Modified Atmosphere Food Storage With Removable Gas Canisters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food storage methods fail to effectively extend the freshness of various food products by maintaining optimal modified atmospheres within refrigeration spaces, leading to spoilage and reduced shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A modular system that includes a housing, controlling device, switch, valve, and vacuum pump, allowing for the removal of ambient gas and introduction of a customized blend of gases to create a modified atmosphere within a food storage space, tailored to specific food types such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, to enhance preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional food storage methods are used, then the storage space is simple and easy to operate, but the food freshness and shelf life are not effectively extended
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple compartments, each capable of having its own modified atmosphere independently controlled. This allows different food types to be stored in separate compartments with optimized gas compositions, extending freshness without requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts gas composition parameters (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen ratios) and pressure levels in each compartment based on stored food requirements. By changing these parameters, the system extends food shelf life while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a modified atmosphere system is implemented, then food shelf life is extended, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors and adjusts gas composition and pressure in each compartment without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect conditions and the control system makes adjustments autonomously, extending food shelf life while maintaining ease of operation through self-regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
A single control system manages multiple compartments with different food types, each requiring different atmosphere compositions. The system performs multiple functions (vacuuming, gas injection, pressure regulation) through integrated components, extending shelf life across various food types without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If customized gas blends are used for different food types, then preservation effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity and gas management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different gas composition profiles are assigned to separate compartments based on food type (meat, vegetables, dairy, etc.). Each compartment maintains its optimized atmosphere independently, improving preservation effectiveness while simplifying gas management through spatial segmentation of requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures specific gas parameter sets (oxygen 2-10%, carbon dioxide 20-40%, nitrogen 50-70%) for different food categories. By changing parameters according to stored food type, the system achieves high preservation effectiveness while managing complexity through standardized parameter profiles.
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 system effectively extends the freshness of stored food by maintaining specific gas compositions, reducing pathogen growth, and ensuring a prolonged shelf life by creating a controlled modified atmosphere within the storage space.
Implementation Method 1
activating the module to remove ambient gas within the food storage space until a predetermined vacuum level is reached
Implementation Method 2
allowing gas to flow from the compressed gas containing receptacle into the food storage space to thereby create a modified atmosphere within the food storage space
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance system including a module removably mounted to an appliance, one or more removable gas canisters operably connected to the module, and a food retaining enclosed space operably connected to the module. The one or more gas canisters supply a modified atmosphere in the food retaining enclosed space to produce a modified atmosphere that enhances preservation of the food contained in the food retaining enclosed space. A method of modifying the atmosphere in a food storage space for food includes the steps of: providing a module capable of being removably engaged to an appliance and typically receiving power from the appliance and at least one removable gas canister; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module with the appliance; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module to a food storage area having an existing atmosphere; and removing at least a portion of the existing atmosphere from the food storage space and replacing it with a modified food storage atmosphere using at least one of the at least one removable gas canisters to supply the modified atmosphere to the food storage area.