GB950671A - Improvements in or relating to cold containers - Google Patents

Abstract

950,671. Cooling fish. HECTOR WHALING Ltd. May 7, 1962 [Feb. 7, 1961; June 13, 1961], Nos. 4515/61 and 21347/61. Heading F4H. A cold container for fish, for use on board ship, comprises an outer box 10 of high heat conductivity, an inner tray 12 of low heat conductivity, means for spacing the inner tray from the outer box, and means for controlling the level of a liquid contained in the outer box. As shown, Fig. 2, the tray 12, which is of synthetic plastic material, rests on a perforated metal grid 13 which seats on the base of the outer box 10, and out-turned lips at the top of the tray maintains the latter spaced apart from the side walls of the outer box. The outer box, and a cover 11, are of metal, the box having flanges 16, Fig. 4, along its shorter edges which rest on support bars 17, while the cover has flanges 18, Fig. 2, along its longer edges to stiffen it. A drain 14 in the middle of the base of the box 10 allows liquid, e.g. brine, to remain in the box up to a level below the base of the tray 12, while perforations at 15 in the tray allow the sloshing of liquid due to the motion of the ship to circulate air, and some liquid, into the tray. The fish may be washed, e.g. with an antibiotic liquid, the small size of the drain 14 allowing relatively slow escape of the liquid. The fish may be cooled, or frozen, by circulating cold air round the outside of the boxes. If the fish are to be kept immersed in liquid, the drain 14 is plugged, and an aperture 19 adjacent one side of the box, Fig. 4, is fitted with a pipe 20, the top of which will be at the level of liquid to be maintained. Fresh liquid from a pipe 24 may enter the box through a raised inlet 23, to be distributed evenly over the fish by a perforated tray 22. The sides of the tray 12 and box 10 are upwardly divergent to allow compact stacking in storage.