DE202009015688U1 - Underlay for food - Google Patents

Abstract

Mat (10) as a base for food consisting of a flexible plastic material, characterized in that the mat (10) comprises at least one antimicrobial agent.

Description

The The present invention relates to a mat as a base for Food, for example for fruits and / or vegetables according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

In refrigerators, it is often, especially in the vegetable compartment, by the stored food to mold and / or unwanted odors. To avoid this undesirable effect, refrigerators may be directly provided with means to prevent this. Such a refrigerator and / or freezer is in the DE 20 2008 001 116 U1 described. This comprises according to the invention means for preventing and / or reducing the occurrence of microorganisms and / or substances that contribute to the formation of odors and / or involved in the maturation process of food.

EP 1 439 358 B1 describes a refrigerator with silver particles for antibacterial function.

There old freezers can not be retrofitted with such means are special mats for the vegetable compartment offered to reduce mold growth. These mats consist of plastic, such as polyether foam, and have an open-pored structure that holds the air in the vegetable compartment circulate Leaves and prevents the formation of mold. Furthermore, such a mat prevents pressure points on fruit and Vegetables and thus preserves their freshness.

The The object of the invention is a mat as a base for Provide food, such as fruits and / or vegetables, which particularly effectively prevents the formation of mold.

The above task is solved by a mat that has the characteristics of claim 1.

description

A inventive mat as a base for Food is made of a flexible plastic material and comprises at least one antimicrobial agent. Under antimicrobial Means one understands a means, the microbial organisms, in particular Bacteria and / or fungi, kills or at least their Growth inhibits and thus the prevention and / or the reduction the occurrence of microorganisms is used.

According to one preferred embodiment is the antimicrobial Funds for silver-based funds, in particular nano-silver, micro-silver and / or silver ions.

The antibacterial effect of silver and other metal and / or Precious metal ions have been known for some time. Especially efficient shows nanoparticulate metal, as the tiny particles have a particularly high specific surface and therefore, per unit weight of a large amount of active metal ions submit. The amount of metal used is reduced at the same Effect thus significant. According to a special preferred embodiment of the present invention Therefore, as an antibacterial agent is a nanoparticulate Metal, in particular nano-silver used.

According to one In another embodiment, the mat may be other chemical Compounds with antibacterial properties include. For example Triclosan can be used. It is an antibacterial chemical compound that acts as a bacterial and fungal inhibitor in disinfectants used and is also used as a preservative, because it has antiseptic and deodorizing properties.

by virtue of the at least one antimicrobial agent becomes spoilage the gela siege food, such as the stored fruit and / or Vegetables prevented or slowed down the mold process at least.

The Mat consists of a flexible plastic, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, and may according to another Embodiment zeolite include. In particular, a Zeolite-mineral mixture, for example calcined synthetic Zeolite, used.

zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates, which are in numerous modifications occur in nature but are also produced synthetically can. Zeolites can be water and other low molecular weight ones Absorb substances and release them on heating without their Crystal structure is destroyed. The structure of Zeolites are good for their microporosity the odor filtering suitable. The addition of zeolite is used under and the smell of stored food to reduce and / or prevent.

Furthermore, zeolite or mixture containing the zeolite described above prevents the formation of ethene gas or absorbs it. Ethene is produced during the ripening process of fruits and vegetables and causes the other fruit or vegetables stored in the same compartment to mature more quickly. For this reason, it is advantageous to reduce the concentration of ethene, thus preventing the premature ripening process, for a longer hold availability of fruit or vegetables.

By the use of zeolite thus improves the odor quality achieved in the refrigerator, as the zeolite mineral mixture largely the odor transfer in the refrigerator prevents, so that the plastic of the refrigerator Odors do not last forever.

One Another advantage is that in the zeolite moisture can knock down, d. H. that the mat will absorb moisture can, which in turn counteracts the formation of mold.

The Mat has at least one structured surface, In particular, the mat has a smooth top and a textured Bottom on. According to another embodiment But the mat can also have a textured top and a textured one Have bottom or the top and / or bottom are each only partially structured.

The Structure is preferably regular and can For example, the shape of regularly arranged Pyramidal structures, conical structures, wave structures or the like exhibit. The structuring serves for a better air circulation on the support surface of the mat, d. H. in particular the bottom. Furthermore, the structure becomes the surface the mat enlarged. This creates an enlarged Surface with zeolite, creating more ethylene gas and / or other odors can be absorbed.

A Mat according to the invention can be easily cut so that the size of the mat is easy the purpose of use can be adjusted. Preferably, a mat according to the invention in refrigerators, especially in the fruit or vegetable compartment used. Furthermore, such a mat can also be used in fresh food containers, Fruit bowls etc. are used, so wherever, where Prevent mold formation and prevent or at least prevent odors should be reduced.

figure description

in the Below are embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures closer explain. Other features, objectives and advantages of the present The invention will become apparent from the following detailed description a preferred embodiment of the invention, the as a non-limiting example and to the attached Drawings reference.

1 schematically shows the structuring of a mat according to the invention.

2 shows another view of the in 1 illustrated structuring of a mat according to the invention.

For the same or equivalent elements of the invention will be identical Reference sign used. Furthermore, for clarity's sake only reference numerals in the individual figures shown for the description of the respective figure are required. The illustrated Embodiments are merely examples, such as the mat according to the invention can be configured and do not represent a final limitation.

1 and 2 schematically show the structuring of a mat according to the invention 10 in the embodiment shown a smooth top 20 and a textured base 22 having. The structuring 30 is preferably regular in the form of pyramidal structures 32 educated. The structuring 30 . 32 serves for better air circulation on the bearing surface of the mat 10 , ie in particular at the bottom 22 , Furthermore, by the structuring 30 . 32 the surface of the mat 10 increased.

A mat according to the invention 10 contains at least one antimicrobial agent for reducing and / or preventing the occurrence of microorganisms.

The mat 10 consists of a flexible plastic, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, and may further comprise zeolite for odor filtration and uptake of ethylene gas. By structuring the bottom 22 This results in an increased surface area with zeolite, allowing more ethene gas and / or other odors to be absorbed.

The mat 10 For example, has a thickness b of 2.3 cm, of which the upper layer 21 1.3 cm (thickness a).

The mat 10 can be easily cropped, so the size of the mat 10 can be easily adapted to the application. For example, the mats 10 produced in a size of 29 cm × 45 cm.

The Invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment described. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that made modifications or changes of the invention can, without losing the scope of the following To leave claims.

10

mat

20

top

21

top layer

22

bottom

23

underclass

30

structuring

32

pyramidal

a

thickness the upper class

b

thickness the mat

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 202008001116 U1 [0002]
• - EP 1439358 B1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Mat ( 10 ) as a base for food consisting of a flexible plastic material, characterized in that the mat ( 10 ) comprises at least one antimicrobial agent. Mat ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the mat ( 10 ) comprises silver-based antimicrobial agents. Mat ( 10 ) according to claim 2, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises nano-silver, micro-silver and / or silver ions. Mat ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the mat ( 10 ) comprises antimicrobial agents based on metals and / or precious metals. Mat ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises triclosan. Mat ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mat ( 10 ) consists of polyethylene or polypropylene. Mat ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mat ( 10 ) Comprises zeolite. Mat ( 10 ) according to claim 7, wherein the mat ( 10 ) comprises a zeolite-mineral mixture. Mat ( 10 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the mat ( 10 ) comprises calcined synthetic zeolite. Mat ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mat ( 10 ) at least one structured surface ( 30 . 32 ) having. Mat ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mat has a smooth upper side ( 20 ) and a structured underside ( 22 ) having. Using a mat ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11 as a sub-layer in the vegetable compartment of a refrigerator. Using a mat ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11 as a base in a fruit and / or vegetable dish.