EP1860034A1 - Wall for an insulating container and insulating container - Google Patents

Abstract

The wall (3) has a lower stack edge for detachably connecting the wall with a supporting edge of a base (2) of an insulating container (1). An upper stack edge is connectable with a cover (4) in a sealingly detachable manner. A profile of the upper stack edge is formed complementary to a profile of the lower stack edge, such that wall at the stack edges is connected with each other in a sealingly detachable manner.

Description

The invention relates to a wall made of foamed plastic material for an insulated container and an insulated container.

Insulating containers are known from the prior art, which are used in particular for the transport of refrigerated or heated food. A known insulating container has a substantially cubic shape and comprises a base plate or generally a bottom, fixed thereto attached, closed side walls and a removable lid, which on an upper edge formed by the side walls, can be placed. In order to ensure a good insulation of the product to be transported in the insulated container with respect to an environment, the insulating container is made of a foamed plastic material (expanded polypropylene "EPP"), for example, has a thermal conductivity of about 0.04 W / (m * K) , The known insulating container can be standardized for the inclusion of Containers made of stainless steel, as they are known in gastronomy for serving food, or for the transport of baking trays with laid pasta.

The object of the invention is to provide a wall for an insulating container and an insulating container, wherein a space requirement of the insulating container can be adapted to different conditions of use.

This object is achieved by a wall of foamed plastic material for an insulating container with a lower stacking edge, through which the wall with a support edge of a bottom of the insulating container is sealingly releasably connectable, and an upper stacking edge, which is sealingly detachably connectable with a lid, wherein a Profile of the upper stack edge is formed substantially complementary to a profile of the lower stack edge, so that two walls at the stack edges sealingly releasably connectable to each other. Due to the complementary profiles any number of walls without shelves or the like can be connected to each other. This is by using an additional wall for an insulated container, the height and thus the volume of the insulating container expandable. Trays or boxes can thus be arranged in any order and / or with virtually any desired height inside an associated insulating container. The adjustable height also makes it easier to remove the trays or boxes stacked inside. By removing the corresponding walls, the trays or boxes can be easily removed one after the other, without it being necessary to grasp it from above into a space between a tray and a wall. The connection of the wall to the floor, to the lid and / or to another wall is sealing. Under a sealing connection is understood in the present case that a heat exchange between the interior prevents the container and an environment over the connection, or at least reduced to a small extent. By removing one or more walls from an insulating container, the space requirement of the insulating container is reduced and can thus be adapted to a specific application. The wall is made of foamed plastic material, which has a low thermal conductivity, in particular a thermal conductivity of about 0.04 W / (m * K).

In one embodiment of the invention, the wall is foldable. In this case, folding means folding or folding of the wall, wherein a first area of the inner area comes to lie on a second area of the inner area, so that a space requirement is reduced. Depending on the application, a different number of walls for a structure of an insulating container is necessary. Due to the foldability, walls which are not in use can be stored and / or transported in a space-saving manner. Fold edges for folding the wall are formed according to an embodiment by material dilutions in the wall. The folded edges preferably run substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the wall.

In one embodiment of the invention, the wall in the erected state spans a substantially cuboidal space, comprising four side walls which are interconnected by hinges. The side walls are essentially rectangular plates. In one embodiment, it is provided that two adjoining edges of two side walls are provided with positively interlocking in the manner of a toothing hinge profiles, and that means are provided for achieving a hinge axis function in the region of the hinge profiles. By such hinges sufficient stability can be ensured even when connecting a plurality of walls. By using such Hinges, it is possible to create foldable walls, which have a long life even at high loads. In another embodiment, the side walls are connected via film hinges and / or rod hinges. In the functional position of the insulating container should have good insulating properties and despite the Faltbarkeit the wall have no or only insignificant heat or cold bridges through which an undesirable change in temperature can occur in the insulated. Such heat or cold bridges can be caused in particular by gaps or openings in the wall. On the inside and / or the outside of the wall, therefore, according to one embodiment, at least in the region of the hinges, a lamination, for example by a film, is provided in order to thereby improve a tightness at the hinges. In another embodiment, the hinge profiles of the adjoining side walls are designed so that they lie flat against each other in the functional position and are preferably at least partially elastically compressed, so that an advantageous sealing effect between the hinge profiles can be realized. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge profiles are designed so that they rest in the functional position in each case with a slight elastic deformation on the respectively adjacent hinge profile, so that an advantageous seal can be achieved. In one embodiment of the invention, the interlocking in the manner of a toothed hinge profiles are each provided with a slight oversize, so that the sliding off each other during the pivoting surfaces are resiliently biased and have a sealing effect.

In one embodiment of the invention, the wall comprises two opposing first side walls and two second side walls disposed therebetween, the length of the first side walls being different from the length of the second side walls. A cuboid Insulating container with different side lengths has proven to be particularly advantageous for transporting and / or storing goods in insulated containers.

In one embodiment of the invention, a protruding guide device is formed on the inside of the wall at least at a first location. At a second location, which rests in the first position in the folded state, a groove is formed, in which the guide device rests during folding. An insulating container with variable height can be provided for receiving containers of certain sizes and / or for the transport of baking trays in certain sizes. In order to secure the goods in the insulated container, guide means such as grooves or webs are provided according to an embodiment in the interior of the insulating container, which ensure a spacing of a plurality of containers or baking trays during transport. The guide means are formed according to an embodiment in the walls to achieve a good security of the goods even with a higher structure. Thus, even in walls with projecting guide means, for example, with webs, a space-saving folding not in use befindlichem walls is possible, the walls according to one embodiment, grooves in which the guide means einliegen when folding.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one depression is formed on the outside as a grip shell for an attached cover and / or an attached second wall. By recessing a gripping of the lid or the attached second wall is simplified. Preferably, two recesses are provided on two opposite side walls. The depressions in one embodiment adjoin the upper stack edge. In another embodiment, handles on the outer walls are provided for gripping the walls and / or the lid.

In one embodiment of the invention, a groove for a seal is formed on the upper stack edge and / or on the lower stack edge. In the groove is used for a sealing connection of the walls with the lid, the bottom and / or each other a seal. Conventional materials can be used for the gasket. The seal is glued to the groove according to an embodiment or firmly connected in other ways.

The object is further achieved by an insulating container comprising a bottom, in particular a bottom of foamed plastic material, a lid, in particular a lid made of foamed plastic material, and at least one wall according to the invention. By building an insulated container with different number of walls, an arbitrarily high insulated container is created, which in many cases makes it unnecessary to use a heat / cooling transporter, for example for transporting goods between a large bakery and a branch. In the store, the goods, which is secured for example on several trays in the insulated container, tray-wise from above the insulated container are removed. In this case, after removing a certain number of trays, the insulated container can gradually be adapted to the changed space requirement of the contents by removing one or more walls.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom has at least one groove for a carriage holder and / or a roller. By a cart or a roller a simple transporting the insulated container is possible.

In one embodiment of the invention, a groove for a seal is formed on the support edge of the floor. In the groove a seal can be used for a sealing connection of the soil with a wall. Conventional materials can be used for the gasket. The seal is glued to the groove according to an embodiment or firmly connected in other ways.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one recess and / or a recess for receiving a cooling unit is formed on the cover. By means of the refrigeration units, a stored product can be efficiently cooled. Since an internal volume of the insulating container is adaptable to the amount of the stored product, efficient cooling can be achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lid has at least one recess for cooling units, wherein the lid can be closed by a closure. As a result, access to the refrigeration units used is possible, for example, for an exchange, without the lid must be removed from the insulated container.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the drawings. Uniform reference numbers are used for the same components.

Fig. 1

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Isolierbehälters mit einer Wandung;

Fig. 2

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung des Isolierbehälters gemäß Fig. 1 mit drei Wandungen;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Draufsicht auf den Isolierbehälter gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittansicht des Isolierbehälters gemäß Fig. 1-3, geschnitten entlang einer Linie IV-IV gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Schnittansicht des Isolierbehälters gemäß Fig. 1-3, geschnitten entlang einer Linie V-V gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 6

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer gefalteten Wandung für einen Isolierbehälter;

Fig. 7

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer kurzen Seitenwand der Wandung gemäß Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer langen Seitenwand der Wandung gemäß Fig. 6;

Fig. 9

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines Bodens des Isolierbehälters gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 10

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs X gemäß Fig. 9; und

Fig. 11

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines Deckels des Isolierbehälters gemäß Fig. 1 ohne Verschluss.

In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a schematic, perspective view of an insulating container according to the invention with a wall;

Fig. 2

a schematic, perspective view of the insulating container of Figure 1 with three walls.

Fig. 3

a schematic plan view of the insulating container of FIG. 2;

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of the insulating container of FIG. 1-3, taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

Fig. 5

a schematic sectional view of the insulating container of Figure 1-3, taken along a line VV of FIG. 3.

Fig. 6

a schematic, perspective view of a folded wall for a Isolierbehälter;

Fig. 7

a schematic perspective view of a short side wall of the wall of FIG. 6;

Fig. 8

a schematic perspective view of a long side wall of the wall of FIG. 6;

Fig. 9

a schematic perspective view of a bottom of the insulating container of FIG. 1;

Fig. 10

an enlarged view of the area X of FIG. 9; and

Fig. 11

a schematic perspective view of a lid of the insulating container of FIG. 1 without closure.

Fig. 1 shows schematically in a perspective view an insulating container 1 according to the invention with an inserted wall 3. The insulated container 1 comprises a bottom 2, the wall 3 and a lid 4 with a closure 40. The wall 3 has a not visible in Fig. 1 , Lower stack edge, through which the wall 3 is sealingly releasably connected to a support edge 20 of the bottom 2. The wall 3 further has a likewise not visible in Fig. 1, upper stack edge, which is sealingly releasably connected to the lid 4 is. On the outside of the bottom 2 and the wall 3 recesses are formed as handles 21, 30, through which the wall 3 or the cover 4 for removing the bottom 2 or the wall 3 are easily accessible.

The wall 3 shown comprises two first, short side walls 31 and two long, second side walls 32, which is connected to each other by hinges 33, so that the wall 3 is foldable. On the side walls 31, 32 projections 34 are formed in the form of excellent, rectangular frame in order to avoid a smooth surface of the wall 3 and thus to improve the handling of the insulating container 1. In the illustrated embodiment 34 recesses 35 are provided for name tags or the like in the projections.

2 shows schematically a perspective view of the insulating container 1 according to FIG. 1 with three walls 3. According to the invention, a profile of the invisible upper stack edge of the wall 3 is substantially complementary to a profile of the lower stack edge (also not visible here) of the wall 3, so that two walls 3 are sealingly connected to each other. As a result, an internal volume and a space requirement of the insulating container 1 can be adapted by the use of a different number of walls 3 to a product to be accommodated in the interior of the insulating container 1. It is obvious that due to the complementary shape of the stack edges, the lid 4 can also be placed directly on the support edge 20 of the bottom 2, so as to obtain an insulated container 1 with a minimum volume.

The insulating container 1 shown in Fig. 2 is arranged for easy handling on a trolley with schematically illustrated rollers 5.

The bottom 2, the wall 3 and the lid 4 are made of a foamed plastic material, which has a low thermal conductivity, in particular a thermal conductivity of about 0.04 W / (m × K). Inside the insulated container 1, goods, in particular cooled or heated food, are receivable. The goods can be arranged for this purpose, for example, on a variety of trays, not shown, wherein by inserting a certain number of walls 3, a height of the insulating container 1 is adaptable to the number of trays to be recorded. The goods can thus be stored in the insulated container 1 as well as transport. Thus, according to one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the insulating container 1 is adapted to trays for use in a bakery. It is possible to distribute the baked goods on trays, use the trays in the insulated container 1 and to transport the insulated container 1 with inserted trays. By removing the wall, the trays used are easily removed from the insulating container 1, without it being necessary to reach in a gap between the wall and tray from above. Preferably, the trays are designed so that they can be used in an oven for baking the baked goods. By storing the baked goods in the insulated container 1, a transport in a normal vehicle is possible, which does not have to have a cold room or the like.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a plan view of the insulating container 1 according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 and 5 schematically show sectional views of the insulating container 1 along the lines IV-IV and VV of FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS a lower stack edge 36 and an upper stack edge 37 of the walls 3 paragraphs, which correspond to each other. The profile of the walls 3 at the lower stacking edge 36 corresponds substantially to a profile 41 of the lid 4. The profile of the walls 3 at the upper stacking edge 37, however, substantially corresponds to a profile of the support edge 20. On the upper Stacking edge 37 of a wall 3 is thus both a cover 4 and a further wall 3 can be placed. As a result, insulating container 1 can be built in almost any height. By paragraphs a simple profile for a plug connection of two or more walls 3 or a wall 3 with the cover 4 or the bottom 2 can be designed. At the same time a closed outer wall of the insulating container 1 without paragraphs or the like is created by the paragraphs shown. In modified embodiments deviating profile shapes are formed on the stack edges 36, 37, the support edge 20 and the lid 4.

As is further apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, two grooves 22 for placing the insulating container 1 on a schematically illustrated transporting carriage 50 with rollers 5 are formed on the bottom.

In the illustrated embodiment, 4 recesses 42 are formed on the lid, wherein the lid 4 is sealingly closed by a displaceably arranged closure 40. About the recesses 42, for example, by moving the shutter 40 access to an interior of the insulating container 1 from above possible. In another embodiment, cooling units, not shown, are inserted into the recesses 42. About the cooling units stored goods in the insulating 1, in particular food stored therein, can be cooled even more effectively. By inserting additional walls 3 or by removing walls 3, an adaptation of the internal volume of the insulating container 1 and thus of the cooling volume to a quantity of goods arranged therein can be adapted.

On the inner sides of the walls 3 and the bottom 2, in the illustrated embodiment, projecting guide means 23, 38 are formed. The shape and / or position of the guide means 23, 38 can be tuned to a product to be received by the insulating container 1. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, projecting guide means 23, 38 are formed and arranged on the bottom 2 and the walls 3 such that standardized trays for holding baked goods can be arranged securely inside the insulated container 1. On the walls 3 further grooves 39 are formed, in which einliegen the wall of the guide means above when folding the wall 3.

6 schematically shows a folded wall 3 comprising two short side walls 31 and two long side walls 32. As can be seen from FIG. 6, when the walls 3 are folded, the grooves 39 of one side wall are respectively at positions of adjacent or opposite side walls. in which in Fig. 6 invisible, protruding guide means are formed. As a result, a tight folding in spite of the above guide means is possible.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinges 33 are formed by interlocking in the manner of a toothing hinge profiles 310, 320 on the side walls 31, 32. The hinge profiles 310, 320 continue to engage in a hinge axis, not shown. The hinge profiles 310, 320 are preferably shaped such that when the wall 3 is erected, the hinge profiles 310, 320 are at least partially deformed and thus pressed against one another. As a result, a good sealing effect can be achieved on the hinges 33.

7 shows schematically a perspective view of the short side wall 31 of the wall 3 according to FIG. 6. As can be seen from the illustration, the above fixing 38 is arranged approximately centrally on the side wall 31 and extends in the direction of the vertical axis of the wall 3. At the lateral edges of the short side wall 31 hinge profiles 310, 310 'are formed, wherein the illustrated Hinge profile 310 runs over the corner. The illustrated hinge profile 310 on the corner enables good stability of a folded-up wall 3, which is illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hinge profile 310 'does not extend over the corner so as not to impede a folding of the wall 3. In Fig. 7, the lower stack edge 36 of the wall is further recognizable, which has a paragraph in the illustrated embodiment and is designed with a groove 360.

8 shows a schematic representation of a perspective view of the long side wall 32. The illustrated long side wall 32 has two substantially longitudinally extending, projecting guide devices 38 and two grooves 39. Hinge profiles 320, 320 'are formed on the lateral edges of the long side wall 32, which engage in the hinge profiles 310, 310' according to FIG. 7 in the manner of a toothing. As can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, the hinge profiles 310, 310 ', 320, 320' each have receptacles for a hinge axis, not shown. In Fig. 8, the lower stacking edge 36 of the wall is also visible, which in the illustrated embodiment as described has a paragraph and is designed with the groove 360.

Fig. 9 shows schematically a perspective view of the bottom 2 of the insulating container 1 according to FIG. 1 or 2. The bottom 2 shown has on its inner side projecting fixing 22, which correspond in shape and position of the fixing means 38 of the wall 3 according to the preceding figures , The wall is in the illustrated embodiment in a folded state from above on the support edge 20 can be placed. The handles 21, which are formed by depressions, facilitate a placement of a wall and separating a wall of the bottom second

FIG. 10 schematically shows a side view of the region X of the support edge according to FIG. 9. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the support edge 20 has a groove 200. In the groove 200 according to one embodiment, a seal, not shown, can be used, so that a connection between the bottom 2 and a wall 3 shown in the preceding figures is better sealed.

As described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the illustrated cover 4 has recesses 42 and can be closed by a closure 40. Fig. 11 shows schematically the lid 4 without attached closure. As can be seen in Fig. 11, seven recesses 42 are formed on the lid 4 in the illustrated embodiment. In the recesses 42, for example, not shown cooling units can be used. The cover 4 has two lateral guide rails 43, via which the closure 40, which is shown for example in FIG. 1, can be pushed onto the cover 4.

The walls according to the invention provide a variable insulating container whose size can be suitably adapted to a large number of applications. The insulated container is so versatile for storing and / or transporting goods, especially food, used.

Claims (12)

Wall made of foamed plastic material for an insulated container (1), with a lower stacking edge (36), by which the wall (3) with a support edge (20) of a bottom (2) of the insulating container (1) is sealingly detachably connectable, and an upper Stacking edge (37) which is sealingly releasably connectable with a lid (4), wherein a profile of the upper stacking edge (36) is formed substantially complementary to a profile of the lower stacking edge (37), so that walls (3) at the stack edges (36, 37) are sealingly releasably connectable with each other. Wall according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (3) is foldable. Wall according to claim 2, characterized in that the wall (3) in the erected state spans a substantially rectangular space, comprising four side walls (31, 32) which are connected to each other via hinges (33). Wall according to claim 3, characterized in that the wall comprises two opposing first side walls (31) and two second side walls (32) arranged therebetween, the length of the first side walls (31) being different from the length of the second side walls (32) , A wall according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that on the inside of the wall (3) at at least a first location a projecting guide means (38) is formed, wherein at a second location, which rests in the first position in the folded state , a groove (38) is formed, in which the guide means (38) rests during folding. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that on the outside at least one recess as a grip (21, 30) for an attached cover (4) and / or a patch second wall (3) is formed. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the upper stacking edge (37) and / or on the lower stacking edge (36) has a groove (360) is formed for a seal. Insulating container comprising a bottom (2), in particular a bottom made of foamed plastic material, a lid (4), in particular a lid made of foamed plastic material, and at least one wall (3) according to one of claims 1 to 7. Insulating container according to claim 8, characterized in that the bottom (2) has at least one groove (22) for a carriage holder (50) and / or a roller (5). Insulating container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that on the support edge (20) of the bottom (2) has a groove (200) is formed for a seal. Insulating container according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that on the cover (4) at least one recess and / or a recess (42) for receiving a cooling unit is formed. Insulating container according to claim 11, characterized in that the lid (4) by a closure (40) is closable.

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