EP1426544A2 - Sealing for container, in particular insulated container - Google Patents

Abstract

The sealing (1) for an insulated container, and especially the doors, has a constant cross section profile at least in part, with a sealing mantle (3) and a hollow interior (13) with two interior zones (15a,15b), and at least two convex raised portions (9a,9b) opposite to a ground side (7) for mounting. When in the sealing mode, at least two contact lines act as an effective sealing zone, while the hollow interior and the space between the raised portions act as insulating air cushions.

Description

The invention relates to a seal for a container, in particular a door seal for an insulated container.

Such insulated containers are used, for example, to store chilled or frozen goods from large cold stores to retail stores where the Well stored in freezers or freezers until they are sold to the end user becomes. Such insulated containers have a height of, for example, 2 meters, a width of approx. 70 cm and a depth of approx. 80 cm. Arranged on the floor Rollers make it easy to transport the containers.

A known container has a housing, which is almost completely Plastic is made. This creates a double-walled plastic skin, for example in the rotation process, and the space with a PUR foam foamed. The door of such a container is manufactured in the same way. In the door of the container is provided with a locking device that the door on the locked on the opposite side of the hinges with the container. More known Containers are reinforced or have metal angles on the outer edges even a complete outer wall made of sheet metal.

There is usually an am between the door and the container opening Edge of the container opening arranged circumferential seal, which in the locked Condition of an undesired penetration of heat into the cooled interior or prevents the cooled air from escaping.

Since such containers in use - loading, transport, unloading - high mechanical Exposed to stress, it can be disadvantageous due to Damage, contamination, etc. reduce the sealing effect of the seal come.

For example, in a known seal which acts as an inward seal folded fold is formed, that the seal due to contamination, Cracks in the seal, a decrease in the spring action of the fold, etc. no longer abuts the door and edge of the container opening at every point and the container therefore leaks. This leads disadvantageously compared to the service life of such a container prematurely to a reduced insulation effect, so that the cooled interior of the container and the refrigerated goods contained therein pose a risk is exposed to premature heating or the container is the prescribed Maximum temperature no longer retained for the full desired period.

Furthermore, it is disadvantageously difficult to know known seals hygienically to hold, since dirt penetrates into the pockets and slots of such seals can and are difficult to access for cleaning.

In addition, in the case of known containers, the cold losses are due to inadequate tightness of the container high.

Starting from this prior art, the invention is based on the object a seal or a sealing system for a container, in particular an insulating container to create, which has an improved sealing and insulating effect.

This object is achieved by a seal with the features of Claim 1 solved.

By forming an (elongated) seal, which at least in a partial area a cross-sectional profile with a circumferential closed sealing jacket, an internal cavity contained therein and at least two, opposite one Has base side for fixing, convex elevations arise in a sealing condition advantageously at least two lines of contact as effective sealing area.

In this way, the sealing effect can be increased, since the further convex increase for an additional effective insulation. Advantageously, even at impairment or damage to a convex elevation at one point, for example due to high mechanical stress on the container prevents the entire seal and a for as long as possible the highest possible insulating effect can be guaranteed.

In addition, the insulating effect is increased by the seal according to the invention, since in addition to an air cushion in the cavity of the seal in the sealing state between the convex elevations and the sealing element, for example the container door, there is another air cushion. This is advantageous according to the invention not just the air flow through the sealing material itself and the double The contact line is prevented several times by means of material closure, but also the heat exchange or heat transfer reduced by means of multiple effective air cushions or prevented. The cross-section is preferably the direction over the entire Length, at most except the corners, the same.

Due to the closed shape of the seal in the cross-sectional profile, a Penetration of dirt and dirt into the interior of the seal avoided, so that the seal according to the invention is therefore also advantageous easier to clean and for the necessary overall hygiene (especially for one Food storage and transportation).

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the seal has on its base side or bottom with which they are at the opening edge of the insulating container or on the complementary Element, for example on the door, by means of gluing, clamping, squeezing or the like. is attached to a step. This step acts as an inner stop for the bottom a depression between the convex elevations, so that the pressure force the seal on an element to be sealed is thereby increased.

In addition, at this level or on the base in extension of a lower one Level of the step formed a detachable U-shaped holding area with one leg be so that two opposite outward in cross-sectional profile U-shaped receiving areas are created. In these recording areas can advantageously from both sides of the container or the complementary (Sealing) element elements, such as side walls, mounting brackets, etc. intervention and in this way a stable and tight with easy assembly of the seal Ensure attachment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cavity comprises two interior areas, which at least at maximum pinching of the seal as separate Areas (multi-chamber system) are formed.

With such a bruise (or shortly beforehand) the underside of a between two convex elevations lying the base side, especially one as Step or stop designed as a projection, touch, so that the pressing force both convex elevations on the sealing element is increased.

With an appropriate choice of the rigidity of the side walls, for example over different Thicknesses can advantageously be added for both convex elevations an equal pressure force can be generated. For example, in one embodiment the invention the side wall which is connected to the lower level of the step, a higher rigidity, preferably due to a larger wall thickness, than that opposite side wall.

Correspondingly, when the seal is squeezed or compressed closing the container at least the more elastic side walls deformed such that the convex elevations and the intermediate depression in the Mainly remain. In addition or instead of different stiffness of the Side walls can be inside the seal one or more from the base Projections extending in the direction of a convex elevation, for example in the form of support or intermediate webs, be provided to at least one of the convex To support increases against over-compression.

In this way, they advantageously form side by side in the opening plane lying, effective against heat exchange or heat transfer together Air cushion. In this way, with n increases n (with a maximum crushing) Air cushions in the interior separated by stops) and additionally n-1 Air cushion between the ridges, so a multi-chamber system with inner and outer chambers or air cushions.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the seal is formed all around an opening of an insulated container relative to a complementary element, in particular a door to seal. This advantageously allows any opening or the surrounding edge of an insulated container, even if it is completely removable a covering element, such as a door, a cover or the like. good and can be securely closed with an insulating (gas and temperature-tight) seal.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base side of the seal is an adhesive surface, i.e. formed as a surface by means of an adhesive, an already applied or adhesive layer to be applied first, etc. with a surface, in particular the opening edge, of the insulated container or the corresponding complementary surface of the Sealing element is connected.

As a result, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an existing, for example, a seal with a holding area installed during manufacture easy way to replace. For this only the seal from the holding area, which remains in the container or in the fastening elements, for example by means of a knife. In the following, a seal without Holding area with its adhesive surface instead of the separated seal on simple, can be attached quickly and inexpensively. For example, it is conceivable to manufacture and sell such a seal without a holding area as a repair set.

Further embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

Fig. 1

eine vergrößerte Querschnittsansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Dichtung als Einzelheit;

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht auf einen Isolierbehälter mit einer Dichtung nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie A-A in Fig. 2 mit geschlossener Tür und

Fig. 4

eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie A-A in Fig. 2 mit geöffneter Tür.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

an enlarged cross-sectional view of a seal according to the invention as a detail;

Fig. 2

a front view of an insulated container with a seal according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

an enlarged sectional view taken along section line AA in Fig. 2 with the door closed and

Fig. 4

an enlarged sectional view taken along section line AA in Fig. 2 with the door open.

The seal 1 shown in cross section in FIG. 1 has a closed one Sealing jacket 3 on, from a base side 7 with level 19, a left side wall 5a and a right side wall 5b and on its top from a left Elevation 9a, a right elevation 9b and an intermediate depression 17 consists.

On the underside or base side 7 is the extension of the lower level Step 19 in the position shown in dashed lines is a cross-sectionally U-shaped holding area 21 are formed in alignment with one leg, so that 1 a holding area 23a open to the left and in the intermediate area between the lower and upper level of level 19 results in a holding area 23b open to the right.

Inside the seal 1 there is a cavity 13 which is subjected to a load the seal 1, i.e. compression by squeezing or squeezing in Direction of the central axis M by touching the underside of the depression 17 with the Upper side of the base side 7 or the step 19 can be divided into two inner regions 15a and 15b is.

As can be clearly seen in the enlarged cross-sectional view according to FIG. 1, the left side wall 5a, which is connected to the lower level of the base side 7, has a greater wall thickness d ₁ than the side wall 5b (d ₁ > d ₂ ), which has the upper level the stepped bottom 7 is connected.

As a result, even when using a similar material for the entire Seal 1 can be ensured that the side wall 5a against a higher rigidity has elastic deformation than the side wall 5b. Thus, with an even Applying a force to the convex elevations 9a and 9b, for example by closing a door 4, the side wall 5a can be achieved despite greater length is not deformed further than the side wall 5b. This advantageously results when the increases 9a and 9b are acted upon by a common one Force an equally strong opposing pressure force of the seal 1 or its Elevations 9a and 9b.

When the door 4 is closed, this results in, as can be seen in FIG circumferential contact surface two parallel to each other and concentric in this example running contact lines on which the corresponding inner surface of the door, i.e. in Example whose outer border rests on the seal. Of course you can these lines 11a, 11b, which result from the positive locking of the convex elevations 9a, 9b be formed with the inner edge surface of the door, have a certain width, which from the deformation of the convex elevations 9a and 9b in the area of the contact depends.

In the sectional view shown in Figure 3 along the line A - A in Figure 2 can be seen how the seal 1 according to the invention with a sealing element, for example a door 4 cooperates.

The seal 1 with a holding area 21 is, for example, when the Insulating container 2 with its receiving area 23a on the plastic inner wall 29 (e.g. Gfk) attached by intervention. For further fastening of the seal 1 engages an elongated cover or bracket 27 with a rectangular profile Part of a leg in the receiving area 23b of the seal 1 and is with her other leg on an outer wall 25 of the insulating container 2, for example fastened with rivets or screws. The outer wall 25 and the right-angled Bracket 27 can consist of a suitable plastic or metal.

The space 37 between the plastic inner wall 29 and the outer wall 25 of the insulating container 1 is foamed, for example, with PUR foam. hereby can advantageously even between different materials such as GRP plastic and metal or sheet metal achieve a good adhesive effect.

The door 4 is only schematically in Figures 3 and 4 with its outer wall (without the interior or to show the opposite wall).

Located at the corresponding, cooperating with the seal 1 of the door 4 a seal or connecting bar 33, which in cross section, for example has an H-shaped profile. In the two areas of the H-profile open to the outside grip both an outer wall 31 of the door 4, for example a steel jacket, as well as an inside or plastic or stainless steel inner wall 35. On In this way, the door can be of a similar construction to the insulating container PU foam foamed, and additionally at the point of contact with the Seal 1 or its convex elevations 9a and 9b the sealing effect by means of a Connection and sealing strip 33 or their opposite the elevations 9a and 9b Support surface in form and material coherence.

Of course, the seal 1 according to the invention is also corresponding without one Counter element 33, for example with the inner door wall itself, without further ado functioning.

As shown in FIG. 3 with the door closed, the seal 1 is compressed essentially via the elasticity of the side walls 5a and 5b in the direction of the central axis M, the underside of the depression 17 advantageously resting on the upper level of the stepped base side 7. In contrast to FIG. 4, the underside of the depression 17 is therefore no longer at the height H ₂ in the non-compressed state of the seal but at the height H ₂ ', which in this case also represents the height of the top of the stop 19.

As can be seen from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the basic structure of the seal 1 is on its Surface, that is, convex elevations 9a, 9b with depression 17 in between, not only in the uncompressed state, but also in the compressed state of the seal (see FIG. 3) essentially obtained, so that a depression 17 passes through it additional air cushion, actually outside the sealing jacket 3 with a closed Forms door 4 according to Figure 3 or in the sealing state.

In addition to or instead of the different stiffness of the side walls 5a and 5b can in the cavity 13 of the seal 1 from the base 7, for example in Area of the step or the stop 19, extending in the direction of the elevation 5a (Dashed line in Fig. 1) projection 20 in the form of an intermediate web or the like. be provided to the pressing force there against a compression of this increase 5a to increase.

In addition, the cavity 13 becomes sealed when the elevations 9a, 9b are acted upon Case divided into two sections 15a, 15b, so that in extreme cases separate Air cushions 15a, 15b arise.

Of course, the seal 1 is also functional with a cavity 13 that is not separated, so that a good sealing effect can be achieved even when locked without maximum pressing force. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the air flow is due to material closure at at least two points, namely contact lines 11a, 11b and side walls 5a, 5b and possibly additional contact between depression 17 and stop 19, from the inside to the outside or from the outside to the inside Direction of a plane perpendicular to the drawing plane according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and parallel to H ₁ , H ₁ ', H ₂ , H ₂ ' or parallel to the drawing plane in FIG. 2 is prevented.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the original when mounting on above described manner used seal 1 with holding area 21 later in a Operation container 2 replaced in the following simple manner become.

The existing seal 1, which due to wear no longer the required Sealing effect is achieved on the dashed line between the Base side 7 and the holding area 21, for example by means of a carpet knife severed or torn off. Thereupon, for example, a separately available one Repair set of a seal 1 can be applied without holding area 21 by the Underside of the base side 7 with the corresponding area, that is the opening edge is glued. Such a repair set can, as shown in Fig. 1, already on the stepped underside at least on the horizontal adhesive surfaces 8 and 10 a have a self-adhesive layer to further facilitate the repair.

In this way, it can be advantageous in the complex and costly Insulated containers in a simple and inexpensive way due to wear or damage is no longer adequately replaced by a functional seal without changing the new seal compared to the original seal its insulation has disadvantages.

Of course, the exemplary embodiment described above is only exemplary view, so that the seal according to the invention both in the cooling and in the heating area can be used, with a corresponding sealing material Use an elastic that is also suitable over the corresponding temperature ranges and a material with a certain stiffness must be used.

Claims (10)

Seal for a container, in particular insulating container, a) which at least in a partial area has a substantially constant cross-sectional profile with a sealing jacket (3) and an inner cavity (13) and therein b) has at least two convex elevations (9a, 9b) lying opposite a base side (7) for fastening, so that in a sealing state there are at least two contact lines (11a, 11b) as effective sealing areas and c) both the cavity (13) and the space between the elevations (9a, 9b) act as an insulating air cushion. Seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal (1) has a step on its underside of the base side (7). Seal according to claim 2, characterized in that the seal (1) has a detachable U-shaped holding area (21) which is connected to the base (7) by a leg in the extension of a lower level of the step (19), so that Two mutually opposite receiving areas (23a, 23b) arise. Seal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (13) comprises two inner regions (15a, 15b). Seal according to Claim 4, characterized in that, when the seal (1) is squeezed to the maximum extent, the inner regions (15a, 15b) are designed as separate regions, the underside of a depression (17) lying between two convex elevations (9a, 9b) the base (7) is in contact. Seal according to claim 5, characterized in that on the inside of the base (7) for the depression (17) a stop (19) in the form of a step and / or for at least one of the convex elevations (9a, 9b) a support in the form a projection (20) is formed. Seal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (1) is circumferential in order to seal an opening of a container (2) with respect to a complementary element, in particular a door (4). Seal according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 2 and 4 to 7, characterized in that the base side (7) is designed as an adhesive surface. Seal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (1) has side walls (5a, 5b) formed elastically in the cross-sectional profile. Seal according to claim 9, characterized in that the side wall (5a), which is connected to the lower level of the step (19), has a higher rigidity, preferably due to a greater wall thickness (d ₁ > d ₂ ), than the opposite side wall (5b).

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