EP3209581A1

EP3209581A1 - Thermally insulated transport container comprising thermal insulation resting against the walls, and wall structure of a container of said type

Info

Publication number: EP3209581A1
Application number: EP15791537.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dirk Losco
Original assignee: Thermosecure medical equipment GmbH
Current assignee: Aero Link Courier GmbH
Priority date: 2014-10-24
Filing date: 2015-10-26
Publication date: 2017-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-26
Also published as: US20170247169A1; DE102015113693A1; US10589919B2; WO2016062894A1; EP3209581B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermally insulated transport container comprising a housing for forming a space for goods, said housing comprising walls and thermal insulation resting against the walls. The invention also relates to a wall structure of a container of said type. The invention particularly relates to a container used as an air freight container. According to the invention, the walls are in the form of plastic sandwich panels having a honeycomb core, to each of the two faces of which a cover layer is welded; the honeycomb core and the cover layers are made of a thermoplastic material, preferably polypropylene (PP). The walls are especially in the form of thermoplastic sandwich panels substantially consisting of a PP honeycomb core and PP cover layers, in particular glass fiber-reinforced ones, the core and the cover layers being integrally bonded together using a melt-lamination process. The type of panels preferred here are available, for example, from Wihag Composites GmbH & Co. KG under the brand name MonoPan®. By using thermoplastic material it is possible to fasten adjacent plastic sandwich panels to one another in a welding process, especially in the edge regions. It is thus in particular possible to make largely frameless and therefore lighter transport containers.

Description

THERMO INSULATED TRANSPORT CONTAINER WITH ON THE WALLS

CONTAINING THERMAL INSULATION AND WALL CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH A CONTAINER

The invention relates to a thermally insulated transport container with a housing to form a space for goods, with walls and one adjacent to the walls

Thermal insulation and a wall structure of such a container. In particular, the invention relates to such as air cargo container.

In thermally insulated containers, articles, foods, pharmaceuticals, biological samples, blood, blood plasma or even organs intended for transplantation are stored or transported in temperature-controlled manner in respectively suitable form. In this case, no impairment should occur over a longer period and especially in air freight no additional energy supply for additional cooling or heating done. These containers are also unattended for a long time in the transport and therefore equipped with communication means for data transmission, z. B.: GPS, GSM for location transfer and

Temperature control, RFID for logging at the logistician, etc.

For this purpose, hitherto containers have been used which have a thermal insulation. In the simplest case, such containers are made of or with polymeric foams, such. As polystyrene (Styrofoam) produced. Although these foams advantageously have a low intrinsic mass, but are less durable and stable. Furthermore, the achievable

Thermal insulation limited.

It is known the use of vacuum insulation panels (VIP). These panels have improved thermal insulation, but only as long as the high negative pressure required within the panels can be maintained. The outer shell of vacuum insulation panels is usually formed from at least one film, which may also be coated with a metal. Both the film and in particular the compounds of the film for the gas-tight termination of the panels, z. In the form of sealing seams, however, are critical and can lead to leaks due to mechanical stress or thermal influences, so that the vacuum conditions are lost inside. Therefore, DE 10 201 1015715 A1 discloses a wall structure with an inner wall of a thermoplastic polymer for the protection of the vacuum insulation panel. A known Vakuumisolierpaneel consists of a precompressed porous bed, a porous press plate or an open-cell hard foam as a substrate, which is covered by a gas-tight film, wherein the film is welded or glued after evacuation. For example, precipitated and dried silicic acids, silica gels, fly ash, open-cell foams on an organic basis, such as open-cell rigid polyurethane foams or bonded rigid polyurethane foam, as described, for example, in DE 4 439 331 and DE 4 439 328, serve as filling material for vacuum insulation panels. Such Vakuumisolierpaneele are already used in the production of cold rooms, such as refrigerators or refrigerated containers by these between outdoor and

Inner housing are inserted and the remaining space between the outer and inner housing is filled with foam. For example, EP 0 822 379 discloses a vacuum insulation panel fixed on a rigid plate, which is characterized by being a liquid

Reaction mixture applied polyurethane foam is fixed on the rigid plate.

Other known containers require a stability-giving frame in which the multilayer walls, e.g. B .: be used from sheets with glued insulation. The structure is complicated, expensive and has a high weight, which is to be avoided especially in air freight.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a comparison with the prior art further developed thermally insulated transport container or to further develop details.

This object is achieved by a thermally insulated transport container with the

Features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of

Dependent claims. Further developments are the subject of independent claims.

The thermally insulated transport container according to the invention comprises first

necessarily a housing to form a space for goods, so too

transporting and cooling objects. The housing also has walls and thermal insulation applied to the walls. According to the invention are now provided as walls sandwich plastic panels with a honeycomb core, which is welded on both sides with a respective cover layer, wherein the honeycomb core and the cover layers of a

thermoplastic material, preferably PP exist. The walls are there

in particular a thermoplastic sandwich panel consisting essentially of a PP (polypropylene) honeycomb core and PP cover layers, in particular

glass fiber reinforced, the material-homogeneous interconnected by melt-lamination are. Such plates are z. B.: Offered by Wihag Composites GmbH & Co. KG under the brand MonoPan ®, which are preferred here.

The use of thermoplastic material allows adjacent

Sandwich plastic plates are fixed by welding together. These can be welded in particular in the region of the edges and corners of the housing and thus form them. In particular, it is thus possible to produce largely frameless and thus lighter transport container. Only in the area of the door, if necessary, can a reinforcement be provided, which in particular catches the door load. Also can

In principle, an outer corner, inner corner, outer edges and / or inner corner protection be provided, which rather represents a mechanical protection of the sensitive edges / corners and also optionally serves as a foot, guide or support surface for a better installation and / or stacking of containers. The protection can also serve air and / or heat sealing purposes, since in the region of the weld, the insulating honeycomb structure is impaired. In the prior art, aluminum sheets or aluminum sheets are usually used in a stability-giving frame made of aluminum profiles. These compounds are often not tight, which allows an undesirable heat transfer through air exchange. Welded together sandwich plastic sheets of thermoplastic material allow a seal without additional sealant and steps. Furthermore, thermoplastics have a lower density and thermal conductivity and are permeable to radio waves. The welding is preferably carried out by fusion welding, hot air welding or plastic extrusion welding. Such plates are also easily cut to size.

Preferably, the transport container is frameless, wherein the interconnected sandwich plastic plates form a torsionally rigid self-supporting housing. So it does not need a sub-framework, z. B .: made of aluminum profiles. Therefore, preferably no further stiffening elements are provided in addition to the sandwich plastic panels and / or a door reinforcement for a door and / or the corner or edge protection.

When Vakuumisolierpaneele are provided as a thermal insulation, can be used on lightweight, industrially manufactured components, which is an excellent

Have heat insulation.

Preferably, the walls have two layers of sandwich plastic panels with intervening, in particular adjacent thermal insulation on. This is the result Thermal insulation, especially the sensitive Vakuumisolierpaneele, both sides protected against damage and stiffened the wall by the applied thermal insulation.

If preferably a self-supporting outer housing made of welded sandwich plastic plates and a, preferably also self-supporting,

Inner housing made of welded sandwich plastic plates is provided, wherein the inner housing forms the space for goods and at a distance from the outer housing in the

Outside housing is arranged, wherein the space between the inner and outer housing is filled with the thermal insulation, for maintenance and / or cleaning purposes, the inner housing can be taken out as a contiguous whole or in panels. Especially when using vacuum insulation panels, it is important that they are easily accessible and interchangeable or testable.

If, furthermore, preferably the insulation is fastened flat or in sections or points in the outer housing and, furthermore, preferably the inner housing is inserted into the insulation, a further stiffening results from the combination of the components.

If the sandwich plastic plates consist exclusively of thermoplastic material, preferably PP, the weldability is simplified and the welds improved, in particular their tightness and stability.

Alternatively it is preferred that the one or both cover layers and / or the honeycomb core are fiber-reinforced, in particular glass or carbon fiber reinforced and / or have such a cover and / or intermediate layer. With only slight impairment of

Weldability is thereby significantly increased the stability of the walls with only minimal weight gain of the container.

Preferably, the honeycomb core is materially homogeneously connected to the cover layers by means of melt lamination.

The suitability of the container to comply with the prescribed temperature during prolonged transport, z. For example: air freight is given in particular if the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation is 0.002 to 0.009 W / mK.

To control the way and the transport conditions of the container according to the invention during transport, are preferably within the outer housing communication means, in particular mobile devices, RFID or other wireless transmitter / receiver, to

Data transmission provided. Due to their short range, RFID is used for logging at the logistics company. These communication means can z. B .: outside the thermal insulation, but be located within the outer housing or simply inside the container. It therefore eliminates bushings z. B .: to the antenna or sensors through the walls. The communication means preferably contain integrated sensors or are connected or connectable to them. Therefore, if necessary, the communication means can be exchanged and maintained as a whole, without the need for a complex wiring, which therefore can not be accidentally forgotten. The communication means can be easily installed in the transport container in use, so that no means of communication must be kept ready for not in use container.

As integrated or connected to the communication means or connectable sensors in particular GPS for location transfer and sensors for temperature control apply. Furthermore, vacuum sensors for monitoring the air pressure in the vacuum insulation panels may also be provided as sensors.

If the door reinforcement preferably comprises a profile, in particular a frame formed therefrom, made of a light metal alloy, in particular aluminum, which is fastened to the outer housing and the inner housing and connects them to one another, an increased stability results in the region of the opening for the door. The door reinforcement thus forms a door frame for insertion and for receiving the door and connects and closes off the inner housing with the outer housing. The frame stiffens the normally relatively soft PP housing in the area of the door opening such that opening the heavy door by the load introduction of the door into the wall-mounted hinge causes no distortion of the housing and / or possibly the door hangs slightly crooked in the housing frame , The door reinforcement allows a weaker design of the walls and thus saves weight. It also optionally serves to attach the door, z. B .: by means of the hinges or a lock.

Although the cooling of the container according to the invention in any usual way, for example via chiller, cold storage or storage effect of goods therein, be realized, the use of cold storage 7 is preferred, in particular latent heat storage. A latent heat storage is a device that can hide thermal energy, low loss, with many repetitive cycles and can store for a long time. It uses so-called phase change materials (PCM), whose latent heat of fusion, heat of solution or heat of absorption is much greater than the heat that they due to their normal specific

Heat capacity (without the phase conversion effect) can save. Preferably, PCM filled with paraffin storage elements are used, for. B .: a PCM, which is to keep the temperature in the container in the range 2 - 8 ° C a

Having melting point of 4 ° C. PCM's serve as a buffer against unwanted cooling and heating. The latent heat storage are removably mounted in the room for the goods, z. B.: In holders in the form of rails 71. The used memory can thus be replaced with the regenerated.

Preferably, the space for goods is designed and dimensioned such that international standard pallets (US, Asia, Europe) are insertable and leachable therein.

Regardless of the design of the transport box is also quite generally the

Wall construction of a thermally insulated transport container claimed, with a thermal insulation used between two walls, which is characterized in that are provided as walls sandwich plastic plates, with a honeycomb core, which is welded on both sides with a cover layer, wherein the honeycomb core and the cover layers of a thermoplastic material, preferably PP, where preferably

- Vakuumisolierpaneele are provided as a thermal insulation;

- the sandwich plastic plates only made of thermoplastic material,

preferably PP exist;

- The one or both cover layers and / or the honeycomb core fiber reinforced, in particular glass or carbon fiber reinforced and / or have such a cover and / or intermediate layer;

- The honeycomb core is materially homogeneously connected to the outer layers by means of melt-lamination; and or

- The thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation 0.002 - 0.009 W / m K is.

In connection with the above embodiment of the transport box, but also generally in a transport box with walls and several voltage applied to the walls Vakuumisolierpaneelen as thermal insulation, claimed that the Vakuumisolierpaneele each have a vacuum detector for monitoring the air pressure in the respective

Vakuumisolierpaneel, each vacuum detector comprises a digital circuit with its own address, which is readable via a data bus; all vacuum detectors are connected to a data bus; and

a readout unit is connected to the data bus such that the air pressure can be continuously or upon user request from all vacuum detectors. This makes it possible to monitor the sensitive vacuum insulation panels for leaks without having to expensively remove and examine them. Due to the many vacuum insulation panels installed in a transport box, direct wiring of each individual detector to the readout unit would be too expensive. A data bus therefore connects all vacuum insulation panels in a simple way

Plug connections to be provided on each vacuum insulation panel or detector. The readout unit may also be part of the communication means described above. The readout unit indicates which vacuum insulation panels are defective and must be replaced. Preferably, the readout unit is such that it can be read only by authorized persons, eg. Example: by means of a key, a device that can be connected to the reader, whether by cable or wireless, such as radio or IR.

Preferably, a strain gauge (DMS) applied to the vacuum insulation panel is a vacuum detector for monitoring the air pressure in the respective one

Vakuumisolierpaneel provided. As the air pressure in the vacuum insulation panel increases, the enveloping film changes, which is registered as resistance change by the DMS applied / bonded to the film. It can also be applied directly to the sensor, a special transponder, which includes both the measuring bridge circuit / amplifier and storage unit and transmitting / receiving antenna. Supply voltage for the

Measuring bridge circuit as well as control signals can now be transmitted externally by means of a transmitting / receiving unit and corresponding measuring signals are received in the same way. This embodiment is described for example in DE 101 59 518.

In connection with the above embodiment of the transport box, but also generally recognized in a transport box with walls or doors and claimed that the

Sandwich plastic plates with their honeycomb core can also serve as bearings for swiveling elements. For this purpose, cylindrical recesses are provided in the honeycomb core, which extend in the plane of the honeycomb core, preferably over the entire length of the honeycomb core, wherein in the recesses mounting swivel or

Locking elements are rotatably inserted. It is therefore possible to put hinges, axles or door locks in the wall. Normally, it is necessary to put appropriate bearings for axles on the wall, which takes space and weight.

Although the lightweight honeycomb core seems to be less stable at first glance, it is sufficiently strong when an axle is over a greater length or the entire length of the honeycomb core or the wall / door extends. In this case, the honeycomb core directly form the bearing for the pivotable element lying therein or the bearing is formed by a thin-walled sleeve inserted into the honeycomb core.

The container preferably has the following dimensions, in particular when used as an air transport container:

• height: 1 .300 - 1,600 mm;

• Width 800 - 2,000 mm;

• depth 1 .400 - 1,800 mm;

• thickness of the sandwich plastic panel (inner housing) 10- 20 mm;

· Thickness of sandwich plastic panel (outer shell) 10-50 mm;

• Distance between inside and outside housing: 25 - 80 mm; and or

• thermal conductivity of thermal insulation: 0.002 - 0.009 W / mK

These dimensions allow international standard pallets (US, Asia, Europe) in the

Transport container can be accommodated.

If the thickness of the sandwich plastic plate of the inner case is smaller than the thickness of the sandwich plastic plate of the outer case, weight is saved since the

Requirements for the stability of the outer housing are higher.

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. Likewise, according to the invention, the features mentioned above and even further can be used individually or in any desired combinations with one another. The mentioned embodiments are not exhaustive and have exemplary character.

Fig. 1 shows a sealed with a door 5 according to the invention thermally insulated transport container 1 in one embodiment as an air freight refrigerated container. The self-supporting outer casing 1 a is formed by walls 3 a of sandwich plastic plates with a honeycomb core, which is welded on both sides with a cover layer, wherein the honeycomb core and the cover layers made of the thermoplastic material PP. The structure of the sandwich plastic plates is not shown in the figures. neighboring

Sandwich plastic plates 3a are along their common edge 32 and / or corner 31 secured and sealed together by welding. The container is closed by a door 5.

Fig. 2 shows the container of Fig. 1 in section through door 5 and housing 1 a, 1 b. The thermally insulated transport container 1 has a two-shell housing 1 a, 1 b to form a space 2 for goods. The self-supporting outer casing 1 a consists of along at their common edge 32 and corner 31 welded sandwich plastic plates 3 a. Therein is the self-supporting inner housing 1 b formed in the same way, welded together along its common edge 32 or corner 31

Sandwich plastic plates 3b. In this case, the inner housing 1 b forms the space 2 for goods and is arranged at a distance from the outer housing 1 a in the outer housing. The space between the inner and outer casing is 4 with thermal insulation, here numerous

Vacuum insulation panels (VIP), filled. The Vakuumisolierpaneele 4 are fixed in the outer housing 1 a. In the Vakuumisolierpaneele 4, the inner housing 1 b is used.

The walls 3 thus consist essentially of two layers of the sandwich plastic plates 3a, 3b with thermal insulation 4 made of VIP lying therebetween.

The space 2 contains as a cooling accumulator numerous latent heat accumulator 7, which are removably inserted into holders in the form of rails 71. It is a matter of

Standard products, which are therefore available in numerous variants and cost-effective.

Fig. 3 shows the container 1 with 270 ° unfolded door 5. Interior doors 5a consist of struts 52, which serve in part as rails for inserting the latent heat accumulator 7. As a result, these are decoupled from the heat-insulating door 5, which is therefore particularly light and only needs a weakly dimensioned joint.

Airline rails 8 on the bottom of the room formed by the inner housing 1 b allow secure attachment of goods placed in standard containers in the room 2.

Fig. 4 shows the outer housing with vacuum panels 4 mounted therein, which are visible because of the unused inner housing 1 b. The Vakuumisolierpaneele 4 carry on their outer wall each have a vacuum detector, here in the form of a

Strain gage 6 (DMS) for monitoring the air pressure in the respective Vakuumisolierpaneel have. Not shown here is that each vacuum detector comprises a digital circuit with its own address, which is readable via a data bus and all vacuum detectors are connected to a data bus; and a readout unit is connected to the data bus such that the air pressure can be continuously or upon user request from all vacuum detectors retrieved.

Claims

claims

1 . Thermally insulated transport container (1)

with a housing (1 a, 1 b) for forming a space (2) for goods, with walls (3, 3a, 3b) and a thermal insulation (4) applied to the walls, characterized in that as walls (3, 3a , 3b) Sandwich plastic plates are provided with a

Honeycomb core, which is welded on both sides, each with a cover layer, wherein the honeycomb core and the cover layers of a thermoplastic material, preferably PP exist.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that adjacent

Sandwich plastic panels (3a and 3b), in particular along their edges (32) and / or corner (31), secured by welding together and preferably sealed, wherein preferably the welding is carried out by fusion welding, hot air welding or plastic extrusion welding

3. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport container (1) is constructed frameless, wherein the interconnected sandwich plastic plates (3a and 3b) form a self-supporting housing (1 a and 1 b), preferably no further Bracing elements next to the

Sandwich plastic panels and preferably the thermal insulation (4) and / or a door reinforcement for a door (5) are provided.

4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

Vakuumisolierpaneele as thermal insulation (4) are provided.

5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the walls (3a and 3b) have two layers of sandwich plastic plates with intervening, in particular adjacent thermal insulation (4), preferably a self-supporting outer casing (1 a) of welded sandwich plastic plates and a, preferably self-supporting,

Inner housing (1 b) is provided of welded sandwich plastic plates, wherein the inner housing (1 b) forms the space for goods and at a distance from the outer housing (1 a) is arranged in the outer housing, wherein the space between Inner and outer housing is filled with the thermal insulation (4), wherein further preferably the insulation surface or in sections or points in the

External housing (1 a) is fixed and further preferably, the inner housing (1 a) is inserted into the insulation (4).

6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sandwich plastic plates consist exclusively of thermoplastic material, preferably PP.

7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or both cover layers and / or the honeycomb core fiber-reinforced, in particular glass or carbon fiber reinforced and / or such cover and / or

Have intermediate layer

and or

the honeycomb core is materially homogeneously bonded to the cover layers by means of melt lamination.

8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation: 0.002 - 0.009 W / m K.

9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

within the outer housing (1 a) communication means are provided for data transmission, which preferably comprise integrated sensors (6) or connected to these or connectable, wherein preferably further as sensors GPS for location, sensors for temperature control and / or

Vacuum detectors (6) for monitoring the air pressure in the

Vakuumisolierpaneelen are provided.

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door reinforcement comprises a profile, in particular a frame formed therefrom, made of a light metal alloy, in particular aluminum, which is attached to the outer housing and the inner housing and connects them together.

1 1. Wall construction of a thermally insulated transport container (1) having a thermal insulation (4) inserted between two walls (3a, 3b), characterized in that sandwich plastic plates are provided as walls (3a, 3b)

Honeycomb core, which is welded on both sides with a respective cover layer, wherein the honeycomb core and the cover layers of a thermoplastic material, preferably PP, consist, wherein preferably - vacuum insulation panels are provided as a thermal insulation (4); -

Sandwich plastic plates consist exclusively of thermoplastic material, preferably PP;

- the one or both cover layers and / or the honeycomb core fiber-reinforced,

in particular glass or carbon fiber reinforced and / or have such a cover and / or intermediate layer;

- The thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation 0.002 - 0.009 W / m K is

12. Thermoisolierter transport container (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims 1 -10 with a housing (1 a, 1 b) to form a space for goods, with walls (3a, 3b) and more adjacent to the walls

Vacuum insulation panels (4) as a thermal insulation, characterized in that the vacuum insulation panels (4) each have a vacuum detector (6) for monitoring the air pressure in the respective vacuum insulation panel, each vacuum detector comprising a digital circuit with its own address, which can be read out via a data bus;

all vacuum detectors are connected to a data bus; and

a readout unit is connected to the data bus such that the air pressure can be continuously or upon user request from all vacuum detectors.

13. Wall (3a, 3b) or door (5) of a thermally insulated transport container (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims 1 -10 or 12, being provided as walls or doors sandwich plastic plates, with a honeycomb core, which on both sides with one each Cover layer is welded, wherein the honeycomb core and the cover layers of a thermoplastic material, preferably PP, consist, characterized in that in the honeycomb core cylindrical recesses are provided, which extend in the plane of the honeycomb core, preferably over the entire length of the honeycomb core, wherein the recesses mounting swivel or

Locking elements are rotatably inserted.