Making Square Tomatoes = Reducing Carbon Emissions

Tomatoes have a packing problem! They insist on being round. My solution is TomatoSquared (better name pending), a reusable mould that grows tomatoes into cubes. Cube tomatoes fit together neatly, reducing transport emissions, while the mould protects them from pests like a miniature fortress.

The result? Smarter farming, fewer pesticides, and a greener future!

How It Works

1. A small tomato begins growing on the plant.
2. A transparent cube-shaped mould is clipped around the tomato.
3. The tomato grows and fills the inside of the mould.
4. When ripe, the mould is removed.
5. The result is a cube-shaped tomato.

Materials

1. Transparent food-safe plastic
2. Self-closing hinges
3. Custom-made Ventilation holes

Tools

1. Thinkercad (any CAD software)
2. Superglue
3. 3D printer

This step involves developing a practical, farmer-friendly design that is easy to use, protects the tomato from pests, and provides the ventilation and space needed for optimal growth.

1. This process was done using Thinkercad.

Once the design was finalised, I exported the parts as STL files and 3D printed them using my Bambu Lab printer.

All necessary STL files are attached below for download and replication.

This step involves assembling all the 3D-printed components to the pre-cut transparent food-safe plastic using super glue to create the final prototype. Care should be taken to ensure that each part is accurately aligned before bonding to achieve a strong and reliable structure.

Place the mould around young tomatoes and observe how they grow. With a little patience, the results begin to show! After approximately 30–35 days, the tomato will have grown to fill the mould, producing a perfectly cube-shaped tomato ready for picking.

Benefits

Reduced Transport Emissions

Cube-shaped tomatoes fit together with almost no empty space.

This means:

1. More tomatoes per box.
2. Fewer transport trips.
3. Lower fuel consumption.
4. Reduced carbon emissions.

Reduced Need for Pesticides

The mould acts as a physical barrier between the tomato and many insects.

Benefits include:

1. Less crop damage.
2. Fewer pesticides are required.
3. Safer food production.
4. Less environmental pollution.

Reduced Food Waste

Tomatoes that are protected during growth may suffer less damage from insects and weather.

Challenges

1. The mould must not restrict the tomato's growth.
2. Adequate ventilation is needed.
3. Farmers must be able to install and remove the mould quickly.
4. The cost of the mould must be lower than the savings it creates.

This invention is a way to make growing tomatoes better for the environment. It uses a reusable mould to grow tomatoes into cubes. This means that more tomatoes can be packed into each box when they are sent to stores. The mould also keeps bugs from eating the tomatoes. It helps people grow tomatoes in a way that's more efficient and produces less waste. This is good for the earth. Helps make the future a cleaner place. It is really about making tomato farming more sustainable.