EP2946153B1

EP2946153B1 - Device and method for foodstuffs conditioning

Info

Publication number: EP2946153B1
Application number: EP13830128.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ales Bracic; Dejan Frlez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-24
Filing date: 2013-12-16
Publication date: 2021-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-16
Also published as: SI24250A; EP2946153A1; SI2946153T1; WO2014104985A1

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Field of Technology

Conditioning, conditioning of foodstuffs, cooling, cooling of foodstuffs, cooling of beverages, cooling in cases, heating, heating of foodstuffs, heating of beverages, heating in cases.

Technical Problem

The durability of substances which are stored for longer periods often depends on the temperature conditions during the storage.
This is the case with cooling of foodstuffs with longer shelf lives at lower temperatures. Some foodstuffs should not freeze, since this would deteriorate their properties; therefore, a temperature interval within which the temperature of foodstuffs must be maintained is usually determined.
In many cases a customers want to buy a product cooled or heated to the desired temperature, regardless of the required temperature conditions for storage of foodstuffs. For example, a customer wants the beverage to be sufficiently cooled and to remain cool for a certain period after its purchase.
In most cases, beverages in shops are cooled in quantities intended for single use. If a customer needs to buy larger quantities of foodstuffs cooled or heated to a desired temperature, he/she must collect them from the cooling or heating device. As soon as the foodstuff is collected from the cooling or heating device, foodstuff temperature is equilibrated with the ambient temperature, whereby the rate of equilibration depends on the heat capacity of foodstuff, which is in particular conditional on the type, mass and packaging of foodstuff.

State of the Art

Several methods of conditioning of foodstuffs are used in practice. In most cases, higher temperature adversely affects the durability of foodstuffs, because higher temperatures create more favourable conditions for the development of bacteria which reduce the shelf life of foodstuffs. In the majority of cases, foodstuffs are cooled to a suitable temperature at which the shelf life is prolonged.
Larger quantities of foodstuffs in shops and shopping centres are usually cooled in refrigerators, chest coolers, upright coolers and also smaller cold stores.
In most cases, beverages in shops are cooled in quantities intended for single use. If a customer needs to buy larger quantities of conditioned foodstuffs, he/she must collect them from the cooling or heating device. To maintain the temperature of foodstuffs, insulated bags are usually used, which slow down the equilibration of foodstuff temperature with the ambient temperature.
In patent application NZ 516028 a single container is disclosed which comprises a base, a plurality of side and a top whereby at least some of the side walls having ducts therein through which gas can flow, and a gas moving device to cause gas to move through the ducts so as to provide a substantially even distribution of gas within the walls having ducts. The gas moving device may be in the base or in the top. The whole container is put on the pallet and is enclosed with a thermally and gastight envelope. The use of a plurality of containers wherein each of the container is an independent unit is not disclosed.
In patent application EP 0254947 apparatus for controlling the ripening of fresh fruit is disclosed wherein a stack of fruit boxes is spiral wound with a transparent synthetic resin strip around the four vertically oriented faces of the box stack. The boxes within the stack have openings on their upper and lower faces which register with corresponding openings in vertically adjacent boxes to permit a vertical movement of a flow medium. The stack of boxes is loaded on a pallet, wherein the pallet is provided on an upper side with a plurality of support boards spaced to form three elongate gaps or openings which are alignable with the openings in the lower surfaces of boxes. Each gap or opening communicates with the interiors of two boxes in a lowermost layer of a stack placed on pallet. To enable a vertical movement of the air from the bottom of the stack through the stack, a transparent synthetic resin strip around the stack is obligatory. The disclosed apparatus does not enable the circulation of the flow medium through each individual container of the stack of containers loaded on a pallet if the individual container is removed from the pallet.

Description of the invention

The subject of the invention is the device for conditioning of foodstuffs, with a plurality of the containers, which solve the technical problems of:

maintaining the temperature of foodstuffs at a desired temperature;
slowing down the equilibration of foodstuff temperature with the ambient temperature;
reducing the consumption of energy products required for foodstuff conditioning.

According to invention the task is solved by a device according to claim 1.
The device according to the invention comprises at least:

a pallet on which containers for conditioning of foodstuffs are loaded; and
containers for foodstuff conditioning.

Foodstuffs are loaded into containers for foodstuff conditioning in which the temperature is maintained with the flow of the medium at a suitable temperature through the walls of the container. The flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is primarily air; however, any other gas may also be used. The cooling medium may also be liquid, primarily water. A fraction of the flow medium is also supplied into the interior of the containers for foodstuff conditioning to ensure a faster attainment of the desired temperature of foodstuffs. The flow medium used for cooling of foodstuffs may be compressed gas which is cooled during the expansion to the ambient pressure and which reduces the heat of the containers for foodstuff conditioning. Liquefied gas may also be used for cooling, whereby the required quantity of gas is substantially lower due to the great variation of enthalpy of the flow medium (enthalpy of evaporation) in liquid and gas state. Cooling pallets may be equipped with a Peltier element.
Inlet and outlet lines of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning are connected to the pallet. The pallet is constructed in such a way that the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is evenly distributed in individual containers for foodstuff conditioning. When the container is loaded on the pallet, the weight of the container opens the inlet channel of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning by applying pressure on the pallet. The channel on the pallet is closed with a spring. When loading the container, the weight of the container applies pressure on the flap of the inlet channel of the flow medium and overcomes the force of the spring keeping the flap closed. In the same way, the flow through the outlet channel of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is ensured. Several containers for foodstuff conditioning may be loaded on the pallet, whereby the inlet and outflow channels of the conditioning medium are only open in places where the containers for foodstuff conditioning are loaded. All flaps are fitted with seals to prevent leakage of the flow medium. Flap seals may be installed on the upper side of the containers next to the flaps or on the lower side of the containers next to the feet of the container. The lower side of the container for foodstuff conditioning also includes the inlet channel of the flow medium and outlet channel of the flow medium. Depending on the construction, the channels may be fitted with flaps.
The pallet is made of material of mechanical strength, primarily of plastic material providing temperature insulation or of metal material. The pallet is constructed in such a way that it may be transported with a forklift.
The pallet is fitted with a network of channels which distribute the flow medium from the inlet line of the flow medium to the inlet channels of the flow medium. The flow medium may be channelled from the inlet line of the flow medium to the inlet channels of the flow medium through individual lines. The flow medium flows into the outlet line of the flow medium through the outlet channels of the flow medium. The flow medium may be channelled into the outlet line of the flow medium from the outlet channels of the flow medium through individual lines.
The outlet line of the flow medium runs into the device for ensuring a pressure drop to which a fresh quantity of flow medium is added through the inlet for fresh additional flow medium in order to compensate for the losses of the flow medium during the flow through the device for foodstuff conditioning. The device for ensuring a pressure drop and the device for flow medium conditioning are integrated in the pallet.
From the device for ensuring a pressure drop, the flow medium is channelled into the device for cooling or heating of the flow medium, where the flow medium is conditioned to the desired temperature. The required energy to be added or removed from the flow medium is determined on the basis of the quantity and condition of the inlet flow medium.
If compressed or liquefied gas is used for cooling of foodstuffs, the device for ensuring a pressure drop and the device for flow medium conditioning within the device for foodstuff conditioning are not necessary, since gas overpressure may be used for gas flow and the principle of cooling of gas as a result of its expansion or transformation from liquid to gas state may be used for cooling.
Containers for foodstuff conditioning are thick-walled, because the walls of the containers are composed of several layers, i.e. from outside to inside:

the outer layer made of load-bearing material, primarily plastic or metal material;
space designed for insulation in which insulation is fitted;
space designed for the flow of the flow medium; and
the inner layer made of load-bearing material, primarily plastic or metal material.

The interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning includes compartments for the insertion of glass bottles, plastic bottles, tins or other items. The container may be returnable and the customer can take it home together with the foodstuff. During the transport, the container for foodstuff conditioning slows down the equilibration of foodstuff temperature with the ambient temperature due to insulated walls of the container. In addition, insulated walls of the container reduce the consumption of energy product required for foodstuff conditioning.
The space for the flow of the flow medium in the walls of the container for foodstuff conditioning is divided into two parts to prevent mixing of inlet flow medium and outlet flow medium. On the inner wall on the side of the container with the inlet channel of the flow medium, the flow medium inlet into the interior of the container is installed, while on the inner wall on the side of the container with the outlet channel of the flow medium, the flow medium outlet from the interior of the container is installed.
The interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning is also equipped with a container cover rest, while the outer walls of the container are fitted with two handles. The cover may also be attached to the container for foodstuff conditioning with hinges for opening the container cover.
The container cover is primarily made of load-bearing material fitted with insulation. Container cover handles are installed on the upper side of the cover of the container for foodstuff conditioning. A seal is installed between the container cover and the container for foodstuff conditioning to prevent leakage of the flow medium.
The essence of the invention is further explained below with the description of two embodiments and attached figures, whereby the figures are part of this patent application and show the following:

Figure 1 shows a pallet 1, a container 2 for foodstuff conditioning, an inlet channel 3 of the flow medium, an outlet channel 4 of the flow medium.
Figure 2 show an inlet channel 3 of the flow medium, an outlet channel 4 of the flow medium, an inlet line 5 of the flow medium, an outlet line 6 of the flow medium, a channel network 7 inside the pallet 1.
Figure 3 shows a pallet 1, an inlet line 5 of the flow medium, an outlet line 6 of the flow medium, an inlet 8 for fresh additional flow medium, a device 9 for ensuring a pressure drop, a device 10 for flow medium conditioning.
Figure 4 show a container 2 for foodstuff conditioning, an inlet channel 3 of the flow medium, an outlet channel 4 of the flow medium, space 11 for insulation, space 12 for the flow of the flow medium, a flow medium inlet 13 into the interior of the container 2, a cover rest 14, a container handle 15, a container cover 16, a container cover handle 17.

First example:
In the first example, the device is used for cooling beer. The pallet 1 with the floor plan dimensions of 80x120 cm is loaded with 32 containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning with the dimensions of 30x30x40 cm (height x width x length). Eight containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning (2x4 containers) are stacked at each height level and four containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning are stacked vertically.
Beer is loaded into containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning in which the temperature is maintained with the flow of air at a temperature of 4°C through the walls of the container 2. A fraction of the flow air is supplied also into the interior of containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning. The interior of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning is fitted with compartments for the insertion of bottles.
The inlet line 5 of the flow medium and the outlet line 6 of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning are connected to the pallet 1. The pallet 1 is constructed in such a way that the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is evenly distributed in individual containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning.
The inlet channel 3 of the flow medium and the outlet channel 4 of the flow medium are closed with a flap operated by a spring. When loading the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning, the weight of the container 2 with feet applies pressure on the flap of the inlet channel 3 and outlet channel 4 of the flow medium and overcomes the force of the springs keeping the flap closed. The pallet 1 is made of metal material.
The pallet 1 is fitted with a network 7 of channels inside the pallet 1, which distributes the flow air from the inlet line 5 of the flow medium into the inlet channels 3 of the flow medium. Air flows into the outlet line 6 of the flow medium through the outlet channels 4 of the flow medium.
The outlet line 4 of the flow medium runs into the device 9 for ensuring a pressure drop to which a fresh quantity of air is added through the inlet 8 for fresh additional flow medium in order to compensate for the losses of the flow air during the flow through the device for foodstuff conditioning.
From the device 9 for ensuring a pressure drop, the flow air is channelled into the device 10 for flow medium conditioning, where air is cooled to the temperature of 4°C. The energy required for cooling of air is determined on the basis of the quantity and condition of the inlet flow air.
Containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning are thick-walled, because the walls of the containers 2 are composed of several layers, i.e. from outside to inside: the outer layer made of plastic load-bearing material, space 11 for insulation in which extruded polystyrene is fitted, space 12 for the flow of the flow medium and the inner layer made of plastic load-bearing material.
The space 12 for the flow of the flow medium in the walls of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning is divided into two parts to prevent mixing of inlet air and outlet air. On the inner wall on the side of the container 2 with the inlet channel 3 of the flow medium, the flow medium inlet 13 into the interior of the container 2 is installed, while on the inner wall on the side of the container 2 with the outlet channel 4 of the flow medium, the flow medium outlet from the interior of the container 2 is installed.
The interior of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning is also equipped with a container cover rest 14, while the outer walls of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning are fitted with two handles 15.
The container cover 16 is primarily made of load-bearing material fitted with insulation. The upper side of the container cover is fitted with two container cover handles 17.

Second exemplary embodiment:

In the exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention is used for cooling meat products. The pallet 1 with the floor plan dimensions of 80x120 cm is loaded with 32 containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning with the dimensions of 30x30x40 cm (height x width x length). Eight containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning (2x4 containers) are stacked at each height level and four containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning are stacked vertically.
Meat products are loaded into containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning in which the temperature is maintained with the flow of air at a temperature of 2°C through the walls of the container 2. A fraction of the flow air is also supplied into the interior of containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning.
The inlet line 5 of the flow medium and the outlet line 6 of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning are connected to the pallet 1. The pallet 1 is constructed in such a way that the flow air for foodstuff conditioning is evenly distributed in the containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning.
When the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning is loaded on the pallet 1, the weight of the container 2 opens the inlet channel 3 and outlet channel 4 of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning by applying pressure on the pallet flap. On the upper and lower side of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning, the inlet channel 3 of the flow medium and the outlet channel 4 of the flow medium are closed with a flap operated by a spring.
When loading the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning, the weight of the container 2 with feet applies pressure on the flap of the inlet channel 3 and outlet channel 4 of the flow medium and overcomes the force of the springs keeping the flap closed. The pallet 1 is made of metal material.
The pallet 1 is fitted with a network 7 of channels inside the pallet 1, which distributes the air from the inlet line 5 of the flow medium into the inlet channels 3 of the flow medium. Air flows into the outlet line 6 of the flow medium through the outlet channels 4 of the flow medium.
The outlet line 6 of the flow medium runs into the device 9 for ensuring a pressure drop to which a fresh quantity of air is added through the inlet 8 for fresh additional flow medium in order to compensate for the losses of air during the flow through the device for foodstuff conditioning.
From the device 9 for ensuring a pressure drop, the flow air is channelled into the device 10 for flow medium conditioning, where air is cooled to the temperature of 2°C. The required energy to be removed from the flow air is determined on the basis of the quantity and condition of the inlet flow air.
Containers 2 for foodstuff conditioning are thick-walled, because the walls of the containers are composed of several layers, i.e. from outside to inside: the outer layer made of plastic load-bearing material, space 11 for insulation in which extruded polystyrene is fitted, space 12 for the flow of the flow medium and the inner layer made of metal load-bearing material.
The space 12 for the flow of air in the walls of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning is physically divided into two parts to prevent mixing of inlet air and outlet air. On the inner wall on the side of the container 2 with the inlet channel 3 of the flow medium, the flow medium inlet 13 into the interior of the container is installed, while on the inner wall on the side of the container 2 with the outlet channel 4 of the flow medium, the flow medium outlet from the interior of the container is installed.
The interior of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning is also equipped with a container cover rest 14, while the outer walls of the container 2 for foodstuff conditioning are fitted with two handles 15.
The container cover 16 is primarily made of load-bearing material fitted with insulation. The upper side of the container cover is fitted with two container cover handles 17.

Claims

A device for foodstuff conditioning comprising a pallet (1) for supplying a flow medium for foodstuff conditioning into containers (2) for foodstuff conditioning and a plurality of containers (2) for foodstuff conditioning loaded on said pallet (1), wherein a temperature in each container (2) is maintained by the flow of the medium through walls of the containers (2) characterized in that the walls of each container (2) comprise a space (12) for the flow of the medium, whereby the space (12) is divided into two parts to prevent mixing of an inlet flow medium and an outlet flow medium and wherein on an upper and on a lower side of the opposite lying container (2) walls an inlet channel (3) of the flow medium and an outlet channel (4) of the flow medium are provided, on an inner wall of the container (2) with the inlet channel (3), a flow medium inlet (13) is installed for supplying a fraction of the flow medium into the interior of the containers (2), on an inner wall of the container (2) with the outlet channel (4), a flow medium outlet is installed for discharging a fraction of the flow medium from the interior of the containers (2) and wherein the pallet (1) is fitted with a network of channels (7) inside the pallet (1) forming an inlet line (5) of the flow medium with inlet channels (3) for distributing the flow medium into the inlet channels (3) of the containers (2), and an outlet line (6) of the flow medium with outlet channels (4) for receiving the flow medium from the outlet channels (4) of the containers (2) and wherein the inlet channels (3) and the outlet channels (4) on the upper side and lower side of the containers (2) and on the pallet (1) are closed with flaps operated by springs.
The device according to claim 1 characterized in that the outlet line (6) of the flow medium runs into a device (9) for ensuring a pressure drop to which a fresh quantity of the flow medium is added through an inlet (8) for fresh additional flow medium and further to a device (10) for flow medium conditioning and wherein the device (9) for ensuring a pressure drop and the device for flow medium conditioning are integrated in the pallet (1).
The device according to any claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the walls of the containers (2) are composed of several layers from outside to inside: the outer layer made of load-bearing material, space (11) for insulation, space (12) for the flow of the flow medium and the inner layer made of load-bearing material and wherein the interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning (2) is fitted with compartments for the insertion of products.
The device according to any claims 1 to 3 characterized in that by the weight of the container (2) the pressure is applied on the flaps of inlet (3) and outlet channels (4) of the flow medium with the feet of the container (2) when the container (2) is loaded thus overcoming the force of the springs which are keeping the flaps closed, which causes the inlet channel (3) of the flow medium and the outlet channel (4) of the flow medium to open.
The device according to any claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the interior of the container (2) is fitted with a container cover rest (14), the outer walls of the container (2) are fitted with two container handles (15), the container cover (16) is made of load-bearing material fitted with insulation, the upper side of the container cover (16) is fitted with container cover handles (17) and the container cover (16) is attached to the container (2) with hinges.
The device according to any claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the flaps are fitted with the seals which are installed on the upper side of the containers (2) next to the flaps or on the lower side of the containers (2) next to the feet.
The device according to any claims 1 to 6 characterized in that air or compressed gas or liquefied gas or water is used as the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning.
The device according to any claims 1 to 7 characterized in that a Peltier element is used for cooling the flow medium whereby the required energy to be added or removed from the flow medium is determined on the basis of the quantity and condition of the inlet flow medium.
The device according to any claims 1 to 8 characterized in that on the pallet (1) a plurality of containers (2) are loaded in a way, that the inlet (3) and outlet (4) channels of the flow medium of each container (2) of the first row fit exactly on the inlet (3) and outlet (4) channels of the flow medium of the pallet (1) and that the inlet (3) and outlet (4) channels of the flow medium of each container (2) in the subsequent row fit exactly on the inlet (3) and outlet channels (4) of the flow medium of the corresponding lower row of containers (2).