FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a preservation apparatus and method. More particularly it relates to a preservation apparatus and method for preserving perishable food.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Spoilage of food is caused mostly by physiological aging of the food item and enzyme and microbiological activity within food. Hence food preservation methods are used to prevent food from spoiling prematurely and extend their consumable lifetime.

Various methods of preserving food such as fruit, vegetables, meat, milk products, etc are known. Some of these methods include the use of chemical preservatives, refrigeration, food irradiation, sterilisation, pasteurization, dehydration among others. However these methods involve some inherent disadvantages.

Refrigeration techniques are an effective method of reducing microbiological activity and are commonly used to preserve food. Chemical preservatives are sometimes used in combination with refrigeration to further extend lifetime of food. However these methods are expensive as it requires continuous refrigeration at all times and the use of chemicals impacts the quality and nutritional value of the food.

Pasteurisation, sterilisation, dehydration and canning with sugar syrups are also effective methods of extending the consumable life of food items. Canned food are usually sterilised (heated) prior to or after being canned to kill micro organisms which may cause it to spoil. However heating and dehydration also causes the food item to loose its flavour and nutrients and hence canned food is not of the same quality or taste as fresh food. More advanced methods such as food irradiation and pulsed electric field processing have also recently been used for food preservation and pasteurising fruit and vegetable juices. However since these methods involve the use of ionising radiation and high magnitude electric fields, they have been criticised as having possible health risks to consumers and workers who process these products. Furthermore the use of UV and visible light frequencies has recently been researched for use in preservation of fruit and vegetables. UV and visible light does not have the harmful effects related to ionising radiation and hence it is a safer alternative to irradiation. However it has not been extensively researched and has only involved the use of high frequency UV/light pulses for reducing microbiological activity within food.

More recently it has been discovered that specific combinations of electromagnetic pulses corresponding to certain visible light frequencies applied for a predetermined period of time have beneficial effects on living cells of all forms of biological tissue. All biological cells emit light radiation known as biophotons and studies have shown that injured cells emit more light than other cells. The application of electromagnetic pulses corresponding to specific light frequencies helps to rebuild these injured cells and restore them to their normal state.

Furthermore on a cellular level, DNA replication must occur whenever cells multiply and it is a fundamental process that occurs in all biological organisms. Specific electromagnetic pulses corresponding to visible light frequencies assist cell DNA to more accurately replicate itself and hence the biological tissue stays preserved in its original form for a longer period of time. Therefore due to these properties of visible light frequencies, specifically selected electromagnetic pulses have been researched for medicinal purposes in treating for example arthritis or cancer patients and has also been used on racehorses to improve their performance. However there has not been any previous application of this technology for the preservation of food items in the prior art.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a preservation apparatus and method that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention resides in a method of preserving perishable food using at least one colour frequency generator, the method being defined by,

transmitting colour frequency pulses from the colour frequency generator(s) near to the surface of the food to be preserved wherein each colour frequency pulse is transmitted for a predetermined period of time.

Preferably the method is particularly applied for preserving kiwifruit. Preferably the colour frequency pulses are generated from at least one microprocessor of the colour frequency generator(s) using a set of reference frequencies stored in the colour frequency generator (s).

Preferably the set of reference frequencies of the colour frequency generator(s) is stored on one or more flash memory storage devices of the generator.

Preferably the set of reference frequencies stored in the colour frequency generator(s) is created and downloaded into the colour frequency generator(s) from a computer. Preferably the set of reference frequencies are created on a computer by assigning a value between 0 and 255 to each of the RGB components of each reference frequency.

Preferably the colour frequency pulses are transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation from the output pins of the microprocessor.

Preferably the colour frequency pulses are transmitted near to the surface of the food to be preserved by attaching the colour frequency generator(s) to crates that store the food to be preserved.

Preferably the preservation method is applied to fruit and vegetables for 3 days continuously or intermittently after being plucked. Preferably the microprocessor of the colour frequency generator(s), cyclically generates colour frequency pulses, wherein a predetermined number of colour frequency pulses, for example 8064 colour frequency pulses, are generated in a single cycle lasting a set period of time, for example 16.8 minutes.

Preferably the food to be preserved are exposed to more than one cycle of colour frequency pulses.

Preferably the preservation method improves the firmness of fruit and vegetables and furthermore it improves the sweetness of fruit.

In another aspect the invention resides in a method of preserving perishable food using at least one frequency generator, the method being defined by,

transmitting electromagnetic radiation at frequencies within the visible light spectrum from the frequency generator(s) near to the surface of the food to be preserved for a predetermined period of time.

In a further aspect the invention resides in a method of preserving perishable food using at least one colour frequency generator, the method including the steps of:

creating a set of specific reference frequencies,

downloading the reference frequencies into the colour frequency generator(s),

generating corresponding colour frequency pulses within the colour frequency generator(s) and,

transmitting the generated colour frequency pulses near to the surface of the food to be preserved wherein each colour frequency pulse is transmitted for a predetermined period of time.

In another aspect the invention resides in a colour frequency generator for use in the preservation of perishable food, the colour frequency generator including input means, storage means and control means wherein the colour frequency generator receives a set of reference frequencies through the input means, the reference frequencies being stored in the storage means, the control means using the stored reference frequencies to generate corresponding colour frequency pulses and transmitting the generated colour frequency pulses near to the surface of food requiring preservation for a predetermined period of time.

Preferably the reference frequencies are received through the input means from a computer.

Preferably the storage means is a flash memory storage device such as an Atmel Corporation Dataflash device.

Preferably the control means is at least one microcontroller.

Preferably the colour frequency generator further includes an indication means to indicate the specific colour frequency pulses outputted by the control means, the indication means being in the form of, for example, RGB LEDs. Preferably the colour frequency generator further includes a power supply means in form of, for example, a 3.6V 500mA lithium battery.

This invention may also be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all collectively of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents such equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

These and other aspects, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, which will be given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the colour frequency generator in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an operational flow chart of the colour frequency generator.

Figure 3 is a sample flow diagram of the food preservation method as applied to kiwifruit. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a food preservation apparatus and method. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a colour frequency generator 101 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The colour frequency generator includes control means, storage means, input means, power supply means and also optional indication means as described below.

The input means 107 is preferably a USB microchip device which allows the colour frequency generator to be connected to and communicate with a computer (PC) for configuration purposes and also to input the predetermined set of reference frequencies into the generator.

The storage means is preferably a flash memory storage device 105 such as, for example, an Atmel Corporation Dataflash device. It stores the reference frequencies inputted through the PC and makes the frequencies available for the use of the control means.

The control means preferably includes one or more microcontrollers 103. In the preferred embodiment shown, 4 microcontrollers 103 are used. However any number of microcontrollers can be used depending on the required strength of the output signal. The microcontrollers 103 form the control centre of the colour frequency generator. It controls and generates the colour frequency pulses corresponding to the required colour frequencies in digital form using the reference frequencies provided by the storage device 105. A suitable microcontroller for use in the colour frequency generator is an ATMEL AT89C51ED2. The microcontrollers are coupled to a pair of crystals 115 that determine the operating speed of the microcontrollers. The indication means is preferably a set of 4 RGB LEDs 109 used to indicate the colour of the generated output frequency pulses from the microcontroller 103 as described later.

The power supply means 111 is preferably a 3.6V 500mA lithium battery and supplies the required power to the colour frequency generator in combination with a voltage regulator microchip. The battery can be charged via USB when connected to the USB port of a PC or through alternative charging sources such as a wall charger or alternatively the battery can be of non-rechargeable type. Alternatively other types of suitable power sources may used to power the colour frequency generator such as, for example, AC mains power, solar power, etc. The colour frequency generator also includes a serial number chip 113 for unit identification purposes.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of the generator 101 in operation for preserving food. Initially at step 201 a set of reference frequencies are created on a PC. These reference frequencies are related to the light frequencies of the bio-photons emitted by the food item that is to be preserved and these reference frequencies are created on a computer by assigning a value between 0 and 255 to the RGB components of each reference frequency. The specific RGB reference values corresponding to the preservation of each type of food is obtained through experimentation. Once they are created, the reference frequency values are encrypted and compressed by software on the PC. Then, the frequencies are downloaded to the colour frequency generator 101 (known as the 'pulsar' unit commercially) in the compressed, encrypted form through the input means 107 as shown in step 203. The downloaded frequencies are stored in the storage device 105 for use during the preservation process.

When the colour frequency generator 101 is used for preserving a food item, the microcontrollers 103 of the unit are activated by the onboard proprietary software. The software instructs the microcontrollers to uncompress and decrypt the stored reference frequencies of the unit as shown in step 205. Then the reference frequencies are split into groups of 8x12 (96) frequencies to be used by the microcontrollers as described below.

In step 207, the microcontrollers generate electromagnetic pulses for each required colour frequency, using the groups of reference frequencies, at the output pins of the microcontrollers. Each microcontroller 103 has 12 sets of 3-pin red-green-blue (RGB) outputs which results in a total of 36 signal output pins. Since the colour frequency generator of this embodiment has 4 microcontrollers, a total of 48 RGB outputs (i.e.: 12x4) are available. RGB colour frequency pulses are generated on each of these pins using the reference frequencies mentioned above in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The amplitude of these output pulses is in the range of 2.7V-3.6V. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the four RGB LEDs 109 is connected to one set of RGB outputs of each microcontroller to indicate the RGB frequency outputted by each microcontroller. However it is not essential to have indicator LEDs 109 connected to the microcontroller outputs and the unit can still generate electromagnetic radiation pulses and be used for preserving food items without connecting the outputs of the microcontroller to LEDs (i.e.: open ended output pins).

In step 209, the RGB outputs of the 4 microcontrollers generate multiple frequencies simultaneously. Each microcontroller outputs a range of frequencies from the 12 RGB outputs with each RGB output set outputting 8 generated frequencies and each frequency output lasting for 1.5 seconds (211). This results in each microcontroller outputting a total of 96 RGB frequencies lasting for a total of 12 seconds (211). These 96 generated RGB frequencies correspond to each group of the 96 reference frequencies that was used by the microcontroller (i.e.: the previously described 8x12 reference frequency groups). The microcontroller outputs 84 different 96-RGB-frequency blocks using the reference frequencies which gives a complete cycle of 8064 frequencies lasting for 1008 seconds (16.8 minutes per cycle). The food to be preserved are exposed continuously to these frequency cycles for a predetermined time period which can range from a few hours to a number of days. Different food items may have different exposure periods and hence the number of cycles the food is exposed to varies. Generally a treatment window of 2 hours is preferred and the preserved food are exposed to approximately 7 complete cycles of colour frequencies during this period. The microcontrollers 103 selects the groups of frequencies from nearly 31 million available RGB frequencies in the 400-700nm wavelength range and therefore only a small portion of the available RGB frequencies are actually used during each cycle. EXAMPLE 1

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of the preservation method in use as applied to kiwifruit in example 1. Usually in the industry, kiwifruit is plucked from the orchard and stored (or cold- stored) in storage crates for three days prior to packaging and distribution 301. This is to ensure that the moisture of the kiwifruit does not interfere with packaging. The inventor intends to expose the kiwifruit to the colour frequency treatment during this 3 day storage period with the colour frequency generators 101 preferably being attached to the crates which store the kiwifruit.

Once the kiwifruit is arranged into the crates, the colour frequency generators of each crate is activated 303 and the fruit is exposed to a range of colour frequencies cycled through as previously described in figure 2. The colour frequency generators may not be in use for the entire 3 days and the period of activation is dependant on the number of kiwifruit treated, the variety of kiwifruit treated, the range of the colour frequency generators, ambient temperature among other factors. The kiwifruit is exposed to the colour frequencies continuously or intermittently and undergoes the preservation process during this period. After 3 days of storage the colour frequency generators are turned off 305 and the fruit is packaged and is sent off to distribution centres 307.

Although in this example, the kiwifruit is treated immediately after being plucked, the method can also be used on previously cold-stored kiwifruit (and other perishable food items). However using the method on cold-stored food may not be as effective as when using the method on fresh food items.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The colour frequency generator uses technology that allows the DNA of the food cells to be replicated more accurately thus allowing it to last longer in its fresh form. Therefore the exposure to electromagnetic pulses corresponding to the relevant colour frequencies is basically keeping the cells of the food alive longer. This allows an added advantage over prior art methods of food preservation. Prior art methods concentrated on preserving food by reducing microbiological activity within the food whereas the method disclosed in the current invention preserves the food on a much deeper cellular level by positively contributing to the replication of DNA of the cells which make up the food. Therefore this method of food preservation preserves the food, rather than attempting to stop or reduce external microbiological activity which is harder to control as described in the background section. Treating fruit such as kiwifruit, oranges and peaches among others, with this method causes the brix sugar level of the treated fruit to improve resulting in the fruit being sweeter than non-treated fruit.

Fruit and vegetables treated using this method stays hard and firm for a longer period of time. Penetrometer tests performed on kiwifruit has shown that the hardness reading of kiwifruit started off at 7kg which has reduced to 6kg after treatment and levelled off at 3.5kg after 1 month.

The electromagnetic pulses corresponding to relevant colour frequencies used in this method are selected from the visible light spectrum within the wavelength of 400-700nm. It does not include any harmful ionizing radiation (as done in food irradiation) or chemical preservatives as done in prior art methods. Therefore food-preserved using this method is much safer to consume and does not cause any health concerns. Furthermore all components used in the colour frequency generator are readily available commercially and are used by thousands of different devices around the world for various different applications e.g.: cell-phones, mp3 players, wristwatches, heart rate monitors, etc. These devices are known to be carried around on the body most of the day, most days by users and hence the colour frequency generator can also be regarded as safe to use.

VARIATIONS

The food preservation method can be used on fresh food such as fruit, vegetables, meat, grains, milk products, etc and also on cold-stored food items as mentioned previously. Trials performed by the inventor have shown that this method is most effective when the treated food is fresh (i.e.: freshly plucked fruit and vegetables and fresh meat, grains, and milk products). The method can still be used on cold-stored food, but with less effect. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the colour frequency generator includes control means, storage means, input means, power supply means and an optional indication means as described previously. However any other device of the prior art which is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum can be used as the colour frequency generator for the described preservation method. Furthermore the colour frequency generator may not be in the form described and can be a portable handheld device, a floor standing device, a wall/roof mountable unit or a device in any other form which may be suitable for treating food as required. Also the 4 RGB LEDs are used purely to indicate to the user the colours outputted by the unit and are not essential for the function of the device and can be omitted as mentioned before. Furthermore any number of microcontrollers can be used to provide the required colour frequency pulses for preserving food.

Although the invention described is particularly applied for the preservation of kiwifruit, it can also be effectively used to preserve other fruit types including oranges, peaches and lemon and can also be applied for the preservation of vegetables and all forms of other perishable food types including preventing mould in breads and meat and preserving milk products (e.g.: butter), grains, etc.

It can also be used to cure disease and improve health and performance of humans and animals as mentioned before. Examples are the use on cancer patients and arthritis patients. It has also been tested on race horses for improving there performance and also for treating cows for illness (e.g.: the colour frequency generator is attached around the cows legs for treatment). Furthermore it can be helpful for the growth of plants and improve flower yield. Therefore we assume that it can be used for improving or preserving the condition of any biological organism that deteriorates.

The term 'colour frequency generator' as defined in the claims is not limited to the colour frequency generator 101 disclosed in this specification and includes any device capable of outputting electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum in the form pulses or in the form of a continuous beam of radiation. Therefore the 'colour frequency generator' can be any device or apparatus of any size capable of emitting such radiation and it may not necessarily include control means, storage means, input means, power supply means and an indication means.

The terms 'colour frequency pulses' or 'electromagnetic radiation pulses' refer to electromagnetic radiation with frequencies in the visible light spectrum and the duration of the pulses is of any preferred duration and is not limited to the values described previously. Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.