Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to Eco-Friendly Vegetable Sanitizer Basket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Problem addressed by the invention:
Current electronic vegetable sanitizers, while effective at cleaning vegetables, have several drawbacks that limit their usability and affordability. These devices typically require a constant power supply, making them inconvenient for use in areas without reliable electricity. Additionally, they tend to be expensive, putting them out of reach for many consumers. The durability of these electronic devices is also a concern, as they may not last long with regular use.
On the other hand, traditional vegetable baskets do not require power and are generally long-lasting and affordable. However, these baskets are not specifically designed for sanitizing vegetables. The process of cleaning vegetables using traditional baskets is often lengthy and labor-intensive, requiring multiple steps to ensure proper sanitation.
Therefore, there is a need for a solution that combines the advantages of both electronic sanitizers and traditional baskets. The ideal product should be effective in sanitizing vegetables, affordable, durable, and easy to use without requiring a power supply. This solution should simplify the cleaning process while ensuring the vegetables are properly sanitized, making it accessible and practical for everyday use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS & PATENTS
1. True Wash Universal Wet/Dry Sanitizing System: This system combines UV light and activated oxygen for sanitizing fruits, vegetables, and other items. It uses advanced UV-O3 technology to achieve up to 99.9% bacteria removal and is FDA approved for food contact. The system offers both wet and dry-cleaning modes and reduces water consumption with its efficient use.
2. Fruit and Vegetables Green Sanitizing Compartment: This patented invention focuses on controlling the ripening process and extending the freshness of fruits and vegetables by removing ethylene gas through a photo-catalytic process. The compartment uses UV light and a titanium dioxide catalyst to convert ethylene into carbon dioxide and water, thereby slowing down ripening and preserving freshness.
3. Ozone Vegetable Washers: These machines use ozone, a strong oxidant, to sanitize vegetables by reducing pesticide residues and killing bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Ozone washers are effective in prolonging the shelf life of produce and are widely used in fruit and vegetable processing plants due to their high automation and efficiency in cleaning large quantities of produce
4. Ozone Vegetable Sanitizers: These devices use ozone to remove pesticides, bacteria, and viruses from vegetables and fruits.
5. Ultrasonic Vegetable Cleaners: These use ultrasonic waves to clean the surface of vegetables and fruits.
These solutions highlight different approaches to vegetable sanitizing, such as the use of UV light, activated oxygen, and ozone, each with specific advantages and applications. The prior art demonstrates that while there are effective methods available, there may still be room for improvements in efficiency, cost, and usability.
Shortcomings of the presently available solution:
1. Electronic Vegetable/Fruit Sanitizers:
Drawbacks:
Power Dependency: Require continuous power supply, making them impractical in areas with unreliable electricity.
High Cost: Typically expensive, limiting their affordability for many consumers.
Durability: Electronic components are prone to wear and tear, reducing the lifespan of the product.
Complexity: May require regular maintenance and occasional part replacements, adding to the long-term cost and effort.
2. Traditional Vegetable/Fruit Baskets:
Drawbacks:
Lack of Sanitization: Not specifically designed for sanitizing vegetables, resulting in an inefficient cleaning process.
Manual Effort: Require significant manual effort and time to ensure vegetables are properly cleaned.
Inconsistent Cleaning: Manual rinsing may not effectively remove all contaminants, pesticides, or bacteria from vegetables.
3. Combination Devices (Multifunctional Washing Machines):
Drawbacks:
Cost and Complexity: High cost and complexity make these devices unsuitable for personal or small-scale use.
Bulkiness: Often bulky and require significant space, making them impractical for small kitchens or households.
Limited Accessibility: Primarily targeted at commercial settings, limiting their availability and practical use in regular households.
Basic Difference between presently available solutions and proposed invention:
1. Non-Electronic vs. Electronic:
The primary difference is that the proposed solution is non-electronic, whereas existing solutions like ozone vegetable washers and ultrasonic cleaners rely on electricity to operate.
2. Cost Structure:
The proposed basket is designed to be low-cost, with a total estimated manufacturing cost of around Rs 410, in contrast to the high cost of electronic sanitizers, which can range from several hundred to thousands of rupees/dollars.
3. Portability and Usability:
The manual basket is lightweight, portable, and easy to use anywhere, as opposed to electronic devices that are often bulky, require a stable power source, and are less portable.
4. Maintenance:
The proposed solution requires minimal maintenance, focusing on simple refilling of the sanitizer dispenser and basic cleaning of the basket, unlike electronic devices that may need regular technical maintenance and part replacement.
5. Design Simplicity:
The basket's simple design ensures that it is user-friendly and can be easily integrated into daily routines without the need for extensive user manuals or training, which is often necessary for electronic sanitizers.
By addressing the key limitations of cost, power dependency, and complexity found in existing solutions, the proposed Vegetable Sanitizer Basket offers a practical, efficient, and accessible alternative for consumers seeking to ensure the cleanliness and safety of their vegetables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
The proposed Vegetable Sanitizer Basket offers a practical and affordable solution for sanitizing vegetables without the need for electricity. It combines the simplicity of traditional vegetable baskets with an effective sanitizing mechanism, making it a convenient and reliable option for consumers.
Non-Electronic Design: Unlike many existing sanitization devices, the Vegetable Sanitizer Basket is designed to be manual, eliminating the need for electricity. This makes it usable in any setting, regardless of power availability, and significantly reduces the overall cost.
Integrated Sanitizing Mechanism: The basket includes a refillable sanitizer liquid dispenser, allowing users to easily apply a sanitizing solution over the vegetables. The fine mesh and drain pipe ensure efficient cleaning and water removal.
Durable and User-Friendly Construction: The basket is made from durable plastic, making it lightweight yet sturdy. Ergonomic handles and a practical size make it easy to use and carry.
Effective Cleaning Process: The user simply places the vegetables in the basket, applies the sanitizing liquid, and rinses with water. The mesh and drain pipe ensure thorough cleaning and removal of excess liquid.
Design and Prototyping: The design process involves creating CAD models and concept sketches to visualize the product and refine its features. The basket is manufactured using injection molding and undergoes quality checks to ensure durability and functionality.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The Vegetable Sanitizer Basket offers a practical, non-electronic solution for sanitizing vegetables, combining the ease of use and affordability of traditional baskets with an effective sanitizing mechanism. This innovative product meets the needs of consumers looking for a reliable, cost-effective way to ensure their vegetables are clean and safe to eat, without the need for expensive, power-dependent electronic devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: COMPONENTS AND MEASUREMENTS
FIGURE 2: OPEN VIEW
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The proposed Vegetable Sanitizer Basket addresses the shortcomings of existing solutions by combining the sanitization effectiveness of advanced technologies with the simplicity, affordability, and convenience of traditional vegetable baskets. Here’s how the proposed invention works and solves the defined problem:
The Vegetable Sanitizer Basket offers a practical, non-electronic solution for sanitizing vegetables, combining the ease of use and affordability of traditional baskets with an effective sanitizing mechanism. This innovative product meets the needs of consumers looking for a reliable, cost-effective way to ensure their vegetables are clean and safe to eat, without the need for expensive, power-dependent electronic devices.
Non-Electronic Design:
The basket is designed to be manual, eliminating the need for electricity. This makes it usable in any setting, regardless of the availability of power, and reduces the overall cost, making it affordable for a broader audience.
Integrated Sanitizing Mechanism:
Sanitizer Liquid Dispenser: The basket includes a refillable sanitizer liquid dispenser that allows users to easily apply a sanitizing solution over the vegetables. The solution can be a natural, food-safe sanitizer that effectively kills bacteria and removes pesticide residues.
Mesh and Drain Pipe: The basket features a fine mesh that holds the vegetables while allowing water and the sanitizing solution to pass through. A drain pipe at the bottom ensures that the cleaning process is efficient and that the excess liquid can be easily drained away.
Durable and User-Friendly Construction:
Material: Made from durable plastic (polypropylene), the basket is lightweight yet sturdy, ensuring long-term use without breaking.
Handles: Strong, ergonomic handles make it easy to carry and use the basket without the risk of breaking and causing injury.
Size and Shape: The basket is designed to be the right size—not too big or too small—to hold a good amount of vegetables, making it practical for everyday use.
Effective Cleaning Process:
The user places the vegetables in the basket and applies the sanitizing liquid using the built-in dispenser. They then rinse the vegetables with water, which, combined with the sanitizer, ensures thorough cleaning.
The mesh and drain pipe allow for easy removal of excess liquid, ensuring that the vegetables are not sitting in contaminated water.
Cost-Effectiveness:
The basket's materials and manufacturing process are chosen to keep the production cost low. With a total estimated cost of around Rs 410, it offers an affordable solution without compromising on quality or effectiveness.
Design and Prototyping:
CAD Models: The design process includes creating detailed CAD models to visualize the product and refine its features. These models help in understanding the dimensions and functionality of the basket.
Concept Sketches: Sketches of the selected concept provide a clear visual representation of the basket, showing dimensions and usage instructions.
Manufacturing Process:
Injection Molding: The basket and its components are manufactured using injection molding, a cost-effective and efficient method for producing plastic parts.
Assembly: The sanitizer dispenser, mesh, and drain pipe are assembled with the main basket body to create the final product.
Quality Assurance:
The basket undergoes quality checks to ensure durability, functionality, and safety. This includes testing the strength of the handles, the effectiveness of the mesh and drain system, and the proper functioning of the sanitizer dispenser.
Present invention is having the following components:
1. Container (101): A rectangular container with dimensions of 35cm x 27.8cm x 21cm, likely made from a durable plastic like polypropylene.
2. Mesh Basket (102): A square mesh basket with dimensions of 21cm x 21cm x 7cm, placed inside the container.
3. Sanitizer Dispenser (103): A cylindrical dispenser with a diameter of 1.5cm and a height of 7cm, attached to the top of the container.
4. Drain Pipe (104): A curved pipe with a diameter of 1.5cm and a length of 21cm, connecting the bottom of the mesh basket to a drain hole in the container.
5. Handle Bar (105): A horizontal bar attached to the top of the container for easy carrying.
6. Hose Holder (106): A small bracket or clip attached to the side of the container to hold a hose for draining the excess liquid.
The mesh basket is placed inside the container, ensuring that vegetables are held in place while the sanitizing solution and water pass through.
The sanitizer dispenser is connected to the top of the container, allowing for easy application of the sanitizing solution.
The drain pipe is connected to the bottom of the mesh basket and a drain hole in the container, allowing excess liquid to be drained away.
The handle bar is attached to the top of the container for convenience in carrying and transporting the basket.
The hose holder is attached to the side of the container to provide a secure place for storing the hose when not in use.
Working Methodology:
Fill the Sanitizer Dispenser: Fill the sanitizer dispenser with a food-safe sanitizing solution.
Place Vegetables in Basket: Place the vegetables to be sanitized in the mesh basket inside the container.
Apply Sanitizer: Pour the sanitizing solution from the dispenser over the vegetables in the basket.
Rinse with Water: Rinse the vegetables with clean water to remove any residual sanitizer and dirt.
Drain Excess Water: The excess water will drain through the mesh basket and into the drain pipe, which can be connected to a hose for easy disposal.
Remove Vegetables: Once the vegetables are clean, remove them from the basket and dry as needed.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
1. Affordability:
The proposed Vegetable Sanitizer Basket is significantly more cost-effective compared to electronic vegetable sanitizers, making it accessible to a broader range of consumers.
2. Power Independence:
Unlike electronic solutions that require a continuous power supply, the proposed basket is manual and does not depend on electricity, making it usable in any setting, including areas with unreliable power.
3. Ease of Use:
The basket integrates a simple, refillable sanitizing liquid dispenser that allows users to easily apply the sanitizing solution, simplifying the cleaning process without the need for complex machinery or maintenance.
4. Durability:
Made from sturdy plastic (polypropylene), the basket is designed for long-term use, unlike electronic devices that have a limited lifespan due to their electronic components.
5. Efficiency in Cleaning:
The combination of a mesh basket and a sanitizer liquid dispenser ensures thorough cleaning of vegetables, effectively removing contaminants and pesticides, which is comparable to the sanitization levels achieved by more expensive electronic devices.
6. Environmental Impact:
The manual design reduces energy consumption and the overall environmental footprint compared to electronic sanitizers that consume electricity.
, C , C , Claims:1. A vegetable sanitizer basket comprising:
a rectangular container (101);
a mesh basket (102) placed inside the container;
a sanitizer dispenser (103) attached to the top of the container;
a drain pipe (104) connecting the bottom of the mesh basket to a drain hole in the container;
a handle bar (105) attached to the top of the container; and
a hose holder (106) attached to the side of the container.
2. The vegetable sanitizer basket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is made of a durable plastic.
3. The vegetable sanitizer basket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mesh basket has a fine mesh that allows water and sanitizing solution to pass through.
4. The vegetable sanitizer basket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sanitizer dispenser is refillable.
5. The vegetable sanitizer basket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drain pipe is made of a durable material.
6. A method of sanitizing vegetables using the vegetable sanitizer basket of claim 1, comprising:
filling the sanitizer dispenser with a sanitizing solution;
placing vegetables in the mesh basket;
pouring the sanitizing solution over the vegetables;
rinsing the vegetables with water;
 
allowing excess water to drain through the drain pipe; and
removing the sanitized vegetables from the basket.