Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system for preserving onions and particularly to a system and method for preserving the onions using carbon dioxide released from a gas stove of a kitchen.
Description of Related Art
[002] Storage of onions after harvesting and drying is an important post-harvest operation. During storage, the onions respire and liberate water vapor. In the presence of oxygen, respiration of the onions is high. To control the respiration and spoilage, some mechanism needs to be developed. For domestic level, a small storage container needs to be developed which can lower an oxygen level by maintaining high carbon dioxide. High carbon dioxide level will act as an inert environment and protects the onions from spoilage. This can enhance a shelf life of the onions with less spoilage.
[003] To enhance the shelf life of the onions, various systems have been developed. Conventionally, an Internet of Things based onion preservation system has been disclosed to monitor and preserve the onions. However, such system involves a thermoelectric cooling system for increasing the shelf life of the onions, which in turn increases a cost of preserving the onions.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced system and method that can preserve the onions in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for preserving onions. The system comprising: a storage chamber fixed to an exhaust fan of a kitchen. The storage chamber comprises perforated trays to hold the onions to be preserved. The system further comprising: a first pipe provided at an inlet of the storage chamber to allow carbon dioxide gas released from a gas stove of the kitchen to enter into the storage chamber. The system further comprising: a humidity sensor installed within the storage chamber, to sense a level of humidity inside the storage chamber. The system further comprising: a carbon dioxide sensor installed within the storage chamber, to sense a level of carbon dioxide inside the storage chamber. The system further comprising: a control unit connected to the humidity sensor and the carbon dioxide sensor. The control unit is configured to: receive the sensed humidity level and the sensed carbon dioxide level from the humidity sensor and the carbon dioxide sensor; compare the sensed humidity level with a pre-defined level of humidity; compare the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and generate a sound alert to close the first pipe of the storage chamber for stopping the carbon dioxide gas from entering into the storage chamber when at least one of, the sensed humidity level or the carbon dioxide level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of humidity or carbon dioxide.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for preserving onions in a storage chamber by using carbon dioxide gas released from a gas stove. The method comprising steps of: receiving a sensed humidity level and a sensed carbon dioxide level in the storage chamber from a humidity sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor; comparing the sensed humidity level with a pre-defined level of humidity; comparing the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and generating a sound alert to close a first pipe of the storage chamber for stopping the carbon dioxide gas from entering into the storage chamber when at least one of, the sensed humidity level or the carbon dioxide level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of humidity or carbon dioxide.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for preserving onions in a storage chamber by using carbon dioxide released from a gas stove.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that is having an electronic control of humidity and carbon dioxide level in a storage chamber.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that utilizes existing exhaust fans in a kitchen to preserve onions in a storage chamber.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that has no moving parts.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that is having a light weight structure.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding 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
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for preserving onions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a control unit of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for preserving the onions in a storage chamber by using carbon dioxide gas released from a gas stove, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] 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 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
[0019] 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 scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for preserving onions, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be configured for preserving the onions by using carbon dioxide gas released from a gas stove in a kitchen. According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a storage chamber 102 that may be located near a roof of the kitchen. The storage chamber 102 may be fixed to an exhaust fan 110 of the kitchen, in an embodiment of the present invention. The storage chamber 102 may be designed to preserve a pre-defined quantity of the onions, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined quantity of the onions may be in a range of 25 Kilograms (kgs) to 30 Kilograms (Kgs).
[0023] The storage chamber 102 may be made up of an insulated material such as, but not limited to, polystyrene, glass wool, plastic, and so forth, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the insulated material of the storage chamber 102 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage chamber 102 may comprise a door (not shown) that may be fixed to the exhaust fan 110 in the kitchen. The door may be opened or closed by a user to store or remove the onions in or from the storage chamber 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The door may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the polystyrene, the glass wool, the plastic, and so forth, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the door including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise perforated trays 104a-104n (hereinafter referred to as the trays 104) provided inside the storage chamber 102. The trays 104 may be capable to hold the onions, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the trays 104 may be capable to hold 5 Kilograms (Kgs) of the onions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the trays 104 may be natural convection trays. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the trays 104 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a first pipe 106 provided at an inlet of the storage chamber 102 to receive gases from the kitchen. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first pipe 106 may allow the high carbon dioxide gas that may be released from the gas stove placed in the kitchen to enter into the storage chamber 102. The high carbon dioxide gas released from the gas stove may be utilized to preserve the onions stored in the storage chamber 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first pipe 106 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the first pipe 106 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a second pipe 108 provided at the storage chamber 102 to connect the storage chamber 102 to the exhaust fan 110. The second pipe 108 may allow the exhaust fan 110 to suck the gases from the storage chamber 102 based on an output generated by a control unit 116. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second pipe 108 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the second pipe 108 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] The exhaust fan 110 may be capable to suck the gases from the storage chamber 102 based on the output generated by the control unit 116, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, due to suction, a negative pressure may be created inside the storage chamber 102 by the exhaust fan 110 which in turn enables the exhaust fan 110 to draw the gases from the storage chamber 102.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 comprise a humidity sensor 112 that may be installed within the storage chamber 102, to sense a level of humidity inside the storage chamber 102. The humidity sensor 112 may be configured to transmit the sensed level of humidity to the control unit 116, in an embodiment of the present invention. The humidity sensor 112 may be, but not limited to, a capacitive humidity sensor, a resistive humidity sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the humidity sensor 112 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] The system 100 may comprise a carbon dioxide sensor 114 that may be installed within the storage chamber 102, to sense a level of carbon dioxide inside the storage chamber 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The carbon dioxide sensor 114 may be configured to transmit the sensed level of carbon dioxide to the control unit 116, in an embodiment of the present invention. The carbon dioxide sensor 114 may be, but not limited to, a Non dispersive infrared sensor, a Metal oxide semiconductor sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the carbon dioxide sensor 114 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise the control unit 116 that may be connected to the humidity sensor 112 and the carbon dioxide sensor 114. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be configured to execute computer executable instructions to generate the output. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be an Arduino Board. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the control unit 116 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components may be, a data receiving module 200, a comparison module 202, a gas control module 204.
[0033] The data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the sensed humidity level and the sensed carbon dioxide level from the humidity sensor 112 and the carbon dioxide sensor 114, in an embodiment of the present invention. The data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the sensed humidity level and the sensed carbon dioxide level to the comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the sensed humidity level with a pre-defined level of humidity. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predefined level of humidity may be in a range from 85% to 90%. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the comparison module 202 determines that the sensed humidity level exceeds the pre-defined level of humidity, then the comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a gas controlling signal. The comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated gas controlling signal to the gas control module 204.
[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the sensed humidity level from the humidity sensor 112, when the sensed humidity level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of humidity.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the comparison module 202 determines that the sensed carbon dioxide level exceeds the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide, then the comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a gas controlling signal. The comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated gas controlling signal to the gas control module 204.
[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the sensed carbon dioxide level from the carbon dioxide sensor 114, when the sensed carbon dioxide level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas control module 204 may be configured to generate a sound alert based on the received gas controlling signal. The gas control module 204 may be configured to close the first pipe 106 of the storage chamber 102 to stop the carbon dioxide gas from entering into the storage chamber 102 based on the generated sound alert, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the gas control module 204 may also be configured to allow the exhaust fan 110 to suck the gases from the storage chamber 102 through the second pipe 108 based on the generated sound alert.
[0039] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for preserving the onions in the storage chamber 102 by using the carbon dioxide gas released from the gas stove, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the sensed humidity level and the carbon dioxide level from the humidity sensor 112 and the carbon dioxide sensor 114.
[0041] At step 304, the system 100 may compare the sensed humidity level and the carbon dioxide level with the pre-defined level of humidity and the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide. The method 300 may proceed to a step 306, when at least one of, the sensed humidity level or the carbon dioxide level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of humidity or carbon dioxide. Otherwise, the method 300 may return to the step 302.
[0042] At the step 306, the system 100 may generate the sound alert to close the first pipe 106 of the storage chamber 102 to stop the carbon dioxide gas from entering into the storage chamber 102.
[0043] 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 scope of the appended claims.
[0044] 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 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. , C , C , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for preserving onions, comprising:
a storage chamber (102) fixed to an exhaust fan (110) in a kitchen, wherein the storage chamber (102) comprises perforated trays (104a-104n) to hold the onions to be preserved;
a first pipe (106) provided at an inlet of the storage chamber (102) to allow carbon dioxide gas released from a gas stove in the kitchen to enter into the storage chamber (102);
a humidity sensor (112) installed within the storage chamber (102), to sense a level of humidity inside the storage chamber (102);
a carbon dioxide sensor (114) installed within the storage chamber (102), to sense a level of carbon dioxide inside the storage chamber (102); and
a control unit (116) connected to the humidity sensor (112) and the carbon dioxide sensor (114), wherein the control unit (116) is configured to:
receive the sensed humidity level and the sensed carbon dioxide level from the humidity sensor (112) and the carbon dioxide sensor (114);
compare the sensed humidity level with a pre-defined level of humidity;
compare the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and
generate a sound alert to close the first pipe (106) of the storage chamber (102) for stopping the carbon dioxide gas from entering into the storage chamber (102) when at least one of, the sensed humidity level or the carbon dioxide level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of humidity or carbon dioxide.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the trays (104a-104n) are capable to hold 5 Kilograms (Kgs) of the onions.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second pipe (108) provided for connecting the storage chamber (102) to the exhaust fan (110).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control unit (116) is also configured to allow the exhaust fan (110) to suck gases from the storage chamber (102) through the second pipe (108) when at least one of, the sensed humidity level or the carbon dioxide level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of humidity or carbon dioxide.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage chamber (102) is made up of an insulated material.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perforated trays (104a-104n) are convection trays.
7. A method for preserving onions in a storage chamber (102) by using carbon dioxide gas released from a gas stove, wherein the method comprising steps of:
receiving a sensed humidity level and a sensed carbon dioxide level in the storage chamber (102) from a humidity sensor (112) and a carbon dioxide sensor (114);
comparing the sensed humidity level with a pre-defined level of humidity;
comparing the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and
generating a sound alert to close a first pipe (106) of the storage chamber (102) for stopping the carbon dioxide gas from entering into the storage chamber (102) when at least one of, the sensed humidity level or the carbon dioxide level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of humidity or carbon dioxide.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprising a step of allowing an exhaust fan (110) to suck gases from the storage chamber (102) through a second pipe (108) when at least one of, the sensed humidity level or the carbon dioxide level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of humidity or carbon dioxide.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second pipe (108) connects the storage chamber (102) to the exhaust fan (110).
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the storage chamber (102) is made up of an insulated material.

Date: August 18, 2022
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant