WO2019153031A1

WO2019153031A1 - Improvements relating to dry ageing and shipping of meat

Info

Publication number: WO2019153031A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/051411
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Barrett BURVILL
Original assignee: South Australian Cattle Co. Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-11
Filing date: 2018-12-24
Publication date: 2019-08-15

Abstract

There is disclosed a refrigerated shipping container, comprising a support structure which includes holders arranged at spaced positions in the container interior to hold cuts of meat such that they are exposed to chilled air in the interior, the container being operable to maintain temperature and relative humidity of the air in the container at levels such that the cuts of meat are subjected to a dry ageing process.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO DRY AGEING AND SHIPPING OF MEAT Related Application

The entire content of Australian provisional patent application no. 2018900423, which is entitled Improvements relating to dry ageing and shipping of meat and was filed on 11 February 2018, is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention provides improvements relating to dry ageing and transportation of meat. The invention has particular, though not necessarily exclusive, application to dry ageing of beef.

Background

Dry ageing of meat is a process by which cuts of meat are exposed, typically over a period of one to three months, to chilled air maintained at a sufficiently low relative humidity such that moisture in muscle of the meat evaporates and the exterior thereof dries off, resulting in flavour and taste of the meat being concentrated or saturated, and natural enzymes within the meat break down connective tissue in the muscle whereby the meat is tenderised. There is considerable demand for dry aged meat, particularly dry aged beef, because of the attendant improvements in flavour and texture.

Transporting of dry-aged meat, which is typically beef, in any appreciable quantity is desirably by land and/or sea, rather than by airfreight, the latter being expensive. A drawback of land/sea freighting of dry-aged meat is that the comparatively high duration thereof shortens the shelf life of the meat which remains when the transportation is complete. The remaining shelf life is reduced considerably where the meat is transported over long distances. Typically, the shelf life of the meat, calculated from slaughter, is around four months. Where the meat is dry aged over a period of about 50 days (as is common) and then transported by ship over a similar time period (which is typical where the meat is, for example, shipped from Australia to Scandinavia), the remaining shelf life thereof may be only a few weeks. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerated shipping container, comprising a support structure which includes holders arranged at spaced positions in the container interior to hold cuts of meat such that they are exposed to chilled air in the interior, the container being operable to maintain temperature and relative humidity of the air in the container at levels such that the cuts of meat are subjected to a dry ageing process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerated shipping container, in an interior of which cuts of meat are held for shipping, the container being operable to maintain temperature and relative humidity of chilled air, to which air the cuts are exposed in the interior, at levels such that the cuts are subjected to a dry ageing process during shipping thereof in the container. Preferably, the container comprises a support structure which includes holders arranged at spaced positions in the container interior, wherein the cuts are held by the holders. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support structure configured to be arranged in the interior of a reefer in which temperature and relative humidity of air are maintained, the support structure including holders arranged at spaced positions to hold cuts of meat such that they are exposed to the air and thereby subjected to a dry ageing process in a refrigerated shipping container comprising the reefer and support structure arranged in said interior.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame unit arrangeable in the interior of a reefer in the formation of a shipping container which comprises both the reefer and a support structure including the frame unit, in which container the temperature and relative humidity of air are to be maintained, the frame unit being configured to support holders of the support structure at spaced positions such that cuts of meat held by the holders are exposed to the air and thereby subjected to a dry ageing process.

Preferably, the frame unit includes or is provided with one or more ground-engaging wheels, positioned at a base thereof, via which wheels it can be rolled into the reefer so as to be arranged in said interior. Preferably, said ground-engaging wheels are at spaced positions around the base.

Preferably, the or each wheel is moveable between an extended position, in which it is arranged to engage a floor in the reefer such that the base is suspended above the floor, and a retracted position, in which it permits receipt of the base against the floor.

Preferably, the frame unit includes or is provided with a mechanism operable to effect movement of the or each wheel between the extended and retracted conditions thereof. Preferably, the frame unit includes or is provided with plural said mechanisms each operable to effect the movement of a respective said each wheel between the extended and retracted conditions thereof.

Preferably, the or each mechanism comprises a winch or crank.

Preferably, the or each mechanism is manually operable.

Preferably, the frame unit includes or is provided with one or more jockey wheel assemblies, the or each jockey wheel assembly defining a (respective) said wheel.

Preferably, the frame unit includes or is provided with at least one castor, wherein the or each wheel is defined by a (respective) said castor.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dry ageing and shipping cuts of meat, wherein the cuts of meat, held by the holders of a shipping container according to the first or aspect, are shipped in the container, and the container is operated to maintain the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the container interior at said levels, such that the cuts of meat are subjected to said dry ageing process during the shipping.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shipping comprises shipping by sea. The shipping may, alternatively or additionally, comprise shipping overland, e.g shipping by truck and/or shipping by train.

Preferably the meat is beef. The meat could, however be a different meat, such as pork or lamb.

Preferably, the duration of the shipping is such that dry ageing of the meat is complete at the conclusion of the shipping.

Preferably, the duration of the shipping is approximately equal to the duration of said dry ageing process necessary to dry age the meat.

The container according to preferred embodiments of the invention comprises at least one controller operable or operated such that said levels are established and controlled.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holders comprise prongs and/or hooks configured to penetrate said cuts, or to engage air/moisture-permeable bags in which the cuts are contained, to hold the cuts. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the support structure could comprise, for example, shelving defining the support structure.

Preferably, the support structure comprises spaced apart holder units, each of which is configured with respective ones of said holders. Preferably, the holders with which each holder unit is configured comprise ones which are arranged at spaced positions along the holder unit. Preferably, the holders with which each holder unit is configured comprise ones which are arranged at spaced positions around the holder unit.

Preferably, the support structure comprises hangers configured with said holders.

Preferably, each unit comprises a respective one of said hangers.

Preferably, the support structure comprises racks each of which includes respective ones of said holders arranged at spaced positions therealong and/or therearound. Preferably, each rack is substantially upright such that the holders which that rack includes comprise ones arranged at spaced positions in a direction between the bottom of the container and the top of the container. Preferably, each rack comprises an elongate support along which said respective said holders are arranged. Preferably, the support structure is supported by the floor of the container. Preferably, the floor is configured with outlets which are distributed over the area thereof and open upwardly through the surface of the floor into said interior, the container being operable or operated to supply chilled air to the outlets, and a bottom of the support structure which is received against the floor, such that the support structure is supported by the floor, is open to permit said chilled air to be output through the outlets and to flow directly therefrom to the cuts held by the support structure. Preferably, the outlets comprise parallel slits which open through said surface, each slit extending between opposite ends of the container. Preferably, the support structure comprises an open base defining the bottom of the support structure. The support structure could, conceivably, instead comprise spaced apart legs defining that bottom.

Preferably, said base is skeletal.

Preferably, said support structure comprises a bottom frame defining said base.

Preferably, the support structure comprises a support frame or support framework configured so as to support the holders. Preferably, the holder units are arranged to hang, directly or indirectly, from the support frame or framework. The support structure may comprise rails arranged adjacent to and/or supported from an upper end of the frame or framework and the holder units are configured so as to engage moveably the rails such that they hang from the frame or framework and so as to be movable along the rails. Preferably, the rails are part of the support frame. Preferably, the rails extend lengthways in the interior. The or each holder unit may comprise a trolley configured to engage the rail so as to be able to roll therealong. Alternatively, the unit could be configured to engage the rail slideably to be movable therealong. Preferably, arranging the frame or framework in the reefer comprises moving at least one frame unit from outside the reefer to the interior of the reefer, the frame or framework comprising the frame unit(s).

Preferably, moving the or each frame unit comprises rolling that frame unit into the reefer interior via at least one ground-engaging wheel which that frame unit includes or with which that frame unit is provided.

Preferably, arranging the frame or framework in the reefer includes, after rolling the or each frame unit into the reefer interior, effecting retraction of the wheel(s) which that frame unit includes or with which that frame unit is provided, relative to a base of that frame unit, such that that base is received against a floor in the reefer interior.

Preferably, arranging the frame or framework in the reefer comprises moving each of plural said frame units from outside the reefer to the interior of the reefer.

Preferably, the holder units and/or the frame units are modular.

Preferably, the frame units are moved so as to be arranged end-to-end in the interior along a length axis of the reefer.

Preferably, arranging the frame or framework in the reefer includes effecting load transferring abutment between adjacent ends of the end-to-end units.

Preferably, arranging the frame or framework in the reefer includes interconnecting adjacent ends of the end-to-end units.

Preferably, the method is such that respective said cuts are held by ones of the holders supported from the frame unit(s) during the moving thereof.

Preferably, the shipping container/a said controller thereof is operable or operated such that said temperature level is slightly above 0°C. More preferably, the shipping container/a said controller thereof is operable or operated such that said level is about l°C to about 2°C.

Preferably, the shipping container/a said controller thereof is operable or operated such that said temperature level is operable such that said relative humidity level is between about 65% relative humidity and about 80% relative humidity. More preferably, the shipping container/a said controller thereof is operable such that said temperature level is operable or operated such that said relative humidity level is between about 70% relative humidity and about 75% relative humidity.

The container may include an intake operable or operated to draw thereinto, or otherwise receive, to supplement air therein, air from another source (e.g. atmospheric air or air from a tank), e.g. so as to replenish, or maintain at or above an appropriate level, oxygen in the air, in which case it may further include a filter and/or purifier arranged to treat (filter and/or purify, respectively) the air from the other source upstream of an output via which it is introduced into the system.

The container may be configured with appropriate valving operable to open when upon air pressure in the interior decreasing to a certain minimum or increasing to a certain maximum.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing or forming a said shipping container, comprising arranging said support structure in an interior of a reefer which is operable to establish and maintain said levels in that interior, thereby forming said container.

Preferably, the manufacturing or forming method comprises accessing the reefer interior through an open end thereof to arrange said support structure therein.

Arranging the support structure in the interior of the reefer may comprise installing and/or positioning said support frame in the reefer interior. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the shipping container formed or manufactured via the method of the sixth aspect.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the humidity controller comprises a dehumidifier.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for forming a support structure in a reefer, whereby the reefer and support structure define a said refrigerated shipping container, the system comprising one or more said frame units and including said holders.

Preferably, the system comprises plural said frame units.

Preferably, the frame units are modular. Preferably, the frame units are releasably interconnectable to form the support frame or framework.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holder units are engageable with the frame unit(s) such that the holders are supported from the frame or framework. Preferably, the holder units are releasably engageable with the frame unit(s). According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising at least one said frame unit and said holders, supported by the frame unit(s) at spaced positions.

In the assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said frame units are interconnected end-to-end. The assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes said cuts of meat, held by the holders.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of loading a reefer with meat for transportation, comprising moving at least one said assembly into the reefer. Preferably, the method includes interconnecting the frame units of said assemblies end-to-end in the interior of the reefer.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of unloading meat from a reefer, wherein the meat comprises cuts of meat held by the holders of at least one said assembly, the method comprising moving the or each assembly out of the reefer. Preferably, the method includes effecting disconnection of end-to-end interconnected said frame units and whereby the assemblies are moved out of the reefer one-by-one.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided said support frame or framework for installation and/or positioning in the reefer interior. The frame or framework may include or be provided with said rails. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a said holder unit for use in said container. - Si -

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided said meat which is dry aged or has been subjected to a dry-ageing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view a refrigerated shipping container embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support frame of an interior support structure of the shipping container according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the frame inside the reefer;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing one of plural holder units of the support structure configured to be releasably mounted to the support frame at spaced positions;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one of plural rails of the support structure and upper ends of respective ones of the holder units, including respective trolleys of the holder units engaged with the rail;

Figure 6 shows cuts of meat held by the holder units shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 5 and shows the cuts of meat being held by the holders in an alternative manner without departure from the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the support frame of a support structure of a container according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the support frame shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the support frame shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an end elevation view of the support frame shown in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a frame unit of which the support frame of the support structure of a container in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised;

Figure 13 is an end elevation view the frame unit; Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the frame unit;

Figure 15 is a top view of the frame unit;

Figure 16 is a view of section 10-10 marked in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising the frame unit and hangers releasably connected, at upper ends thereof, to the frame unit so as to be mounted to the frame unit at spaced positions;

Figure 18 is an end elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a side elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 17 and cuts of meat held by ones of the holder units;

Figure 20 is a perspective view showing one of plural wheel assemblies of the frame unit wherein a wheel of that assembly is in a retracted position;

Figure 21 is a pair of side elevation views of the wheel assembly showing the wheel in the retracted position and an extended position;

Figure 22 shows the assembly of Figure 17 resting on the floor of the reefer in the interior thereof, adjacent a rear end of the reefer; Figure 23 is a perspective view showing the wheel assembly of Figure 20 and the position of the wheel of that assembly relative to a base of the frame unit and the floor with the wheel in its retracted position;

Figures 24 and 25 are perspective and side elevation views, respectively, showing rolling of the frame unit into the reefer through an open end thereof; Figures 26 and 27 are perspective and side elevation views, respectively, showing final positioning of the frame unit, in one half of the interior of the reefer, after it is rolled into the reefer and over the floor therein;

Figures 28 and 29 are perspective and side elevation views, respectively, showing rolling of a further frame unit into the reefer, through the open end thereof;

Figures 30 and 31 are perspective views showing the manner in which the frame units are end-to-end interconnectable within the reefer whereby the support frame of the container of the third embodiment is defined;

Figures 32 and 33 are perspective and side elevation views respectively, showing the final positioning of the further frame unit, in the other half of the interior of the reefer, after it is rolled into the reefer and over the floor therein; and

Figure 34 is a perspective view showing details of the reefer floor.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Shown in Figure 1 is a refrigerated shipping container 1/171”, for storing and transporting cuts of meat, in the present case beef, according to a first/second/third embodiment of the present invention. The container 1/171” is an intermodal shipping container compliant with relevant national and international standards, including as prescribed by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and Standards Australia, which include IS06346 and AS4696:2007 (Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption), respectively.

The container 1/171” comprises a 22R1 ISO code 20-foot reefer 2, which includes doors 3, at a front end thereof, and an air treatment and recirculation system 4 operable to draw air from the container interior, cool the drawn air, and output the cooled air into the interior, the air thus being recirculated. The reefer could have different dimensions without departure from the invention; for example, it could instead comprise an ISO 40-foot reefer.

The system 4 comprises a refrigeration apparatus 5, including a compressor, condenser, evaporator and expander arranged at the rear end of the container, at least one air inlet 6 which opens into an upper part of the container interior at/adjacent the container end, at least one air outlet 7 which opens into a lower part of the interior at/adjacent the rear end, a suitable air pumping arrangement (comprising, for example, one or more fans and/or blowers) to effect intake of the air through the inlet(s) and output of the air through the outlet(s), and a motor operable to drive the compressor/pump(s). The apparatus 5 is of a conventional kind. The system 4 includes an electrical connector 8, arranged to receive a corresponding connector of a power supply on the vehicle (e.g. ship, train, truck) on which it is to be carried, such as a three-phase four-pin, 32A (per phase) plug, whereby the motor is powered to drive the system 4. The container 1/171” may include a generator operable to drive the motor/power the system in the event of a failure of the power supply. Without departure from the invention, the motor could instead be fuel-driven and the container provided, if appropriate, with an onboard tank to hold the fuel and supply it to the motor.

The container 1/171” includes temperature 9 and humidity 10 sensors and the system 4 includes, downstream of the inlet(s) 6 and upstream of the outlet(s) 7, a dehumidifier 11 operable to extract moisture from the air, and a controller configured to control the refrigeration apparatus 6 and dehumidifier 11, based on measurements taken by the sensors 9 and 10, such that the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the container interior are maintained. The system 4 also includes user-operable controls 12 via which the relative humidity and temperature can be set and adjusted, and a display 13 arranged to provide a visual indication of the relative humidity and temperature as well as visual indications of settings thereof input via the controls.

The system 4 can in particular be operated so as to establish and maintain in the container interior an air temperature slightly above 0°C, more particularly about l°C to 2°C, and relative humidity between about 65% and about 80%, more particularly about 70% to about 75%. Advantageously, cuts of meat thus undergo dry ageing while in transit in the container 1/171”. Owing the transit and dry ageing process being simultaneous, rather than successive, the remaining shelf life of the meat upon arrival thereof at its destination is increased according to the transit duration.

The reefer 2 includes at least one vent 14 which is openable to provide air venting between the reefer interior and atmosphere. The container 1/171” includes, within the reefer 2, a support structure from which cuts of meat are to be supported.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 5, in the container 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, support structure 20 includes a support frame 21 which stands on a floor 30 of the reefer 2 (see Figure 34) and extends throughout much of the volume of the interior (as will be clear from Figure 3). The support frame 21 includes a bottom frame 21 A secured (releasably or permanently) to the floor 30, the bottom frame 21 A defining a base of the support structure 20 or frame 21 and extending over much of the floor area, a top frame 2 IB arranged adjacent a ceiling of the reefer 2 and underlying much of the area of the ceiling, uprights 23 arranged around the periphery of the structure and interconnecting the bottom frame 21 A and top frame 2 IB, and diagonal braces 24 extending between adjacent ones of the uprights 23 on either side of the support structure.

The bottom frame 21 A comprises cross members 21AA and axially extending members 21AB extending between adjacent ones of the cross members 21 A, defining an open bottom of the support structure 20/frame 21 permitting chilled air to be released from the floor 30 and to flow unobstructed to cuts of meat hung from the support structure 20/frame 21, as described further below.

Referring to Figure 3, the top frame 21B comprises cross-beams 22AA, each extending between opposed ones of the uprights 23 to either side of the frame 21 at a respective end thereof, and parallel beams 22AB each extending lengthways from one of the cross-beams 22AA to the other.

The support structure 20 or frame 21 includes rails 25, each of which is arranged below and extends parallel to a respective one of the beams 22AB, and brackets 26 which connect the rails 25 to the respective beams 22AB such that each rail 25 is supported from the respective beam 22 AB, each bracket 26 having a C- shaped configuration defining upper and lower ends thereof. Respective ones of the brackets 26 are spaced along each beam 22AB and fixed at their upper ends to that beam and at their lower ends to the rail 25 below an upper edge of the rail 25, such that the rail 25 is directly below the beam 22AB. Referring to Figures 1 and 4, the support structure further includes holder units 40 (only one of which is shown in Figure 3, for clarity), which are releasably mounted to the frame 21, each unit comprising a hanger which takes the form of a rack 41, having an elongate support member 42 and holders 43 arranged at spaced apart positions along and around the member 42, the member 42 defining a stem and the holders 43 defining branches extending outwardly from the stem. Each holder 43 takes the form of a prong and/or hook configured to hold, referring to Figure 6, a respective cut 60 or plurality of cuts 60 of meat, either by penetrating into or through the cut(s) as shown in Figure 6, or by, as shown in Figure 7, engaging a bag 65 which contains the cut(s) and is permeable to permit moisture to evaporate from the cut(s) and pass therethrough. Each holder unit 40 further comprises a trolley 44 which includes a wheel 44A received on the upper edge of a given one of the rails 25 and configured with flanges 44AA, to either side thereof, which laterally retain the wheel 44 A to the edge on which it is received, and a connector 44B, such as a hook, which releasably connects to a corresponding connector at a proximal or upper end of the member 42, such as an aperture or eye 42A which receives the hook, whereby the rack 41 is suspended from the rail 25 via the trolley 44 and can thus be moved along that rail. In the loading of the container 1 of the first embodiment with the cuts 60, units 40, with the holders 43 thereof holding respective cuts 60, can be successively mounted to each rail 25 at an end thereof adjacent the door(s) 3/container front end and moved along that rail so as to be appropriately spaced. In the unloading of the (by that stage dry aged) cuts 60 at their destination, the holder units 40 can successively be moved along the rail 25 to that end and dismounted therefrom.

Referring to Figures 8 to 11, in the container 1’ according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, support structure 20’ includes a support frame 21’, which stands on floor 30 of the reefer and has substantially the same length, width and height dimensions as the frame 21, thereby likewise extending throughout much of the volume of the interior. The support frame 21’ includes a bottom frame 21 A’ secured (releasably or permanently) to the floor 30, the bottom frame 21 A’ defining a base of the support structure 20’ or frame 21’ and extending over much of the floor area, a top frame 2 IB’ arranged adjacent a ceiling of the reefer 2 and underlying much of the area of the ceiling, uprights 23’ arranged around the periphery of the structure and interconnecting the bottom frame 21 A’ and top frame 21B’, and diagonal braces 24’ extending between adjacent ones of the uprights 23’ on either side of the support structure.

The bottom frame 21 A’ comprises cross members 21AA’ and axially extending members 21AB’ extending between adjacent ones of the cross members 21A’, defining an open bottom of the support structure 207frame 21’ permitting chilled air to be released from the floor 30 and to flow unobstructed to cuts of meat hung from the support structure 20/frame 21, as described further below.

The top frame 21B’ comprises cross-beams 22AA’, each extending between opposed ones of the uprights 23’ to either side of the frame 21’ at a respective end thereof, and parallel beams 22AB’ each extending lengthways from one of the cross-beams 22AA’ to the other.

The frame 21’ includes lifting lugs 28 attached to ones of the uprights 23’, as can best be seen in Figures 8 and 10, via which lugs the frame 21’/support structure 20’ can be lifted by crane. The frame 21 in the first embodiment may likewise include lugs 28, attached to ones of the uprights 23 thereof , via which lugs the frame 2l/support structure 20 can be lifted by crane.

The support structure 20’ includes holder units 40’ (only one of which is shown in Figure 8, for clarity), which are releasably mounted to the frame 21’. In the container 1’, the holder units 40’ do not include trolleys 44 and the frame 21’, correspondingly does not include/is not provided with rails 25 or brackets 26. Instead, the frame 21’ includes/is provided with connectors 44B’, such as hooks, attached to the beams 22 AB’ at spaced positions therealong, each of which releasably connects to a respective corresponding connector at a proximal or upper end of the member 42, such as an aperture or eye 42A which receives the hook, whereby the rack 41 is suspended from the beam 22AB’ via the hook.

In this embodiment, the holders 43 of the holder units 40’ hold the cuts 60 of meat in exactly the same manner as the holders of the holder units 40 - either by penetrating into or through the cut(s) 60, as shown in Figure 6, or by engaging a bag 65 which contains the cut(s) 60 and is permeable to permit moisture to evaporate from the cut(s) 60 and pass therethrough, as shown in Figure 7. In the loading of the container G with the cuts 60, units 40’, with the holders 43 thereof holding respective cuts 60, can be mounted to the beams via respective connectors 44B’ within the reefer 2. In the unloading of the (by that stage dry aged) cuts 60 at their destination, the connectors 44B’ can be disconnected from connectors 42A such that units 40’ are dismounted from the beams 22AB’.

Referring to Figure 32, in the container 1” according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention, support structure 20” includes a support frame 21”, comprising releasably interconnected frame units 50, in the form of modules, standing on the floor 30 of the reefer 2 and extending throughout much of the volume of the interior. The support structure 20” includes holder units 40’ (not all of which are shown throughout the drawings, for clarity), which are releasably mounted to the frame 21’ and the frame 21” includes/is provided with connectors 44B’, such as hooks, attached to the beams 22AB” at spaced positions therealong, each of which releasably connects to a respective corresponding connector at a proximal or upper end of the member 42, such as an aperture or eye 42A which receives the hook, whereby the rack 41 is suspended from the beam 22AB’ via the hook.

Referring also to Figures 12 to 16, each frame unit 50 comprises a frame structure 50A comprising a lower or bottom frame 51 which is received against the floor 30, an upper or top frame 52 arranged adjacent a ceiling of the reefer 2, uprights 53 arranged around the periphery of the unit 50 and interconnecting the lower frame 51 and upper frame 52 thereof, and diagonal braces 54 extending between adjacent ones of the uprights 53 on either side of the unit 50. The frame structure 50A includes lifting lugs 28 attached to ones of the uprights 53, via which lugs the frame unit 50/frame 2l”/support structure 20” can be lifted by crane.

Each unit 50 further comprises wheel assemblies 57 each of which, referring to Figures 20 and 21 comprises a support member 57A, secured to a respective one of the uprights 53 via a bracket 58, a castor 57 B coupled to the support member 57 A at a lower end of that support, and an adjustment mechanism, including a crank member 57C, operable to raise or lower the castor 57B relative to the lower frame 51. In the present embodiment, each wheel assembly 57 is defined by a jockey wheel, in which the support member 57A is defined by a sleeve, at a top end of which is arranged the crank member 57C and through which the adjustment mechanism extends. Other adjustable wheel assemblies, e.g. powered jockey wheels (such as hydraulically or pneumatically powered jockey wheels) or alternatives to jockey wheels may be substituted for the assemblies 57 without departure from the invention.

Referring also to Figure 33, the lower frames 51 of the interconnected units 50 define a base of the support structure 20” and a bottom frame 21 A” of the frame 21”, the base/bottom frame 21 A extending over much of the floor area. The upper frames 52 of those units define a top frame 21B” of the structure 20/frame 21 arranged adjacent a ceiling of the reefer 2 and underlying much of the area of the ceiling.

Each bottom frame 51 comprises cross members 51 A, each extending between lower ends of the uprights 53 at a respective end of the module 50, and axially extending members 51B extending between the cross members 51 A, defining an open bottom permitting chilled air to be released from the floor 30 and to flow unobstructed to cuts of meat held by the holder units, as described further below.

The upper frame 52 in each unit 50 comprises cross-beams 52A, each extending between upper ends of the uprights 53 at a respective end of the module 50, and axially extending beams 52B extending from one of the cross-beams 52A to the other.

Referring to Figures 30 and 31, adjacent ends of the units 50, each comprising ones of the uprights 53 and one of the cross members 52A of the upper frame 52 of the respective unit, are arranged so as to abut and are configured with aligning holes 55 through which respective fasteners 56 are received to secure the units 50 together, each fastener 56 comprising a bolt 56A and a nut 56B screwed onto the bold leading end. The units 50 may be provided with alternative releasable connectors without departure from the invention.

Advantageously, arranging of the support structure 20” in the reefer 2 is facilitated as a result of the support frame 21” comprising interconnectable units 50, and by operation of the wheel assemblies 57, as will be apparent from the following description of a method of loading the reefer 2 with the support structure 20” (including support frame 21”) and cuts of meat 60.

The wheels 57B of the first unit 50 to be moved into the reefer 60 are placed into their extended positions by operation of the respective members 57C, whereby the frame structure 50A of the frame unit 50 is jacked up and the lower frame/base 51 thereof is clear of the ground/floor. The frame unit 50, with the base 51 thus suspended, is pushed and/or pulled so as to be rolled, via the wheels 58B thereof, over the floor/ground surface and into the front end of the reefer 2 (which has been opened by opening the door(s) 3 thereof), as shown in Figures 24 and 25. Movement of the first unit 50 continues over the floor 30 within the reefer 2, such that the unit 50 is positioned as shown in Figures 26 and 27. Thereafter, the second unit 50, with the wheels 57 thereof likewise in their extended positions whereby the frame structure 50A/base 51 of the unit 50 is raised, is moved - i.e. likewise pushed and/or pulled such that it rolls over the floor/ground surface - into the open end of the reefer 2 and over the floor 30 therein so as to occupy the position shown in Figures 32 and 33, being such that axially inner ends of the units 50 lie adjacent each other. Those adjacent ends are then interconnected, via bolts 56A (received through respective pairs of aligned holes 55) and associated nuts 56B, as outlined above with reference to Figures 30 and 31.

The wheels 57 of each of the units 55, following positioning of the latter in the reefer 2, are raised relative to the base 51/frame structure 50A of that unit, whereby the frame structure 50A is lowered such that the base 51 thereof is received against floor 30. This movement of the wheels in their retracted positions is preferably subsequent to interconnection of the units 50 via the bolts 56A and nuts 56B, so that the wheels 57 can be utilised for final relative positioning of the units 50, including to bring the holes 55 of the respective hole pairs into alignment. That said, the positioning of the wheels in their retracted positions may be prior to the interconnection. Once the wheels 57 of a given unit 50 are in their retracted positions, friction between the base 51 and floor 30 inhibits, and may preclude, movement of the frame unit 50 over the floor 30.

In the method illustrated with reference to Figures 24 to 33, the holder units 40’ have not been connected to the connectors 44B’. However, in variant of that method, which variant also embodies the invention, the holder units 40’ may be so connected prior to movement of the respective frame unit 50 into the reefer 2, whereby, instead of each unit 50 on its own being moved into the reefer 2 (and the respective holder units 40’ thereafter being connected to it, within the interior of the reefer 2), an assembly 70, comprising the unit 50 and respective holder units 40’ connected to it to be supported therefrom, is moved into the reefer 2. In another variant which also embodies the invention, cuts 60 are applied to the pre-connected/mounted holder units 40’, so as to be held thereby in the manner outlined above, whereby the assembly 70 further comprises those cuts.

Advantageously, the frame units 50, owing the wheel assemblies 57 thereof, can be arranged in the reefer 2 with relative ease, and without the use of a forklift or other load carrying vehicle or apparatus, which may be difficult or impossible to manoeuvre into the reefer interior. The arranging of the support frame 21” in the reefer 2 is facilitated by the provision of the interconnectable units or modules 50, which are moved into the reefer 2 one-by-one - each albeit possibly as part of assembly 70 - and are thus smaller and lighter and therefore easier to handle than a support structure in which the support frame occupies much of the reefer interior, as shown in the drawings, and is not separable.

In another embodiment of the invention, the support frame may consist solely of one said frame unit 50, whereby the support structure consists solely of the frame unit and the holder units 40’ connected thereto.

Implementation of the invention can be optimised where the transit duration is about equal to the time required to dry age the cuts in the temperature and relative humidity conditions established and maintained in the container 1/171”.

The support structure in each embodiment is corrosion-resistant. To this end, the frames 21/2G/2G751 and holder units are formed from stainless steel. The support frame and holder units can, however, be formed from different materials without departure from the invention.

The floor 30 (in each embodiment), referring to Figures 22, 23 and 34, is consistent with that of a conventional reefer. It comprises parallel elongate sections 31 each having an upright web 31A and a flange 31B at an upper end of, and extending perpendicular to, the web 31 A, so as to have a T-shaped cross sectional configuration, whereby defined between the webs of the sections in each of successive pairs of adjacent sections is a respective passage 33 into an open end (not shown) of which chilled air from the aforementioned outlet(s) is received and through/along which the chilled air flows, and defined between the flanges of those sections is a respective upwardly opening outlet 35 through which chilled air which is flowing through the passage 33 can be discharged, thus being released from the floor as mentioned above. The passage open ends which receive the chilled air are (in each embodiment) arranged adjacent the rear end of the reefer/container, such that the path of chilled air thereto from the system 4 is short. The other ends of the passages 33, adjacent the front end of the container (in each embodiment), open into an upwardly opening recess which extends the width of the floor 30, whereby chilled air not discharged through the elongate outlets 35 exits the passages 33 through those upper ends and is discharged through the recess 38 into the container interior.

Owing to the configuration of the support structure in each embodiment, the cuts 60 can be appropriately spaced within and distributed throughout the container interior and the chilled air can be distributed throughout the interior and flow reliably past the surfaces of the cuts 60 to carry from them evaporated moisture (thence extracted by the dehumidifier), promoting efficient dry ageing, the vent(s) 14 being kept closed for most, if not all, of the transit duration to restrict or substantially eliminate humidification of the reefer interior atmosphere by outside air.

Advantageously, the inventor has found that commercially available reefers, which incorporate system 4 (including the dehumidifier 11 thereof) and may be specifically designed to transport plant matter such as flowers and fruit, are suitable for use as the reefer 2 in the preferred embodiments of the invention, whereby the container 1/171” can be assembled easily and quickly - by installing/arranging the support structure in the interior of the reefer 2. Examples of such suitable reefers include Maersk MSKU reefers and Siid SUDU reefers. Although the container 1/171” in each embodiment, as is clear from the foregoing and drawings, is operable to recirculate air therein, it may include an intake operable to draw thereinto, or otherwise receive, air from another source (e.g. atmospheric air or air from a tank) to supplement the air being recirculated therein, e.g. so as to replenish, or maintain at or above an appropriate level, oxygen in the air, in which case it may further include a filter and/or purifier arranged to treat (filter and/or purify) the air from the other source upstream of an output via which it is introduced into the container interior and/or system 4.

The container 1/171” in each embodiment may also be configured with appropriate valving operable to open when upon air pressure in the interior decreasing to a certain minimum or increasing to a certain maximum as known to persons skilled in the art. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A refrigerated shipping container, comprising a support structure which includes holders arranged at spaced positions in the container interior to hold cuts of meat such that they are exposed to chilled air in the interior, the container being operable to maintain temperature and relative humidity of the air in the container at levels such that the cuts of meat are subjected to a dry ageing process.

2. A refrigerated shipping container, in an interior of which cuts of meat are held for shipping, the container being operable to maintain temperature and relative humidity of chilled air, to which air the cuts are exposed in the interior, at levels such that the cuts are subjected to a dry ageing process during shipping thereof in the container.

3. A shipping container to claim 2, wherein the meat is beef.

4. A shipping container according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a support structure which includes holders arranged at spaced positions in the container interior, wherein the cuts are held by the holders.

5. A shipping container according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the holders comprise prongs and/or hooks configured to penetrate said cuts, or to engage air/moisture-permeable bags in which the cuts are contained, to hold the cuts.

6. A shipping container according to claim 1, 4 or 5, wherein the support structure comprises spaced apart holder units, each of which is configured with respective ones of said holders.

7. A shipping container according to claim 6, wherein the holders with which each holder unit is configured comprise ones which are arranged at spaced positions along the holder unit.

8. A shipping container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the holders with which each holder unit is configured comprise ones which are arranged at spaced positions around the holder unit.

9. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure comprises hangers configured with said holders.

10. A shipping container according to claims 6 and 9, wherein each unit comprises a respective one of the hangers.

11. A shipping container according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 10, wherein the support structure comprises racks each of which includes respective ones of said holders arranged at spaced positions therealong and/or therearound.

12. A shipping container according to claim 11, wherein each rack is substantially upright such that the holders which that rack includes comprise ones arranged at spaced positions in a direction between the bottom of the container and the top of the container.

13. A shipping container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each rack comprises an elongate support along which said respective said holders are arranged.

14. A shipping container according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 13, wherein the support structure is supported by the floor of the container.

15. A shipping container according to claim 14, wherein the floor is configured with outlets which are distributed over the area thereof and open upwardly through the surface of the floor into said interior, the container being operable to supply chilled air to the outlets, and wherein a bottom of the support structure which is received against the floor, such that the support structure is supported by the floor, is open to permit said chilled air to be output through the outlets and to flow directly therefrom to the cuts held by the support structure.

16. A shipping container according to claim 15, wherein the outlets comprise parallel slits which open through said surface, each slit extending between opposite ends of the container.

17. A shipping container according to 15 or 16, wherein the support structure comprises an open base defining said bottom.

18. A shipping container according to claim 17, wherein said base is skeletal.

19. A shipping container according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said support structure comprises a bottom frame defining said base.

20. A shipping container according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 19, wherein the support structure comprises a support frame or support framework configured so as to support the holders.

21. A shipping container according to claims 6 and 20, wherein the holder units are arranged to hang from the frame or framework.

22. A shipping container according to claim 21, wherein the support structure comprises rails arranged adjacent and/or supported from an upper end of the frame or framework and the holder units are configured so as to engage moveably the rails such that they hang from the frame or framework and so as to be movable parallel to the rails.

23. A shipping container according to claim 22, wherein the rails extend lengthways in the interior.

24. A shipping container according to claim 22 or 23, wherein each holder unit comprises a trolley configured to engage the rail so as to be able to roll therealong.

25. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a temperature controller operable to maintain said temperature at slightly above 0°C.

26. A shipping container according to claim 25, wherein the temperature controller is operable to maintain said temperature at about l°C to about 2°C.

27. A shipping container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a humidity controller operable to maintain relative humidity of the air in the container.

28. A shipping container according to claim 27, wherein said humidity controller is operable to maintain said relative humidity at between about 65% and about 80%.

29. A shipping container according to claim 27, wherein the said controller is operable to maintain said relative humidity at between about 70% and about 75%.

30. A method of dry ageing and shipping cuts of meat, wherein the cuts of meat, held in the interior of a shipping container according to any one of claims 2 to 4 or any one of claims 5 to 29 as appended thereto, are shipped in the container, and the container is operated to maintain the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the container at said levels, such that the cuts of meat are subjected to said dry ageing process, during the shipping.

31. A method of dry ageing and shipping cuts of meat, wherein the cuts of meat, held by the holders of a shipping container according to claim 1 or any one of claims 5 to 29 as appended thereto, are shipped in the container, and the container is operated to maintain the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the container at said levels, such that the cuts of meat are subjected to said dry ageing process, during the shipping.

32. A method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the meat is beef.

33. A method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the duration of the shipping is such that dry ageing of the meat is complete at the conclusion of the shipping.

34. A method according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the duration of the shipping is matched to the duration of said dry ageing process necessary to dry age the meat.

35. A method of forming a shipping container according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 29, comprising arranging said support structure in an interior of a reefer which is operable to establish and maintain said levels in that interior.

36. A method according to claim 35, comprising accessing the reefer interior through an open end thereof to arrange said support structure therein.

37. A method according to claim 35 or 36, being such that the shipping container formed thereby accords with claim 20 or any one of claims 21 to 29 as dependent therefrom, the method comprising installing and/or positioning said frame or framework in the reefer interior.

38. A method according to claim 35 or 36, being such that the shipping container formed thereby accords with claim 20 or any one of claims 21 to 29 as dependent therefrom, wherein arranging the frame or framework in the reefer comprises moving at least one frame unit from outside the reefer to the interior of the reefer, the frame or framework comprising the frame unit(s).

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein moving the or each frame unit comprises rolling that frame unit into the reefer interior via at least one ground-engaging wheel which that frame unit includes or with which that frame unit is provided.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein arranging the frame or framework in the reefer includes, after rolling the or each frame unit into the reefer interior, effecting retraction of the wheel(s) which that frame unit includes or with which that frame unit is provided, relative to a base of that frame unit, such that that base is received against a floor in the reefer interior.

41. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein arranging the frame or framework in the reefer comprises moving each of plural said frame units from outside the reefer to the interior of the reefer.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the units are modular.

43. A method according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the frame units are moved so as to be arranged end-to-end in the interior along a length axis of the reefer.

44. A method according to claim 43, wherein arranging the frame or framework in the reefer includes effecting load-transferring abutment between adjacent ends of the end-to- end units.

45. A method according to claim 43 or 44, wherein arranging the frame or framework in the reefer includes interconnecting adjacent ends of the end-to-end units.

46. A method according to any one of claims 38 to 45, being such that the shipping container formed thereby further accords with claim 4, wherein respective said cuts are held by ones of the holders supported from the frame unit(s) during the moving thereof.

47. The frame or framework for installation and/or positioning in the reefer interior in accordance with a method according to claim 37.

48. A frame or framework according to claim 47, including or provided with said rails of the container of claim 22 or any one of claims 23 to 29 as appended thereto.

49. A said frame unit moveable into the reefer in a method according to any one of claims 38 to 46, the frame unit being dimensioned such that it can be introduced through an open end of the reefer during the moving thereof.

50. A frame unit according to claim 49, wherein the holders thereof hold respective said cuts of meat.

51. A support structure configured to be arranged in the interior of a reefer in which temperature and relative humidity of air are maintained, the support structure including holders arranged at spaced positions to hold cuts of meat such that they are exposed to the air and thereby subjected to a dry ageing process in a refrigerated shipping container comprising the reefer and support structure arranged in said interior.

52. A frame unit arrangeable in the interior of a reefer in the formation of a shipping container which comprises both the reefer and a support structure including the frame unit, in which container the temperature and relative humidity of air are to be maintained, the frame unit being configured to support holders of the support structure at spaced positions such that cuts of meat held by the holders are exposed to the air and thereby subjected to a dry ageing process.

53. A frame unit according to claim 52, including or provided one or more ground-engaging wheels, positioned at a base thereof, via which wheels it can be rolled into the reefer so as to be arranged in said interior.

54. A frame unit according to claim 53, wherein said ground-engaging wheels are at spaced positions around the base.

55. A frame unit according to claim 53 or 543, wherein the or each wheel is moveable between an extended position, in which it is arranged to engage a floor in the reefer such that the base is suspended above the floor, and a retracted position, in which it permits receipt of the base against the floor.

56. A frame unit according to claim 55, including or provided with a mechanism operable to effect movement of the or each wheel between the extended and retracted conditions thereof.

57. A frame unit according to claim 56 as appended to claim 55, comprising plural said mechanisms each operable to effect the movement of a respective said each wheel between the extended and retracted conditions thereof.

58. A frame unit according to claim 56 or 57, wherein the or each mechanism comprises a winch or crank.

59. A frame unit according to any one of claims 56 to 58, wherein the or each mechanism is manually operable.

60. A frame unit according to any one of claims 56 to 59, including or provided with one or more jockey wheel assemblies, the or each jockey wheel assembly defining a (respective) said wheel.

61. A frame unit according to any one of claims 52 to 60, including or provided with at least one castor, wherein the or each wheel is defined by a (respective) said castor.

62. A system for forming a support structure in a reefer, whereby the reefer and support structure define a refrigerated shipping container in which the temperature and relative humidity of air are to be maintained, the system comprising one or more frame units according to any one of claims 49, 50 and 51 to 61 and including said holders.

63. A system according to claim 62, comprising plural said frame units.

64. A system according to claim 63, wherein the frame units are modular.

65. A system according to claim 64, wherein the frame units are releasably interconnectable to form the support frame or framework.

66. A system according to any one of claims 62 to 65, being such that the shipping container accords with any one of claims 1 to 29.

67. A system according to claim 66, being such that the shipping container accords with claim 6 and including said holder units, wherein the holder units are engageable with the frame unit(s) such that the holders are supported from the frame or framework.

68. A system according to claim 67, wherein the holder units are releasably engageable with the frame unit(s).

69. An assembly comprising:

at least one frame unit according to any one of claims 51 to 61; and

said holders, supported by the frame unit(s) at spaced positions.

70. An assembly according to claim 69, wherein said frame units are interconnected end-to-end.

71. An assembly according to claim 69 or 70, further comprising said cuts of meat, wherein the cuts are held by the holders.

72. A support structure according to claim 50, further comprising one or more frame units according to any one of claims 51 to 61.

73. A said holder unit for use in a shipping container according to claim 6 or any one of claims 7 to 29 as dependent therefrom.

74. Meat dry aged or which has been subjected to a dry ageing process via a method according to any one of claims 30 to 34.

75. A method of loading a reefer with meat for transportation, comprising moving at least one assembly according to claim 70 into the reefer.

76. A method according to claim 75, including interconnecting the frame units of said assemblies end-to-end in the interior of the reefer.

77. A method of unloading meat from a reefer, wherein the meat comprises cuts of meat held by the holders of at least one assembly according to claim 71, the method comprising moving the or each assembly out of the reefer.

78. A method according to claim 77, including effecting disconnection of end-to-end interconnected said frame units and whereby the assemblies are moved out of the reefer one-by-one.

79. The shipping container formed by a method according to any one of claims 35 to 46.