Rose Storage Packaging with Oxygen Transmission and Ethylene Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for long-term storage and transport of roses and chrysanthemums are unsuitable as they lead to drying out and fungal development, making the flowers unmarketable due to the use of nutrient media that clog stems and promote Botrytus growth.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-feeding roses and chrysanthemums with nutrients like Chrysal® and applying anti-fungal agents without a nutrient medium in the package, using oxygen-transmitting and ethylene-regulating packaging to maintain freshness and prevent fungal growth, allowing for storage or transport in various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a nutrient medium is provided in the package during long-term storage and transport, then the roses or chrysanthemums can maintain their nutritional supply, but the stems become clogged and the flowers dry out and develop fungus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the nutrient medium from the packaging system entirely. Instead of providing nutrients through a medium that clogs stems, the invention extracts this problematic element and replaces it with a purely atmospheric control system that prevents drying and fungal growth without requiring physical contact with the stems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert atmosphere inside the package by controlling gas exchange. The packaging system regulates oxygen and carbon dioxide levels to create an environment that prevents respiratory issues in the flowers and inhibits fungal growth, eliminating the need for nutrient media while maintaining flower quality during long-term storage.
2Device complexity
If simple box packaging is used for short-term transport, then the structure is simple and costs are low, but the transport time is short and available volume is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested packaging structure where multiple packages are placed inside each other. The innermost package contains the flowers with controlled atmosphere, surrounded by intermediate packages, and finally an outer container. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and allows for both short-term and long-term storage options while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system is designed to be adaptable and dynamic. The same basic packaging structure can serve different purposes: simple boxes for short-term transport, nested configurations for long-term storage, and customizable arrangements for different volumes. This flexibility allows the system to optimize both complexity and volume based on specific transport needs.
3Quantity of substance
If sea freight is used for long-term transport, then transport volume is large and costs are reasonable, but transport time is long and temperature control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-conditioning the flowers before transport. The flowers are treated with anti-fungal agents and placed in packages with controlled atmosphere before being loaded for transport. This preliminary preparation allows the flowers to withstand long sea freight journeys without requiring continuous temperature control, reducing both time and cost requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled atmosphere package acts as an intermediary between the flowers and the external environment. This intermediate system regulates gas exchange and protects the flowers from drying and fungal growth during transport, allowing sea freight to be used effectively without requiring direct temperature control of the flowers themselves.
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
Roses and chrysanthemums are kept in excellent condition for extended periods, maintaining quality and vase life, with the ability to store or transport them for up to five weeks without drying out or developing fungus, and reducing logistical and cost burdens associated with nutrient media.
Implementation Method 1
The package is oxygen-transmitting
Implementation Method 2
The package is ethylene-regulating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In a method for long-term storage or transport of roses or chrysanthemums, a nutrient is fed to the roses or chrysanthemums. Also, an anti-fungal agent is applied to the roses or chrysanthemums. After the roses or chrysanthemums have been placed in a package, the package is placed in a cooled environment, such as a container, at a temperature between 0 and 3 degrees Celsius.