FR3017121A1 - TRANSPORT PACKAGES FOR FRESH FOODSTUFFS, ESPECIALLY FOR SHELLFISH AND CRUSTACEOUS FISH - Google Patents

Abstract

A transport package (1) for fresh food products (P), in particular for fish, shellfish and crustaceans, comprising a package (2) defining an enclosure (7) for receiving fresh food products (P) and refrigeration means adapted to refrigerate said enclosure (7), the refrigeration means comprising refrigeration microcapsules (4).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packages for the transport of fresh food products, in particular, products of the fish, shellfish or crustacean type.

Fresh food products means unfrozen food products which must be kept at a temperature between 0 ° C and 4 ° C, preferably between 0 ° C and 2 ° C, throughout the duration of their transport. The temperature of the transport packages must be able to be tested and certified by the different health authorities of the countries through which the transport packages have to travel.

It must be possible to maintain the temperature of the transport package accurately and reliably in order to prevent, on the one hand, the fresh product from being frozen (temperature below 0 ° C), which would affect its taste properties and, on the other hand, to prevent the temperature of the transport package from exceeding 2 ° C or 4 ° C, which would affect the freshness of the product and sanitary safety. In practice, fresh fish are transported in large packages from their fishing location to their point of sale. A transport package is usually in the form of a box, preferably polystyrene, which is filled with ice blocks. Fresh fish are placed in the crate and covered with ice. In a traditional way, to keep 1 kg of fish in a crate, it is placed about 3 kg of ice. Since the weight of an empty crate is of the order of 1 kg, the weight of fresh fish represents less than 20% of the total weight of the transport package.

Since the cost of transport is a function of the weight of the package to be transported, the transport of fresh food products, in particular of the fish, shellfish and crustacean type, is very expensive, which has prevented the sales boom. remote from fresh food to end consumers.35 There is a need to limit the cost of transporting fresh food while ensuring optimal and controllable temperature conditions to ensure maximum safety and while maintaining food products of optimal taste qualities.

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION To this end, the invention relates to a package for transporting fresh food products, in particular for fish, shellfish and crustaceans, comprising a package defining an enclosure for receiving fresh food products and adapted refrigeration means to refrigerate said enclosure. The invention is remarkable in that the refrigeration means comprise refrigeration microcapsules.

Such microcapsules refrigeration have a limited size and reduced mass, which allows to significantly reduce the weight of a transport package while enjoying a cooling capacity equivalent to the prior art. A reduced mass transport package can be transported for a reduced cost, allowing consumers to benefit from fresh produce delivered at home at a reasonable cost. In practice, the weight of a package is divided by a factor of 2 for the transport of the same weight of fresh product, which is very advantageous. The use of microcapsules for refrigeration makes it possible to define a refrigerated chamber of selected shape in which the fresh products are housed. In other words, the transport package can have an optimized shape depending on the product to be transported, which is advantageous. In addition, it is not necessary to provide other refrigerants during transport (ice, eutectic gels, cold accumulators, etc.) or refrigeration system (refrigerated truck, etc.), which reduces the cost transport. The transport package can be delivered in a traditional way with other postal packages.

Preferably, the refrigeration microcapsules are adapted to keep the fresh food products at a temperature between 0 ° C and 4 ° C, preferably between 0 ° C and 2 ° C.

Thus, the microcapsules refrigeration deliver frigories to the enclosure in a controlled manner to prevent, on the one hand, a freezing of fresh products and, on the other hand, a break in the cold chain. Fresh products are kept at an optimal temperature which guarantees their taste and meets health standards.

Preferably, the microcapsules refrigeration are adapted to maintain the freshness of fresh food products for a period of 72 hours. Thus, the enclosure is refrigerated for the duration of a conventional package transport. Preferably, each refrigeration microcapsule comprises an assembly of organic compounds such as paraffins, fatty acids, etc. More preferably, each refrigeration microcapsule comprises a eutectic compound, i.e., a mixture of salts having a constant melting temperature for a particular concentration value. Preferably, the refrigeration microcapsules are phase-change and can store frigories prior to filling the package, the frigories being returned over a period of 24 to 72 hours. According to one aspect of the invention, the packaging having walls, the microcapsules of refrigeration are housed in several walls of said package, preferably in all the walls. Refrigeration microcapsules can be advantageously integrated into walls to form refrigeration walls integrated in the package. Advantageously, when all the walls are refrigerated, the enclosure is refrigerated in a uniform manner, which limits the formation of thermal bridge. In addition, the taste qualities of the fresh product are conserved optimally. According to one aspect of the invention, the package is rigid, preferably of plastic or cardboard. Thus, the package can be stored in an ordinary manner with the other packages to be transported in a transport vehicle by optimizing the available storage space in the vehicle. Preferably, the package has a parallelepiped shape to allow easy stacking and optimize the storage space in the vehicle.

In another aspect, the package is in the form of a sealed envelope to form a refrigerated envelope. Preferably, the enclosure comprises at least one visual marker capable of providing at least a first visual information if the temperature of the enclosure is within a predetermined temperature range and a second visual information if the temperature of the enclosure n is not within said predetermined temperature range. Thus, the visual marker provides useful information to the consumer to ensure that the temperature of the fresh product is adequate and has not deviated from the chosen range, for example, 0-2 ° C. Preferably, the visual marker is formed in a material capable of changing color if the temperature of the enclosure is within a predetermined temperature range and a second visual information if the temperature of the enclosure is not included in said predetermined temperature range. Thus, a color change of the marker can alert the consumer's attention if the temperature deviates from the chosen range, for example 0-2 ° C. Advantageously, the second visual information is permanent in order to alert the consumer of any break in the cold chain occurring during the transport of the package. The display of the second information is irreversible. More preferably, the visual marker is affixed to a wall of the package to be located in the refrigerated enclosure and thereby effectively measure the temperature of said enclosure. Preferably, the package has a weight of less than 1 kg in order to transport a fresh product of the order of 1 kg. Thus, such a package can be transported for a reduced cost. According to one aspect, the package comprises a protective container, able to withstand shocks during transport, in which the packaging is arranged. The invention also relates to an assembly of a transport package as presented above and at least one fresh food product housed in the enclosure of said package. Preferably, the weight of the fresh food product represents more than 40% of the total weight of the assembly, preferably more than 50%. Preferably, the fresh food product is disposed in a hermetic envelope.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a transport package according to a first embodiment of the invention, the hood being open; - Figure 2 is another representation of the transport package of Figure 1, the hood being semi-open; and FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a transport package according to a second embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE MODES OF REALIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION A fresh food package will be presented for the transport of a fish as shown in Figures 1 to 3 from a delivery center to the home of a fish. customer. It goes without saying that the invention applies to any fresh food product, in particular shrimps and other types of crustaceans. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a transport package 1 comprising a package 2 defining an enclosure 7 to receive a fresh fish P.35 Preferably, the package 2 has a parallelepiped shape and is rigid to facilitate its stacking and limit its size. In this embodiment, the package 2 is formed of plastic but it goes without saying that other materials could be suitable (cardboard, metal, etc.).

Preferably, the length of the package 2 is between 30 cm and 50 cm, the width of the package 2 is between 20 cm and 40 cm and the height of the package 2 is between 10 cm and 30 cm. . In this example, the package 2 has a length of 40 cm, a width of 30 cm and a height of 20 cm. Advantageously, the package 2 defines an inner chamber whose volume is of the order of 20L to 30L. It goes without saying that the dimensions of the package 2 could be various. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the package 2 comprises a lower portion, hereinafter referred to as box 20, and an upper portion, hereinafter referred to as cover 21, which cooperates with the box 20 to close it. Preferably, the cover 21 can be connected to the box 20 by means of a hinge. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, fresh fish P is placed in enclosure 7 of package 2 during transport. According to the first embodiment, the fresh fish P is placed in an airtight envelope 3 which makes it possible to avoid any contact between the fresh fish P and a flow of air liable to deteriorate the taste qualities of the fresh fish P. In addition, the fresh fish P is advantageously not in contact with the walls of the package 2. The hermetic envelope 3 has a reduced mass and makes it possible to maintain high hygiene conditions. For example, the hermetic envelope 3 is a vacuum envelope known to those skilled in the trade under its trade name CRYOVAC compatible with food products. It goes without saying that the envelope could be of a different nature.

According to the invention, the transport package 1 comprises refrigeration means adapted to refrigerate the enclosure 7 of the package 2. Preferably, the refrigeration means are in the form of refrigeration microcapsules 4 so as to limit their bulk in the transport package 1. In addition, refrigeration microcapsules 4 can be positioned accurately to facilitate the thermal insulation of the transport package 1 and thus avoid the formation of thermal bridges. In this example, the refrigeration microcapsules 4 are in phase change material, which facilitates the refrigeration of the enclosure 7 without freezing. Preferably, each refrigeration microcapsule 7 comprises an assembly of organic compounds (such as paraffins, fatty acids, etc.) and a eutectic compound, that is to say a mixture of salts having a melting temperature. constant for a particular concentration value.

In this example, the diameter of a refrigeration microcapsule is between 1pm and 100pm so as to be integrated in a wall of the package 2 as will be detailed later.

Refrigeration microcapsules 4 can be recharged in negative cold by placing them at a temperature below 0 ° C. The refrigeration microcapsules 4 are configured to return frigories and refrigerate the chamber 7 at a temperature between 0 ° C and 4 ° C, preferably between 0 ° C and 2 ° C. Thus, the food products P are not frozen but kept cool in order to maintain their taste properties when they are placed in the refrigerated chamber 7 by the refrigeration microcapsules 4. Advantageously, the period of refilling of the refrigeration microcapsules 4 in frigories is configurable (charging temperature, charging time, etc.) to ensure that the microcapsules refrigeration 4 maintain a temperature of 0 ° C-2 ° C during the estimated time of transport, for example, 24h or 72h. Such refrigeration means 4 make it possible to transport the package 1 to remote delivery points. This is particularly advantageous since the average transport time of a distance selling package (VAD) in France is of the order of 72 hours. According to the first embodiment of the invention referenced in FIGS. 1 and 2, refrigeration microcapsules 4 are arranged in the thickness of the walls of the package 2. In this example, the walls of the box 20 and the walls cover 21 comprise refrigeration microcapsules 4 to prevent the formation of thermal bridge in the transport package 1. The enclosure 7 in which is housed the fresh fish P is thus refrigerated.

It goes without saying that the refrigeration microcapsules 4 could be placed only in certain walls of the package 2. Similarly, the refrigeration microcapsules 4 can be placed directly in the enclosure of the package 2. Preferably, the transport package 1 comprises a marker 5 of continuity of the cold chain. In this example, the marker 5 is able to provide: a first visual information if the temperature of the enclosure 7 is within a predetermined temperature range; and a second visual information if the temperature of the enclosure 7 is not within the predetermined temperature range.

In this example, the predetermined temperature range corresponds to a refrigeration range of 0-4 ° C or 0-2 ° C. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the refrigeration range could be different.

Preferably, the marker 5 is formed in a material capable of changing color if its temperature is within the predetermined temperature range and a second visual information if the temperature is not within said predetermined temperature range. Preferably, the marker remains blue when the chamber 7 is refrigerated (temperature 0 ° C-4 ° C) and red when the enclosure 7 is not refrigerated (temperature> 4 ° C). Thus, by simply observing the visual marker 5, the customer who receives the transport package 1 can quickly and unambiguously determine whether the temperature of the fresh products P is adequate and does not endanger his food safety. Such a thermosensitive material is known per se.

Preferably, the second visual information is permanent so as to detect any break in the refrigeration chain. For example, if the temperature of the enclosure of the transport package 1 exceeds 4 ° C and if the transport package 1 is placed in a refrigerated place, the second visual information of red color will remain visible to alert the customer a break in the refrigeration chain even if the actual temperature is correct. The food security of customers is thus greatly improved. The marker 5 is housed in the chamber 7 so that its temperature-sensitive material can detect any break in the cold chain in the chamber 7. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the marker 5 is attached to the inner surface cover 21 of the package 2 to allow, firstly, to be located in the enclosure 7 when the cover 21 is closed and, secondly, to be easily visible and identifiable by the customer when it opens the package 2 to enter the fresh product P. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the marker 5 could also be fixed on an inner wall of the box 20 of the package 2 or on the hermetic envelope 3 in which is housed the fresh product P. A second embodiment of a transport package is shown in Figure 3. The references used to describe the elements of structure or function identical, equivalent or similar to those of the elements of Figure 1 are the same, for if mplify the description. Moreover, the entire description of the embodiment of Figure 1 is not repeated, this description applies to the elements of Figure 3 when there are no incompatibilities. Only notable differences, structural and functional, are described.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown a transport package 1 'comprising a package 2' defining an enclosure for receiving a fresh fish P. In this embodiment, the package 2 'is a hermetic envelope and the microcapsules of refrigeration 4 are integrated in the walls of the hermetic envelope to be closer to the fresh fish P and maintain its temperature. Subsequently, the package 2 'is designated "hermetic package 2'". Still with reference to FIG. 4, the hermetic package 2 'includes a marker 5 to determine whether continuity of the cold chain has been ensured. As illustrated in Figure 3, the sealed package 2 'is housed in a protective container 8 to protect against shocks and facilitate the storage of the package 1' in a transport vehicle. The protective container 8 is made of cardboard, which limits its manufacturing cost while giving it sufficient rigidity for transport.

The package 1 'according to the second embodiment of the invention has a low manufacturing cost compared to the first embodiment which benefits, for its part, a larger refrigerated volume.

An example of implementation will now be presented with reference to Figure 1. On a transport platform, fresh fish P are individually protected by a hermetic envelope 3 of food plastic. This step of protection by a hermetic envelope 3 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be presented in more detail. The hermetic envelope 3 is then placed in the parallelepipedal packaging 2 which comprises refrigeration microcapsules 4 in its walls 20, 21. The packages 2 are preferably stored in a freezer so that the microcapsules 4 have a large cooling capacity. . Then, the cover 21 of the package 2 is closed on the box 20. During closure, the marker 5 is blue to indicate the continuity of the cold chain. In this example, the fresh fish P weighs about 1 kg and the package weighs about 1 kg so that the weight of the fresh products P represents 50% of the total weight of the whole (1 kg / 2kg). Indeed, because of the integration of refrigeration microcapsules 4 in the package 1, it is no longer necessary to use ice whose weight is high. During transport, the refrigeration microcapsules 4 diffuse frigories in the chamber 7 in which the sealed envelope 3 is located to maintain the cold chain. The marker 5 monitors the temperature of the chamber 7 and is able to change visual appearance in case of refrigeration defect. The package 1 is then transported in a conventional manner, that is to say without using a refrigerated truck to the end customers. Upon receipt of the package 1, the consumer can directly identify whether the cold chain was maintained by looking at the marker 5 when opening the package 1, which secures the consumer. The latter is thus reassured as to the freshness of the fish P that he has ordered.

Thanks to the refrigeration microcapsules 4, the weight of the full package 1 is reduced, which significantly reduces transport costs. Thus, the cost of a fresh, quality product delivered to the home is affordable for the consumer. A small package was presented for the transport of one kilogram of fresh produce. It goes without saying that the package could have dimensions of the order of m3 to allow the delivery of fresh products to wholesalers.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Transport package (1; 1 ') of fresh food products (P), in particular for fish, shellfish and crustaceans, comprising a package (2; 2') defining an enclosure (7) for receiving fresh food products (P) and refrigeration means adapted to refrigerate said enclosure (7), characterized in that the refrigeration means comprise refrigeration microcapsules (4). 2. Transport package according to claim 1, wherein the refrigeration microcapsules (4) are adapted to keep the fresh food products (P) at a temperature between 0 ° C and 4 ° C, preferably between 0 ° C and 2 ° C. 3. Transport package according to claim 2, wherein the refrigeration microcapsules (4) are adapted to maintain the freshness of fresh food products (P) for a period of 72 hours. 4. Transport package according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the refrigeration microcapsules (4) are phase-change. 5. Transport package according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the packaging (2) having walls (20, 21), the microcapsules refrigeration (4) are housed in several walls (20, 21) said package (2), preferably in all the walls (20, 21). 6. Transport package according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the package (2, 2 ') is rigid. 7. Transport package according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the package (2, 2 ') is in the form of a hermetic envelope. 8. Transport package according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the enclosure (7) comprises at least one visual marker (5) capable of providing at least a first visual information if the temperature of the enclosure (7). ) is within a predetermined temperature range and a second visual information if the temperature of the enclosure (7) is not within said predetermined temperature range. 9. Transport package according to one of claims 1 to 8, having a weight less than 1 kg. 10. Set of a transport package (1; 1 ') according to one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one fresh food product housed in the enclosure (7) of said package (1; 1'). 11. The set of a transport package (1; 1 ') according to claim 10, wherein the weight of the fresh food product (P) represents more than 40% of the total weight of the assembly, preferably more than 50 %. 12. Set of a transport package according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the fresh food product (P) is disposed in a sealed envelope (3).