Transportation methods for items requiring refrigeration

Abstract

This invention provides a method for transporting refrigerated goods that can ensure a longer quality preservation period compared to conventional technologies. [Solution] The method for transporting items requiring refrigeration involves placing the items requiring refrigeration 1 together with a frozen body 3, which is a liquid absorbent impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution, into a transport container 5 and transporting it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transporting cold-storage items that require cold storage, such as aquatic products.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for transporting cold-storage items, a method of transporting cold-storage items by accommodating them together with ice in a container has been conventionally known. Patent Document 1 describes a container used for such a transportation method. The container described in Patent Document 1 accommodates a cold-storage item (the item to be cold-stored), ice, and a water-absorbing body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Among cold-storage items, particularly for aquatic products such as fresh fish, a transportation method that can ensure a longer quality retention period is required.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for transporting cold-storage items that can ensure a longer quality retention period of cold-storage items compared to the conventional technology.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The inventors have found that by using an alkaline aqueous hypochlorite solution, the quality degradation of cold-storage items during transportation can be suppressed compared to the conventional transportation method, and a longer quality retention period of cold-storage items can be ensured. The present invention has been made based on such findings.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a novel method for transporting cold-storage items is provided. The provided method for transporting cold-storage items is for cold-storage items FreezeThe assembled product is placed in a transport container and transported. The item requiring refrigeration is fresh fish, and the frozen body is formed by freezing a liquid absorbent impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid solution. The frozen body is placed on top of the item requiring refrigeration so that the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution, which melts during transport, seeps out of the liquid absorbent and is supplied to the item requiring refrigeration. .

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, another novel method for transporting goods requiring refrigeration is provided. The provided method for transporting goods requiring refrigeration is for transporting goods requiring refrigeration Frozen body They are transported together in a transport container. The item requiring refrigeration is fresh fish, and the frozen body comprises a first frozen body and a second frozen body, both of which are formed by freezing a liquid absorbent impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution. The first frozen body is placed on top of the item requiring refrigeration so that the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution that melts during transport seeps out from the liquid absorbent and is supplied to the upper surface of the item requiring refrigeration, and the second frozen body is placed below the item requiring refrigeration so that the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution that melts during transport seeps out from the liquid absorbent and is supplied to the lower surface of the item requiring refrigeration. .

[0009] Here, the liquid absorbent may comprise a bag having liquid permeability and breathability, and a number of superabsorbent polymer particles contained within the bag that absorb and retain the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution, and may be formed as a sheet overall. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for transporting goods that require refrigeration, which can ensure a longer quality preservation period compared to the conventional technology. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for transporting goods that require refrigeration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for transporting goods that require refrigeration according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram (cross-sectional view) illustrating a method for transporting goods requiring refrigeration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The method for transporting goods requiring refrigeration according to the first embodiment involves transporting goods requiring refrigeration while maintaining refrigeration. In the method for transporting goods requiring refrigeration according to the first embodiment, the goods requiring refrigeration 1 are transported together with a frozen body 3 in a transport container 5.

[0014] Refrigerated items 1 are mainly seafood such as fresh fish. However, they are not limited to these. Refrigerated items 1 can be anything that requires refrigeration (including items that are preferable to be kept refrigerated), and can be a variety of items (especially non-frozen foods). For example, refrigerated items 1 may be fresh meat or fresh produce. Here, Figure 1 shows three refrigerated items 1, but the number of refrigerated items 1 to be transported in the transport container 5 can be arbitrarily selected. That is, refrigerated items 1 may be placed individually in the transport container 5, or multiple items may be placed in the transport container 5.

[0015] The frozen body 3 is formed by freezing a liquid absorbent impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution. The alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution contains sodium hypochlorite and purified water, and has a pH of 9.0 to 12.0, preferably 9.5 to 11.5, i.e., it is a weakly alkaline liquid. The alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution used in this embodiment is a food additive: disinfectant. The effective chlorine concentration of the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution impregnated into the liquid absorbent is not particularly limited, but is for example 50 to 200 ppm, preferably 100 to 200 ppm. If necessary, it is also possible to use an effective chlorine concentration exceeding 200 ppm (e.g., 1000 ppm).

[0016] Alkaline hypochlorous acid solutions exhibit a very low rate of decrease in effective chlorine concentration compared to hypochlorous acid water and diluted sodium hypochlorite solutions, and their pH value hardly changes over time, allowing for long-term storage. Therefore, they are sometimes referred to as "stable alkaline hypochlorous acid solutions." Furthermore, alkaline hypochlorous acid solutions contain hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and / or hypochlorite ions (OCl) as their active ingredients. - It possesses high disinfecting and deodorizing capabilities, while having almost no chlorine odor or irritating smell, and has been confirmed to be safe even if it gets into the eyes, mouth, nose, or comes into contact with the skin.

[0017] In addition, when the inventors conducted experiments using fresh fish (sardines), it was confirmed that the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution does not have an adverse effect on fresh fish and can suppress the deterioration of fish meat and internal organs. This is considered to mean that when the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution (its active ingredient) is applied to fresh fish, the activities of microorganisms present on the surface of the fresh fish are suppressed or inhibited, and the activities of enzymes (i.e., autodigestion) possessed by the fresh fish in its body are suppressed or inhibited. That is to say, the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution has the effect of suppressing or preventing the activities of microorganisms and also has the effect of suppressing or preventing the activities of enzymes (more precisely, the effect of suppressing autodigestion).

[0018] Furthermore, according to another experiment conducted by the inventors, it was also confirmed that the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution can cause gaseous hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to diffuse into the surrounding space by natural evaporation, thereby reducing microorganisms and the like present therein, and that its properties hardly change even after undergoing freezing and thawing.

[0019] The liquid absorber constituting the frozen body 3 only needs to be able to absorb and hold the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution, and its material, structure, etc. are not particularly limited. Preferably, the liquid absorber contains a highly water-absorbent polymer that can absorb and hold the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution and is formed in a sheet shape. Therefore, the frozen body 3 is also formed in a sheet shape. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the liquid absorber includes a bag body having liquid permeability and air permeability and a large number of highly water-absorbent polymer particles accommodated in the bag body, and is formed as a whole in a sheet shape (also referred to as a thin pad shape). Then, the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution is absorbed and held by the large number of highly water-absorbent polymer particles of such a liquid absorber, and thereafter, the frozen body 3 is formed by freezing the liquid absorber.

[0020] The frozen body 3 only needs to be accommodated in the transport container 5 together with the object to be kept cold 1, and its accommodation / arrangement form is not particularly limited. However, in this embodiment, the frozen body 3 includes a first frozen body 31 and a second frozen body 32 having the same configuration, the first frozen body 31 is arranged above the object to be kept cold 1, and the second frozen body 32 is arranged below the object to be kept cold 1.

[0021] The transport container 5 only needs to be able to accommodate the object to be kept cold 1 and the frozen body 3 (the first frozen body 31 and the second frozen body 32), and its material, shape, etc. are not particularly limited. However, the transport container 5 preferably has a certain degree of airtightness and heat insulation. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the transport container 5 is made of a foamed resin such as styrofoam. Further, in this embodiment, the transport container 5 includes a box-shaped container body 51 with an open upper surface and a lid body 52 that is removably attached to the upper part of the container body 51 to close the opening of the container body 51.

[0022] Hereinafter, the operation of the method for transporting an object to be kept cold according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0023] As described above, the method for transporting an object to be kept cold according to the first embodiment is to accommodate and transport the object to be kept cold 1 in the transport container 5 together with the frozen body 3. The frozen body 3 includes a first frozen body 31 and a second frozen body 32, which are formed by freezing a liquid absorber impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution. Further, the transport container 5 includes a container body 51 with an open upper surface and a lid body 52. Specifically, in the method for transporting an object to be kept cold according to the first embodiment, first, the second frozen body 32 is arranged in the container body 51 (for example, the inner bottom), then the object to be kept cold 1 (for example, fresh fish) is arranged on the second frozen body 32, and then the first frozen body 31 is arranged on the object to be kept cold 1. Then, the lid body 52 is attached to the upper part of the container body 51 to close the opening on the upper surface of the container body 51. The object to be kept cold 1 is transported in such a state.

[0024] During transport, the refrigerated item 1 is kept cool by the frozen bodies 3 (first frozen body 31, second frozen body 32). Also during transport, the frozen alkaline hypochlorous acid solution in the first frozen body 31 and the second frozen body 32 gradually thaws. The alkaline hypochlorous acid solution that thaws in the first frozen body 31 seeps out from the liquid absorbent material that makes up the first frozen body 31 and is supplied to the top surface of the refrigerated item 1. If the refrigerated item 1 is fresh fish or the like, some of the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution supplied to the top surface of the refrigerated item 1 may be further supplied to the inside of the refrigerated item 1. The alkaline hypochlorous acid solution that thaws in the second frozen body 32 seeps out from the liquid absorbent material that makes up the second frozen body 32 and is supplied to the bottom surface of the refrigerated item 1. Furthermore, as the frozen alkaline hypochlorous acid solution thaws, gaseous hypochlorous acid (HOCl) diffuses into the transport container 5.

[0025] Therefore, in addition to maintaining the freshness of the refrigerated goods 1 during transport through refrigeration, the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution's ability to suppress or inhibit microbial activity reduces or inhibits the increase of microorganisms present in the transport container 5 and on the surface of the refrigerated goods 1, and / or inhibits or suppresses the activity of these microorganisms, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the quality of the refrigerated goods 1 caused by these microorganisms. Furthermore, especially when the refrigerated goods 1 are seafood such as fresh fish that are prone to autodigestion, the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution's ability to suppress or inhibit enzyme activity suppresses or inhibits the activity of enzymes present in the refrigerated goods 1, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the quality of the refrigerated goods 1 due to autodigestion.

[0026] Therefore, according to the method for transporting the refrigerated goods 1 as embodied in the first embodiment, it is possible to ensure a longer quality preservation period for the refrigerated goods 1 compared to conventional transport methods.

[0027] Furthermore, as mentioned above, since alkaline hypochlorous acid solution has high deodorizing ability, it can reduce the odor characteristic of the refrigerated goods 1 inside the transport container 5, and it can also suppress the transfer of such odors to the transport container 5.

[0028] In Figure 1, the first frozen body 31 and the second frozen body 32 are in contact with the item to be kept cold 1, but the first frozen body 31 and the second frozen body 32 do not necessarily have to be in contact with the item to be kept cold 1. For example, the first frozen body 31 may be attached to the inner surface of the lid 52. That is, "the first frozen body 31 is placed on top of the item to be kept cold 1" includes both the first frozen body 31 being placed on top of the item to be kept cold 1 (in contact with the upper surface of the item to be kept cold 1) and the first frozen body 31 being placed above the item to be kept cold 1 (away from the upper surface of the item to be kept cold 1). Similarly, "the second frozen body 32 is placed below the item to be kept cold 1" includes both the second frozen body 32 being placed directly below the item to be kept cold 1 (in contact with the lower surface of the item to be kept cold 1) and the second frozen body 32 being placed below the item to be kept cold 1 (away from the lower surface of the item to be kept cold 1).

[0029] Furthermore, although not shown in the illustration, a permeable and breathable sheet material may be placed between the second frozen body 32 and the item to be kept cold 1 and / or between the item to be kept cold 1 and the first frozen body 31, if necessary, and an absorbent sheet may be placed between the second frozen body 32 and the inner bottom surface of the container body 51.

[0030] Furthermore, if necessary, a cooling material may be placed in the gaps within the transport container 5, particularly the gap between the first frozen body 31 and the second frozen body 32. The cooling material may be ice (blocks of ice used for food preservation) or commercially available, relatively small, cold storage materials.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above description, the frozen body 3 includes a first frozen body 31 and a second frozen body 32, with the first frozen body 31 placed on top of the item to be kept cold 1 and the second frozen body 32 placed below the item to be kept cold 1. However, it is not limited to this. Only the first frozen body 31 or the second frozen body 32 may be placed. Alternatively, a cooling material may be placed on top of the item to be kept cold 1 instead of the first frozen body 31, or a cooling material may be placed below the item to be kept cold 1 instead of the second frozen body 32. The cooling material may be multiple ice cubes (ice blocks for food preservation) or commercially available cold storage materials, but preferably it may be formed by freezing a liquid absorbent impregnated with ordinary water, and the liquid absorbent may have a similar structure to the liquid absorbent that constitutes the frozen body 3. Also, the first frozen body 31 and / or the second frozen body 32 may be composed of multiple frozen bodies.

[0032] [Second Embodiment] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram (cross-sectional view) illustrating a method for transporting refrigerated goods according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Elements similar to those in the first embodiment (Figure 1) are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The method for transporting refrigerated goods according to the second embodiment, like the method for transporting refrigerated goods according to the first embodiment, involves transporting refrigerated goods while maintaining their temperature. In the method for transporting refrigerated goods according to the second embodiment, the refrigerated goods 1 are transported in a transport container 5 together with a liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution and a cooling material 9.

[0033] The liquid absorbent 7 may have a similar configuration to the liquid absorbent constituting the frozen body 3 in the first embodiment. That is, the liquid absorbent 7 contains a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing and retaining an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution and is formed in a sheet shape. More specifically, the liquid absorbent 7 may contain a permeable and breathable bag and a large number of superabsorbent polymer particles contained within the bag, and be formed as a sheet (also called a thin pad). Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution, that is, the liquid absorbent 7 in which a large number of superabsorbent polymer particles have absorbed and retained the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution, is attached to the inner surface of the lid 52 of the transport container 5.

[0034] The cooling material 9 is, for example, multiple blocks of ice (ice blocks for food preservation). However, it is not limited to this. The cooling material 9 may be a commercially available cold storage material, or it may be formed by freezing a liquid absorbent impregnated with ordinary water, and the liquid absorbent may have the same structure as the liquid absorbent 7. In other words, the cooling material 9 may be formed by impregnating the liquid absorbent 7 with water instead of an alkaline hypochlorous acid solution and then freezing it.

[0035] The operation of the method for transporting goods requiring refrigeration according to the second embodiment will be explained below.

[0036] As described above, the method for transporting goods requiring refrigeration according to the second embodiment involves transporting the goods requiring refrigeration 1 in a transport container 5 together with a liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution and a cooling material 9. Specifically, first the cooling material 9 is placed inside the container body 51 (inner bottom), and then the goods requiring refrigeration 1 (for example, fresh fish) is placed on top of the cooling material 9. After the liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution is attached to the inner surface of the lid 52, the lid 52 is attached to the top of the container body 51, closing the opening on the top surface of the container body 51. The goods requiring refrigeration 1 are transported in this state.

[0037] During transport, the item requiring refrigeration 1 is kept cool by the cooling material 9. Also, during transport, the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution impregnated in the liquid absorbent 7 seeps out and is supplied to the item requiring refrigeration 1, and / or gaseous hypochlorous acid (HOCl) diffuses from the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution impregnated in the liquid absorbent 7 into the transport container 5.

[0038] Therefore, in addition to maintaining the freshness of the refrigerated item 1 during transport through refrigeration, the number of microorganisms present in the transport container 5 and on the surface of the refrigerated item 1 is reduced or their increase is suppressed, and / or the activity of these microorganisms is suppressed or inhibited, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the quality of the refrigerated item 1 caused by these microorganisms. Furthermore, the activity of enzymes contained in the refrigerated item 1 is suppressed or inhibited, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the quality of the refrigerated item 1 due to autolysis.

[0039] Therefore, the method for transporting the refrigerated goods 1 according to the second embodiment can ensure a longer quality preservation period for the refrigerated goods 1 compared to conventional transport methods. In addition, the characteristic odor of the refrigerated goods 1 inside the transport container 5 can be reduced, and the transfer of such odors to the transport container 5 can also be suppressed.

[0040] In the above description, the liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid solution is attached to the inner surface of the lid 52 of the transport container 5. However, it is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid solution is contained in the transport container 5, and the containment / arrangement configuration can be arbitrary. Furthermore, multiple liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid solution may be contained in the transport container 5. For example, one or more liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid solution may be attached to the inner surface of the container body 51 of the transport container 5, or they may be placed adjacent to the item to be kept refrigerated 1.

[0041] Furthermore, the liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution may be a cooled liquid absorbent, i.e., a non-frozen cooled liquid absorbent. In this case, the cooling material 9 may be omitted depending on the item to be kept cool 1. That is, the item to be kept cool 1 may be transported in a transport container 5 together with the cooled liquid absorbent obtained by cooling the liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution. Note that, similar to the liquid absorbent 7 impregnated with the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution, the configuration of the cooling liquid absorbent being contained / arranged may be arbitrary.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention and some modifications thereof have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1...Items requiring refrigeration, 3...Frozen object, 5...Transport container, 7...Liquid absorbent, 9...Cooling material, 31...First frozen object, 32...Second frozen object, 51...Container body, 52...Lid

Claims

1. A method for transporting refrigerated goods, in which the refrigerated goods are transported together with frozen items in a transport container, The aforementioned items requiring refrigeration are fresh fish. The aforementioned frozen body is formed by freezing a liquid absorbent impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution. The frozen body is placed on top of the item to be kept cold so that the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution that melts during transport seeps out of the liquid absorbent and is supplied to the item to be kept cold. Methods for transporting goods that require refrigeration.

2. The method for transporting items requiring refrigeration according to Claim 1, wherein a cooling material is placed beneath the items requiring refrigeration.

3. A method for transporting goods that require refrigeration, comprising transporting the goods together with a frozen body in a transport container, The aforementioned items requiring refrigeration are fresh fish. The frozen body includes a first frozen body and a second frozen body. Both the first and second frozen bodies are formed by freezing a liquid absorbent impregnated with an alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution. The first frozen body is placed on top of the object to be kept cold so that the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution that melts during transport seeps out from the liquid absorbent and is supplied to the upper surface of the object to be kept cold, and the second frozen body is placed below the object to be kept cold so that the alkaline hypochlorous acid solution that melts during transport seeps out from the liquid absorbent and is supplied to the lower surface of the object to be kept cold. Methods for transporting goods that require refrigeration.

4. The method for transporting items requiring refrigeration according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid absorbent comprises a bag having liquid permeability and breathability, and a number of superabsorbent polymer particles contained in the bag that absorb and retain the alkaline hypochlorous acid aqueous solution, and is formed as a sheet overall.

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