GB2314311A

GB2314311A - Packaging fish in trays

Info

Publication number: GB2314311A
Application number: GB9623341A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Perez Juan Manuel Oya
Original assignee: Oyalves S L
Current assignee: Oyalves S L
Priority date: 1996-06-17
Filing date: 1996-11-08
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Also published as: GB9623341D0; ES2109197B1; ES2109197A1

Abstract

Fish 4 are placed in compartments 2 of a plastics tray 1 which is placed in an outer, preferably aluminium, tray 5 and optionally frozen. The compartments 2 are separable along lines of weakness 8. The mouths of the compartments 2 may be covered by a plastics sheet which may be part of a bag enveloping the tray 1. The fish may be portions of squid or be sardines or anchovies, and packaging may occur on a factory ship.

Description

FISH AND SKZLLFISH PACKAGING PROCEDURE, PREFERABLY IN FACTORY SHIPS, AND CORRESPONDINO PACKAGE CONTAINER8 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in accordance with the statement of this descriptive report, refers to a procedure for the packaging and, optionally freezing of fish and shellfish, the object of which is to achieve that the packing of the products, which is conducted at high sea, is carried out on trays divided into compartments, capable of becoming independent, facilitating that the corresponding sale and/or distribution of the optionally frozen products may be made either in independent blocks extracted from the compartments of the tray, or else, packed in their compartments, subsequent to being made independent from the same, as regards the tray it forms part of, or even capable of distributing the tray in its totality with the corresonding squid. In all cases, the block, package or tray must be suitably protected by an enveloping plastic bag to prevent contamination.

Consequently,the main object of the invention is that the packed products, optionally frozen onboard the factory ships may be commercialized in small blocks or packages with the consequently improved handling, also adapting to all the requirements in the Market.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known that shellfish and fish, once brought out from the sea are stored in trays. On the other hand, as regards cephalopods in general, and squid in particular, once they have been fished at high sea, they are inserted, after separating the tentacles as regards the body, into aluminium trays with an approximate capacity of 20 kg of product, subsequently conducting the freezing of all the squid which fill up said trays, thus obtaining very heavy blocks of squid, which once separated from the trays and in the actual factory ship, are inserted into a refrigeration hold of great capacity, stowing the blocks and stacking them so as to make maximum use of the capacity of the hold. If said operation was carried out by packing the blocks in plastic bags and inserting them in cardboard boxes, it would mean that a greater number of personnel would be necessary for the handling, said operations making the process much slower, apart from having to assembly the cardboard boxes, since they would be folded from origin.

On the other hand, the necessary boxes by themselves, would occupy an immense space, which would be detrimental to the space available for the catch and for the other installations of the ship, all of which involves enormous production cost.

In any case, said blocks of frozen squid in the factory ships are subsequently unloaded, either to a freezer merchant ship, or else directly on land, where they are immediately carried to an industrial refrigeration store, from which they are distributed, so that in said refrigeration store, the blocks are "glazed", that is to say, they are sprayed with pulverized water, inserting them in plastic bags and finally in cardboard boxes for subsequent sale thereof.

Evidently, in many occasions the purchaser does not wish to adquire approximately 20kg which are weighed by the block of frozen squids. If to this is added the fact that the separation of the blocks as regards the aluminium tray in which they are frozen, requires violent knocks and handlings to carry out the unbonding of the frozen blocks as regards the aluminium tray, and also considering that the handling of blocks of 20 kg requires a considerable personal effort, it is clear, that the present form of freezing, packaging and corresponding distribution and/or sale of cephalopods or squid, include a series of disadvantages and problems which have as yet not been solved, since in the best of cases, said blocks are previously divided, prior to being frozen, by means of separators which are manually arranged inside the aluminium tray in which the actual freezing is carried out, which originates a considerable loss of time having to arrange them manually, also requiring special attention and care to arrange said separators.

It is evident, that if the product was capable of being commercialized in small blocks, it would facilitate the handling tasks, adapting also, to all the requirements of the Market, since the sale or distribution could be carried out in said small blocks or packages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention refers to a package and a procedure for packing and freezing of shellfish and fish such as sardines, small sardines, anchovies, etc. and cephalopds, for example squid, which is based on depositing the product in plastic honeycombed trays, preferably polyethylene used for food products, or other suitable material, so that each honeycomb is going to determine a compartment and even a unit capable of separation as regards the rest, since said trays may have multiple honeycombs or compartments, each one of which is susceptible of extracting the corresponding blocks of squid once frozen, or else of becoming independent from the actual honeycomb or compartment as regards the rest, with which the portion of the product may be distributed during its commercialization and sale independently in a block, or else independently in a compartment which whall constitute a package, or else grouped with others in the actual tray, or even in two, three or more compartments separated as regards the original tray.

Basically, the procedure of the invention comprises the following phases: - the depositing of the portions brought out from the sea, into trays; - the optional subjection of the portions to a pretreatment which consists of at least one of the following operations: cleaning, separation of the undesired portions, separation of undesired parts, classification of its parts; - the optional freezing of the trays; - the arrangement of at least one first tray of plastic material which has at least two compartments, - selection of a first tray with size, and number and size of compartment, suitable to the size and number of portions which to be packed; - the depositing of at least one portion, prior to the optional freezing phase, in at least one of the compartments; - the depositing of the first tray into a second conventional tray; - optionally, the insertion of said first and said second tray into a refrigeration device.

The second tray may be of aluminium.

A plurality of portions of the product may be placed in each compartment or only one single portion in each compartment. Once the portions have been placed in the corresponding compartments, at least the upper part of the first tray may be covered with a plastic sheet and even pack the totality of the first tray with said plastic sheet, for example inserting the first tray into a plastic bag.

The portions of the product may also be packed into a package of flexible plastic material, prior to depositing the portions in the compartments. The portions may be packed individually or in groups of at least two portions.

After depositing the portions of the product in the compartments of the first tray, at least one compartment may be separated from the first tray, thus obtaining an independent package. In this case, at least the upper part of the compartment or of the separated compartments, may be covered with a plastic sheet and even pack the compartment or the totality of said separated compartments with said plastic sheet, for example, inserting the compartment or compartments into a plastic bag.

The procedure may be advantageously used to pack cephalpods, for example, squid. Then, the bodies may be separated from the tentacles, and deposit only the bodies in the compartments.

The invention also refers to a tray for packing portions of fish and/or shellfish, for example cephalopods such as squid. The tray comprises a body of plastic material which presents at least two compartments, each one with sufficient size to house at least one portion of fish and/or shellfish. Each compartment is separated from its adjaceant compartment by a delimitation. The compartments may have a rectangular horizontal section.

The compartments present a structure which permits their individualization, the delimitations between compartments presenting at least one weakening line to separate at least one compartment. For example, the tray may comprise at least four compartments arranged in at least two rows, having provided at least one weakening line between each row of compartments and, optionally, additionally at least one weakening line on the delimitations between the compartments of one row of compartments.

The weakening lines may be die stamped, molded, etc.

The freezing process shall be the same as that currently conducted, with the particularity and advantage that both the tray, carrier of multiple compartments, as each one thereof, independent from the tray, or even each block removed from its compartment, may be inserted in corresponding bags for their subsequent sale and distribution, even inserting the trays in cardboard boxes for said distribution or sale.

In consequence, the great advantage of the procedure consists of saving costs in production and handling, since it is easier to handle small portions than great blocks as is the current custom, on the other hand, it meets all the requirements and needs of the Market.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES To complement the description to be offered as follows, and with the object of facilitating a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present descriptive report is enclosed with a set of drawings based on which, the innovations and advantages of the procedure of the invention shall be more easily understood, and in which drawings have been represented what can be considered as the different phases for the freezing and packaging.

Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of a honeycombed tray, specifically with six compartments or honeycombs, of plastic material, filled with squid and ready to be housed in an aluminium tray for subsequent freezing of the product.

Figure 2 shows the same tray of the previous figure, in compartments, in which one of the blocks of frozen squid of one of the compartments has been extracted as regards the same.

Figure 3 shows the same tray full of frozen squid and packed into a plastic bag ready to be inserted into a cardboard box for the commercialization or sale thereof.

Figure 4 shows the same tray full of squid, divided into two halves.

Figure 5 shows the tray with one of the compartments separated, determining an independent package as regards the rest.

Figure 6 shows a general perspective view of an embodiment of the tray with six compartments or honeycombs, all thereof, made independent from each other as regards the rest.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a separated compartment forming an individual package, packed in a plastic bag.

Figure 8 shows two portions of squid packed in a flexible package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As may be observed in the referenced figures, the container package in which the freezing of the cephalopods, specifically the squids, takes place, according to the procedure of the invention, is constituted parting from a body 1, preferably made of plastic, divided into a plurality of compartments 2, in such a manner that in the embodiment shown in the figures, the number of compartments is exactly six, though the package or tray 1, which it constitutes, may have another greater or lesser number of compartments. In any case, said compartments 2 are susceptible of becoming independent and forming in each case, an independent package 2', since the delimitations 3 of each of said compartments shall be weakened by means of weakening lines 8, die stamped or made with any other suitable means which permit said independization of the compartments 2, and consequently obtain independent packages 2', as well as being capable of separating, for example half of the compartments, as clearly represented in figure 4.

Hence, the package or plastic tray 1, with whatever number of compartments, is provided to receive and be filled with product, for example squids, said squids filling all the compartments 2, as represented in figures 1 through 5, in such a manner that once the tray 1 or package is full of portions 4, for example of squid, the freezing thereof is proceeded with, inside refrigeration chambers of the factaory ship from which the actual fishing is carried out, with the particularity that each compartment 2 shall contain a block 4 of portions 4, susceptible of being easily extracted from the actual compartment 2, as represented in figure 2. Optionally, the portions 4 may be packed individually or in groups of two or more in a flexible package 10 (see figure 7).

The freezing of the portions 4 of, for example, the squids, in compartments 2 of tray 1 or general package, takes place after the insertion of the same, full of portions 4 inside an aluminium tray 5, as represented in figure 1, from which the tray 1 or package may be easily extracted once the freezing has been conducted with total ease, in virtue of the antiadherent characteristics of the plastic material of which said package or tray 1 is made of, thus permitting that the frozen portions 4 form, in said tray 1 or package, a block, remaining in said block up to their unloading on land, so that the corresponding storage in the refrigeration store on land may be carried out with the tray 1 or package provided with all their compartments full of portions 4, and optionally packed with a plastic sheet 6, for example a plastic bag 9, thus making possible the commercialization, or else their insertion in blocks, as presented in figure 3, inside a cardboard box 7.

On the other hand, the storage inside the refrigerator on land, may be also carried out dividing the package or tray 1 in two halves as represented in figure 4, which shall be equally housed inside a plastic bag, and distributed thus, or else in any other box similar to the one referenced with 7 in figure 3, though with the suitable dimensions to each one of said two halves represented in figure 4.

Likewise, the storage and corresponding distribution may be carried out by means of the independization of each compartment 2, forming an independent package 2' with its corresponding block 4' of portions of, for example squids, forming in each case, a package with its corresponding contents packed in plastic bags, as previously indicated. It may also be stored and distributed as independent blocks 4' of portions 4, of squids, that is to say, extracted from the corresponding compartment 2, as represented in figure 2, the block 4' of which, shalls be similarly packed in a plastic bag for storage and subsequent distribution.

That is to say, the storage in the refrigeration store on land and the corresponding distribution and sale may be conducted in multiple ways, always adapting to the requirements and demands of the market.

Claims

1. Procedure for the packaging of portions of fish and shellfish which comprises the following phases: - placing of the portions fished from the sea into trays; - optionally subjecting the portions to a pretreatment which consists of at least one of the following operations: cleaning, separation of the undesired portions, separation of undesired parts, classification of their parts; - optionally freezing the trays; characterized in that - at least one first tray (1) is available, made of plastic material, which has at least two compartments (2), - selection of a first tray (1) with size, and number and size of compartment, suitable to the size and number of portions (4) to be packed: - placing of at least one portion (4) prior to the optional freezing phase, in at least one of the compartments (2); - placing of the first tray into a second conventional tray (5) - optionally inserting said first and said second tray into a freezing device.

2. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of portions (4) are placed in each compartment (2).

3. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that one single portion (4) is placed in each compartment (2).

4. Procedure according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the second tray (5) is made of aluminium.

5. Procedure according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that at least the upper part of the first tray (1) is covered with a plastic sheet (6).

6. Procedure according to claim 5, characterized in that the totality of the first tray (1) is packed with a plastic sheet (6)

7. Procedure according to claim 6, characterized in that the plastic sheet (6) is constituted parting from a bag (9).

8. Procedure according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the portions (4) are packed in a package (10) made of flexible plastic material, prior to placing said portions (4) in compartments (2).

9. Procedure according to claim 8, characterized in that each portion (4) is packed individually.

10. Procedure according to claim 9, characterized in that a group, constituted by at least two portions (4) is packed.

11. Procedure according to any of the claims 14 and 8-10, characterized in that after placing the portions (4) in compartments (2) of the first tray (1), at least one compartment (2),is separated from the first tray (1) thus obtaining an independent package (2').

12. Procedure according to claim 11, characterized in that at least the upper part of at least one compartment (2) is covered, separated by a plastic sheet (6).

13. Procedure according to claim 11, characterized in that the totality of at least one compartment (2) is covered, separated by a plastic sheet (6).

14. Procedure according to claim 13, characterized in that the plastic sheet (6) is constituted parting from a bag (9).

15. Procedure according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that cephalopods are packed.

16. Procedure according to claim 15, characterized in that the cephalopods are squids.

17. Procedure according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the bodies are separated from the tentacles, and only the bodies are placed in the compartments (2).

18. Procedure according to any of the claims 114, characterized in that sardines, small sardines and/or anchovies are packed.

19. Tray for the packaging of portions of fish and/or shellfish, which comprises a body made of plastic material, characterized in that it presents - at least two compartments (2); - each compartment (2) having sufficient size to house at least one portion (4) of fish and/or shellfish; - each compartment (2) being separated from its adjacent compartment by a delimitation (3).

20. Tray according to claim 19, characterized in that the compartments (2) have a rectangular horizontal section.

21. Tray according to any of the claims 19 or 20, characterized in that the compartments (2) present a structure which permits its individualization, and in that the delimitations (3) between the compartments (2) present at least one weakening line (8) for the separation of at least one compartment (2).

22. Tray according to claim 21, characterized in that the tray (1) comprises at least four compartments (2) placed in at least two rows and in that at least one weakening line (8) is provided between each row of compartments (2).

23. Tray according to claim 22, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least one weakening line (8) in the delimitaitons (3) between the compartments (2) of a row of compartments (2):

24. Tray according to any of the claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the weakening line (8) is die stamped.

25. Tray according to any of the claims 21 through 23, characterized in that the weakening line (8) is molded.