WO1998016442A1

WO1998016442A1 - Device and method for protection of frozen foodstuff

Info

Publication number: WO1998016442A1
Application number: PCT/SE1997/001086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tommy WIKSTRÖM
Original assignee: Wikstroem Tommy
Priority date: 1996-10-14
Filing date: 1997-06-18
Publication date: 1998-04-23
Also published as: AU3282297A; SE9603743D0; SE9603743L; SE506742C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and a method for protection of frozen food products. More particularly, the invention relates to protection of food products against freeze damages in freezers. The device in accordance with the invention comprises a spacer element comprising a first surface intended for contact with a surface of the freezer, and a second surface which is essentially parallel with the first surface and intended to support the food products thereon, the distance between the first and the second surfaces being at least 0.3 cm, and preferably at least 0.5 cm. In addition, the device preferably is collapsible and insulating.

Description

Device and method for protection of frozen foodstuff

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device and a method for protection of frozen food products. More particularly, the invention relates to protection of food products against freeze damages in freezers.

Background

It is not unusual that food products are subjected to freeze damages, such as freezer burns, during the freezing process in freezing chambers, cabinet freezers, chest freezers and the like. Such damages generate during the very freezing process or during in-freezer storage and are caused by irreversible drying-out of the surface of the food products, followed by protein denaturation and colour changes, and they affect consistency as well as taste. Particularly sensitive are food products that are in direct contact with freezer elements, shelves, walls or bottom surfaces, or are surrounded by snow and ice crystals.

Object of the Invention

Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method of preventing freeze damages on food products in freezers. This object is achieved by means of a device and a method as defined in the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For exemplifying purposes the invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to one embodiment thereof illustrated in the attached drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective lateral view of a frozen food protection device in accordance with the invention in an erected condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective lateral view of the frozen food protection device of Fig. 1 in a partly collapsed condition; and

Fig. 3 is a view from above of the frozen food protection device of Fig. 1 in a collapsed condition.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

A frozen food protection device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1. The device consists of a preferably square unit comprising lengthwise and transverse wall, members 1, 2. Conse- quently, the wall members are divided into two groups, the wall members within each group extending essentially in parallel with one another and the wall members of one group being substantially perpendicular to the wall members of the other group. In the subject case the wall members consist of flat strips of a comparatively insulating material (i.e. having poor heat-conductivity), such as for example cardboard materials. Furthermore, the material preferably is of a kind that is unaffected by very low temperatures while at the same time repelling water and other substances of a similar nature. Also, the wall members are interconnected at the points 3 of intersection by glueing, insertion into slits, or the like.

In this manner a check pattern is formed comprising rectangular, and preferably square, cells which are delimited by the wall members 1, 2. The cells extend between the top and bottom sides of the frozen food protection device, and when the device is placed in a freezer with the food products supported thereon, essentially closed spaces are formed wherein the stagnant air contributes to the creation of excellent insulation between the freezer surface and the food products. The cells could have a different shape from a rectangular one, such as a rhombic shape or the like.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 the wall members preferably are hingedly interconnected, allowing the device to be collapsed into an essentially flat condition. Preferably the wall members of one group are also provided with a further folding pleat 5, said pleats formed essentially midway between the points of hinged interconnection with the wall members of the other group. Owing to this arrangement the device may be collapsed as indicated by arrows 6 without displacement relative to one another of those walls members that extend perpendicularly to the direction of collapse of the device.

Fig. 3 illustrates the frozen food protection device in a completely collapsed, essentially flat condition. In this compacted condition, the device is easy to package, transport and store.

The frozen food protection device could also be provided with a thin surface layer on its top side, its bottom side or on both top and bottom sides. This lining eliminates the risk that soft, loose or liquid food products enter into the interior of the food-protection device and in doing so form a drip pattern on account of the check pattern of the device in the course of the freezing process. However, it is advantageous to utilize a surface layer on the top as well as on the bottom sides, since this arrangement renders the device reversible and allows it to be used with either side being turned upwards, according to choice. When such a surface layer is used, it is particularly advantageous that the collapse takes place in a way preventing the wall members from being displaced relative to one enother, as such displacement would result in undesirable stretching and elongation of the surface layer.

In use, the food products, on their own or enclosed in a package, are placed on top of the frozen food protection device. A gap containing stagnant insulating air then forms intermediate the food products and the support, which support could be a freezer element or the like. In this manner the food products will not come into direct contact with freezer elements or other surfaces of the freezer, or with snow or ice crystals forming on said surfaces .

The frozen food protection device in accordance with the invention could be used for all kinds of freezer storage of food products, in professional enterprises as well as in individual households.

The frozen food protection device in accordance with the invention has been described herein with reference to one embodiment thereof. A number of modifications are, however, possible. For example, it is quite possible to use a non-collapsible device. This could consists for instance of a plate or support which could be either solid and consist of an insulating material, or be formed with cavities therein. Cellular plastics and similar materials are possible choices. It is, however, essential that the device comprises a first and a second spaced- apart, substantially parallel surfaces. It is noteworthy that the surfaces need not be planar or even cover the surfaces entirely, but the may consist merely of an array of supporting contacting points. The device could also comprise an air cushion or the like. Such and other obvious varieties must be regarded to be within the scope of the invention as the latter is defined in the appended claims .

Claims

1. A frozen food protection device for protection of food products in freezers against freeze damages, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it comprises a spacer element comprising a first surface intended for contact with a surface of the freezer, and a second surface which is essentially parallel with the first surface and intended to support the food products thereon, the distance between the first and the second surfaces being at least 0.3 cm, and preferably at least 0.5 cm.

2. A frozen food protection device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it is made from an insulating material.

3. A frozen food protection device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it is collapsible into an essentially flat condition.

4. A frozen food protection device as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d in that it comprises lengthwise and transverse interconnected wall members (1, 2) which jointly form a check pattern.

5. A frozen food protection device as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the check pattern comprises cells (4) which are rectangular, and preferably square.

6. A frozen food protection device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that neither the height, the length or the width dimensions of the cavities formed by the check pattern are smaller than 0.5 cm.

7. A frozen food protection device as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the wall members are hingedly interconnected at the corners (3) of the check pattern.

8. A frozen food protection device as claimed in claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the wall members extending in one of the directions are formed with an additional folding pleat (5) .

9. A frozen food protection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d in that a thin surface layer is provided on at least one of the top and bottom sides of the device, said surface layer intended to be turned towards the food products stored on the frozen food protection device.

10. A method of protecting food products in freezers against freeze damages, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by arranging a frozen food protection device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims against a freezing element in the freezer, and positioning food products on the opposite side of said frozen food protection device.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that a freezer package is arranged to enclose the food products.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10, c h a r a c - t e r i s e d in that the freezer package is arranged to enclose also the frozen food protection device.