Produce preservation system
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsAndrew G. Strohm, Ronald K. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims22
A refrigerated unit for preserving produce comprising:
- an insulated cabinet including at least one 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,
- wherein the ethylene control mechanism is configured to remove and retain ethylene.
A consumer-sized refrigerator comprising at least 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 and wherein said refrigerator further comprises an ethylene control mechanism such that an ethylene level in said first compartment can be substantially different than an ethylene level in said second compartment and the ethylene control mechanism is configured to remove and retain ethylene.
A method of preserving fresh produce having a temperature control mechanism, a humidity control mechanism, and an ethylene control mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an insulated cabinet having at least one 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 space;
- and
- regulating a level of ethylene within said storage space by using the ethylene control mechanism to remove and retain ethylene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.