WO2019207607A1 - System and method for freezing and packing food items - Google Patents

System and method for freezing and packing food items Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019207607A1
WO2019207607A1 PCT/IS2019/050004 IS2019050004W WO2019207607A1 WO 2019207607 A1 WO2019207607 A1 WO 2019207607A1 IS 2019050004 W IS2019050004 W IS 2019050004W WO 2019207607 A1 WO2019207607 A1 WO 2019207607A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tray
food items
freezing
fish
packing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IS2019/050004
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ingolfur Arnason
Original Assignee
Skaginn Hf.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Skaginn Hf. filed Critical Skaginn Hf.
Publication of WO2019207607A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019207607A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/001—Plate freezers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/36—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23L3/361—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus, with or without shaping, e.g. in form of powder, granules, or flakes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D13/00—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms
    • F25D13/06—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for freezing food items and for managing packing and storing of the frozen food items in a manner which prevents damaging of the food items and provides optimal packing based on needs.
  • EP 2083234 discloses a vertical freezer system where automated in- and out feeding of fish in large trays replacing manual loading and off- loading, where large trays slide between the freezing plates of the freezer.
  • GB 1496101 discloses a vertical freezer system where large freezing trays slide in a freezer between the freezer plates where the device reduces the risk of the tray attaching to the freezer plates during the freezing process. This invention further provides automated loading and offloading of large freezer plates.
  • WO 2012/147109 discloses a vertical freezer system where cardboard boxes with fresh fish are loaded into a freezer, without using trays and provides a solution with sensors where unfrozen boxes are not used to push frozen boxes, reducing the risk of damaging the content in the cardboard boxes.
  • the present invention provides a system, a method and an apparatus for freezing food items in vertical plate freezers using trays for the freezing process and enabling an automated managing of frozen food items including packing and storing of the frozen food items during and after the freezing process. Due to the tray system and the vertical freezing damaging of the food items is prevented, which is the case when food items are frozen at sea in vertical plate freezers. Vertical freezing in a tray prevents the bottom items to be crushed by a heavy load, as is the case for horizontal freezing, and the trays allow transfer of the food items through freezing and to packing where rigid structure of the tray protects the food items and a holding box or bag from damage during transfer. Structures on the tray further allow gripping of the tray to transfer and empty the tray.
  • the trays and the tray system of the present invention provides a way to use the same receptacle to freeze, pack and optionally store or at least prepare the packing for optimal storing, which in return enables more or less full automation of the process from placing the food items into freezing receptacles and to the process where frozen and packed food items are positioned in a freezer for storage.
  • This is made possible by trays of a suitable size having rigid sides with structures for receiving gripping means.
  • the tray provides protection for the food items during transport and prevents damaging of the food items or the container, being either cardboard boxes or bags. Therefore, the trays can be used to push other trays during in-feeding onto a freezer plate in a plate freezer and during transport of unfrozen and frozen items to and from freezer as well as during packing and storing.
  • the with structures for receiving gripping means further aid to the automation process for both feeding items to and from a freezer as well as for emptying the tray during packing.
  • the shape of the boxes also provide the aid of robots to further streamline the automation of the system of the invention.
  • Items can either be placed into one or more boxes in the tray or in a bag in the tray before freezing. This way, the size of boxes placed in the tray defines suitable amount of fish frozen together for the market.
  • the boxes or bags can then be placed in master boxes for storage. As mentioned above, the items can be frozen directly in the tray or in a bag in the tray. If the items are placed directly in the tray a lid can be placed on the tray in order to freeze food items such as fish without packing, which may be desired and reduces the use of plastic.
  • the content of the tray can be ejected from the tray and automatically paced afterwards. If several items are packed in a tray for later thawing up, a certain amount of sea water may be placed in the tray or in the bag inside the tray after placing the food items in the tray or back. This makes it easier to part the items packed together for the defrosting process.
  • the trays With an inner diameter for standard packing and transportation systems, such as 52x52 cm, 50x50 or 50x60 cm, the logistics and storing of the items is made easier and economical as storage space is better utilized.
  • the height can be set by the height of the tray, such as at 65 mm, 75 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm or 115 mm.
  • the method and the apparatus of the present invention furthermore provides a system where the items can be frozen in a plastic bag in a box inside the tray, and the tray can be placed on a scale for weighing the items in a packing simultaneously to the packing process.
  • Each tray can fit on large or two to four smaller boxes inside the tray for alternative sizes of packings.
  • a tray packing station behind a machine for trimming and cutting fish, where the size of the packings and the weight in the trays is determined by what products are being generated by the cutting/portioning machine.
  • the tray freezing and packing system of the present invention it is possible to batch and register the packed items before they enter the freezers, and the freezers themselves can function as a storage means.
  • the content in the freezer is known due to the registration of what is packed on frozen in each tray, it is possible to repack the content into larger boxes on the vessel for storing in storage freezers or pair different frozen packing units onto a pallet.
  • the option of batching and registering the content entering the freezers makes it easier to unload the freezers and control the logistics of the items when the vessel is unloaded.
  • the system of the present invention can support traditional horizontal freezers, which are traditionally designed for 50 cm x 50 cm units.
  • the new and improved method and apparatus provides a way of freezing food items in vertical plate freezers using trays for the freezing process and for managing packing and storing of the frozen food items.
  • the following features may be employed : a) freezing food items such as fish in trays in horizontal plate freezers to minimize the weight on the items in the bottom of the freezing receptacle, b) placing the tray on a scale while placing the items in the tray prior to freezing the items, c) providing a tray with gripping structure for allowing mechanic gripping of the tray for transport, rotation or overturning the tray for emptying the content out of the tray, and d) inner and outer cardboard boxes in the tray and feeding the items to be frozen into the inner boxes providing the option of simultaneous weighing and packing of items in retail packings before freezing the food items.
  • a system for automated freezing, packing and storing food items comprises: a) providing a tray for holding and transferring food items, the tray having a rigid bottom and side structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means, b) placing a selected amount of food items in the tray, c) transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the food items, d) removing the tray from the freezer, e) transferring the tray to a packing station, and f) removing the food items from the tray and into a storage bag or box.
  • the tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
  • the tray has gripping formations on at least two opposing sides for receiving gripping means. This makes it possible to grip the tray and move/transfer, rotate or overturn to empty the content of the tray for further packing, such as placing the content on a pallet and/or for strapping a number of packings together.
  • the step of placing a selected amount of food items in the tray involves placing a bag and/or a box in the tray and placing the food items in the bag and/or box before for freezing.
  • the tray further comprises holes in the bottom surface (for pushing tray(s) or bags or frozen items out of the tray after freezing/packing
  • the step of transferring the tray in and out of the freezer is performed by a pushing means.
  • the step of removing the food items from the tray is performed by a gripping means.
  • the step of transferring the tray to a packing station is performed by a conveyor belt.
  • the method comprises the steps of: a) placing a selected amount of food items in the tray for holding and transferring food items, the tray having a rigid bottom and side structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means, b) transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the food items, c) removing the tray from the freezer, d) transferring the tray to a packing station, and e) removing the food items from the tray and into a storage bag or box.
  • the tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
  • brine/sea water is placed into the bag before or after the food items are placed in the bag before freezing. This is particularly important when fish is frozen for thawing up later for further processing. With a small amount of sea water in the bag, the process of separating the fish in the bag is much quicker.
  • the two or more boxes are placed in the tray for reducing the amount of food items in each box.
  • the height of boxes is used for regulating the weight of food items in the box.
  • the tray is placed on a scale before/while the items are placed in the tray prior to freezing.
  • an outer box is placed in the tray and two or more inner boxes are placed inside the outer box prior to placing the food items in the inner boxes for freezing.
  • the food items are whole fish and wherein the fish is gutted and bled before placing the fish in the tray.
  • an image is obtained of each fish prior to freezing.
  • the image of each fish is processed to obtain image data on each fish, and wherein the image date is used to determine a least one characteristic property of each fish.
  • the destination of each fish or processed part of the fish is then determined based on the image data and the determined characteristic property of each fish.
  • the destination can be a placement directly in a tray, in aplastic bag in a tray or in cardboard box or boxes in a tray.
  • the image data is used to determine how food items are packed together in a tray or in a box or bag in a tray.
  • the image and data on in which packing the items are placed is used for tracing and logistic of items packed.
  • the method comprises a tray for holding and transferring the food items to be frozen, a plate freezer for freezing the food items, means for transferring the tray into the plate freezer, and means for transferring the tray out of the plate freeze.
  • the food items are placed in the tray before freezing said food items and the tray is placed in the plate freezer in a horizontal position.
  • the apparatus further comprises means for arranging said food items in the tray.
  • the apparatus further comprises means for transferring the tray into the plate freezer.
  • the apparatus further comprises means for transferring the tray out of the plate freezer.
  • the apparatus further comprises means for gripping the tray and lifting and/or moving and or rotating the tray.
  • the tray comprises protrusions or indents matching gripping means for lifting or rotating the tray.
  • the tray comprises holes in the bottom surface for pushing the items out of the tray.
  • the device for gripping and turning/rotating the tray is a robotic arm.
  • the tray comprises protrusions or indents matching the gripping portion of the grpping device for lifting or rotating the tray.
  • the method and the apparatus are semi or fully automatic after gutting of the fish, where the only manual step can be placement of items in the trays or boxes in the trays. Steps such as beheading, bleeding, cooling, imaging, processing, filling trays, feeding in and out of freezers as well as transporting items to storage rooms and strapping packings together can all be automatic.
  • the tray is made from plastic.
  • the apparatus further comprises a matching lid for closing the tray with frozen items inside.
  • the lids and the trays are stackable for automation of the freezing and packing method and apparatus of the present invention.
  • the inner diameter of the tray is designed for standard packing and transportation systems, such as, but not limited to 52x52 cm, 50x50 or 50x60 cm. Furthermore, the height of the tray, such as at 65 mm, 75 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm or 115 mm.
  • the packings can be used to provide and regulate the amount of food items in each packing. Furthermore, by packing the items in boxes inside the tray before freezing, thinner boxes can be used as they will not expand and deform sideways inside the tray. This is both environmentally friendly and cost saving and provides a lean packing process.
  • the tray has reinforced side panels for minimizing or excluding lateral expansion of the packing during freezing.
  • the food items are aquatic animals such as fish caught at sea from fishing vessels of from farmed aquatic animals, such as salmon.
  • the method comprises the steps of
  • the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means
  • the method is characterized in that the tray holds the fish through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
  • a method for freezing, packing and storing food items comprises a) providing a tray, b) placing the tray on a scale, c) placing a selected amount of food items in the tray, d) transferring the tray into a plate freezer, e) freezing the food items, and f ) removing the tray from the freezer, where the food items are placed in the tray in a freezer and wherein the tray is in a horizontal position during freezing.
  • One of the preferred objects of the present invention is solved by a method for freezing, packing and storing food items, where the method comprises a) providing a tray, b) placing an outer box in the tray, c) placing two or more inner boxes inside the outer box, d) placing a selected amount of food items in the inner boxes, e) transferring the tray into a plate freezer, f) freezing the food items, and g) removing the tray from the freezer, wherein the trays with the food items are placed in the freezer in a horizontal position.
  • box or “cardboard box” refers to boxes for storing fish in. such boxes are well known in the art and can be plain or coated with wax or made with a plastic film on the inside.
  • item or “food items” relates to fish or items or portions from processed fish.
  • fish or “whole fish” relates to a fish which is either freshly caught and unprocessed at all or cut and/or bled and/or gutted and/or washed and/or graded and/or de-headed and/or the tail has been removed or any combination thereof.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 side view of the tray of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 an enlarged view of the reinforcing structures of the tray.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the method and the system of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows perspective view of a tray 1 according to the invention for freezing food items in.
  • the tray has side panels 2 and a bottom plate 3, where the side panels have vertical and horizontal elongated protrusions, which have a function of reinforcing the side panels 2.
  • the tray shown in Fig. 1 has holes 4 in the bottom plate 3, which have the function of enabling a manual or mechanical pushing means to push frozen items in the tray out of the tray 1.
  • Figure 2 shows a side view of a tray of the invention.
  • Fig. 2A shows one side of the tray
  • Fig. 2B is an enlargement of a portion of the tray in Fig. 2A showing a transection of horizontal protrusions 5 and a gripping structure 6 in the bottom portion of the side panel
  • Fig. 2C is an enlargement of the gripping structure, where the gripping structure is a longitudinal space between the reinforcing structures on the side panels for gripping means to be inserted in. Such gripping means can then lift and rotate the tray without dropping it, for example when emptying the tray.
  • Figure 3 is an enlargement of the side panel 2 showing the reinforcing vertical 5a and horizontal 5b elongated protrusions.
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart outlining the method steps from when a fish is caught and until it is stored whole or as processed items.
  • the fish is gutted and bled and usually beheaded. Then an image is obtained of the fish and the image is processed. Based on image analysis the destination of each fish is determined.
  • the fish may be frozen as a whole fish or processed before freezing.
  • the imaging may determine species, size and other characteristic properties of the catch and determine if a fish should be frozen whole or processed and frozen with other similar items.
  • Whole fish or processed portions of the fish are then placed in trays, either a) directly in the tray, b) in a plastic bag in the tray, or c) in boxes (cardboard boxes) in the tray.
  • the items are then frozen in the tray, which allows only expansion upwards as the tray has reinforced side panels to maintain the shape of the packing.
  • the frozen packings bag or boxes
  • the items can be strapped together and placed on a pallet or the items can be stored in the tray (if not in packings) and a lid can be placed on top of the tray.
  • the present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., "about 3" shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for freezing fish or processed fish items in trays. The invention provides a system where the items are frozen in plate freezers and in an automated manner providing packings for universal storing and transport systems. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of trays for the holding and transferring food items to be frozen tray, a plate freezer for vertical freezing the food items in the trays, a device for transferring the trays into the plate freezer, a device for transferring the trays out of the plate freeze, a device for transferring the trays to a packing station, a device for gripping and turning/rotating the tray for ejecting the content from the tray at a packing station, wherein the tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FREEZING AND PACKING FOOD ITEMS
Field of the invention
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for freezing food items and for managing packing and storing of the frozen food items in a manner which prevents damaging of the food items and provides optimal packing based on needs.
Background
A continuous development of food processing, such as processing of fish products is always on demand with the focus on for instance to increase utilization and value of products as well as meeting demands for quality after processing.
Traditionally, when freezing fish at sea, the fish is frozen in vertical plate freezers. By freezing food items in vertical receptacles, an increased load is placed on the food items at the bottom of the receptacle, which may damage and reduce the value of the food items at the bottom of the receptacle. De-riming or defrosting of the freezing system for vertical freezing is also very time and energy consuming, but in most systems defrosting needs to be performed every 4 hours.
New technologies in processing fish on board fishing vessels, such as trimming/cutting machines provide increasing possibilities of processing and packing items for their final or retail packings at sea. Therefore, the demand for better freezing and packing solutions is increasing. Furthermore, the demand for more environmentally friendly methods is increasing, so packing methods which require less packing material made from plastic and paper is desirable.
Another challenge is the diversity of the market and the different demands of final packing of fish products. First of all a number of species are represented in the catch of each fishing vessel and then the fish processed, which results in different products for packing in different quantities. Furthermore, there is an increased desire for automation of the processing and the packing process.
Vertical plate freezers are known in the art and have traditionally been used for freezing food items in in cardboard boxes. EP 2083234 discloses a vertical freezer system where automated in- and out feeding of fish in large trays replacing manual loading and off- loading, where large trays slide between the freezing plates of the freezer. GB 1496101 discloses a vertical freezer system where large freezing trays slide in a freezer between the freezer plates where the device reduces the risk of the tray attaching to the freezer plates during the freezing process. This invention further provides automated loading and offloading of large freezer plates. WO 2012/147109 discloses a vertical freezer system where cardboard boxes with fresh fish are loaded into a freezer, without using trays and provides a solution with sensors where unfrozen boxes are not used to push frozen boxes, reducing the risk of damaging the content in the cardboard boxes.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a system, a method and an apparatus for freezing food items in vertical plate freezers using trays for the freezing process and enabling an automated managing of frozen food items including packing and storing of the frozen food items during and after the freezing process. Due to the tray system and the vertical freezing damaging of the food items is prevented, which is the case when food items are frozen at sea in vertical plate freezers. Vertical freezing in a tray prevents the bottom items to be crushed by a heavy load, as is the case for horizontal freezing, and the trays allow transfer of the food items through freezing and to packing where rigid structure of the tray protects the food items and a holding box or bag from damage during transfer. Structures on the tray further allow gripping of the tray to transfer and empty the tray. The trays and the tray system of the present invention provides a way to use the same receptacle to freeze, pack and optionally store or at least prepare the packing for optimal storing, which in return enables more or less full automation of the process from placing the food items into freezing receptacles and to the process where frozen and packed food items are positioned in a freezer for storage. This is made possible by trays of a suitable size having rigid sides with structures for receiving gripping means. The tray provides protection for the food items during transport and prevents damaging of the food items or the container, being either cardboard boxes or bags. Therefore, the trays can be used to push other trays during in-feeding onto a freezer plate in a plate freezer and during transport of unfrozen and frozen items to and from freezer as well as during packing and storing. The with structures for receiving gripping means further aid to the automation process for both feeding items to and from a freezer as well as for emptying the tray during packing. The shape of the boxes also provide the aid of robots to further streamline the automation of the system of the invention. Items can either be placed into one or more boxes in the tray or in a bag in the tray before freezing. This way, the size of boxes placed in the tray defines suitable amount of fish frozen together for the market. The boxes or bags can then be placed in master boxes for storage. As mentioned above, the items can be frozen directly in the tray or in a bag in the tray. If the items are placed directly in the tray a lid can be placed on the tray in order to freeze food items such as fish without packing, which may be desired and reduces the use of plastic. After freezing the content of the tray can be ejected from the tray and automatically paced afterwards. If several items are packed in a tray for later thawing up, a certain amount of sea water may be placed in the tray or in the bag inside the tray after placing the food items in the tray or back. This makes it easier to part the items packed together for the defrosting process. By making the trays with an inner diameter for standard packing and transportation systems, such as 52x52 cm, 50x50 or 50x60 cm, the logistics and storing of the items is made easier and economical as storage space is better utilized. In order to regulate or control the amount or the weight in each tray, the height can be set by the height of the tray, such as at 65 mm, 75 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm or 115 mm. The method and the apparatus of the present invention furthermore provides a system where the items can be frozen in a plastic bag in a box inside the tray, and the tray can be placed on a scale for weighing the items in a packing simultaneously to the packing process.
Each tray can fit on large or two to four smaller boxes inside the tray for alternative sizes of packings. By placing a tray packing station behind a machine for trimming and cutting fish, where the size of the packings and the weight in the trays is determined by what products are being generated by the cutting/portioning machine. By using the tray freezing and packing system of the present invention it is possible to batch and register the packed items before they enter the freezers, and the freezers themselves can function as a storage means. As the content in the freezer is known due to the registration of what is packed on frozen in each tray, it is possible to repack the content into larger boxes on the vessel for storing in storage freezers or pair different frozen packing units onto a pallet. The same is possible for items frozen in a plastic bag in a tray, the bags can be packed on a pallet and stored in a freezer. The option of batching and registering the content entering the freezers makes it easier to unload the freezers and control the logistics of the items when the vessel is unloaded. The system of the present invention can support traditional horizontal freezers, which are traditionally designed for 50 cm x 50 cm units.
The new and improved method and apparatus provides a way of freezing food items in vertical plate freezers using trays for the freezing process and for managing packing and storing of the frozen food items. In some embodiments of the present invention, the following features may be employed : a) freezing food items such as fish in trays in horizontal plate freezers to minimize the weight on the items in the bottom of the freezing receptacle, b) placing the tray on a scale while placing the items in the tray prior to freezing the items, c) providing a tray with gripping structure for allowing mechanic gripping of the tray for transport, rotation or overturning the tray for emptying the content out of the tray, and d) inner and outer cardboard boxes in the tray and feeding the items to be frozen into the inner boxes providing the option of simultaneous weighing and packing of items in retail packings before freezing the food items.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome and/or ameliorate the
aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art and to provide an improved and/or alternative and/or additional method or apparatus for facilitating freezing fresh fish or freshly processed fish products on a fishing vessel. It is one preferred object of the present invention to provide a method and device to facilitate freezing fish or fish products in horizontal trays. Moreover, it is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a method and device, preferably designed to freeze fish or fish products in preferred size and shape packings of desired weight in consumer packings to save time and packing material. Another preferred object of the present invention is to provide a trays for supporting the food items through the freezing and packing process, where the food items are frozen in a horizontal position of the tray to reduce pressure on the food items in the bottom of the tray during freezing.
The object(s) underlying the present invention is (are) particularly solved by the features defined in the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred
embodiments of the present invention. Further additional and/or alternative aspects are discussed below.
Thus, at least one of the preferred objects of the present invention is solved by a system for automated freezing, packing and storing food items. The system comprises: a) providing a tray for holding and transferring food items, the tray having a rigid bottom and side structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means, b) placing a selected amount of food items in the tray, c) transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the food items, d) removing the tray from the freezer, e) transferring the tray to a packing station, and f) removing the food items from the tray and into a storage bag or box. The tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray has gripping formations on at least two opposing sides for receiving gripping means. This makes it possible to grip the tray and move/transfer, rotate or overturn to empty the content of the tray for further packing, such as placing the content on a pallet and/or for strapping a number of packings together.
In an embodiment of the present invention the step of placing a selected amount of food items in the tray involves placing a bag and/or a box in the tray and placing the food items in the bag and/or box before for freezing.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray further comprises holes in the bottom surface (for pushing tray(s) or bags or frozen items out of the tray after freezing/packing In an embodiment of the present invention the step of transferring the tray in and out of the freezer is performed by a pushing means.
In an embodiment of the present invention the step of removing the food items from the tray is performed by a gripping means.
In an embodiment of the present invention the step of transferring the tray to a packing station is performed by a conveyor belt.
Another object of the present invention is solved by a method for freezing, packing and storing food items. The method comprises the steps of: a) placing a selected amount of food items in the tray for holding and transferring food items, the tray having a rigid bottom and side structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means, b) transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the food items, c) removing the tray from the freezer, d) transferring the tray to a packing station, and e) removing the food items from the tray and into a storage bag or box. In the method, the tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
In an embodiment of the present invention brine/sea water is placed into the bag before or after the food items are placed in the bag before freezing. This is particularly important when fish is frozen for thawing up later for further processing. With a small amount of sea water in the bag, the process of separating the fish in the bag is much quicker.
In an embodiment of the present invention the two or more boxes are placed in the tray for reducing the amount of food items in each box. Wherein the height of boxes is used for regulating the weight of food items in the box.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray is placed on a scale before/while the items are placed in the tray prior to freezing.
In an embodiment of the present invention an outer box is placed in the tray and two or more inner boxes are placed inside the outer box prior to placing the food items in the inner boxes for freezing.
In an embodiment of the present invention the food items are whole fish and wherein the fish is gutted and bled before placing the fish in the tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention an image is obtained of each fish prior to freezing. In an embodiment of the present invention the image of each fish is processed to obtain image data on each fish, and wherein the image date is used to determine a least one characteristic property of each fish. The destination of each fish or processed part of the fish is then determined based on the image data and the determined characteristic property of each fish. The destination can be a placement directly in a tray, in aplastic bag in a tray or in cardboard box or boxes in a tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention the image data is used to determine how food items are packed together in a tray or in a box or bag in a tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention the image and data on in which packing the items are placed is used for tracing and logistic of items packed.
Another preferred object of the present invention is solved by an apparatus for freezing, packing and storing food items. The method comprises a tray for holding and transferring the food items to be frozen, a plate freezer for freezing the food items, means for transferring the tray into the plate freezer, and means for transferring the tray out of the plate freeze. The food items are placed in the tray before freezing said food items and the tray is placed in the plate freezer in a horizontal position.
In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises means for arranging said food items in the tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises means for transferring the tray into the plate freezer.
In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises means for transferring the tray out of the plate freezer.
In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises means for gripping the tray and lifting and/or moving and or rotating the tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray comprises protrusions or indents matching gripping means for lifting or rotating the tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray comprises holes in the bottom surface for pushing the items out of the tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention the device for gripping and turning/rotating the tray is a robotic arm.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray comprises protrusions or indents matching the gripping portion of the grpping device for lifting or rotating the tray. In an embodiment of the present invention the method and the apparatus are semi or fully automatic after gutting of the fish, where the only manual step can be placement of items in the trays or boxes in the trays. Steps such as beheading, bleeding, cooling, imaging, processing, filling trays, feeding in and out of freezers as well as transporting items to storage rooms and strapping packings together can all be automatic.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray is made from plastic.
In an embodiment of the present invention the apparatus further comprises a matching lid for closing the tray with frozen items inside.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lids and the trays are stackable for automation of the freezing and packing method and apparatus of the present invention.
In an embodiment of the present invention the inner diameter of the tray is designed for standard packing and transportation systems, such as, but not limited to 52x52 cm, 50x50 or 50x60 cm. Furthermore, the height of the tray, such as at 65 mm, 75 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm or 115 mm. In specific embodiments, the packings can be used to provide and regulate the amount of food items in each packing. Furthermore, by packing the items in boxes inside the tray before freezing, thinner boxes can be used as they will not expand and deform sideways inside the tray. This is both environmentally friendly and cost saving and provides a lean packing process.
In an embodiment of the present invention the tray has reinforced side panels for minimizing or excluding lateral expansion of the packing during freezing.
In an embodiment of the present invention the food items are aquatic animals such as fish caught at sea from fishing vessels of from farmed aquatic animals, such as salmon.
One of the preferred objects of the present invention is solved by method for freezing, packing and storing food items. The method comprises the steps of
a) gutting and be-heading fish,
b) bleeding the fish,
c) obtaining an image of each fish,
d) processing the image of each fish to obtain image data on each fish,
e) using the image date to determine a least one characteristic property of each fish, f) batching the fish based on the image data,
g) placing a selected amount of fish in the tray having a rigid bottom and side
structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means,
h) transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the fish, i) removing the tray from the freezer,
j) transferring the tray to a packing station,
k) removing the fish from the tray and into a storage bag or box,
The method is characterized in that the tray holds the fish through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
Furthermore, one of the preferred objects of the present invention is solved by a method for freezing, packing and storing food items, where the method comprises a) providing a tray, b) placing the tray on a scale, c) placing a selected amount of food items in the tray, d) transferring the tray into a plate freezer, e) freezing the food items, and f ) removing the tray from the freezer, where the food items are placed in the tray in a freezer and wherein the tray is in a horizontal position during freezing.
One of the preferred objects of the present invention is solved by a method for freezing, packing and storing food items, where the method comprises a) providing a tray, b) placing an outer box in the tray, c) placing two or more inner boxes inside the outer box, d) placing a selected amount of food items in the inner boxes, e) transferring the tray into a plate freezer, f) freezing the food items, and g) removing the tray from the freezer, wherein the trays with the food items are placed in the freezer in a horizontal position.
In the present context the term "box" or "cardboard box" refers to boxes for storing fish in. such boxes are well known in the art and can be plain or coated with wax or made with a plastic film on the inside.
In the present context the terms "item" or "food items" relates to fish or items or portions from processed fish.
In the present context the term "fish" or "whole fish" relates to a fish which is either freshly caught and unprocessed at all or cut and/or bled and/or gutted and/or washed and/or graded and/or de-headed and/or the tail has been removed or any combination thereof.
All embodiments listed herein relate to the system, the apparatus and the method of the present invention.
Description of various embodiments
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray of the invention.
FIG. 2 side view of the tray of the invention.
FIG. 3 an enlarged view of the reinforcing structures of the tray.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the method and the system of the present invention.
Figure 1 shows perspective view of a tray 1 according to the invention for freezing food items in. The tray has side panels 2 and a bottom plate 3, where the side panels have vertical and horizontal elongated protrusions, which have a function of reinforcing the side panels 2. The tray shown in Fig. 1 has holes 4 in the bottom plate 3, which have the function of enabling a manual or mechanical pushing means to push frozen items in the tray out of the tray 1.
Figure 2 shows a side view of a tray of the invention. Fig. 2A shows one side of the tray
1. Fig. 2B is an enlargement of a portion of the tray in Fig. 2A showing a transection of horizontal protrusions 5 and a gripping structure 6 in the bottom portion of the side panel
2. Fig. 2C is an enlargement of the gripping structure, where the gripping structure is a longitudinal space between the reinforcing structures on the side panels for gripping means to be inserted in. Such gripping means can then lift and rotate the tray without dropping it, for example when emptying the tray.
Figure 3 is an enlargement of the side panel 2 showing the reinforcing vertical 5a and horizontal 5b elongated protrusions.
Figure 4 is a flow chart outlining the method steps from when a fish is caught and until it is stored whole or as processed items. The fish is gutted and bled and usually beheaded. Then an image is obtained of the fish and the image is processed. Based on image analysis the destination of each fish is determined. The fish may be frozen as a whole fish or processed before freezing. The imaging may determine species, size and other characteristic properties of the catch and determine if a fish should be frozen whole or processed and frozen with other similar items. Whole fish or processed portions of the fish are then placed in trays, either a) directly in the tray, b) in a plastic bag in the tray, or c) in boxes (cardboard boxes) in the tray. The items are then frozen in the tray, which allows only expansion upwards as the tray has reinforced side panels to maintain the shape of the packing. After the items have been frozen the frozen packings (bag or boxes) can be strapped together and placed on a pallet or the items can be stored in the tray (if not in packings) and a lid can be placed on top of the tray.
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms "comprise", "including", "having", and "contain" and their variations should be understood as meaning "including but not limited to", and are not intended to exclude other components.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., "about 3" shall also cover exactly 3 or "substantially constant" shall also cover exactly constant).
The term "at least one" should be understood as meaning "one or more", and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with "at least one" have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as "the" and "the at least one".
It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Use of exemplary language, such as "for instance", "such as", "for example" and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.

Claims

Claims
1. A system for automated freezing, packing and storing food items, said system
comprising :
- providing a tray for holding and transferring food items, the tray having a rigid bottom and side structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means,
- placing a selected amount of food items in the tray,
- transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the food items,
- removing the tray from the freezer,
- transferring the tray to a packing station,
- removing the food items from the tray and into a storage bag or box,
characterized in that the tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the step of placing a selected amount of food items in the tray involves placing a bag and/or a box in the tray and placing the food items in the bag and/or box before for freezing.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the tray in and out of the freezer is performed by a pushing means.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the step of removing the food items from the tray is performed by a gripping means.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the tray to a
packing station is performed by a conveyor belt.
6. A method for freezing, packing and storing food items, said method comprising :
- placing a selected amount of food items in the tray for holding and transferring food items, the tray having a rigid bottom and side structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means,
- transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the food items,
- removing the tray from the freezer,
- transferring the tray to a packing station,
- removing the food items from the tray and into a storage bag or box, characterized in that the tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of placing a selected amount of food items in the tray involves placing a bag and/or a box in the tray and placing the food items in the bag and/or box before for freezing.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein brine/sea water is placed into the bag before or after the food items are placed in the bag before freezing to make it easy to part items when being thawed
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the tray is placed on a scale while the items are placed in the tray prior to freezing.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein one outer box is placed in the tray and two or more inner boxes are placed inside the outer box prior to placing the food items in the inner boxes for freezing.
11. The method according to claim 6, wherein an image is obtained of each fish prior to freezing.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the image of each fish is processed to obtain image data on each fish, and wherein the image date is used to determine a least one characteristic property of each fish.
13. The method according to claims 11-12, wherein the image data is used to determine how food items are packed together in a tray or in a box or bag in a tray.
14. The method according to claims 11-13, wherein the image and data on in which
packing the items are placed is used for tracing and logistic of items packed.
15. An apparatus for freezing, packing and storing food items, said method comprising :
- a plurality of trays for the holding and transferring food items to be frozen tray,
- a plate freezer for vertical freezing the food items in the trays,
- a device for transferring the trays into the plate freezer,
- a device for transferring the trays out of the plate freeze,
- a device for transferring the trays to a packing station,
- a device for gripping and turning/rotating the tray for ejecting the content from the tray at a packing station, characterized in that the tray holds the food items through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the device for gripping and turning/rotating the tray is a robotic arm..
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tray comprises protrusions or indents
matching the gripping portion of the grpping device for lifting or rotating the tray.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tray comprises holes in the bottom surface for pushing the items out of the tray.
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tray has reinforced side panels for minimizing or excluding lateral expansion of the packing during freezing.
20. A method for freezing, packing and storing food items, said method comprising :
- gutting and be-heading fish,
- bleeding the fish,
- obtaining an image of each fish,
- processing the image of each fish to obtain image data on each fish,
- using the image date to determine a least one characteristic property of each fish,
- batching the fish based on the image data,
- placing a selected amount of fish in the tray having a rigid bottom and side
structure, wherein the side structure further comprises receiving structure for receiving gripping means,
- transferring the tray into a plate freezer for horizontal freezing of the fish,
- removing the tray from the freezer,
- transferring the tray to a packing station,
- removing the fish from the tray and into a storage bag or box, characterized in that the tray holds the fish through the process of freezing and packing in a fully automated process.
PCT/IS2019/050004 2018-04-23 2019-04-23 System and method for freezing and packing food items WO2019207607A1 (en)

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IS050222 2018-04-23

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