A METHOD AND A PACKAGING FOR PACKING ONE OR MORE ANIMAL HIDES

Abstract

A method for packing one or more animal hides includes a step of providing a packaging having a first packaging volume configured to contain one or more animal hides and a volume of gas. A further step includes providing the one or more animal hides inside the first packaging volume. The first packaging volume is sealed off from the surrounding environment. A microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment is provided.

Claims

1. A method for packing one or more animal hides comprising: providing a packaging having a first packaging volume; providing the one or more animal hides inside the first packaging volume; sealing off the first packaging volume from the surrounding environment; providing a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment, wherein providing a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment comprises removing at least part of the volume of gas present inside the first packaging volume; and introducing a volume of an inert gas and/or filtered and/or clean air into the first packaging volume.

2. (canceled)

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment comprises: providing a pressure inside the first packaging volume being lower than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment comprises: providing a pressure inside the first packaging volume being higher than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment comprises: providing a pressure inside the first packaging volume being in a range between 20% lower and 20% higher than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the packaging comprises a flexible material.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a valve assembly in the packaging, where the valve assembly is configured to provide a selective gas flow restriction between the first packaging volume and the surrounding environment.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the valve assembly comprises at least one one-way valve and/or at least one two-way valve.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the packaging volume is a first packaging volume is a first packaging volume, and the packaging further having at least one second packaging volume.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein sealing off the first packaging volume from the surrounding environment comprises: closing access between the first packaging volume and the surrounding environment by way of welding, adhesion, and/or a mechanical closing arrangement.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing one or more animal hides inside the first packaging volume comprises: introducing one or more liquid containing animal hides inside the first packaging volume.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein fluid containing animal hides comprises wet blue and/or wet white animal hides.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the animal hides have a concentration of fungicides that is less than 0.2 wt %, or preferably less than 0.15 wt %, or preferably less than 0.1 wt %, or preferably approximately 0 wt %.

14. A packaging for packing one or more animal hides the packaging comprising: a package having a packaging volume sized to accommodate one or more animal hides inside thereof, the packaging volume being sealable from a surrounding environment; and a microorganism growth inhibiting environment provided inside the packaging volume, the microorganism growth inhibiting environment being provided at least in part by removal of at least part of a volume of gas present inside the packaging volume.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The following is an explanation of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a method for packing one or more animal hides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a method for packing one or more animal hides.

[0070] The present description discloses a method (100) for packing one or more animal hides. The animal hides may be either contain an amount of fluid or be dry.

[0071] The method comprises a step of providing (S102) a packaging having a first packaging volume configured to contain one or more animal hides and a volume of gas. The packaging may be in the shape of a container comprising a rigid material, so that the outer wall of the container is solid and may withstand stress e.g. during transport. Alternatively, the packaging may comprise a flexible material and may therefore be produced as a bag or as a foil, which is wrapped around the animal hides thereby forming a packaging.

[0072] The method further comprises a step of providing (S104) the one or more animal hides inside the first packaging volume. Optionally, one or more animal hides may be provided inside the first packaging volume by introducing (S104A) one or more animal hides inside the first packaging volume. Thus, in case the packaging is a container or a bag, the animal hides may thereby be introduced into the first (or second) packaging volume through an opening. Alternatively, in case the packaging is formed by a foil, the foil may be wrapped around the animal hides, after the animal hides have been stacked on e.g. a pallet.

[0073] The method further comprises a step of sealing off (S106) the first packaging volume from the surrounding environment. Optionally, sealing off (S106) the first packaging volume from the surrounding environment may comprise closing (S106A) access between the first packaging volume and the surrounding environment by way of welding, adhesion and/or a mechanical closing arrangement. The step of sealing off (S106) may be carried out in response to providing one or more animal hides inside the packaging volume.

[0074] The method further comprises a step of providing (S108) a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment.

[0075] Optionally, providing (S108) a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment may comprise removing (S108A) at least part of the volume of gas present inside the first packaging volume. Removing a volume of gas may be done by connecting a fluid pump, such as an air pump (diaphragm pump, reciprocating pump), to a valve on the packaging. The gas is then pumped out of the packaging, where the removal of the air may also remove air based contaminants, such as microorganisms, from the packaging.

[0076] Optionally, providing (S108) a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment may comprise introducing (S108B) a volume of an inert gas and/or filtered and/or clean air into the first packaging volume. Introducing a volume of gas may be done by connecting a fluid pump, such as an air pump (diaphragm pump, reciprocating pump), to a valve on the packaging. Alternatively, the inert gas and/or filtered air may be pressurised, such as in a pressure cylinder, whereby the gas and/or filtered air may be lead into the first (or second) packaging volume via a valve on the packaging, due to the high pressure gradient between the pressure cylinder and the packaging volume.

[0077] Optionally, providing (S108) a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment may comprise providing (S108C) a pressure inside the first packaging volume being lower than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

[0078] Optionally, the step of providing (S108) a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment may comprise providing (S108D) a pressure inside the first packaging volume being higher than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

[0079] Optionally, the step of providing (S108) a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume compared to the surrounding environment may comprise providing (S108E) a pressure inside the first packaging volume being in a range between 20% lower and 20% higher than the pressure in the surrounding environment.

[0080] The step of providing (S108) a microorganism growth inhibiting environment inside the first packaging volume may be carried out in response to providing one or more animal hides inside the packaging volume, and/or sealing off (S106) the first packaging volume.

[0081] The method may further comprise providing (S110) a valve assembly in the packaging, where the valve assembly is configured to provide a selective gas flow restriction between the first packaging volume and the surrounding environment. Thus, the valve assembly, which may comprise a one-way and/or a two-way valve, may be arranged in the wall of the packaging after the step of sealing off (S106) the first packaging volume and/or may be arranged at an opening of the packaging in connection with closing (S106A) access between the first packaging volume and the surrounding environment.

[0082] In one embodiment, the packaging volume of the packaging may be greater than 2 cubic metres (m.sup.3), and may preferably be greater than 3 cubic metres (m.sup.3), and may preferably be around 4 cubic metres (m.sup.3).

[0083] In one embodiment, the animal hides may be wet blue, having a water concentration of about 50-60 wt %. Thus, if the total weight of the animal hides is about 1000 kg, the weight of the water inside the animal hides is about 500-600 kg.

EXAMPLE

[0084] In one example, the packing of the animal hides may be performed by positioning a pallet on a plane surface, such as the ground. A packaging foil may be positioned on top of the pallet, where the packaging volume may be exposed to the environment. The animal hides, often in a wet blue state, may be stacked inside the packaging volume until a predetermined amount of animal hides is inside the packaging volume. The packaging may subsequently be sealed off, by welding the opening in the packaging and closing off the packaging volume from the environment, where the animal hides are hermetically sealed from the environment. A vacuum pump may be attached to a valve which provides fluid communication to the packaging volume, where the vacuum pump is initiated to pump out the air from the packaging volume and the packaging, removing most of the air from the packaging. The vacuum pump may be detached from the packaging, where the valve ensures that air from the outside cannot enter the packaging volume and therefore maintains the lower pressure inside the packaging volume. A source of CO2 is connected to the packaging via a valve, where CO2 may be introduced into the packaging volume, so that the concentration of C02 inside the packaging volume is approximately 98% (at least above 90%). When the CO2 source is released from the packaging the valve ensures that the CO2 remains inside the packaging volume.

[0085] The use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not imply any particular order, but are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to denote any specific spatial or temporal ordering.

[0086] Furthermore, the labelling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa.

[0087] It is to be noted that the word “comprising” does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0088] It is to be noted that the words “a” or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0089] It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several “means”, “units” or “devices” may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0090] Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.