Produce preservation system

• US 20050217282A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Anderson, Ronald K., Strohm, Andrew G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,296,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/78
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/152 in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O ; Elimination of such other gases
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/042 Air treating means within refrigerated spaces air conditioning in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0417 using an UV-lamp
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/06 Sensors detecting the presence of a product

Abstract

A refrigerated unit is well suited for storing fruits and vegetables. A household-sized refrigerated unit includes a storage space for retaining fruits and vegetables. The temperature within the storage space is controllable within a range of approximately 40-65 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity level within the storage space is regulated to prevent unnecessary desiccation of the fruit and vegetables, and to prevent excessive condensation. The unit is provided with a mechanism for regulating the level of ethylene gas within the storage space to either retard or accelerate ripening, as desired.

Claims

1. A refrigerated unit for preserving produce comprising:

an insulated cabinet including an enclosed storage space;

a chiller operably associated with said storage space for removing heat from said storage space;

a temperature control mechanism operably associated with said chiller for selectively controlling said chiller to regulate an air temperature within said storage space;

a humidity control mechanism operably associated with said storage space for regulating a relative humidity level within said storage space; and

an ethylene control mechanism operably associated with said storage space for regulating a level of ethylene within said storage space.

2. The refrigerated unit of claim 1, wherein said temperature control mechanism will maintain said air temperature between forty and sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit.

3. The refrigerated unit of claim 1, wherein said temperature control unit will selectively maintain said air temperature above fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The refrigerated unit of claim 1, wherein the temperature control mechanism is an electronic control mechanism comprising logic, a power supply, a power switching mechanism, a temperature sensing mechanism, and a user interface.

5. The refrigerated unit of claim 1, wherein the humidity control mechanism is a passive mechanism.

6. The refrigerated unit of claim 5, wherein the humidity control mechanism comprises a container for retaining a supply of water, and wherein said container is open to the storage space such that water from said container can evaporate into the storage space.

7. The refrigerated unit of claim 5, wherein the humidity control mechanism comprises a membrane that permits passage of water vapor but not liquid water.

8. The refrigerated unit of claim 1, wherein the humidity control mechanism comprises and ultrasonic oscillator.

9. The refrigerated unit of claim 1, wherein the ethylene control mechanism comprises a filter for removing ethylene from air within the storage space.

10. The refrigerated unit of claim 9, wherein the filter comprises activated carbon.

11. The refrigerated unit of claim 9, wherein the filter comprises peat.

12. The refrigerated unit of claim 9, wherein the filter comprises potassium permanganate.

13. The refrigerated unit of claim 1, wherein the ethylene control mechanism comprises an ultraviolet light used in conjunction with a photocatalyst to degrade ethylene within the storage space.

14. A consumer-sized refrigerator comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, and wherein said refrigerator further comprises a temperature control mechanism such that an air temperature maintained in said first compartment may be substantially different than an air temperature maintained in said second compartment and further wherein said refrigerator further comprises a humidity control mechanism such that a humidity level in said first compartment may be substantially different than a humidity level in said second compartment.

15. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising an ethylene control mechanism for controlling an ethylene level in said first compartment.

16. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein said temperature control mechanism will maintain an air temperature is said first compartment between forty and sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit.

17. A method of preserving fresh produce comprising:

providing an insulated cabinet having an enclosed storage space;

placing fresh produce within said storage space;

maintaining an air temperature within said storage space between forty and sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit by using an associated chiller;

regulating a humidity level within said storage spaces; and

regulating a level of ethylene within said storage space.

18. The method of preserving fresh produce according to claim 17, wherein said regulating a humidity level step comprises collecting water condensed by said chiller and permitting said condensed water to evaporate into said storage space.

19. The method of preserving fresh produce according to claim 17 wherein said regulating a level of ethylene step comprises forcing air within said storage space through a filter that removes ethylene from the air.

20. The method of preserving fresh produce according to claim 17 wherein said regulating a level of ethylene step comprises providing a catalyst to degrade ethylene within said storage space.