EP4601512A1 - Display apparatus for fruit and vegetable items - Google Patents

Abstract

A display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items comprising a support structure (2) with a shelf (3) defining a housing space (7) for supporting said fruit and vegetable items; an aeraulic circuit (4) operatively associated with the support structure (2) and configured to be traversed by a flow of air, and comprising a supply section (5) arranged at the at least one shelf (3) and configured to emit a flow of treated air (F1) in proximity of the housing space (7) a recovery section (6) configured to be traversed by a flow of recovery air (F2) comprising at least partially said flow of treated air (F1) recovered from said housing space (7); air treatment means (8), placed at the interception of said aeraulic circuit (4), interposed between said supply section (5) and said recovery section (6) and configured to treat said flow of recovery air (F2) and remove at least one undesired component, preferably ethylene, from said flow of recovery air (F2) and generate said flow of treated air (F1); compressors means (9), placed upstream of said supply section (5) of said aeraulic circuit (4) and configured to push said flow of treated air (F1) into said supply section (5).

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ITEMS

DESCRIPTION

Field of application of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to a display apparatus for fruit and vegetable items, in particular a display apparatus intended to be used to present fruit and vegetable items of all kinds to an audience of potential buyers, according to the preamble of the independent claim number 1.

[002] More in detail, the fruit and vegetable display apparatus here concerned is intended to be advantageously used in the sector of production and marketing of systems, apparatus, display stands, normally used in markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets or shops in general, to display items for sale, and in particular to hold fruit and/or vegetables, for example contained in crates to display them to potential customers and/or buyers.

[003] Therefore, the display apparatus here concerned finds advantageous use in the production of apparatuses and accessories for the display of items in markets, supermarkets or similar.

State of the art

[004] It is well known in the sector of reference, i.e., in the sector of production and marketing of display apparatuses and devices for shops, markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets, that display apparatuses are used for the display of products for their sale. In particular, display apparatuses intended to hold fruit and vegetable items (i.e., fresh fruit or vegetables) for their sale are known. Such display apparatuses are known in the technical jargon of the industry under the term "gondola" or "display gondola" and normally comprise a support structure intended to be rested which provides a plurality of substantially horizontal shelves on which to rest the items to be sold.

[005] More specifically, display gondolas for fruit and vegetable items are known to have shaped shelves spaced one above the other to accommodate fruit and/or vegetables, normally arranged in crates or other containers.

[006] Also known are items storage apparatuses capable of freely setting the temperature by dividing the storage space of a showcase into several portions, in order to simultaneously form environments with different temperatures. Examples of such cold storage apparatuses are described in WO 2005/001350 and JP 2004261350.

[007] However, in practice, such apparatuses of known type proved to be not without drawbacks. [008] The main drawback lies in the fact that fruit and vegetable items have to be changed frequently. In fact, it is well known in the technical sector that display apparatuses must necessarily present the fruit and vegetable items freely accessible to the public (therefore preferably not placed in closed or sealed packages, as they do not allow a complete view of the products contained therein) so that they can choose the items they like or are interested in, without barriers preventing easy access. In this situation, fruit and vegetable items are doomed to rapid ripening and senescence, due not only to natural facts but also because they are exposed to biological, chemical and physical pollutants that are particularly intense in market and shopping facilities and, therefore, to constant replacement with fresh items.

[009] This inconvenience results into high management and procurement costs for markets and supermarkets, which must necessarily dispose of unsold fruit and vegetable items to buy new ones to replace them.

[0010] The direct negative consequence of these phenomena (which is one of the most important drawbacks of the known technology) is that the continuous substitution of fruit and vegetable items constitutes an enormous waste of food resources (a recent study by the European Commission showed that as much as 88 million tonnes of food waste are produced annually in the Ell, most of which consists of fruit and vegetables), a waste of electricity and other forms of energy needed to handle the goods, replace them and take them to landfill, a waste of human resources, a source of pollution, tyre consumption and land.

Presentation of the invention

[0011] Object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus for fruit and vegetable items that can overcome and remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks of the aforementioned known art.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that enables to increase the permanence of the same fruit and vegetable items on display.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that enables to reduce the need for replacement of fruit and vegetable items.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that reduces the waste of energy and resources.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that is eco-friendly and reduces environmental impact.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that reduces the need for transport, thereby decreasing the resulting pollution.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that preserves the organoleptic and/or aesthetic characteristics of the fruit and vegetables on display.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that is functionally and structurally completely safe and reliable.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that is capable of saving money for markets and supermarkets.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus for fruit and vegetable items that can be realised easily, quickly and at low cost.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus that has an alternative or improved character compared to the solutions of the known art.

Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The present invention is herein further elucidated in some of its preferred forms of practical realization, set forth for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of a display apparatus for fruit and vegetable items according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a frontal cross-sectional view of the fruit and vegetable display apparatus shown in figure 1 , created along path ll-ll;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view in transparency of a detail of the apparatus according to the invention, according to path III of figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a further cross-sectional perspective view of the display apparatus here concerned;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the display apparatus, created along the path V-V of figure 2;

Figure 6 shows a lateral cross-section of a detail of the apparatus here concerned, according to path VI in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a lateral sections of a detail of the apparatus here concerned, according to path VII in Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a lateral sections of a detail of the apparatus here concerned, according to path VIII in figure 5

Detailed description of the invention

[0023] With reference to the attached figures, a display apparatus, which is the subject matter of the present invention, has been indicated as 1 , in particular intended to be mechanically mounted on a packaging machine.

[0024] The display apparatus 1 according to the invention finds advantageously use in the production and marketing of apparatus, systems, and equipment for displaying items in markets and supermarkets.

[0025] In particular, the apparatus according to the present invention is advantageously deployable for displaying fruit and vegetable items and, advantageously, for increasing the duration in display by obviating the need for their frequent change, as will become clear with the following description.

[0026] For the purposes of this patent, the term "fruit and vegetables items" shall be understood to mean any type of fruit and/or vegetables, normally sold in markets and supermarkets, that have been removed from their original plant and are therefore subject to ripening and senescence as they are left on display.

[0027] The display apparatus 1 for fruit and vegetable items comprises a support structure 2 comprising at least one shelf 3 defining a housing space 7 configured to support said fruit and vegetable items.

[0028] Advantageously, the support structure 2 is made of a rigid material, e.g. metal and/or plastic material, e.g. aluminium or similar.

[0029] Preferably, the housing space 7 comprises at least one support surface 71 configured to support container devices, such as crates and/or boxes and/or the like, containing the fruit and vegetable items.

[0030] For example, the support surface 71 of the housing space 7 may remain defined above suitable longitudinal members 72 of the shelf 3. Preferably, the support surface 71 may be configured to directly accommodate fruit and vegetable items. Advantageously, the support surface 17 may be made of a plastic material.

[0031] Otherwise, according to an embodiment not illustrated in the attached figures, the support surface 71 may remain defined on a wall, e.g., flat, of the shelf 3.

[0032] Advantageously, the support structure 2 comprises an aeraulic circuit 4 operatively associated with said support structure 2 and configured to be traversed by an air flow rate.

[0033] The aeraulic circuit 4 of the apparatus according to the present invention comprises a delivery section 5 arranged at least partially in correspondence of said at least one shelf 3 and configured to emit a flow of treated air F1 in proximity of said housing space 7. [0034] The aeraulic circuit 4 further comprises a recovery section 6 configured to be transversed by a flow of recovery air F2, comprising at least partially said flow of treated air F1 , recovered from said housing space 7.

[0035] The apparatus 1 here concerned further comprises air treatment means 8, placed at the interception of said aeraulic circuit 4, interposed between said supply section 5 and said recovery section 6 and configured to treat said flow of recovery air F2 and remove at least one undesired component, preferably ethylene, from said flow of recovery air F2 and generate said flow of treated air F1.

[0036] The apparatus further comprises compressor means 9, placed upstream of said supply section 5 of said aeraulic circuit 4 and configured to push said flow of treated air F1 into said supply section 5.

[0037] In this way the apparatus here concerned can remove, eliminate and/or reduce at least one undesired component and increase the shelf life of fruit and vegetable items on display.

[0038] Preferably, the air treatment means 8 are configured to remove from said flow of recovery air F2 at least ethylene, which acts as a hormone in the ripening of many plant species, particularly in fruit and vegetables.

[0039] Preferably, the air treatment means 8 are configured to remove from said flow of recovery air F2 micro-organisms and/or compounds (e.g. chemical, such as pesticides or the like) produced and/or present by/on said fruit and vegetable items during their ripening and/or due to dented items as a result of impacts or handling.

[0040] In this way, the apparatus here concerned makes it possible to improve the quality and/or appearance of the items and their dwell time on display, with a reduction in the frequency of their exchange, thus also reducing food waste.

[0041] The apparatus according to the invention thus makes it possible to increase the permanence of fruit and vegetable items on display, thereby decreasing the need for their replacement. This decrease in replacement brings with it the advantage of less energy consumption, less need for transport, which results in an eco-friendly apparatus that reduces the environmental impact of the fruit and vegetable sector.

[0042] Preferably, the air treatment means 8 are configured to remove volatile organic compounds from said flow of recovery air F2, which may adversely affect the appearance and/or taste and odour of fruits and vegetables that are displayed and/or stored together. [0043] As is well known, ethylene is a hormone released by fruit and vegetables that induces the ripening process. Ethylene is a gas that has negative effects on quality and shelf life in the post-harvest storage phase of fruit and vegetables. When fruit and vegetables are not yet ripe, the level is low, but at a certain stage of development ethylene production suddenly increases, leading to ripening, and thus to softening, senescence, decay and increased susceptibility to attack by microorganisms. The speed of this process depends on each variety of fruit and vegetable. Depending on the level of ethylene production during the life cycle of fruit and vegetable items, fruits can be classified into two main groups. The first group is called climacteric fruits that emit a large amount of ethylene during ripening. The second group is called the non-climacteric fruits in which ethylene production does not increase post-harvest. This second group is however susceptible to deterioration if it is exposed to an external source of ethylene such as a ripening climacteric fruit.

[0044] Preferably, the air treatment means 8 are configured to lower the ethylene concentration at the housing rea 7, in particular to make the ethylene concentration less than or equal to 5ppb.

[0045] Conveniently, according to a further embodiment, the air treatment means 8 are configured to eliminate and/or reduce the concentration of at least one undesired element in the air, e.g. ethylene (or its derivatives) and/or microorganisms and/or chemical compounds or otherwise.

[0046] Preferably, the air treatment means 8 comprise at least one reaction chamber, preferably containing within it a decelerator device suited to decrease the speed of the flow of recovery air F2. Preferably, the decelerator device is filter-like in shape and allows airborne particles to be trapped.

[0047] Conveniently, air treatment means 8 comprise at least one photocatalysis device, e.g., including at least one ultraviolet light source, in particular IIV-C, preferably of the LED type.

[0048] Preferably, the ultraviolet light of said photocatalysis device has a wavelength between 200nm and 300nm.

[0049] The ultraviolet light source is preferably configured to illuminate with said ultraviolet light said flow of recovery air, preferably slowed down, to trigger a photocatalysis reaction, in which ethylene is broken down into water and carbon dioxide. [0050] According to further embodiments of the present invention, air treatment means 8 may be of any type, which in themself are known to the person skilled in the art, and therefore not described in detail below.

[0051] Preferably, the compressor means 9 are placed upstream of said air treatment means 8 and are configured to suck said flow of recovery air F2 and push it into said air treatment means 8 themselves.

[0052] Advantageously, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, said support structure 2 is internally hollow and defines therein said aeraulic circuit 4.

[0053] To this end, support structure 2 is made of tubular elements, preferably having a quadrangular cross-section, in particular rectangular or square. Obviously, the support structure 2 may have a cross-section of any shape without exiting the scope of protection of the present patent.

[0054] Advantageously, said supply section 5 ends with at least one outlet opening 10, obtained on said support structure 2, provided in proximity of said housing area 7 for emitting said flow of treated air F1 outside said support structure 2 in proximity of said housing area 7.

[0055] Preferably, the outlet opening 10 is cut into at least one shelf 3.

[0056] Advantageously, that said recovery section 6 extends from a suction opening 11 obtained on said support structure 2 in proximity of said housing area 7 and configured to suck said flow of recovery air F2 from the outside towards said recovery section 6.

[0057] Advantageously, said support structure 2 comprises two vertical and spaced uprights 12, 12' and at least one crosspiece 13 arranged transversely and connecting said uprights 12, 12'.

[0058] Conveniently, the uprights 12, 12' develop along two corresponding vertical directions Y, Y' parallel to each other.

[0059] Conveniently, the crosspiece 13 also extends along a horizontal direction X, transverse to the vertical directions Y, Y'.

[0060] Advantageously, said uprights 12, 12' are internally hollow and put in fluidic communication by said air treatment means 8 and said compressor means 9.

[0061] Advantageously, a first said upright 12 is configured to be transversed by said flow of treated air F1 and a second said upright 12' is configured to be transversed by said recovery flow F2.

[0062] Advantageously, said first upright 12 is mechanically connected with said at least one shelf 3 to allow said flow of treated air F1 to pass through said outlet opening 10.

[0063] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the shelf 3 comprises a frame 31 , preferably quadrangular in shape, mechanically attached to the uprights 12, 12'. [0064] More in detail, the frame 31 of the shelf 3 comprises at least one transverse element 32 placed transversely with respect to the uprights 12, 12', and in particular parallel to the horizontal direction X. The transversal element 32 is fixed to the uprights 12, 12' by means of fixing means 33, for example a threaded rod, according to the detail view of figure 8.

[0065] Advantageously, the frame 31 is internally hollow and defines an end segment of the supply section 5.

[0066] Preferably, the frame 31 comprises at least one said outlet opening 10 to allow the flow of treated air F1 to exit.

[0067] Preferably, the frame 31 comprises at least a second transverse element 32', placed at a distance with respect to the uprights 12, 12' on which at least one said outlet opening 10 of the supply section 5 of the aeraulic circuit 4 is obtained.

[0068] Preferably, the outlet opening 10 provided on the second transverse element 32' extends parallel to the horizontal direction X, preferably substantially throughout the extension of the second transverse element 32' itself.

[0069] In this way, the apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to realise a treated air-blade in front of the housing area 7 for fruit and vegetable items, preventing air of the outside environment from reaching the items and at the same time allowing buyers to reach the items easily.

[0070] Appropriately, the frame 31 of the shelf 3 comprises two side elements 34, orthogonal to the transverse elements 32, 32', which project from the first transverse element 32 and from the uprights 12, 12'.

[0071] Preferably, the side elements 34 are parallel and spaced apart and connect the ends of the transverse elements 32, 32'.

[0072] Preferably, the side elements 34 are internally hollow and are traversed by the flow of treated air F1.

[0073] Preferably, the side elements 34 comprise additional outlet openings 10 to allow the flow of treated air F1 to exit. In this way, the apparatus 1 also realises treated airblade laterally with respect to the housing area 7 for fruit and vegetable items.

[0074] According to a different form of construction, the side elements have no outlet openings, and the apparatus comprises partition walls (not shown) arranged laterally.

[0075] Advantageously, said at least one crosspiece 13 is internally hollow and configured to be traversed by said flow of recovery air F2. Preferably, said suction opening 11 is obtained on said crosspiece 13. [0076] Advantageously, said at least one crosspiece 13 is internally fluidically connected to said second upright 12' and separated from said first upright 12.

[0077] Advantageously, said at least one shelf 3 is internally fluidically connected to said first upright 12 and separated from said second upright 12'.

[0078] Preferably, crosspiece 13 comprises two or more suction openings 13.

[0079] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the crosspiece 13 comprises a plurality of suction openings 11 provided with different widths. [0080] More specifically, the suction openings 11 are aligned along the horizontal direction X and have a decreasing width from the first upright 12 towards the second upright 12'.

[0081] In this way, the apparatus 1 ensures a homogeneous suction of air from the housing area 7, as the suction power generated by the compressors means 9 is greater at the second upright 12' and less at the first upright 12.

[0082] According to the preferred but not limiting embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the apparatus 1 comprises at least two shelf 3, vertically spaced apart from each other, and at least two corresponding crosspieces 13, preferably arranged at a greater height than the corresponding shelf 3.

[0083] Preferably, moreover, the apparatus according to the invention comprises shelves 3 on both sides of the support structure 2, to allow a display of the fruit and vegetable items on both sides of the apparatus 1.

[0084] Advantageously, the frame 31 of the shelf 3 includes at least one end wall 35, provided at the second transverse element 32, to define an abutment wall for the fruit and vegetable containers.

[0085] Preferably, between the first upright 12 and the at least one crosspiece 13 (and preferably, in case there is more than one crosspiece 13, for each crosspiece 13) the apparatus comprises a partition wall 121 , suited to fluidically divide the supply section 5 from the recovery section 6.

[0086] Preferably, the support structure 2 mounts a container body 20, interposed between the uprights 12, 12' in which the air treatment means 8 and the compressor means 9 are housed.

[0087] Advantageously, the container body 20 is removably connected to the uprights 12, 12', and is configured to be quickly and easily removable for maintenance and/or cleaning of the air treatment means 8 and compressor means 9.

[0088] In more detail, the container body 20 is slidably associated with the support structure 2 and is mobile between an operational condition in which it is housed between the uprights 12, 12' and a maintenance condition in which it is removed from the support structure 2.

[0089] Conveniently, the supply section 5 and the recovery section 6 are separated from each other by an outer section, interposed between the outlet opening 10 and the suction opening 11 , in particular at the housing area 7, in order to allow the flow of treated air F1 to replace the air laden with undesired components (in particular ethylene) sucked in through the suction opening 11 with the flow of recovery air F2.

[0090] It is clear from what has been described that the display apparatus, according to the invention, is particularly advantageous in that:

-is able to overcome, at least in part, the drawbacks of the above-mentioned known technique;

-allows the display time of fruit and vegetable items to be increased;

-allows the reduction of food waste;

-is compact and space-saving;

-is structurally strong and reliable;

-is functionally completely reliable;

- is easy to inspect and maintain;

-presents an alternative and/or improved configuration, both in terms of construction and function, compared to known traditional solutions.

[0091] It is clear from the above description how the display apparatus subject matter of the present invention can achieve the intended purposes.

[0092] The present invention has been illustrated and described in its preferred embodiment, but it is understood that variations in execution may be made to it in practice, without going beyond the scope of protection of this patent for industrial invention.

Claims

1 . Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items comprising: a support structure (2), which comprises at least one shelf (3) defining a housing space (7) configured to support said fruit and vegetable items; characterized in that that it also comprises an aeraulic circuit (4) operatively associated with said support structure (2) and configured to be traversed by an air flow, said aeraulic circuit (4) comprising: a supply section (5) arranged at least partially in correspondence of said at least one shelf (3) and configured to emit a flow of treated air (F1) in proximity of said housing space (7), a recovery section (6) configured to be traversed by a flow of recovery air (F2), comprising at least part of said flow of treated air (F 1 ), recovered from said housing space (7); air treatment means (8), placed at the interception of said aeraulic circuit (4), interposed between said supply section (5) and said recovery section (6) and configured to treat said flow of recovery air (F2) and remove at least one undesired component, preferably ethylene, from said flow of recovery air (F2) and generate said flow of treated air (F1); compressors means (9), placed upstream of said supply section (5) of said aeraulic circuit (4) and configured to push said flow of treated air (F1) into said supply section (5).

2. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to claim 1 , characterised in that said support structure (2) is internally hollow and defines said aeraulic circuit (4).

3. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said supply section (5) ends with at least one outlet opening (10), provided on said support structure (2), provided in proximity to said housing area (7) for emitting said flow of treated air (F1) outside said support structure (2) in proximity to said housing area (7).

4. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said recovery section (6) extends from a suction opening (11) obtained on said support structure (2) in proximity to said housing area (7) and configured to suck said flow of recovery air (F2) from the outside towards said recovery section (6).

5. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support structure (2) comprises two vertical and spaced apart uprights (12, 12') and at least one crossbar (13) arranged transversely and connecting said uprights (12, 12').

6. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said uprights (12, 12') are internally hollow and put in fluidic communication with said air treatment means (8) and said compressor means (9).

7. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first said upright (12) is configured to be traversed by said flow of treated air (F1) and a second said upright (12') is configured to be traversed by said recovery flow (F2).

8. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first upright (12) is mechanically connected with said at least one shelf (3) to allow said flow of treated air (F1) to pass through said outlet opening (10).

9. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one crosspiece (13) is internally hollow and configured to be traversed by said flow of recovery air (F2); said suction opening (11) being obtained on said crosspiece.

10. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one crosspiece (13) is internally fluidically connected to said second upright (12') and separated from said first upright (12); and in that said at least one shelf (3) is internally fluidically connected to said first upright (12) and separated from said second upright (12').

11. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that of being configured to remove and/or eliminate and/or reduce at least one undesired component and to increase the durability of the fruit and vegetable items on display.

12. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said air treatment means (8) are configured to lower the concentration of ethylene at said housing area (7).

13. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said air treatment means (8) are configured to make the ethylene concentration less than or equal to 5ppb.

14. Display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said air treatment means (8) comprise at least a reaction chamber containing therein a decelerator device suited to decrease the speed of said air flow (F2).

15. A display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support structure (2) comprises a container body (20), interposed between said uprights (12, 12') in which said air treatment means (8) and said compressor means (9) are housed.

16. A display apparatus (1) for fruit and vegetable items according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said container body (20) is removably connected to said uprights (12, 12'), and is configured to be quickly and easily removable for maintenance and/or cleaning of the air treatment means (8) and the compressor means (9).