Refrigeration appliance which supports the curing process of refrigerated goods, in particular of meat

Abstract

A refrigeration appliance includes a storage area for refrigerated goods and a control facility or unit for controlling a storage climate in the storage area by using storage climate parameters. One storage climate parameter is a temperature in the storage area. Another storage climate parameter relates to an air speed in the storage area. The refrigeration appliance is used in particular for the dry curing of meat.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance, comprising: a storage area for refrigerated goods; and a controller for controlling a storage climate in said storage area by using storage climate parameters; one of said storage climate parameters being a temperature parameter in said storage area; another of said storage climate parameters an air speed parameter in said storage area; said controller having storage climate types with assigned storage climate parameter sets defining said temperature parameter and said air speed parameter, said storage climate types of said controller are drying, aging and storage; and a further storage area with a conventional refrigeration area controller, said further storage area being separate from said storage area having a further storage climate controlled by using further storage climate parameters.

2. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein a further of said storage climate parameters is a relative air humidity parameter in said storage area, said relative air humidity parameter being a parameter of said assigned storage climate parameter sets.

3. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to activate storage climate types one after another in climate phases each with a predefined duration.

4. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, which further comprises a ventilator, said storage climate parameter relating to said air speed in said storage area including conditions for switching said ventilator on and off.

5. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 4, wherein said controller has storage climate types with assigned storage climate parameter sets, and one of said storage climate types includes continuous operation of said ventilator.

6. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said controller includes a temperature setter for setting a temperature in said storage area between 0.5 and 4 C. and a ventilator for generating an air flow with an air speed of at least 0.5 m/s in said storage area.

7. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to set a relative air humidity between 50% and 85% in said storage area.

8. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, which further comprises an air humidity setter with a humidity sensor for setting a relative air humidity between 50% and 85% in said storage area.

9. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said controller includes an input for manually inputting data relating to refrigerated goods.

10. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 9, wherein said controller is configured to control at least one of the temperature, the air speed or the air humidity as a function of said input data.

11. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 9, wherein said input data include at least one of a type of animal, a weight of a piece, a size of a piece, a desired degree of aging or a desired consumption date.

12. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, which further comprises a setter for manually setting at least one of temperature, air speed or relative air humidity in said storage area.

13. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said storage area includes a perforated shelf surface.

14. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said storage area includes a hook for securing pieces of meat.

15. A method for aging food or aging meat in a refrigeration appliance having a storage area for refrigerated goods with a storage climate parameter including a temperature in the storage area, the method comprising the following steps: providing a refrigeration appliance according to claim 1; a) setting a storage climate of a storage climate type relating to aging for aging food for a first climate phase with a predefined first duration, the storage climate parameter relating to an air speed in the storage area; and b) setting a storage climate of a storage climate type relating to storage for storing food for a second climate phase; and c) setting the storage climate type relating to aging to a higher temperature than the storage climate type relating storage.

16. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises: setting an additional preceding storage climate of a storage climate type relating to drying for drying food for a third climate phase with a predefined third duration; and setting a lower relative air humidity for the storage climate type relating to drying than for the storage climate type relating to storage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a refrigeration appliance according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a further refrigeration appliance according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a further refrigeration appliance according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a further method according to the invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The figures show different refrigeration appliances according to the invention, in which identical features or those of identical function have the same reference characters but are not necessarily described again.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a refrigeration appliance 100 in the form of a refrigerator with a refrigeration appliance door 111. The refrigerator serves for example to refrigerate food and comprises a refrigerant circuit with an evaporator 105 or a number of evaporator units, a compressor, a condenser and a throttle device. The evaporator is a heat exchanger, in which after expansion the liquid refrigerant is evaporated as a result of absorbing heat from the medium to be cooled, in other words the air in the interior of the refrigerator.

(9) The compressor is a mechanically operated part, which takes refrigerant vapor in from the evaporator and outputs it at a higher pressure to the condenser. The condenser is a heat exchanger, in which after compression the evaporated refrigerant is condensed as a result of emitting heat to an external cooling medium, in other words the ambient air. The throttle device is an apparatus for continuously reducing pressure by narrowing cross section.

(10) The refrigerant is a fluid used to transmit heat in the refrigerating system, absorbing heat when the fluid is at low temperatures and low pressure and emitting heat when the fluid is at a higher temperature and higher pressure, with state changes of the fluid generally being included.

(11) In the refrigeration appliance 100 climate conditions are created which allow the specific post-aging of meat, in particular beef, in a domestic context. After slaughter meat undergoes an aging process to establish and specifically influence its consumption quality. Meat ages in two aging phases.

(12) In the first aging phase a process takes place within the cells, generally taking approx. 36 to 40 hours for cattle and 6 to 8 hours for pigs in standard refrigeration conditions between 0 C. and 4 C. In this process glycogen reserves in the muscles are broken down without oxygen and lactic acid formed. The pH value of the meat drops from 7.2 to 5.5. If the glycogen is consumed, the muscle fibers crosslink and the meat becomes hard and tough.

(13) In the second aging phase proteolytically induced morphological changes produce a change in the myofibrils and therefore the desired tender consistency. During aging there is a slight rise in the pH value. The water binding capacity increases so less juice runs out during meat preparation. The aging phase lasts approx. 14 days for beef, 7 days for veal and approx. 60 hours for pork at temperatures around 3 C.

(14) The hanging of meat on the bone, in halves or pieces is referred to as dry aging. Dry aging is a slow aging process with high water loss of up to 30% and an aging period of up to 4 weeks. Wet aging refers to the aging of meat without air in a vacuum bag. Anaerobic meat aging is brought about by the lactic acid bacteria present in the meat. It can be supplemented by parchment aging, in which meat is wrapped in parchment before the vacuum is applied so any meat juices that come out are not in sustained contact with the meat. Dry bags or aging bags are semi-permeable membrane bags used for aging. Here oxygen reaches the meat, juice drips can be conducted away and weight loss is reduced. With aqua aging meat is aged in mineral water with a high calcium, magnesium and hydrogen carbonate content. Aging can also take place in beef tallow.

(15) The refrigeration appliance 100 allows meat to be aged and pieces of meat to undergo post-aging according to the dry aging or wet aging method or in an aging bag in a domestic context. The aging or post-aging of the meat here can take place either in the refrigeration compartment as a whole as the storage area 103 or in separate storage areas 103.

(16) A separate storage area 103 for refrigerated goods in the form of meat has for example an additional temperature control by means of a temperature setting facility 104 with a temperature sensor for setting a temperature in the storage area 103. The storage area 103 also comprises a humidity control by means of an air humidity setting facility for setting a relative air humidity. A ventilation facility 107, for example a fanwheel, serves to generate an air flow 109 with a predefined air speed in the storage area 103.

(17) Arranged in the storage area is a perforated shelf surface 113 which is made of stainless steel for example. The storage area 103 can also have one or more hooks 117 for securing meat pieces.

(18) In order to assist the aging or post-aging process, the following storage climate parameters are advantageously maintained in the storage area 103:

(19) A target temperature range for post-aging is between 0.5 C. and 1.5 C. A target range for relative air humidity is between 75% and 85%. Air humidity here can be controlled passively, for example coupled with temperature regulation and fan operating times, or actively, for example using an air humidity setting facility with a humidity sensor in the storage area to humidify or dehumidify when a predefined limit value is exceeded. The target range for air speed in the storage area 103 is between 0.5 m/s and 2.5 m/s for fast drying off and to prevent mold forming on the meat. Air speeds higher than 2.5 m/s are suitable for drying.

(20) The exclusion of ultraviolet light (UV light) during product aging avoids color change reactions. In order to avoid the transfer of odors and germs during the aging process, air cleaning can take place, for example by means of UV disinfection, by means of a microfilter, an active carbon filter, an ionizer or a photocatalyst. This improves the air quality in the storage area.

(21) For regulation, control or program selection of the aging function a user can set the target temperature in the storage area directly by way of an appliance electronic system or a separate electronic system on the storage compartment. An aging program can be selected by way of a separate or supplemented appliance electronic system, in which the storage climate parameters are adjusted for example according to the type of animal, the weight and size of a piece, a desired degree of aging or a desired consumption date.

(22) Storage systems for ensuring adequate and homogeneous ventilation of the goods to be post-aged can be formed by a perforated shelf surface 113 made of stainless steel for example. Also permanently secured or flexibly mounted hooks can be provided to secure larger pieces in the storage area.

(23) The refrigeration appliance 100 can be used for simple product storage with the claim of maintaining quality to product refinement and therefore further quality improvement for refrigerated goods. The meat aged in the refrigeration appliance 100 has a greater water binding capacity, cooks faster and remains juicy and develops a more marked aroma. The refrigeration appliance 100 allows individualized meat aging and makes domestic refrigeration appliances more professional, for example by meeting gourmet needs. Consumption quality improves during the post-aging time in the storage area 103 and an individual consumption date can be freely selected. This allows greater flexibility by further decoupling purchase and consumption.

(24) The refrigeration appliance 100 illustrated is a no-frost refrigeration appliance, with the ventilation facility 107 bringing about all air movement.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a further refrigeration appliance 200. In addition to the storage area 203, which is suitable for controlling a storage climate in the storage area 103 by means of storage climate parameters, the refrigeration appliance 200 also has a further storage area 205 separate therefrom with a conventional refrigeration area controller. The refrigeration appliance 200 therefore has a further storage area 205 for conventional refrigerated goods, which is also suitable for meat aged ready for consumption, and a storage area 203 for treating specific refrigerated goods with a specific storage climate. The storage area 203 is configured as a refrigeration compartment 115 which is separated and insulated from the further storage area 205 and has a perforated shelf surface 113.

(26) The refrigeration appliance 200 has a fan 206 for air circulation between the storage areas 203 and 205 and the evaporator 105. The refrigeration appliance 200 also has a separate ventilation facility 207 for the refrigeration compartment 115 or the storage area 203, which generates an air flow 109 with an air speed in the storage area 103 between 0.5 m/s and 2.5 m/s. The drying and aging processes are performed in a dynamically chilled refrigeration compartment 115 with fin evaporator.

(27) Because the storage climate can be controlled, at the end of the aging process in the storage area 203 the storage climate type storage can be selected and the refrigerated goods, in particular dry-aged meat, can remain in the storage area 203. The refrigeration appliance 200 also allows the refrigerated goods to be moved out of the storage area 203 at the end of the aging process into the further storage area 205 in the same refrigeration appliance, whereupon the storage area 203 is available for new unaged refrigerated goods.

(28) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a further refrigeration appliance 300. The refrigeration appliance 300 has two storage areas 303, 304, which are suitable in each instance for controlling a storage climate in the storage area 303, 304 by means of storage climate parameters. The refrigeration appliance 300 also has a further storage area 305 separate therefrom with a conventional refrigeration area controller.

(29) A separate ventilation facility 307, 308 is assigned to each of the storage areas 303, 304. The two 303, 304 are insulated thermally from one another and from the further storage area 305 by means of insulating walls 309.

(30) In the refrigeration appliance 300 for example the storage area 303 can be used for treating specific refrigerated goods with a specific first storage climate, for example drying, the storage area 304 can be used for treating specific refrigerated goods with a specific second storage climate, for example aging, and the further storage area 305 can be used for conventional refrigerated goods, for example for a conventional refrigeration area.

(31) Alternatively separate drying and aging processes can be performed independently of one another in a single refrigeration appliance for two different stores of refrigerated goods in the storage areas 303, 304 and refrigerated goods that have already been aged ready for consumption can also be kept fresh in the further storage area 305.

(32) FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram 400 of a method according to the invention. The method for aging food, in particular meat, is performed in a refrigeration appliance with a storage area for refrigerated goods, with a storage climate parameter comprising a temperature in the storage area. The method starts with the method step of setting 404 a storage climate of a storage climate type aging for aging food for a first climate phase with a first duration. A storage climate parameter here relates to an air speed in the storage area. This is followed by the method step of setting 406 a storage climate of a storage climate type storage for storing food for a second climate phase. The storage climate type aging here has a higher temperature than the storage climate type storage.

(33) FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram 500 of a method according to the invention. The method for aging food, in particular meat, is performed in a refrigeration appliance with a storage area for refrigerated goods, with a storage climate parameter comprising a temperature in the storage area. The method starts with the method step 502 of setting a storage climate of a storage climate type drying for drying food for a third climate phase with a predefined third duration. The storage climate type drying here has a lower relative air humidity than the storage climate type storage.

(34) This is followed by the method step of setting 504 a storage climate of a storage climate type aging for aging food for a first climate phase with a first duration. A storage climate parameter here relates to an air speed in the storage area.

(35) This is followed by the method step of setting 506 a storage climate of a storage climate type storage for storing food for a second climate phase. The storage climate type aging here has a higher temperature than the storage climate type storage. The second climate phase for storage is for a second duration which is generally not predefined but is based on the consumption of the food or according to when a user selects a different climate phase.

(36) Although the invention has been illustrated in conjunction with dynamic evaporators, it can also be implemented with static evaporators.

(37) All the features described and illustrated in conjunction with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the inventive subject matter in order to achieve their advantageous effects at the same time.

(38) The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the s and is not restricted by the features described in the description or illustrated in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(39) 100 Refrigeration appliance 103 Storage area 104 Temperature setting facility 105 Evaporator 107 Ventilation facility 109 Air flow 111 Refrigeration appliance door 113 Shelf surface 115 Refrigeration compartment 117 Hook 200 Refrigeration appliance 203 Storage area 205 Further storage area 206 Fan 207 Ventilation facility 300 Refrigeration appliance 303, 304 Storage area 305 Further storage area 307, 308 Ventilation facility 309 Insulating wall