GB2524159A

GB2524159A - Shipping container for food products

Info

Publication number: GB2524159A
Application number: GB1501827.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arnaud Kerhuel; Guy Crete; Jean Dudon
Original assignee: MARTROP
Current assignee: MARTROP
Priority date: 2014-02-05
Filing date: 2015-02-04
Publication date: 2015-09-16
Also published as: GB201501827D0

Abstract

A container 1 for shipping food products P which need to be kept either cool or warm during transport, such as fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, comprising temperature regulating microcapsules 4. These microcapsules preferably contain a phase change material and absorb or give off heat to the food product within the container in order to maintain it within a desired temperature range, preferably between -15 and +15oC, for a prolonged period of time, e.g. 48 hours or more. The microcapsules may be incorporated within the walls or panels of the container, which is preferably in the form of a rigid and hermetically sealed box 20 or package 2. A visual indicator 5, formed of a material reversibly changing from one colour to another depending on the temperature, may inform the consumer whether the product is preserved within the desired temperature range. There may be an additional, permanent visual marker, which aids in detecting any disruption in the thermal regulation chain. The aim of the invention is to increase the weight of the food products delivered in relation to the total weight of the filled container, as the microcapsules are more lightweight than ice.

Description

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR FOOD PRODUCTS

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention concerns the field of shipping containers for food products.

Food products shall be understood as products that must be maintained at negative cold temperatures (below OC), positive cold temperatures (between Ut and 4t), or hot temperatures (above 4'C).

As an example, a food product, such as fish or shellfish, must be maintained at temperatures between Ot and 4C, preferably between OC and 2t, throughout the entire time it is being transported. The shipping container temperature must be testable and certifiable by various health authorities in the countries where the shipping container travels.

Shipping container temperature must be precisely and reliably maintained in order to prevent, on the one hand, freezing the product (temperatures below 0CC), which could affect its gustatory properties and, on the other hand, in order to prevent the container temperature from exceeding 2t or 4t, which could affect product freshness and health safety.

In practice, fresh fish are transported in large sized containers from the fishing site to their point of sale.

Ordinarily, a shipping container takes the form of a crate, preferably made of polystyrene, filled with ice blocks. The fresh fish are placed in the crate and covered with ice. Classically, in order to keep 1 kg of fish fresh in a crate, about 3 kg of ice are used. Given that an empty crate weighs about 1 kg, the fresh fish weight represents less than 20% of the shipping container's total weight.

Given that shipping costs are based on the weight of the container to be shipped, shipping fresh foods, in particular, such as fish, shell fish, and crustaceans, presents a high cost, which has hindered the development of distance selling for fresh food to end customers.

There is a need to limit transportation costs for all types of food while ensuring optimal and controllable temperature conditions in order to ensure maximum food safety while maintaining the food's optimal gustatory qualities.

INVENTION OVERVIEW

To this end, the invention involves a shipping container for food products comprising packaging defining a containment envelope for receiving food products and a means of temperature regulation in said envelope.

The invention is noteworthy in that said means of temperature regulation takes the form of regulating microcapsules.

Such regulating microcapsules have limited overall dimensions and reduced mass, providing for significantly reducing the shipping container's weight. Regarding food products that must be maintained at negative cold temperatures or positive cold temperatures, the present shipping container enjoys a refrigeration capacity equivalent to prior art. A reduced mass shipping container may be shipped at a lower cost, allowing consumers to enjoy food products maintained at the correct temperature and delivered to their homes at a reasonable cost. In practice, when transporting a food product that must be kept at negative cold temperatures or positive cold temperatures, the container weight is divided by a factor of 2 compared to prior art, which is very advantageous.

Using reguating microcapsules provides for defining a containment envelope in a selected shape in which the food product is lodged. In other words, the shipping container may be given an optimal shape based on the food product to be shipped, which is advantageous.

Preferentially, said means of temperature regulation consists of regulating microcapsules. In other words, it is not necessary to provide for any other regulating product during shipping (ice, eutectic gels, cold accumulators, heat accumulators, etc.), refrigeration system (refrigerated truck, etc.), or heating system, thereby decreasing shipping costs. The shipping container may be delivered traditionally alongside other postal containers.

Preferentially, the regulating microcapsules are phase-changing and provide for storing frigories or calories prior to filling the container.

Preferentially, each regulating microcapsule comprises an assembly of organic compounds such as paraffins, fatty acids, etc. Again preferentially, each regulating microcapsule comprises a eutectic compound, i.e. a mixture of salts with a constant melting temperature at a given concentration.

Preferentially, said regulating microcapsules are configured, firstly, so as to store calories or frigories during a charging stage, and, secondly, to yield said calories or frigories in the containment envelope during a discharging stage in order to maintain a set temperature in said envelope for at least 48 hours and preferably 72 hours.

Preferentially, the set temperature in said envelope is roughly constant, varying less than it for a period of 48 hours and preferably 72 hours, when the container is at ambient temperature.

Therefore, by configuring the regulating microcapsules' charging time and temperature, maintaining a set temperature may be ensured for at least 48 hours. Therefore, the containment envelope temperature is regulated throughout the shipping time for a classic container. Moreover, fresh products are maintained at an optimal temperature guarantying their gustatory qualities and complying with health standards.

Preferentially, the regulating microcapsules are adapted so as to maintain food products at a set temperature between -1S and 1SC.

As per an invention aspect, as the packaging comprises panels, the regulating microcapsules are housed in several panels and preferably in all panels. The regulating microcapsules may be advantageously integrated in the panels in order to form regulating panels integrated in the packaging.

Advantageously, when all the panels are regulated, the containment envelope is uniformly thermally regulated, limiting the formation of heat bridges. Moreover, the food product's gustatory qualities are optimally maintained.

According to an invention aspect, the packaging is rigid, preferably made of plastic or cardboard.

Therefore, the container may be stored ordinarily with other shipping containers in a shipping vehicle optimizing the storage space available in the vehicle. Preferentially, the packaging is parallelepiped-shaped so as to provide for easy stacking and optimizing storage space in the vehicle.

According to another aspect, the packaging takes the form of a hermetically-sealed envelope in order to form a regulated envelope.

Preferentially, the containment envelope has at east one visual marker capable of providing at least initial visual information regarding whether the containment envelope temperature is within the pre-set temperature range and secondary visual information regarding whether the containment envelope temperature is not within said pre-set temperature range. Thereby, the visual marker provides useful information to consumers assuring them that the food product's temperature is appropriate and has not deviated from the selected range, e.g., 0C to 2'C.

Preferentially, the visual marker is formed of a material capable of changing color if the containment envelope temperature is within the pre-set temperature range and secondary visual information if the containment envelope temperature is not within said pre-set temperature range. Therefore, a

S

change in marker color provides for alerting consumers if the temperature deviates from the selected range, e.g. UT to 2CC.

Advantageously) the secondary visual information is permanent in order to alert consumers of any S disruption in the thermal regulation chain occurring during container shipment. The secondary information display is irreversible.

Again preferentially, the visual marker is attached to the packaging panel in order to be located in the regulated envelope and thereby effectively measure the temperature in said envelope.

Preferentially, the container weighs less than 3 kg, preferably less than 2 kg, for transporting foods on the order of 1 kg. Therefore, such a container may be shipped for a lower cost.

According to one aspect, the container comprises a protective shell, capable of resisting impacts during shipping, in which the container is placed.

The invention also applies to a set of shipping containers as presented hereinabove and at least one food product housed within the containment envelope of said container. Preferably, the food products weight represents more than 25% of the total weight, preferentially, more than 30%.

Preferentially, the fresh food product is placed in a hermetically-sealed envelope.

FIGURE PRESENTATION

The invention may be better understood by reading the following description, provided only as an example, and by consulting the accompanying drawings in which: -Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a shipping container as per an initial invention embodiment, the lid being open; -Figure 2 is another representation of the shipping container in Figure 1, the lid being partially open; and -Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a shipping container as per a second invention embodiment.

It should be noted that the figures provide a detailed exposition of the invention in order to implement the invention, said figures being capable of better defining the invention, where appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

The present invention applies to shipping all types of food products, i.e. products that must be maintained at negative cold temperatures (below Ot), positive cold temperatures (between OC and 4), or hot temperatures (above 4t).

As an example, a food product shipping container will be presented for shipping fresh fish as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 from a distribution center to a customer's home. Such fresh fish must be kept at a positive cold temperature in order to retain its full gustatory qualities while ensuring food safety.

Referencing Figures 1 and 2, shipping container 1 is represented with packaging 2 defining a containment envelope 7 for holding a fish P. Preferentially, packaging 2 is parallelepiped-shaped and rigid in order to facilitate stacking and limit its overall dimensions. In this embodiment example, packaging 2 is made of plastic material but it is self-evident that other materials could be used (cardboard, metal, etc.).

Preferentially, packaging 2 is between 30 and 50 cm long, between 20 cm and 40 cm wide, and between 10 cm and 30 cm high. In this example, packaging 2 is 40 cm long, 30 cm wide, and 20 cm high.

Advantageously, packaging 2 defines an interior containment envelope whose volume is on the order of L or 30 L. It is self-evident that packaging's 2 dimensions could be different.

Referencing Figures 1 and 2, packaging 2 has a lower section, hereinafter referred to as box 20, and an upper section, hereinafter referred to as cover 21, which works with box 20 in order to close it.

Preferentially, cover 21 may be connected to box 20 using a hinge.

Preferentially, packaging 2 may be reused many times and may be recycled in order to decrease its environmental impact.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, fresh fish P is placed in packaging 2's containment envelope 7 for shipping. According to the first embodiment, fresh fish P is placed in hermetically-sealed envelope 3 providing for preventing contact between fresh fish P and any air flow that may deteriorate fresh fish P's gustatory qualities. Moreover, fresh fish P is advantageously not in contact with packaging 2's panels.

Hermetically-sealed envelope 3 has low mass and provides for maintaining high hygiene standards. As an example, hermetically-sealed envelope 3 is a vacuum-sealed envelope known to persons skilled in the art by its commercial name Cryovac, compatible with food products. It is self-evident that the envelope could be different.

According to the invention, shipping container 1 has suitable means of temperature regulation in packaging 2's containment envelope 7.

The means of temperature regulation takes the form of regulating microcapsules 4so as to limit their size in shipping container 1. Moreover, regulating microcapsules 4 may be positioned precisely in order to facilitate shipping container l's thermal insulation and thereby prevent thermal bridges from forming.

In this example, regulating microcapsules 4 are made of a phase changing material which provides for facilitating containment envelope 7's thermal regulation. Preferentially, each cooing microcapsule 7 comprises an assembly of organic compounds (such as paraffins, fatty acids, etc.) and a eutectic compound, i.e. a mixture of salts with a constant melting temperature at a specific concentration.

In this example, the regulating microcapsule diameter is between 1 im and 100 in so as to be integrated in a packaging 2 panel as will be detailed below.

Regulating microcapsules 4 are configured, firstly, so as to store calories or frigories during a charging S stage, and, secondly, to yield said calories or frigories in containment envelope 7 during a discharging stage in order to maintain a set temperature in said envelope 7 for at least 72 hours.

As an example, regulating microcapsules 4 may be recharged with negative cold by subjecting them to temperatures below Ut for several hours. Regulating microcapsules 4 are configured so as to yield the frigories and refrigerate containment envelope 7 to a temperature included between Ut and 4t, preferably between Ut and 2t. Therefore, food products P are not frozen but maintained at positive cold temperatures in order to preserve their gustatory properties when placed in containment envelope 7 refrigerated by regulating microcapsules 4.

Advantageously, regulating microcapsules 4's frigorie/calorie recharging tine may be configured (recharging temperature, recharging time, etc.) so as to ensure that regulating microcapsules 4 will maintain a set temperature for the estimated shipping time, e.g., 72 hours.

Such means of temperature regulation 4 provide for conveying shipping container 1 to distant delivery points. This is particularly advantageous given that the typical shipping time for a distance selling container in France is on the order of 72 hours.

As per the first invention embodiment referenced in Figures 1 and 2, regulating microcapsules 4 are placed in the thickness of packaging 2's panels. In this example, box 20's and cover 21's panels have 2S regulating microcapsules 4 in order to prevent a thermal bridge from forming in shipping container 1.

Containment envelope 7 in which the fresh fish P is housed is refrigerated in this manner.

It is self-evident that regulating microcapsules 4 may only be placed in some of packaging 2's panels.

Similarly, regulating microcapsules 4 may be placed directly in packaging 2's containment envelope.

Preferentially, shipping container 1 has a thermal regulation cold chain continuity marker 5. In this example, markers is capable of providing: -initial visual information regarding whether containment envelope 7's temperature is within a preset temperature range; and -secondary visual information regarding whether containment envelope 7's temperature is not within the preset temperature range.

In this example, the preset temperature range corresponds to a positive cold temperature range of Ut- 4t or Ot-2t. Nevertheless, it is self-evident that the regulation range could be different based on the food product to be shipped.

Preferentially, visual marker S is formed of a material capable of changing color if the temperature is within the preset temperature range and secondary visual information if the temperature is not within said pre-set temperature range. In this example, the marker remains blue when containment envelope 7 is refrigerated (temperature O'C-2t and red when containment envelope 7 is not refrigerated (temperature > 2t). So, by simply observing visual marker 5, customers receiving shipping container 1 may quickly and unambiguously determine whether product P's temperature is suitable and does not present a danger for their food safety. Such a heat sensitive material is known in the art.

Preferentially, the second visual information is permanent so as to provide for detecting any disruption in the thermal regulation chain. As an example, if shipping container l's containment envelope temperature 2S exceeds 2'C and thereafter shipping container 1 is placed in a refrigerated place, the second visual information's red color will remain visible in order to alert customers of a disruption in the thermal regulation chain even if the effective temperature is correct. Customers' food safety is therefore significantly improved.

Marker 5 is housed in containment envelope 7 so that its temperature sensitive material can detect any disruption in the cold chain within containment envelope 7. Referencing Figures 1 and 2, marker S is attached to cover 21's lower surface on packaging 2 in order to provide for, firstly, being located within containment envelope 7 when cover 21 is closed and, on the other hand, being easily visible and identifiable by customers when opening packaging 2 in order to reach food product P. Nevertheless, it is self-evident that marker 5 could also be attached to an internal panel on packaging 2's box 20 or hermetically-sealed envelope 3 housing food product P. A second embodiment of a shipping container is represented in Figure 3. The references used to describe the structural or functional elements that are identical, equivalent, or similar to those in Figure 1 are the same, in order to simplify description. Moreover, the entire description for the embodiment in Figure 1 has not be repeated, as this description applies to the items in Figures 3 where there are no incompatibilities. Only noteworthy structural and functional differences are described.

Referencing Figure 3, shipping container 1' is represented with packaging 2 defining a containment envelope for holding a fresh fish P. In this creation, packaging 2 is a hermetically-sealed envelope and regulating microcapsules 4 are integrated in the hermetically-sealed envelope panels in order to be as close to fresh fish P as possible and maintain its temperature. Hereinafter, packaging 2' is referred to as "hermetically-sealed packaging 2'." Also referencing figure 4, hermetically-sealed packaging 2 has marker 5 for determining whether cold chain continuity has been assured. As illustrated in Figure 3, hermetically-sealed packaging 2 is housed in protective container 8in order to protect it from impacts and facilitating storing container 1' in a shipping vehicle. Protective container 8 is made of cardboard, limiting production costs while granting sufficient rigidityforshipping.

Shipping container 1', according to the second invention embodiment presents a low production cost compared to the first creation which benefits from a larger refrigerated volume.

An implementation example will now be presented referencing Figure 1 for shipping fresh fish P from a S shipping patform to a specific customer. Nevertheless, it is self-evident that the invention applies to shipping al types of food products between professionals or non-professionals.

At the shipping platform, individual fresh fish P are protected by hermetically-sealed envelope 3 made of food-grade plastic. This protection stage using hermetically-sealed envelope 3 is known by persons skilled in the art and will not be presented in further detail.

Hermetically-sealed envelope 3 is then placed in parallelepiped-shaped packaging 2 including regulating microcapsules 4 in panels 20, 21. Prior to filling packaging 2, they are preferentially stored in a freezer allowing microcapsules 4 to be charged with frigories.

After filling packaging 2, cover 21 is closed on box 20. When closing, marker 5 is blue to indicate cold chain continuity. In this example, fresh fish P weighs about 1 kg and the packaging weighs about 2 kg such that the fresh product P weight represents 33% of the total weight (1 kg / 3 kg). Indeed, given regulating microcapsule 4's integration in shipping container 1, it is no longer necessary to use ice which has a higher weight.

During shipping, regulating microcapsules 4 yield frigories in containment envelope 7 wherein hermetically-sealed envelope 3 is located in order to maintain the cold chain. Marker 5 monitors containment envelope 7's temperature and can change its visual aspect if there is a refrigeration fault.

Shipping container 1 is then shipped conventionally, i.e. without using a refrigerated truck, to the end customer. Advantageously, the containment envelope's temperature is stable, on the order of OC-2C, throughout shipping.

When receiving shipping container 1, consumers may directly identify whether the cold chain was maintained by looking at marker 5 when opening shipping container 1, ensuring consumer safety.

Consumers are thereby reassured regarding the freshness of fish P they ordered. Preferentially, shipping container 1 is not thrown-away but returned to the carrier during a future visit in order to be reused.

By using regulating microcapsules 4, full shipping container l's weight is reduced, significantly decreasing shipping costs. Therefore, the cost of a high quality, home delivered fresh food products is reasonable for consumers.

A small sized shipping container for shipping a kilogram of food products has been presented. It is self-evident that the shipping container could be sized on the order of a m3 in order to provide for delivering food products to distributors.

Claims

CI.AIMS i. shipping container (1; 1) for food products (P) comprising packaging (2; 2) defining a containment envelope (7) for receiving food products (P) and means for temperature regulation in said containment envelope (7), characterized by the fact that said means for temperature regulation are in the form of regulating microcapsules (4).
2. shipping container as per Claim 1, in which said means for temperature regulation consist of regulating microcapsules (4).
3. shipping container as per Claims 1 and 2, in which said regulating microcapsules (4) are phase changing.
4. Shipping container as per Claims 1 to 3 in which said regulating microcapsules (4) are configured, firstly, so as to store calories or frigories during a charging stage, and, secondly, to yield said calories or frigories in the containment envelope (7) during a discharging stage in order to maintain a set temperature in said envelope (7) for at least 48 hours and preferably 72 hours.s. shipping container as per Claim 4 in which said set temperature is between -1st and +15CC.6. Shipping container as per any of Claims 1 to 5, in which, as the packaging (2) comprises panels (20, 21), the regulating microcapsules (4) are housed in several panels (20, 21) of said packaging (2), preferably in all the panels (20, 21).7. shipping container as per any of Claims ito 6, in which the packaging (2, 2) is rigid.. shipping container as per any of Claims ito 7, in which the packaging (2, 2') is presented in the form of a hermetically-sealed envelope.9. Shipping container as per any of Claims ito Sin which the containment envelope (7) has at least one visual marker (5) capable of providing at least initial visual information regarding whether the containment envelope (7) temperature is within the pre-set temperature range and secondary visual information regarding whether the containment envelope (7) temperature is not within said pre-set temperature range.io. shipping container as per any of Claims ito 9 weighing less than 3kg, preferably less than 2kg.11. Shipping container (1; 1) assembly as per any of Claims ito 10 and at least one food product (P) housed in said containment envelope (7) of said shipping container (1; 1').12. Shipping container (1; 1') assembly as per Claim ii, in which the food product (P) weight represents more than 25% of the total assembly weight, preferably more than 30%.13. Shipping container assembly as per Claims 11 and 12 in which the food product (P) is placed in a hermetically-sealed envelope (3).