DE202011051284U1 - Foldable transport container with cooling elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport container (2), in particular large load carrier or big box, with a floor platform (6) and side walls (8) which can be folded or folded in towards the middle, characterized in that the transport container (2) has one or more storage spaces ( 36), in which all isolated cooling elements (14) of a cooling element arrangement (16), which is used to line the transport container (2) in the unfolded or unfolded state, can be received.

Description

The present invention relates to a folding transport container, in particular a large load carrier or a so-called big box, for the storage and transport of goods according to the preamble of claim 1.

Foldable large load carriers have long been known from the prior art. This is already in the utility model application DE 16 705 58 U a so-called box pallet described, the side walls can be folded. By folding down the side walls, the height and thus the volume of the container can be minimized so that the container takes up little space during the return transport or storage in the empty state.

Modern large capacity containers, such as those made for example DE 10 2008 047 857 A1 or DE 20 2010 002 290 U1 are known, are mostly made of plastic and usually have double-walled side walls and thus a certain thermal insulation. However, there are goods that need to be stored refrigerated or transported. For this purpose, usually specially designed insulated containers, such as those in US 2007/0193298 A1 are used, but which do not have the desired folding ability of the above-mentioned large load carriers.

Object of the present invention is thus to provide a folding transport container with which goods can be stored or transported in a cooled state, if necessary, by simple means.

This object is solved by the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the transport container has a bottom platform and side walls foldable and / or foldable in the middle, the transport container having one or more storage spaces in the folded or folded state, in which all isolated cooling elements of a cooling element arrangement which are used to line the transport container in the unfolded or folded position . unfolded state, can be safely absorbed.

The transport container according to the invention is thus designed so that it can be used on the one hand as an ordinary transport container and on the other hand, if necessary, completely lined with cooling elements and can be stored compactly in the empty state together with the cooling elements.

"Securely received" in the sense of the invention means that the cooling elements are not only placed on the folded transport container, but are accommodated within the transport container so that they can not fall out. The cooling elements are secured by one or more folded side walls.

The planar lining of the transport container with cooling elements has the advantage, in comparison to individual cold packs or ice packs, that the product is not only cooled at one or more points, but evenly from all sides. Since the transport container for the return transport or storage has appropriate storage space for the cooling elements, they are not lost and are not damaged because they are protected within the container from external influences. The transport container according to the invention can thus be used flexibly as needed with and without cooling elements.

An essential difference to known cooling systems can be seen, inter alia, in the large packing or cooling volume. The lining of a large load carrier with large and thin cooling elements reduces the loading volume only slightly, so that large goods can be cooled, which can not be divided into a plurality of small refrigerated containers. Furthermore, such a container equipped with large cooling elements transport container with the same total packing volume has a lower volume consumption by the container itself.

In addition, not the entire transport container must be cooled before the introduction of the goods, but only the removable cooling elements that can easily find place in a cooling device or cooled down there.

A significant advantage of the transport container according to the invention is in addition to the stowage possibility of the cooling elements in the folded state so in particular in the creation of a large-volume, refrigerated cargo space with large-scale cooling elements, which in turn have only a small space consumption.

According to one aspect of the invention, the storage space is located between the lowermost folded sidewall and the floor platform. In this case, the distance between the bottom folded-over side wall and the bottom platform is selected such that it corresponds at least to the total height of all the stacked cooling elements. This is advantageous because all the cooling elements before folding the side walls, without first taking them out of the container and next to the Having to put down containers, can be placed on top of each other and then the side walls can be successively folded over the cooling elements. As a result, the cooling elements are below all side walls in a specially protected and thermally shielded area. The latter can be exploited, for example, to be able to deliver the folded transport container (without goods) with cooled cooling elements and only at a later time the transport container is opened and filled with goods.

Alternatively, the individual cooling elements may be sandwiched between the individual folded side walls when the distances between the collapsed side walls are adjusted according to the thicknesses of the cooling elements.

The cooling element arrangement may itself have a cover formed from a cooling element. However, according to one aspect of the invention, the cover of the transport container, which can normally close the transport container both in the unfolded and in the folded state, can be used for closing the cooling element arrangement. This not only reduces the number of parts, but also simplifies handling during filling and emptying of the transport container, since with the removal of the transport container lid, the goods are immediately accessible.

Alternatively, the transport container lid may have an attachment for the cooling element cover, so that both can be handled together.

According to one aspect of the invention, the floor platform may have a loading area and wall sockets formed on the outer edge, on which the side walls are articulated. The heights of the wall base can be chosen so that all side walls can be folded or folded into a position substantially parallel to the loading area. Thus, the size of the storage space for the cooling elements is adjusted via the height of the wall base or the height of the bearing axis of the side walls above the loading area.

If the height of the storage space or storage space corresponds approximately to the height of all the stacked cooling elements, it can be ensured that the cooling elements and the side walls are all flat on one another. As a result, the cooling elements are frictionally fixed in the storage spaces.

According to one aspect of the invention, the floor platform may have a modular structure and a pallet-shaped floor and a wall base module releasably connectable with it. The side walls are then releasably and hingedly connected to the wall base module. By virtue of this modularity, either a wall base module according to the present invention can be fixed to the pallet base, that is, a wall socket module which provides a greater distance between the side walls and the loading surface and thus provides sufficient storage space for the cooling elements, or a wall base module for a normal one Transport container, which achieves the smallest possible distance between the loading area and the folded side walls and thus an even more compact storage of the transport container.

A cooling element arrangement according to the invention for the transport container according to the invention is the subject of claim 6. The cooling element arrangement comprises a plurality of cooling elements, which are releasably connectable to a closable container-like volume body with a lid and in the isolated state are stacked one above the other. By this arrangement, the transport container can be flat and completely lined with cooling elements and the cooling elements can be singled after emptying the transport container and stacked with minimal volume requirements.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling elements are detachably connectable to each other to form a dimensionally stable solid. This has the advantage that the cooling elements form a self-supporting, dimensionally stable container structure independently of the transport container, which can be used as a whole in the transport container or can be individually assembled therein. The so assembled cooling elements require no further fixation on the transport container and do not fall together.

The cooling element arrangement is preferably adapted to the inner dimensions of the transport container and has the shape of a cuboid. The cooling elements can be plugged together.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling element arrangement has a total of five cooling elements, one of which functions as a bottom part and four as side walls. The bottom part may have at the edge a plurality of recesses for positive or frictional receiving corresponding projections or teeth, which are formed at lower edges of the side walls. As a result, the five cooling elements can be assembled in a simple manner to form a cuboidal solid. The connection of the side walls with the bottom part can take place via corresponding press fits. Alternatively or additionally, the recesses and the projections may be dovetail-shaped.

In order to make the cooling element arrangement even more stable in itself, the side walls may be connected at their side edges in each case form-fitting manner with the adjacent side walls.

The positive connection of the side walls can be done by at least partially formed undercuts or groove profiles, or by spring or form-elastic elements. In the case of undercuts or groove profiles, the side walls can be relatively easily joined together by pulling or inserting selected side walls between two adjacent side walls in the axial direction.

In addition to the bottom part and the four side walls, the cooling element arrangement may further comprise a sixth cooling element which closes the cooling element arrangement from above, so that a closed cuboid space is created by the cooling element arrangement. As a result, the product to be stored or transported is not only cooled uniformly from all sides, but also ensures that the cold can not escape so easily.

The lid can support the side walls at the upper inner edge so that none of the side walls can tilt inwards. This is particularly important if the side walls are not connected to each other at all or only insufficiently. This may be the case if, in order to simplify the production of the side wall elements, connection geometries are dispensed with.

The cooling elements themselves may be formed hollow and the cavity may be evacuated, filled with a cooling medium or a medium with low thermal conductivity or fillable. As a result, the required cooling or thermal insulation function is achieved.

The cooling elements have on one side a smooth surface and on the other side a plurality of beads or depressions, wherein the smooth surface as the inner surface and the surface with the recesses may constitute an outer surface of the cooling element. This ensures that the smooth surface of the product faces, no pressure points on the goods are generated and also easier to clean, while the voltage applied to the inner wall of the transport container outer surfaces only partially applied, whereby the heat conduction is reduced to the outside. However, a further and essential reason for the recesses is to be seen in the higher strength of the cooling elements, since the per se hollow cooling elements can not be so easily pressed or bent when the transport container is filled or emptied or the goods shifts during transport ,

Subject matter of claim 18 is a transport system with a transport container according to the invention and a cooling element arrangement according to the invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, selected cooling elements can be detachably fastened to inner surfaces of the transport container via fastening means, in particular when the cooling elements are not interconnected with one another such that they form a dimensionally stable solid.

For example, selected inner surfaces of the transport container and / or outer surfaces of selected cooling elements may have openings for receiving fixing pins for fastening the cooling elements to the transport container.

If liquid or viscous or free-flowing goods are to be transported with the transport system according to the invention, these can be supplied or removed via corresponding recesses in a cooling element and a corresponding wall of the transport container. For this purpose, a flexible inliner bag for receiving liquid goods can be provided in the transport container or within the cooling element arrangement and a connection of the bag are guided by the provided in the cooling element assembly and the transport containers recesses to the outside.

Brief description of the drawings

The following invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

1 a large load carrier without lid with a cooling element according to a first embodiment of the invention;

2 a perspective view of a bottom cooling element;

3 a bottom perspective view of the floor cooling element;

4 the bottom cooling element with a side wall cooling element immediately prior to assembly;

5 a detailed view of the 4 ;

6 the bottom cooling element and three side wall cooling elements prior to assembly;

7 the bottom cooling element and the three side cooling elements during assembly;

8th a plan view of an edge portion of two side wall cooling elements;

9 a coolant assembly from the bottom cooling element and four side wall cooling elements;

10 the cooling element assembly including a lid cooling element prior to assembly;

11 a detailed view of the 10 ;

12 to 17 the individual assembly steps in assembling the cooling element assembly within a transport container;

18 the closed transport container with a lid;

19 a perspective cross-sectional view of the transport container in the folded state including the stowed cooling elements; and

20 a cross-sectional view of the transport container in the folded state including the stowed cooling elements.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

1 shows a large load carrier 2 with a pallet base platform 4 , on the support skids 6 are formed. The large load carrier 2 also has four side walls 8th on, after unlocking locking devices 10 each can be folded inside. With regard to the locking device 10 is on the publication DE 10 2008 047 859 A1 directed. However, it can also be any other suitable lock for fixing the side walls 8th be used. The side walls 8th also have sliding or hinged side wall doors 12 (please refer DE 10 2008 047 857 A1 ) on.

At the bottom of the large load carrier 2 there is a cooling element 14 , detailing the reference 2 and 3 is described.

The 2 shows a perspective top view of the cooling element 14-1 , as the bottom part of a cooling element arrangement 16 serves. The cooling element 14-1 has substantially the shape of a flat plate with a plurality of recesses 18 on all four outer edges. While the cooling element 14-1 a smooth surface 20 are at the bottom, which are in the 3 is shown, a plurality of recesses or beads 24 educated. The recesses 24 are even over the cooling element 14-1 arranged and reinforce the plastic hollow and thin-walled cooling element 14-1 , Between the wells 24 cavities are formed, which can be filled with cooling liquids, so that the cooling element 14-1 can serve as a cooling battery. The same applies to the other cooling elements 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 . 14-6 the cooling element arrangement 16 , which will be discussed in more detail below.

The recesses 18 serve to receive projections 26 at a lower edge of a side wall cooling element 14-2 are formed. The projections 26 let yourself into the recesses 18 , if necessary with interference fit. The projections 26 and the recesses 18 are detailed in the 5 shown. Like from the 4 and 5 can be seen, the side wall cooling element 14-2 perpendicular to the plane of the bottom cooling element 14-1 used.

The 6 already shows two inserted side wall cooling elements 14-2 and 14-3 and another sidewall cooling element 14-4 which is also inserted vertically from above and the other two side wall cooling elements 14-2 and 14-3 connects, as from the 7 is apparent. From the detailed plan view of 8th it can be seen that the side wall cooling element 14-2 and the side wall cooling element 14-4 have mutually complementary edge profiles that interlock. Even if in the 8th not shown, these side edge profiles 28 Undercuts or groove profiles have, so that the side wall cooling elements 14-2 and 14-4 can be positively connected with each other. The same applies to the connection between the side and the cooling element 14-3 and 14-4 , As well as the connections to the fourth side wall cooling element 14-5 that in the 9 already shown in the inserted state.

9 shows a composite cooling element arrangement of the five cooling elements 14-1 . 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 and 14-5 , which form a dimensionally stable, container-like solid in the assembled state. This solid can, as in the 10 is shown with a further cooling element 14-6 , which acts as a lid, to be closed. The lid 14-6 gets onto the top of the sidewall cooling elements 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 set.

Like from the 11 it can be seen, both are the lid 14-6 as well as the sidewall cooling elements 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 stepped, so the lid 14-6 and the side wall cooling elements are positively connected to each other. About the lid 14-6 In addition, it is ensured that the side wall cooling elements 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 and 14-5 can not tilt inside.

The 12 to 17 show the respective assembly steps of the cooling element arrangement 16 in the large load carrier 2 , For purposes of illustration, there are two sidewalls 8th Bulk containers 2 omitted.

The 18 shows the large load carrier 2 with a lid 34 , the big cargo carrier 2 with the cooling element arrangement therein 16 closes.

19 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the large load carrier 2 in the folded state. This is also in the folded state through the lid 34 locked. Below the lid 34 are located in each case folded towards the middle side walls 8-1 and 8-2 located just above the two folded sidewalls 8-3 and 8-4 are located, with the side wall 8-3 in the cut is not visible. Like from the 19 is also apparent, the bearing axes of the side walls 8-1 . 8-2 . 8-3 . 8-4 not only at different heights, but so far from a loading area 37 the ground platform 6 spaced that if the side walls 8th have been folded into the almost horizontal position, between the loading area 37 and the bottom sidewall 8-4 a storage space 36 is formed, in which all cooling elements 14 the cooling element arrangement 16 Find a place.

Unlike the 20 is in the cut of 19 the side wall cooling element 14-4 not to be seen. In particular from the 20 it can be seen that the storage space 36 the stack height H of the six cooling elements 14 equivalent. Because the side walls 8th flat on the cooling elements 14 lie, they are frictionally held in position so that they do not slip back and forth when the large load carrier 2 is transported in the folded state. To have enough storage space 36 to create, are at the edge of the ground platform 4 trained wall socket 38 on which the side walls 8th hinged, compared to ordinary folding large load carrier to the stack height of the cooling elements 14 pulled further up.

The present invention is of course not limited to the embodiment described above in detail, but may be modified within the scope of the claims.

The invention has been described with reference to a large load carrier. However, it can be applied in particular to so-called big boxes, IPC containers, but also smaller containers.

Previously, a cooling element arrangement consisting of a total of 6 plate-shaped cooling elements 14 described. However, the cooling element arrangement can also have fewer cooling elements, for example no cover cooling element and / or no bottom cooling element, or else a plurality of cooling elements, for example, if the respective inner surfaces of the large load carrier are covered with two or more cooling elements arranged next to one another.

The side wall cooling elements can be connected to one another at their side edges or can only be held in their position via the cover and / or the bottom.

Furthermore, instead of a self-supporting cooling element arrangement, the side wall cooling elements on the inner surfaces of the large load carrier, z. B. by adhesive Velcro, be attached or hung on the upper edges of the side walls of the large load carrier.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that not all cooling elements can be accommodated below the lowermost folded-over side wall, but individual or several of the cooling elements are sandwiched between the side walls of the large load carrier. The distances of the pivot axes of the side walls must be adapted accordingly.

Instead of cooling elements, similarly sized panels of insulating materials can be used, for example, to slow down the cooling of a product.

The recesses 18 and the projections 26 showing the connection between the horizontal floor cooling element 14-1 and the vertical side wall cooling elements 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 can also be designed differently, for example, be dovetailed.

The connection between the side wall cooling elements with each other can also be accomplished by means of spring or form-elastic elements.

When the invention is applied in connection with an IPC container and a liquid bag accommodated therein for the transport of liquid, one of the cooling elements can be used for filling or emptying the bag corresponding, z. B. U-shaped, recess to allow a connection between the liquid bag and a connection attached to the IPC container.

The cooling elements do not necessarily have to form a single large-volume body, but can also define several smaller spaces within the large load carrier. If smaller cooling elements are used, they can be arranged next to one another in the storage space not only one above the other, but several cooling elements per layer so as not to unnecessarily increase the height of the storage space and thus of the folded large load carrier.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 1670558 U [0002]
• DE 102008047857 A1 [0003, 0051]
• DE 202010002290 U1 [0003]
• US 2007/0193298 A1 [0003]
• DE 102008047859 A1 [0051]

Claims (21)

Transport container ( 2 ), in particular large load carriers or Big Box, with a ground platform ( 6 ) and to the middle folding or foldable side walls ( 8th ), characterized in that the transport container ( 2 ) in the folded or folded state one or more storage spaces ( 36 ), in which all isolated cooling elements ( 14 ) a cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) used to line the transport container ( 2 ) in the unfolded or unfolded state, can be accommodated. Transport container ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (H) between the lowermost folded side wall ( 8-4 ) and the ground platform ( 6 ) at least the total height of all stacked cooling elements ( 14 ), so that all cooling elements ( 14 ) of the coolant arrangement ( 16 ) between the lowermost folded side wall ( 8-4 ) and the ground platform ( 6 ) are stowable. Transport container ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distances between the folded or folded side walls ( 8th ) and / or the ground platform ( 6 ) are selected so that in between all cooling elements ( 14 ) of the coolant arrangement ( 16 ) are stowable. Transport container ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ground platform ( 16 ) a loading area ( 37 ) and formed on the outer edge wall base ( 38 ), on which the side walls ( 8th ), wherein the heights of the wall base ( 38 ) are selected so that all side walls ( 8th ) can be folded or folded in a position substantially parallel to the loading area. Transport container ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ground platform ( 6 ) has a modular construction and has a pallet-shaped bottom and a wall base module detachably connectable thereto, wherein the side walls ( 8th ) are releasably and hingedly connected to the wall base module. Transport container ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized by a transport container lid ( 34 ), the transport container ( 2 ) in the unfolded and folded state, wherein the transport container lid ( 34 ) at the same time a cover for the cooling element arrangement ( 16 ). Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) for at least partially, preferably completely, lining a transport container ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4 with a plurality of cooling elements ( 14 ) which are releasable to one with a lid ( 14-6 ; 34 ), closable, container-like solid can be connected and stacked in the isolated state. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the cooling elements ( 14 ) are detachably connected to form a dimensionally stable solid, preferably a cuboid, are connected, preferably can be plugged together. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a cooling element ( 14-1 ) serves as a bottom part and four cooling elements ( 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 ) serve as side walls, wherein the bottom part ( 14-1 ) at the edge of a plurality of recesses ( 18 ) for the positive or frictional engagement of corresponding projections or teeth ( 24 ), which at lower edges of the side walls ( 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 ) are formed. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the recesses ( 18 ) and the projections ( 24 ) are dovetail-shaped. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the four side walls ( 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 ) are positively connected to each other at their side edges. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the positive connection of the side walls ( 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 ) by at least partially formed undercuts or groove profiles on the side edges, with selected side walls ( 14-4 . 14-5 ) are slid or inserted between two adjacent side walls in the axial direction. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the positive connection of the side walls ( 14-2 . 14-3 . 14-4 . 14-5 ) takes place by spring or form-elastic elements. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the lid ( 14-6 ) is also a cooling element. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 14, characterized in that the lid ( 14-6 ) supports the side walls at the upper inner edge. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the cooling elements ( 14 ) have a cavity which can be evacuated or with a cooling medium or a medium with low thermal conductivity is filled or fillable. Cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to one of claims 7 to 16, characterized in that the cooling elements ( 14 ) has a smooth inner surface ( 20 ) and on the outer surface ( 22 ) a plurality of beads or depressions ( 24 ) on. Transport system from a transport container ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and a cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) according to one of claims 7 to 17. Transport system according to claim 18, characterized in that selected cooling elements via fastening means on inner surfaces of the transport container ( 2 ) are releasably attachable. Transport system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that selected inner surfaces of the transport container ( 2 ) and / or outer surfaces of selected cooling elements ( 14 ) Openings for receiving fixing pins for fixing the cooling elements ( 14 ) exhibit. Transport system according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that at least one cooling element ( 14 ) and a corresponding wall of the transport container ( 2 ) each have a recess, in particular near the bottom, for filling and / or emptying a directly or indirectly within the cooling element arrangement ( 16 ) recorded medium has.

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