Methods and apparatus for thermal regulation of perishable products

• US 9,097,452 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foodcap International Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Foodcap International Ltd.
• Inventors: Palmer, Roger Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): SPURLOCK, BRETT SHANE
• Application Number:
  US11/665,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20080220139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,581 Days
• Field of Search: 994/67, 99485-570, 426/129, 426/312, 426/524, 426/106, 426/115, 426/315, 426/316, 426/407, 426/418, 426/327, 426/392, 426/396, 426/513, 426/515, 426/531, 220/592.03, 220/592.01, 220/592.2, 624/571, 62/62, 62/89, 621/15, 294/28, 534/32, 534/36, 535/27, 100/910, 165/64, 165/121, 312401-408, 439/834
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/06 Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/066 the materials not being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powder, granules or flakes
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/36 Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/00 Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 15/00 Devices not covered by group F25D11/00 or F25D13/00, e.g. non-self-contained movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 16/00 Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/06 by forced circulation
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0822 Details of the element
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/08221 Fasteners or fixing means for the element
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/08222 Shape of the element
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/804 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/08 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally

Abstract

Thermal regulation of perishable products is achieved using a container (2) having an elongate thermal member (14) which extends into a central region of the container. Thermal regulation is also achieved by selected direction of airflow about walls (4) of the container and providing the container with a rib (5) to facilitate air circulation between adjacent containers.

Claims

1. A container for perishable products, the container comprising:

a base plate and one or more walls dependent therefrom;

a top plate;

a cooling substance;

an elongate thermal member extending from the base plate into a substantially central region of the container, the elongate thermal member including a cavity filled with the cooling substance to thereby reduce the temperature of the perishable products placed in the container; and

a compression device configured to exert a downward compressive force on the perishable product,

wherein the elongated thermal member constitutes part of the compression device, the compression device further comprises a clamping assembly, and an engagement of the clamping assembly and the elongated thermal member pulls the top plate toward the base plate,

wherein an end of the elongated thermal member remote from the base includes a clamp engagement member to engage with the clamping assembly, and

wherein the clamping assembly comprises;

two clamping members each having a recess configured to accommodate the clamp engagement member of the elongated thermal member; and

levers pivotally engaged with each of the clamping members and configured to operatively draw the two clamping members toward each other so as to securely engage the clamping assembly with the elongated thermal member.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated thermal member is removable from the container.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compression device engages with the top plate which is attachable to the elongated thermal member.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compression device includes a lower plate adapted for location on or adjacent to the base of the container and the elongated thermal member depends from the lower plate.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping assembly engages the top plate with an end of the elongated thermal member remote from the base.

6. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the top plate includes a biasing device to exert a force on the product.

7. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling substance is at a temperature below that of the perishable product.

8. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling substance is refrigerated or frozen water.

9. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate thermal member is present before the introduction of the perishable product.