NL2026422B1 - Airtight package, such as a bag, can or box - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an airtight package, such as a bag, can or box, wherein a sensor module is arranged on the wall of the package, which sensor module is in contact with the inside of the package via a measuring part of the sensor module, which sensor module comprises: at least one sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor or an oxygen sensor, the at least one sensor constituting the measuring part of the sensor module; — a memory; = a battery; — wireless communication means; and - a control supplied by the battery, which control periodically reads out the at least one sensor and stores the read measured values in the memory, as well as transmits the measured values present in the memory to a receiver via the wireless connection means.

Description

Airtight packaging, such as a bag, can or box The invention relates to an airtight packaging, such as a bag, can or box. Such packaging is used, for example, for the transport of perishable goods, such as fruit, meat, vegetables and grains.

The airtight packaging makes it possible to keep the perishable goods in a controlled atmosphere, for example an atmosphere with a reduced oxygen content, which means that the goods have a longer shelf life.

To this end, after the packaging, such as a big-bag, has been filled with the goods, the air in the packaging is replaced by a desired gas mixture, after which the packaging is closed.

However, it may be that over time the desired atmosphere in the package changes because moisture and gases from the goods are released into the atmosphere, because the package is not completely airtight or because gases diffuse through the wall of the package.

In order to counteract such fluctuations in the desired atmosphere in the package, it is known to place an absorber in the package, which absorber for instance absorbs oxygen and can thus guarantee a desired low oxygen content in the atmosphere over a longer period of time.

A problem, however, is that after closing the package it is not possible to check whether the desired atmosphere is present or whether it is still present after a longer period of time. The only option is to break the airtightness of the package so that samples can be taken of the atmosphere inside the package. The packaging must then be closed airtight again, whereby the atmosphere must be restored or maintained. Such a way of controlling the atmosphere is labour-intensive.

In addition, maintaining a desired atmosphere is only one of the parameters which is decisive for keeping the perishable goods in good condition during transport. Another parameter is temperature. Although the goods are transported in air-conditioned areas during transport, it is possible that one package of a batch is subject to different temperatures than another package. For example, a package that is next to an entrance door of the air-conditioned room will be exposed to more temperature fluctuations than a package that is at the back.

For example, after a batch of goods has arrived, the goods in one package are of better quality than in another package. It is then unclear to the supplier whether this difference was caused by irregularities during transport or whether the goods already differed in quality at the time of packaging.

It is therefore an object of the invention to reduce or even prevent the above-mentioned drawbacks.

This object is achieved with an airtight package according to the invention, wherein a sensor module is arranged on the wall of the package, which sensor module is in contact with the inside of the package via a measuring part of the sensor module, which sensor module comprises: - at least one sensor such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor or an oxygen sensor, the at least one sensor constituting the measuring part of the sensor module; — a memory; = a battery; - wireless connection means; and - a control supplied by the battery, which control periodically reads out the at least one sensor and stores the read measured values in the memory, as well as transmits the measured values present in the memory to a receiver via the wireless connection means. The sensor module of the airtight package according to the invention is in continuous contact via the measuring part with the inside of the package and thus with the atmosphere present in the package. The control periodically reads the sensor, so that an image is obtained about the course of the atmosphere prevailing in the package.

If the packaging has to be checked during transport, the stored measured values can be read out and further processed simply by wirelessly connecting to the control. It is therefore not necessary to break the airtightness of the packaging.

This makes it possible to quickly check all packaging in a batch and such a check does not have to be limited to a single sample.

In addition, it is possible with the stored measured values to trace at which moment of transport the packaging was exposed to undesirable influences, such as too high temperatures. This can then be used to determine who is responsible for any spoilage of the goods.

In a preferred embodiment of the airtight package according to the invention, a gassing opening is arranged in the wall of the package and the sensor module projects with the measuring part into the opening and seals the opening.

Known packages for perishable goods, such as big bags, can be closed airtight after filling, for instance by sealing the filling opening. In order to create a desired atmosphere in the package, such a package is often provided with a separate,

closable gas opening. The air can be sucked out of the package via this opening and a desired gas can be supplied to the package. After gassing, the gassing opening is closed.

By closing this gassing opening with a sensor module according to the invention, existing airtight packages can simply be used for the invention.

Preferably, the package further comprises a lid for closing the gassing opening and the sensor module is arranged on the lid.

After gassing, the cover with sensor module can easily be placed on the gassing opening, for example by screwing. An additional advantage is that the lids with sensor module can be produced and stored separately from the packaging. It is only when the packaging is put into use that it is possible to choose to use a sensor module according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the airtight package according to the invention, the at least one sensor is an oxygen sensor, in particular an optical, fluorescence quenching oxygen sensor.

With the oxygen sensor, the oxygen content in the atmosphere in the packaging can be measured and it is possible to keep track of whether the oxygen content is sufficiently low for the perishable goods.

In particular, the oxygen sensor is an optical, fluorescence quenching oxygen sensor. Compared to other oxygen sensors, such a sensor can be produced cheaply, so that the invention can easily be applied to various packages of a single batch to be transported.

A fluorescence quenching oxygen sensor comprises a layer which changes color depending on the oxygen content, so that a measurement of the oxygen content can easily be obtained with a light or color sensor. Because the color-changing layer can be applied by means of printing, the sensor can be produced cost-effectively.

In yet another embodiment of the airtight package according to the invention, the wall of the package comprises an airtight liner on the inside.

The airtight liner makes it possible to adapt the outside of the package to other requirements for the package, such as strength. The liner then ensures the airtightness of the packaging. For example, a big bag, which usually consists of a woven plastic material, can be adapted to an airtight package.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the airtight package according to the invention, a filter layer is arranged around the measuring part of the sensor module to prevent direct contact between the contents of the package and the measuring part.

The filter layer ensures that the gases in the atmosphere in the packaging can reach the measuring part of the sensor module, while the filter layer ensures that the packaged goods cannot come into direct contact with the measuring part and if possible the measurements could be taken. to disturb.

These and other features of the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an airtight package according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor module of the package of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the operation of the sensor module of the packaging according to figure

1.

Figure 1 shows an airtight package 1 according to the invention, in particular a big bag with lifting eyes 2 and a plastic bag 3 therein, which serves as airtight liner and which is sealed at the top along an edge 4 after filling. A sensor module 5 is arranged on a gassing opening.

In figure 2 the sensor module 5 is shown in cross section. The sensor module 5 is arranged on a cover 6, which cover is screwed onto the gassing opening 7, which is formed on the plastic bag 3. The plastic bag 3 is surrounded by a strong, woven material 8 with which the big bag is formed.

The sensor module 5 inserts the sensor 9 into the airtight plastic bag 3 and is surrounded by a porous filter material 10, so that the contents 11 of the package 1 cannot come into direct contact with the sensor 9, but the sensor 9 can carry out measurements. to the atmosphere in the package 1.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the operation of the sensor module 5. This sensor module 5 has a sensor 9, such as a temperature sensor, oxygen sensor, humidity sensor or combination thereof, which is connected to a controller 12, which is connected by a battery 13. The control 12 periodically reads the sensor 9 and stores the measured values in a memory 14.

When the atmosphere in the airtight package 1 has to be checked, a receiver 15 can make a wireless connection with the wireless connection means 16, with which the control 12 can transfer the measured values stored in the memory 14 to the receiver 15.

: send.

These measured values can for instance be sent by the receiver 15 again to a central server, so that historical data can be collected in case irregularities occur with the transport of the goods in the package 1.

Claims (6)

Conclusions 1. Airtight package, such as a bag, can or box, wherein a sensor module is arranged on the wall of the package, which sensor module is in contact with the inside of the package via a measuring part of the sensor module, which sensor module comprises: - at least one sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor or an oxygen sensor, the at least one sensor constituting the measuring part of the sensor module; — a memory; = a battery; - wireless connection means; and - a control supplied by the battery, which control periodically reads out the at least one sensor and stores the read measured values in the memory, as well as transmits the measured values present in the memory to a receiver via the wireless connection means. 2. Airtight package, wherein a gassing opening is arranged in the wall of the package and wherein the sensor module with the measuring part protrudes into the opening and seals the opening. An airtight package according to claim 2, wherein the package further comprises a lid for closing the gassing opening and wherein the sensor module is mounted on the lid. An airtight package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor is an oxygen sensor, in particular an optical, fluorescence quenching oxygen sensor. An airtight package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inside wall of the package comprises an airtight liner. An airtight package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a filter layer is arranged around the measuring part of the sensor module to prevent direct contact between the contents of the package and the measuring part.