EP0850848A1 - Packaged deep-frozen food - Google Patents

Abstract

The dish has a deep-frozen refrigerating body (3) which is positioned between the packaging (2) and the food article (1) on at least one part of the surface of the food article. The refrigerated body consists of an enclosed covering sheet (4,4a) with an aqueous solution of at least one substance as refrigerant (5). The freezing temperature of the aqueous solution is lowered to below freezing. The refrigerating body encloses the outer periphery (6) of the food like a belt. The base outline of the deep-frozen body is polygonal with corner edges (7).

Description

The invention relates to frozen foods with food from the Group of pies, cakes, fruits and vegetables and one in the manufacturing company closed outer packaging for every frozen food.

"Frozen food" is the technical term for frozen food that is in the Retail and household in freezers and freezers Temperatures below -18 ° C without significant loss of quality over many Months can be stored (BROCKHAUS, compact edition, 1983, Volume 22, page 49).

Frozen food is an important cornerstone in the food supply the population. If the cold chain from the manufacturer to the end user not interrupted, the frozen food almost guarantees a temporal unlimited shelf life. The legislator is writing one Temperature of at most -24 ° C before.

The storage of frozen food provides in catering establishments and Households the ability to quickly supply the unexpected Guests and eliminates the problem of incorrect planning in excursion restaurants, if, for example, the weather suddenly deteriorates.

From DE 78 34 976 U1 a hexagonal folding box is known both as pastry and bottle packaging and as a bottle cooler or waste container provided. is. The cooling effect can lamination with an aluminum foil can be improved. The known However, folding carton has no storage effect and is not for insertion an active, frozen heat sink in the frozen food manufacturing plant intended for accompanying them during transport.

DE 80 07 232 U1 is a polygonal, for example six or octagonal folding box known also for the shipping of frozen Ice cream cakes to be used. For the partial consumption of Ice cream cake should the individual wall sections independently be hinged. This known folding box also has no storage effect and is not for inserting an active, frozen heat sink provided in addition to the ice cream cake in the manufacturing plant.

JP 07223677 A is a reusable cool box in the form of a thermoformed plastic container with inner foam walls for the Delivery of numerous beverage bottles known, such as this from camping bags is common. The cool box is not an outer packaging in the sense of a Disposable packaging from the manufacturer to the consumer. The bottle group, that is not frozen food, and not the single bottle, is from one Surrounded so-called cold battery that only made ready for use by the user must become. After absorbing water, allowing it to swell and freezing In a household refrigerator, the cold battery is placed on the bottle group laid on and put around them and forms an active one Cooling medium with storage effect. Because the bottles have a watery filling such as containing milk is a significant shortfall the freezing temperature of water due to a risk of Glass bottles not possible. When thawing comes out of the cold battery Water so that this cooling material is not suitable for frozen foods, which is not packed waterproof. There is also the considerable Danger that the cooling medium at temperatures markedly below 0 ° C with the Frozen foods would freeze together. As soon as individual milk bottles are removed the cold chain is finally torn off for them, because individual outer packaging with cold stores is missing.

DE 44 15 946 A1 is a flexible cooler pack with a liquid Content known after freezing the content especially for medical Cooling treatment of body parts is provided. Use too such cooling packs for bottle cooling is mentioned. The Coolant should be in the solid phase at the initial temperature and a phase change during the cooling treatment while absorbing heat perform in the liquid state. The phase transition temperature should be between -25 ° C and 10 ° C. The coolant salts or glycols can be added. This well-known cool pack However, it is not part of a prepackage that is on the way from Manufacturer remains unopened until the consumer. Besides, not all are Salts are harmless and glycols are not permitted in the food sector.

DE 82 16 053.9 U1 is a reusable alternative to Warming and cooling provided cuff known for replacement the liquid content is reclosed. As content are hot or cold water, but also cold mixtures in the form of aqueous solutions of calcium ammonium nitrate and urea. However, the latter substances are not compatible with food but even harmful to health and are therefore not allowed under any Circumstances may be packed together with foods that are not absolutely are tightly enclosed. Tempering is one of the applications of bottles, in particular of beverage bottles, and of cans specified, also the treatment of parts of the body by means of a cooling or warming compress. As a one-way addition for not hermetically sealed frozen foods from manufacturer to consumer is such a cuff, which is more the function of a hot water bottle and has an ice pack, not.

In contrast, the subject of the invention is Frozen food, which is packaged in series production in the manufacturing company and frozen at about -24 ° C and then frozen in the shops brought. It is used, for example, in food departments of Supermarkets in deep freezers for sale to the end consumer through special freezer vehicles from retail chains in large quantities to the end consumer, including households and hospitality companies, delivered. What is not consumed immediately is in freezers or freezers stored further. The packaging is designed that an opening is immediately recognizable, so that the goods are not for sale.

So it is impossible to get one of the coolants on the way state of the art in such packaging. Of the The subject of the invention is from the manufacturer to the consumer - within the so-called "cold chain" - an inseparable, closed unit. This especially applies to frozen cakes without stable packaging cannot be shipped at all.

The weak point of such a cold chain is as follows: only a partial one Defrosting the food, which is also the case when the food is opened Packaging can happen is irreparable and leads to the short-term Spoilage of the goods.

However, manufacturing, transport, storage and preparation are costly. When freezing and thawing, there is always a lot of time and a lot Energy is required because the food is a poor conductor of heat. But Storage and transportation are also expensive because the cooling is constantly upright must be obtained and by large volumes of conventional Large transport and storage volumes are required for packaging. Edges and corners of the food are particularly at risk because they are there the quickest is thawing.

There is a particular risk of an interruption in the cold chain at Purchasing and transport to your own freezer. Queues at the ticket offices and transportation in the trunk of a car are the Main causes of cold chain interruption. Shipping container or, cool boxes with so-called cold batteries are known as results from the above-mentioned prior art, but they are sufficient in Do not rule out by far to ensure an interruption of the cold chain prevent, because the transport containers are only with food filled after the cold chain has already been interrupted.

The invention is therefore based on the object of packaged frozen foods specify the genus described at the beginning, which is an effective Protection against premature thawing in the event of a brief interruption of the Owns cold chain

The solution to the problem is the one specified at the beginning Frozen food according to the invention in that there is between the outer packaging and the frozen food on at least a portion the surface of the food is also a frozen heat sink is made of a closed film envelope with a refrigerant an aqueous solution of at least one substance through which the Freezing temperature of the aqueous solution to values below 0 ° C is lowered.

• die wässrige Lösung mindestens einen Stoff aus der Gruppe Zucker, Zuckerarten, Zuckerstoffe, zuckerhaltige Gemische, Saccharose, körperverträgliche Salze mit einer solchen Konzentration enthältt, daß der Kühlkörper bei einer Temperatur erstarrt, die zwischen -10°C und -24°C liegt,
• der Kühlkörper eine im Querschnitt flache Folienhülle aufweist, die das Nahrungsmittel auf seinem Außenumfang nach Art eines Gürtels umgibt,
• das tiefgefrorene Nahrungsmittel einen polygonalen Grundriß mit Eckkanten aufweist und wenn in der Folienhülle durch Schweißnähte einzelne Kammern gebildet sind, wobei mindestens ein Teil der Schweißnähte parallel zu den Eckkanten des Nahrungsmittels verläuft und in einem Rastermaß (L) angeordnet ist, das der Kantenlänge (K) des Polygons des tiefgefrorenen Nahrungsmittels entspricht,
• der Innenraum der Folienhülle durch weitere Schweißnähte unterteilt ist, die zu den Schweißnähten an den Eckkanten des tiefgefrorenen Nahrungsmittels rechtwinklig verlaufen,
• sich das Nahrungsmittel in radialer Richtung an dem Kühlkörper abstützt,
• Die Umverpackung - jeweils in der Draufsicht gesehen - einen sechseckigen und das Nahrungsmittel einen achteckigen Umriß aufweisen, und wenn sich das Nahrungsmittel im Bereich seiner Eckkanten in radialer Richtung an dem Kühlkörper abstützt,
• das Kältemittel mit mindestens einem Aromastoff aus der Gruppe der Fruchtsäuren versetzt ist, und/oder
• das Kältemittel mit einem lebensmittelverträglichen Farbstoff versetzt ist.

It is particularly advantageous if - either individually or in combination -:

• the aqueous solution contains at least one substance from the group sugar, types of sugar, sugar substances, sugar-containing mixtures, sucrose, body-compatible salts with a concentration such that the heat sink solidifies at a temperature which lies between -10 ° C and -24 ° C,
• the heat sink has a film envelope which is flat in cross section and surrounds the food on its outer circumference in the manner of a belt,
• the frozen food has a polygonal plan with corner edges and if individual chambers are formed in the film envelope by weld seams, at least some of the weld seams running parallel to the corner edges of the food and being arranged in a grid dimension (L) that corresponds to the edge length (K) corresponds to the polygon of the frozen food,
• the interior of the film envelope is divided by further weld seams that run at right angles to the weld seams on the corner edges of the frozen food,
• the food is supported on the heat sink in the radial direction,
• The outer packaging — as seen in plan view in each case — has a hexagonal outline and the foodstuff has an octagonal outline, and if the foodstuff is supported in the region of its corner edges on the heat sink in the radial direction,
• the refrigerant is mixed with at least one flavoring agent from the group of fruit acids, and / or
• the refrigerant is mixed with a food-compatible dye.

The terms "sugar" and "types of sugar" are defined by law and can be found in "RÖMPP CHEMIE LEXIKON", 9th edition, 1995, pages 5164 to 5165, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart - New York.

The film envelope can be made extremely thin-walled, because that Refrigerants no harmful substances such as Glycol and others Contains antifreeze. By using at least one of the The above substances in the refrigerant form a safe medium that through its composition and / or concentration targeted at one Freezing range and a thawing range can be set and even if it leaks and touches the refrigerant the food in the event of an injury to the film envelope, no health hazards Properties unfolded, but at most the Taste changed.

The concentration of at least one of the substances mentioned is so chosen that the refrigerant, for example, at temperatures down to -12 ° C is liquid, between -12 ° C and -18 ° C it is still plastically deformable and is hard below -18 ° C. It is emphasized that these temperature ranges are only exemplary and allow deviations downwards or upwards. The heat sink provides active heat insulation through its heat of fusion, which at least largely maintains its temperature in the melting range.

The heat sink should be deformable at processing or product temperature be able to cling to the food. In any case such a refrigerant requires enormous amounts of heat per unit volume for thawing and is therefore a very effective protection against thawing, especially because the heat sink - in contrast to the state of the art - located within the outer packaging and with the Frozen food forms one unit. It also exploits this of empty spaces through conversion into cold rooms. Finally, the frozen one forms Heatsink also a very effective transport protection against Damage to the content. The heat sink can also continue to be used be used to cool drinks etc.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if - as seen in the plan view - the Outer packaging is hexagonal and the food is octagonal Outline and if the food is in the area supports its corners in the radial direction on the heat sink. Thereby is a thawing of the thermally particularly vulnerable corners of the Food effectively prevented.

This means that a given amount of frozen food can not only be consumed in smaller amounts Accommodate boxes, but the boxes themselves can be in accommodate smaller storage spaces and exhibit the possibility of one Reduction of the wall thickness on a significantly increased stackability.

Further use is encouraged when the refrigerant is at least a flavoring from the group of fruit acids is added, and / or if the refrigerant contains a food-compatible dye is offset.

The refrigerant is then suitable as after removing the film cover other foods for sucking and / or as a beverage additive fully exploited.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 7 explained in more detail.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Tiefkühlkost bei abgenommenem Deckel der Umverpackung,

Figur 2

einen Ausschnitt aus einer Lage von Tiefkühlpackungen mit abgenommenem Deckel in einem Transportbehälter,

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht auf ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Tiefkühlkost bei abgenommenem Deckel der Umverpackung,

Figur 4

eine Seitensicht eines Ausschnitts aus dem Kühlkörper nach Figur 3,

Figur 5

einen teilweisen Längsschnitt durch den Gegenstand von Fig. 4,

Figur 6

einen teilweisen Längsschnit analog Figur 3 durch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Kühlkörpers, und

Figur 7

einen teilweisen Axialschnitt durch eine vollständige Verpackung mit Nahrungsmittel.

Show it:

Figure 1

2 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the frozen food with the cover of the outer packaging removed,

Figure 2

a section of a layer of frozen packs with the lid removed in a transport container,

Figure 3

2 shows a plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of the frozen food with the cover of the outer packaging removed,

Figure 4

3 shows a side view of a detail from the heat sink according to FIG. 3,

Figure 5

4 shows a partial longitudinal section through the object of FIG. 4,

Figure 6

a partial longitudinal section similar to Figure 3 through another embodiment of a heat sink, and

Figure 7

a partial axial section through a complete packaging with food.

In Figure 1 is a rigid outer packaging 2 in the form of a hexagonal Cartons shown in which the food 1 concentrically in the form an octagonal cake. The corners 7 form a division aid for the creation of intersection lines 8, which are only shown in broken lines here.

Between the circumference or corners 7 of the food 1 and the Outer packaging 2 is a heat sink 3 in the form of a cross section flat, circularly curved tube made of a wafer-thin Foil sleeve 4, in which the refrigerant 5 described above is located. The longest axis of the hose cross section is perpendicular to the Drawing level. The ends of the film envelope 4 meet at a separation point 9 to each other. The ends can also overlap. It is recognizable, that the food 1 in the region of its corners 7 in the radial direction supported on the heat sink 3, the effective, active heat insulation represents.

Figure 2 shows that such hexagon packs without gaps fit together and that their contents over the hard frozen heat sink 3 and the box walls on the shortest paths against each other support.

In Figure 3 is a rigid outer packaging 2 in the form of a hexagonal box shown in which the food 1 concentrically in the form an octagonal cake. The corners 7 form a division aid for the creation of intersection lines 8, which are only shown in broken lines here.

Between the circumference or the corners or corner edges 7 of the food 1 and the outer packaging 2 there is a heat sink 3 in the form a cross-sectionally flat, polygonally folded hose from one wafer-thin film sleeve 4a, in which the above described Refrigerant 5 is located. The longest axis of the hose cross section runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The ends of the film envelope 4a meet one Separation point 9 to each other, but can also overlap and / or with each other be connected. It can be seen that the food 1 in the area of its flat polygonal surfaces 10 between the corners 7 in supports in the radial direction flat on the heat sink 3, which has an effective, represents active thermal insulation. The (maximum) edge length of the polygonal Food 1 has the dimension "K". The thickness of the heat sink 3 can are between 4 and 10 mm, preferably between 5 and 7 mm, wherein these dimensions are not critical.

Figure 4 shows a partial side view, i.e. a circumference neckline from a heat sink 3, in which by axially parallel first welding or Sealing seams 11 at a distance "L", which is essentially the dimension "K" in FIG. 3 corresponds, individual chambers and fold lines are formed. At right angles to this run second weld or seal seams 12, through the individual Chambers 13 are formed in which the refrigerant 5 is enclosed on all sides is. The welds 11 and 12 can be in relation to the Cross-section are asymmetrical (Figure 5) or symmetrical (Figure 6).

The food according to FIG. 7, an octagonal cake, has the shape of a short truncated pyramid, i.e. the surfaces 10 run under one acute angle to an axis, not shown. The chambers 13 (Figure 4) nestle with the refrigerant 5 when inserting the film cover 4a each of the surfaces 10 as shown in FIG.

This will not only have a good cooling effect, but also a good one radial support effect of the food 1 and a stiffening of the Outer packaging 2 reached in the frozen state. Through a cover 14 the package is closed.

Claims (9)

Frozen food with foods (1) from the group of cakes, cakes, fruits and vegetables and with an outer packaging (2) closed in the manufacturing company for each deep-frozen food (1), characterized in that between the outer packaging (2) and the deep-frozen food ( 1) on at least part of the surface of the food (1) there is also a frozen heat sink (3) which consists of a closed film envelope (4, 4a) with a refrigerant (5) made of an aqueous solution of at least one substance through which the Freezing temperature of the aqueous solution is reduced to values below 0 ° C. Frozen food according to claim 1, characterized in that the aqueous solution contains at least one substance from the group of sugars, sugars, sugars, sugar-containing mixtures, sucrose, body-compatible salts with a concentration such that the heat sink solidifies at a temperature between -10 ° C and -24 ° C. Frozen food according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cooling body (3) has a film envelope (4, 4a) which is flat in cross section and surrounds the food (1) on its outer circumference (6) in the manner of a belt. Frozen food according to claim 3, characterized in that the deep-frozen food (1) has a polygonal plan with corner edges (7) and that individual chambers (13) are formed in the film envelope (4a) by weld seams (11, 12), at least one Part of the weld seams (11) runs parallel to the corner edges (7) of the food (1) and is arranged in a grid dimension (L) which corresponds to the edge length (K) of the polygon of the frozen food (1). Frozen food according to Claim 4, characterized in that the interior of the film envelope (4a) is divided by further weld seams (12) which run at right angles to the weld seams (11) on the corner edges (7) of the frozen food (1). Frozen food according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the food (1) is supported in the radial direction on the cooling body (3). Frozen food according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that - seen in plan view in each case - the outer packaging (2) has a hexagonal and the food (1) has an octagonal outline, and that the food (1) is in the area of it Corner edges (7) are supported in the radial direction on the heat sink (3). Frozen food according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the refrigerant (5) is mixed with at least one flavoring agent from the group of fruit acids. Frozen food according to at least one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the refrigerant (5) is mixed with a food-compatible dye.

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