BE1021776B1 - TRANSPORT BOX AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING PRODUCTS IN A COOL - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport box (1) which, when empty, comprises a storage compartment (8) for products (20) and comprises at least one channel (9) suitable for air passage, which is separated from the storage compartment (8) by a partition (10) , and that a connection between the top side of the transport box (1) is arranged such that when a stack of at least two such transport boxes (1) is formed, a channel (9) of an underlying transport box (1) connects to a channel ( 9) of an upper transport box (1).

Description

Transport box and method for transporting products in a refrigerated manner.

The present invention relates to a transport box and method for transporting products cooled.

It is known that for many products including fresh food, medicines and flowers, it is desirable or even necessary to keep it cooled or even frozen until the moment of use. This means that the transport and storage before and after transport of such products cannot be taken for granted.

It is known to use refrigerated storage spaces to store such products and to use vehicles with a refrigerated compartment to transport such products.

A disadvantage of this is that it is expensive. Such a method of storage and transport is therefore suitable for bulk transport and storage of large quantities, but is in practice too expensive for transporting and distributing smaller quantities within a short period of time to dispersed locations, as this occurs, for example, in a distribution of typical quantities intended for end consumers to these end consumers.

This problem of a high cost price is exacerbated when the quantities to be transported can be strong periodically, for example daily, since vehicles and storage facilities must then be arranged for the largest anticipated quantities to be transported independently of the actual quantities, while these quantities only decrease and decrease. really occur.

The existing technology therefore does not or only partially meet the price and flexibility requirements for carrying out transport of limited quantities of temperature-sensitive products.

This problem can be partially mitigated by the use of insulating packages, possibly with the addition of additional passive cold sources in the package, so that the products to be distributed can stay outside a cooled room for a certain time without spoiling. However, such insulating packages are relatively expensive and relatively weak mechanically.

Moreover, in the event of an unforeseen circumstance, for example traffic problems that prevent a vehicle from picking up or delivering a product at the desired time, the insulating capacity of the packaging may be insufficient to maintain or guarantee a low temperature for the products long enough and continuously.

The present invention has for its object to provide a solution to at least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages in that it provides a transport box which comprises a storage compartment for goods and comprises at least one duct suitable for air passage which is separated from the storage compartment by a partition and which forms a connection between the top of the transport box and the underside thereof, wherein the transport box is arranged such that when a stack of at least two such transport boxes is formed, in the stack a channel of an underlying transport box connects to a channel of an overhead transport box.

The channel of such a transport box can easily be connected to a source of cold air, whereby the contents of the storage compartment can be kept cool or frozen for as long as necessary, and this in a small-scale, cheap and flexible manner.

The channels of a number of stacked transport boxes together form a passage for cold air, so that a number of stacked transport boxes can easily be cooled by one source of cold air.

A transport box is herein a box intended for transport, and possibly storage, of goods that can be picked up and moved by a person in a filled state, and that has a storage compartment that is minimal at the sides and at the bottom, and preferably also surrounded by a wall at the top.

In a preferred embodiment, the transport box is provided with at least two of such channels, wherein these channels are not directly connected to each other.

In this way a transport box can be cooled on two or more sides, so that better cooling is obtained. A cycle of cold air can also be created, so that returning air with a still lower temperature than the ambient air can be re-cooled with a lower required cooling capacity.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the partition is provided with one or more holes through which air can flow.

In this way the cooled gas can flow adequately into the storage compartment, so that better cooling is obtained. When a transport box with two or more channels is used, it is of course advantageous to provide the partitions between the storage compartment and each of the two channels with such holes.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transport box is provided with a raised edge on its top and / or bottom side which fits around the bottom side, or top side, of an equal transport box to stabilize the stack when two or more identical transport boxes are stacked.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the transport box is at least partially made of a multilayer material with two layers with a space or spaces between them, wherein a channel is formed by the space or spaces between the layers.

This could, for example, be a relatively thick corrugated cardboard or a plastic analog, the spaces defined by the waves serving as channels. Naturally, care must be taken that these spaces run from the top of the transport box to the bottom of the transport box unimpeded, and that their size is sufficient to allow an effective air flow.

This has the advantage that the material of the transport box itself forms the channel, so that the transport box is easier and cheaper to manufacture, because no complex construction of the transport box is required.

In yet another preferred embodiment, a channel is located between a side wall of the transport box and the storage compartment and extends over the entire dimension, i.e. width or length, of that side wall.

In this way it is obtained that a relatively large heat-exchanging surface, namely the separation between the channel and the storage compartment, is obtained, which also provides a similar cooling over the entire storage compartment. In addition, the usable rectangular space of the storage compartment is hereby kept as large as possible with a flow surface of a channel imposed by boundary conditions.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least the side walls, but optionally also top and / or bottom walls, are thermally insulating.

In this way a desired temperature can be reached and maintained more easily.

This also prevents condensation moisture from the ambient air from being able to deposit on the walls, which could easily lead to mold formation, which is undesirable because this could contaminate the product in the transport box.

The invention further relates to a combination of at least one such transport box and a cooling device, wherein the cooling device is adapted to blow air cooled from a blower mouth and wherein the blower mouth and a channel of the transport box are adapted to connect to each other.

The temperature of the cooled air naturally depends on the requirements of the products packed in the transport boxes and will typically be a few degrees lower than the temperature desired for these products.

In a further preferred embodiment of the combination, the blow nozzle is adapted to connect to a channel of each of two transport boxes which are placed against each other with their respective channels facing each other.

As a result, two transport boxes or stacks of transport boxes can be operated from cooled air with a single cooling device.

The blow nozzle is herein preferably provided with a closure which can partially close the blow nozzle, so that when the cooling device is used with one transport box or one stack of transport boxes, the part of the blow nozzle not connecting to a channel can be closed.

The cooling device is preferably of low design, so that within a space with a limited height a relatively large number of transport boxes can be placed on a cooling device and on top of each other.

The invention also comprises a method for transporting products cooled or frozen in a vehicle, wherein use is made of a transport box described above or combination wherein the products are placed in the transport box and wherein cooled air is generated in the vehicle and through a channel of the transport box is led.

This method is cheaper and more flexible to implement than the known methods. This is particularly true with regard to the investment costs required for transporting relatively small quantities.

In a preferred variant, use is herein made of a combination described above, wherein the cooling device is placed in the vehicle and connected to a source of electrical energy and wherein the transport box or transport boxes are placed on the cooling device or on each other in such a way that of each transport box a connection to the nozzle or to a channel of an underlying transport box.

The invention also relates to a method for transporting products cooled or frozen and to temporarily store cooled or frozen products, wherein the products are transported by means of a method as described above, wherein the products are temporarily stored cold or frozen after transport or conversely, wherein during the temporary storage cooled air is generated and passed through a channel of the transport box and wherein during storage and during transport the products are contained in one and the same transport box.

This has the advantage that the products do not have to be repackaged, but that the same transport boxes, both during storage and during transport, can be kept cooled or frozen in a similar manner, so that the entire distribution chain runs more smoothly.

With the insight to better demonstrate the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of a transport box, a combination and a method according to the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically and in perspective represents a transport box according to the invention; figure 2 represents the transport box of figure 1 in section along line II-II; figure 3 represents the transport box of figure 1 in cross-section according to line III-III; figure 4 schematically and in perspective represents a part of a combination according to the invention; figure 5 represents a combination according to the invention during use; figure 6 represents a part of a combination according to the invention and the intended use thereof in top view; and figure 7 schematically and in perspective represents an alternative transport box according to the invention.

The transport box 1 shown in figures 1, 2 and 3 with a width B of 40 cm and a length L of 60 cm has four side walls 2 and a bottom wall 3. At the top, the transport box 1 is provided with four lid flaps 4, which via a fold line 5 can be folded inwards in this way to close the transport box 1 and form an upper wall 6.

Figures 1 to 3 show the transport box 1 in the open state.

A step-shaped transition 7 is arranged in the side walls 2 halfway the total height H, as a result of which the lower half of the transport box 1 has somewhat smaller external dimensions than the upper half of the transport box 1.

On the inside, the transport box comprises a storage compartment 8 and two channels 9. These channels 9 are separated from the storage compartment 8 by a partition 10 with holes 11, in this case formed by a perforated sheet of cardboard. These partitions 9 run parallel to two side walls. 2, the channels 8 lying between these side walls 2 and the storage compartment 8.

The channels 9 both have an end 12 at the top of the transport box 1 and an end 13 at the bottom of the transport box 1. The two ends 12, 13 of a channel 9 lie exactly above each other, so that when two transport boxes 1 are stacked , connect the two channels 9 to each other.

The cooling device 14 shown in Figure 4 consists of a housing 15 in which a traditional electric cooling is arranged, which blows cooled air via a fan, for example at a temperature of 5 ° C. The housing 15 is placed on wheels 16.

The housing 15 is provided with two slits, namely a blow nozzle 17, to which the outlet of the fan is connected and a suction gap 18, to which the inlet of the fan is connected.

The cooling device 14 is furthermore provided with a low upright edge 19. The size of the space formed by the upright edge 19 and the size and placement of the blower nozzle 17 and the suction gap 18 are such that they are complementary to the above-described transport box 1, because, after all, the transport box 1 and the cooling device 14 are intended to be used in combination.

The use of the transport box 1 and the cooling device 14 in the distribution of products 20 to be transported and stored refrigerated is simple and as follows and shown in Figure 5.

A supplier of the products 20 places the ordered products 20 for a specific delivery address in one or more transport boxes 1. This happens for all desired delivery addresses, whereby products 20 for a different delivery address are not placed in the same transport box 1. The transport boxes 1 are of course provided with delivery information.

The quantity of filled transport boxes 1 is brought, for example in a cooled truck, to a distribution point where the transport boxes 1 are stacked on one or more cooling devices 14 present at that distribution point, which are operated or put into operation.

The stacking is hereby organized in such a way that the transport boxes 1 which are placed on a specific cooling device 14 are intended to be subsequently delivered by the same delivery vehicle, i.e. in the same delivery round, to the delivery addresses.

Such a stack is shown in section in Figure 5.

The stacks of transport boxes 1 are formed as follows. The lower transport box 1 of a stack is placed on top of a cooling device 14 in the open state with the lidelfs 4 raised. The lower half of the transport box 1 herein fits within the upright edge 19 of the cooling device 14, and the channels 9 on the underside of the transport box 1 hereby connect to the blowing nozzle 17 and the suction gap 18.

A second transport box 1, also in the open state, is placed on the transport box 1 that has already been placed. The lower half of this second transport box 1 herein fits within the upright lid flaps 4 of the lower transport box 1 and the channels 9 of the transport boxes connect to each other.

This is repeated until there are no more transport boxes 1 to be placed on the relevant stack or until the stack has reached a certain maximum height.

The upper transport box 1 on a stack is closed.

As can be seen in Figure 5, the superimposed channels 9 of the transport boxes 1 on the stack together form a passage for air originating from the cooling device 14.

This air flows, as indicated by arrows in Figure 5, from the blower mouth 17 through a channel 9 of each transport box 1, then via the holes 11 in the partitions 10 and via the storage compartment 8 to the other channel 9, after which this air again is sucked through the suction gap 18 to be cooled again and blown out of the blower nozzle 17 again.

This air flow hereby keeps the products 20 in the transport boxes 1 sufficiently cooled.

The raised lid flaps 4 act as a raised edge on the transport box 1. This, and the raised edge 19 on the cooling device 14, ensure that the transport boxes 1 and the cooling device 14 are positioned optimally relative to each other. They also ensure that the connection of the channels 9 to each other and to the suction gap 18 and the blow nozzle 17 cannot leak easily and also stabilize the stack.

As a result, the products 20 in the transport boxes 1 remain cool at a storage location, even if there is no cooling space there.

When the products 20 are to be delivered, the relevant cooling device 14 is disconnected from the electricity source to which it is connected, and together with the transport boxes 1 stacked thereon, placed in a delivery vehicle, and reconnected therein to an electricity source, whereafter the supply of the transport boxes 1 with products 20 can take place at the desired delivery addresses.

The cooling device 14 also operates during transport in the delivery vehicle and the products 20 are thus kept cool.

Figure 6 shows a variant of the cooling device 14, in top view. This variant differs from the embodiment described above in that the nozzle 17 is wider and in that there are two suction gaps 18.

This makes such a cooling device 14 suitable for placing two transport boxes 1 or stacks of transport boxes 1 next to each other on the cooling device 14, herein using the same blowing nozzle 17 and the same cooling device 14.

The intended placement positions of the transport boxes 1 are shown here in broken lines in Figure 6. These broken lines therefore do not represent any characteristics of the cooling device 14 itself.

Such an embodiment of the cooling device 14 can be provided with a closure, for example a valve, which can close half of the blowing nozzle 17, so that this embodiment can also be used with only one transport box 1 or stack thereof.

The alternative embodiment of a transport box 1 shown in figure 7 differs from the transport box 1 described above mainly in the following features: - The transport box 1 of figure 7 has only one channel 9 on one side wall 2. - The partition 10 between the channel 9 and the storage compartment 8 is not provided with holes, but is solid. - The lid flaps 4 can only cover the storage compartment 8 and not also the channel 9. - The side walls 2 of the transport box 1 are straight.

Due to these modifications, recirculation of cooling air during use is not possible, and also the degree of cooling of the product 20 in the storage compartment 8 is lower than with the previously described transport box 1.

Also, a stack of such transport boxes 1 is less stable, and there is a greater risk of leakage when stacked, at the places where a channel 9 of a transport box 1 connects to a channel 9 of an upper or lower transport box 1.

On the other hand, this alternative embodiment of the transport box 1 is easier to construct and manufacture, while the complementary cooling device 14 is also simpler and cheaper, because there should not be an upright edge 19 and there is no suction gap 18 but only one nozzle 18 should be.

When the transport box 1 is made of a corrugated cardboard comprising two layers with a corrugated layer in between, wherein a relatively large wave and a relatively large distance between the layers are used, the spaces defined by the waves can together serve as channel 9.

The transport box can be designed for single use, but also to be reused. In the latter case, a sturdy embodiment, for example in PVC or another plastic, is preferred.

If products with different temperature requirements are to be transported, it may be useful to provide the transport boxes with indications and also to provide the cooling device with a similar indication.

Such an indication can be, for example, a color, both from the outside of the transport box, as well as applied to the cooling device, for example blue for goods to be kept frozen, red for goods to be kept between 0 and 4 ° C and green for products that must be kept around 10 ° C.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described as examples and shown in the figures, but a transport box and method according to the invention can be realized in all kinds of shapes, dimensions and variants without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

Conclusions. 1. - Transport box (1) which, when empty, comprises a storage compartment (8) for products (20) and comprises at least one duct (9) suitable for air passage, which is separated from the storage compartment (8) by a partition (10), and which forms a connection between the top of the transport box (1) and the underside thereof, the transport box (1) being arranged such that when a stack of at least two such transport boxes (1) is formed, a channel ( 9) of an underlying transport box (1) connects to a channel (9) of an upper transport box (1). Transport box according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with at least two of such channels (9), wherein these channels (9) are not directly open to each other. Transport box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the partition (10) is provided with one or more holes (10) through which air can flow. Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with an upstanding edge on its top side and / or bottom side which fits around the bottom side, or top side, of a similar transport box (1) for stacking two or more equal transport boxes (1) to stabilize the stack. Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is at least partially made of a multi-layer material with two layers with a space or spaces between them, wherein a channel (9) is formed by the space or spaces between the layers. Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a channel (9) is located between a side wall (2) of the transport box (1) and the storage compartment (8) and over the entire dimension (L, B ) of said side wall (2). Combination of at least one transport box (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a cooling device (14), wherein the cooling device is adapted to blow air cooled from a blow nozzle (17) and the blow nozzle (17) and a channel (17) 9) of the transport box (1) are adapted to connect to each other. Combination according to claim 7, characterized in that the transport box (1) on its underside and the cooling device (14) on its upper side are of such a shape that the transport box (1) can be stably placed on the cooling device (14), wherein, at this placement, the nozzle (17) and an end (13) of the channel (9) face each other through which the nozzle (17) discharges into the channel (9). Combination according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the blow nozzle (17) is adapted to connect to a channel (9) of each of two transport boxes (1) which face each other with their respective channels (9) facing each other placed together. Combination according to claim 9, characterized in that the blow nozzle (17) is provided with a closure which can partially close the blow nozzle (17), so that when the cooling device (14) is used with one transport box (1) or one stack of transport boxes (1), the part of the nozzle (17) not connecting to a channel (9) can be closed. Combination according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the cooling device (14) is provided with wheels (16) and is of such a weight and size that it can be moved by one person. A method for transporting products (20) in a vehicle, chilled or frozen, characterized in that use is made of a transport box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or a combination according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the products (20) are placed in the transport box (1) and wherein cooled air is generated in the vehicle and is passed through a channel (9) of the transport box (1). Method according to claim 12, characterized in that use is made of a combination according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the cooling device (14) is placed in the vehicle and connected to a source of electrical energy and wherein the transport box ( 1) whether transport boxes (1) are placed on the cooling device (14) or on top of each other in such a way that a channel (9) of each transport box (14) connects to the blow nozzle (17) or to a channel (9) of an underlying transport box (1). - Method of transporting products (20) cooled or frozen and temporarily storing cooled or frozen, wherein the products (20) are transported by means of a method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the products (20) are subsequently the transport is stored temporarily cooled or frozen or vice versa, wherein cooled air is generated during the temporary storage and is passed through a channel (9) of the transport box (1) and wherein the products (20) are stored during storage and during transport same transport box (1). Method according to claim 14, wherein the products (20) are transported by means of a method according to claim 13, wherein the combination is also used during storage and wherein the combination upon transition from use during transport to use is moved during storage or vice versa from a storage location to the vehicle or vice versa wherein the transport box (1) or transport boxes (1) located on the cooling device (14) remain in that position during the transition.