Inflatable Packaging with Apertures for Produce Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The agriculture industry faces challenges in preserving and shipping produce prone to spoilage due to bruising and accelerated ripening during transportation, which existing solutions often address at a high cost or with undesirable effects on produce quality.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable packaging system comprising two film plies with a seal pattern forming an inflation chamber, allowing for ventilation and cushioning to reduce bruising and ethylene buildup, thereby extending the shelf life of produce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If produce is shipped in thin film vented PE plastic bags, then ventilation is provided, but produce is still susceptible to bruising and accelerated ripening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by inflating the packaging structure with air or gas before shipping, creating a protective cushion around the produce. This pre-established cushioning absorbs impacts and reduces bruising during transportation, while the sealed structure controls the atmosphere to prevent accelerated ripening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert atmosphere by sealing the produce in a controlled environment and replacing or modifying the air composition. This inert atmosphere reduces oxidation and microbial growth, thereby preventing accelerated ripening and extending produce shelf life during shipping.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical barriers like citric acid are employed to reduce oxidation, then produce protection is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of air (oxidation) into a beneficial controlled atmosphere. By sealing the packaging and replacing air with an inert gas mixture, the patent transforms the oxidation problem into a controlled environment that actively protects produce, eliminating the need for chemical barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical protection methods (citric acid) with a physical/mechanical solution (controlled atmosphere packaging). The sealing mechanism and gas replacement system substitute for chemical barriers, reducing packaging complexity while maintaining protection effectiveness.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If produce is refrigerated to extend shelf life, then ripening is slowed, but transportation cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the atmospheric parameters (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen ratios) within the packaging to control ripening rates. This parameter change allows produce to be stored at higher temperatures than traditional refrigeration while still extending shelf life, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary controlled atmosphere between the produce and the external environment. This atmospheric mediator controls the ripening process through modified gas composition, allowing reduced refrigeration requirements and lower energy consumption while maintaining extended shelf life.
4Strength
If produce is dehydrated to improve bruising threshold, then damage resistance is improved, but produce quality and freshness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by maintaining high humidity and fresh conditions through controlled atmosphere packaging rather than dehydrating the produce. The sealed environment prevents moisture loss and maintains produce turgor pressure, improving both bruise resistance and quality simultaneously.
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 inflatable packaging system effectively reduces bruising and ripening of produce by providing cushioning and venting, thereby extending shelf life and maintaining produce quality during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable packaging system effectively reduces bruising and ripening of produce by providing cushioning and venting
Implementation Method 2
An aperture extends through at least one of the first or second ply, and the seal pattern separates opposite side of the aperture from the inflation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable packaging element is disclosed herein. The inflatable packaging element includes a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply, and a seal pattern. The seal pattern has a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define an inflation chamber between the first and second plies. The inflation chamber is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. An aperture extends through at least one of the first or second ply, and the seal pattern separates opposite side of the aperture from the inflation chamber.