ES2544509A1 - Pressurized container of controlled atmosphere for transport and conservation of fruits and vegetables (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Device and procedure for the conservation of fruits and vegetables that allows the maintenance of these by means of a controlled atmosphere of low concentration of oxygen and/or high concentration of co2 by pressurizing a container or chamber by means of pressurized air generator, maintaining this atmosphere without the use of nitrogen generators. The air flows injected into the container are known and adjusted automatically and in periodic mode by a system of meters and controls of o2 and co2. It has means for the elimination of the potential excess of co2, as well as for the maintenance of a positive continuous pressure in the container. The air flows are calculated based on the oxygen consumption of the fruit and the minimum levels allowed by its physiology to not cause damage by anaerobiosis. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

  PRESSURIZED CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTATION AND CONSERVATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Technical sector

S

The present invention is comprised within the industrial dedicated to the storage and transport of fruit, manufacture of chambers and containers for this purpose. sector destined to the asr sector as to the one dedicated to the

Background of the 'nvenclón

10

In the state of the art there are multiple Inventions constituted by devices V / or procedures destined to preserve the organoleptic qualities of fruits and vegetables prolonging these qualities as long as possible, this allows to supply the markets with products that otherwise could not enjoy they for reasons both geographical and seasonal.

fifteen

In this sense, prior arrangements are known where enclosures or storage rooms are used for storage of fresh products into which a mixture of gases is introduced to retard the deterioration of fresh products, for example patent ES2155463 of the Elektrotechnisch Bureau T.e. Van Amerogen BY describes a method and apparatus where part of the gas mixture of the enclosure is extracted and treated to be reintroduced again being therefore different from the recommended invention.

twenty

Other methods and devices base their operation on the separation of gases in order to reduce the levels of O2 and CO2, this is the case of the patent ES2185896 of the holder Isolcell Italia S.A. These means require a chamber, vacuum pumps and molecular sieves to regulate the concentration of these gases.

Plastic containers with selective gas permeability are known that create a passive modified atmosphere by gas equilibrium as the patent W02008017307 of the

applicants Maersk Container Ind As et al. allowing a controlled atmosphere by means of a membrane on the container on which to act, thus it differs from the proposed apparatus and method which it does not use to achieve the conservation of fruits and vegetables this type of membranes oriented towards packaging.

Other systems such as the one described in US20050235658 of the Carrier Corp applicant obtain the appropriate atmosphere by opening or closing a window connected to an oxygen or CO2 sensor. This system works by diffusion of gases, being applied in chambers or enclosures that meet good tightness conditions, a fact that sea containers do not meet, being in these little efficient and expensive to maintain these conditions. It differs from the present invention in the regulation of gas levels by actuating said window and lacking means to prevent leakage and maintain O2 and CO2 levels.

Other systems resort to the injection of a high volume of a certain gas mixture to sweep atmospheric air and maintain adequate levels of OdC02. In these cases, the high flow is the one that maintains the levels, and the CO2 consumed by the fruit is not considered, this is the case for example of the European standard EP0363553 of the applicant Isolcell Italia SPA in which the container is kept under a overpressure through the supply of a nitrogen-oxygen mixture that requires in addition to a compressor the cooperation of filters and molecular separators, using the gas scanning method known in the state of the art, a method that differs from the present invention. The Spanish patent ES2109513 of the applicant Norsk: Hydro ASA bases its operation on the introduction through a nozzle of a mixture of gases to the Interior of a wrap that covers the fresh articles.

A method as described in patent W02011113915 of the Catholic University of Leuven as an applicant is known, in which the preservation of fruits and vegetables is based on the control of the atmosphere in a storage environment by means of a gas analyzer , a CO2 scrubber, an air supply as well as an N2 supply, in addition to flow control valves, where an assisted software measurement system and control algorithm is adapted to evaluate the dynamics of gas change, Both the dynamics of gas exchange of respiratory products. Unlike the present invention, nitrogen generators are required in this case and also does not provide a solution to avoid the usual leaks in the transport containers.

Some inventions as described in US patent US20120097050 of applicants James C. Schaefer and David J. Bishop are based on sampling small quantities of fruit introduced into a small chamber that in turn is inside a chamber of greater size. This patent proposes this sampling of a small sample as a control system for the larger chamber, but does not provide a solution to the problem of the tightness of the chamber or container. The disadvantage of this system is also if the sampling is not representative of the behavior of the fruit in the entire large chamber or container.

In contrast to the inventions known in the state of the art, in the present invention the maintenance of the conditions of the enclosure or chamber is created by injecting low volumes of air generated only with a compressor or fan, and not pursuing the effect of sweeping like the mentioned ones, characteristic this one that in addition maximizes the investment and the cost of operation associated.

Current controlled atmosphere devices for the preservation of fruits and vegetables are not known in the state of the art ~; by means of the pressurization of the chamber or container such as the present invention, achieving a high seal against the outside, thereby solving the problem of leaks, very common in refrigerated containers, and preventing the entry of air from the outside into the interior, while achieving Accuracy and robustness in the control of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels without the use of nitrogen and with a relatively low energy consumption.

Object of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to allow the prolongation of the preservation of fruits and vegetables by offering a device V simple procedure, of lower cost V energy consumption than the current ones, by resorting to the conservation the use of a controlled atmosphere 5 sustained with the injection of ain ~ into the chambers or containers from an air generator, be it a compressor, a pressurized tank or a fan or turbine; Pressurizing said chambers or containers and thus avoiding the entry of air from the outside to the inside allowing to maintain 'V control the levels of O2 V CO2 with greater accuracy and robustness, without the use of nitrogen generators or filters V sieves

10 molecular that entails, getting a high tightness and thus avoid the usual problem of leaks that currently exists in the containers.

Description of the invention

The present invention offers solutions to problems that arise in the prior art, including the existence of leaks in containers since their loss

15 tightness allows the intrusion of air from outside to inside damaging the maintenance of levels of 02 and C02, on the other hand it avoids the use of nitrogen generators together with filters and molecular sieves V the high energy consumption they need, in addition to their High complexity and high cost of installation and maintenance.

the invention relates to a pressurized container with controlled atmosphere for transport and

20 preservation of fruits and vegetables, where di <: ho container comprises at least one refrigeration unit to maintain the ideal temperature conditions for the conservation of fruits and vegetables and of means for the creation of a controlled atmosphere of low oxygen concentration saw high concentration of carbon dioxide by pressurizing a container where said means comprise at least one manometer

25 and an air generator that injects a continuous air knot inside said container to maintain the level of positive continuous pressure necessary for the pressurization of the container, this air generator may be constituted by conventional means such as a compressor or pressurized reservoir or by a fan or turbine.

This pressurization achieves a high tightness or separation of the external environment that allows to avoid the entry of air from the outside to the interior of the container eliminating the problem of leaks that commonly exist in the current containers and consequently achieve with this a greater control and accuracy of the concentration from

5 oxygen and carbon dioxide.

The necessary air flows are calculated based on the necessary pressurization and the oxygen consumption of the fruit and the minimum levels allowed by its physiology so as not to cause anaerobic damage. As an example in the following table 1 some fruits are cited in a simplified way considering their breathing rates and flow necessary to achieve some

10 optimal storage conditions.

Table 1

Product ITemperature ITasa re; Irac: lon I! C & de productol C02 output Cl de salldal FLOW NECESSARY I

I

;

['re'"

20 IMeI. "1 ';"

I I

25 IM "8 °

and

10 10 10 10 10 10 15 10 10

thousand .h

17 12 4 '50

•

•

_J_

Ira 1 "in volume

~

"*

~

~

10.0 ,, OR 15.0 15.0 15.0

,

, ,

, _

mili I liters / nora I

100 50 150 150 150 50

~

~

SW

4900 SOOO 900

'700

~

'400

As can be seen in certain fruits such as Blueberries, the respiratory rate is significantly lower than in others, so that the optimal gas balance will be achieved in a longer time.

In this way the container has mt ~ god to measure and control the concentration of

30 Oxygen from the container by means of an O2 meter at which, from a preset minimum threshold of concentration of oxygen existing in the container, the air flow from the air generator increases until the threshold is reached

preset maximum oxygen concentration, this point where the air flow decreases to the level necessary to maintain the pressurization of the container, where said pressurization is measured by means of at least one manometer.

It has means to measure and control the carbon dioxide concentration of the

5 container by means of at least one CO2 meter in which at least one ford pump with CO2 filter is activated starting at a preset maximum concentration threshold of carbon dioxide in the container until it is able to lower to the minimum preset level, deactivating said ford pump and its associated CO2 filter.

Brief description of the drawings

For better understanding of what is described herein, some drawings are attached in which, by way of example only, the present invention is represented.

Figure 1: View of the pressurized controlled atmosphere container for the transport and preservation of fruits and vegetables where it is illustrated:

(one)

Container 15 (2) Curtain

(3)

Cooling unit

(4)

Turbine

(S)

Manometer

(6)

Ford pump 20 (7) C02 filter

(8)

CO2 meter

(9)

O2 meter

(10)

Natural ventilation window

(eleven)

Drain plugs

Figure 2: Flow diagram of the air flow control according to oxygen concentration and

pressurization.

Figure 3: Flow diagram of the control of c: carbon dioxide concentration.

Description of a preferred embodiment

5 A preferred embodiment is cited by way of example, the materials used in the manufacture of a pressurized controlled atmosphere container for transport and preservation of fruits and vegetables and the methods of application and all the details being ~ independent from the object of the invention. s accessories that may arise, as long as they do not affect their essentiality.

The invention describes a pressurized controlled atmosphere container (1) for the transport and preservation of fruits and vegetables, wherein said container comprises at least one refrigeration unit (3) to maintain the ideal temperature conditions for the preservation of fruits and vegetables and of means for the creation of a controlled atmosphere of low oxygen concentration and / or high concentration of dioxide of

Carbon by pressurizing a ct) container where said means comprise at least one manometer (5) and a turbine (4) that injects a continuous air flow into said container to maintain the level of positive continuous pressure necessary for container pressurization. Said pressurization achieves a high tightness in front of the exterior that allows to avoid the entry of air into the container

20 eliminating the problem of leaks that commonly exist in current containers and consequently achieve greater control and accuracy of the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

The necessary air flows are calculated based on the necessary pressurization and the oxygen consumption of the fruit and the minimum levels allowed by its physiology so as not to cause damage by anaerobiosis. The pressure necessary to maintain the pressurization of the

The container is 2 to 20 mbar, equivalent to 2 to 20 cm of pressure in the water column, requiring an air flow between 0.26 and 26 m3 / h.

It has means to measure and control the oxygen concentration of the container by means of at least one Oz meter (9) in which, from a minimum preset threshold of oxygen concentration in the container, approximately less than 2%, it allows increase in the air flow of the turbine (4) until the maximum predetermined threshold of oxygen concentration is achieved, around 2.5%, where the air flow decreases to the level necessary to maintain the pressurization of the container.

It has means to measure and control the concentration of carbon dioxide in the container by means of at least one CO2 meter (8) which, from a maximum preset threshold of concentration of carbon dioxide in the container, approximately 5% - 15% depending on the product, activates at least one vacuum pump with CO2 filter (6 and 7) until it is able to lower to the preset minimum threshold, below 5% -15% depending on the product, deactivating said vacuum pump with CO2 filter ( 6 and 7).

For the preservation of fruits and vegetables, a pressurization test is initially carried out to check the level of leaks presented by the container (1). Upon passing the pressurization test, the fruits or vegetables are loaded inside the container (1) preferably without having passed a previous refrigeration process, where once the installation of a temporary plastic curtain (2) is carried out, the closure of the natural ventilation window (10) V of the drain plugs (11), in order to prevent the entry of outside air into the interior while maintaining the highest possible tightness. During the transport of fruits and vegetables, the control of oxygen levels in the

inside the container (I) by regulating the air flow of the turbine (4) as well as the carbon dioxide levels by means of activating / deactivating the ford pump and the associated CO2 filter (6 V 7 ), thus achieving the ideal controlled atmosphere for the preservation of fruits or vegetables. With the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels controlled, the pressurization of the container (1) is maintained by controlling the minimum necessary air flow of the turbine (4) causing an overpressure preferably between the values of 2 to 20 mbar , equivalent to 2 to 20cm of pressure of the water column and in this way achieve a high tightness, cancel out the leaks that exist in the containers and a more precise control of the levels of Oz and COz.

Claims (2)

1. Device for transporting and preserving fruits and vegetables based on a refrigeration unit (3) and controlled atrnosphere in enclosed spaces characterized by having means for pressurizing a closed space based on at least one pressure gauge (5 ) and an air generator (4) such as a compressor, fan or turbine that injects a continuous air flow maintaining the level of pressure necessary for the pressurization of said enclosed space, achieving high tightness by preventing outside air from entering the container, and in which the control of O2 levels is carried out by means of at least one O2 meter (9) that allows the normal increase or maintenance of the air flow according to predetermined values and the control of CO2 levels by means of at least one CO2 meter (8) Which, according to preset values, allows the activation and deactivation of a vacuum pump with CO2 filter (6 and 7). 2. Procedure for the transport and preservation of fruits and vegetables based on a refrigeration unit and controlled atmosphere in closed spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: Perform a pressurization test of the container to check the level of leaks that the container presents. Loading of fruits or vegetables inside the container preferably without having passed a previous refrigeration process. Installation of the curtain (2) that is next to the container door. Closing the natural ventilation window (10) and drain plugs (11) to prevent the entry of outside air into the interior and maintain the highest possible tightness. Control of oxygen levels inside the container by regulating the air flow of the air generator, compressor, fan or turbine as well as checking the carbon dioxide levels by means of activating / deactivating the pump of ford and the associated CO2 filter to achieve the ideal controlled atmosphere for the conservation of fruits or vegetables. Maintenance of the pressurization of the container once the suitable controlled atmosphere by means of the control of the minimum necessary air flow of the air generator, compressor, fan or turbine with an overpressure between set values between 2 and 20 mbar, equivalent to 2 to 20cm of water column pressure.