AU2019212999B2 - A method for transporting meat carcasses in a container and a container for transporting meat carcasses - Google Patents

A method for transporting meat carcasses in a container and a container for transporting meat carcasses Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2019212999B2
AU2019212999B2 AU2019212999A AU2019212999A AU2019212999B2 AU 2019212999 B2 AU2019212999 B2 AU 2019212999B2 AU 2019212999 A AU2019212999 A AU 2019212999A AU 2019212999 A AU2019212999 A AU 2019212999A AU 2019212999 B2 AU2019212999 B2 AU 2019212999B2
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Prior art keywords
container
level
internal volume
atmosphere
carcasses
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AU2019212999A
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AU2019212999A1 (en
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Morten René BAERENTZ
João LEMUS
Henrik LINDHARDT
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Maersk AS
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Maersk Line AS
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
    • A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
    • A23B4/14—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12
    • A23B4/16—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12 in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/34—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with chemicals
    • A23L3/3409—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with chemicals in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
    • A23L3/3418—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with chemicals in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
    • B65B25/065—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of meat
    • B65B25/067—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of meat combined with its conservation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/003—Transport containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/74—Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents
    • B65D88/745—Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents blowing or injecting heating, cooling or other conditioning fluid inside the container

Abstract

A method of transporting meat carcasses in a refrigerated sea-container comprising: - filling an internal volume of the container with a predefined atmosphere composition comprising a first CO2 level having a percentage volume of CO2 greater than 95%; and - maintaining the first CO2 level in the atmosphere of the internal volume of the container, whereby transporting, by e.g. stacking, stowing or hanging meat carcasses in a container is done more cheaply. - Hanging or stowing the carcasses in a defined racking or stowing system The present invention also relates to a container for transporting meat carcasses.

Description

A method for transporting meat carcasses in a container and a container for transporting meat carcasses
Chilled lamb carcasses are today transported by air freight because the meat can spoil quickly if the meat is chilled for more than a few days.
The meat can also be transported in a frozen state but this is undesirable for consumers who prefer a“fresher” product that has not been frozen.
In the Middle East, meat is often desired to be sold as carcass, or at least displayed to the consumer as carcass, before the cuts of meat are removed from the carcass.
There is a desire to transport whole lamb carcasses more cheaply from overseas e.g. from Australia and New Zealand to the Middle East.
It is known to transport cuts of meat in a controlled atmosphere, where individual cuts are packaged before transport. One problem with this way of handling and transporting meat is that the whole carcass cannot be displayed to the end consumer. Another problem with this way of handling and transporting meat is that the amount of packaging is significantly increased.
It is known to transport fruit and other perishable produce in controlled, or regulated, atmosphere, where the fruit respire in the container during transport. A medium to high 02 content is required because the fruit is essentially still a living product, where the process of respiration of the produce means that the C02 level will naturally increase during the transportation of the fruit. However, this process is not suitable for
transporting meat because meat will produce C02 only if the meat is turning bad. Furthermore, a high 02 content is undesirable because this oxidises thereby turning the raw meat brown. A process of refrigerated/chilled storage or refrigerated shipment of fresh meat is known from US 3851080 A, where meat is maintained in a controlled gaseous atmosphere with following composition during the period of storage or shipment:
- C02, about 35-75 % (V);
- 02, about 21 -28 % (V); and
- the remainder essentially molecular nitrogen
The meat may, according to the reference, be placed in containers such as barrels or plastic bags which are capable of retaining the synthetic
atmosphere (i.e. local atmosphere). The containers are then held in the refrigerated space containing atmospheric air.
One of disadvantage of the methods proposed by prior art of transporting meat carcasses such as pork carcasses, beef carcasses or lamb carcasses is the risk of spoiling, possibly oxidizing, the meat in the 02 rich atmosphere.
It is an object of the present invention to set forth a method of transporting meat carcasses in a container. The method includes the steps of arranging the meat carcasses in the container intended for transporting; e.g. by, stowing or hanging the meat carcasses in the container followed by a step of, after sealing the container and/or cargo space, flushing the atmosphere in the cargo space inside the container with an inert gas such as C02 thereby supressing oxygen in the cargo space. This way, the meat carcasses such as lamb carcasses maintain freshness and appearance and do not have to be individually wrapped or sealed in packaging etc. The carcasses may anyway be shrouded or wrapped in paper, plastic bags, plastic sheet (film), netting or some light packaging to prevent cosmetic damages or contamination etc. A further object of the present invention is to set forth a method of
transporting meat carcasses, preferably in a chilled state, more cheaply due to the reduced handling efforts as well as due to a lower risk of spoiling and/or possible oxidizing the meat carcasses.
The present invention relates to a method of transporting meat carcasses in a container including the steps of:
- -arranging the meat carcasses by stowing or hanging said meat
carcasses inside the container followed by a step of;
- filling an internal volume of the container with a predefined atmosphere composition comprising a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%, wherein filling comprises flushing an existing atmosphere of the internal volume of the container with the predefined atmosphere composition; and
- maintaining the first C02 level in the atmosphere of the internal volume of the container.
The present invention also relates to a container for transporting meat carcasses comprising:
- a sealable internal volume for receiving the meat carcasses;
- a valve in fluid connection with the sealable internal volume for filling the internal volume with a predefined atmosphere composition comprising a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%; and
- a gas monitor configured to detect and signal that the current atmosphere of internal volume has a C02 level less than the first C02 level.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the above object is achieved by a method of controlling an atmosphere in a container for transporting meat carcasses according to the present invention wherein the method includes the steps of:
- filling an internal volume of the container with a predefined atmosphere composition comprising a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%; and - maintaining the first C02 level in the atmosphere of the internal volume of the container.
The high (>95%) C02 content (and subsequent low 02) level of the atmosphere means that meat carcasses does not spoil. The method further more makes it possible to arrange the meat carcasses in the most efficient way to prevent and reduce damage to the meat carcasses. The high C02 content (and subsequent low 02) level of the atmosphere means that meat does not spoil and the reduced content of 02 prevents the blood in the meat from oxidizing and prevents the meat turning brown.
In a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a method, wherein the first C02 level has a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95% and in a third aspect, the present invention also relates to a method, wherein the predefined atmosphere composition comprises a percentage volume of 02 less than 2%.
Additionally, with the level of (>98%) C02 content (and subsequent lower 02) level meat carcasses does indeed not spoil.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention also relates to a method, wherein the step of maintaining the first C02 level comprises refilling the internal volume of the container with additional C02 to maintain the first C02 level and in a fifth aspect, the present invention also relates to a method, wherein the method comprises detecting a current level of C02 in the internal volume of the container and refilling the internal volume of the container with additional C02 in dependence of detecting that the current level of C02 drops below the first C02 level in pre-determined locations or sites such as a container vessel or a port/terminal where gas-flushing operations have been
specifically set-up. This makes it possible to keep the C02 content and the 02 level of the atmosphere at the required level and thereby ensure that the meat carcasses at all times have the optimal gas combination of gas contents.
In a sixth aspect, , wherein the method comprising detecting the current level of C02 in the internal volume of the container and stopping the flushing step in dependence of the current level of C02 equalling or exceeding the first C02 level.
This makes it possible to detect, control and make sure that the content of C02 is as high as desired within the container and as high as the purpose requires. In a seventh aspect, the present invention also relates to a method, wherein the method comprises refrigerating the internal volume of the container.
This makes it further possible to transport meat carcasses in a safe and chilled manner and for longer periods in combination with the mentioned predefined atmosphere composition without the meat carcasses being spoiled.
In an eight aspect, the present invention also relates to a method, wherein the method comprises wrapping the meat carcasses in a gas permeable packaging. This makes it possible to prevent cosmetic damage to the meat carcasses.
In a ninth aspect, the present invention also relates to a method, wherein the method of controlling atmosphere may be incorporated into a control logic of a reefer container to monitor the atmosphere. This makes it possible to monitor the atmosphere inside the container to insure proper condition for the meat carcasses.
The high C02 content (and subsequent low 02) level of the atmosphere means that meat does not spoil and the reduced content of 02 prevents the blood in the meat from oxidizing and prevents the meat turning brown.
In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a container for transporting meat carcasses comprising:
- a sealable internal volume for the receiving the meat carcasses;
- a valve in fluid connection with the sealable internal volume for filling the internal volume with a predefined atmosphere composition comprising a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%; and
- a gas monitor configured to detect and signal that the current atmosphere of internal volume has a C02 level less than the first C02 level and in a fourteenth aspect, the present invention also relates to a container, wherein the gas monitor is configured to signal that the internal volume requires refilling via the valve with additional C02 to maintain the first C02 level.
This makes it possible to attach a C02 connection to the container once the meat carcasses has been loaded, where the C02 introduced to the container will flush out the atmosphere and where the pumping of the C02 into the container is stopped once C02 sensors indicate that the C02 level has reached the required level. The container is sealed and refilling is made possible due to leakages that may occur.
Figure 1 is a side view of a container accommodating meat carcases.
Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling atmosphere in a container or cargo space. Figure 3 is a chart showing the flushing and monitoring of the atmosphere in a container or cargo space. Figure 1 shows schematically a container 1 seen from the side looking through the shell. As can be seen in figure 1 , the container 1 may constitute an intermodal shipping container for transporting meat carcasses 2. The container 1 may be provided with a sealable internal volume 3 for the receiving and accommodating the meat carcasses 2. The meat carcasses 2 are in figure 1 shown as meat in the form of lamb carcasses 4. In other embodiments the meat carcasses2 can additionally or alternatively be any type of meat carcasses. Figure 1 shows the lamb carcasses 4 hanging via an attachment (not shown) for suspending the meat carcasses 2. In some embodiments, the attachment can be a net, a hook, a rack, or any other suitable means for suspending the meat carcasses 2 during transit. In other embodiments, the meat carcasses 2 are stacked or placed in the container. The attachment for suspending the meat carcasses may constitute hooks etc. In other embodiments, the meat carcasses 2 may be arranged on racks, in cages, on pallets or on shelves etc. In another embodiment, the meat carcasses are arranged in racks in cages, or on shelves in a manner where the number of meat carcasses are arranged without the individual meat carcasses touching one another. It is possible for the carcasses to be in physical contact with each other as long as the weight of each lamb carcasses due not induce force or stress onto neighbouring carcasses.
As mentioned above, figure 1 is a schematic representation of meat carcases 4 and the number, orientation of the lamb carcasses 4 within the container 1 may vary. The container 1 may constitute a reefer container, such as an ISO intermodal container. Such ISO containers can be cube twenty, forty or forty-five foot reefer container. The reefer container 1 may comprise within its interior an insulated internal volume 3. The internal volume 3 is sealable and
substantially gas impermeable. In some embodiments the reefer container 1 comprises an inner skin or bag (not shown) for containing the atmosphere. Additionally or alternatively the reefer container 1 comprises a sealable curtain (not shown) for sealing against the internal surfaces of the container 1. This means that a gaseous atmosphere of the internal volume 3 is contained within the internal volume 3. The internal volume 3 is not in constant fluid communication with the exterior atmosphere. Exchange of the gaseous atmosphere of the internal volume 3 with the exterior atmosphere is selectively controlled. The refrigeration mechanism of the reefer container 1 and operation thereof is known and is not discussed in any further detail for the purposes of brevity.
As mentioned the gaseous atmosphere of the internal volume 3 is selectively controlled. This will now be discussed in further detail. Figure 1 further shows an inlet valve 5 in fluid connection with the sealable internal volume 3 via conduit 6. The inlet valve 5 is operable for filling the internal volume 3 with a predefined atmosphere composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%. However in alternative embodiments the predefined atmosphere comprises an atmosphere have a first C02 level of 98%. Indeed the percentage C02 in the atmosphere can be 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%. In some embodiments the inlet valve 5 is also an outlet valve for the atmosphere of the internal volume 3. For example the atmosphere of the internal volume 3 is pumped out of the internal volume 3 via valve 5. In other embodiments there is a separate outlet valve (not shown) so that the internal volume 3 is filled with the inlet valve 5 and evacuated via the outlet valve.
Figure 1 moreover shows a gas monitor 7, or gas composition sensor 7, configured to detect and signal the current composition of the atmosphere within the internal volume 3. The gas monitor 7 is connectively coupled to a controller 10. The controller 10 is schematically represented in figure 1 , but can be mounted within the container 1 for controlling the atmosphere of the internal volume 3. In other embodiments the controller 10 is outside the container and can be a ship based or a shore based controller 10. The controller 10 may be in wired and / or wireless communication with the gas monitor 7. In some embodiments, the gas monitor 7 may be configured for signalling that the current C02 level is less than the first C02 level. The first C02 level is the level of C02 that is required for transporting the meat carcasses 2 such that their condition is not impaired. For example an atmosphere of 98% of C02 means that a carcass of meat 4, such as lamb, neither spoils nor discolours during transport. Determining that the current C02 level drops below the required C02 level will mean that the condition of the meat carcasses 2 may deteriorate during transit. The gas monitor 7 can indicate to crew on a ship or engineers on shore that maintenance to the controlled C02 atmosphere is needed.
The gas monitor 7 is, in the embodiment according to figure 1 , operable to read the atmosphere composition within the internal volume 3 through a conduit 8.
The conduits 6, 8 may extend through the walls of the container 1 as well as through any insulation and/or sealings surrounding the internal volume 3 of the container 1.
The valve 5 and/or the gas monitor 7, or gas composition sensor 7, may, as shown in figure 1 , be arranged an exterior surface of the container 1. By this, easy access and maintenance is obtained. One or both of the gas monitor 7 and/or the valve 5 may, as an alternative, be arranged within the internal volume 3 or in, or in connection with, a reefer machinery space (not shown) of the reefer container 1.
Figure 1 also shows an example of meat carcasses 2 wrapped in a light and permeable protective packaging material 9 such as paper or web etc.
However this packaging can be gas permeable because the entire
atmosphere in the internal volume 3 of the container 1 prevents the meat carcasses from spoiling. This means that less packaging (e.g. plastic film wrap) is needed during transit.
Figure 2 is flow chart outlining a method of controlling an atmosphere in a cargo hold or a container for transporting meat carcasses. The flow chart according to figure 2 may also be seen as a flowchart for a control logic to be implemented in a controller or processor 10 applied to control the
atmosphere in an automated manner. In some embodiments, the controller 10 is configured to control one of more processes of the reefer container 1 and is connectively coupled to the gas monitor 7.
Following initiation of the method in block 101 , the controller 10 in step 110 verifies that the container or cargo space is ready for filling, i.e. ready for evacuation of air from the container to remove 02. The C02 rich gas is arranged to flush and displace the 02 rich air as it is pumped into the internal volume 3. In other words the C02 rich gas is used as a flushing gas when the internal volume 3 is being filled. In one embodiment the flushing gas may comprise a CO gas in addition to the C02 rich gas. Additionally or
alternatively, in some embodiments the C02 rich gas comprises an 02 level of 2% or less.
Step 110 may further include a step of verification by the controller 10 that it is safe to evacuate the internal volume 3 from 02; e.g. ask for confirmation that no personnel occupies the internal volume 3. Moreover, step 110 may include a step of verifying by the controller 10 that any doors are closed and/or seals applied. Upon confirmation that the container or cargo hold is ready for filling, the method proceeds to step 120.
In step 120 the controller 10 performs a cycling step determining whether filling with predefined atmosphere is required in order to meet a predefined requirement. The requirement for filling may be determined on basis of evaluation of a composition set point against the current composition of the atmosphere within the internal volume 3. For example as previously discussed in reference to Figure 1 , the C02 level is 98%. The current composition reading is obtainable via the gas monitor/sensor 7. If the evaluation against the set point confirms a requirement for filling is present, the method proceeds to step 140 to commence filling; e.g. by opening the valve 5 to allow inflow of the C02 rich atmosphere into the container 1. The step 120 is carried out externally in the same fashion as the first flushing step by engineers either on a vessel or in a terminal during a transhipment as the internal volume 3 is filled with C02 rich gas, the level of C02 will increase. The controller 10 determines that the current level of C02 in the internal volume 3 is at the predetermined level of 98%, then the filling of the internal volume 3 is no longer needed. If, or when, the evaluation confirms that a requirement for filling is not, or is no longer, present, the method proceeds to step 130 to close the valve 5 thereby stopping inflow of C02 rich gas into the internal volume 3. The method then continues to, in step 110, verify that the cargo hold or container is ready and, upon confirmation, the sequence restarts in step 120.
The controller 10 may continue to monitor the C02 level of the atmosphere in the internal volume 3 during transit. In some embodiments the controller 10 may determine that re-filling of the atmosphere is required as shown in step C02 because the determined C02 level has dropped below a required C02 level. For example the C02 level of the internal volume 3 has dropped below 98% C02.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the method of controlling atmosphere may be incorporated into a control logic of a reefer container to monitor the atmosphere.
The meat carcasses 2 are refrigerated during transit in the controlled atmosphere having a C02 level of 98%. This means that the meat carcasses 2 do not respire during transit and the C02 level is maintained at a constant level. However in the event of an abnormal condition there may optionally be a pressure relief system for venting overpressure gas. The pressure of the internal volume 3 can be determined by a pressure sensor (not shown) connectively coupled to the controller 10. The controller 10 optionally controls the valve 5 for releasing overpressure gas.
The 02 evacuating gas e.g. the C02 rich gas may be supplied from an external supply of gas as well as from gas supply such as canister comprising a compressed gas supply integrated in the container unit.
Tests have be performed to provide evidence of the effect of controlling the atmosphere inside the container during transport of meat carcasses. Three different tests have been performed. Common for all the tests were, that the atmosphere in the refrigerated containers was modified to provide high (95- 99 %) carbon dioxide, low oxygen and nitrogen.
The first trial included a container where a number of carcasses where arranged inside a standard transport container. Each of the carcasses were covered by a plastic sheet and each carcase was arranged inside the container by hanging the carcase from a number of hooks supported by rack structure. By hanging the carcasses inside the container, the air flow around the lamb carcasses was enhanced. The plastic sheets further more enhanced the effect regarding weight loss and visual appearance of the lamb carcasses. During the first trial, the lamb carcasses were stored in a refrigerated room for 10 days and some of the lamb carcasses were shrouded by a plastic sheet (bagged) and the rest was not shrouded by a plastic sheet (unbagged). The result from the first trial revealed that there was no discernible loss from bagged carcasses, compared with 4-5 % weight loss from unbagged carcasses. In the second trial, a number of lamb carcasses were shrouded in plastic sheets and were arranged inside the interior of the standard transport container. During the second trial, a total of 450 lamb carcasses were arranged by hanging in a refrigerated room for 10 days and the carcasses were bagged. The mean temperature supplied for the 18-day storage period was -1.6°C and mean return air temperature was -0.7°C. The atmosphere surrounding the carcasses was carbon dioxide (88.5-99.6%) and oxygen (0.4-11.5%). In the second trial, the plastic sheet (film) was proved to be successful. Mean weight loss for the 450 carcasses stored for 18-19 days was 0.4% with a standard deviation of 2.0%.
After removal of the plastic bags, it was possible to detect that the carcasses were in excellent condition and the appearance of the carcasses was with little or no exudate in the bag. The carcasses were loaded into the container, 65 were sampled and at unloading 50 carcasses were sampled. All samples were packed in insulated containers with chiller packs and tested to meet the ISO 17025 standard. The samples were tested for Aerobic Plate Count (APC) and E. coli and, after incubation on Petrifilm plates, colonies were counted. The results indicate that the total bacterial loading did not change over the storage period. On day zero E. coli was isolated from 28% of carcasses on which the mean concentration was 2.0 cfu/cm2, and after 18 days storage E. coli was isolated from 18% of carcasses at a mean concentration of 0.6 cfu/cm2.
Mean log 10 Aerobic Plate Count (cfu/cm2) and standard deviation (in parentheses) of lamb carcasses stored for 18 days at -1.7° C under high C02
D a y s
0* 18**
Log -IO AP C/cm2 2.01 (0.75) 2.15 (0.69)
• n=65, ** n=50
In the third trial, all aspects (microbiological condition, appearance and weight loss) were tested and it was decided to repeat the second trial using a bag with a thicker gauge and to sheath the carcasses in stockingette to more closely simulate current protection during transportation and distribution. The container doorway was then sealed with a plastic film before closing the doors and modifying the atmosphere with C02.
The container doorway was then sealed with plastic film before closing the doors, modifying the atmosphere with C02 and storing for 18 days. The mean temperature supplied for the storage period was -1.79°C and mean return air temperature was -0.86°C. The atmosphere surrounding the carcasses was carbon dioxide (96%) and oxygen (4%).
The shrouding carcasses in heavy duty film and stockingette resulted in no discernible weight loss and the appearance was identical to that in second trial. It was furthermore concluded that the carcasses retained their bloom with no discolouration of the fat cover or meat.
The results of the microbiological condition indicate that the total bacterial loading did not change over the storage period. On day zero E. coli was isolated from 55% of carcasses on which the mean concentration was 2.5 cfu/cm2, and after 18 days storage E. coli was isolated from 38% of carcasses at a mean concentration of 1.1 cfu/cm2.
From the test trials, it can be concluded that carcasses shrouded in plastic or sheathing in stockingette results in minimal weight loss and retains the appearance of the product identical with that at packing.
From the test trials, it can furthermore be concluded that the rich carbon dioxide atmosphere (90-99 %) successfully inhibits activity of all pathogenic bacteria at the storage temperature of -1.7° C. The very low bacterial loading at packing is maintained for the entire voyage and allows ample time for marketing through existing cold chains in the UAE. Combining data for stored carcasses from the trials indicates a mean Iog10 APC of 1.9 cfu/cm2 and a standard deviation of 0.7 cfu/cm2 and a maximum APC of log 10 3 cfu/cm2.
Figure 3 shows the flushing and monitoring of the atmosphere in a container or cargo space, more specifically monitoring the C02 level in the
atmosphere. The initial step of flushing the interior of the container comprises the step of flushing an existing atmosphere of the internal volume of the container with the predefined atmosphere. The subsequent step involves monitoring the atmosphere of the internal volume of the container, where the atmosphere of the internal volume of the container has to beyond a predefined threshold valve, which in this case would be. The monitoring could be implemented as a gas monitor (7) configured to detect and signal that the current atmosphere of internal volume has a C02 level less than the first C02 level. The subsequent step being performed in the period day 1 to day 15. The further step involve re-flushing the internal volume of the container to reached a level of C02 being beyond 95%. The predefined atmosphere composition being a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%. The first C02 level is the level of C02 that is required for transporting the meat carcasses 2 such that their condition is not impaired. Determining that the current C02 level drops below the required C02 level will mean that the condition of the meat carcasses 2 may deteriorate during transit. The re-flushing or refilling step is carried out in the same way as the initial flushing step. The controller 10 is used to determine whether the present level of C02 in the internal volume 3 is at the
predetermined level of 95% and the re-flushing or filling of the internal volume 3 is continued as long as needed. This invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the scope of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them. All changes that fall within meters and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such meters and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embodied by the claims.

Claims (11)

Claims
1. A method of transporting meat carcasses in a container including the step of:
-arranging the meat carcasses by stowing or hanging said meat carcasses inside the container followed by a step of;
- filling an internal volume of the container with a predefined atmosphere composition comprising a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%, wherein filling comprises flushing an existing atmosphere of the internal volume of the container with the predefined atmosphere composition; and
- maintaining the first C02 level in the atmosphere of the internal volume of the container.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first C02 level has a
percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the predefined atmosphere composition comprises a percentage volume of 02 less than 2%.
4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the step of maintaining the first C02 level comprises refilling the internal volume of the container with additional C02 to maintain the first C02 level in pre-determined locations or sites such as a container vessel or a port/terminal where gas-flushing operations have been specifically set-up.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the method comprises detecting a current level of C02 in the internal volume of the container and refilling the internal volume of the container with additional C02 in dependence of detecting that the current level of C02 drops below the first C02 level.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the method comprising detecting the current level of C02 in the internal volume of the container and stopping the flushing step in dependence of the current level of C02 equalling or exceeding the first C02 level.
7. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the method comprises refrigerating the internal volume of the container.
8. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the method comprises wrapping the meat carcasses in a gas permeable packaging.
9. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the method of controlling atmosphere may be incorporated into a control logic of a reefer container to monitor the atmosphere.
10. A container (1 ) for transporting meat carcasses (2,4) comprising:
- a sealable internal volume (3) for the receiving the meat carcasses (2,4);
- a valve (5) in fluid connection (6) with the sealable internal volume (3) for filling the internal volume (3) with a predefined atmosphere composition comprising a first C02 level having a percentage volume of C02 greater than 95%; and
- a gas monitor (7) configured to detect and signal that the current
atmosphere of internal volume has a C02 level less than the first C02 level.
11. A container according to claim 10 wherein the gas monitor (7) is configured to signal that the internal volume requires refilling via the valve (5) with additional C02 to maintain the first C02 level.
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