CA2342703A1 - Live aquatic seafood transportation container - Google Patents
Live aquatic seafood transportation container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2342703A1 CA2342703A1 CA 2342703 CA2342703A CA2342703A1 CA 2342703 A1 CA2342703 A1 CA 2342703A1 CA 2342703 CA2342703 CA 2342703 CA 2342703 A CA2342703 A CA 2342703A CA 2342703 A1 CA2342703 A1 CA 2342703A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- brine
- live
- transportation
- liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
Description
LIVE AQUATIC SEAFOOD TRANSPORTATION CONTAINER
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a container for the bulk transportation of aquatic seafood such as crustaceans or shellfish or the like, wherein such aquatic seafood can be maintained in an environment conducive to supporting life and good health during extended transportation times.
Back;~round of the Invention Unfortunately, many parts of North America as well as other countries located far from the ocean do not have access to a ready supply of fresh aquatic seafood such as lobster, crab or clams. The need to transport such fragile. aquatic organisms in a live and healthy condition in sufficient quantity, over long distances, poses inherent difficulties. Such difficulties are presented when attempting to limit the mortality or spoilage of the commodity during transportation, by keeping the commodity within an optimal temperature range and within a sufficiently moist environment.
At present, these difficulties have been addressed by limiting the distance such live fresh aquatic seafood can be distributed by tractor-trailer units over public highways or by limiting the quantity of such seafood when distributed by air. Tractor-trailer units are-generally refrigerated units and transport live aquatic seafood in containers filled with sea water. Such practice is expensive due to the necessity of transporting t'.he weight of water and is generally time and distance limited. The cost incurred for air freight of live aquatic seafood generally makes this option impracticable for other than small quantities.
The present container overcomes the difficulties experienced when transporting a large quantity of live aquatic seafood over Iong distances generally by, but not limited to, refrigerated highway tractor trailer units. Specifically, the live seafood organisms are shipped in an environmen~ with precise temperature and moisture control without the necessity of transporting large volumes of water. Such water as is transported to effectively maintain the live seafood organisms in good health is recirculated, filtered and re-used.
Summa_r~of the Invention The container for the transportation of live aquatic seafood includes a body portion having spaced apart perimeter side and end walls. These walls define an interior cavity for receiving live aquatic seafood. The bottom portion of the; container being in cross section a V-shaped trough, extending in general parallel alignment with the longitudinal side walls. The medial nadir of the trough being in substantial alignment with the medial axis of the transportation container, and slopes from one end wall of th.e container to the other to allow a flow of liquid along the V-shaped trough. A bottom grate is positioned between the longitudinal side ,valls of the container and spaced above the V-shaped trough. The live aquatic seafood transportation container can be compartmentalized by inserting intermediate walls transversely positioned over the bottom grate between the longitudinal side walls.
A lid is hingedly connected to a longitudinal side wall of the transportation container. The lid may comprise first and second portions connected by a secondary hinge generally positioned along the medial axis of the transportation container.
The lid containing a plurality of apertures for uninterrupted two-way air flow and supports a plurality of spray nozzles for directing a brine liquid in spray form toward the V-shaped trough.
The spray nozzles are connected through suitable conduits to a reservoir vessel containing a quantity of brine liquid. The conduits for conveying brine liquid are adapted for serial connection to a plurality of identical transportation containers by means of suitable in-line valuing and quick connect couplings. The brine liquid reservoir vessel is pressurized by a source of compressed air to transport the brine liquid through suitable conduits to the spray nozzles. Brine liquid returns from the transportation containers into the brine reservoir through return lines. The brine liquid reservoir vessel is equipped with both filtering and sterilizing
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a container for the bulk transportation of aquatic seafood such as crustaceans or shellfish or the like, wherein such aquatic seafood can be maintained in an environment conducive to supporting life and good health during extended transportation times.
Back;~round of the Invention Unfortunately, many parts of North America as well as other countries located far from the ocean do not have access to a ready supply of fresh aquatic seafood such as lobster, crab or clams. The need to transport such fragile. aquatic organisms in a live and healthy condition in sufficient quantity, over long distances, poses inherent difficulties. Such difficulties are presented when attempting to limit the mortality or spoilage of the commodity during transportation, by keeping the commodity within an optimal temperature range and within a sufficiently moist environment.
At present, these difficulties have been addressed by limiting the distance such live fresh aquatic seafood can be distributed by tractor-trailer units over public highways or by limiting the quantity of such seafood when distributed by air. Tractor-trailer units are-generally refrigerated units and transport live aquatic seafood in containers filled with sea water. Such practice is expensive due to the necessity of transporting t'.he weight of water and is generally time and distance limited. The cost incurred for air freight of live aquatic seafood generally makes this option impracticable for other than small quantities.
The present container overcomes the difficulties experienced when transporting a large quantity of live aquatic seafood over Iong distances generally by, but not limited to, refrigerated highway tractor trailer units. Specifically, the live seafood organisms are shipped in an environmen~ with precise temperature and moisture control without the necessity of transporting large volumes of water. Such water as is transported to effectively maintain the live seafood organisms in good health is recirculated, filtered and re-used.
Summa_r~of the Invention The container for the transportation of live aquatic seafood includes a body portion having spaced apart perimeter side and end walls. These walls define an interior cavity for receiving live aquatic seafood. The bottom portion of the; container being in cross section a V-shaped trough, extending in general parallel alignment with the longitudinal side walls. The medial nadir of the trough being in substantial alignment with the medial axis of the transportation container, and slopes from one end wall of th.e container to the other to allow a flow of liquid along the V-shaped trough. A bottom grate is positioned between the longitudinal side ,valls of the container and spaced above the V-shaped trough. The live aquatic seafood transportation container can be compartmentalized by inserting intermediate walls transversely positioned over the bottom grate between the longitudinal side walls.
A lid is hingedly connected to a longitudinal side wall of the transportation container. The lid may comprise first and second portions connected by a secondary hinge generally positioned along the medial axis of the transportation container.
The lid containing a plurality of apertures for uninterrupted two-way air flow and supports a plurality of spray nozzles for directing a brine liquid in spray form toward the V-shaped trough.
The spray nozzles are connected through suitable conduits to a reservoir vessel containing a quantity of brine liquid. The conduits for conveying brine liquid are adapted for serial connection to a plurality of identical transportation containers by means of suitable in-line valuing and quick connect couplings. The brine liquid reservoir vessel is pressurized by a source of compressed air to transport the brine liquid through suitable conduits to the spray nozzles. Brine liquid returns from the transportation containers into the brine reservoir through return lines. The brine liquid reservoir vessel is equipped with both filtering and sterilizing
2 means. The source of compressed air in one form can be the refrigerated trailer unit air supply or in another form a reservoir holding a supply of pressurized. air or a combination of these.
Wheeled frame units having lockable wheels and a shock absorber system permit stacking of containers during transportation.
Thus in summary, the container of the present invention for the transportation of live aquatic seafood includes a body portion having a lid, spaced apart perimeter side and end walls, and a lower trough which define an interior cavity for receiving the live aquatic seafood. The trough may be V-shaped in cross section or oi:herwise sloped so that liquid brine sprayed into the container, pools at a lowermost collection point. A bottom grate is mounted between the perimeter side and end walls, spaced above the trough. Spray nozzles are mounted to the lid for directing a brine spray onto live org~misms resting on the grate. Liquid brine is supplied to the nozzles from a reservoir through a pressurized feed system.
l~
Intermediate walls or partitions may be transversely mounted over the grate between the side walls, so as to compartmentalize the container.
The lid may be hinged to one side wall and may include first and second portions connected together by a second hinge located along the medial axis of the lid of the transportation container. Preferably the lid has a pluralifij of apertures for two-way air flow into and out of the container.
Conduits for conveying liquid brine fronn the reservoir to the nozzles are adapted for serial connection between a plurality of containers in a trailer by means of in-line valuing and quick connect couplings. The reservoir may be pressurized by compressed air to thereby force brine liquid through the conduits to the spray nozzles. The brine liquid may be recirculated from the trough into the reservoir and filtered and sterilized by filtering and sterilizing means. In one embodiment the source of compressed air may be the air supply refrigerated trailer. The containers may be mounted in the trailer on frames.
The frames provide for stacking of the containers. The frames may be mounted on lockable wheels and may have shock absorbers.
Brief Description of the Drawinss Figure 1 is a plan view of a tractor trailer unit with a plurality of live aquatic seafood transportation containers of the present invention placed therein.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a single vertical stack of three such containers and associated brine supply/return piping.
Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of a live aquatic seafood transportation container of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an end view of the container of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container of the present invention with the lid elevated.
Figure 7 and 8 are annotated detailed plan., elevation and layout views of the container system of the present invention.
Detailed Descri tion of Preferred Embodiments As illustrated in the drawings, wherein similar characters of reference identify corresponding parts in each view, the live aquatic seafood transportation container 10 of the present invention has a lid 12 better seen in Figure 6 and a body 14. Lid 12 is secured to body 14 along one longitudinal side by a hinge 16. Lid 12 may also be formed in two longitudinal sections which are fastened together along a general longitudinal medial axis A, by a second hinge 16a. Lid 12 has a plurality of relatively small apertures 18, ensuring an unrestricted two-way flow of air through the lid. Liquid brine feed lines 20 and nozzles 22 are mounted to the upper surface of lid 12.
Body 14 has side walls 14a and end walls 14b which define cavity 26 into which live aquatic seafood organisms may be placed during transportation.
Bottom trough 28 extends between and below the side and end walls so as to seal off the underside of body 14.
Trough 28 has a longitudinal medial centerline located substantially lower than walls 14a and 14b. Trough 28 may slope from one end to the other so as t:o facilitate collection and removal of waste material and excess liquid brine water from container 10 through line S2 located at the lowest point of trough 28. Grate 30 extends across the top of trough 28 so as to cover the trough, thereby preventing live aquatic seafood organisms iFrom coming into contact with any waste material in the trough. Container 10 may be compartmentalised by intermediate 1 S transverse partition walls 32 or by the placement of separate individual containers within container 10.
Stacking of containers 10 within a refrigerated trailer 8 is possible by the use of wheel mounted frames 36. Frames 36 have lockable wheels 38 to prevent movement of the frames during transportation. Frames 36 may also have shock absorbers 40 to lessen jarring of the live organisms during transportation. As may be seen with reference to Figure 4, trough 28 is notched at its ends, that is, stops short of end walls 14b so as to allow container 10 to nest securely on horizontal supporting brackets 39 of frame 36.
Also mounted within refrigerated trailer 8 i:> a liquid brine tank 42 and auxiliary air supply container 44. Tank 42 can be pressurised by a line 42a connected to the trailer air supply. Auxiliary air supply container 44 is connected to line 42a through valve 44b. Valve 44b may be operated from the cab of the tractor towing trailer 8. Tank 42 has at its outlet a filtering and ultraviolet sterilizing unit 46.
Liquid brine outlet line 48 connects to manifold 50 to direct liquid through brine feed lines 20 to nozzles 22 mounted to lid 12. Nozzles 22 spray liquid brine water into container 10. Return waste and liquid is directed from container 10 through lines 52 (which may have a stop cock) and filter 54 to tank 42 and recirculated.
The recirculation of the brine liquid through collection, sterilization and aeration eliminates the need for transporting large quantities of water along with the live organisms. This reduction in the weight of water permits additional live aquatic organisms to be transported in the cold moist atmosphere within the confines of the container. Bulk transportation of seafood commodities such as crustaceans and shell fish necessitate the interconnection of several containers 10. Manifold 50 can. be controlled by a suitable valve arrangement to supply brine liquid through supply lines 20 to containers 10.
Supply lines 10 have suitable valves and quick release fittings so that serial connection of containers 10 is simplified.
As will be apparent to those skilled in thc~ art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
___ _ .-- _~~,__.___._ __.
Wheeled frame units having lockable wheels and a shock absorber system permit stacking of containers during transportation.
Thus in summary, the container of the present invention for the transportation of live aquatic seafood includes a body portion having a lid, spaced apart perimeter side and end walls, and a lower trough which define an interior cavity for receiving the live aquatic seafood. The trough may be V-shaped in cross section or oi:herwise sloped so that liquid brine sprayed into the container, pools at a lowermost collection point. A bottom grate is mounted between the perimeter side and end walls, spaced above the trough. Spray nozzles are mounted to the lid for directing a brine spray onto live org~misms resting on the grate. Liquid brine is supplied to the nozzles from a reservoir through a pressurized feed system.
l~
Intermediate walls or partitions may be transversely mounted over the grate between the side walls, so as to compartmentalize the container.
The lid may be hinged to one side wall and may include first and second portions connected together by a second hinge located along the medial axis of the lid of the transportation container. Preferably the lid has a pluralifij of apertures for two-way air flow into and out of the container.
Conduits for conveying liquid brine fronn the reservoir to the nozzles are adapted for serial connection between a plurality of containers in a trailer by means of in-line valuing and quick connect couplings. The reservoir may be pressurized by compressed air to thereby force brine liquid through the conduits to the spray nozzles. The brine liquid may be recirculated from the trough into the reservoir and filtered and sterilized by filtering and sterilizing means. In one embodiment the source of compressed air may be the air supply refrigerated trailer. The containers may be mounted in the trailer on frames.
The frames provide for stacking of the containers. The frames may be mounted on lockable wheels and may have shock absorbers.
Brief Description of the Drawinss Figure 1 is a plan view of a tractor trailer unit with a plurality of live aquatic seafood transportation containers of the present invention placed therein.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a single vertical stack of three such containers and associated brine supply/return piping.
Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of a live aquatic seafood transportation container of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an end view of the container of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container of the present invention with the lid elevated.
Figure 7 and 8 are annotated detailed plan., elevation and layout views of the container system of the present invention.
Detailed Descri tion of Preferred Embodiments As illustrated in the drawings, wherein similar characters of reference identify corresponding parts in each view, the live aquatic seafood transportation container 10 of the present invention has a lid 12 better seen in Figure 6 and a body 14. Lid 12 is secured to body 14 along one longitudinal side by a hinge 16. Lid 12 may also be formed in two longitudinal sections which are fastened together along a general longitudinal medial axis A, by a second hinge 16a. Lid 12 has a plurality of relatively small apertures 18, ensuring an unrestricted two-way flow of air through the lid. Liquid brine feed lines 20 and nozzles 22 are mounted to the upper surface of lid 12.
Body 14 has side walls 14a and end walls 14b which define cavity 26 into which live aquatic seafood organisms may be placed during transportation.
Bottom trough 28 extends between and below the side and end walls so as to seal off the underside of body 14.
Trough 28 has a longitudinal medial centerline located substantially lower than walls 14a and 14b. Trough 28 may slope from one end to the other so as t:o facilitate collection and removal of waste material and excess liquid brine water from container 10 through line S2 located at the lowest point of trough 28. Grate 30 extends across the top of trough 28 so as to cover the trough, thereby preventing live aquatic seafood organisms iFrom coming into contact with any waste material in the trough. Container 10 may be compartmentalised by intermediate 1 S transverse partition walls 32 or by the placement of separate individual containers within container 10.
Stacking of containers 10 within a refrigerated trailer 8 is possible by the use of wheel mounted frames 36. Frames 36 have lockable wheels 38 to prevent movement of the frames during transportation. Frames 36 may also have shock absorbers 40 to lessen jarring of the live organisms during transportation. As may be seen with reference to Figure 4, trough 28 is notched at its ends, that is, stops short of end walls 14b so as to allow container 10 to nest securely on horizontal supporting brackets 39 of frame 36.
Also mounted within refrigerated trailer 8 i:> a liquid brine tank 42 and auxiliary air supply container 44. Tank 42 can be pressurised by a line 42a connected to the trailer air supply. Auxiliary air supply container 44 is connected to line 42a through valve 44b. Valve 44b may be operated from the cab of the tractor towing trailer 8. Tank 42 has at its outlet a filtering and ultraviolet sterilizing unit 46.
Liquid brine outlet line 48 connects to manifold 50 to direct liquid through brine feed lines 20 to nozzles 22 mounted to lid 12. Nozzles 22 spray liquid brine water into container 10. Return waste and liquid is directed from container 10 through lines 52 (which may have a stop cock) and filter 54 to tank 42 and recirculated.
The recirculation of the brine liquid through collection, sterilization and aeration eliminates the need for transporting large quantities of water along with the live organisms. This reduction in the weight of water permits additional live aquatic organisms to be transported in the cold moist atmosphere within the confines of the container. Bulk transportation of seafood commodities such as crustaceans and shell fish necessitate the interconnection of several containers 10. Manifold 50 can. be controlled by a suitable valve arrangement to supply brine liquid through supply lines 20 to containers 10.
Supply lines 10 have suitable valves and quick release fittings so that serial connection of containers 10 is simplified.
As will be apparent to those skilled in thc~ art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
___ _ .-- _~~,__.___._ __.
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US19521600P | 2000-04-07 | 2000-04-07 | |
| US60/195,216 | 2000-04-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2342703A1 true CA2342703A1 (en) | 2001-10-07 |
Family
ID=22720486
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2342703 Abandoned CA2342703A1 (en) | 2000-04-07 | 2001-04-04 | Live aquatic seafood transportation container |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2342703A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2450120A (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2008-12-17 | R & G Associates Llp | Sustaining apparatus for crustaceans and bivalves |
| CN104351116A (en) * | 2014-11-10 | 2015-02-18 | 济南冷圣保温车厢有限公司 | Live fish and seafood container capable of being disinfected and sterilized |
| CN114403084A (en) * | 2022-01-28 | 2022-04-29 | 广西壮族自治区水产科学研究院 | Torrent formula circulating water transportation water tank |
-
2001
- 2001-04-04 CA CA 2342703 patent/CA2342703A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2450120A (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2008-12-17 | R & G Associates Llp | Sustaining apparatus for crustaceans and bivalves |
| GB2450120B (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2009-06-24 | R & G Associates Llp | Life support system |
| CN104351116A (en) * | 2014-11-10 | 2015-02-18 | 济南冷圣保温车厢有限公司 | Live fish and seafood container capable of being disinfected and sterilized |
| CN114403084A (en) * | 2022-01-28 | 2022-04-29 | 广西壮族自治区水产科学研究院 | Torrent formula circulating water transportation water tank |
| CN114403084B (en) * | 2022-01-28 | 2023-09-22 | 广西壮族自治区水产科学研究院 | Torrent circulating water transportation water tank |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6557492B1 (en) | System for transporting and storing live fish, components thereof and methods based thereon | |
| AU2011100193A4 (en) | Shipping containers and methods of transporting livestock | |
| US10463027B2 (en) | System and apparatus for the preservation and transportation of products including live aquatic species | |
| US4498418A (en) | Cattle car | |
| US8505491B2 (en) | Water distribution methods and systems for livestock shipping containers on a shipping vessel | |
| CA2142161A1 (en) | Shipping container for shipping livestock | |
| US3824958A (en) | Livestock container | |
| US11856926B2 (en) | Aquatic farming in intermodal containers | |
| GB2088789A (en) | Dual purpose bulk liquid/flat platform vehicles | |
| CA2342703A1 (en) | Live aquatic seafood transportation container | |
| AU2013201956B2 (en) | Systems and methods of transporting livestock | |
| KR100298084B1 (en) | Module-Type Box for Carrying Active Fishes and Active Fish Carrying System Using the Same | |
| RU2775301C1 (en) | Method and system for transportation of live marine hydrobionts based on a refrigerated container | |
| RU2775301C9 (en) | Method and system for transportation of live marine hydrobionts based on a refrigerated container | |
| RU2027358C1 (en) | Plant for reception and maintenance of live fish on board of fishing vessel | |
| JPH05176657A (en) | Container for transporting alive fish or the like | |
| AU4514300A (en) | Oxygenation system for transport of live seafood | |
| RU99104865A (en) | UNIVERSAL CONTAINER | |
| AU2005304273A1 (en) | Bulk produce transport container | |
| NZ299382A (en) | Live seafood transportation using an oxygenated container |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |