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US 5,689,913 AGranted
Plant development affecting device and method
AssigneeBoard of Trustees operating Michigan State University
InventorRandolph M. Beaudry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A patch (10, 30, 40) or other device applied to a fruit or vegetable for releasing a gas, preferably ethylene, which accelerates maturation or which retards maturation, preferably carbon dioxide. The device attaches to a portion of the fruit or vegetable and releases the gas upon application or upon demand. Ripening or retardation is selective in a bunch of connected fruits such as bananas when applied to one finger, thereby providing selective ripening.
Claims6
A method for affecting the development of a living plant material which comprises:
- (a) providing a device for use on a living plant material to affect development of the plant material which device comprises a container means containing separate compositions which generate a development affecting gas when selectively combined, wherein the container means has a layer which is pervious to the gas upon generation of the gas;
- and an adhesive on an exposed portion of the container means around the layer so that the device can be sealed on the plant material to release the gas through the layer into the plant material;
- and
- (b) applying the container means to the plant material with the adhesive;
- and releasing the gas to the plant material by combining the compositions, wherein the development of the plant material is affected by the gas.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.