[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transport/distribution of products,
especially sea food products, e.g. herring, shrimps, lobster, crabs, mussels, etc.
which require addition of moisture for a period of time, and cooling without direct
contact with the cooling medium, e.g. crushed ice, with utilization of a packing means
as stated in the introductory part of the following independent method claim 1. Furthermore,
the invention relates to a packing means for use in carrying out said method of the
kind as stated in the introductory part of the following dependent claim 3.
[0002] When products of the above mentioned kind are transported the products should not
have any direct contact with the cooling medium, e.g. crushed ice, due to reasons
of quality, but in order to keep fresh and be prevented from becoming too dry the
products should have a supply of a certain quantity of moisture during the entire
period of transport/distribution at the same time as the temperature should be kept
down to a certain level.
[0003] It is, indeed, known to transport, e.g. lobster and crab in cases and packed into
moist seaweed, sea tangle, or possibly another moist material to maintain the desired
moisture. Evaporation of this moisture will, obviously, provide a certain cooling
effect as well. To the present date, however, no optimal solution to the above mentioned
problem was found for transport/distribution of said products.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a packing means
for use in carrying out said method, which solve the above problem. According to the
invention this is achieved by the characterizing features as stated in the characterizing
part of the following independent method claim, and the the following dependent claim,
as well as in the characterizing part of the following dependent claim 3 and the following
dependent claims.
[0005] An embodiment of the packing means, and the method with use of said packing means
will be disclosed below with reference to the drawing, the sole Figure of which shows
the packing means in a cross sectional view with a product, e.g. crabs, placed in
said packing means and in an exploded view of the packing components for clarity.
[0006] Packing means 1 consists of a case/box 2 of a watertight material, with a cover 3,and
a double bottom 4, 3a, comprising an upper bottom member 4 with drainage apertures
5, and a lower watertight bottom member 3a. Said bottom members define a space 2c
between them for receiving an absorbent 6 of moisture. A tray-shaped insert 7 with
a perforated bottom 7a having apertures 9 is provided in the upper portion of case/box
2 and is, in the shown embodiment, provided with edge portions 7b for being suspended
from the upper edges 2b of case/box 2 below cover 3.
[0007] As shown, said upper rims 2b and rims 3b of cover 3 provided with projections, and
recesses, respectively, which are complementary for achievement of an airtight and
non-displaceable connection between cover 3 and case/box 2. Edge portions 7b of the
insert 7 are shaped to be complementary with the cooperating portions 3b, and 2b of
cover 3 and case/box 2. Due to the fact that insert 7 is manufactured from a thin
material cover 3 is readily snapped in place.
[0008] Insert 7 may, e.g. consist of a thermo or vacuum formed plastic sheet material.
[0009] For carrying out the method according to the invention the desired product 8, in
the Figure indicated as crabs, is placed in case/box 2 and then the insert 7, if desired
with introduced crushed ice A, is suspended above the product on the upper rims 2b
of case/box 2.
[0010] The crushed ice A may, obviously be provided on top op insert 7 after said insert
is placed above product 8. Then the cover 3 is applied. Absorbent 6 may, if desired,
be placed in space 2c before the product 8 is provided, which is most advantageous,
or it may be provided after the product was supplied.
[0011] If transport takes more than a couple of days and it is generally necessary to replace
absorbent 6, this may readily be done by loosening lower bottom member 3a, replacing
absorbent 6, and then fastening bottom member 3a in place again. As will appear from
the drawing bottom member 3a is provided with lateral portions 3c having recesses
which cooperate with projections on the lower side edges 2a of the case/box 2 for
watertight closure of space 2c, so that water from melted ice A and any liquids given
off from product 8 cannot leak to the environment if absorbent 6 becomes saturated.
1. A method for transport/distribution of a product (8), especially a sea product,
e.g. herring, shrimps, lobster, crabs, mussels, etc., which require supply of moisture
for a period of time as well as cooling without direct contact with the cooling medium,
e.g. crushed ice, with use of a packing means (1) comprising a case/box (2) of a watertight
material and opening upwards, with a cover (3), and a double bottom (4,3a) comprising
an upper bottom member (4) with drainage apertures (5), and a lower liquid tight bottom
member (3a), which bottom members define a space (2c) for receiving an absorbent (6)
of moisture between them, into which case/box (2) the product is placed, characterized in that cooling medium (A), e.g. crushed ice, is placed on a tray shaped insert (7)
having a perforated bottom (7a) with apertures (9) above said product (8), whereupon
the case/box (2) is closed by the aid of cover (3), so that water from melted ice
will trickle down through apertures (9) during a desired period depending of the size
and number of apertures (9), and the quantity of ice, to moisten and cool the product
(8) in case/box (2).
2. A method as defined in claim 1, characterized in that insert (7) is suspended from the upper rims (2b) of case/box (2) before the
cover (3) is provided.
3. A packing means for carrying out the method as defined in claim 1 or 2, and comprising
a case/box (2) of a liquid tight material and opening upwards, with a cover (3) and
a double bottom (4,3a) comprising an upper bottom member (4) with drainage apertures
(5), and a lower liquid tight bottom member (3a) which, between them, define a space
(2c) for receiving an absorbent (6), characterized in a tray shaped insert (7) having a perforated bottom (7a) with perforations (9) intended
for supporting a cooling medium (A), e.g. crushed ice, in the upper portion of case/box
(2).
4. A packing as defined in claim 3, characterized in that the insert (7) consists of a thin material and is provided with rim portions
(7b) for suspension on the upper rims (2b) of case/box 2 beneath cover (3).
5. A packing as defined in claim 4, characterized in that the rim portions (7b) of insert (7) are complementary with the cooperating portions
(2b,3b) of case/box (2), and cover (3).
6. A packing as defined in one of claims 3-5, characterized in that insert (7) is a thermo or vacuum formed plastic sheet.
