Heating apparatus, transportation unit, system and method for removing foodstuffs

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportation unit for transport of foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures. The transportation unit comprises a first bag, a second bag arranged to fit into the first bag, and one or more hoist bands wrapped around the bottom side of the first bag and connected thereto. The first bag has an upper side and a bottom side, and is made from a woven fabric, preferably a woven polymer. Additionally, the first bag comprises a transfer opening for removing the foodstuffs from the transportation unit. The second bag comprises an opening for inserting and/or removing the foodstuffs. The second bag is capable of transporting more than 2000 kg of foodstuffs. The one or more hoist bands form loops above the upper side of the first bag.

1 . A transportation unit for transport of foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures, the transportation unit comprising:
 a first bag made from a woven fabric, preferably a woven polymer, the first bag having an upper side and a bottom side, the first bag being arranged to accommodate a second bag;   a second bag arranged to fit into the first bag, the second bag comprising an opening for inserting and/or removing the foodstuffs; and   one or more hoist bands wrapped around the bottom side of the first bag and connected thereto, the one or more hoist bands forming loops above the upper side of the first bag;   
       wherein the first bag comprises a transfer opening for removing the foodstuffs from the transportation unit and wherein the second bag is capable of transporting more than 2000 kg of foodstuffs. 
     
     
         2 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first bag comprises a closeable opening to allow insertion of the second bag. 
     
     
         3 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the second bag comprises a first transfer opening for insertion of foodstuffs and a second transfer opening for removal of foodstuffs. 
     
     
         4 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the second bag further comprises a pressure control opening for allowing pressure control within the second bag. 
     
     
         5 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first bag is provided with a coupling unit, the coupling unit having a first end at the inner side of the first bag for coupling to the opening of the second bag, and a second end at the outside of the first bag for coupling for further foodstuff transfer. 
     
     
         6 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the woven fabric has a tensile strength greater than about 170 kN/m, preferably greater than about 200 kN/m. 
     
     
         7 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hoist bands are connected to the first bag by stitching with a yarn comprising polypropylene with a tensile strength greater than about 5 grams per denier, preferably greater than about 6 grams per denier. 
     
     
         8 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the upper side of the first bag is provided with a foldable flap provided with Velcro. 
     
     
         9 . The transportation unit of  claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure having a bottom and side walls for enclosing the first bag and the second bag. 
     
     
         10 . The transportation unit of  claim 9 , wherein the enclosure is made of cardboard. 
     
     
         11 . The transportation unit of  claim 9 , wherein the enclosure is provided with one or more strips. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for heating foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a bottom wall and side walls, the housing being arranged to accommodate a transportation unit filled with more than 2000 kg of foodstuffs and provided with an opening for removal of the foodstuffs, the housing further comprising an outlet opening; and   a heating system within the housing provided with a heat transfer surface for transferring heat to the transportation unit during use, wherein the heat transfer surface of the heating system is arranged to embrace at least about 40% of the outer surface of the transportation unit.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the heat transfer surface includes the outer surface of tubes, sheets or panels forming a frame for supporting the transportation unit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the heat transfer surface includes the outer surface of panels, and wherein at least one of the surfaces of the heat panels facing a space within the housing for accommodating the transportation unit during use comprises a plurality of burls. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a lid provided with a transparent portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the side walls and the bottom wall comprises insulating material. 
     
     
         17 . A system for removing foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures from a transportation unit, the system comprising:
 a heating apparatus according to  claim 15 ;   a pump arranged for pumping the foodstuffs from a transportation unit placed in the heating apparatus; and   one or more tubes for transferring the foodstuffs from the transportation unit towards a further storage unit by means of the pump.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  17 , wherein the heating apparatus accommodates a transportation unit according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the system further comprises a stirring unit for stirring the foodstuffs in the transportation unit placed in the heating apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . A method of removing foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures from a transportation unit, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus for heating foodstuffs, the apparatus comprising a housing and a heating system within the housing, wherein the housing has a bottom wall and side walls, and is arranged to accommodate a transportation unit filled with more than 2000 kg of foodstuffs and provided with an opening for removal of the foodstuff, and wherein the heating system is provided with a heat transfer surface for transferring heat to the transportation unit during use;   providing a pump;   placing a transportation unit filled with the foodstuffs and provided with an opening for removal of the foodstuffs into the housing of the heating apparatus;   coupling the pump to the transportation unit;   heating the foodstuffs in the transportation unit; and   removing the foodstuffs from the transportation unit by pumping.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising, during heating, stirring the foodstuffs in the transportation unit.