DE202012003101U1 - Retrofittable insulation system for storage or transport containers for goods to be tempered - Google Patents

Abstract

Retrofittable insulation system for storage or transport containers for goods to be temperature-controlled, characterized in that it is formed with individual insulation elements (1) which can be fixed to the walls of a storage or transport container.

Description

The invention relates to a retrofittable insulation system for storage or transport containers for goods to be tempered, especially for food.

A temperature-stable storage of goods - frozen, chilled or hot - within the catering process where the catering goods are transported from a central production and / or assembling facility via various stations, eg. As well as temporary storage to be transported to their destination, is usually not possible without the use of thermally insulated storage and transport containers. Frequently during transport and storage different high ambient temperatures occur, which have an influence on the temperature of the goods (food and drinks). This applies in particular to the catering process in the aviation sector, in which these goods are transported in standardized storage and transport containers from a catering station by means of special transport trucks, the so-called high-loaders, which often do not have a cooling facility to the aircraft. But also in other catering areas, such. As the catering of railways or the central catering supply of offices, schools, kindergartens, hospitals or similar facilities in which a transport of such goods to the respective destination is necessary, these problems are similar stored.

In particular, compliance with the cold chain is a challenge. Especially in regions where a high outside temperature prevails, such. As in South Asia or the countries of the Arabian Gulf, critical conditions for the catered goods may occur or even be exceeded. Usually, the food that needs to be refrigerated within the storage and transport containers, mostly trolleys and, more rarely, standard units, are provisionally cooled with dry ice. Such cooling within a trolley is usually done by storing dry ice as slices or pellets in a special drawer in the upper part of the trolley. About Leitkanäle, usually designed simply as holes or openings to the interior of the trolley, then the cold should be directed to the goods to be cooled. This principle is only partially functional and by no means process-safe with regard to the HACCP foodstuffs (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points - a hazard analysis system intended to ensure the safety of food and consumers). By loading the trolley a circulation and thus a heat balance within the trolley is almost non-existent and thus the temperature distribution in such a dry ice cooling is completely inhomogeneous. The further the goods are removed from the dry ice drawer, the lower the cooling effect. Goods that are stored near the dry ice drawer are often frozen and others that are further away, for example, stored below ground, learn virtually no cooling. Depending on the amount of dry ice stored, 1-2 kg are usual, this is completely sub-padded after a short time - depending on the ambient temperature, this may already be the case after 2 hours.

In a trolley with 7 drawers, each filled with sandwiches with a starting temperature of 4 ° C and inserted for cooling 2 kg of dry ice in the special drawer and the trolley stored at ambient temperature of about 21 ° C.

Below the second insert from above, the critical temperature of 12 ° C was reached and there was an inhomogeneous temperature distribution and goods further away from the dry ice warmed up very strongly.

A distribution of dry ice within the trolley, z. B. by incorporation of additional dry ice slices on levels between the goods or by sprinkling the goods with dry ice pellets, although may cause a slight improvement. However, there is no reliable temperature homogeneity within the trolley and there is a risk that large parts of the goods freeze.

The possibility of cooling by means of cooling elements, d. H. Cooling batteries, is also not really suitable because hereby no temperature homogeneity is achieved and also by the fairly high power loss and low thermal insulation of the trolley and the dry ice lower heat or melting capacity of these cooling batteries a corresponding number of them must be introduced into the trolley , which in turn causes a correspondingly higher additional weight and less storage volume for the goods.

While the effectiveness of zippered and cold pack coolers is a potential solution for short term cooling, it has the disadvantage that its effectiveness at high ambient temperatures is also limited. Furthermore, these are difficult to clean and relatively often have to be replaced by new ones up to 4 times a year, since they are not really suitable for use in rough handling environments. Furthermore, no stackability is given.

Through the use of insulated containers with appropriate high-performance insulation can be a cold chain or according to the hot area the Temperature stability can be ensured within the catering process. In some applications, however, the use of such insulation systems is not desired or possibly not economical.

In most of the catering processes described above are for the transport of goods in particular for food Standardized containers such. B. trolleys or transport and storage boxes used. These standards usually relate to the given dimensions inside and outside as well as arrangement, size and shape of guide rails.

In aviation, there are essentially two common standards of galley equipment. It is the ATLAS standard, which has a market spread of about 80-90% (about 75% in 2003), and the KSSU standard with about 10-15% market share (about 20% in 2003 ).

In addition to these two "universal" standards, there is still a handful of proprietary standards of large airlines whose market share is estimated at about 5%.

In total, more than 1 million trolleys and at least the same number of standard units are used worldwide in aviation catering alone.

It is therefore an object of the invention to ensure compliance with a cold chain or certain temperatures of goods for catering needs, especially of food, within conventional storage and transport containers, such as trolleys or units, over a longer period.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with an insulation system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be realized with features described in the subordinate claims.

There is a need for innovation in a retrofit isolation system for storage and transport containers for use in the catering process in which the catering goods are transported from a central production and / or assembly facility via various stations, eg. As well as temporary storage to be transported to their destination provide. The insulation is intended to ensure a temperature-stable storage of goods, even in extreme environmental conditions.

The retrofittable insulation system consists of individual insulation elements that can be fixed or pushed onto the walls of a standardized catering storage and transport container.

These insulation elements can be either individual elements in plate form or combined in L-shape or formed as hollow chambers in tubular form or as container trays.

An insulation element may be constructed such that it has at least one wall surface, for example pointing to the storage space, preferably made of a polymer having a low thermal conductivity or else also metallic materials or materials, then preferably aluminum.

Preferably, the material or the material of the wall surface, if it consists of a polymer, antimicrobially equipped or at least correspondingly coated.

Outwardly facing can then be an insulation structure, similar to that in the unpublished DE 10 2011 015 715 and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. It consists of at least one layer of a high-performance insulation material, such. B. vacuum insulation panels or airgel or foamed insulation material or an insulation panel filled with a porous element or porous material. Further layers of foamed insulation materials and / or polymer films can follow or a sandwich construction can be realized. In this case, at least one reflective layer may also be present, with which, in particular, electromagnetic radiation from the spectrum of the NIR and IR can be reflected.

On the outside, the structure by a protective cover of z. B. a film protected from mechanical influences. But it can also be enveloped and possibly sealed with the entire retrofittable insulation element with such a protective cover.

Several of these insulation elements or a combined insulation element can form a cube or quark element, which can be supplemented with at least one further element that is attached to the door of a storage or transport container to a closed container. This can be called an isolation unit.

Such an isolation unit can fill the storage or transport container either completely or only partial areas. Smaller units can also be combined to fill the container.

Such an insulation unit may also be designed to be foldable, similar to a plastic shopping basket. But there is also the possibility of it to fold a parallelogram to a flat, easily stored isolation unit.

The edges of the individual insulation elements can be equipped with a sealing system, so that the combination of individual insulation elements to form an insulation unit at the abutting edges minimized thermal bridges can form.

A sealing system on the edges can by a corresponding profiling of the edges, such. B. interlocking folds or multi-stepped profiles or lamellar profiles, be formed.

Furthermore, a sealing system at the edges can be provided with rubber or silicone seals or coatings. Such seals can be simple round cords or have a sealing profile. Such a rubber or silicone seal can also be constructed from a hollow chamber profile.

The isolation elements or isolation units can either be mechanically fixed in the storage or transport container, which z. B. by gluing, screwing or the like is possible. They can be fixed mechanically removable loose, z. B. by clamping or by means of mounting systems such. B. gag, fixation systems, z. As Velcro, dovetail guides, magnets, etc.

The outer shape of the isolation elements or isolation units can be designed so that they adapt to the outer or inner contour of the storage or transport container. So can, for. B. the negative contours of support guide rails or the like can be taken into account and they learn a guide in the respective storage or transport container.

On the inside of the insulation elements or insulation units also corresponding support guide rails or grooves for receiving inserts, such. As trays, drawer containers or racks, be appropriate.

The insulation elements may additionally comprise a further layer, which consists of a hollow body which is filled with a phase change medium, or a solid state phase change medium. This can support a temperature-stable storage at a certain temperature and the storage period can be extended within a predetermined temperature range. The insulation elements can be designed both integrated and insertable.

The retrofittable insulation system can be constructed in different sizes, so that the different container sizes can be considered. Specifically, trolley size, standard unit size, oven size, coffee or hot water machine size or refrigerator size should be considered, and these elements should also be referred to as storage or transport containers.

The retrofittable insulation system can also be used for storage compartments at the destination, eg. B. Lagercompartments be executed in aircraft kitchens and used in these.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example in the following.

Showing:

1 three examples in which an insulation unit is formed in each case with a plurality of insulation elements;

2 two examples with foldable insulation elements or insulation units and

3 Examples of insulation elements with outer contouring.

In 1 are three examples of isolation units 2 shown, each with several isolation elements 1 are formed. The upper illustration shows an example with two orthogonal bent insulation elements 1 , which have an angled contour at the mutually facing end faces, with which a positive connection, can be reached by the complementary shape. In addition, as well as a thermal bridge effect in the front edge region of the contacting insulation elements 1 at least be reduced.

The example shown below shows an isolation unit 2 that with four isolation elements 1 is formed. Here, too, the mutually facing end faces of the insulation elements 1 complementarily formed contours that can cause these effects.

In the example shown at the bottom right, the end faces are also four insulation elements 1 Slanted at an angle, so formed in the form of fermentation.

In the form shown, the isolation units 2 in a storage or transport container (not shown) are introduced. They enclose in the storage and transport container recorded tempering goods from four sides, so that the temperature can be maintained for long periods. The sizing can be chosen so that they can be arranged at least almost exactly in the interior of the container.

There is also the possibility of the two sides still open with two other insulation elements 1 To close, these can have end faces, which can also form a positive connection.

In the 1 shown isolation units 2 But can also be attached to the outside of a container on the outer wall and fastened, for example, with straps, which are preferably made of plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic. By loosening or separating the straps, an insulation unit 2 with the insulation elements 1 be removed again.

In 2 are two isolation elements 1 shown, which are formed in several parts and the individual parts via joints 1.1 so that they can be folded together and unfolded, which is expressed by the arrows.

In the folded state, the insulation elements 1 stored and transported separately to save space. Unfolded they can then be used in their proper function and thereby enclose the goods to be tempered or a storage or transport container.

These two examples could also consist of several isolation elements 1 , which are connected to each other via hinges an isolation unit 2 form.

The number of over the swivel joints 1.1 interconnected individual parts of such an insulating element 1 or an isolation unit 2 forming insulation elements 1 can be chosen depending on the required size and optimized with their external dimensions for the particular use.

In 3 are three examples of insulation elements 1 shown formed on the outer surface with contours. These are depressions 1.2 or surveys 1.3 , These are formed in a groove-shaped or rectilinear manner, so that they can be introduced into complementary guide elements which are present in or on a storage or transport container. However, it is also possible to insert inserts or insertion elements for goods to be tempered into these contours, so that they then engage with the insulation elements 1 connected and can be held form-fitting.

At the top right in 3 shown insulation element 1 are additional holes 1.4 available. These can be used for connection with other insulation elements 1 or other elements and thereby also be used for hinges.

The examples shown here also have angled contours on at least one end face, so that they are analogous to those in FIG 1 shown examples with other insulation elements 1 can be arranged to a structure.

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 102011015715 [0021]

Claims (18)

Retrofittable insulation system for storage or transport containers for goods to be tempered, characterized in that it with individual insulation elements ( 1 ), which are fixed to the walls of a storage or transport container is formed. Insulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that insulation elements ( 1 ) are formed as individual elements in plate form or combined in L-shape or as hollow chambers in tubular form or as container trays. Insulation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on an insulating element ( 1 ) at least one wall surface made of a polymer with a low thermal conductivity or metallic materials or materials, preferably aluminum, is present. Insulation system according to claim 3, characterized in that the material or the material of the wall surface is equipped antimicrobial or at least so coated. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insulation element ( 1 ) from at least one layer of a high performance insulation material, such. As vacuum insulation panels or airgel or foamed insulation material or an insulation panel, which is filled with a porous element or porous material is formed Insulation system according to claim 5, characterized in that on an insulating element ( 1 ) further layers of foamed insulation materials and / or polymer films or a sandwich construction and / or at least one reflective layer is / are present. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insulation element ( 1 ) is protected on the outside by a protective cover, in particular with a film or a wall from mechanical influences. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of insulation elements ( 1 ) or an isolation element ( 1 ) forms / form a cube or quark element. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insulation element ( 1 ) with at least one further element that can be fastened to the door of a storage or transport container forms a closed container. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of insulation elements ( 1 ) and / or an isolation element ( 1 ) with at least one further element an insulation unit ( 2 ) form. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insulation element ( 1 ) or an isolation unit ( 2 ) foldable and preferably in the form of a parallelogram is formed. Insulating element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insulating element ( 1 ) or an isolation unit ( 2 ) is at least partially enclosed by an envelope. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on outer edges of an insulation element ( 1 ) a sealing system is present. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that insulation elements ( 1 ) or isolation units ( 2 ) in a storage or transport container mechanically, preferably by gluing, screwing, clamping, toggle, Fixiersysteme, Velcro, dovetail guides, magnets or straps are firmly fixed. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shape of the insulation elements ( 1 ) or isolation units ( 2 ) is the outer or inner contour of the storage or transport container adapts. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inside of the insulation elements ( 1 ) or isolation units ( 2 ) Surveys ( 1.3 ) and / or depressions ( 1.2 ) are present as a support guide rails or grooves for receiving inserts. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on an insulating element ( 1 ) is provided with a phase change medium filled cavity or a solid state phase change medium. Insulation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that faces of insulating elements ( 1 ) are contoured.

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