The invention relates to a storage system and, more particularly, to a meat storage system for maintaining the quality of meat.
Background of Invention
In India, meat sector is largely an unorganized sector and is dominated by poor and local small-scale meat vendors. The quality and hygiene of meat sold at such vendors are extremely poor and questionable. This poor quality and unhygienic meat have remained a major issue for public health. The meat sold at such stores is not kept in cold storage and is kept usually at an atmospheric temperature, which leads to a very high microbial activity and load. Most of these local meat shop vendors do not even have electricity. Generally, the meat sold by local meat vendors is kept in open and thus the risk of physical contaminants such as dust, soil, flies and fly-borne microbial illnesses is very high.
Various cold storage systems such as refrigerators and/or chillers are available for storing meat to maintain the hygiene and avoid contamination of the meat from dust, soil, flies and other contaminants. Such cold storage systems involve considerable operating cost as necessarily requires direct electricity for operation. Therefore, usage of such cold storage systems is mostly restricted to cities and high-end meat retailers. Further, it is not possible for local poor vendors to have such cold storage systems owing to their high cost.
Therefore, at present, no low-cost meat storage system is available with local roadside meat vendors for keeping the meat in cold storage and thus maintaining the hygiene and wholesomeness of the stored meat.
Summary of Invention
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts related to the present invention in a simplified version form that is further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential

features of the present invention, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the present invention.
In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a meat storage system. The meat storage system comprises a frame made of plywood, at least one internal wall made of a first insulating sheet, at least one internal wall made of a thermally conductive sheet and a plurality of slots provided for receiving packs of phase change material. The plurality of slots is provided behind the internal wall made of the thermally conductive sheet and covered with a second insulating sheet form the other side.
The advantages of the invention include, but not limited to, providing a meat storage system at a low cost; while simultaneously ensuring the hygiene of the stored meat and avoiding contamination of the meat from dust, soil, flies and other contaminants. This system can be used to store different types of meat carcasses such as mutton, pork, chevon, and veal. Additionally, the meat storage system of the present invention is environment-friendly and does not need direct electricity. Therefore, it is easy to use, cost-effective, and affordable. The system also avoids unhygienic and poor quality meat supply and ensures good and wholesome quality meat to the consumers.
Further advantages and other details of the present invention will be apparent by reading following detailed description and reviewing the associated drawings. It is to be understood that the following detailed description is explanatory only and is not restrictive of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
To further clarify advantages and features of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and details with accompanying drawings in which:

Figure la illustrates an exemplary schematic of a meat storage system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
Figure lb illustrates an exemplary schematic of a meat storage system with meat carcass in place, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
It may be noted that to the extent possible same reference numerals have been used to represent the same elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the invention. Furthermore, one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to the understanding of the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefits of the description herein.
Detailed Description of the Invention
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
The term "some" as used herein is defined as "none, or one, or more than one, or all". Accordingly, the terms "none," "one," "more than one," "more than one, but not all" or "all" would all fall under the definition of "some." The term "some embodiments" may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several

embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term "some embodiments" are defined as meaning "no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments."
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to "includes," "comprises," "has," "consists," and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language "MUST comprise" or "NEEDS TO include."
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as "one or more features" or "one or more elements" or "at least one feature" or "at least one element." Furthermore, the use of the terms "one or more" or "at least one" feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as "there NEEDS to be one or more..." or "one or more element is REQUIRED."
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some "embodiments." It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
The meat storage system shown in the above figures is made with a key objective of maintaining the meat quality and providing wholesome meat to consumers sold in the local markets of the country with minimum initial and one-time investment for the meat vendors. The meat storage system is designed according to the market requirements. Specifications and fabrication materials used for the meat storage system is decided in such a way so as to make it more efficient and cost-effective.
Figure 1a illustrates a meat storage system 1. The meat storage system 1 comprises a frame 2 made of plywood. The frame 2 has a plurality of walls. For
6

instance, the frame 2 includes a plurality of internal walls, one or more intermediate walls, and a plurality of external walls. The aforementioned walls form an internal compartment for storing meat, meat carcasses, etc. For the sake of brevity and ease of explanation, the following description is described with reference to one intermediate wall (wall 8). Accordingly, only one intermediate wall has been shown in the figure. As may be understood, without limitation, other intermediate walls may be provided within the frame 2.
As shown in the figure, an intermediate wall 8 is provided with a plurality of slots 9 for receiving packs of a phase change material 10. The plurality of slots 9 is provided with a barrier 9a for keeping the phase change material 10 inside the slot 9. This barrier protects the phase change material 10 from dropping outside the slot 9. In an example, the barrier is made of plywood. In an example, the plurality of internal walls comprises a front internal wall 3, a back internal wall 4, two opposite internal side walls 5, an upper internal wall 6, and a bottom internal wall 7. In an example, the plurality of external walls is made up of plywood.
According to an aspect of the invention, at least one internal wall 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 that is in direct contact with the phase change material 10 is made of a thermally conductive sheet. For instance, as shown in the figure, the two opposite internal side walls 5 and the upper internal wall 6 are made of a thermally conductive sheet. In an example, the thermally conductive sheet is provided with a plurality of small holes to improve thermal conductivity. Further, the thermally conductive sheet also provides support to the packs of phase change material 10. The thermally conductive sheet facilitates heat transfer between the packs of phase change material 10 and the internal compartment. Due to heat transfer, the temperature inside the meat storage compartment is maintained at a desired level. In an example, the other internal walls that are not in direct contact with the packs of phase change material 10 are made of a first insulating sheet. For example, as shown in the figure, the internal walls 3, 4, and 7 are made of a first insulating sheet.
7

According to an aspect of the invention, the intermediate wall 8 having a plurality of slots 9 is sandwiched between the internal wall 5 (made of the thermally conductive sheet) and a second insulating sheet. The second insulating sheet prohibits heat transfer between the packs of phase change material 10 with the atmosphere.
As may be gathered from the above description, aspects of the present invention provide for a meat storage system that facilitates storage of meat carcass efficiently at desired temperatures.
Figure 1b illustrates the meat storage system 1 with stored meat carcass 19. The meat storage system 1 further comprises a plurality of wheels 11, a food grade SS rod 12 having movable hooks 13, a glass window 14, a first door 15 and a second door 16. The plurality of wheels 11 facilitates movement of the meat storage system 1 from one location to another location. The rod 12 is detachably attached in between two opposite internal side walls 5 and the hooks 13 are movably mounted on the rod 12. Hooks 13 are provided for hanging three to four meat carcasses at a time and are supported by the rod 12. The movable hooks 13 facilitate easy movement of the meat carcass 19 inside the internal compartment. The glass window 14 is provided on the front internal wall 3 to facilitate viewer (customers) to view meat carcass 19 hanged inside the meat storage system 1. The first door 15 is provided on the back internal wall 4 for accessing meat/carcass 19 hanged inside the meat storage system 1. The second door 16 is provided in vicinity to the intermediate wall 8 having the plurality of slots 9 in order to provide access to the plurality of slots 9. An internal surface of said second door 16 is laminated with the second insulating sheet. The first door 15 and/or the second door 16 comprise a door handle 17, a door clamp 18, and a door lock for ensuring proper closure. As mentioned above in figure 1a, only one intermediate wall 8 has been illustrated for the sake of brevity and ease of explanation and any number of intermediate walls 8 may be provided within the frame 2. Accordingly, any number of second doors 16 may also be provided in the frame 2 in respect of the intermediate
8

wall 8 to provide for easy placement of packs of phase change material 10 within the slots 9.
Materials used in the fabrication of the meat storage system are, Plywood, Aluminium, Styrofoam, Glycol based hydrophilic polymer having a three-dimensional network, non-corrosive food grade Stainless Steel and glass. The Plywood is used in the frame and in the external walls, Aluminium is used as the thermally conducting sheet, Styrofoam is used as the insulating sheet, ice packs made of Glycol based hydrophilic polymer having three-dimensional network are used as the packs of phase change material, non-corrosive food grade Stainless Steel is used in the rod and in the hooks, and glass is used in the window.
In a non-limiting exemplary arrangement, the dimension of the meat storage system can be 1.22m x 0.91m x 1.52m. The frame of the system is made with plywood blocks having 12 mm thickness except for the top and the bottom of the frame 2 having 18 mm thickness. The two opposite internal side walls and upper wall are made of an aluminum sheet having a thickness of 1 mm. The back internal wall, the bottom internal wall and a portion of the front internal wall are made of styrofoam sheet having a thickness of 5 mm. Three intermediate walls are provided, where each intermediate wall includes 10 slots, where each slot is measuring in 0.41m x 0.05m x 0.25m. The first door is provided with two partitions, wherein each partition is having a thickness of 12 mm and measurement of 1.1m x 1.16m. The rod is of length 1.22 m, the diameter of 2.5 cm and having the capacity to hang maximum 80-100 Kg weight. The hook is of length 12.5 cm, diameter 1 cm and having the capacity to hang the meat with a maximum weight of 25-35 kg. Four wheels 11 are provided having a diameter of 60 mm and length of 76 mm. The glass is having a thickness of 6 mm and dimension of 0.91m x 1.08 m. The icepack is having 750 g of weight and 14 x 8 inch dimension. The overall dimensions of the meat storage system and its components are mentioned in the Table 1 given below.

Sr. No. Objects Length Width Height
1. Storage Chamber (ft) 3 4 5
2. Transparent glass panel (ft) 12 mm thick - 2.92 3.87
3. Stainless steel rod (ft) 4 - -
4. Stainless steel hook (cm) 12.5 - -
5. Wheels (cm) 7.6 - -
6. Ice-pack compartments (inches) - 16 10
Table 1: Dimensions of the low-cost meat storage structure
An experiment has been performed to determine the temperature difference that could be achieved inside the meat storage system with and without meat. In an experiment, total 50 icepacks (reusable for at least 10 years) were used to test the cooling capacity of the meat storage system. Icepacks were frozen at -20°C overnight prior and used as packs of phase change material (i.e. coolants). The modes of heat transfer taking place are conduction and convection. The minimum temperature of 16.9°C was recorded inside the system without meat even after 6 hours of loading all icepacks and even when the maximum temperature outside was 37.2°C. Thus, a temperature difference of 20°C was achieved between the meat storage system loaded with frozen ice packs (without meat) in a daytime when maximum outside temperature was 37.2°C. During the experimental study, a chevon (mutton) meat carcass weighing 7 Kg was hung inside the storage structure and all 50 frozen ice packs were loaded. The minimum temperature inside the storage structure was found to be 16.5°C when maximum outside temperature was 38.1°C, thus a temperature difference of 21.6°C was seen at 03.30 pm, i.e., 5 hours after loading of all ice packs. More chilling and greater temperature difference could be achieved with an increased number of ice packs. The desired temperature of 1-5°C could be obtained with approximately 70 icepacks or by using thicker icepacks from the current 1.3 cm thickness (after

freezing). The meat quality parameters such as pH, water activity, color and total plate count were compared between the meat stored under the normal atmospheric condition and the meat storage structure.
The results inferred that the storage structure has a promising effect on maintaining overall meat quality and it can be readily adopted by small, poor local meat vendors owing to its low initial cost, low operating cost, portability, etc. This meat storage system will ensure safeguarding the public health from the potential risk of unwholesome, unhygienic, microbiologically poor quality meat.
Advantages over other known alternatives including imported alternatives are that the proposed system can accommodate 3-4 whole carcasses at a time, which are visible to the consumers. The meat storage system is of low cost and affordable. There is no use of harmful refrigerants. The meat storage system has the potential for adoption by poor local meat retailers. Moreover, the meat storage system is movable, compact in design, and can be customized as per the need.
Embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the present invention. Thus, although the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments and figures thereof, the embodiments and figures are merely illustrative, and not limiting of the invention.

We Claim:

A meat storage system (1) comprising:
a frame (2) made of plywood;
at least one internal wall (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) made of a first insulating sheet;
at least one internal wall (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) made of a thermally conductive sheet; and
a plurality of slots (9) provided behind the internal wall made of the thermally conductive sheet, the plurality of slots (9) being provided for receiving packs of phase change material (10) and are covered with a second insulating sheet from other side.
2. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first insulating sheet and the second insulating sheet are made of Styrofoam.
3. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive sheet is made of Aluminum.
4. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase change material is a glycol based hydrophilic polymer having a three-dimensional network.
5. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive sheet is provided with a plurality of holes to improve thermal conductivity.
6. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the meat storage system (1) comprises:
a plurality of wheels (11) to move the meat storage system (1);
a rod (12) having movable hooks (13) to hang meat;
a glass window (14) to provide a view of the meat;
a first door (15) made of plywood to provide access to the meat; and
one or more external walls made of plywood.

7. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rod (12) is detachable and attached between two opposite internal side (5) walls.
8. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the meat storage system (1) comprises a second door (16) to provide access to the plurality of slots (9), and wherein the second insulating sheet is provided on an internal surface of the second door (16).
9. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rod (12) and/or the hooks (13) are made of non-corrosive food grade stainless steel.
10. The meat storage system (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first door (15) and/or the second door (16) comprises one or more of the following: a door handle (17), a door clamp (18), and a door lock.