FR2664052A1

FR2664052A1 - Defrosting (unfreezing) detector

Info

Publication number: FR2664052A1
Application number: FR9008518A
Authority: FR
Inventors: Loustaunau Albert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-31
Filing date: 1990-06-29
Publication date: 1992-01-03

Abstract

The subject of the invention consists of one or more transparent tubes (1), partially or completely filled with coloured liquids (6) which all have a different but well-determined freezing point, which tubes are either mounted on a wall-mounted holder (3) having two stable positions, at least one of which (5) can be filled so that the axes of the tubes have different directions in each of these positions, or mounted on an articulated holder (2) allowing two identical series of parallel tubes to be positioned perpendicular to each other, or are alternatively bendable to be frozen unfolded, it being possible to indicate defrosting by the combining of two liquid parts which were separate on freezing, or by the return of the tubes to their initial shape, the frozen liquid holding them folded so long as the surrounding temperature is sufficiently low. It is intended for checking that foodstuffs stored in a domestic or professional freezer have not undergone damage following a power supply cut or a malfunction of the freezer during the absence of the users and without their knowledge.

Description

DETECTEUR DE DECONGELATION
L'objet de l'invention concerne un détecteur de décongé- lation.DEFROST DETECTOR
The object of the invention relates to a defrost detector.

Il est destiné à contrôler que les denrées conservées dans un congélateur domestique ou professionnel n'ont pas subi d'altération par suite d' une panne de courant ou d' une défaillance du congélateur pendant l'absence des utilisateurs et à l'insu de ceux-ci,
I1 est connu que les produits alimentaires congelés ou surgelés doivent être consommés rapidement lorsqu'ilsont été dégelés, et peuvent présenter un danger grave lorsque ils sont à nouveau congelés et conservés. Or cela peut se produire de manière fortuite, sans que le distributeur du produit, ni le consommateur n'en soient avertis, dans le cas d'une élévation suivie d'une baisse de la température.It is intended to check that the food stored in a domestic or professional freezer has not been altered as a result of a power failure or a freezer failure during the absence of users and without the knowledge of these,
It is known that frozen or deep-frozen food products must be consumed quickly when they have been thawed, and can present a serious danger when they are again frozen and stored. However, this can happen by chance, without the distributor of the product, nor the consumer being informed, in the case of an increase followed by a drop in temperature.

Le problème est d'autant plus difficile à résoudre que les produits exposés en vitrine, notamment dans les libres-services sont présentés dans des meubles frigorifiques dont les portes sont manoeuvrées fréquemment I1 en est de même des camions de livraison. The problem is all the more difficult to solve since the products displayed in the shop window, in particular in the self-service shops, are presented in refrigerated cabinets, the doors of which are operated frequently. The same is true of delivery trucks.

Les dispositifs de contrôle de la température ne sont pas satisfaisants si perfectionnés soient-ils, car il s'agit de détecter les variations de températures et les décongélations partielles de produits en emballages individuels. The temperature control devices are not satisfactory, however sophisticated they may be, since it involves detecting temperature variations and partial defrosting of products in individual packages.

Par exemple , le contenu d'un paquet situé près de la porte du véhicule de livraison peut avoir été décongelé et altéré, sans pour autant que la température du reste du chargement n'ait dépassé la valeur de consigne. Cependant, dans le doute, il faut détruire ce qui est de nature à compromettrela santé des consommateurs. For example, the contents of a package located near the door of the delivery vehicle may have been thawed and tampered with, without the temperature of the rest of the load having exceeded the set value. However, when in doubt, it is necessary to destroy what is likely to compromise the health of consumers.

Le brevet FR 90 07050, du même inventeur, apporte une solution satisfaisante pour la surveillance des produits congelés dans les congélateurs domestiques, mais dans le cas où une décongélation s'est produite avant l'achat de la marchandise, cettesolution ne présente aucun intérêt. Patent FR 90 07050, by the same inventor, provides a satisfactory solution for monitoring frozen products in domestic freezers, but in the event that defrosting has occurred before the purchase of the goods, this solution is of no interest.

La présente invention a pour objet des modification fonctionnelles permettant d'adapter le principe du dispositif aux véhicules de transports réfrigéreés ou directement aux emballages individuels des produits congelés ou surgelés. The present invention relates to functional modifications making it possible to adapt the principle of the device to refrigerated transport vehicles or directly to the individual packages of frozen or deep-frozen products.

L'objet de l'invention est constitué par un ou plusieurs tubes transparents, remplis partiellement ou entièrement de liquides colorés ayant tous un point de congélation différent mais bien déterminé, et soit montés sur un support mural comportant deux positions stables, dont l'une au moins plombable, de telle manière que les axes des tubes aient des directions différentes dans chacune de ces positions, soit montés sur un support articulé permettant de positionner deux séries identiques de tubes parallèles perpendiculairement entre elles, soit encore cintrables pour être congelés pliés, la décongélation pouvant être signalée par la réunion de deux parties de liquide séparées à la congélation, ou par le retour des tubes à leur forme initiale, le liquide congelé les maintenant pliés tant que la température ambiante est suffisamment basse. The object of the invention is constituted by one or more transparent tubes, partially or entirely filled with colored liquids all having a different but well-defined freezing point, and either mounted on a wall support comprising two stable positions, one of which at least sealable, in such a way that the axes of the tubes have different directions in each of these positions, either mounted on an articulated support making it possible to position two identical series of parallel tubes perpendicularly to one another, or else bendable to be frozen folded, the defrosting can be signaled by the union of two separate parts of liquid when frozen, or by the return of the tubes to their initial shape, the frozen liquid keeping them folded as long as the ambient temperature is sufficiently low.

Sur les dessin annexés, donnés à titre d'exemple non limitatif d'une des formes de l'invention,
les figures 1 et 2 représentent respectivement en position de congélation et de détection, un ensemble de plusieurs tubes selon l'invention montés sur un support rotatif fixé à la paroi d'un véhicule réfrigéré, par exemple,
les figures 3 et 4 montrent une application de l'invention aux emballages de produits congelés, et constituée de deux tubes ou plus montés sur un support permettant de les disposer parallèlement ou perpendiculairement entre eux,
les figures 5, 6, 7 montrent un tube cintrable respectivement en position de congélation, de détection et après élévation excessive de la température surveillée,
les figures 8 et 9 représentent un tube cintrable changeant de forme en cas de décongélation,
la figures 10 représente un tube rempli de liquide congelé, sectionnable,
la figure 11 montre un élément du tube de la figure 10 après décongélation.In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example of one of the forms of the invention,
FIGS. 1 and 2 represent respectively in the freezing and detection position, a set of several tubes according to the invention mounted on a rotary support fixed to the wall of a refrigerated vehicle, for example,
FIGS. 3 and 4 show an application of the invention to the packaging of frozen products, and consisting of two or more tubes mounted on a support making it possible to arrange them parallel or perpendicular to each other,
FIGS. 5, 6, 7 show a bendable tube respectively in the freezing, detection and after excessive rise in the monitored temperature,
FIGS. 8 and 9 represent a bendable tube changing shape in the event of thawing,
FIGS. 10 represents a tube filled with sectionable frozen liquid,
Figure 11 shows an element of the tube of Figure 10 after thawing.

Le dispositif, figure 1 et 2, est constitué d'un ensemble de tubes fermés I fixés parallèlement entre eux sur un support rotatif 2 lui-même monté sur un socle 3. Ce dernier peut être fixé de façon inamovible à la paroi d'un véhicule de transport frigorifique grâce à des vis 4 ou rivets ou tout autre moyen, et comporte un système de plombage 5 permettant de le verrouiller dans la position de détection, c'est à dire avec les tubes horizontaux. The device, Figure 1 and 2, consists of a set of closed tubes I fixed parallel to each other on a rotary support 2 itself mounted on a base 3. The latter can be fixed immovably to the wall of a refrigerated transport vehicle by means of screws 4 or rivets or any other means, and includes a sealing system 5 enabling it to be locked in the detection position, that is to say with the horizontal tubes.

Les tubes fermés 1 sont remplis à moitié de liquides témoins 6 ayant tous un point de congélation différent et de préférence une couleur différente. The closed tubes 1 are half filled with control liquids 6 all having a different freezing point and preferably a different color.

Avant le chargement, le support rotatif 2 est positionné de manière à ce que les tubes soient verticaux (figure 1) suffisamment longtemps pour que tous les liquides témoins soient gelés, puis le support rotatif est tourné pour amener les tubes fermés 1 en position horizontale (figure 2), et les produits à transporter ou à stocker sont chargés. Si la température ambiante remonte au-dessus du point de congélation d'un ou plusieurs liquides témoins 7, ceux-ci vont se liquéfier et s'étaler, indiquant visuellement la valeur atteinte, même si la température redescend assez pour que lesdits liquides témoins soient à nouveau congelés. Before loading, the rotary support 2 is positioned so that the tubes are vertical (Figure 1) long enough for all the control liquids to be frozen, then the rotary support is rotated to bring the closed tubes 1 into a horizontal position ( figure 2), and the products to be transported or stored are loaded. If the ambient temperature rises above the freezing point of one or more control liquids 7, these will liquefy and spread, visually indicating the value reached, even if the temperature drops down enough for said control liquids to be again frozen.

Sur les figures 3 et 4, deux séries de tubes fermés 1 sont montés sur un support pliant 8. Ce support permet de rendre tous les tubes parallèles et verticaux lors de la congélation des liquides témoins 6 (figure 3), puis de rendre les deux série de tubes perpendiculaires et de fixer l'ensemble sur un emballage individuel 9 de produit surgelé. Cette disposition assure que quelle que soit la position de l'emballage individuel, en cas de remontée de la température, un ou plusieurs tubes I d'au moins une des deux série se liquéfieront, rendant visible les risques de décongélation du produit à surveiller. In FIGS. 3 and 4, two series of closed tubes 1 are mounted on a folding support 8. This support makes it possible to make all the tubes parallel and vertical during the freezing of the control liquids 6 (FIG. 3), then to make the two series of perpendicular tubes and fix the assembly on an individual package 9 of frozen product. This provision ensures that whatever the position of the individual packaging, in the event of a rise in temperature, one or more tubes I of at least one of the two series will liquefy, making visible the risks of thawing of the product to be monitored.

Le tube fermé 1 illustré par les figures 5, 6 et 7, est cintrable. I1 destiné à être placé dans les emballages des produits congelés dès leur conditionnement et permet de vérifier au moment de la consommation que le produit n'a pas été altéré. Ce tube est réalisé en matière plastique semi rigide et peut être plié en son milieu de manière à ce que ses deux moitiés 11 soient parallèles. I1 est à demi rempli de liquide témoin 6 à point de congélation détermine. The closed tube 1 illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is bendable. It is intended to be placed in the packaging of frozen products as soon as they are packaged and makes it possible to verify at the time of consumption that the product has not been altered. This tube is made of semi-rigid plastic and can be folded in the middle so that its two halves 11 are parallel. It is half filled with control liquid 6 at a fixed freezing point.

La mise en service est effectuée en maintenant le tube plié, de préférence dans un support approprié, et en dirigeant ses deux extrêmités vers le bas de manière à ce que le liquide témoin 6 se répartisse en deux parties 12, 13. Lorsque ledit liquide témoin est gelé, on laisse le tube se redresser (figure 6) et on le met en place. Commissioning is carried out by keeping the tube folded, preferably in a suitable support, and by directing its two ends downwards so that the control liquid 6 is divided into two parts 12, 13. When said control liquid is frozen, the tube is allowed to straighten (Figure 6) and it is put in place.

En cas de décongélation, le liquide témoin va se liquéfier et les deux parties 12, 13 vont être réunies en une seule partie 14 (figure 7).In the event of thawing, the control liquid will liquefy and the two parts 12, 13 will be combined into a single part 14 (FIG. 7).

Le tube fermé cintrable peut également être entièrement rempli de liquide témoin 6, congelé lorsque ledit tube est plié (figure 8). I1 gardera alors cette forme tant que le liquide témoin ne se liquéfiera pas sous l'effet d'une remontée de température. Dans ce cas, le tube cintrable se redressera grâce à son élasticité (figure 9) en signalant ainsi la décongélation du produit. Cette modification de forme peut être utilisée pour actionner un contacteur électrique commandant une alarme visuelle ou sonore. The closed bendable tube can also be completely filled with control liquid 6, frozen when said tube is folded (FIG. 8). I1 will then keep this shape as long as the control liquid does not liquefy under the effect of a rise in temperature. In this case, the bendable tube will straighten thanks to its elasticity (Figure 9), thus signaling the thawing of the product. This shape modification can be used to activate an electrical contactor controlling a visual or audible alarm.

Dans une variante illustrée par les figures 10 et 11, le tube fermé 1 est également entièrement rempli de liquide témoin 6. I1 est fabriqué pour pouvoir être sectionné en plusieurs tronçons 15 après congélation dudit liquide témoin. Chaque tronçon est placé dans un emballage de produit surgelé. En cas de liquéfaction liquide témoin 6, celui-ci sort du tronçon 15 de tube (figure 11), ce qui indique qu'une élévation anormale de la température s'est produite. Le liquide peut être coloré de manière à signaler sa présence en colorant à son tour l'emballage du produit et être ainsi visible de l'extérieur dudit emballage. In a variant illustrated by FIGS. 10 and 11, the closed tube 1 is also completely filled with control liquid 6. I1 is manufactured so that it can be sectioned into several sections 15 after freezing of said control liquid. Each section is placed in a frozen product packaging. In the case of control liquid liquefaction 6, it leaves the section 15 of tube (FIG. 11), which indicates that an abnormal rise in temperature has occurred. The liquid can be colored so as to indicate its presence by coloring the product packaging in turn and thus being visible from the outside of said packaging.

Claims

REYENDICATIONS characterized by the fact that the closed tube (s) (1) are made of a semi-rigid transparent plastic material whose characteristics allow the said tubes to regain their shape after being bent, or to be cut into sections after freezing control liquid (6).

1 ". Defrosting detector consisting of one or more closed (1) and transparent tubes containing a control liquid (6) having a freezing point corresponding to the temperature to be monitored, intended to check that frozen or deep-frozen foodstuffs have not not subject to alteration, and having in particular the purpose of monitoring the temperature of refrigerated transport vehicles or of individual packages of frozen or deep-frozen products,

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed tube or tubes (1) are half filled with control liquid (6) at a determined freezing point, the freezing of said control liquid being carried out by keeping the tubes folded, preferably in a suitable support, with their two ends pointing downwards so that the control liquid (6) is divided into two parts (12, 13), and then the tubes are allowed to straighten, both parts (12, 13) coming together in a single part (14) in the event of liquefaction of control liquid (6) due to an increase in ambient temperature.

3 ". Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed tube or tubes (1) are completely filled with frozen control liquid (6) when the said tubes are folded so that the latter keep this shape as long as the control liquid does not liquefy, said closed tubes straightening out thanks to their elasticity thereby signaling the thawing of the product, when the control liquid thaws under the effect of a rise in temperature.

4 ". Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the change in shape of the closed tube or tubes (1) completely filled with control liquid (6) is used to actuate an electrical contactor controlling a visual or audible alarm.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed tube or tubes (1) are completely filled with control liquid (6), and are sectioned into several sections (15) after freezing said control liquid, each section being placed in a package of frozen product so that, in the event of liquefaction of the control liquid (6), the latter leaves the section (15), thus signaling that an abnormal rise in temperature has occurred.

6 ". Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control liquid (6) contained by the closed tubes (1) sectionable is colored so as to indicate its presence by coloring the product packaging in turn and being thus visible from the outside of said packaging.

7 ". Device according to claim 1, characterized in that several closed tubes (1) half filled with control liquids (6) all having a different freezing point, are fixed parallel to each other on a rotary support (2) itself mounted on a base (3) fixed irremovably to the wall of a refrigerated transport vehicle or of a refrigerating enclosure, by means of screws (4), rivets or any other means, and comprising a system of sealing (5) making it possible to lock the rotary support (2) in a determined position.

8 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that two series of closed tubes (1), half filled with control liquid (6) all having a different freezing point, are mounted on a folding support (8) allowing make all the tubes parallel to each other and vertical when freezing the control liquids (6), then make the two series of tubes perpendicular to each other and fix the assembly on an individual package (9) of frozen product.