Shellfish transport unit, particularly oysters

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for packaging (P) shellfish (2) and an associated transport unit, the method comprising the following steps: - placing (E2) a shellfish in each indentation (6) formed in a support (3); - placing (E3) the support (3) comprising the shellfish (2) in a sealed enclosure; - reducing (E4) the pressure in the enclosure until a preservation pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is reached; - fixing (E5, E6) in a sealed manner a cover (4) on the support (3) so as to immobilize the shellfish (2) between the cover (4) and the support (3) and to maintain a pressure in the at least one indentation (6) substantially equal to the preservation pressure. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Unit for transporting shellfish, particularly oysters Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the packaging of live shellfish such as oyster products in packages. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In the oyster farming industry, it is known to use baskets made of wood, plywood or wickerwork for packaging and transporting live shellfish for sale. However, there are certain constraints for the packaging of oyster products. After removing them from the water, the oysters are placed flat in the interior space of a basket, so as to retain their water as much as possible and preserve their taste qualities. The basket is then closed with a lid.

[0003] A basket containing live shellfish can then be sold individually in a sales area.

[0004] Other types of live shellfish packaging may be used. For example, document FR 3 066 180 describes a polymer plate, a shellfish receiving surface of which has several predefined locations. An oyster may be positioned in each location. The plate is then covered with a microperforated plastic film and the assembly formed by the plate and the oysters is placed at a temperature between 170°C and 190°C in order to heat-shrink the film onto the oysters.

[0005] However, this process involves subjecting the oysters to a high temperature. In addition, the shelf life of the shellfish remains insufficient because the packaging offered does not allow the shellfish to be kept alive for a sufficiently long time. Statement of the invention

[0006] An aim of the present application is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a packaging method which makes it possible to further increase the lifespan of the shellfish, and therefore their shelf life.

[0007] To this end, according to a first aspect, a method of packaging shellfish, such as oysters, is proposed, comprising the following steps: - providing a support for the shells, the support comprising an upper face in which is formed at least one impression configured to at least partially accommodate a shell so as to maintain the shell in position relative to the support; - place a shell in each impression of the support; - place the support including the shell(s) in a waterproof enclosure; - reduce the pressure in the enclosure until a conservation pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is reached; - fix a cover tightly to the support so as to immobilize the shell(s) between the cover and the support and to maintain a pressure in the at least one impression substantially equal to the preservation pressure.

[0008] Some preferred but non-limiting features of the packaging method according to the first aspect are the following, taken individually or in combination: - the storage pressure is between 100 mbar and 800 mbar, for example equal to 500 mbar; - the pressure reduction step is carried out at a speed between 50 mbar / s and 500 mbar / s, for example 200 mbar / s; - the pressure reduction step is carried out at room temperature; - the cover comprises a deformable plastic film, and the step of fixing the cover to the support comprises applying the film in contact with the at least one shell; - the step of fixing the cover includes welding the film to the support; and / or - the shell(s) comprise an asymmetrical bivalve shell comprising a lower valve and an upper valve, the lower valve being more domed than the upper valve, the step of placing the shell in the impression comprising placing the lower valve at the bottom of the impression.

[0009] According to a second aspect, there is provided a shellfish transport unit comprising: - a support comprising an upper face in which at least one imprint is formed, each imprint being configured to at least partially house a shell so as to hold the shell in position relative to the support; - at least one shell, each shell being placed in a corresponding imprint; - a cover fixed in a sealed manner to the support, the cover being in contact with the at least one shell in order to maintain the at least one shell in position relative to the support; a pressure in the transport unit being less than atmospheric pressure.

[0010] Some preferred but non-limiting features of the transport unit according to the first aspect are the following, taken individually or in combination: - the at least one shellfish includes an oyster; - the pressure in the transport unit is between 400 mbar and 600 mbar, by example equal to 500 mbar; - the cover comprises a deformable plastic film applied in contact with the at least one shell, the plastic film being welded to the support; - the shell(s) comprise an asymmetrical bivalve shell comprising a lower valve and an upper valve, the lower valve being more domed than the upper valve, the lower valve being placed at the bottom of the impression; and / or - the transport unit further comprises at least one blotter placed at the bottom of the impression. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0011] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and which must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0012] [Fig.l] illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a transport unit according to one embodiment, the shells having been omitted;

[0013] [Fig.2] is a top view of the carrier of the transport unit of [Fig.l];

[0014] [Fig.3] is a top view of the support of [Fig.2] with shells placed in the footprints; and

[0015] [Fig.4] is a flowchart of steps of a packaging method according to one embodiment.

[0016] Throughout the figures, similar elements bear identical references. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present disclosure relates to a method of packaging a transport unit 1 of live shellfish 2 and the corresponding transport unit 1. By "shellfish 2" or "live shellfish 2" is meant, here and throughout the description below, living animals of the seawater or freshwater mollusc type, typically bivalve molluscs or gastropods.

[0018] The living shellfish 2 include, for example, bivalve shellfish 2 such as oysters. Each shellfish 2 may include a lower valve and an upper valve, the lower valve being able to be more domed (hollow) than the upper valve.

[0019] It will be understood, however, that the invention could be implemented, with the same advantages, in combination with any other type of consumable content packaged in the same packaging, in particular living content whose integrity and wholesomeness must be ensured during transport and sale.

[0020] In order to improve the shelf life of the shellfish 2, it is proposed to place the shellfish 2 in a transport unit 1 comprising a support 3 and a cover 4 configured so as to immobilize the shellfish 2 and thus prevent them from turn over and open. In addition, the pressure in the transport unit 1 is lower than atmospheric pressure in order to reinforce the immobilization of the shellfish 2 in the support 3 and to increase the lifespan of the shellfish 2. Indeed, the shellfish 2, and in particular the bivalve molluscs, feed by filtering the water. Opening the shellfish 2 during transport or storage therefore presents the risk that the shellfish 2 lose all or part of their water, thus limiting their lifespan and therefore their storage life. Conversely, the transport unit 1 in accordance with this disclosure makes it possible to guarantee that the shellfish 2 remains closed, thus drastically increasing its lifespan.For example, it has been noted by the applicant that oysters packaged in a transport unit 1 comprising a support 3 on which a cover 4 is mounted in a sealed manner with a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure could be preserved for at least 20 days, or even up to 40 days.

[0021] For this, the support 3 comprises an upper face 5 in which one or more indentations 6 are formed, configured to at least partially house a shell 2 so as to maintain the shell 2 in position relative to the support 3. The shell 2 is placed so that its lower valve is at the bottom of the indentation 6, the upper valve being able to protrude from the indentation 6. This in fact makes it possible to guarantee that the mollusc bathes in the water of the shell and reduces the risks of leaks.

[0022] The mouth of the indentations 6 extends substantially in the same plane (to within 5 mm) in order to improve the blocking of the shells 2 by the cover 4. The depth of the indentations 6 can, however, vary in order to take into account the thickness of the shell 2 intended to be placed in the indentation 6 (when different shells 2 are placed in the transport unit 1).

[0023] Preferably, the imprint 6 at least partially houses the lower valve of the shell 2. The shape and dimensions of the imprint 6 are chosen so that, when the upper face 5 of the support 3 is horizontal and the support 3 is moved in a horizontal plane, the shell 2 placed in the imprint 6 cannot overturn.

[0024] In one embodiment, the shape and dimensions of the imprint 6 correspond to the shape and dimensions of all or part of the lower valve of the shell 2 so as to match the shape of its lower valve. The shell 2 can for example be mounted tightly in the imprint 6.

[0025] Alternatively, the imprint 6 may have a larger volume than the part of the lower valve that it receives and include shims configured to bear against the lower valve in order to hold the shell 2 in position.

[0026] The support 3 may comprise a solid part in which the impressions 6 are hollowed out or molded. For example, the support 3 may comprise a rigid block solid (for example a block of plastic or wood) in which the upper face 5 of which are hollowed out the impressions 6. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the support 3 may comprise a hollow box having a bottom wall whose upper face 5 corresponds to the upper face 5 of the support 3 and side walls which extend from the bottom, the impressions 6 being able to be defined by deformation of the bottom (by molding or stamping) of the box. This variant embodiment has the advantage of being lighter and of requiring a smaller quantity of material in comparison with the solid part. The support 3 is also stackable.

[0027] The support 3 is made of a material suitable for food packaging, typically plastic materials used in the packaging of fresh meat products. The material constituting the upper face 5 of the support 3 is furthermore airtight and watertight in order to maintain a constant pressure in the transport unit 1. In one embodiment, the support 3 can be made of a single material. For example, the support 3 can be made of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), which is a strong and low-cost thermoplastic material, of crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (PEC) or even of polystyrene.

[0028] Optionally, a blotting paper 7 is placed at the bottom of each impression 6, or alternatively on the entire upper surface 5 of the support 3, in order to absorb condensation in the transport unit 1. The blotting paper(s) 7 are preferably positioned so that the lower valve of each shell is in contact with the blotting paper 7.

[0029] The blotting paper may for example comprise a paper having an absorption of between 3 and 7 L / m2, for example of the order of 5 L / m2.

[0030] The cover 4 is configured to be fixed in a sealed manner on the support 3 so as to immobilize the shellfish or shellfish 2 between the cover 4 and the support 3. The cover 4 therefore comes into contact with the upper valve so as to keep the shellfish 2 pressed against the support 3.

[0031] Preferably, the cover 4 is mounted on the support 3 so as to apply a force to the shell 2 in order to keep it closed. The cover 4 may be transparent in order to allow the shells 2 to be viewed without opening the transport unit 1. The cover 4 is furthermore made of a watertight and airtight material in order to maintain a constant pressure in the transport unit 1 when the cover 4 is fixed against the support 3.

[0032] In one embodiment, the cover 4 comprises a deformable thermoplastic film 4 which is applied against the upper valve of the shellfish 2 and all or part of the upper face 5 of the support 3 (see [Fig.l]). In addition, the pressure in the transport unit 1 being lower than atmospheric pressure, the film 4 takes the shape of the shellfish 2, thus ensuring its functions of immobilizing the shellfish 2. The pressure in the transport unit 1 being lower than atmospheric pressure, the deformable film 4 comes into contact with a large part of the surface of the upper valve of the shells 2, or even where appropriate a part of the surface of the lower valve, and furthermore partially penetrates into the imprint 6 on either side of the shell 2, thus increasing the contact surface between the film 4 and the shell 2 and thus reducing the risks of leaks and untimely opening of the shell 2.

[0033] The film 4 is then fixed to the support 3 in a sealed manner on the support 3, for example along the periphery of the support 3 and / or around the impressions 6, in order to maintain a constant pressure in the transport unit 1.

[0034] The film 4 may comprise any suitable material capable of deforming so as to fit the shape of the shells 2 and to ensure the sealing of the transport unit 1. If necessary, the material constituting the film 4 may also be weldable to the upper face 5 of the support 3. For example, the film 4 may be made of a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene or polypropylene. A thickness of the film 4 is further chosen so as to withstand external stresses during the transport and storage of the transport unit 1, while ensuring its deformation to fit the shape of the shells 2. For example, the film 4 may have a thickness of between 70 μm and 250 μm.As a non-limiting example, a transparent polyethylene / ethylene vinyl alcohol / polyethylene (PE / EVOH / PE) three-layer film 4 with a thickness of between 80 μm and 150 μm has very good puncture resistance, can be welded to APET and CPET type materials (which can be used to produce the support 3) and is airtight and waterproof. An example of a three-layer PE / EVOH / PE type material is marketed by the company MULTIVAC under the designation “MULTIFRESH ST20 PT film 4 skin with EVOH barrier”.

[0035] Advantageously, the pressure in the transport unit 1 being lower than atmospheric pressure, the deformable film 4 remains in contact with the shells 2 as long as the sealing of the unit is ensured, that is to say until the film 4 ruptures (or where appropriate damage to the support 3).

[0036] The pressure in the transport unit 1 is lower than atmospheric pressure. Advantageously, reducing the pressure in the treatment unit compared to atmospheric pressure allows: - the cover 4 to de facto apply a force to the upper valve of the shell 2, thus ensuring that it remains closed during transport and storage; - to reinforce the maintenance of the cover 4 in position on the support 3; and - where appropriate, when the cover 4 comprises a deformable film 4, to make the film 4 conform to the shape of the shells 2 without requiring heat treatment, which further reduces the risks of opening the shells 2 and reduces the stress applied to the shells 2 during packaging.

[0037] The gas contained in the transport unit 1 comprises ambient air. The shellfish 2 are therefore not under a controlled atmosphere but simply under ambient air, which simplifies their packaging and reduces the associated costs. By ambient air, we will understand here the gas naturally present at the packaging location of the transport unit 1, which is breathed by the operators and the shellfish 2 during packaging. The ambient air is thus composed mainly (99%) of nitrogen and oxygen, the proportion of oxygen being able to vary in particular according to the geographical position of the packaging location.

[0038] The number of shells that can be packaged in a transport unit 1 depends on the size of the transport unit 1 (and the tooling used for packaging), knowing that it is preferable for the shells to be placed side by side, without overlapping or superimposing, to guarantee that the cover 4, and in particular the film 4, is held against the shells 2 during transport and storage of the transport unit 1. Packaging process P

[0039] In the following, a conditioning method P will be described in the case of a transport unit 1 comprising several shells 2. However, as specified above, the present description also applies when the transport unit 1 comprises only one shell 2. Furthermore, the same tool can condition several transport units 1 simultaneously.

[0040] The method P can be implemented semi-automatically or automatically using tooling which will be described below, at room temperature.

[0041] During a step E1, a support 3 is provided. The support 3 can be obtained by molding or stamping. Optionally, the support 3 can be manufactured by tooling, by stamping and forming for example a plastic sheet.

[0042] Optionally, a blotting paper 7 can be placed at the bottom of each impression 6, or alternatively, against the upper surface 5 of the support 3.

[0043] During a step E2, a shellfish 2 is placed in each impression 6 of the support 3. The shellfish 2 may be of the same species (only oysters for example), of the same family (fines de clair, special, etc.) and of the same size. Alternatively, the shellfish 2 may be different, that is to say of different species (oysters, mussels, clams, etc.), of different families and / or of different sizes. It will be noted that, in the case of different shellfish 2, the shape and dimensions (length, width, depth) of each impression 6 may be adapted to the type of shellfish 2 received by each impression 6 in order to guarantee the proper holding of each shellfish 2.

[0044] The shells 2 can be manually placed on the support 3 by an operator. or alternatively automatically by the tooling.

[0045] During a step E3, the support 3 comprising the shells 2 is placed in a sealed enclosure. For example, the tooling comprises a receptacle configured to receive the support 3, a cover configured to cooperate with the receptacle so as to form a sealed enclosure, and a pump configured to suck air present in the enclosure in order to reduce the pressure in the enclosure. The dimensions of the cover and the receptacle may for example be adapted to the dimensions of the support 3. During step E3, the support 3 is therefore placed on the receptacle of the tooling, then the cover is closed in order to form the sealed enclosure. The air contained in the enclosure is therefore ambient air.

[0046] During a step E4, the pressure in the enclosure is reduced until a preservation pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is reached. The preservation pressure is chosen as a function of the size of the shellfish 2 and the number of shellfish 2 contained in the enclosure, and where appropriate the rigidity of the support 3 to avoid its deformation under the effect of the pressure (and therefore the risk of leaks). In one embodiment, the preservation pressure is between 100 mbar and 800 mbar, preferably between 300 mbar and 650 mbar. For example, the pressure may be equal to 500 mbar. It will be noted that, when the shellfish 2 include oysters, a pressure of 500 mbar guarantees the survival of the oysters while ensuring that the cover 4 is held on the support 3.

[0047] The pressure can in particular be reduced in the enclosure by suction of the air contained in the enclosure by the pump of the tool.

[0048] The pressure is preferably reduced in the enclosure at a speed of between 50 mbar / s and 500 mbar / s, preferably between 50 mbar / s and 250 mbar / s, for example 200 mbar / s. This speed in fact makes it possible not to stress the shellfish 2 and therefore contributes to improving the shelf life of the shellfish 2.

[0049] During a step E5, the cover 4 is placed on the support 3. The cover 4 is in particular positioned so as to come into contact with each shell 2.

[0050] When the cover 4 comprises a waterproof plastic film, step E5 can be carried out by unrolling the film 4 then positioning the film 4 on the support 3 and the shells 2. The film 4 is positioned on the upper face 5 of the support 3 so as to cover all the shells 2 while extending onto the upper face 5.

[0051] Where appropriate, steps E4 and E5 can be carried out simultaneously.

[0052] During a step E6, the cover 4 is fixed in a sealed manner to the support 3 so as to immobilize the shells 2 between the cover 4 and the support 3. The watertight fixing of the cover 4 on the support 3 also makes it possible to maintain the pressure constant in the transport unit 1 (and equal to the preservation pressure obtained in step E4). The fixing can be carried out by welding, gluing and / or fixing mechanical.

[0053] When the cover 4 comprises a weldable waterproof plastic film, the film 4 can be fixed to the support 3 by welding. Alternatively, the film 4 can be glued to the support 3 using a suitable adhesive.

[0054] It will be noted that, when several transport units 1 are packaged simultaneously in accordance with the present disclosure, the supports 3 of the transport units 1 are preferably placed side by side on the receptacle of the tool during their packaging (and not superimposed on each other). Alternatively, when the tool comprises several receptacles, one or more transport units 1 may be placed side by side on each receptacle. Examples

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, an oyster transport unit 1 comprises a support 3 in the form of a hollow box made of transparent APET (crystal) of 700 μm obtained by stamping. The thickness of the bottom wall of the box is substantially constant and equal to 700 μm. The support 3 comprises four impressions 6, which were obtained by deformation of the bottom wall of the box.

[0056] Each indentation 6 comprises a lower wall surrounded by four lateral faces. The lower wall comprises a recess, made in a central zone of the lower wall, and an inclined peripheral zone extending between the recess and the lateral wall. Where appropriate, the recess extends over the entire width of the indentation 6, the peripheral zone comprising only two parts extending on either side of the recess. The depth (distance in a plane normal to the upper face 5 of the support 3) of the indentation 6 is maximum in the zone of the recess, then gradually decreases in the peripheral zone towards the lateral wall of the indentation 6. The indentation 6 is therefore shaped so that the most curved part of the lower valve of the oyster comes to bear against the recess, the rest of the lower valve coming to bear against the peripheral zone.

[0057] A blotting paper 7 is placed at the bottom of each recess. The blotting paper comprises a sheet of paper having an absorption of 5 L / m2 and is glued using a hot-melt glue to the bottom of the recess. A blotting paper of reference B256T marketed by the company Plastoloir was in particular used.

[0058] Where appropriate, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the recesses of two adjacent prints may extend in line with one another and be substantially continuous, so that the same blotting paper 7 may be used for two prints 6.

[0059] This embodiment of the support 3 makes it possible to use the same shape of impression 6 for different families and / or different sizes of oysters, for example for fine claire oysters no. 0 to 5, while guaranteeing that the oysters. In fact, the oysters can be placed against the recess and come to bear against the inclined peripheral zone of the indentations 6 and be held in position in the indentations 6 by the film, which takes on their shape thanks to the reduced pressure in the transport unit. If necessary, the size of the indentations 6 can be adapted to the size of the oysters.

[0060] The cover 4 comprises a three-layer film 4 “MULTIFRESH ST20 PT film 4 skin with Evoh barrier” having a thickness of 150 μm, which is fixed along the periphery of the upper face 5 of the support 3 by a weld bead.

[0061] The pressure in the transport unit 1 is equal to 500 mbar. The pressure reduction step was carried out at ambient temperature and air at a speed of 200 mbar / s.

[0062] The gas in the transport unit 1 is ambient air.

[0063] The Applicant has noted that a transport unit 1 conforming to the present example makes it possible to preserve the oysters for a minimum period of 20 days.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for packaging (P) shellfish (2), such as oysters, comprising the following steps: - providing (El) a support (3) for the shellfish (2), the support (3) comprising an upper face in which is formed at least one impression (6) configured to at least partially house a shellfish so as to maintain the shellfish in position relative to the support (3); - placing (E2) a shellfish in each impression (6) of the support (3); - placing (E3) the support (3) comprising the shellfish (2) in a sealed enclosure; - reducing (E4) the pressure in the enclosure until a preservation pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is reached; - fixing (E5, E6) in a sealed manner a cover (4) on the support (3) so as to immobilize the shell(s) (2) between the cover (4) and the support (3) and to maintain a pressure in the at least one impression (6) substantially equal to the preservation pressure.

2. Packaging method (P) according to claim 1, in which the preservation pressure is between 100 mbar and 800 mbar, for example equal to 500 mbar.

3. Packaging method (P) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the pressure reduction step (E4) is carried out at a speed of between 50 mbar / s and 500 mbar / s, for example 200 mbar / Q

4. Packaging method (P) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the pressure reduction step (E4) is carried out at room temperature.

5. Packaging method (P) according to one of claims 1 and 4, in which the cover (4) comprises a deformable plastic film, and the step of fixing the cover (4) on the support (3) comprises the application of the film in contact with the at least one shell.

6. Packaging method (P) according to claim 5, wherein the step of fixing the cover (4) comprises welding the film to the support (3).

7. Packaging method (P) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the shell(s) (2) comprise an asymmetrical bivalve shell comprising a lower valve and an upper valve, the lower valve being more curved than the upper valve, the step of placing (E2) the shell in the impression (6) comprising the placement of the lower valve at the bottom of the impression (6).

8. Transport unit (1) for shellfish (2) comprising: - a support (3) comprising an upper face in which at least one indentation (6) is formed, each indentation (6) being configured to at least partially house a shellfish so as to maintain the shellfish in position relative to the support (3); - at least one shellfish (2), each shellfish being placed in a corresponding indentation (6); - a cover (4) fixed in a sealed manner on the support (3), the cover (4) being in contact with the at least one shellfish in order to maintain the at least one shellfish (2) in position relative to the support (3); a pressure in the transport unit (1) being lower than atmospheric pressure.

9. A transport unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one shellfish (2) comprises an oyster.

10. Transport unit (1) according to one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the pressure in the transport unit (1) is between 400 mbar and 600 mbar, for example equal to 500 mbar.

11. Transport unit (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which the cover (4) comprises a deformable plastic film applied in contact with the at least one shell (2), the plastic film being welded onto the support (3).

12. Transport unit (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, in which the shell(s) (2) comprise an asymmetrical bivalve shell (2) comprising a lower valve and an upper valve, the lower valve being more domed than the upper valve, the lower valve being placed at the bottom of the impression (6).

13. Transport unit (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising at least one blotter (7) placed at the bottom of the impression (6).

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