EP2412639A1 - Insulating container - Google Patents

Abstract

The insulated container (1) has a cuboid-shaped support structure (2) for the formation of some or all side edges of the container. An insert element (3) is provided between the container outer walls. The container outer walls have flexible, thin and foil-like outer skin. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing an insulated container.

Description

The present invention relates to an insulating container for receiving goods that are to be thermally protected.

Such a container as described in the preamble of claim 1 is known from the prior art. The containers, which are used in particular in the food industry, usually have a cuboid shape. The side walls including the container door and floor and lid are formed by rigid components, such as plates made of plastic or metal. In the manufacture of the containers, a dimensionally stable trough, for example of GRP, is placed inside the container walls, so that a space is formed between the container walls and the trough. This is foamed with a thermosetting and insulating substance, so that the tub is thermally insulated from the container environment and at the same time held stationary and stabilized.

However, the production process of such containers is comparatively complicated. Also, the components used have a fairly heavy weight, making the container overall heavier and unwieldy. The cost of materials and manufacturing are high.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide an insulated container, which is easier, faster and cheaper to produce than the known from the prior art predecessor. The method for producing the container should also be improved accordingly.

The object is achieved by an insulated container according to claim 1 or a method according to claim 9.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the surfaces bounding the insulating foam body are at least partially realized by flexible means which are very thin-walled and flexible and thus have a low weight. By forming the container outer walls by means of such a flexible outer skin, the use of solid and dimensionally stable plate elements known from the prior art as side walls is unnecessary, to limit the later to be formed foam body in its spatial dimensions to the outside. Instead, some or all container outer walls are formed by the flexible outer skin (for example in the form of a PVC film). A container-contour-shaping, preferably cuboid-shaped support structure serves as a support for the film, which can be stretched or -wowickelt around the support structure. Within the outer skin of the container defined in this manner, according to the invention, an insert element (for example, the aforementioned trough made of GRP) is placed, the interior of which corresponds to the desired insulation volume.

Between insert member and container outer skin thereby creates a gap which is auszuschäumen with the foam body, so that in a simple way creates an insulating container, which is distinguished from the prior art by low weight and low cost. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the known from the prior art rigid outer container walls are replaced by the much lighter, thinner and more flexible container skin or film. In contrast to the prior art, the interface to the foam body according to the invention is formed by the flexible film. The previously remaining after foaming on the container rigid plate elements are no longer needed according to the invention.

The film can be attached not only "from the roll" to a variety of support structures - also your weight per area is significantly lower than that of the known stable side panels. A possibly required stabilization of the flexible outer skin during foaming in the sense of the aforementioned formwork can be readily realized by support plates, which bear during the foaming temporarily from the outside to the flexible container outer walls formed by the film. This results in a stable formwork on the outside of the support structure, which can be completely removed after curing. To produce the next container, the same stabilizing plates or even a formwork body formed therefrom can be temporarily used again.

A significant advantage of the invention is that the outer skin formed of film can be stretched or wound over the support structure, so as to represent the outer contour of the container or its side surfaces easily and quickly. In contrast, in the prior art, the individual side wall elements from the inside each the frame construction created or fixed there, which means considerably more effort than the strapping of the support structure with the flexible outer skin or film. The strap allows the formation of several side walls in one operation, for example by the film with a width, for example, the container height, laterally wound around or on the support structure, whereby in a circulation around the support structure all four particular side surfaces of the container are formed, albeit in an initially labile or flexible form. By suitable pivoting of the support structure and / or a role donating the film even the bottom or top of the container could be covered with the film even without transition, which means over the prior art, a significant acceleration.

Another advantage is that the film actually completely covers each side surface of a container, in particular without cracks and crevices. The known from the prior art side wall elements, which are arranged individually between the struts and bars of a support structure, perforce and constructively conditionally always clear cracks and gaps through which the foam occurs during foaming to the outside. Such leaks avoids the inventive film or the method for their arrangement on the container, therefore, because the film extends during unwinding on the support structure over the entire clear width of a container side and the rods and struts of the support structure on their outwardly facing surfaces and sides or included. The continuous stretched film therefore forms no cracks and gaps, which are to seal the foaming in the prior art, however, separate and expensive.

An embodiment of the insulating container according to the invention accordingly comprises a preferably cuboid support structure for the formation of some or all of the side edges of the container. Furthermore, an insert element is provided, which is arranged between container outer walls and forms an insulating volume with its inner side. According to the invention, the container has a flexible outer skin, which is supported by the support structure and forms container outer walls, wherein a gap formed between the insert element and the container outer walls is foamed by a thermally insulating and hardening foam body. At least one container outer wall or part thereof may be formed by a door. In this case, the insert element, which may for example have the shape of a tub, with its opening of the door opposite arranged in the container.

As stated above, is suitable as an insert element is a dimensionally stable pan whose interior determines the insulating volume. If necessary, such a trough can be stabilized by a suitable core during foaming in order to be able to withstand the pressure. As a dimensionally stable tub, this offers sufficient resistance against damage to the underlying foam body even during later operation of the container.

A particularly advantageous alternative embodiment of the insulating container according to the invention, however, provides for the insert element to choose a flexibly deformable structure in the manner of a shell, in particular a PVC shell. In contrast to a rigid insert element, such a flexible shell offers advantages similar to the flexibly designed outer skin of the container. It is inexpensive, lightweight and due to the flexible nature also almost arbitrarily shapeable, so that the shape of the insulated interior is easily and individually predetermined. Since the known from the prior art, dimensionally stable, heavy tub, through which the shape of the interior is substantially rigid, then can be omitted, reduce the cost of this tub and the final weight of the insulated container.

In order to stabilize such a flexible insert element in the manner of a film suitable for the foaming, suitably finds a core use, which occupies substantially the desired insulating volume and with at least a portion of its surface, the film that is to limit the insulating volume, during foaming as formwork supported. By way of example, such a core could protrude into the interior of the container circumscribed by the outer walls of the container through a recess in the outer wall of the container which constitutes the later door opening. A closely fitting to the core film or shell as a flexible insert element defines the insulating volume, which should not be foamed. Between the covered of the film core and the container outer walls, a gap is formed according to the invention, which is to be chosen sufficiently large in coordination with the properties of the Ausschäummaterials. The intermediate space is typically in the form of a trough whose wall thickness corresponds to the later insulating layer between the insulating volume and the container outer wall. For better removal of the core after foaming, this can be slightly conical Have side surfaces that diverge slightly towards the container door (through which the core is removed).

The stabilization of the outer, typically substantially planar container walls can be carried out in the manner already described by externally applied to the outer skin support plates, which prevent bulging of the outer skin or container wall during foaming.

The container according to the invention with flexible outer skin and flexible insert element advantageously dispenses with the installation of rigid and heavy plate elements or trays as side part elements. Instead, the flexible film itself forms the interface with the foam body during foaming. The formwork required for foaming are formed by support means to be arranged temporarily (stabilizing plates on the outside of the container or core in the interior of the container), which enable the subsequent foaming of the intermediate space remaining between the formwork elements to be dimensionally accurate.

Since the aids supporting the films can be removed again after curing, the container then consists essentially only of the foam body itself, the thin-walled film on the outside and inside and the support structure. The support structure can run along the outer edges of the container in order to protect the foam body at these zones especially from damage. The attachment of the container door to the support structure is also conceivable.

In the context of this application, "insert element" is to be understood as the material or structure which limits the insulating volume to the outside. An insert element may be a rigid structure such as a stable pan of FRP. In particular, however, an insert element may also be a flexible, volume-shaped film which is initially unstable in itself. An insert element can be stabilized on one side by a core for the purpose of foaming.

Depending on the nature of the foam body, this may be sensitive to local damage or deformation. To avoid such damage, provides an embodiment of the invention Isolierbehälter before that on the Foam body facing side of the insert member and / or the outer skin reinforcing means are arranged to protect the foam body there against unwanted deformation or damage. These may be plastic plates or angle profiles, which are arranged in front of the foaming at the vulnerable points (eg in the area of the container outer edges or also below or laterally of the insulating volume in the intermediate space) in order to firmly integrate them in the context of foaming or in the To integrate foam body. Conveniently, they form an interface with the film immediately adjacent, in order to be able to directly resist a damage force beyond the film, ie from the container interior or from outside the container.

Another important advantage of the insulating container according to the invention is that a simple shaping of the insulating volume and / or the container outer wall is possible by the use of a flexible outer skin and in particular by the use of a flexible insert element. As a result, it is very easy to form certain functional elements of the container produced by profiling, such as insertion grooves, stops, depressions or the like. These are to be considered only in the shaping of the insert element or the outer skin of the container, e.g. in that the formwork elements (core inside or the outer stabilization plates) are formed with the complementary profile, so that the foils conform to this shape and harden the corresponding profiles during foaming.

Conveniently, the insulating container according to the invention with its support structure and / or the cured foam body is releasably connectable to a mobile undercarriage. Thus, the container is placed on a roll plate and movable with this, which advantageously extends the capabilities of the container. The significant weight savings of the container due to the flexible outer skin or the flexible insert element also has an effect on the dimensioning of the mobile undercarriage, which in turn material and costs can be saved.

1. a) Bereitstellen einer vorzugsweise quaderförmigen Trägerkonstruktion zur Ausbildung einiger oder aller Seitenkanten des Behälters;
2. b) Anordnung einer flexiblen Außenhaut an der Trägerkonstruktion zur Ausbildung von Behälterauβenflächen;
3. c) Anordnung eines Einsatzelements zwischen den Behälteraußenflächen, wobei das Einsatzelement mit seiner Innenseite ein Isoliervolumen ausbildet;
4. d) Stabilisierung der flexiblen Außenhaut gegen Verformung;
5. e) Ausschäumen eines zwischen dem Einsatzelement und den Behälteraußenflächen ausgebildeten Zwischenraumes mit einem thermisch isolierenden und aushärtenden Schaumkörper.

From the above description, the steps according to the invention for producing an insulated container are as follows:

1. a) providing a preferably cuboid support structure to form some or all of the side edges of the container;
2. b) arranging a flexible outer skin on the support structure to form Behälterauβenflächen;
3. c) arrangement of an insert element between the container outer surfaces, wherein the insert element forms with its inside an insulating volume;
4. d) stabilization of the flexible outer skin against deformation;
5. e) foaming a formed between the insert element and the container outer surfaces intermediate space with a thermally insulating and hardening foam body.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Fig. 2

den Behälter nach Fig. 1 mit geschlossener Tür,

Fig. 3a, 3b

zwei Detailansichten eines Behälters mit/ohne Seitenwand.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention will be explained below with reference to a figure example. From the figures shows

Fig. 1

a schematic view of the container according to the invention,

Fig. 2

the container after Fig. 1 with closed door,

Fig. 3a, 3b

two detailed views of a container with / without side wall.

FIG. 1 shows an insulating container 1. This comprises a cuboid support structure in the form of a metallic tube frame 2. The tube frame 2 essentially determines the outer dimensions of the container first

Within the tubular frame 2, an insert member 3 is arranged, which has the shape of a trough with slightly conical side surfaces. The insert element 3 opens towards a front side of the container 1 and defines with its interior an insulating volume 5.

The support structure 2 is covered with a flexible outer skin 6, whereby container outer surfaces 4 are defined (s. Fig. 3a, 3b ). Between the container outer surfaces 4 and the insert element 3 thereby creates a gap 7 in the form of a gap which surrounds the insert element on five sides. By foaming this gap 7 with an insulating and curing foam body 8, the insert element 3 is stabilized on the one hand in its position or shape, on the other hand, the interior of the insert element is thermally insulated from the container environment. The opening of the insert element to the door is closed by just this door 4 ', which is suitable for insulating, as in Fig. 2 shown.

When foaming is expediently in Fig. 1 not shown core disposed inside the insert element 3, which corresponds to the size and shape of the desired isolation volume. The insert formed by a flexible film adapts to this core and takes over during and after the curing of the foam body, the complementary shape to the core.

Similarly, before foaming the gap 7, a stabilization of the formed by a flexible film container outer walls 4, for example by externally applied to the container outer wall stabilizing plates that stabilize the outer films 6 during foaming in their preferably planar shape. By suitable profiling of the stabilizing plates and / or the core, the foam body 8 may also undergo a special functional shaping, e.g. Insertion grooves 10, recessed grips, stops, gutters or the like.

The front of the container 1 and the insert element 3 is closed by a door 4 '. Preferably, the door 4 'on its inside and outside also on a flexible skin, wherein the intermediate gap is also formed by a thermosetting foam body. Alternatively, a conventional rigid container door is conceivable, wherein the door is preferably attached to the support structure 2 and can be locked with it.

The container 1 according to the invention rests on a rolling plate 9, with which it is flexibly movable. The container 1 is detachably connected to the roller plate 9, so that it can be placed stationary if necessary.

Fig. 3 shows the rear, lower portion of the container 1 in detail. In the illustration after Fig. 3a is the container outer surface 4 in the form of the film 6 stretched over the support structure 2. A hidden by the film 6 gap 7 between the insert element and the film 6 may already be filled with a cured foam body, so that Fig. 3a shows the container in its final cured state.

In Fig. 3b In contrast, the outer wall 4 and the film 6 is removed, so that the insert element 3 can be seen in the interior of the support structure 2 before foaming. The aforementioned gap 7 serves as auszuschäumender gap, whereby the interior of the insert element 3 is thermally insulated from the environment of the container beyond the outer skin 4.

Claims (10)

Insulating container (1) for receiving goods to be thermally insulated, with a) a preferably cuboid support structure (2) for forming some or all of the side edges of the container (1), and b) with an insert element (3) which is arranged between container outer walls (4) and at least partially circumscribes with its inner side an insulating volume (5),
characterized, c) that the container (1) has a container outer surfaces (4) forming, flexible, thin, film-like outer skin (6), and d) that between the insert element (3) and the outer skin (6) formed intermediate space (7) is foamed by a thermally insulating and thermosetting foam body (8). Insulating container according to claim 1, characterized in that a container outer wall is part of a door (4 '), which closes the insert element (3). Insulating container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert element (3) is designed in the manner of a dimensionally stable tub. Insulating container according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the insert element (3) is a flexibly deformable structure in the manner of a shell, in particular a PVC shell. Insulating container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insert element (3) for foaming the intermediate space (7) by a the insulating volume (5) representing and in the insert element (3) inserted core is dimensionally stable. Insulating container according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that on the said foam body (8) facing side of the insert element (3) and / or the outer skin (6) reinforcing means are arranged to the foam body (8) against unwanted deformation or damage protect. Insulating container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer skin (6) and / or the insert element (3) in places a defined shape (10), thereby forming functional elements of the container (1). Insulating container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (2) and / or the foam body (8) is releasably connectable or connected to a mobile underframe (9). Method for producing an insulating container (1), comprising the following steps a) providing a preferably cuboid support structure (2) for forming some or all of the side edges of the container (1); b) arranging a flexible outer skin (6) on the support structure to form Behälterauβenflächen (4); c) arrangement of an insert element (3) between the outer skin (6), wherein the insert element (3) with its inner side forms an insulating volume (5); d) stabilizing the flexible outer skin (6) against deformation; e) foaming between the insert element (3) and the outer skin (6) formed intermediate space (7) with a thermally insulating and thermosetting foam body (8). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a) as the insert element (3) a flexibly deformable structure in the manner of a shell, in particular a PVC shell is used, b) wherein the insert element (3) is stabilized against foaming against unwanted deformation, preferably by a core inserted into the insert element.

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