Methods and apparatus for thermal regulation of perishable products

Abstract

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

1 . A method of storing or treating meat, the method including the steps of:
 providing a container;
 placing a refrigerated object or an object containing a coolant into the container; 
 placing the meat into the container adjacent to the object; 
 placing the meat under compression. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the refrigerated object comprises an elongate member which may extend from the base into a substantially central region of the container, the thermal member including a cavity adapted to be filled with the coolant. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of placing the meat under compression includes attaching an upper plate to the elongate member and applying pressure to compress the meat between the upper plate and a lower plate provided at the base of the elongate member. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the container has at least one side wall, the method including the step of:
 placing the container in a chiller such that the at least one side wall is exposed to a flow of air in a temperature range of substantially −2 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius at a velocity of substantially 1 metre per second to 2 metres per second. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the temperature is substantially −1.5 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the airflow velocity is substantially 1.5 metres per second. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the airflow is directed about or across two side walls of the container. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  including the step:
 placing the container in a chiller adjacent to another container such that the spacing means of at least one container provides a separation between walls of the adjacent containers to allow airflow between the walls. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the spacing means comprise a projection from a side wall of the container, a contoured wall or a rib. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  including the step of using the spacing means for contact or engagement with a lifting mechanism to lift and/or transport the container. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  including the step of using the spacing means to stack empty containers. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the container has at least one side wall the method including the step of:
 placing the container in a chiller such that the at least one side wall is exposed to a flow of cooled air. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the cooled air flow is in a temperature range of substantially −2 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the airflow velocity is substantially 1 metre per second to 2 metres per second. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the temperature is substantially −1.5 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the airflow velocity is substantially 1.5 metres per second. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 12  including providing a spacing means on the container, and placing the container in a chiller adjacent to another container such that the spacing means of at least one container provide a separation between walls of the adjacent container to allow airflow between the walls. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  including placing the container in the chiller such that the at least one side wall is exposed to a flow of cooled air substantially parallel to the wall. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the cooling substance is refrigerated or frozen water. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the refrigerated object or an object is present before the introduction of the perishable product.