WO2008140317A1

WO2008140317A1 - Method and device for monitoring tendering of meat and similar organic material

Info

Publication number: WO2008140317A1
Application number: PCT/NO2007/000167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon Olav Vikan; Tor Jørund SUND
Original assignee: Suvitek As
Priority date: 2007-05-09
Filing date: 2007-05-09
Publication date: 2008-11-20

Abstract

Method and device for monitoring a tendering process for meat or other organic materials, particularly venison. Temperature and relative humidity is measured and used as input in an algorithm for calculating the tendering process based upon a recommended interconnection between time, temperature, air humidity and tendering. The device includes a display for presenting values and means for producing alerts.

Description

Method and device for monitoring tendering of meat or similar organic materials

The invention is related to a method for monitoring tendering of meat or similar organic materials, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. Moreover, the invention is related to a device for practicing said method, as stated in the preamble of claim 9.

Background

After hunting and catching, a need arises for tendering of meat. Immediately after butchering, the meat is ropily but becomes tenderer if allowed to hang for a while after slaughtering prior to the meat cutting process. After the animal has been shot, a self destructive process is instantiated which is called autolysis. This is the reason that meat which is allowed to hang becomes tendered and obtains improved taste. The tendering process is strongly dependent on temperature, and occurs more rapidly at elevated temperatures. The air humidity also plays an important role. Not with regard to the tendering per se, but with regard to storage life during the tendering. Bacterial growth (putrefaction) occurs faster at high air humidity. A humid surface increases the probability of bacterial growth. Accordingly, it is recommended to allow meat/slaughter to hang in airy and dry environments, and not subjected to tendering in a humid environment. Hence, the duration at which meat should/can hang to become tender is affected by both temperature and air humidity. The air humidity is advantageously measured as relative air humidity, which is an expression of how much humidity the air contains in relation to how much the air can accommodate (capacity) at the temperature in question. Hot air can accommodate more humidity than cold air. Relative humidity is expressed as percent (%).

The influence from temperature and relative humidity is necessarily not linear. The temperature influence is well known. The tendering duration vary between the respective animal species. A basic rule about 40 day degrees is a rule of thumb to obtain maximum tendering, taking optimum tendering in relation to storage life into consideration. The number of day degrees is calculated by multiplying the 24 hour average temperature by the number of days. Different types of meat is supposed to hang at different duration (number of day degrees). The tendering time is measured in number of day degrees, and is calculated by the average temperature during a certain period of time, e.g., 40 day degrees is similar to exposure at 1 ⁰C during 40 days. Examinations confirm that most of the hunters take care of the meat by themselves (at home, alternatively in a location in common with the hunting team). Most of the hunters are familiar with the term day degrees, and know that the meat should hang a certain number of day degrees to become tender.

However, the hunters' problem is that it is difficult to calculate an accurate number of day degrees, because the temperature often varies during the day, and it is even a demanding task to perform a continuous measurement of the temperature to calculate day degrees. (Normally, meat is allowed to hang from 3 to 14 days do become tender).

Thus, at present, the hunters usually count the number of day degrees by trying to predict the average temperature since the meat was allowed to hang, thereafter calculating the number of day degrees at their own. Huntel's "Aging Guard", which can be obtained from www.huntel.no, describes a system comprising tendering of venison by storage, and provides evaluation of time versus temperature and animals.

Rotronic "HYGROCLIP™", which can be found on www.rotronic.com, is related to a system for measuring of both temperature and relative humidity, and can be used for meat storage.

Other relevant publications which describe how to determine either temperature or relative humidity, or both, and which show systems having the ability to perform monitoring and storage of food are:

- Publication "Micromachined Water Vapor Sensors for Home Applications", by Ralph Fenner, Meindert Kleefstra and Edward Zdankiewicz, 2000.

- ESIS PTY LTD, obtainable from www.esis.com.au, and - Vaisala, obtainable from www.vaisala.com.

US Patent 5,918,190 describes a device for determining meat tendering, based upon software assisted optical metering. US Patent 5,969,606 discloses a device and method for monitoring and storing of food by means of a container which exhibits ability to control the relative humidity and temperature.

None of the prior art methods mentioned above utilize measuring of both relative air humidity and temperature in connection with monitoring tendering of meat or similar organic materials.

Objective

There is thus desirable to provide a method for monitoring tendering of meat or similar organic materials, which takes both air humidity and temperature into consideration. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a reliable device to perform the method under uncontrolled or controlled conditions. The invention

The method is stated in claim 1. Further advantageous features of the method are stated in claims 2-8. A device for performing said method is disclosed in claim 9. Further advantageous features of the device are stated in claim 10-14. The solution in accordance with the invention consists of an electronic device which assists the hunters or other in obtaining a more accurate monitoring of the tendering process, resulting in a most possible optimum tendering/storage of the meat with regard to duration. The device performs a continuous monitoring of both temperature and relative humidity, and calculates the number of day degrees for running counting operations. Moreover, the device can also provide information about an estimated remaining time and produce alerts when values exceed maximum limit (temperature/relative humidity).

The device calculates/logs temperature at predetermined, relatively short time intervals, and will thus provide an accurate average temperature.

The invention may constitute an aid, which provides a best possible solution to a user's problem related to handling of meat after butchering. In order to fulfil the user's need, the device in accordance with the present invention must comprise certain functions and properties. Examples of such properties are:

• Continuous counting/calculation of day degrees

• Ability to perform several parallel counting/calculations • User controllable aging time

• Estimation of remaining aging time/hanging time

• Metering of temperature and relative humidity

• Maximum/minimum temperature, maximum/minimum relative humidity and average values for running counting operations • Alerts/alarms when counting is complete, and at too high temperature/air humidity values

• Light in display

• A simple and functional user interface

Other advantages of the device and method will become apparent from the following description.

Example

In the following, the invention is described by means of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1a illustrates a front view of a device in accordance with the invention, Fig. 1b illustrates a rear view of the device of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the printed circuit board, and

Fig. 3 illustrates the steps of the method in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1a and 1b illustrates an embodiment of a device 10 in accordance with the invention, seen from the front and from the rear, respectively. The device 10 comprises a protective housing 20, operating buttons 30 and fixing devices 40, an electronic circuit in the form of a printed circuit board 50, indicated by a dotted line.

The device 10 may exhibit any external shape, but does preferably have a shape/size like a standard cell phone/GPS.

The device 10 housing 20 is preferably formed from a shock resistant and water resisting material. For example, the housing 20 consists of two parts 21 , 22 of hard plastic and two parts (not illustrated) of, e.g., hard rubber, which can be interconnected to form the housing 20. Thus, the housing 20 forms a protective space for the printed circuit board 50.

The two parts (not illustrated) of hard rubber are deposited about the parts of hard rubber, thus forming the housing 20.

One part 21 of the housing 20, which is adapted to the front part of the device 10, it is arranged a scratch-safe glass 23 which is adapted to fit over the display 53 of the printed circuit board 50.

The battery 52 (Figure 2) provides the device 10 with the required current. The device can also be arranged for use with rechargeable batteries or external power supply. Figure 2 illustrates a printed circuit board 50 layout. The printed circuit board 50 substantially comprises a battery 52, a display 53, an SPI bus 54, a microprocessor 55 and electrical components (not illustrated), such as resistors and capacitors. Moreover, the Figure illustrates a combined temperature and air humidity sensor 51, which is connected to the printed circuit board 50 in an appropriate manner.

The temperature and air humidity sensor 51 can be replaced by separate temperature and air humidity sensors. The microprocessor 55 controls the information which is shown on the display and calculates the different parameters which are used to calculate the tendering process.

The microprocessor 55 is provided with input values from the temperature and air humidity sensor(s) 51. The microprocessor 55 is arranged with a software program to execute the method described below. The display 53 presents selected information provided from the microprocessor 55, and the display 53 is in addition provided with light, in order to make the information available at dark. The display 53 is preferably a clear and easy-to-understand LCD display. The display light can, for example, be activated by the operating buttons 30 and then glow for a certain period of time.

Referring again to Figure 1a. The device is activated and deactivated by the operating buttons 30, and is arranged to automatically shut down when the counting operations are complete, preferably after a certain period of time. The operating buttons 30 offer the user a possibility to select settings and observe information on the display.

The operating buttons 30 are located above the printed circuit board 50, and when a button is pushed, an electronic circuit is discontinued. Alternatively, domes (not shown) may be arranged directly upon the printed circuit board 50, whereby the domes discontinues a circuit when pressed. In this case, the domes are connected to the circuit board 50.

The device 10 can be adapted to be connected to external temperature and air humidity sensors to provide additional or improved information to an algorithm which executes the monitoring of the tendering time, which is described below. Connection will be performed via a port (not shown) arranged at a suitable position on the printed circuit board 50.

The method is now described in view of Figure 3, which illustrates a flowsheet describing the invention.

When the device 10 is provided with electric current, the device 10 is ready for use. Then, the device 10 can be reset, and settings relevant to the counting process in question with regard to the type of product which is subject to tendering, hanging or storage are provided. The device 10 then initiates the algorithm, which has been loaded into the microprocessor 55 in advance. The algorithm comprises a metering and monitoring cycle 100, indicated by a dotted line in Figure 3. The metering and monitoring cycle 100 controls when measuring of air humidity and temperature are to be preformed, stores/logs values and show the selected information on the display 53.

The metering and monitoring cycle 100 will proceed until the tendering process is complete. When the minded tendering process has been achieved, the monitoring will nevertheless continue until the device is switched off or reset. The first step 110 of the cycle comprises collection of values from temperature and air humidity sensor(s) 51. These values, temperature and air humidity, are sent to the microprocessor 55 for further prosecution, and can be presented on the display 53 by activation, to show the instantaneous temperature and air humidity, among other things.

The following steps show the flowsheet inside the microprocessor. Step 120 of the metering and monitoring cycle 100 includes checking the temperature and air humidity values. If the values are within a specific interval, the values are logged and optionally presented. The following conditions will result in a new check: • too high or low air humidity

• too high or low temperature

• too high or low combination of temperature and air humidity This checking will continue until the device receives a message which states that the values are within the given limits. Then, this will be logged and optionally presented.

Such a check is thus necessary in order to ensure correct and advantageous presentation of data.

If the temperature and air humidity values are within the given interval, the cycle continues to the next step 130. The criteria for this control is met when the values received from the temperature and air humidity sensor(s) is a temperature between 0-40 ⁰C and a relative air humidity between 0-100 % RH ("RH - relative humidity").

The user sets the limits which are going to be used for producing alerts at unfavourable storage conditions. As the user has set these values, the device will give an alert in some manner when temperature/air humidity conditions are too high or too low, e.g. with an audio signal or via the telecommunication network.

However, should the values be outside the specified interval, a signal is sent back to the microprocessor to perform a new metering. A signal like this will thereafter be sent to the display and initiate an alarm in form of a sound signal or another signal, e.g. via the telecommunication network. When the values are within the allowed interval, the metering and monitoring cycle 100 continues to step 130. Step 130 involves inquiry of predetermined reference values, which are stored in the microprocessor 55 in advance. The predetermined values can be ' recommended values obtained by experience or research, which describe the connection between temperature and air humidity for the tendering process at different temperatures and air humidity levels. The reference values, which are shown in Table 1 below, are in this example reference values obtained by experience. With values obtained by experience, it is reasonable to expect that there is no linear connection between the temperature and air humidity influence during the tendering process. Then the table provides an estimated value for the tendering process. The degree of influence by the air humidity and temperature is also dependent of the size of the meat to be metered and different combinations of air humidity and temperature.

Table 1 is only an example of a table, and should not be considered to represent any limitation.

The device in the example is only provided with one set of reference values, as different types of venison have substantially the same degree of influence by temperature and air humidity. Then, the cycle proceeds with step 140 which calculates a value for total hang period/status for the tendering process. The total hang period will be dependent on temperature, relative air humidity and the combination of the same. On basis of a linear scale, the average temperature throughout a 24 hour period is multiplied by the number of days in question. The result is multiplied by a current factor provided from the reference values, e.g. Table 1 , according to the logged temperature and air humidity.

The cycle 100 then continues to step 150 where the values are stored/logged. These values are available to the user by using the operating buttons 30 to operate the menu.

Then, the cycle 100 continues to step 160 where an estimated remaining hang period is calculated. The estimation step is based upon historical values from onset of the logging/monitoring.

The cycle 100 then continues to step 170 which determines whether the hang period has been achieved, i.e. whether the tendering process is complete, which means that the organic material has obtained preferably 40, or another number of day degrees. The user adjusts the desired number of day degrees in the device. The default

(predetermined) value is the rule of thumb of 40 day degrees. The rule of thumb of 40 day degrees is applicable to almost all types of venison.

If the tendering process is complete, a relevant message is sent to the display, and optionally an audio/visual alert is produced, or via the telecommunication network for example. Then, the user may switch off the metering/counting in progress if no other metering/counting activities are in progress.

If the desired hanging period is incomplete, the cycle enters a time delay, step 180, of 5 minutes for example, before it resumes step 110 to 170 until the tendering process is complete. The device is arranged to perform several parallel counting operations at the same time, allowing onset of counting operations at different points in time.

Table 1 Influence by temperature and relative humidity on venison

The table is shown with a temperature row and a relative humidity column. The numbers filled in here will indicate how much the ordinary day degree calculation must be multiplied by, dependent of the temperature and air humidity in question. The table also illustrates some limitations to demonstrate that a table based upon experience it not exact, but a table based upon research is preferred.

Modifications

The device can be provided with a connection option for a PC, e.g. via an USB connection. This communication will enable download of saved/logged data which enables printing, storing. These connection options will also enable production of messages, e.g. alarms or similar to e-mail or similar. The device can be provided with a connection option for connection of external sensors to provide the metering and monitoring cycle with additional or improved information.

The device can be provided with a rechargeable battery, which may be provided with electric current through the USB connection of a PC.

The device can be produced from different materials and in different shapes and dimensions. It can for example be produced from aluminium or similar.

Claims

1. Method for monitoring the tendering process for meat or a similar organic material, particularly venison, whereby the air temperature at the material is metered and compared within an electronic circuit provided with a predetermined time/temperature algorithm, and a remaining value for optimum tendering time/storage period is calculated at the temperature value in question, whereby said remaining value and other values, such as temperature, is shown on a display, characterized in that the method includes the following steps: a) establishing an algorithm for a recommended relationship between relative humidity, temperature and tendering/storage, b) metering of a relative humidity and temperature as input values to the electronic circuit, c) performing a calculation based upon said algorithm with regard to the progress of the tendering process, and finding remaining treatment time, and showing the latter on a display, d) repeating step b) and c) in intervals until the tendering process is completed.

2. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the algorithm includes checking whether the metered relative humidity and temperature values are within a specific interval, said interval being determined by a temperature preferably within an interval of 0-40⁰C and a relative humidity preferably within the interval 0-100% RH, whereby the algorithm proceeds to the next step if the values are within the specified interval, or if not, subjected to a new check.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the algorithm includes production of alerts at values outside the specified interval.

4. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the algorithm includes inquiry of predetermined reference values based upon the average temperature for the last 24 hour period and the air humidity, thus finding a reference value for optimum tendering period, said reference values being based upon a recommended connection between relative humidity, temperature and tendering time.

5. The method of claim 1 and 4, characterized in that said algorithm includes calculation of the total tendering process by multiplying the average temperature for a 24 hour period by the number of days in question, and then multiplying the result with the reference value from the predetermined values.

6. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the calculation of remaining tendering time is based upon historical data from the onset of the logging/metering activity.

7. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the algorithm includes storing/logging of data in a microprocessor.

8. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the algorithm includes production of alerts when the tendering process is complete.

9. A device (10) for performing the method of claim 1, wherein said device (10) includes a protective housing (20), operating buttons (30), fixing means (40) and an electronic circuit, preferably a printed circuit board (50), which substantially includes preferably a battery (52), a display (53), an SPI bus (54), a microprocessor (55) and electronic components, such as resistors and capcitors, and said board (50) being connected with a temperature sensor (51), characterized in that the microprocessor (55) is provided with both temperature and air humidity values as input from a preferably combined temperature and air humidity sensor (51), or from other optional sensors, wherein the microprocessor (55) is provided with a software program to effect reading, processing of the data received, such as the temperature and air humidity values, and present values on the display (53).

10. The device (10) of claim 9, characterized in that the microprocessor (55) is controlled by an algorithm which is programmed to include air humidity as a controlling factor by the monitoring of the tendering process of the organic material, whereby predetermined values for the connection between temperature, air humidity and tendering are loaded into the microprocessor (55) in advance.

11. The device (10) of claim 9, characterized in that the display (53) is an LCD display.

12. The device (10) of claim 9, characterized in that the microprocessor (55) transmits selected information to the display via the SPI bus (54).

13. The device (10) of claim 9, characterized in that the operating buttons (30) are located on the printed circuit board (50), whereby the buttons are arranged to disconnect an electronic circuit when the respective button is depressed.

14. The device of claim 9, characterized in that the device (10) includes means for producing alerts and communicate with external equipment, such as PC and telecommunication networks.