DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Field of Technology

Conditioning, conditioning of foodstuffs, cooling, cooling of foodstuffs, cooling of beverages, cooling in cases, heating, heating of foodstuffs, heating of beverages, heating in cases

Technical Problem

The durability of substances which are stored for longer periods often depends on the temperature conditions during the storage.

This is the case with cooling of foodstuffs with longer shelf lives at lower temperatures. Some foodstuffs should not freeze, since this would deteriorate their properties; therefore, a temperature interval within which the temperature of foodstuffs must be maintained is usually determined.

In many cases a customers want to buy a product cooled or heated to the desired temperature, regardless of the required temperature conditions for storage of foodstuffs. For example, a customer wants the beverage to be sufficiently cooled and to remain cool for a certain period after its purchase.

In most cases, beverages in shops are cooled in quantities intended for single use. If a customer needs to buy larger quantities of foodstuffs cooled or heated to a desired temperature, he/she must collect them from the cooling or heating device. As soon as the foodstuff is collected from the cooling or heating device, foodstuff temperature is equilibrated with the ambient temperature, whereby the rate of equilibration dependifon the heat capacity of foodstuff, which is in particular conditional on the type, mass and packaging of foodstuff.

State of the Art

Several methods of conditioning of foodstuffs are used in practice. In most cases, higher temperature adversely affects the durability of foodstuffs, because higher temperatures create more favourable conditions for the development of bacteria which reduce the shelf life of foodstuffs. In the majority of cases, foodstuffs are cooled to a suitable temperature at hich the shelf life is prolonged.

Larger quantities of foodstuffs in shops and shopping centres are usually cooled in refrigerators, chest coolers, upright coolers and also smaller cold stores.

In most cases, beverages in shops are cooled in quantities intended for single use. If a customer needs to buy larger quantities of conditioned foodstuffs, he/she must collect them from the cooling or heating device. To maintain the temperature of foodstuffs, insulated bags are usually used, which slow down the equilibration of foodstuff temperature with the ambient temperature.

Description of new invention

The subject of the invention is the device and method for conditioning of foodstuffs, which solve the technical problems of:

- maintaining the temperature of foodstuffs at a desired temperature;

- slowing down the equilibration of foodstuff temperature with the ambient temperature;

- reducing the consumption of energy products required for foodstuff conditioning.

The device according to the invention comprises at least:

- a pallet on which containers for conditioning of foodstuffs are loaded; and

- containers for foodstuff conditioning. Foodstuffs are loaded into containers for foodstuff conditioning in which the temperature is maintained with the flow of the medium at a suitable temperature through the walls of the container. The flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is primarily air; however, any other gas may also be used. The cooling medium may also be liquid, primarily water. A fraction of the flow medium may also be supplied into the interior of the containers for foodstuff conditioning to ensure a faster attainment of the desired temperature of foodstuffs. The flow medium used for cooling of foodstuffs may be compressed gas which is cooled during the expansion to the ambient pressure and which reduces the heat of the containers for foodstuff conditioning. Liquefied gas may also be used for cooling, whereby the required quantity of gas is substantially lower due to the great variation of enthalpy of the flow medium (enthalpy of evaporation) in liquid and gas state. Cooling pallets may be equipped with a Peltier element.

Inlet and outlet lines of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning are connected to the pallet. The pallet is constructed in such a way that the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is evenly distributed in individual containers for foodstuff conditioning. When the container is loaded on the pallet, the weight of the container opens the inlet channel of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning by applying pressure on the pallet. The channel on the pallet is closed with a spring. When loading the container, the weight of the container applies pressure on the flap of the inlet channel of the flow medium and overcomes the force of the spring keeping the flap closed. In the same way, the flow through the outlet channel of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is ensured. Several containers for foodstuff conditioning may be loaded on the pallet, whereby the inlet and outflow channels of the conditioning medium are only open in places where the containers for foodstuff conditioning are loaded. All flaps are fitted with seals to prevent leakage of the flow medium. Flap seals may be installed on the upper side of the containers next the flaps or on the lower side of the containers next to the feet of the container. The lower side of the container for foodstuff conditioning also includes the inlet channel of the flow medium and outlet channel of the flow medium. Depending on the construction, the channels may be fitted with flaps. The pallet is made of material of mechanical strength, primarily of plastic material providing temperature insulation or of metal material. The pallet is constructed in such a way that it may be transported with a forklift.

The pallet is fitted with a network of channels which distribute the flow medium from the inlet line of the flow medium to the inlet channels of the flow medium. The flow medium may be channelled from the inlet line of the flow medium to the inlet channels of the flow medium through individual lines. The flow medium flows into the outlet line of the flow medium through the outlet channels of the flow medium. The flow medium may be channelled into the outlet line of the flow medium from the outlet channels of the flow medium through individual lines.

The outlet line of the flow medium runs into the device for ensuring a pressure drop to which a fresh quantity of flow medium is added through the inlet for fresh additional flow medium in order to compensate for the losses of the flow medium during the flow through the device for foodstuff conditioning. The device for ensuring a pressure drop and the device for flow medium conditioning are integrated in the pallet.

From the device for ensuring a pressure drop, the flow medium is channelled into the device for cooling or heating of the flow medium, where the flow medium is conditioned to the desired temperature. The required energy to be added or removed from the flow medium is determined on the basis of the quantity and condition of the inlet flow medium.

If compressed or liquefied gas is used for cooling of foodstuffs, the device for ensuring a pressure drop and the device for flow medium conditioning within the device for foodstuff conditioning are not necessary, since gas overpressure may be used for gas flow and the principle of cooling of gas as a result of its expansion or transformation from liquid to gas state may be used for cooling. Containers for foodstuff conditioning are thick-walled, because the walls of the containers are composed of several layers, i.e. from outside to inside:

- the outer layer made of load-bearing material, primarily plastic or metal material;

- space designed for insulation in which insulation is fitted;

- space designed for the flow of the flow medium; and

- the inner layer made of load-bearing material, primarily plastic or metal material.

The interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning includes compartments for the insertion of glass bottles, plastic bottles, tins or other items. The container may be returnable and the customer can take it home together with the foodstuff. During the transport, the container for foodstuff conditioning slows down the equilibration of foodstuff temperature with the ambient temperature due to insulated walls of the container. In addition, insulated walls of the container reduce the consumption of energy > product required for foodstuff conditioning.

The space for the flow of the flow medium in the walls of the container for foodstuff conditioning is divided into two parts to prevent mixing of inlet flow medium and outlet flow medium. On the inner wall on the side of the container with the inlet channel of the flow medium, the flow medium inlet into the interior of the container is installed, while on the inner wall on the side of the container with the outlet channel of the flow medium, the flow medium outlet from the interior of the container is installed.

The interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning is also equipped with a container cover rest, while the outer walls of the container are fitted with two handles. The cover may also be attached to the container for foodstuff conditioning with hinges for opening the container cover.

The container cover is primarily made of load-bearing material fitted with insulation. Container cover handles are installed on the upper side of the cover of the container for foodstuff conditioning. A seal is installed between the container cover and the container for foodstuff conditioning to prevent leakage of the flow medium.

The essence of the invention is further explained below with the description of two embodiments and attached figures, whereby the figures are part of this patent application and show the following:

Figure 1 shows a pallet 1, a container for foodstuff conditioning 2, an inlet channel of the flow medium 3, an outlet channel of the flow medium 4.

Figure 2 show an inlet channel of the flow medium 3, an outlet channel of the flow medium 4, an inlet line of the flow medium 5, an outlet line of the flow medium 6, a channel network inside the pallet 7.

Figure 3 shows a pallet, an inlet line of the flow medium 5, an outlet line of the flow medium 6, an inlet for fresh additional flow medium 8, a device for ensuring a pressure drop 9, a device for flow medium conditioning 10.

Figure 4 show a container for foodstuff conditioning 2, an inlet channel of the flow medium 3, an outlet channel of the flow medium 4, space for insulation 11, space for the flow of the flow medium 12, a flow medium inlet into the interior of the container 13, a cover rest 14, a container handle 15, a container cover 16, a container cover handle 17.

First exemplary embodiment:

In the exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention is used for cooling beer. The pallet 1 with the floor plan dimensions of 80x120 cm is loaded with- 32 containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 with the dimensions of- 30x30x40 cm {height x width x length). Eight containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 (2x4 containers)- are stacked at each height level and four containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 are stacked vertically. Beer is loaded into containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 in which the temperature is maintained with the flow of air at a temperature of 4°C through the walls of the container. A fraction of the flow air is supplied also into the interior of containers for foodstuff conditioning 2. The interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning 2 is fitted with compartments for the insertion of bottles.

The inlet line of the flow medium 5 and the outlet line of the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning 6 are connected to the pallet. The pallet 1 is constructed in such a way that the flow medium for foodstuff conditioning is evenly distributed in individual containers for foodstuff conditioning 2.

The inlet channel of the flow medium 3 and the outlet channel of the flow medium 4 are closed with a flap operated by a spring. When loading the container for foodstuff conditioning 2, the weight of the container with feet applies pressure on the flap of the inlet and outlet channel of the flow medium 3, 4 and overcomes the force of the springs keeping the flap closed. The pallet 1 is made of metal material.

The pallet 1 is fitted with a network of channels inside the pallet 7, which distributes the flow air from the inlet line of the flow medium 5 into the inlet channels of the flow medium 3. Air flows into the outlet line of the flow medium 6 through the outlet channels of the flow medium 4.

The outlet line of the flow medium 4 runs into the device for ensuring a pressure drop 9 to which a fresh quantity of air is added through the inlet for fresh additional flow medium 8 in order to compensate for the losses of the flow air during the flow through the device for foodstuff conditioning.

From the device for ensuring a pressure drop 9, the flow air is channelled into the device for flow medium conditioning 10, where air is cooled to the temperature of 4°C. The energy required for cooling of air is determined on the basis of the quantity and condition of the inlet flow air. Containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 are thick-walled, because the walls of the containers are composed of several layers, i.e. from outside to inside: the outer layer made of plastic load-bearing material, space for insulation 11 in which extruded polystyrene is fitted, space for the flow of the flow medium 12 and the inner layer made of plastic load-bearing material.

The space for the flow of the flow medium in the walls of the container for foodstuff conditioning 2 is divided into two parts to prevent mixing of inlet air and outlet air. On the inner wall on the side of the container with the inlet channel of the flow medium 3, the flow medium inlet into the interior of the container 13 is installed, while on the inner wall on the side of the container with the outlet channel of the flow medium 4. the flow medium outlet from the interior of the container is installed.

The interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning is also equipped also with a container cover rest 14, while the outer walls of the container for foodstuff conditioning 2 are fitted with two handles 15.

The container cover 16 is primarily made of load-bearing material fitted with insulation. The upper side of the container cover is fitted with two container cover handles 17.

Second exemplary embodiment:

In the exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention is used for cooling meat products. The pallet 1 with the floor plan dimensions of 80x120 cm is loaded with 32 containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 with the dimensions of 30x30x40 cm (height x width x length). Eight containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 (2x4 containers) are stacked at each height level and four containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 are stacked vertically.

Meat products are loaded into containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 in which the temperature is maintained with the flow of air at a temperature of 2°C through the walls of the container. A fraction of the flow air is also supplied into the interior of containers for foodstuff conditioning.

The inlet line of the flow medium 5 and the outlet line of the flow medium 6 for foodstuff conditioning 6 are connected to the pallet. The pallet 1 is constructed in such a way that the flow air for foodstuff conditioning is evenly distributed in the containers for foodstuff conditioning 2.

When the container for foodstuff conditioning 2 is loaded on the pallet 1, the weight of the container opens the inlet and outlet channels of the flow medium 3, 4 for foodstuff conditioning b applying pressure on the pallet flap. On the upper and lower side of the container for foodstuff conditioning 2, the inlet channel of the flow medium 3 and the outlet channel of the flow medium 4 are closed with a flap operated by a spring.

When loading the container for foodstuff conditioning 2, the weight of the container with feet applies pressure on the flap of the inlet and outlet channel of the flow medium 3, 4 and overcomes the force of the springs keeping the flap closed. The pallet 1 is made of metal material.

The pallet 1 is fitted with a network of channels inside the pallet 7, which distributes the air from the inlet line of the flow medium 5 into the inlet channels of the flow medium 3. Air flows into the outlet line of the flow medium 6 through the outlet channels of the flow medium 4.

The outlet line of the flow medium 6 runs into the device for ensuring a pressure drop 9 to which a fresh quantity of air is added through the inlet for fresh additional flow medium, 8 in order to compensate for the losses of air during the flow through the device for foodstuff conditioning.

From the device for ensuring a pressure dro 9, the flow air is channelled into the device for flow medium conditioning 10, where air is cooled to the temperature of 2°C. The required energy to be removed from the flow air is determined on the basis of the quantity and condition of the inlet flow air.

Containers for foodstuff conditioning 2 are thick-walled, because the walls of the containers are composed of several layers, i.e. from outside to inside: the outer layer made of plastic load-bearing material, space for insulation 11 in which extruded polystyrene is fitted, space for the flow of the flow medium 12 and the inner layer made of metal load-bearing material.

The space for the flow of air in the walls of the container for foodstuff conditioning 2 is physically divided into two parts to prevent mixing of inlet air and outlet air. On the inner wall on the side of the container with the inlet channel of the flow medium 3, the flow medium inlet into the interior of the container 13 is installed, while on the inner wall on the side of the container with the outlet channel of the flow medium 4, the flow medium outlet from the interior of the container is installed.

The interior of the container for foodstuff conditioning is also equipped also with a container cover rest 14, while the outer walls of the container for foodstuff conditioning 2 are fitted with two handles 15.

The container cover 16 is primarily made of load-bearing material fitted with insulation. The upper side of the container cover is fitted with two container cover handles 17.

It is self-evident that the above described invention can be also used in other particular form not changing the substance of the invention.