EP2988080B1 - Container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container for the transport of refrigerated and / or frozen products.

In the prior art various coolers for cooling food are known. In a simple embodiment, the cooler is made of an insulating material and has an internal cooling space, in addition to the food to be cooled and one or more cooling batteries that act on the principle of a latent heat storage can be introduced. The cooling batteries then gradually release the "stored cold" in them to the cold room.

A disadvantage of this prior art is the only small and only over a short period ensured cooling of the food. In addition, in such a cool box, only a single cold room is present, so that only either cooled or frozen products can be transported. If refrigerated or frozen products are transported at the same time, freeze damage either occurs in the food that only needs to be cooled, or the frozen foods thaw.

In German utility model DE 295 80 117 U1 , which is considered to be the closest prior art, discloses a cooling box in which the cooling space is divided by a double-acting wall element. On the one hand of the wall element is a receptacle open to the refrigerator for a solid and sublimable cooling element, on the other hand, a tight container for a eutectic is provided with a constant melting temperature. Freezing temperatures can thus be achieved on the side of the open receptacle of the wall element, while the eutectic keeps the other side of the wall element at its melting temperature. However, this only applies as long as the eutectic is not completely frozen. Once the eutectic is frozen, the other side of the wall element is cooled down to freezing temperature.

Even if the cooler according to DE 295 80 117 U1 is suitable for the simultaneous transport of chilled and frozen foods, is disadvantageous that they can be used in principle only for short transport routes and times, the ultimate maximum transport time depends significantly on the amount of eutectic. However, the amount of eutectic can not be increased arbitrarily, otherwise the cooler would be no longer manageable in size and weight.

The document US 2008/0302126 describes a cool box, in particular for soft drinks, with one or more use areas for receiving the products to be cooled, which are connected via perforated plates with adjacently arranged coolant receptacles.

In the international patent application WO 00/18225 a container for the transport of biological material is described, which in addition to a cooling chamber for receiving the product to be cooled still has a fluid-connected coolant chamber.

The document DE 10 2006 016 557 A1 shows a refrigerated vehicle with a plurality of cooling chambers, wherein the temperature in the individual chambers can be controlled separately by means of active elements such as fans.

In document US 2003/0126882 A1 a cooling container is disclosed in which, in addition to an isolation of a cooling chamber from the environment, a heat-conducting layer is provided, are redirected with the unwanted local heat inputs directly to the cooling element.

document US 3,971,231 discloses a cooling box with a cooling element for receiving a sublimable coolant, the cooling element being closed on one side and having a plurality of openings on the other side. Depending on the arrangement of the cooling element in the cooling box different temperature zones can be set up, wherein the zone on the side of the cooling element with the above-described openings is lower than on the other side.

The patent application US 2003/0101744 A1 discloses a cooler with compartments divisible by perforated sheets or grids so that products in individual compartments do not come into contact with the melt water of ice in a particular compartment.

The invention is based on the object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved container for the transport of refrigerated and / or frozen products.

This object is achieved by a container according to the main claim. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a container for transporting refrigerated and / or frozen products with a trained as a storage surface bottom, comprising at least two separate cooling chambers for holding refrigerated or frozen products, as well as a number of cooling chambers corresponding number of coolant chambers for selectively receiving Coolant, wherein in each case a coolant chamber is connected to a cooling chamber via at least one fluid line and in each case at least two coolant chambers are connected to each other via at least one fluid line and wherein the container on the underside opposite the top has a lid which is common to close at least two cooling chambers of the container is formed, wherein the cooling chambers associated with the closable by the lid cooling chambers are arranged in the lid, and wherein the lid is formed such that at each closed one of the closed by the lid cooling chambers is fluidly connected to a coolant chamber in the lid.

The container according to the invention is suitable for the transport of exclusively refrigerated products, for the transport of exclusively frozen products and for the simultaneous transport of refrigerated and frozen products. For the transport of cooled products, a temperature of usually eg. 5 ° C to 7 ° C, for the transport of frozen products can over a longer period be maintained reliably from, for example, -24 ° C to -20 ° C - even with the mentioned simultaneous transport. Studies have shown that the temperature ranges in a container according to the invention can be ensured regularly for a period of at least 48 hours.

If a uniform temperature prevails in all the cooling chambers of the container, an (identical) coolant - for example dry ice - is to be provided in all coolant chambers. The coolant in the respective cooling chambers then cools via convection or other heat exchange through the fluid conduit the cooling chamber connected to the respective coolant chamber, whereby each cooling chamber can be cooled to the desired uniform temperature.

If different temperatures prevail for the simultaneous transport of cooled and frozen products in the cooling chambers, then dry ice can be introduced as coolant into the coolant chamber fluidly connected to a cooling chamber to be cooled to cryogenic temperatures, while a coolant chamber fluidly connected to the cooling chamber for the cooled products is, can be coolant-free. The cooling chamber for the frozen products is then directly and directly from the coolant from the associated coolant chamber - eg. Via convection or other heat exchange through the corresponding fluid line (s) - cooled to freezing temperatures. The cooling chamber for cooling products, however, is only indirectly cooled by the coolant in the coolant chamber connected to the deep-cooling cooling chamber. A convection or other heat exchange between them Coolant chamber and the cooling chamber for cooling products is namely only indirectly via the fluid line (s) between the coolant-filled coolant chamber and the coolant-free coolant chamber, the coolant-free coolant chamber itself and the fluid line (s) between the coolant-free coolant chamber and the cooling chamber for cooling products. The coolant-free coolant chamber may for example be filled with air alone.

In the indirectly cooled cooling chamber, this results in higher temperatures than in the directly cooled cooling chamber. By suitable design of the cooling chambers, coolant chambers and fluid lines, by a suitable choice of coolant type and quantity and suitable distribution of the coolant in the coolant chambers can be set as different temperatures in the individual cooling chambers. Studies have shown that the corresponding temperatures in a container according to the invention over a period of more than 48 hours can be reliably maintained.

It is preferred if the at least one fluid line between a coolant chamber and a cooling chamber is continuously sloping from the coolant chamber to the underside of the container. By an appropriate arrangement ensures that in a proper installation of the container on the underside of the natural convection between the coolant chamber and the cooling chamber is favored. The example. By a coolant in the coolant chamber cooled air or other gas can fall through a corresponding fluid line into the cooling chamber.

It is further preferred if the at least one fluid line between a coolant chamber and a cooling chamber is guided from the area of the coolant chamber close to the underside of the container to the region of the cooling chamber remote from the underside of the container. By the fluid line emanating from the underside of the container near the region of the coolant chamber - with proper installation of the container on its underside so the lower portion of the coolant chamber - cooled air or other gas from the coolant chamber due to the natural convection in the at least one fluid line arrive, whereby the convection is favored by the coolant chamber in the cooling chamber. The end of the at least one fluid line in the remote from the bottom of the container portion of the cooling chamber - when the container is properly placed on its underside so the upper portion of the cooling chamber - allows the originating from the coolant chamber cooled air or other gas after entering the Cooling chamber within the cooling chamber continues to drop, so practically passes through the cooling chamber. This achieves good cooling or freezing of the products in the cooling chamber.

It is particularly preferred if the fluid line from the bottom of the coolant chamber (ie the bottom of the container nearest wall of the coolant chamber) goes off and / or on the ceiling of the cooling chamber (ie the bottom of the container farthest wall of the cooling chamber) ends.

It is preferred that the at least one fluid line between two coolant chambers is substantially parallel to the underside of the container. "Essentially parallel to the underside of the container "means, in particular, that when the container is properly installed on its underside on a horizontal surface, the at least one fluid line runs horizontally between two coolant chambers A corresponding embodiment is advantageous for the above-described indirect cooling Fluid line is further ensured that in the optional filling of one of the two interconnected refrigerant chambers with a refrigerant, while the other refrigerant chamber remains free of refrigerant, comparable results are expected in terms of heat exchange between the two refrigerant chambers.

The fluid lines can basically be designed as passage openings into the partition walls delimiting each other from one another. Fluid lines can also be designed as preferably integrated into the wall of the container fluid channels. Of course, it is also possible to design the individual, provided in a container according to the invention fluid lines differently, in particular, the above-mentioned embodiments can be used.

It is advantageous if means for selectively closing at least one of the fluid lines between a coolant chamber and a cooling chamber and / or between two coolant chambers are provided. In particular, if more than one fluid connection between a coolant chamber and a cooling chamber or between two coolant chambers are provided, the heat exchange between the individual chambers can be influenced by the optional closing of at least a part of the fluid lines. The means for optional closing can be designed as a plug. But it is also possible that as a means for selectively closing the fluid lines and gate valves are provided in at least a part of the fluid lines.

The container has on its upper side opposite the underside according to the invention a lid which is designed to jointly close at least two cooling chambers of the container. In other words, two or more cooling chambers can be closed by a single lid. It is further provided that the coolant chambers associated with the cooling chambers which can be closed by the cover are arranged in the cover, the cover being designed such that one of the cooling chambers closed by the cover is fluid-connected to a coolant chamber in the cover when the cover is closed, for example by arranged in the lid fluid lines that end at the bottom of the lid. The coolant chambers in the lid are, of course, fluidly interconnected according to the invention. The lid is preferably designed such that the coolant is safely in the lid and can not accidentally get out of the lid. The risk of injury can be minimized.

The container preferably has a monitoring unit for monitoring the temperatures in the individual cooling chambers of the container and / or the inclination of the container. The monitoring unit preferably comprises suitable temperature and / or inclination sensors for this purpose. The temperature sensors can be used to check compliance with the desired temperatures in the individual cooling chambers. The inclination sensor can be used to check the orientation of the container be so as to be able to determine any unfavorable for the utilization of natural convection orientation of the container (eg, an overhead alignment). The monitoring unit can have acoustic and / or optical signal transmitters, via which warnings can be output in the event of temperature deviations and / or unfavorable orientation. However, it is particularly preferred if the monitoring unit is designed for the wireless transmission of the monitoring results and / or measured values to an evaluation unit. The transmission between the monitoring unit and the evaluation unit can take place directly or via a wireless data network, for example a mobile radio network. The transmission of the monitoring results and / or measured values can take place at regular intervals on request of the evaluation unit or upon detection of an abnormality in the monitoring results and / or measured values by the monitoring unit.

It is further preferred if the container has at least one means for active convection. With such means, natural convection can be assisted to promote air and / or gas exchange between the individual chambers of the container. A means for active convection is, for example, a fan. The at least one means for active convection is preferably provided in one or more fluid conduits. Preferably, the at least one means for active convection can be controlled by the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit can thus influence the cooling of the individual cooling chambers when determining temperatures deviating from the desired values.

It is preferred that the separate cooling chambers are separated by selectively removable partitions. Are the partitions removed, the container can be used advantageously in cases where only a uniform temperature within the container is required.

The container and / or the partitions are preferably made of thermally insulating material, preferably foam polystyrene. Thereby, the heat exchange with the environment of the container and its chambers with each other - except the expressly intended heat exchange via the fluid lines - can be reduced.

It is preferred if the coolant chambers are designed to accommodate solid and sublimable coolant, in particular dry ice. Dry ice sublimates at -78.48 ° C. It therefore provides sufficient cooling properties and does not leave behind a molten liquid product which would have to be collected or kept separate from the products to be cooled or deep-frozen.

Figur 1:

eine Außenansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters;

Figur 2:

eine Schnittansicht durch den Behälter gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3:

eine Teilexplosionszeichnung des Behälters gemäß Figur 1; und

Figur 4:

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines alternativen Behälters.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1:

an external view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2:

a sectional view through the container of Figure 1;

FIG. 3:

a part exploded view of the container according to FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 4:

an embodiment of an alternative container.

In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention for the transport of refrigerated and / or frozen products is shown in an external view.

The container 1 is cuboid and has a bottom surface 2 formed as a storage surface. On the opposite side of the container 1 from the bottom 2, a lid 3 is provided, wherein the lid 3 in turn comprises two lid elements 4, 5.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the container 1 from FIG. 1 , wherein the section along the dashed line A in FIG FIG. 1 is indicated. FIG. 3 shows a corresponding section in exploded view.

The container 1 comprises two by a removable partition 6 separate cooling chambers 7, 8, which are each designed to hold refrigerated or frozen products, especially food. The cooling chambers 7, 8 are readily accessible after removal of the lid 3.

In the lid 3 as part of the container 1, a number of the cooling chambers 7, 8 corresponding number - ie two - coolant chambers 9, 10 are provided. The coolant chambers 9, 10 are by removing the one cover element 4 from other cover element 5 accessible and can optionally be filled with coolant - dry ice in this example.

Between each of a coolant chamber 9, 10 and a cooling chamber 7, 8 each have a plurality of fluid conduits 11 are provided (see FIG. 3 ). The fluid lines 11 each begin at the bottom 9 ', 10' of the coolant chambers 9, 10 and lead - in the closed state of the container 1 - steadily falling in relation to the bottom 2 of the container 1 to the ceiling 7 ', 8' one of the cooling chambers. 7 , 8, wherein the covers 7 ', 8' are formed by the lid 3. By this arrangement of the fluid lines, the natural convection of cold air or other gas from the coolant chambers 9, 10 is favored in the respective cooling chambers 7, 8.

Furthermore, a plurality of fluid passages 12 (see FIG FIG. 3 ) between the two coolant chambers 9, 10 are provided, wherein these fluid lines 12 extend in the closed state of the container 1 parallel to the bottom 2 of the container 1.

The container 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used to transport refrigerated or frozen products only. But it is particularly suitable for the simultaneous transport of refrigerated and frozen products.

If in both cooling chambers 7, 8 the same temperatures prevail - either for cooling or for freezing products - the two coolant chambers 9, 10 can be filled with coolant, for example dry ice. The amount of Coolant may depend on the amount and / or size of the products contained in the cooling chambers 7, 8. In order to set the temperature in the cooling chambers 7, 8, all or individual fluid connections 11 may be closed by plugs 13. By the corresponding use of plugs 13, the temperature gradient between coolant chambers 9, 10 and cooling chambers 7, 8 and thus the temperature in the cooling chambers 7, 8 can be adjusted. As a result, it is possible to achieve cooling temperatures as well as deep-freezing temperatures in the cooling chambers 7, 8, even in the case of coolant chambers 9, 10 filled with dry ice. At uniform temperatures in the cooling chambers 7, 8 and the partition 6 can be removed.

However, the container 1 is particularly suitable for the simultaneous transport of both refrigerated and frozen products. For this, the one cooling chamber 7 for receiving frozen products is frozen to a temperature of -24 ° C to -20 ° C, while in the other cooling chamber 8 for receiving cooling products temperatures of 5 ° C to 7 ° C prevail. To achieve this, only with the cooling chamber 7 via the fluid lines 11 directly connected coolant chamber 9 with coolant - in this example, dry ice - filled while the other coolant chamber 10 remains free of coolant. Thus, the cooling chamber 8 is only indirectly - namely by the fluid lines 12 between the coolant chambers 9, 10, the coolant chamber 10 itself and the fluid lines 11 between the coolant-free coolant chamber 10 and the cooling chamber 8 - cooled, resulting in less cooling result. As a result, the cooling chamber 7 due to the direct cooling by the coolant in the coolant chamber 9 to freezing temperatures be cooled while the indirect cooling of the cooling chamber 8 there only provides cooling temperatures. The temperature in the cooling chambers 7, 8 or the temperature difference between the two cooling chambers 7, 8 can be additionally adjusted by the use of plugs 13 for closing individual fluid lines 11, 12.

The container 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 When closed, it has external dimensions of 60cm x 60cm x 60cm. The wall thickness of the outer walls of the container 1 and the partition wall 6 is 8 cm. The container 1 incl. The lid 3 and the partition 6 is made of foam polystyrene.

In FIG. 4 an embodiment of an alternative container 1 is shown, which is substantially similar to the container 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used.

The container 1 made of thermally insulating material is cuboid and has a trained as a storage surface bottom 2. On the opposite side of the container 2 from the bottom 2, a lid 3 is provided, wherein the lid 3 is divided into three separate parts 3 ', 3 ".

The container 1 comprises two by a partition 6 separate cooling chambers 7, 8, which are each designed to hold refrigerated or frozen products, especially food. The cooling chambers 7, 8 are readily accessible after removal of the respective cooling chambers 7, 8 covering separate part 3 'of the lid 3.

The number of cooling chambers 7, 8 corresponding to the number of cooling chambers 7, 8 - ie two - coolant chambers 9, 10 is provided in the upper side of the partition wall 6 which can optionally be covered by a separate part 3 "of the cover 3. The coolant chambers 9, 10 are formed by removing said part 3 "of the lid 3 easily accessible and can optionally be filled with coolant - dry ice in this example.

Between each of a coolant chamber 9, 10 and a cooling chamber 7, 8, a fluid line 11 is provided in each case. The fluid conduits 11 each begin in the region of the coolant chambers 9, 10 closest to the underside 2 of the container 1 and lead steadily falling with respect to the underside 2 of the container 1 to the region of one of the cooling chambers 7, 8 remote from the underside of the container 1. By this arrangement of the fluid lines, the natural convection of cold air or other gas from the coolant chambers 9, 10 is favored in the respective cooling chambers 7, 8.

Furthermore, two fluid lines 12 are provided between the two coolant chambers 9, 10, wherein these fluid lines 12 extend parallel to the underside 2 of the container 1.

One of the two fluid lines 12 is guided by a fan element 14, which is to be regarded as a means for active convection. Should the heat exchange due to natural convection between the two coolant chambers 9, 10 and further from the coolant chambers 9, 10 may not be sufficient in the cooling chambers 7, 8, the fan element 14 can support this convection.

The other of the two fluid lines 12 is guided by a gate valve 15. The gate valve 15 is designed to selectively close the fluid line 12 and thus to prevent an exchange of air or gas through this fluid line 12. Accordingly, the gate valve 15 has a function similar to the stopper 13 of the first embodiment FIGS. 1 to 3 ,

The container 1 also has a monitoring unit 16 for monitoring the temperatures in the individual cooling chambers 7, 8 and the inclination of the container 1. For this purpose, temperature sensors 17 are provided in the cooling chambers 7, 8, which are connected via lines not shown to the monitoring unit 16. Directly on the monitoring unit 16, a tilt sensor 18 is arranged.

By means of the temperature sensors 17, compliance with the desired temperatures in the individual cooling chambers 7, 8 can be checked. The inclination sensor can be used to check the correct orientation of the container 1 with the underside 2 downwards. For this purpose, the monitoring unit 16 has an acoustic signal generator 19, via which warnings in the event of temperature deviations - ie deviations between the measured actual value and a predetermined desired value (range) - are output in the cooling chambers 7, 8 and / or unfavorable orientation of the container 1 become.

Furthermore, the monitoring unit 16 is for the wireless transmission of the monitoring results and the measured values an evaluation unit, not shown formed via a GSM mobile network.

Claims (11)

1. Container (1) for transporting refrigerated and/or frozen products, having an underside (2) configured as a set-down surface, comprising at least two mutually separated refrigeration chambers (7, 8) for receiving refrigerated or frozen products, a number of coolant chambers (9, 10), corresponding to the number of refrigeration chambers (7, 8), for optionally receiving coolant are provided, wherein in each case one coolant chamber (9, 10) is connected to a refrigeration chamber (7, 8) via at least one fluid line (11) and in each case at least two coolant chambers (9, 10) are connected together via at least one fluid line (12),
   characterized in that
   the container (1) has a cover (3) on the top side located opposite the underside (2), said cover (3) being configured to jointly close at least two refrigeration chambers (7, 8) of the container (1), wherein the coolant chambers (9, 10) associated with the refrigeration chambers (7, 8) that are closable by the cover (3) are arranged in the cover (3), and wherein the cover (3) is configured such that, with the cover (3) closed, in each case one of the refrigeration chambers (7, 8) closed by the cover (3) is fluidically connected to a coolant chamber (9, 10) in the cover (3).
2. Container according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the at least one fluid line (11) between a coolant chamber (9, 10) and a refrigeration chamber (7, 8) drops continuously from the coolant chamber (9, 10) to the underside (2) of the container (1).
3. Container according to either of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the at least one fluid line (11) between a coolant chamber (9, 10) and a refrigeration chamber (7, 8) is guided from that region of the coolant chamber (9, 10) that is located close to the underside (2) of the container (1), preferably from the base (9', 10') of the coolant chamber (9, 10), to that region of the refrigeration chamber (7, 8) that is remote from the underside (2) of the container (1), preferably to the cover (7', 8') of the refrigeration chamber (7, 8).
4. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the at least one fluid line (12) between two coolant chambers (9, 10) is substantially parallel to the underside (2) of the container (1).
5. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   at least one fluid line (11, 12) is configured as a through-orifice in a partition wall that separates the chambers (7, 8, 9, 10) from one another, or as a fluid duct preferably integrated into the wall of the container (2) .
6. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   means (13, 15) for selectively closing at least one of the fluid lines (11, 12) between a coolant chamber (9, 10) and a refrigeration chamber (7, 8) and/or between two coolant chambers (9, 10) are provided.
7. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a monitoring unit (16) for monitoring the temperatures in the refrigeration chambers (7, 8) of the container (1) and/or for monitoring the inclination of the container (1) is provided, wherein the monitoring unit (16) is preferably configured to wirelessly transmit monitoring and/or measurement results to an evaluation unit.
8. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   at least one means (14) for active convection is provided, wherein this at least one means is preferably provided in one or more fluid lines and is preferably actuable by the monitoring unit.
9. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the mutually separated refrigeration chambers (7, 8) are separated from one another by optionally removable partition walls (6).
10. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the container and/or the partition walls are made of thermally insulating material, preferably from expanded polystyrene.
11. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the refrigerant is a solid and sublimable refrigerant, preferably dry ice.

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