Regal 13-82 Apple Tree Delayed Harvest Storage Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apple tree varieties face challenges such as physiological disorders like Bitterpit and Lenticel Breakdown, limited storage durability, and synchronized harvesting with other varieties, which affects market demand and storage capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of the 'Regal 13-82' apple tree variety, which is a cross between 'Braeburn' and 'Honeycrisp' trees, offering improved cold storage characteristics, delayed harvesting, and resistance to browning, resulting in fruit that is firmer, juicier, and available for longer periods, thus enhancing market appeal and storage longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If apple trees are harvested early in the season, then fruit is available for immediate market, but storage duration is limited and market differentiation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage durationVSAvoidharvesting timing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temporal parameter of fruit maturity by developing a variety that matures later in the season (mid-October vs. early September for Honeycrisp), thereby extending the effective storage and market availability period while maintaining quality characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If apple varieties are similar in harvesting time, then market supply is consistent, but competition increases and sales price decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarket differentiationVSAvoidsales price

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temporal parameter of harvest timing to create market differentiation, positioning the variety between early-season Honeycrisp and late-season Braeburn, thereby capturing a unique market niche with reduced competition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If apple fruit is stored for extended periods, then market availability increases, but physiological disorders like Bitterpit and Lenticel Breakdown occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage durationVSAvoidfruit quality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a fruit variety with inherently superior storage characteristics that resists physiological disorders, effectively making each fruit maintain quality throughout an extended storage period without the degradation issues that plague traditional varieties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physiological parameters of the fruit through selective breeding, achieving enhanced cell wall integrity and reduced susceptibility to storage disorders, thereby maintaining quality over extended storage periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If apple fruit is exposed to ambient atmosphere, then respiration occurs and browning develops, but controlled atmosphere storage requires additional infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to browningVSAvoidstorage infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates fruit with inherent resistance to oxidation and browning through genetic selection, eliminating the need for complex controlled atmosphere infrastructure and allowing standard storage facilities to maintain fruit quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUSPP25189P3Apple tree named `Regal 13-82`

Publication Date: 2014.12.30 REGAL FRUIT INT

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of apple tree as described and which is characterized as to novelty by producing an attractively colored apple which is mature for harvesting and shipment during the first week of October under the ecological conditions prevailing in Central Washington State.