Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for controlling moisture loss from fruits stored in a pre-cooling chamber (102), the system (100) comprising:
a water measurement unit (114) installed within a water storage tank (108), to measure an amount of water collected by the water storage tank (108) from a drain tray (106) of the pre-cooling chamber (102);
an electronic control unit (116) connected to the water measurement unit (114), wherein the electronic control unit (116) is configured to:
receive the measured amount of the water collected in the water storage tank (108) from the water measurement unit (114);
determine an amount of water loss by comparing the measured amount of water with a previously stored amount of water; and
generate a temperature controlling signal, when the measured amount of water is not equal to the previously stored amount of water; and
a control panel (118) configured to control a temperature of the pre-cooling chamber (102) based on the received temperature controlling signal such that the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber (102) is controlled to reduce the moisture loss from the fruits.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water measurement unit (114) is a load cell.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water storage tank (108) is connected to the drain tray (106) through a pipeline.
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4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inlet solenoid valve (110) installed at an inlet of the water storage tank (108), to control water flow.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber (102) is controlled to maintain a temperature difference between the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber (102) and a temperature of the fruits.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water measurement unit (114) is configured to transmit the measured amount of the water stored in the water storage tank (108) to the electronic control unit (116) at pre-set time intervals.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an outlet solenoid valve (112) arranged at a bottom of the water storage tank (108).
8. A method (400) for controlling moisture loss from fruits, wherein the method (400) comprising steps of:
measuring an amount of water collected by a water storage tank (108) from a drain tray (106) of a pre-cooling chamber (102);
receiving a measured amount of water collected in the water storage tank (108) from a water measurement unit (114);
determining an amount of water loss by comparing the measured amount of water with a previously stored amount of water;
generating a temperature controlling signal, when the measured amount of water is not equal to the previously stored amount of water; and
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controlling a temperature of the pre-cooling chamber (102) based on the received temperature controlling signal such that the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber (102) is controlled to reduce the moisture loss from the fruits.
9. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the water measurement unit (114) is a load cell.
10. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the water storage tank (108) is connected to the drain tray (106) through a pipeline.
Date: 25 February, 2022
Place: Noida
Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372) , Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a moisture loss controlling system and particularly to a system and a method for controlling moisture loss from fruits stored in a pre-cooling chamber.
Description of Related Art
[002] Fruits constitute an important part of a well-balanced diet. They help in achieving good physical as well as proper mental health. Fruit makes weight loss more efficient and improves brain functions. Consuming a healthy amount of fruit improves basic body actions such as respiration, digestion, excretion, etc. Most of nutrient values of the fruits are held by water that it contains. Wasting of the water can result in a low nutritional value of the fruit. Different fruits require different storage arrangements to get a best use out of them without becoming wasteful. Although some fruits keep freshness better either in a refrigerator or at a room temperature.
[003] Traditionally, a refrigeration system maintains a difference in a surrounding temperature and a refrigeration temperature, which is denoted by a notation of delta T (δT). However, refrigeration of the fruits at extremely low temperatures can lead to water loss which in return leads to deterioration in the nutritional value of the fruits. Along with the nutritional value, the fruits can also lose their taste and texture that are irrecoverable. Moreover, commercially available refrigeration solutions are not so very precise and specially curated for the fruits that observe a loss in water. Moreover, there are defrosting patterns available in domestic refrigerators that adjust the temperature of fruits suitable for consumption, however by the time, the fruits already lost the water contents along with the nutritional value and the taste.
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[004] There is thus a need for a system and a method for controlling moisture loss from the fruits stored in the pre-cooling chamber in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for controlling moisture loss from fruits stored in a pre-cooling chamber. The system includes a water measurement unit installed within a water storage tank, to measure an amount of water collected by the water storage tank from a drain tray of the pre-cooling chamber. The system further includes an electronic control unit connected to the water measurement unit. The electronic control unit is configured to receive the measured amount of the water collected in the water storage tank from the water measurement unit. The electronic control unit is further configured to determine an amount of water loss by comparing the measured amount of water with a previously stored amount of water. The electronic control unit is further configured to generate a temperature controlling signal, when the measured amount of water is not equal to the previously stored amount of water. The system further includes a control panel configured to control a temperature of the pre-cooling chamber based on the received temperature controlling signal such that the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber is controlled to reduce the moisture loss from the fruits.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for controlling moisture loss from fruits stored in a pre-cooling chamber. The method comprising steps of: measuring an amount of water collected by a water storage tank from a drain tray of the pre-cooling chamber; receiving the measured amount of water collected in the water storage tank from a water measurement unit; determining an amount of water loss by comparing the measured amount of water with a previously stored amount of water; generating a temperature controlling
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signal, when the measured amount of water is not equal to the previously stored amount of water; and controlling a temperature of the pre-cooling chamber based on the received temperature controlling signal such that the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber is controlled to reduce the moisture loss from the fruits.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system and a method for controlling moisture loss from fruits stored in a pre-cooling chamber.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for controlling moisture loss from fruits that preserves a nutritional value of the fruits.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for controlling moisture loss from fruits that preserves a taste and a texture of the fruits.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for controlling moisture loss from fruits that is easy to maintain and easy to use.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for controlling moisture loss from fruits that is economical for a user.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for controlling moisture loss from fruits that is having a high degree of repairability.
[0013] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding
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of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a system for controlling moisture loss from fruits, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates components of an electronic control unit of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a graph depicting a water removal rate against a temperature differential (δT), according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for controlling the moisture loss from the fruits, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a
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permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
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[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a system 100 for controlling moisture loss from fruits stored in a pre-cooling chamber 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may control the moisture loss from the fruits by reducing a temperature difference between a temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 and a temperature of the fruits. The difference (temperature differential) between the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 and the temperature of the fruits may be denoted using a notation of delta T (δT).
[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise the pre-cooling chamber 102, an evaporator cooler 104, a drain tray 106, a water storage tank 108, an inlet solenoid valve 110, an outlet solenoid valve 112, a water measurement unit 114, an electronic control unit 116, and a control panel 118.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-cooling chamber 102 may have an allocated space to house the fruits. The allocated space inside the pre-cooling chamber 102 may be accessible by a user, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-cooling chamber 102 may use chemically active cooling reagents for cooling the stored fruits. According to embodiments of the present invention, the chemically active cooling reagents may be, but not limited to, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any chemically active cooling reagents, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-cooling chamber 102 may create an isolated environment to avoid temperature exchange from surroundings of an environment. An interior of the pre-cooling chamber 102 may be constructed of a non-toxic food-grade material, in an
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embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the non-toxic food grade material may be, but not limited to, a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), a Polypropylene (PP), a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), a Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), a Polycarbonate (PC), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the non-toxic food-grade material, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an exterior of the pre-cooling chamber 102 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a glass material, a plastic material, a stainless-steel material, an aluminium material, an iron material, a steel material, a ceramic material, a fibre material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the exterior of the pre-cooling chamber 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the evaporator cooler 104 may enable water to be condensed as frost on the evaporator cooler 104. The frost collected on the evaporator cooler 104 may further be collected on the drain tray 106 in a liquid form, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the drain tray 106 may be disposed under the evaporator cooler 104. The drain tray 106 may be adapted to receive the water from the evaporator cooler 104 through a pipeline, and may further transmit the water to the water storage tank 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the drain tray 106 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a glass material, a plastic material, a stainless-steel material, an aluminum material, an iron material, a steel material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the drain tray 106, including
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known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank 108 may be configured to collect the water from the drain tray 106 of the pre-cooling chamber 102. The water storage tank 108 may be connected to the drain tray 106 through a pipe, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the water storage tank 108 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a glass material, a plastic material, a stainless-steel material, an aluminium material, an iron material, a steel material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the water storage tank 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank 108 may be 500 millilitres (ml) in capacity. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank 108 may be of 1 litre (l) in capacity. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank 108 may be of 2 litres (l) in capacity.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet solenoid valve 110 may be installed at an inlet of the water storage tank 108. The inlet solenoid valve 110 may control a water flow, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet solenoid valve 110 may control the flow of water after a measurement of the stored water is taken. The measurement may be taken at a pre-set time interval, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-set time interval may be of 60 minutes. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-set time interval may be of 114 minutes. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-set time interval may be of any duration.
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[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the outlet solenoid valve 112 may be installed at a bottom of the water storage tank 108. The outlet solenoid valve 112 may control an outflow of the water from the water storage tank 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the outlet solenoid valve 112 may be opened to release the water stored in the water storage tank 108 at the pre-set time interval. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-set time interval may be of 60 minutes. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-set time interval may be of 114 minutes. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-set time interval may be of any duration.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the water measurement unit 114 may be installed within the water storage tank 108. The water measurement unit 114 may measure an amount of the water collected in the water storage tank 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the water measurement unit 114 may comprise a load cell to measure the amount of stored water. The water measurement unit 114 may further transmit the measured amount of the water to the electronic control unit 116 at pre-set time intervals. in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 116 may be connected to the water measurement unit 114. The electronic control unit 116 may be configured to execute computer executable instructions to generate an output. According to embodiments of the present invention, the electronic control unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electronic control unit 116 may be an Arduino. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the electronic control
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unit 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control panel 118 may receive the output generated by the electronic control unit 116. Upon receiving the output, the control panel 118 may control the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the electronic control unit 116 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic control unit 116 may comprise a data receiving module 200, a data comparison module 202, and a temperature control module 204.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the measured amount of the water collected in the water storage tank 108 from the water measurement unit 114. The data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the measured amount of the water to the data comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to determine an amount of water loss by comparing the measured amount of water with previously stored amount of water. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a temperature controlling signal when the measured amount of water is not equal to the previously stored amount of water. The data comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated temperature controlling signal to the temperature control module 204.
[0039] The temperature control module 204 may be configured to enable the control panel 118 to control the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 based on the received temperature controlling signal, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present
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invention, the temperature may be controlled to reduce a value of the temperature differential (δT). In an embodiment of the present invention, the reduction of the value of the temperature differential (δT) may further reduce the moisture loss from the fruits, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the measured amount of water from the water measurement unit 114, when the measured amount of water is equal to the previously stored amount of water.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a graph 300 depicting a water removal rate against the temperature differential (δT), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, an x-axis of the graph 300 represents the temperature differential (δT) in degree Celsius (°C). A y-axis of the graph 300 represents water removed in liters (l), in an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in the graph 300, the rate of water removal linearly increases with an increase in the temperature differential (δT). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the temperature differential (δT) of 5 degrees Celsius (°C), 20 liters (l) of water may have been removed from the fruits. In an embodiment of the present invention, an experiment has been performed on 150 metric tons of the fruits. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the temperature differential (δT) of 10 degrees Celsius (°C), 60 liters (l) of water may have been removed from the fruits. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the temperature differential (δT) of 15 degrees Celsius (°C), 80 liters (l) of water may have been removed from the fruits. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the temperature differential (δT) of 20 degrees Celsius (°C), 114 liters (l) of water may have been removed from the fruits.
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[0042] In an exemplary scenario, the temperature of the fruits may be 30 degrees Celsius (°C), and the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 may be -5 degrees Celsius (°C). This may provide the temperature differential (δT) of 35 degrees Celsius (°C). Further, the temperature differential (δT) of 35 degrees Celsius (°C) may produce 5 liters (l) of water. The 5 liters (l) of water produced may be used as a reference for a next reading. The electronic control unit 116 may generate the temperature controlling signal to control the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102. Here in the exemplary scenario, the temperature controlling signal may increase the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102, and the updated temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 may be 0 degrees Celsius (°C). This may provide the temperature differential (δT) of 30 degrees Celsius (°C), as the temperature of the fruits was 30 degrees Celsius (°C).
[0043] A configuration with the temperature differential (δT) of 30 degrees Celsius (°C), may produce 3 liters (l) of water. The 3 liters (l) of water produced is less than 5 liters (l) of water produced in the previous measurement. The 5 liters (l) of the water produced may be updated with 3 liters (l). Further, 3 liters (l) of water produced may be used as the reference for the next reading. The system 100 may continue comparing the temperature differential (δT) against the amount of water produced. The system 100 may further control the temperature differential (δT) by either increasing or decreasing the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102. The system 100 may further saturate and stabilize the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 when the amount of water produced is at a lowest achievable value.
[0044] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method 400 for controlling the moisture loss from the fruits, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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[0045] At step 402, the system 100 may measure the amount of water collected by the water storage tank 108 from the drain tray 106 of the pre-cooling chamber 102.
[0046] At step 404, the system 100 may receive the measured amount of the water collected in the water storage tank 108 from the water measurement unit 114.
[0047] At step 406, the system 100 may determine the amount of water loss by comparing the measured amount of water with the previously stored amount of water. The method 400 may proceed to a step 408, when the measured amount of water is not equal to the previously stored amount of water. Otherwise, the method 400 may return to the step 402.
[0048] At the step 408, the system 100 may generate the temperature controlling signal.
[0049] At step 410, the system 100 may control the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 based on the received temperature controlling signal such that the temperature of the pre-cooling chamber 102 is controlled to reduce the moisture loss from the fruits.
[0050] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0051] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the
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invention is defined in the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.