Plastic-free fresh food tray for loading fresh meat and manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention discloses a plastic-free fresh food tray for loading fresh meat and a manufacturing method, the plastic-free fresh food tray comprises an inner tray body, an outer tray body is arranged on the outer surface of the inner tray body, and an adsorption body for adsorbing sewage is arranged between the inner tray body and the outer tray body. According to the prepared tray for loading the fresh meat, the adsorption effect on the carrying learning of the fresh meat is better improved, the problem that the consumption of consumers is not safe due to the fact that commodities are damaged due to accumulation of bacteria is avoided, the consumption safety is greatly improved, and the market competitiveness is improved. And large-scale popularization and application in supermarkets and the like are facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food packaging technology, and in particular to a plastic-free fresh meat tray and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0003] In the process of fresh food consumption, especially fresh meat, it is common to see pre-cut fresh meat packaged in shallow trays in supermarkets, some with prices marked, for consumers to take and buy directly. However, existing plastic trays usually use individual plastic boxes, where the blood from the meat can remain, making it easy for bacteria to grow and posing a certain risk of contamination. This is not conducive to safe purchasing and consumption for consumers, so there is an urgent need to improve the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems that need to be solved

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a plastic-free fresh meat tray and its manufacturing method. Its design is reasonable and creates a fresh meat tray that can treat the blood generated in fresh meat, which helps to reduce bacterial growth and improve consumer safety.

[0006] (II) Technical problems that need to be solved

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A plastic-free fresh meat tray includes an inner tray, an outer tray on the outer surface of the inner tray, and an absorbent for absorbing wastewater between the inner tray and the outer tray.

[0009] Preferably, the inner tray includes a tray bottom and a tray opening, a tray sidewall is provided between the tray bottom and the tray opening, and a receiving cavity is formed between the tray bottom and the tray sidewall, in which fresh meat is placed, and the size of the tray bottom is smaller than the size of the tray opening.

[0010] Preferably, the inner support body is provided with reinforcing ribs, which extend along the side wall of the support body to the bottom of the support body.

[0011] Preferably, the absorbent includes a drainage hole disposed on the bottom of the support, and an absorbent layer is disposed between the bottom of the support and the outer support.

[0012] Preferably, the absorbent layer is made of food-grade absorbent paper or blood-absorbing paper.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a plastic-free fresh meat tray using any of the above-described methods, comprising the following steps:

[0014] Step 1: Preparation of silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose;

[0015] Step 2: Prepare cationic corn starch;

[0016] Step 3: Unpack, remove impurities, and weigh the raw materials, then crush them using a hydraulic pulper to obtain pulverized material; the raw materials consist of bleached or unbleached sugarcane pulp and bamboo pulp; of which bamboo pulp accounts for 20% to 50%, and sugarcane pulp accounts for 50% to 80%; the pulp concentration is 3.5% to 3.8%;

[0017] Step 4: The processed crushed material is decomposed using a dual-function decomposition machine. After the decomposition machine cuts, separates fibers, and finely fibersizes the material, a uniform pulp with a beating degree of 20-23°SR is obtained.

[0018] Step 5: Mix the slurry with white water, add conventional chemicals such as silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose, water-resistant agent, wet strength agent, and oil-resistant agent, and stir evenly to obtain a mixed slurry; the dry strength agent is starch and its modified products; the proportion of the silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose, water-resistant agent, oil-resistant agent, and wet strength agent used in the oven-dry slurry is as follows: silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose 1%–5%, water-resistant agent 5%–7%, oil-resistant agent 1%–3%, and wet strength agent 2%–4%;

[0019] Step 4: The mixed slurry is transported through pipelines to a pallet molding machine, where it is dehydrated by vacuum filtration to obtain a wet pulp molded pallet preform. The molding part is dehydrated by vacuum suction, while the shaping part is dehydrated by temperature evaporation.

[0020] Step 5: Dehydrate the wet pulp molded pallet blank, heat press and shape it, and cut the edges to make the finished molded pallet. Then, punch air holes at the bottom of the finished molded pallet. The bottom outer surface of the finished molded pallet is covered with an absorbent layer. Finally, an outer support body is wrapped around the finished molded pallet to form a pallet.

[0021] Step 6: Dissolve the cationic corn starch treated in step 1 in water to a mass concentration of 8%–12%, and stir at room temperature for 1.0–1.5 hours. Dissolve the silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose in water to a mass concentration of 2.5%–3.5%, and stir at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Then, mix the above cationic corn starch solution and silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose solution, add glutaraldehyde solution for chemical cross-linking, and dilute the mixed solution with water to a concentration of 2.5%–3.5%. Spray the solution onto a tray using a rotary spraying method and allow it to dry and solidify.

[0022] Preferably, the method for preparing silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose is as follows: Nanofibrillated cellulose is added to water at a solid-liquid ratio of 0.2–0.3 g: 100 ml, and stirred at 55–65 °C for 5–10 minutes; AgNO3 is dissolved in water at a solid-liquid ratio of 0.050–0.055 g: 100 ml, and stirred at room temperature for 5–10 minutes; then, the AgNO3 solution is added to the nanofibrillated cellulose solution at a volume ratio of 1:4.5–5.5, and irradiated with microwave radiation at 500 W for 30–40 seconds until the mixture changes from transparent to brown, thus obtaining silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose.

[0023] Preferably, the width of the nanofibrillated cellulose is 10-20 nm and the length is 2-3 μm.

[0024] Preferably, the method for preparing cationic corn starch is as follows: Cationic corn starch is added to a 2 mol / L NaOH solution with a solid-liquid ratio of 1.5–2 g / ml, and stirred for 30 minutes until completely dissolved to obtain solution A; glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride is added to a 1 mol / L NaOH solution with a solid-liquid ratio of 1.0–1.3 g / ml, and then water is added with a water-to-NaOH solution volume ratio of 1.5–1.6:1 to obtain solution B; solutions A and B are thoroughly mixed and kept at 55–65°C for 20–24 hours, excess ethanol is added for precipitation, and the mixture is centrifuged at 6000–7000 rpm for 1.5–2.0 hours. Unreacted glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride and NaOH are washed away with ethanol, and the mixture is freeze-dried at 75–80°C to obtain the treated cationic corn starch.

[0025] Preferably, the substitution degree of cationic corn starch is 0.55 to 0.60.

[0026] (III) Technical Effects to be Achieved

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0028] Firstly, the present invention includes an inner tray, an outer tray on the outer surface of the inner tray, and an adsorbent for absorbing wastewater between the inner tray and the outer tray. This design is reasonable and simple in structure, creating a fresh food tray that can treat the blood water generated in fresh meat, which helps to reduce the growth of bacteria and improve the safety of consumption.

[0029] Secondly, the tray prepared by this invention for loading fresh meat has a greater adsorption effect on the bacteria carried by the fresh meat itself, avoiding the accumulation of bacteria that could lead to product damage and affect consumer safety. This greatly improves consumer safety and is more conducive to large-scale promotion and use in supermarkets and other similar establishments. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a plastic-free fresh meat tray structure according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of cross-section along the MM direction.

[0032] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of cross-section along the LL direction.

[0033] In the diagram: 1, inner support; 2, outer support; 3, absorbent body; 11, support bottom; 12, support opening; 13, support sidewall; 14, receiving cavity; 15, reinforcing rib; 31, drainage hole; 32, absorbent layer. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Before describing the compositions, methods, and methodologies of the present invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific compositions, methods, and experimental conditions described, as such compositions, methods, and conditions can vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention, as the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.

[0035] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, and / or compositions of the type described herein, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of this invention, as it should be understood that various modifications and variations are contained within the spirit and scope of this invention.

[0037] As used herein, “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “significantly” will be understood by those skilled in the art and will vary to some extent depending on the context in which they are used. Where a term is not readily apparent to those skilled in the art given the context of its use, “about” and “approximately” will indicate a addition or subtraction of less than 10% of the specific term, and “substantially” and “significantly” will indicate a addition or subtraction of more than 10% of the specific term. “Comprising” and “substantially consisting of” will have their conventional meanings in the art.

[0038] See Figure 1A plastic-free fresh meat tray includes an inner tray 1, an outer tray 2 on the outer surface of the inner tray 1, and an absorbent 3 for absorbing wastewater between the inner tray 1 and the outer tray 2. This design changes the single-layer structure of the prior art to a double-layer structure, which not only greatly enhances the strength and is conducive to supporting a relatively heavy amount of fresh meat, but also facilitates the absorption of blood and water remaining in the fresh meat stored in the inner tray 1, thereby improving the safety of storing fresh meat and enhancing food safety.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the inner tray 1 further includes a tray base 11 and a tray opening 12. A tray sidewall 13 is provided between the tray base 11 and the tray opening 12, forming a receiving cavity 14. Fresh meat is placed in the receiving cavity 14. The size of the tray base 11 is smaller than the size of the tray opening 12, and the angle between the tray sidewall 13 and the tray base 11 is 115°, which is more conducive to loading and unloading fresh meat. Furthermore, the inner tray 1 is provided with reinforcing ribs 15, which run along the tray sidewall 13 to the tray base 11. This design greatly improves the load-bearing strength of the inner tray 1. It should also be noted that the inner sidewall of the tray opening 12 is provided with steps, and the angle between the steps is 115°. Moreover, the outer edge of the outer sidewall of the tray opening 12 is also provided with a 106° angle. This design makes the overall assembly line smoother and more stable in use.

[0040] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the absorbent body 3 further includes a drain hole 31 on the base 11 of the support, and an absorbent layer 32 is provided between the base 11 and the outer support 2. This design is simple and easy to manufacture. It should be noted that the absorbent layer 32 uses food-grade absorbent paper or blood-absorbing paper, which improves safety and is more effective at absorbing blood from fresh meat. The drain hole 31 has a pore size of 0.5-3mm, which further facilitates the absorption of accumulated blood through the absorbent layer 32.

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the four corners of the openings of both the inner support 1 and the outer support 2 are rounded, with a radius of 40 mm. This not only makes the overall design more aesthetically pleasing but also ensures more even force distribution during use, preventing injury to users, especially children and the elderly. The inner support 1 is 0.5 mm thick, and the outer support 2 is 0.65 mm thick, which facilitates manufacturing and helps reduce production costs.

[0042] In addition, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a plastic-free fresh meat tray, comprising the following steps:

[0043] Step 1: Preparation of silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose

[0044] The method is as follows: Nanofibrillated cellulose (width 10-20 nm, length 2-3 μm) is added to water at a solid-liquid ratio of 0.2-0.3 g: 100 ml and stirred at 55-65 °C for 5-10 minutes; AgNO3 is dissolved in water at a solid-liquid ratio of 0.050-0.055 g: 100 ml and stirred at room temperature for 5-10 minutes; then the AgNO3 solution is added to the nanofibrillated cellulose solution at a volume ratio of 1:4.5-5.5 and irradiated with microwave at 500 W for 30-40 seconds. The mixture changes from transparent to brown, thus obtaining silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose.

[0045] Step 2: Preparation of cationic corn starch

[0046] The method is as follows: Cationic corn starch (substitution degree 0.55-0.60) is added to a 2 mol / L NaOH solution with a solid-liquid ratio of 1.5-2 g / ml, and stirred for 30 minutes until completely dissolved to obtain solution A; glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride is added to a 1 mol / L NaOH solution with a solid-liquid ratio of 1.0-1.3 g / ml, and then water is added with a water-to-NaOH solution volume ratio of 1.5-1.6:1 to obtain solution B; solutions A and B are thoroughly mixed and kept at 55-65℃ for 20-24 hours, and excess ethanol (70% concentration) is added for precipitation. The mixture is centrifuged at 6000-7000 rpm for 1.5-2.0 hours, and unreacted glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride and NaOH are washed away with ethanol (70% concentration). The treated cationic corn starch is then freeze-dried at 75-80℃ to obtain the processed cationic corn starch.

[0047] Step 3: Unpack, remove impurities, and weigh the raw materials, then crush them using a hydraulic pulper to obtain pulverized material; the raw materials consist of bleached or unbleached sugarcane pulp and bamboo pulp; of which bamboo pulp accounts for 20% to 50%, and sugarcane pulp accounts for 50% to 80%; the pulp concentration is 3.5% to 3.8%;

[0048] Step 4: The processed crushed material is decomposed using a dual-function decomposition machine. After the decomposition machine cuts, separates fibers, and finely fibersizes the material, a uniform pulp with a beating degree of 20-23°SR is obtained.

[0049] Step 5: Mix the slurry with white water, add conventional chemicals such as silver-loaded nanofiberized cellulose, water-resistant agent, wet strength agent, and oil-resistant agent, and stir evenly to obtain a mixed slurry; the dry strength agent is starch and its modified products; the proportion of silver-loaded nanofiberized cellulose, water-resistant agent, oil-resistant agent, and wet strength agent in the oven-dry slurry is: silver-loaded nanofiberized cellulose 1%~5%, water-resistant agent 5%~7%, oil-resistant agent 1%~3%, and wet strength agent 2%~4%;

[0050] Step 4: The mixed slurry is transported through pipelines to a pallet molding machine, where it is dehydrated by vacuum filtration to obtain a wet pulp molded pallet preform. The molding part is dehydrated by vacuum suction, while the shaping part is dehydrated by temperature evaporation.

[0051] Step 5: The wet pulp molded pallet blank is dehydrated, hot-pressed, and trimmed to form the finished molded pallet. Air vents are then punched into the bottom of the finished molded pallet. An absorbent layer is applied to the outer surface of the bottom of the finished molded pallet. Finally, an outer support is wrapped around the finished molded pallet to form the pallet. Hot pressing is performed at a pressure of 50–100 kg / cm², a temperature of 170–230°C, and a time of 15–30 seconds. The wet pulp molded pallet blank is then dehydrated under vacuum of -0.03 MPa to -0.04 MPa for 15–20 seconds, resulting in a moisture content of 70%–75%. The absorbent layer uses food-grade absorbent paper or blood-absorbing paper, which improves safety and is more effective at absorbing blood from fresh meat.

[0052] Step 6: Dissolve the cationic corn starch treated in step 1 in water to a mass concentration of 8%–12%, and stir at room temperature for 1.0–1.5 hours. Dissolve the silver-loaded nanofiberized cellulose in water to a mass concentration of 2.5%–3.5%, and stir at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Then mix the two solutions (cationic corn starch solution: silver-loaded nanofiberized cellulose solution volume ratio = 40–60:60–40), add glutaraldehyde solution (concentration 8%–10%) for chemical cross-linking, and the volume of the mixed solution is: The glutaraldehyde solution volume ratio is 50-60:1. Stir for 30-40 minutes, then dilute with water to a concentration of 2.5%-3.5%. Apply the solution using a spin coating method (a coating process that relies on the centrifugal force and gravity generated when the workpiece rotates to evenly distribute the coating droplets onto the workpiece surface. Spin coating is only suitable for preparing single-sided coatings on simple planar workpieces, mainly used for preparing electron beam tube fluorescent screen coatings, etc. The main advantage of spin coating is that it easily obtains coatings with high density and relatively uniform thickness) onto a tray, and then dry and shape.

[0053] Furthermore, the bamboo pulp is 20%–50%, preferably 60%, and the sugarcane pulp is 50%–80%, preferably 60%, so that the pallet manufactured in this way has a load-bearing capacity of not less than 4 kg.

[0054] The finished pallets made according to this invention have a shelf life of no less than 14 days, which is more beneficial to users. Moreover, the finished pallets made according to this invention have an antibacterial rate of over 80% (86.6%, 89.2% or 90.7%), while the existing products on the market only have a rate of 64.4%, which greatly improves the antibacterial effect and makes them more effective.

[0055] It should be noted that although the above embodiments have been described herein, this does not limit the scope of patent protection for this invention. Therefore, any changes and modifications made to the embodiments described herein based on the innovative concept of this invention, or equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the description and drawings of this invention, directly or indirectly applying the above technical solutions to other related technical fields, are all included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A plastic-free fresh produce tray for loading raw fresh meat, characterized in that: The inner carrier (1) is provided with an outer carrier (2) on the outer surface, and an adsorption body (3) for absorbing sewage is arranged between the inner carrier (1) and the outer carrier (2).

2. The plastic-free fresh produce tray loaded with raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The inner carrier (1) comprises a carrier bottom (11) and a carrier mouth (12), and a carrier sidewall (13) is arranged between the carrier bottom (11) and the carrier mouth (12), so as to form a containing cavity (14) between the carrier bottom (11) and the carrier sidewall (13), wherein the containing cavity (14) is used for placing fresh meat, and the size of the carrier bottom (11) is smaller than the size of the carrier mouth (12).

3. The plastic-free fresh produce tray loaded with raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The inner carrier (1) is provided with a reinforcing rib (15) extending along the carrier sidewall (13) to the carrier bottom (11).

4. The plastic-free fresh produce tray loaded with raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The adsorption body (3) comprises a drainage hole (31) arranged on the carrier bottom (11), and a water absorption layer (32) is arranged between the carrier bottom (11) and the outer carrier (2).

5. The plastic-free fresh produce tray loaded with raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 4, wherein: The water absorption layer (32) is made of food-grade water absorption paper or blood absorption paper.

6. A method of manufacturing a plastic-free fresh produce tray for loading raw fresh meat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that: The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: preparing silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose; Step 2: preparing cationic corn starch; Step 3: unpacking, removing impurities and weighing the raw materials, and then crushing the raw materials by using a hydraulic pulper to obtain crushed materials; the raw materials are composed of bleached or unbleached sugarcane pulp and bamboo pulp, wherein the bamboo pulp accounts for 20-50% and the sugarcane pulp accounts for 50-80%; the concentration of the crushed pulp is 3.5-3.8%; Step 4: the treated crushed materials are defibrated by using a double-function defibrator, so that the crushed materials are cut, separated and fine-fiberized by the defibrator to obtain uniform pulp, and the beating degree of the pulp is 20-23°SR; Step 5: the pulp is mixed with white water, and silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose, water-resistant agent, wet-strength agent and oil-proof agent and other conventional chemicals are added and uniformly stirred to obtain mixed pulp; the dry-strength agent is starch and modified starch; the proportion of the silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose, the water-resistant agent, the oil-proof agent and the wet-strength agent to the absolutely dry pulp is as follows: 1-5% of silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose, 5-7% of water-resistant agent, 1-3% of oil-proof agent and 2-4% of wet-strength agent; Step 4: the mixed pulp is transported to a tray molding machine through a pipeline, and a paper pulp molded tray wet blank is prepared by vacuum filtration and dehydration. Step 5: the paper pulp molded tray wet blank is subjected to dehydration treatment, hot-pressing shaping and edge cutting to prepare a molded tray product, then air holes are punched on the bottom of the molded tray product, the outer surface of the lower bottom of the molded tray product is covered with a water absorption layer, and finally the molded tray product is wrapped with an outer carrier to form a tray. Step 6: Dissolve the cationic corn starch after treatment in clean water with a mass concentration of 8% to 12%, stirring at room temperature for 1.0 to 1.5 hours, and dissolve the silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose in clean water with a mass concentration of 2.5% to 3.5%, stirring at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes; then mix the cationic corn starch solution and the silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose solution, add a glutaraldehyde solution for chemical crosslinking, dilute the mixed solution to a concentration of 2.5% to 3.5% with clean water, and spray it onto a tray using a rotary spray method and dry it to form a shape.

7. A method of manufacturing a plastic-free fresh produce tray for loading raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The method for preparing silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose is as follows: add nanofibrillated cellulose to clean water with a solid-liquid ratio of 0.2 to 0.3 g: 100 ml, and stir at 55 to 65°C for 5 to 10 minutes; dissolve AgNO3 in clean water with a solid-liquid ratio of 0.050 to 0.055 g: 100 ml, and stir at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes; then add the AgNO3 solution to the nanofibrillated cellulose solution with a volume ratio of 1:4.5 to 5.5, and irradiate it with microwave radiation at a power of 500 W for 30 to 40 seconds, so that the mixture changes from transparent to brown, and silver-loaded nanofibrillated cellulose is obtained.

8. A method of manufacturing a plastic-free fresh produce tray for loading raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The nanofibrillated cellulose has a width of 10 to 20 nm and a length of 2 to 3 μm.

9. A method of manufacturing a plastic-free fresh produce tray for loading raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The method for preparing cationic corn starch is as follows: add cationic corn starch to a NaOH solution with a concentration of 2 mol / l with a solid-liquid ratio of 1.5 to 2 g / ml, and stir for 30 minutes until it is completely dissolved to obtain solution A; add glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride to a NaOH solution with a concentration of 1 mol / l with a solid-liquid ratio of 1.0 to 1.3 g / ml, then add clean water with a volume ratio of clean water to NaOH solution of 1.5 to 1.6:1 to obtain solution B; mix solution A and solution B thoroughly, and heat them at 55 to 65°C for 20 to 24 hours, add excess ethanol for precipitation, centrifuge them at 6000 to 7000 rpm for 1.5 to 2.0 hours, wash away the unreacted glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride and NaOH with ethanol, and freeze-dry them at 75 to 80°C to obtain cationic corn starch after treatment.

10. A method of manufacturing a plastic-free fresh produce tray for loading raw fresh meat as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The degree of substitution of the cationic corn starch is 0.55 to 0.60.

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