Counter-Top Produce Refrigeration and Ozonation System and Method

Abstract

A produce storage chamber comprising a chamber capable of encasing produce, a refrigeration system, at least one ozone generation units, and at least one ethylene scrubbers. The chamber is capable of delaying postharvest produce deterioration using at least one of temperature control, ozone generation, and ethylene scrubbing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable produce chamber of a sufficient size and dimension to fit on a kitchen counter top surface, comprising:
 An outer shell that substantially defines the size and shape of the produce chamber;   an inner chamber within the outer shell, the inner chamber being of a sufficient size and dimension for the storage of produce;   a refrigeration system separated from the inner chamber by an isolation plate;   at least one ozone generation unit;   at least one ethylene scrubber; and   a means with the chamber for controlling temperature, ozone levels, and ethylene levels so to delay postharvest produce deterioration.   
     
     
         2 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , further comprising means to stack a portable produce chamber on another portable produce chamber having a substantially similar construction. 
     
     
         3 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the produce chamber is a first produce chamber having a size and dimension to be stacked on a second produce chamber, the second produce chamber having substantially the same size and dimension as the first produce chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the ozone generator is a high frequency coronal discharge ozone generator. 
     
     
         5 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the ozone generator generates ozone with ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         6 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration system maintains chamber temperature from approximately 10° C. to 20° C. 
     
     
         7 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the ozone generator maintains the chamber ozone concentration from approximately 0.005 ppm to approximately 0.35 ppm. 
     
     
         8 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the ozone generator maintains the chamber ozone concentration from approximately 0.05 ppm to approximately 0.15 ppm. 
     
     
         9 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the ozone generator maintains the chamber ozone concentration from approximately 0.08 ppm to approximately 0.095. 
     
     
         10 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein chamber relative humidity is maintained from approximately 80% to 100%. 
     
     
         11 . The produce chamber of  claim 1 , wherein chamber ethylene concentration is maintained at less than 0.015 ppm. 
     
     
         12 . A portable produce chamber comprising:
 a housing having a size and dimension to fit on a kitchen countertop, the housing comprising an interior chamber capable of encasing produce;   at least one ethylene scrubbers within the interior chamber capable of reducing chamber ethylene gas concentrations from the interior chamber to delay postharvest produce deterioration;   a refrigeration system in communication with the interior chamber for the purpose of maintaining an chamber temperature that delays postharvest produce deterioration and for the purpose of maintaining a relative humidity in the interior chamber that delays postharvest produce deterioration;   an isolation plate to separate components of the refrigeration system from the interior chamber; and   an ozone generator in communication with the interior chamber for the purpose of maintaining a chamber ozone concentration that delays postharvest produce deterioration.   
     
     
         13 . The produce chamber of  claim 12 , wherein the ozone generator is a high frequency corona discharge ozone generator. 
     
     
         14 . The produce chamber of  claim 12 , wherein the ozone generator generates ozone with ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         15 . The produce chamber of  claim 12 , wherein the refrigeration system maintains chamber temperature from approximately 10° C. to 20° C. 
     
     
         16 . The produce chamber of  claim 12 , wherein the ozone generator maintains the chamber ozone concentration from approximately 0.005 ppm to approximately 0.35 ppm. 
     
     
         17 . The produce chamber of  claim 12 , wherein the ozone generator maintains the chamber ozone concentration from approximately 0.05 ppm to approximately 0.15 ppm. 
     
     
         18 . The produce chamber of  claim 12 , wherein chamber relative humidity is maintained from approximately 80% to 100%. 
     
     
         19 . The produce chamber of  claim 12 , wherein chamber ethylene concentration is maintained at less than 0.015 ppm. 
     
     
         20 . A method of reducing postharvest produce deterioration comprising the steps of:
 encasing produce within a portable, stackable, counter top, produce chamber comprising a cooling system, ozone generator, and ethylene scrubber;   separating the cooling system from the produce chamber using an isolation plate;   maintaining the chamber at a temperature from about 10° C. to 20° C.;   introducing gaseous ozone into the chamber to maintain a chamber ozone concentration between approximately 0.005 ppm and approximately 0.35 ppm;   maintaining a relative humidity within the chamber ranging from about 70% to 100% relative humidity;   scrubbing ethylene from the chamber with at least one potassium permanganate sachet; and   maintaining the chamber ethylene concentration at a level less than about 0.015 ppm.