Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel method and product for extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, specifically through the creation of a low-oxygen environment inside a refrigerator or storage container. More specifically, it involves a high nitrogen pillow pack that utilizes nitrogen gas to reduce the oxygen levels in the immediate vicinity of the stored produce, thereby slowing down their respiration rate and delaying spoilage. This method is particularly useful in domestic and commercial settings where fresh produce is stored for extended periods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fresh fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and typically have a limited shelf life due to their natural respiration processes, during which they consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This process leads to degradation of the produce, resulting in spoilage, loss of nutritional value, and diminished quality over time. Traditionally, to extend the shelf life of fresh produce, various preservation techniques such as refrigeration, controlled atmosphere storage, and chemical treatments have been employed. However, these methods often come with limitations, such as the need for specialized equipment, ongoing monitoring, or the use of preservatives that may not be desirable for all consumers.
In particular, refrigeration alone does not significantly slow the respiration rate of fruits and vegetables because oxygen levels in the storage environment remain high, allowing the respiration process to continue. The use of nitrogen gas to displace oxygen and create a low-oxygen atmosphere has been recognized as an effective way to slow down the metabolic activities of fresh produce, thereby extending its shelf life. However, existing methods often require expensive equipment, complex systems, or specialized expertise for implementation.

The present invention addresses these shortcomings by providing a simple, cost-effective solution that creates a low-oxygen environment inside a refrigerator or produce storage container using a high nitrogen pillow pack. This product allows for localized reduction of oxygen levels without the need for external infrastructure or complicated systems, making it an ideal solution for both domestic and commercial use. By reducing the oxygen concentration inside the fruit and vegetable storage area, the respiration rate of the produce is significantly lowered, helping to keep the fruits and vegetables fresh for longer periods without the need for additional preservatives or refrigeration technologies.
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 present invention provides a novel solution for extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by reducing the oxygen levels in their immediate environment. This is achieved through the use of a high nitrogen pillow pack, which is a simple, cost-effective product designed to create a low-oxygen atmosphere inside a refrigerator or storage container. The pillow pack is filled with 99% pure nitrogen gas, and its specially designed membrane allows for the controlled release of nitrogen, effectively displacing oxygen in the storage area. This reduction in oxygen significantly slows down the respiration rate of the stored produce, thereby extending their freshness and shelf life.
The pillow pack consists of a polyethylene pouch filled with nitrogen gas, sealed using a heat sealer to ensure airtight packaging. The pouch is then placed inside the fruit and vegetable basket or storage area within the refrigerator. To initiate the reduction of oxygen, the membrane is punctured, allowing nitrogen to escape and reduce the oxygen content. The membrane can be punctured periodically, based on the oxygen levels, to maintain optimal conditions for the stored produce.
The high nitrogen pillow pack is a practical and user-friendly solution that eliminates the need for complex systems or expensive equipment. It can be used in domestic refrigerators and commercial settings, providing an efficient means to extend the freshness of fruits and vegetables. By slowing down the respiration rate, the invention helps reduce spoilage and waste, while offering an economical and sustainable method of preserving produce without the need for chemical preservatives or refrigeration systems. This simple yet effective technology provides a significant advantage for those seeking a more accessible way to keep fresh produce for longer periods.
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.
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: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
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 present invention relates to a novel method and product for extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, specifically through the creation of a low-oxygen environment inside a refrigerator or storage container. More specifically, it involves a high nitrogen pillow pack that utilizes nitrogen gas to reduce the oxygen levels in the immediate vicinity of the stored produce, thereby slowing down their respiration rate and delaying spoilage. This method is particularly useful in domestic and commercial settings where fresh produce is stored for extended periods. A new method is developed to create low oxygen level in the fruit and vegetable basket. The newly developed nigh nitrogen pillow pack will create low oxygen inside the fruit and vegetable basket, which makes low availability of oxygen to the fresh produce thereby decreases the respiration rate substantially. This will make the fresh produce to stay for longer periods.
The following components will be the part the newly developed system and method.
1. A pillow pouch (polyethylene packet) having 99 % nitrogen packed and sealed
2. A membrane attached to the pillow pouch to allow limited release of pure nitrogen into the fruit basket.
3. Specifically arranged seal on the membrane
Procedure:
1. Preparation of nitrogen pillow pouch
a. Take a polythene(PE) pack of 1/2/3 litre volume.(To suit various quantities of fruits and vegetables)
b. Cut four slot of 1 square inch on the pack to stick the membrane
c. Fill Nitrogen of 99%purity using a nitrogen cylinder with valve
d. Seal the pouch using a heat sealer
e. Pillow pouch is ready to use
2. Transfer the pillow pouch into a refrigerator fruit and vegetable basket
3. Puncture the membrane with a needle to allow nitrogen to allow reduce oxygen level inside the fruit and vegetable basket
4. Further, puncture the membrane regularly based on the oxygen levels.
The high nitrogen pillow pack is designed to create a low oxygen environment inside a fruit and vegetable basket in a refrigerator, helping to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. It comprises a polyethylene pouch that contains 99% pure nitrogen gas, which is sealed using a heat sealer to ensure that the nitrogen is retained within the pouch. Attached to the pouch is a membrane that allows for the controlled release of nitrogen gas into the surrounding environment inside the fruit and vegetable basket, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration and slowing down the respiration rate of the produce.
The polyethylene pouch is available in various sizes, typically holding between 1 and 3 liters of nitrogen gas, to suit different quantities of produce. The membrane is designed to gradually release nitrogen gas into the basket over time, effectively lowering the oxygen levels and extending the shelf life of the fruits and vegetables stored inside. The membrane can also be punctured with a needle to initiate the release of nitrogen, further reducing the oxygen concentration in the basket and ensuring optimal storage conditions for the produce.

The process of creating the high nitrogen pillow pack involves selecting a polyethylene pouch of the appropriate size, cutting slots to attach the membrane, filling the pouch with nitrogen gas at 99% purity, and then sealing the pouch with a heat sealer. This creates an airtight container that ensures the nitrogen remains inside, ready to be used in the fruit and vegetable basket. The membrane is designed in such a way that it can be punctured at any time to release nitrogen gas, maintaining a low-oxygen environment and preserving the freshness of the produce.
The pillow pack is placed directly inside the fruit and vegetable basket within the refrigerator, providing a simple and effective solution for reducing oxygen levels without the need for additional equipment. The pouch is reusable, allowing it to be refilled with nitrogen gas and resealed for repeated use, offering a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way to maintain a low-oxygen environment inside the refrigerator. The membrane is specifically engineered to regulate the release of nitrogen, ensuring that the oxygen levels inside the basket remain at optimal levels for extended periods, thus preventing premature spoilage of the stored produce.
This product provides an easy-to-use, economical solution for reducing oxygen levels in the refrigerator, helping to extend the freshness and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Unlike other complex systems, this high nitrogen pillow pack offers a simple, reliable method for maintaining a low-oxygen environment, ensuring that produce stays fresh longer with minimal effort. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
1. Easy to use
2. Locally created low oxygen creation within the refrigerator
3. No moving parts
4. Easy availability of nitrogen gas in cylinders
5. Process of filling and sealing is easy
6. Economical for domestic operation 
, C , Claims:1. A high nitrogen pillow pack for creating a low oxygen environment in a fruit and vegetable basket inside a refrigerator, comprising: A polyethylene pouch containing 99% pure nitrogen gas, sealed using a heat sealer to retain the nitrogen; A membrane attached to the pouch, wherein the membrane allows controlled release of nitrogen into the surrounding atmosphere inside the fruit and vegetable basket, reducing the oxygen concentration; and The pouch being configured to be placed inside the fruit and vegetable basket, thereby lowering the oxygen level inside the basket and reducing the respiration rate of the produce.
2. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyethylene pouch is configured to hold between 1 and 3 liters of nitrogen gas, allowing for different volumes of nitrogen depending on the amount of produce to be stored.
3. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane is designed to gradually release nitrogen into the fruit and vegetable basket over a period of time, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration and slowing the respiration rate of the produce.
4. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane is puncturable with a needle to initiate the release of nitrogen gas into the fruit and vegetable basket, further reducing the oxygen levels and extending the shelf life of the stored produce.
5. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch is prepared by: Selecting a polyethylene pouch of a predetermined size (1, 2, or 3 liters); Cutting slots on the pouch to attach the membrane; Filling the pouch with nitrogen gas at 99% purity; and Sealing the pouch using a heat sealer to ensure airtight containment of the nitrogen.
6. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch is sealed and the membrane is attached in such a way that it is puncturable at any time to release nitrogen into the basket, ensuring that the oxygen concentration in the basket is controlled and optimized for the stored produce.
7. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch is designed to be placed directly inside the fruit and vegetable basket within a refrigerator, providing a low-oxygen environment for the produce without the need for additional equipment.
8. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pouch is reusable and capable of being refilled with nitrogen gas and resealed for repeated use, providing a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution for reducing oxygen levels in the refrigerator.
9. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane is specifically designed to regulate the release of nitrogen gas, maintaining an optimal low oxygen environment for the produce over an extended period of time, thus preventing premature spoilage.
 
10. The high nitrogen pillow pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device provides a simple and economical solution for reducing oxygen levels in the refrigerator, extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables without requiring complex machinery or costly consumables.