ITMC20120078A1 - HARD WALL-MOUNTED CONTAINER TO STORE FOODS BY USING GAS MIXTURES OR BY DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERS. - Google Patents

Description

DESC

â € œRIGID WALL CONTAINER TO STORE FOOD BY USING GAS MIXTURES OR BY DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERSâ €

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

Technical field: this patent application for industrial invention relates to a â € œRIGID WALLS CONTAINER FOR STORING FOOD BY THE USE OF GAS MIXTURES OR BY THE DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERSâ € This device is It is intended for the storage of food, for the needs of domestic use. More generally, the container can be used for the protection of products that perish in an atmosphere in which oxygen is present.

Pre-existing technique:

patent applications have recently been filed for nitrogen generation devices based on the use of oxygen absorbers. As a reference, the Italian patent application n. MC2011A000036 filed 1.7.2011, the international patent application n.

PCT / EP20 12/062709 filed on 29 June 2012, Italian patent application n.MC2012A000071.

The devices that are the subject of the aforementioned questions allow the availability of nitrogen to protect food, even in the home. The availability of nitrogen in the form of gas makes it possible to replace the air with nitrogen in the rigid-walled containers by means of special equipment that applies alternating suction cycles with jets of gas at atmospheric pressure. The containers that can be used for this application, in addition to having a watertight lid, must have a fitting that allows them to be connected to the equipment that carries out the replacement of the atmosphere.

Currently, in the family environment, the preservation of solid food in an oxygen-free environment is obtained by creating a vacuum inside a container with flexible walls of food, usually a plastic bag. The percentage of residual oxygen in the package depends on the type of food and the degree of vacuum created and it is not always possible to reach the percentage of oxygen required for storage. Some foods can't stand vacuum packing. Vacuum storage bags, normally disposable, contribute to the problem of environmental contamination.

Some manufacturers of oxygen absorbing products recommend putting in vacuum storage bags, a sachet containing an oxygen absorber and a tablet with an oxygen absence indicator.

This practice is not very widespread. This practice allows to solve the problem of the completeness of the elimination of oxygen in the package, but leaves standing the problem of environmental contamination due to the bags. Furthermore, the use of oxygen absorbers opens up other problems: if only one sachet of absorber is used (i.e. a low quantity of absorber) and the vacuum obtained in the package bag is not high, the time needed to eliminate the oxygen present in the package itself can be long; if the number of absorbent sachets inserted in the package is greater, there is a waste of oxygen absorbers, as it is expected that when the package is opened, the absorbers used are eliminated.

II â € œRIGID-WALL CONTAINER FOR STORING FOOD BY THE USE OF GAS MIXTURES OR BY DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERSâ € object of this patent application for industrial invention, in its various types, allows to create an oxygen-free atmosphere inside it with two different systems:

- for â € œreplacementâ €, by connecting to a suitable equipment that applies suction cycles followed by jets of gas atmosphere;

- for â € œdirect absorptionâ € by the absorbers located in the same environment in which the food is stored;

The two systems can be complementary, in the sense that an additional protective gas can be inserted in the container in which the oxygen has been eliminated with the absorbers.

The system for â € œsubstitutionâ € applies to all foods in the same way, regardless of the type of food. It is usually faster and allows gas to be recovered before opening the container.

The â € œdirect absorptionâ € system does not require additional equipment. The device object of the patent application for industrial invention, allows the use of an adequate quantity of absorbers to ensure a good absorption speed. It does not allow gas recovery, but allows to optimize the use of oxygen absorbers.

The â € œdirect absorptionâ € system works by using the convective motions resulting from the different densities of the gases present inside the container: for this reason the absorbers must be placed in the lower part of the container under the product; the product must be able to allow the convective movements of the gas. As a consequence of the above, the device which is the subject of the present patent application for industrial invention has constructional features differentiated according to the foods to be protected. This result is achieved with the characteristics of the present invention described in independent claim 1.

In the dependent claims, the characteristics of the various advantageous forms of the invention are reported, described by way of example and not of limitation.

Presentation of the invention: during operation for â € œdirect absorptionâ €, contrary to the devices object of the above-mentioned patent applications, in the device object of this patent application, the preparation of the oxygen-free atmosphere, which, even in this case, is obtained by means of special absorbers available on the market, takes place in the container where the food is stored: the physical position of the absorbers can be more or less distant from the food container, but the removal of oxygen in the food container itself occurs progressively while food is present, without the need for pumps or compressors.

It is necessary to adapt the device to the different types of food, but in any case the device consists of:

- an upper part where the food is stored,

-a part that serves as a connection between the upper and lower parts: in this part, the elements that separate the food products from the oxygen absorbers will be arranged, if necessary, when necessary.

-a lower part where the oxygen absorbers are housed. This part can be closed when the device is not in use; -detectors of the presence of oxygen;

- system to control the efficiency of oxygen absorbers;

-System to identify the exhausted oxygen absorbers to be replaced.

If you want to use the container also to use the atmosphere replacement method, the device will also be equipped with:

- agreement for connection to a device suitable for the replacement of atmosphere. This fitting ensures the closure of the â € œRIGID WALLS CONTAINER TO PRESERVE FOOD BY USING GAS MIXTURES OR THROUGH THE DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERSâ € when the same connection is disconnected from the device for replacing atmosphere.

The use of the `` RIGID WALL CONTAINER TO STORE FOOD BY THE USE OF GAS MIXTURES OR BY THE DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERS '' can be associated with other forms of food protection, in particular to the use of germicidal lamps, to be applied to the inside of the container, or to the use of refrigeration with the refrigerating system placed outside or inside the device which is the subject of this patent application for industrial invention.

Other characteristics of the invention will appear clearly from the detailed description below, which refers to an indicative and non-limiting representation.

Brief description of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of one of the types of the device object of the present patent application for industrial invention; this type of container, when used with the â € œdirect absorptionâ € system by means of oxygen absorbers, is suitable for storing granular foods, seeds, flours, coffee, cocoa and other similar. In the case of use with the atmosphere â € œsubstitutionâ € system, it is suitable for the preservation of any food;

Fig.2 is a side view of the device represented in Fig.1;

Fig.3 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig.1;

Fig.4 is a section according to the E-E plane of Fig.2;

Fig.5, Fig.6, Fig.7, Fig.8 are representations of the device of Fig.1 that illustrate the phases of product loading (granular foods, seeds, flours, coffee, cocoa and other similar) in the the device itself, the relative position of the various components during the filling and closing phase;

Fig.9, Fig.10, Fig.11, Fig.12 are representations of the device of Fig.1 that illustrate the ways of optimizing the oxygen absorbers and checking that oxygen has been eliminated;

Fig.14 is a front view of one of the types of the device object of the present patent application for industrial invention, different from the device of Fig.1; this type of container, when used with the â € œdirect absorptionâ € system by means of oxygen absorbers, is suitable for storing solid foods, drained cooked foods, cured meats, cheeses and the like. In the case of use with the atmosphere â € œsubstitutionâ € system, it is suitable for storing any food, preferably non-liquid;

Fig.15, Fig.16 are orthogonal views of the device of Fig.14;

Fig.17 is a section according to the plane A-A of Fig.14;

Fig.17.1 is an enlarged partial view of Fig.17;

Fig.18 is a section according to the C-C plane of Fig.15;

Fig.19 is the front view of the open base of the device of Fig.14;

Fig.20 is the plan view of the device of fig.19;

Fig.21 is a perspective view of the device of Fig.19;

Fig.22 is a repetition of Fig.19;

Fig. 23, Fig. 24, Fig. 25 are views of Fig. 22;

Fig.26 is a perspective view of one of the types of the device object of the present patent application, different from the device of Fig.1; This version of the â € œRIGID WALL CONTAINER TO STORE FOOD BY USING GAS MIXTURES OR BY DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERSâ €

Unlike the version shown in Fig.14, it has a door for access. Using the "direct absorption" method, it allows the preservation of solid foods, drained cooked foods, cured meats, cheeses and similar; In the case of use with the â € œsubstitutionâ € system of atmosphere, it is suitable for the preservation of any solid food and allows the storage of liquid or mixed solid-liquid foods contained in open jars or jars located inside.

Fig.27 is an enlarged partial view of Fig.26;

Fig.28 is a perspective view of the device of Fig.26, in which the position of the sachets containing the oxygen absorbers is highlighted;

Fig.29 is an enlarged partial view of Fig.28;

Fig. 30; It is a perspective view of the device of Fig.26, in which the position of the container of the sachets containing the â € œopenâ € oxygen absorbers is highlighted;

Fig. 31 is an enlarged partial view of Fig. 30

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 26, in which the position of the container of the sachets containing the â € œclosedâ € oxygen absorbers is highlighted.

Detailed description to make the device subject of the patent application and to highlight its industrial applicability:

the device illustrated in the various typologies (Fig.l, Fig.l4, Fig.26) in an explanatory and non-limiting way, has a container placed at the top (1) of Fig.4, (12) of Fig.14, (23) of Fig.29, where the food to be protected is placed while in a container placed lower than the previous one (2) of Fig.4, (2) of Fig.14 (2) of Fig.29 oxygen absorbers (3). A gasket (6) of Fig.8, (15) of Fig.17, (30) of Fig.28 is placed between the two containers previously described, to seal the coupling. The oxygen absorbers (3) are separated from the product to be protected (e.g. (10) of Fig. 4) in various ways depending on the product or the destination of the device. By way of example and not limited to:

- the device of Fig.1 is intended to protect granular solid products, seeds, able to support the product and at the same time allows the convective movements of nitrogen and air inside the device;

- the device of Fig. 14 is intended to protect solid drained products, such as fruit, vegetables, cooked foods from which the sauces, cheeses, sausages have been drained. In this case the separator element is constituted by the tray (17) of Fig.17. This tray collects any dripping of the product contained in the container (16) and at the same time allows the movements of the gases inside the device. The container (16) is equipped with supports that keep the product raised with respect to the upper edge of the tray (17) and is perforated to allow the movement of the gases around the product itself.

- the device of Fig. (26) is a pantry of good capacity. In this case the separation is obtained by means of the trays (16) and (17) described in the previous case: (16) is the tray where the food is placed, (17) is the tray that collects any dripping or product fragments falling from (16). Components (16) and (17) allow you to position the food in such a way as to protect the area (2) where the oxygen absorbers are located.

Checking the oxygen concentration can be done in various ways. By way of non-limiting explanation, in the devices illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 14, the control is carried out visually by means of a tablet (5) which changes color according to the oxygen concentration: the container (2) has a transparent window which allows you to see the color of the tablet. The device of Fig. 26 has a digital viewer (26) of Fig. 27 which indicates a transparent window that allows you to see the color of the tablet. The device of Fig.26 has a digital viewer (26) of Fig.27 which indicates the reading made by an oxygen detector located inside the chamber (29) of Fig.28.

The management of the oxygen absorbers is carried out with four elements: -containers with compartments of the oxygen absorbers (septum (7) of Fig. 11, separate containers (19) (20) of Fig. 21, septa (25.1) in the container ( 25) of Fig. 28).

In each compartment there is a certain number (group) of oxygen absorbers;

- minute counter (4) to set the time that must pass from the last product insertion to eliminate the oxygen present in the device: when the product is inserted, the time is entered and the timer start button is pressed. When the timer is at zero again, the tablet (5) or the viewer (27) warns if there is no more oxygen inside the container; - device to recognize which group of absorbers to replace. Grid (8) of Fig. 13 and (18) of Fig. (20); light indicators (28) of Fig. 28. Only one group of absorbers needs to be replaced every time the timer is at zero and the nitrogen detector warns that there is still oxygen in the container where the food is stored. In this way, all the absorbers' ability to subtract oxygen is used and the absorption time is fairly constant.

substitute.

- closing of the oxygen absorbers container when the container is not in use: element (9) of Fig. 11, element (21) of Fig. 25, rotation of element (25) of Figs. 28 and 29.

In the case of the device of Fig. 26, as a precaution due to the large volume of the chamber, to open the door (24) it is necessary to press the button (26). The button (26) starts a gradual air exchange cycle inside (23) obtained by opening a solenoid valve which puts the internal environment in communication with the atmosphere. When the percentage of oxygen inside is no longer dangerous, a magnetic opening unlocks the door.

Claims (3)

1) A device (Figs. 1, 14, 26) CONTAINER WITH RIGID WALLS TO STORE FOOD BY USING MIXTURES OF GAS OR THROUGH THE DIRECT AND OPTIMIZED USE OF OXYGEN ABSORBERS comprising: - a container positioned above (1) of Fig.4, (12) of Fig.14, (23) of Fig.30, where the food to be protected is placed; - a container placed lower than the previous one (2) of Fig.4, (2) of Fig.14 (2) of Fig.30, where the sachets containing the oxygen absorbers (3) are placed; - a gasket for sealing the coupling between the two aforesaid containers, for example element (6) of Fig.8, element 15 of Fig.17, element (30) of Fig.28; - a fastening system between the aforesaid containers, for example threading between (1) and (2) of Fig.4, fixing (14) of Fig.14, lock (31) of Fig.28; - separators between the product to be protected and the sachets containing the oxygen absorbers (3), made in various ways depending on the product or the destination of the device: by way of example and not limited to the device of Fig. 1, intended to protect granular solid products, seeds, flours, in glass jars (1), the separator element of the product from the oxygen absorbers consists of a permeable diaphragm (11) of Fig. 4, which is able to support the product and at the same time allows the convective movements of nitrogen and air inside the device; in the device of Fig. 14, intended to protect drained solid products, such as fruit, vegetables, cooked foods from which sauces, cheeses, sausages have been drained, the separator element is constituted by the tray (17) of Fig. 17 . This tray collects any dripping of the product contained in the container (16) and at the same time allows the movements of the gases inside the device. The container (16) is equipped with supports that keep the product raised with respect to the upper edge of the tray (17) and is perforated to allow the movement of the gases around the product itself. In the device of Fig. (26) which is a pantry of good capacity, the separation is obtained by means of the trays (16) and (17) described in the previous case: (16) is the tray where the food, (17) is the tray that collects any dripping or fragments of product that fall from (16). - an oxygen concentration detector. By way of non-limiting explanation, in the devices illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 14, the control is carried out visually by means of a tablet (5) which changes color according to the oxygen concentration: the container (2) has a transparent window which allows you to see the color of the tablet. The device of Fig.26 has a digital viewer (26) of Fig.27 which indicates the reading made by an oxygen detector located inside the chamber (29) of Fig.28. - compartmentalized oxygen absorbers containers. By way of non-limiting explanation: (septum (7) of Fig. 11, separate containers (19) (20) of Fig. 21, septa (25.1) of Fig. 29 in the container (25) of Fig. 28). In each compartment there is a certain number (group) of oxygen absorbers; - timer (4) to set the time that must pass from the last product insertion to eliminate the oxygen present in the device: when the product is inserted, the time is entered and the timer start button is pressed. When the timer is back to zero, the tablet (5) or the viewer (27) warns if there is no more oxygen inside the container; - system to recognize which group of absorbers needs to be replaced. For explanatory and non-limiting purposes, the grids (8) of Fig. 13, (18) of Fig. (20) or the light indicators (28) of Fig. 28 are used. Only one group of absorbers needs to be replaced every time the timer is at zero and the nitrogen detector warns that there is still oxygen in the container where the food is stored. The grids (8) Fig. 13, (18) of Fig. (20) are changed in position when the groups of absorbers are replaced: they are positioned on top of the absorbers that have just been replaced. Each time the absorbers not protected by the grid are replaced. The indicator lights (28) are managed by the electronics of the device of Fig. 26: when the component (25) of Fig. 28 is removed, the indicator that is in the position corresponding to the unit to be replaced lights up. - closing the container of oxygen absorbers when the container is not in use: for explanatory and non-limiting purposes, the element (9) of Fig. 11, the element (21) of Fig. 25, the rotation of the element (25) of Figs. 28 and 29. 2) A device (Figs.1,14, 26), as described in claim 1) characterized by the presence of a fitting (9.1) of Fig.12, (13) of Fig.14, not visible in the device of Fig.26 , but the same as the previous ones, which allows connection with a device designed to replace the atmosphere inside the container itself, by means of nitrogen and / or other gas. By way of non-limiting example, it can be a quick fitting equipped with a one-way valve which closes when the fitting is disconnected and which allows free passage when it is inserted in the corresponding element, present on the device designed to replace the atmosphere with the € ™ inside the container itself. 3) A device (Figs.1,14) as described in claim 1) characterized by the possibility of being inserted in a refrigerating device as an aid to the preservation of food; 4) A device (Fig.26) as described in claim 1) characterized by the possibility of being provided with a refrigerating system as an aid to the preservation of food; 5) A device (Figs. 14,26) as described in claim 1) characterized by the possibility of being equipped with a germicidal luminous device. 6) A device (Fig. 26) as described in claim 1) characterized by a safety closure of the door which allows opening after the reestablishment of the adequate atmosphere in the device.