packaged for storage, then convenience of use is improved, but the shelf life is limited and herbs deteriorate faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for herb deterioration by providing continuous hydration from the beginning of storage. The water reservoir is pre-filled and the docking port is pre-configured to connect to the water supply, ensuring herbs receive immediate and ongoing hydration to extend shelf life while maintaining the convenience of pre-packaged storage.
3Volume of stationary object
If herbs are stored without proper hydration, then storage space is maximized, but herbs give off foul smells and waste food increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies localized hydration specifically to the herb container area within the water reservoir. This targeted approach ensures that herbs receive the water and nutrients they need to prevent deterioration and foul odors, while the rest of the refrigerator storage space remains available for other items, thus maintaining overall storage capacity.
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 herb storage assembly effectively maintains herb freshness by providing necessary hydration, reducing waste and unpleasant odors, while allowing for easy maintenance and monitoring of herb freshness.
Implementation Method 1
an herb storage assembly for storing herbs within an appliance... an herb container defining a storage volume, the herb container being seated at least partially within the water reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
An herb storage assembly for storing herbs within a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a chilled chamber and a dispensing assembly including a water supply port for selectively discharging a flow of water. The herb storage assembly includes a lower housing defining a water reservoir and a docking port mounted to the lower housing, the docking port being configured for engaging the water supply port to receive the flow of water into the water reservoir. An herb container is seated at least partially within the water reservoir and defines a storage volume for receiving and storing herbs.