Perishable Goods Packaging Atmosphere Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting perishable goods face challenges in creating a sealed enclosure that is airtight, efficient, and cost-effective, particularly in maintaining a controlled atmosphere without specialized vehicles, and in introducing substances like sanitizing or flavoring agents effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a base cap and a bag-like covering with integrated valves for creating a sealed enclosure around palletized goods, using a controller to regulate gas levels and introduce substances like ozone, nitrogen, or flavoring agents, and a sensor to monitor and adjust the atmosphere, allowing for automated control of the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heat shrinking plastic or plastic bags are used to create sealed enclosures around goods, then the goods are protected from environmental contaminants, but the cost of transport increases due to the need for specialized vehicles to maintain controlled atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the enclosure by using multi-layer plastic films with specific gas permeability characteristics. The film structure includes layers with different permeability rates to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, allowing passive atmosphere control without specialized vehicles. This resolves the contradiction by achieving contaminant protection through material parameter optimization rather than complex vehicle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable plastic wrap films that are inexpensive and single-use. These films are applied directly to the goods or pallets and discarded after one use, eliminating the need for expensive, specialized reusable containers or vehicle-based atmosphere control systems. The low cost of the disposable film makes the overall system more economical despite the single-use nature.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional plastic wrapping is used to seal enclosures, then goods are protected from moisture and contaminants, but the ability to introduce substances like sanitizing or flavoring agents is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes plastic films with controlled porosity and gas permeability. The multi-layer structure includes microporous layers that allow selective passage of gases and vapors. This enables the film to protect against moisture while permitting the introduction and penetration of sanitizing agents, flavoring compounds, and other substances through the film matrix, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic film acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates the controlled introduction of substances. The film's selective permeability allows it to mediate between the external environment and the enclosed goods, enabling substance introduction while maintaining protective barriers. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by allowing controlled interaction rather than complete isolation.
3Reliability
If airtight sealed enclosures are created using conventional methods, then atmosphere control is improved, but the efficiency and cost-effectiveness decrease due to manual sealing and lack of automated monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-sealing mechanisms where the plastic film automatically seals around the goods or pallets through heat activation, mechanical interlocking, or adhesive properties. This eliminates the need for manual sealing operations, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliable atmosphere control. The self-service nature of the sealing process resolves the contradiction between reliability and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates atmosphere monitoring systems that provide feedback on gas composition, temperature, and humidity within the enclosed space. This feedback mechanism allows for automated adjustment and maintenance of optimal atmosphere conditions, improving reliability while reducing manual intervention. The feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and automatic correction, resolving the contradiction between reliable control and operational efficiency.
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
This system provides a cost-effective and efficient method for creating a sealed, controlled environment for perishable goods, reducing spoilage and maintaining product quality during transport by ensuring an airtight seal and precise atmosphere management without the need for specialized vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump system operable to evacuate the sealed enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a gas injection system having a source of gases and an injector in communication with the sealed enclosure, the gas injection system operable to introduce the gases into the sealed enclosure
Implementation Method 3
The controller is then enabled to introduce ozone and/or nitrogen into the sealed enclosure through the injector
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~8
AI summary
A method may be provided for supplying a desired substance treatment within a sealed enclosure containing at least one product. The method may include regulating gas and pressure levels within the enclosure through a conduit to create an atmosphere with a first predetermined gas level and/or pressure level within the enclosure, wherein the gas and/or pressure levels are controlled by a controller programmed with one or more target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions to provide a substance treatment in combination with the desired atmosphere within the sealed enclosure; and metering and/or adding a predetermined quantity of at least one substance into the enclosure through the conduit, wherein the addition of the substance is controlled by the controller in accordance with the target parameters, set-points and/or operating instructions, wherein the at least one substance coats, is absorbed into, or infuses into the at least one product.