RU2108273C1 - Method of storage and transportation of fresh fruit and vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: materials handling. SUBSTANCE: closed wrapper, bag or sack made, for instance, of sheet plastic is filled with fresh products, closed and sealed. Then gas mixture is supplied into inner space of bag or sack through first point on bag. Gas mixture serves to prevent rotting of fresh products. Gas evacuated from bag is let out through second point. Gas mixture is constantly delivered into bag or sack in storage by supplying it through first point and evacuating through second point. Bag or sack can be sealed for entire transportation period by closing the above-indicated points. EFFECT: improved quality of storage of fresh fruit and vegetable. 11 cl, 15 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to a method for storing and / or transporting fresh goods, for example, fruits and vegetables.

 Storage systems are known that use large pantries for storing fresh goods, in which a gas mixture containing, for example, nitrogen and oxygen, is introduced into the pantry in controlled modes to prevent rotting or spoilage of fresh goods such as fruits and vegetables. Such solutions, however, require specially designed rooms and, in addition, the personnel who service the system, and those who may enter the pantry, must have adequate protective equipment.

 When such fresh goods need to be taken from the pantry, trellised boxes containing fresh goods are taken out of the pantry using shipping pallets and placed in vehicles that can be equipped with conventional cooling units.

 In addition, it is known that both natural and other losses occur during storage and transportation of fresh products. Natural losses occur due to spoilage of fresh goods during storage at the manufacturer, during transportation from the manufacturer to the wholesaler, during storage at the wholesaler and during transportation to the retailer. Other losses occur due to theft of goods during storage and transportation. The total losses for some types of goods are very large, which also affects the retail price on sale.

 French patent N 2218250 discloses a packaging for preserving products and materials in which inert gas is supplied through one opening and air is released through the other, thereby providing an inert atmosphere in the package without oxygen and moisture. Known packaging is intended for storage of mechanical (electrical) products subject to corrosion, and is not intended for storage and / or transportation of fresh goods.

 The objective of the invention is to provide a simple, safe way of storing and / or transporting fresh goods, for example, fruits and vegetables, from the manufacturer to the wholesaler and retailer, as well as a simultaneous significant reduction in both of these types of losses.

 The method according to the invention, as defined by the first claim, provides that the closed wrap, for example of plastic material, is filled with fresh goods and then closed and sealed, a gas mixture is introduced into the internal cavity of the wrap, which delays rotting or deterioration of the fresh goods, and gas removed from the wrapper is discharged through another place in the wrapper, wherein the gas mixture is introduced periodically or continuously into the wrapper during storage by supplying it from the outside to the first place and removing it from said second place, and / or the wrapper during transportation is sealed in said first and second places.

 Here, the term "gas" means a gas or gas mixture that is inside the wrapper as a result of mixing the atmosphere created by the fresh goods with the introduced gas mixture.

 According to another embodiment of the method, the wrapper is placed on a pallet during its filling, the pallet serves as a base for storage and / or transportation. Alternatively, the wrapper during its filling may occupy partially or fully the internal volume of the container, for example, a box made of cardboard material, a crate, or the like.

 In accordance with other variants of the method, the wrapper is a sheet material, such as a bag or bag. The bag or bag is closed and sealed by wrapping the top of the bag or bag around a rod-shaped device and maintaining the connection of the bag or bag and said device. Alternatively, the bag or bag can be closed by compressing the top of the bag or bag and sealing it by welding together the tops of the bag or bag with a heat seal.

 When the gas mixture is introduced into the bag, this preferably occurs through a tube with a closable connecting nozzle in a place called the first, gas can escape through a tube with a closable connecting nozzle in the second place.

 Alternatively, the gas mixture may be introduced into the interior of the bag or bag by introducing a gas conducting probe through the sheet material of the bag or bag at the top of the bag or bag, the probe extending down to a level close to the base of the bag or bag, and gas may flow out of the bag or bag through a gas-conducting device mounted in said second place.

 Below the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which serve only to illustrate the invention, the examples shown in the description and drawings do not limit the scope of the invention.

 In FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the transportation of fruits from the manufacturer to the wholesaler and further to the retailer; figure 2 - placement of the base on a pallet, for example, on a Euro pallet; in FIG. 3 and 4 — a lockable bag or a bag with fresh goods placed on a pallet; in FIG. 5 - 7 closing and sealing of a bag or bag; in FIG. 8 is a diagram of a method for introducing a gas mixture into a bag or bag; in FIG. 9 - the introduction of the gas mixture into several bags or bags at once when storing fresh goods; figure 10 is an alternative embodiment of a means of introducing gas; figure 11 - sealing bag or bag; in FIG. 12-15 are alternative embodiments of the wrapper of the invention.

 In FIG. 1 shows, in particular, apples packed in trellis boxes 2 placed on a pallet 3. A pallet 3 with trellis boxes 2 is transported to a wholesaler. The fruit is then transported, for example, in a refrigerated truck 4 to a retailer, where a buyer 5 can buy retailers.

 FIG. 2 to 7 show examples of the implementation of the wrappers in accordance with the invention for storing and / or transporting fresh goods using wrappers in the form of bags or sacks. In order for the method according to the invention to work as best as possible, it is preferable to use a pallet 6, such as a euro pallet, on top of which a sheet 7, for example, of cardboard material, is first laid, as shown in FIG. 2.

 A bag or sack, preferably of plastic material, such as a plastic sheet, is placed over the junction of the pallet and sheet. Although in certain circumstances it is convenient to fill the bag or bag when it is stretched up to its natural shape, it will nevertheless be more practical to fill the bag or bag 8 when it is folded on a pallet 6 with said sheet 7 between the bag or bag and the pallet 7, as shown in FIG. 3, after which the web of the bag or bag is pulled up along the outer sides of the crates of fresh goods stacked in a stack, as shown in FIG. 4. The bag or bag is thus pulled up along the sides of the stack 2 'of trellis boxes 2, after which the plastic sheet material of the bag or bag is folded over the stack 2', as shown in FIG. 5.

 In the first embodiment, it is provided that the bag or bag is closed and sealed in a very simple manner, namely, using a rod-shaped device 9, for example, a cardboard tube, a wooden stick or the like, around which the plastic sheet material of the bag or bag can be wrapped.

 In FIG. 6 shows in more detail a rod-shaped device 9 serving as a roller for the top of a bag or bag so that the bag or bag is adequately sealed when closed.

 After wrapping, as shown in FIG. 7, one or more clamping devices 10 are attached to the combination of the plastic sheet material with said rod device, the clamping devices 10 are configured to snap into place on the connection of the plastic sheet material and the rod device 9, preventing the sheet material from unwinding to the open position using tabs 11 on clamping device 10 protruding beyond the periphery of the rod device and counteracting its rotation.

 In FIG. 8 schematically shows how a gas mixture, for example nitrogen and oxygen or carbon dioxide, possibly in combination with other gases, can be introduced into the interior of a bag or bag. In accordance with the construction shown here, it is proposed that the gas mixture is supplied into the bag’s interior by means of a gas supply device 12 in the form of a probe or the like, passed through the sheet material 13 of the bag or bag at the top of the bag or bag. The introduction of the device through the sheet material can be carried out by directly piercing the bottom (pointed) part of the probe. In accordance with the design shown, the lower part of the zone can be of any length, for example, from a length ensuring the position of the probe slightly below the upper part of the bag or bag, to such a length that the probe is located at the bottom of the bag slightly above the pallet. Thus, the probe is inserted in the first place 16 on the bag or bag. A suitable probe may be attached in second place 17 on the bag or bag if gas is to be removed from the bag or bag. Gas must be removed from the bag if, for example, two or more bags (or bags) are connected, as shown in FIG. 9. Here, the gas is introduced through the gas supply system 19 from the gas cylinder 21 while the gas released by the fresh product is removed through the collection system 20. Instead of having a separate removal or collection system, the gas can be removed to open air through a second the probe or passage 17 (Fig. 8) or gas can be removed into open air through openings in the bag or bag, for example, in its lower part (not shown in detail in the drawings).

 When the probe is removed, as shown in the drawings, it is advisable to seal the hole remaining in two places on the plastic sheet material, this can be done, for example, using a sealing adhesive strip, cardboard, etc.

 When the bag or bag arrives at the retailer in a closed, gas-filled, sealed state, the bag or bag can be opened by cutting, for example with a knife, or can be opened by opening the closure device shown in FIG. 6 and 7.

 In FIG. 8 schematically shows in general terms how gas can be introduced or removed through a feed device in the form of a probe that pierces a bag. FIG. 10 shows a real and practicable pattern in which a pointed tubular portion 22 with holes 23 is attached to a flange joint 24 with an upper joint portion 25.

 The connecting part 25 may be, for example, a female or male part of a quick coupler, for example a bayonet coupling, so that the connecting parts 26 or hoses (not shown) for introducing or removing gas can be quickly connected or disconnected.

 The feed device or probe 26 shown here, after the perforated tubular portion 22 has pierced the bag or bag, is held in place by a flange that is welded or glued into the bag or bag. For example, the flange may be provided with a layer of glue for attaching to a bag or bag.

 During transportation, in most cases it is necessary to seal the bag or the bag as a whole, since during transportation it is usually impossible to supply gas from the outside. In this case, the female or male part of the bayonet joint 25 will serve as a locking cover so that the connecting device 27 is suitably sealed.

 FIG. 11 shows how sheet material can be folded at the top of a bag or bag to form a longitudinal portion 33 to which a known heat seal apparatus 34 and 35 is applied so as to seal the bag or bag in an alternative manner.

 FIG. 12 to 15 show an alternative wrapper for which a three-part solution is used, including a lower part 28, an upper part 29 and a lower part 30.

 The lower portion 28 may be a sheet or a piece of, for example, a plastic sheet material placed on a pallet 3, as shown in FIG. 12. Then, for example, crates with fresh goods are placed on a plastic sheet material on a pallet, as shown in FIG. 13, and the plastic sheet material is pulled upward so that it extends over and around the stack of trellis boxes on the pallet. Instead of a sheet, as shown in FIG. 12 and 13, an alternative solution is to use a trellis-like box with an open top base placed on a pallet.

 After the desired number of trellis boxes are placed on the pallet, a bag-like cover 29 with an open bottom is pulled over the trellis boxes, as shown in FIG. 14. Instead of a case, as shown in FIG. 14, a film or similar plastic sheet material stretched over the stack can be used in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 12 and 13. Then, the upper part 29 and the other part 28 are connected by means of an adhesive elastic film or a compressible film, as shown in FIG. 15, so as to obtain a sealed wrapper with properties corresponding to those of the bag or bag in the previous example.

 Further variations and modifications of the invention, apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (11)

 1. A method of storing and transporting fresh goods, such as fruits and vegetables, which involves filling a closed plastic wrap with fresh goods or placing it around these goods, closing the wrap and sealing it, whereby a gas mixture is introduced into the wrapper to prevent rotting of the packaged products, characterized in that said gas mixture is introduced into the wrapper periodically or continuously during storage through one place, and the displaced gas is discharged from the wrapper through another place by using external means for supplying the gas mixture to the first mentioned place and means for removing gas from the second mentioned place, and these places of the wrapper are made with the possibility of sealing them during transportation.  2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when filling the wrapper is placed on a pallet, which serves as a support for the goods during their storage and / or transportation.  3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when filling the wrapper is applied to at least part of the internal volume of the package such as a cardboard box, shipping box, etc.  4. The method according to p. 1, or 2, or 3, characterized in that when filling the wrapper is filled with fresh goods that are already packed in other packaging such as cardboard boxes, boxes, etc.  5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wrapper is made in the form of a bag or bag, which is closed and sealed by wrapping the top of the bag / bag around a rod-like element and securing the bag / bag with this element together.  6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wrapper, made in the form of a bag or bag, is closed by compressing the top of the bag / bag and sealing by welding the top of the bag / bag with a heat seal.  7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wrapper is made of three parts, the fresh products being placed in the lower part, the upper part being pulled over the fresh goods, after which the two parts are joined together by a tensile or other similar means.  8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the gas mixture is introduced into the wrapper through a lockable connecting pipe nozzle in said first place, and the gas is released through a lockable connecting pipe nozzle in said second place.  9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the gas mixture is introduced inside the wrapper by introducing a gas probe through the wrapper in its upper part, the probe is lowered down to the level of the base of the wrapper, released into the gas through the corresponding outlet device, placed in the second place mentioned.  10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fresh goods are fruits or vegetables, and the gas mixture introduced to prevent rotting contains nitrogen and oxygen.  11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fresh goods are animal products, such as meat or fish, and the gas mixture introduced to prevent rotting contains carbon dioxide.

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