Nectarcrisp Nectarine Tree Extended Shelf Life and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current nectarine varieties face challenges in maintaining fruit quality and shelf life after harvesting, with limited durability and susceptibility to handling damage, affecting commercial viability and distribution.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of the 'Nectarcrisp' nectarine tree variety, which exhibits a long shelf life and durable fruit characteristics, including a thick skin and semi-sweet, crunchy flesh, allowing for extended storage and shipping without alteration, and is resistant to handling and environmental stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If standard nectarine varieties are used, then fruit can be produced for fresh market, but fruit shelf life is short and durability is poor after harvesting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit shelf lifeVSAvoidfruit durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by developing a new nectarine variety with fundamentally different physiological characteristics - specifically extended shelf life of 10-14 days post-harvest compared to standard varieties, altered flowering time (late March vs early March), and modified fruit maturity timing (end August-early September). These parameter changes in the variety itself enable both improved shelf life and durability without external interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If fruit is harvested for long-distance distribution, then market reach is expanded, but fruit is susceptible to handling damage and quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution rangeVSAvoidhandling damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by selecting and breeding a nectarine variety that inherently possesses enhanced durability and resistance to handling damage before the distribution process begins. The 'Nectarcrisp' variety was specifically developed with these pre-existing traits, allowing it to withstand long-distance distribution and handling without requiring additional protective measures during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If early maturing varieties are used, then fruit is available earlier in the season, but shelf life and storage duration are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit maturity speedVSAvoidstorage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional relationship between maturity timing and shelf life. Instead of early-maturing varieties having short shelf life and late-maturing varieties having long shelf life, the 'Nectarcrisp' variety achieves both late maturity (end August-early September) and extended shelf life (10-14 days post-harvest), inverting the expected trade-off between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUSPP19384P3Nectarine tree named 'Nectarcrisp'

Publication Date: 2008.10.28 R L AGRO SELECTION FRUITS

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectarcrisp’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or melting.