EP3687922B1 - Transport container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transport container, in particular for the passive refrigerated transport of drugs and / or food.

Various transport containers of the type in question are known from the prior art. They are used, for example, to organize the transport of pharmaceutical goods in the goods distribution cycle of the pharmaceutical industry. In technical jargon, such a transport system is called a "Returnable Domestic Shipper" (RDS; RDS box). The basic component of such a transport container is ultimately a container which has a base, a jacket and a lid. Such a container can be cubic or cuboid. Then the coat has longitudinal walls and transverse walls. The container can also be made cylindrical or tubular. In this embodiment, the jacket again has a cylindrical shape. The jacket can be made in one piece with the floor. The lid is designed so that the interior of the container is accessible from the outside.

Transport containers of the type in question are thermally insulated containers. The following two embodiments are known, inter alia. On the one hand, the container can be designed in one piece and consist of a thermally insulated material or have thermally insulated walls. On the other hand, at least one thermal insulation element can be arranged in the container.

With such transport containers, temperature-sensitive goods can be transported. This is understood to mean goods that are sensitive to fluctuations in the temperature in the interior of the container. This includes drugs or pharmaceuticals, food, biotechnological products, test equipment and samples for and from clinical studies, transplant goods and blood products. In this field of application, the optimal transport and storage temperature that must be strictly adhered to is, for example, between 2 ° C and 8 ° C.

Often these transported goods are only stable in a very narrow temperature range. These goods must therefore be transported and stored in such a temperature range. In addition, such products, which are very sensitive to the transport temperature, must not freeze under any circumstances. Temperatures below 0 ° C must then be safely avoided.

From the EP 2 700 891 A2 a transport container is known which has an outer container made of a stiff, resistant material which consists of a trough-shaped lower part having a base and a jacket and a lid closing the lower part on the open side. The outer container and its cover can for example consist of thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material, but also of metal or composite materials. The lid can be placed loosely on the lower part, but it can also be hinged on one side via corresponding hinge elements and, if necessary, can be closed in any way on the opposite side.

It is also known that a trough-shaped inner container is provided in the outer container, which is inserted into the lower part of the outer container and has an inner base and an inner casing or an inner wall. The inner container forms an upwardly open receiving space for goods to be transported. This inner container, which can also be referred to as an "inliner", can itself consist of a stiff, resistant material, that is to say of a material similar to the outer container. It is preferably made of thermally insulating material.

The dimensions of the inner container of the known transport container must be smaller than the lower part of the outer container for insertion into the outer container, so that there is a gap between the inner container and the outer container on the jacket and also on the bottom. In this distance are both on the floor and on the walls of the jacket between the Inner container and outer container appropriately sized vacuum insulation panels are arranged. At the upper edge of the inner container has a circumferential collar that extends outwardly beyond the inner casing and by means of which the distance between the inner container and the outer container is covered so that no foreign bodies can enter from above.

In the receiving space of the inner container, a plate-shaped latent heat storage element is arranged on the inner bottom, the outer dimensions of which can correspond to the inner dimensions of the inner bottom in the receiving space, that is, its clear length and its clear width.

the EP 2 883 812 A1 discloses a transport container with an outer container and an inner container, vacuum insulation panels and latent heat accumulators being arranged between the outer container and the inner container. The side walls of the outer container each have a pocket into which the vacuum insulation panels and the latent heat accumulators can be inserted.

the U.S. 5,899,088 A discloses a transport container with an outer container and an inner container, the outer container having an insulating layer made of vacuum insulation panels and a plurality of thermal insulation elements being arranged between the inner container and the outer container.

the EP 2 374 443 A1 discloses a transport container with an outer container which is lined with foam panels, vacuum insulation panels and latent heat accumulators.

the US 2011/0147391 A1 discloses a transport container with an outer container and an inner container, vacuum insulation panels and latent heat accumulators being arranged between the inner container and the outer container.

the WO 2008/137883 A1 discloses a transport container with an outer container which is lined with vacuum insulation panels and latent heat accumulators.

The documents WO 2017/207974 A1 , EP 3 249 324 A1 , DE 20 2016 001 097 U1 , FR 2 697 809 A1 and EP 3 456 654 A1 disclose further transport containers.

A latent heat storage element contains a latent heat storage material. A latent heat storage material has the advantage that it can be used to store relatively large amounts of heat in a small temperature range. Since the phase transition takes place at an essentially constant temperature over a certain period of time, it is possible to compensate for temperature fluctuations and to avoid temperature peaks. Latent heat storage materials are known in various forms. These materials are also called phase change material or, from the English terminology, PCM (phase change material). Typically, the phase transition temperature range is not defined for phase change materials, but a phase transition temperature within the phase transition temperature range. The phase transition temperature usually represents a target temperature to which the phase transition material is to be tempered, that is to say the working point, so to speak. If you are at a target temperature of around 0 ° C, you can use water with various additives as a latent heat storage material. For cold storage below 0 ° C z. B. appropriately prepared salt solutions are used. In the range just above 0 ° C, other materials, e.g. B. those based on paraffins, more suitable.

In the arrangement of the latent heat storage element, also known as a PCM element, known from the prior art, it is provided that this is precisely matched to the interior of the inner container and at the same time should also be removable from the interior.

The known, previously explained transport container has a comparatively complex design. The elaborate design also results from the fact that different latent heat storage elements are used in the inner container, which differ from one another by their geometric shape and are precisely matched to one another. Different shapes and sizes of latent heat storage elements must therefore be kept available and each individually - matched and / or adapted to one another - inserted into the inner container. Such a system is comparatively complex and expensive for the goods cycle, which is designed to be as efficient as possible - for example in the area of pharmaceutical products, but also in the area of transporting food.

Another disadvantage of the known design of the container is that the latent heat storage elements can be damaged comparatively easily. Each time the transported goods are removed from the container, the latent heat storage elements are exposed to high stresses. In addition, when the transported goods are removed from the transport container, care must always be taken that, on the one hand, the latent heat storage elements are not damaged. On the other hand, it must be taken into account that the PCM elements are securely held or fixed in their position.

The teaching of the present invention is therefore based on the problem of designing and developing the transport container of the type in question in such a way that it can be adapted more flexibly to the intended use, with the aim of improving the handling of the transport container.

The present invention is disclosed in claim 1. Preferred configurations and developments are the subject of the subclaims relating to the transport container.

According to the invention, a transport container, in particular for the passive refrigerated transport of drugs and / or food, is provided according to claim 1, which has an outer container and an inner container which can be inserted into the outer container and removed from the outer container. The outer container has an outer container base and an outer container wall. The inner container in turn has an inner container base and an inner container wall. The inner container forms an upwardly open inner container space for goods to be transported. A distance is provided between the inner container and the outer container on the outer container wall and on the outer container base. At least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is arranged between the inner container and the outer container, in particular the outer container wall. Furthermore, at least one removable PCM element is arranged between the inner container and the outer container, in particular the thermal insulation element. On an upper edge, the inner container has a circumferential collar extending outwardly beyond the inner container wall. The transport container according to the invention has an inner container support on which the collar of the inner container rests in the inserted state.

In the context of the present invention, the property “removable” is to be understood as meaning that the corresponding component can be removed and reinserted without damaging itself or other components.

For vacuum insulation panels within the meaning of the present invention, the prior art from the EP 2 700 891 A2 and the DE 20 2014 004 515 U1 to get expelled. There, examples for the design of vacuum insulation panels are given. Further information on vacuum insulation panels can also be found in the WO 2004/104498 A2 .

According to the invention, the PCM element can also be referred to as a latent heat storage element. In the following, these terms are used synonymously in particular.

A latent heat storage element or a PCM element according to the present invention is a latent heat storage material in a closed envelope, optionally also provided with a pressure compensation valve. It is preferably a macro-encapsulated latent heat storage material. However, microencapsulated latent heat storage materials can also be used. The casing is often made of plastic. The basic construction is known, for example, from so-called "cold packs".

Such latent heat storage elements or PCM elements can be viewed individually or as a plurality of latent heat storage elements built into a corresponding container, for example.

PCM elements of the type in question are now available for a wide range of target temperatures. Latent heat storage elements or PCM elements are in particular for target temperatures of 37 ° C, 22 ° C, 18 ° C, 5 ° C, 0 ° C, -19 ° C, -21 ° C, -26 ° C and -37 ° C usable.

In the context of the present invention, passive refrigerated transport is to be understood as a transport of goods to be transported in which no “active” cooling is provided. According to the invention, the goods to be transported are cooled "passively" by the transport container, to which no auxiliary energy, in particular electrical, auxiliary energy is supplied from outside during transport. Ultimately, the cooling or the thermal insulation is provided by the design and the materials of the transport container.

The outer container is preferably made of a stiff, resistant material.

It is essential to the invention that the removable PCM element is arranged between the inner container and the outer container. This arrangement enables protection of the PCM element and a flexible, highly modular and Use of the entire transport container that can be individually adapted to the respective transport route.

According to the invention it has been found that the entire process of transporting goods to be transported can be simplified by arranging the latent heat storage element or the PCM element in this regard. A number of advantages develop in connection with the transport container according to the invention, which are discussed below.

What is particularly advantageous in the embodiment according to the invention is that there is an abundance of possible variations, whereby the thermal requirements that are placed on the transport container can always be met, depending on the respective application or purpose.

It is particularly advantageous that the inner container can be removed together, in particular alone, with the transported goods to remove the transported goods. In particular, no thermal insulation elements and / or PCM elements are arranged in the inner container. In particular, the inner container is not connected to thermal insulation elements and / or PCM elements. The sender or recipient of the goods to be transported can therefore easily transport the goods in and with the inner container. When transporting the goods to be transported, it can consequently be ensured, even after removal from the outer container, that the goods to be transported are in particular not exposed to external influences directly, in particular with the inner container space being closed.

For example, the drug and / or the food (transported goods) in the inner container can be fed to a separate cooling circuit, which can also be configured as an active cooling circuit. In particular, the goods to be transported in the inner container can be transported to the outer container with active cooling.

The inner container can be inserted into an outer container as often as desired in order to increase the performance, in particular the transport range.

After the inner container has been removed from the outer container, the outer container can be transported further and / or sent back to the sender together with the PCM element (s) and in particular the thermal insulation element (s). This proves to be advantageous in that the goods to be transported with the inner container can be handed over to the recipient without the, in particular expensive, PCM elements having to be handed over.

In addition, a large number of different inner containers (one after the other) can be arranged in an outer container to form "new" transport containers. This significantly simplifies the transport of temperature-sensitive goods.

In addition, the invention is advantageously characterized in that, on the one hand, the PCM element is protected from wear and mechanical stress and, on the other hand, has no direct contact with the goods to be transported due to the spacing over the inner container. This particularly facilitates the hygiene and keeping the inner container space clean.

Furthermore, if the material of the PCM element leaks, for example, contact with the goods to be transported or vice versa can be avoided. This significantly increases the safety and protection of the goods being transported when the goods are being transported.

By using the PCM element according to the invention, in particular the most efficient form of a heat storage element is used. In addition, the use of further heat storage elements is also conceivable, for example a heat storage element based on sensible heat, such as a cold pack and / or even a high-mass heat storage block (for example made of stone or fireclay).

The costs of the transport container according to the invention can be significantly reduced compared to the transport containers known from the prior art. On the one hand, the transport container can be used much longer, in particular because the PCM elements are arranged so that they are protected from wear. On the other hand, the costs can be reduced in that the entire structure of the transport container can be simplified and, in particular, has a more modular structure.

The inner container is preferably designed to be washable and / or suitable for use with food.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one thermal insulation element is arranged on the inside of the outer container bottom and / or on the inside of the outer container wall. It can preferably be provided that the at least one thermal insulation element rests against the inside of the outer container bottom or the outer container wall and / or interacts positively with the respective inside. Very particularly preferably, the thermal insulation element has a shape such that it rests at least essentially over the entire surface on the inside of the outer container wall and / or the outer container bottom. For example, it can be provided that the thermal insulation element, preferably the vacuum insulation panel, is removably arranged on the inside of the outer container bottom and / or the outer container wall. Alternatively, the thermal insulation element can be firmly connected to the inside of the outer container wall or the inside of the outer container bottom.

Furthermore, a removable PCM element can preferably be arranged and / or can be arranged between the inner container base and the outer container base. Alternatively or additionally, at least two, preferably four, removable PCM elements can be arranged and / or between the inner container wall and the outer container wall be able to be arranged. The aforementioned arrangement of the PCM elements enables the PCM elements to be exchanged in a simple manner. This is particularly advantageous if the transport container is to be adapted for different transport purposes or the different target temperatures. An exchange of damaged PCM elements is also made possible in a comparatively simple manner.

In particular, it is provided that a PCM element faces the outer container bottom, wherein the further PCM elements or the further PCM element can face the outer container wall. The design and arrangement of the PCM elements on the corresponding wall can be selected depending on the intended use and in particular the target temperature - according to the goods to be transported.

The PCM elements are preferably not readily accessible from the outside - i.e. starting from the inner container space. It can be provided, for example, that in order to “get” the PCM elements, the inner container together with the inner container wall must first be removed from the transport container. In this way, manipulation and / or damage to the PCM elements in the inserted state of the transport container is at least essentially reliably avoided.

Advantageously, the majority of the PCM elements and / or the thermal insulation elements, if they differ in mechanical terms, have at least approximately matching properties (in particular thermal properties).

In the case of the transport container described above, it can be provided in a further preferred embodiment that precisely one thermal insulation element, in particular precisely one vacuum insulation panel, is arranged between the inner container and the outer container. Exactly one heat insulation element can be located both between the inner container wall and the Outer container wall as well as between the inner container base and the outer container base extend, the precisely one thermal insulation element being folded and / or bent.

It is preferred if the thermal insulation element has at least essentially the shape of the outer container and / or is designed to correspond to the shape of the outer container and / or the inner container. The inner container can be designed in such a way that it can be inserted into the opening formed by the thermal insulation element. The thermal insulation element can in turn be inserted into the outer container. In particular, the insulation of the transport container can be improved by a "coherent" design of the thermal insulation element. Gaps or cracks, through which a - minor - temperature exchange could otherwise be made possible, are in particular avoided. A large area provided by the essentially one-piece thermal insulation element also enables good thermal insulation of the transport container. Also, especially with a one-piece design of the thermal insulation element, a modular, "disassemblable" transport container is provided and / or removal of the thermal insulation element is particularly easy to carry out without having to fear damage to the thermal insulation element (s).

The size of the inner container bottom surface is preferably at least 70% of the size of the outer container bottom surface. Due to the excellent insulating properties of vacuum insulation panels, it is possible to keep the space between the inner container bottom surface and the outer container bottom surface small, so that an inner container bottom surface that is similarly large compared to the outer container bottom surface is provided.

According to the invention it is provided that the inner container has a circumferential collar extending outward beyond the inner container wall at an upper edge and that the transport container has an inner container support on which the collar of the inner container rests in the inserted state.

Such a design can be provided in such a way that the collar has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inner container support. This enables the collar and the inner container support to snap into one another and / or to fit into one another.

It is preferably provided that the inner container support carries the inner container in the inserted state.

It is preferred if the inner container support in the inserted state is arranged on the thermal insulation element (s) and / or the PCM element (s) and / or on the outer container wall.

It is also preferred if the inner container support is firmly connected to the collar of the inner container. The inner container support is then designed as a component that can be detached from the outer container. The inner container support can in particular be connected to the collar with a material fit and / or a form fit and / or a material fit and / or a form fit with the inner container wall of the inner container.

The material of the inner container support can differ from the material of the collar, the inner container bottom and / or the inner container wall.

The shape of the inner container support and the shape of the collar of the inner container, at least that section which faces the inner container support in the inserted state, are in particular designed to correspond to one another. A connection between the collar and the inner container wall is designed in particular in such a way that the inner container space is aligned in the closed state of the transport container. It goes without saying that the entire collar does not necessarily have to adjoin the inner container support. Ultimately, it is particularly sufficient if the collar has a support section for arranging the inner container support. This support section of the collar can in particular have a shape corresponding and / or complementary to the inner container support.

It is particularly preferred if the inner container support, at least in sections, preferably on the support section facing the collar and / or to be arranged on the collar, has a stepped cross section.

The inner container support can encircle the outer container wall on the inside.

When the outer container wall runs around on the inside, it can be provided that the inner container support can adjoin and / or rest circumferentially on the inside of the outer container wall facing the inner container and / or on an upper edge of the outer container wall. On the inside of the outer container wall, a preferably circumferential projection and / or protruding collar can be provided to support the inner container support. In particular, the clear distance between the inner container and the outer container can be bridged via the inner container support, so that the inner container, preferably the collar of the inner container, indirectly via the inner container support with the outer container, in particular the inside of the outer container wall and / or the projection and / or protruding collar of the Outer container, is connected.

As a result of the step-shaped cross section, it can be achieved, for example, that the sealing function can be improved in the inserted state and in particular in the closed state of the transport container. It has been shown that the at least partially tight connection to the collar of the inner container support in the inserted state can be improved by the inner container support having at least some sections of it with a stepped cross-section. A, preferably form-fitting, arrangement of the inner container on the outer container can also be simplified by at least essentially precisely matching the step-shaped cross section of the inner container support.

Furthermore, in a further preferred embodiment it can be provided that a positioning device for the PCM element (s) is / are arranged between the outer container and the inner container. In particular, the positioning device can be arranged between the thermal insulation element (s) and the inner container bottom. For handling, it is particularly advantageous if the positioning device is designed to be removable. The positioning device serves to position and hold the PCM elements and enables the latent heat storage elements to be easily inserted into the outer container or on the inside of the outer container wall facing the inner container. The positioning device also helps stabilize the PCM elements and reduce thermal bridges.

The positioning device can be designed in such a way that it also serves or contributes to the positioning and / or protection of the thermal insulation element (s).

The positioning device can be designed, for example, as a plate-shaped placeholder that can be placed on the outer container bottom, in particular wherein the positioning device has a plate-shaped base plate. Furthermore, the positioning device can have a, preferably circumferential, protruding leg, in particular wherein the leg protrudes from the base plate and / or the distance between the outer edge of the base plate and the leg can at least substantially correspond to the thickness or width of the PCM element. The basic shape of the positioning device, in particular the base plate, can in particular correspond to the shape of the outer container bottom.

In addition, in a further preferred embodiment of the inventive concept, it can be provided that the transport container has a lid for closing the transport container.

Preferably, exactly one cover is provided for closing the outer container and the inner container. The precisely one cover can ensure that both the inner container and the outer container can be sealed in the inserted state, so that the transport container can provide the required thermal insulation properties. By arranging the lid on or on the inner container as well as on or on the outer container, it can be ensured that both the inner container and the outer container can be closed at the same time at least essentially safely by the lid.

Alternatively, the lid - as seen as a "lid system" - have an inner container lid to close the inner container and a separate outer container lid to close the outer container, the inner container lid on the inner container, in particular the collar of the inner container, and / or the first to close the transport container Inner container support is arranged and thus closes the inner container. The outer container lid is then arranged on the outer container, in particular the upper edge of the outer container, and can thus close it. The inner container lid and the outer container lid can adjoin one another and / or be arranged next to one another in the closed state of the transport container. The inner container lid and the outer container lid can preferably engage in one another in a form-fitting manner and / or lock into one another.

The lid, in particular the inner container lid, preferably rests on the inner container support and / or the collar of the inner container in the closed state of the transport container. It is preferred here if the lid, in particular the inner container lid, has a closure device which is complementary to the inner container support. In particular, it is provided that the closure device is also arranged on the collar of the inner container and closes and / or seals it in the inserted state and in the closed state of the transport container. The closure device can be provided at least substantially circumferentially on the edge of the cover. It can be provided that the closure device has a shape corresponding and / or complementary to the cross section, in particular to the stepped cross section of the inner container support.

The lid, in particular the inner container lid and / or the outer container lid, can be designed in one piece or in several pieces.

In a further preferred embodiment it can be provided that at least one thermal insulation element, preferably a vacuum insulation panel, is arranged and / or enclosed on the cover, in particular in the inner container cover. The thermal insulation element can be framed and / or enclosed in a body of the inner container lid and / or the outer container lid. The thermal insulation element can be connected to the body of the inner container lid and / or the outer container lid in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one latching means can be provided on the outer container lid, which is designed for positive interaction with another latching means on the outside of the outer container wall facing away from the inner container. The lid can thus be arranged securely and, in particular, in a form-fitting manner on the outer container. The latching means and the further latching means can be designed to correspond and / or complement one another. For example, the latching means can be designed as an opening and the further latching means as a projection for engaging the opening of the latching means, or vice versa.

Furthermore, the lid can be sealable with the inner container. Sealing the lid with the inner container is particularly advantageous for the transport of the goods to be transported in that the goods to be transported can be protected. A manipulation of the goods in transit can at least be discovered or recognized in this way. If a seal had been broken, it would be clear to those who remove the transported goods that the inner container has been opened. A check as to whether there was access to the transported goods during the transport can be carried out in this way.

Expanded polypropylene, EPP, expanded polystyrene, EPS, extruded polystyrene, XPS, and / or or polyurethane, PUR, may be provided. The aforementioned devices can consist of this material or have this material. In particular, the material is characterized by a good thermal insulation effect, which improves the overall thermal insulation of the transport container.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the inner container has a removable partition to subdivide the inner container space into two separate chambers. The partition wall can make it possible for the inner container space to be divided into two sections for receiving goods to be transported. This is shown to be particularly advantageous when two types of transport goods are to be transported which are not intended to come into contact with one another or are not intended to be in contact with one another. If, for example, two different pharmaceuticals are being transported, one pharmaceutical can each be placed in a chamber of the inner container space.

The transport container preferably has a further inner container which can be inserted into the outer container and removed from the outer container. The further inner container forms a further inner container space, which is open at the top, for goods to be transported. On the outer container wall and on the outer container base, there is a gap between the further inner container and the outer container. In this distance between the other In particular, at least one removable PCM element can be arranged in the inner container and the outer container.

It goes without saying that, according to the invention, the described preferred configurations of the inner container can also be provided in the same way for the further inner container.

According to the invention, it is not excluded that a plurality of further inner containers is provided which can be inserted into the outer container. Ultimately, the inner container can also be designed in several parts. A plurality of (further) inner containers can provide separate chambers, which in turn can serve to accommodate, in particular different types of, goods to be transported.

The transport container can have a measuring device for checking and / or measuring the temperature in the inner container space. In particular, the measuring device has a temperature sensor. The measuring device can, for example, be coupled and / or connected to a display device in such a way that the temperature in the inner container space can be displayed on or on the display device. The display device can for example be arranged on the outside of the transport container, so that when the transport container is closed, the temperature in the inner container space can be displayed to third parties on the outside without the need to open the transport container.

Another aspect, which is not claimed, relates to a method for transporting goods to be transported. In particular, pharmaceuticals and / or food are provided as transport goods.

In the process, the goods to be transported are transported with several transport containers. Each transport container has an outer container which has an outer container base and an outer container wall. An inner container of the transport container is also provided, which can be inserted into the outer container and removed from the outer container. The inner container has an inner container base and an inner container wall. The inner container forms an upwardly open inner container space for the goods to be transported. There is a gap between the inner container and the outer container on the outer container wall and on the outer container base. At least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is arranged between the inner container and the outer container. At least one PCM element is arranged between the inner container and the outer container, in particular the thermal insulation element.

Very particularly preferably only transport containers of the type described above are used in the method. It goes without saying that the advantages discussed above and special designs of the transport container according to the invention also apply equally to the transport method. To avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference should be made to the previous statements.

In the method it is provided that the goods to be transported are first arranged in the inner container space of an inner container.

Said inner container can be closed with a lid. The said inner container can then be sealed with the lid. In addition, said inner container can be transported with the goods to be transported. The goods to be transported can be actively cooled.

After the goods to be transported have been arranged in the said inner container and, if necessary, after one or more of the optional steps described above, the said inner container is inserted into an outer container. Then the transport container with said inner container, said outer container and the goods to be transported is transported.

In particular after the transport, said inner container together with the goods to be transported is removed from said outer container. Later the said inner container together with the transported goods is inserted into another outer container. Then the transport container with said inner container, the other outer container and the goods to be transported can be transported.

The sequence discussed above shows the high degree of possible variation in the method and the transport container according to the invention. The main factor contributing to the high flexibility is that an inner container can be inserted one after the other into several outer containers to form a transport container, which proves to be advantageous in the logistics flow or for the transport of the goods to be transported.

The transport containers that are used in the method can differ with regard to the number of PCM elements and / or the phase change material of the PCM elements. For example, the different transport containers can have different thermal properties that are designed as a function of the respective transport route.

It is particularly preferably provided that the transport container and / or the transport container used in the method is designed as a stackable container. One possibility for stacking the transport container proves to be advantageous for the transport in that several transport containers can be arranged one above the other and in particular lie against one another or adjoin one another at least essentially in a non-slip manner.

Further features, advantages and areas of application of the present invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments on the basis of the figures themselves.

Fig. 1

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportbehälters;

Fig. 2

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht den Transportbehälter aus Fig. 1 in einem geöffneten Zustand;

Fig. 3

schematisch in einer Explosionsansicht den Transportbehälter aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

schematisch einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV des Transportbehälters aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

schematisch einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie V-V des Transportbehälters aus Fig. 1; und

Fig. 6

schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht den Transportbehälter aus Fig. 2 mit einem Transportgut.

In the following, the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only a preferred exemplary embodiment. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

schematically in a perspective view a preferred embodiment of a transport container according to the invention;

Fig. 2

schematically in a perspective view of the transport container Fig. 1 in an open state;

Fig. 3

schematically in an exploded view of the transport container Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

schematically shows a cross section along the line IV-IV of the transport container Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

schematically shows a cross section along the line VV of the transport container Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 6

schematically in a perspective view of the transport container Fig. 2 with a cargo.

Fig. 1 shows schematically in a perspective view a preferred embodiment of a transport container 1 according to the invention, which is provided in particular for the passive refrigerated transport of medicaments and / or foodstuffs, which can form a transport item 10. Figures 2 to 5 show further views of the transport container 1. So shows Fig. 2 the transport container 1 schematically in a perspective view in an open state (without a lid 6). Fig. 3 shows the transport container 1 schematically in an exploded view. Fig. 4 shows schematically a cross section along the line IV-IV of the transport container 1. Fig. 5 shows schematically a cross section along the line VV of the transport container 1.

A transport container 1 filled with a schematically indicated transport item 10 is shown in FIG Fig. 6 shown.

Figs. 1 to 6 show that the transport container 1 has an outer container 3. The outer container 3 has an outer container base 31 and an outer container wall 32.

Furthermore, the transport container 1 has an inner container 2 which can be inserted into the outer container 3 and removed from the outer container 3. The inner container 2 has an inner container base 21 and an inner container wall 22. The inner container 2 is designed in such a way that it forms an upwardly open inner container space 23 for goods 10 to be transported.

In the in Fig. 6 The preferred embodiment shown is provided that the transported goods 10 are arranged in the inner container space 23.

the end Fig. 4 it can be seen that there is a spacing 7 on the outer container wall 32 and on the outer container bottom 31 between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3. In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown here, the distance 7 indicates the clear distance between the outer container 3 and the inner container 2. The distance 7 starts from the inside of the outer container wall 32, which faces the inner container 2, and ends at the outside of the inner container wall 22, which faces the outer container 3. The distance 7 is ultimately obtained in the "assembled" state of the transport container 1, in which the inner container 2 is inserted into the outer container 3.

In Fig. 5 the distance 7 is also shown. The inner container 2 is therefore not in direct contact with the outer container wall 32 in the inserted state.

Next is in the Fig. 4 and 5 shown that between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3 at least one thermal insulation element 4 is arranged. In the in Fig. 4 and 5 The illustrated and preferred embodiment is the thermal insulation element 4 between the inner container 2, more precisely or in particular between the outer side of the inner container wall 22 facing the outer container 3 and the inner side of the outer container wall 32 as well as the outer side of the inner container bottom 21 facing the outer container 3 and the inner side of the outer container bottom 32 , arranged.

The variant is not shown in which at least one thermal insulation element 4 is arranged either on the inside of the outer container bottom 31 or on the inside of the outer container wall 32.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the thermal insulation element 4 is designed as a vacuum insulation panel.

In addition, the sectional views according to FIGS Fig. 4 and 5 that between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3 at least one removable PCM element 5 is arranged and can be arranged. The PCM element 5 can in particular be arranged between the inner container 2 and the thermal insulation element 4, as is also the case in the preferred exemplary embodiment according to the sectional views of FIG Fig. 4 and 5 is shown.

In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, it is provided that a plurality of PCM elements 5 are present. In particular, the PCM elements have at least essentially the same phase change material.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, exactly one removable PCM element 5 is arranged between the inner container base 21 and the outer container base 31.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that between the inner container wall 22 and the outer container wall 32 at least two removable PCM elements 5 are arranged and / or can be arranged. At the in Fig. 3 The illustrated schematic exploded view of the components of the preferred embodiment shows that six removable PCM elements 5 are arranged in the “inserted state” between the inner container wall 22 and the outer container wall 32. However, it is particularly preferred if exactly four removable PCM elements 5 are arranged between the inner container wall 22 and the outer container wall 32 in the "inserted state".

Furthermore, the Fig. 3 schematically that exactly one thermal insulation element 4 is arranged between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3. The thermal insulation element 4 is in the in Fig. 3 illustrated and preferred embodiment designed as a vacuum insulation panel.

In particular, it is provided that precisely one vacuum insulation panel 4 extends between the inner container wall 22 and the outer container wall 32 and between the inner container base 21 and the outer container base 31, the vacuum insulation panel 4 being folded or bent in the transition area from the outer container base 31 to the outer container wall 32.

Exactly one thermal insulation element 4 corresponds in its shape at least essentially to the shape of the outer container 3 or the inner container 2, so that ultimately the outer container 3 is spaced from the inner container 2 via the thermal insulation element 4, the thermal insulation element 4 being insertable into the outer container 3 , in particular can be removed from the outer container 3.

The thermal insulation element 4 very particularly preferably adjoins the outer container wall 32 and / or the outer container bottom 31 at least substantially.

In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the thermal insulation element 4 has an at least substantially U-shaped cross section.

From the Figures 2 to 6 It can be seen that, in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the inner container 2 has an upper edge 25 which is adjoined by a collar 26. The collar 26 extends outward beyond the inner container wall 22 and thus projects beyond the inner container wall 22. The collar 26 is angled with respect to the inner container wall 22 and forms an angle between 70 ° to 110 ° with the inner container wall 22. The collar 26 runs around the inner container wall 22.

The transport container 1 also comprises an inner container support 8, which is shown in FIG Fig. 3 is shown. The collar 26 of the inner container 2 rests on the inner container support 8 in the inserted state. In particular, the inner container support 8 can be designed as a separate component which can be detachably and / or firmly connected to the inner container 2 and / or the collar 26.

When the inner container 2 is inserted into the outer container 3, the inner container support 8 can rest, at least in sections, on the outer container 3 and / or adjoin the outer container 3, as in FIG Fig. 4 and 5 is shown. In order to support the inner container support 8 at least in sections, a, preferably circumferential, projection and / or a collar can be arranged on the outer container wall 32.

It is particularly preferable for the inner container support 8 to be designed circumferentially and, in particular, to be arranged circumferentially on the collar 26 of the inner container 2.

In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the inner container 2 is supported by the inner container support 8 in the inserted state.

From the Fig. 4 and 5 it can be seen that the inner container support 8 in the inserted state is arranged on PCM elements 5 and on and on the outer container wall 32. It is not shown that the inner container support 8 can be arranged on the thermal insulation element 4 in the inserted state.

From the sectional views of Fig. 4 and 5 it can be seen that the inner container support 8 has a stepped cross-section at least in sections and the outer container wall 32 runs around the inside. A "revolving" of the outer container wall 32 is based, for example, on FIG Fig. 2 emerged.

In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, a positioning device 9 for the PCM elements 5 is present. The positioning device 9 here has an at least substantially rectangular base plate, the shape of which at least substantially corresponds to the shape of the outer container bottom 31. The positioning device 9 here also has a circumferential leg protruding from the base plate, which is spaced from the outer edge of the base plate. This leg can be used to plant the PCM elements 5.

Fig. 3 shows that in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the transport container 1 has a lid 6 for closing the transport container 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 6 is designed as a system or from various components. Thus, here the lid 6 has an outer container lid 34 for closing the outer container 3 and an inner container lid 24 for closing the inner container 2.

In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the lid 6, in particular the inner container lid 24, rests on the inner container support 8 and the collar 26 of the inner container 2 in the closed state of the transport container 1. In particular, the cover 6, especially the inner container cover 24, has a support 8 that is complementary to the inner container support Closure device 61 on. The closure device 61 has a shape corresponding to the inner container support 8, specifically such that the closure device 61 can be arranged on the inner container support 8 at least in some areas with an accurate fit and / or form-fit.

The outer container lid 34 is located according to the in Fig. 5 The preferred embodiment shown at least in some areas on the outer container wall 32.

In the exploded view according to Fig. 3 it is shown that latching means that correspond to one another can be provided on the outer container wall 32 to close the outer container cover 34. In particular, the latching means can be designed to be complementary to one another. For example, at least one projection can be provided on the outer container wall 32 which is designed to snap into a corresponding opening on the outer container lid 34. In the closed state of the transport container 1, the latching means formed as a projection on the outer container wall 32 can latch and / or engage in a further latching means formed as an opening on the outer container cover 34 at least essentially in a form-fitting manner.

The latched or closed state of the outer container lid 34 is also shown in FIG Fig. 1 The outer container cover 34 is connected to the outer container wall 32 in a form-fitting manner, at least in sections.

Furthermore, from the exploded view according to FIG Fig. 3 shows that at least one thermal insulation element 4 - in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment a vacuum insulation panel 4 - is arranged on the cover 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum insulation panel 4 is part of the inner container cover 24, as is also from FIG Fig. 4 can be seen.

In the Fig. 3 it is shown that a cover 241 of the inner container lid 24 is provided for covering the vacuum insulation panels 4, as is also shown in FIG Fig. 4 and from the Fig. 5 can be seen. The cover 241 can be firmly, in particular positively and / or cohesively connected to the body of the inner container 24. The cover 241 can also be provided for arrangement on the inner container 2, in particular on the collar 26, and / or on the inner container support 8. the Fig. 4 shows that the cover 241 rests at least in sections on the collar 26 of the inner container 2.

What is not shown is that in a further embodiment it can be provided that the cover 6 is or forms a thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4.

Furthermore, it is not shown that the lid 6, in particular the inner container lid 24, can be sealed to the inner container 2.

In a further preferred embodiment, not shown, precisely one cover 6 is provided for closing the outer container 3 and the inner container 2. This cover 6 can in particular simultaneously seal the outer container 3 and the inner container 2.

In addition, in a further and preferred exemplary embodiment, which is not shown, it is provided that the inner container 2 has a removable partition in order to subdivide the inner container space 23 into two separate chambers. In particular, the partition can be positively connected to the inner side of the inner container wall 22 facing the inner container space 23.

Furthermore, it is not shown that in a further preferred embodiment the transport container 1 has a further inner container which can be inserted into the outer container 3 and removed from the outer container 3. In particular, the further inner container can together with the inner container 2 can be inserted into the outer container 3. The further inner container is preferably arranged on the inner container 2, so that both inner containers 2 at least substantially fill the outer container space 33.

The further inner container can in particular form a further inner container space that is open at the top. On the outer container wall 32 and on the outer container bottom 31 between the further inner container and the outer container 3, a spacing can be provided or present which can in particular correspond to the clear spacing 7 between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3.

In addition, it is not shown that the transport container 1, preferably, has a measuring device for measuring the temperature in the inner container space 23.

A method for transporting goods 10 to be transported is not shown and is not claimed, the method being carried out by means of a plurality of transport containers 1. The method can be used for the transport of pharmaceuticals and / or foodstuffs, which can form the transported goods 10.

Each transport container 1 used in the method has an outer container 3 which has an outer container base 31 and an outer container wall 32. An inner container 2 that can be inserted into the outer container 3 and removed from the outer container 3 has an inner container bottom 21 and an inner container wall 22. The inner container 2 forms an upwardly open inner container space 23 for the transported goods 10. On the outer container wall 32 and the outer container base 31 - between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3 - there is a gap 7. At least one thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is arranged between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3. At least one PCM element 5, which can in particular adjoin the thermal insulation element 4, is also arranged between the inner container 2 and the outer container 3.

It is particularly preferred if each transport container 1 used in the method is designed in accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment described above.

In the method it is provided that the goods to be transported 10 are initially arranged or inserted into the inner container space 23 of an inner container 2 at a starting location.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, said inner container 2 is closed with a lid 6, 24 of inner container 2. Thereafter, the said inner container 2 is transported in the closed state with the transported goods 10 to a loading location. The goods to be transported can be actively cooled.

Said inner container 2 is inserted into an outer container 3 at the loading location. At least one thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is arranged between said inner container 2 and said outer container 3. At least one PCM element 5 is also arranged between said inner container 2 and said outer container 3. Then the resulting transport container 1 with said inner container 2, said outer container 3 and the goods 10 to be transported is transported to an intermediate stop.

At the intermediate stop, said inner container 2 together with the transported goods 10 is removed from said outer container 3. Said inner container 2 together with the transported goods 10 is later inserted into another outer container 3. At least one thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is arranged between said inner container 2 and the other outer container 3. At least one PCM element 5 is also arranged between said inner container 2 and the other outer container 3. Then the resulting transport container 1 is with the said inner container 2, the other outer container 3 and the transported goods 10 are transported to a destination.

Ultimately, a plurality of outer containers 3 is used in the method, since a plurality of transport containers 1 is also used in the method. The same inner container 2 can be arranged in different outer containers 3, the transport goods 10 being or remaining in the inner container space 23 of this inner container 2.

Furthermore, it is preferred within the scope of the method if the transport containers 1 that are used within the method and differ with regard to the number of PCM elements 5 and / or the phase transition material of the PCM elements 5. In particular, depending on the transport route and / or the transport section, temperature control or cooling of the transported goods 10 can take place, since the transported goods 10 can always be arranged via the inner container 2 in a transport container 1 of this type, which is used for the cooling or temperature control of the transported goods 10 Has required thermal properties.

Ultimately, the method (not shown) enables the goods to be transported 10 to be arranged in different external containers 3 of a transport container 1 via the modularity of the inner container and outer container design. This achieves a high degree of flexibility in the method, with the transport of the goods 10 being able to be individually tailored to ambient temperatures, route sections and / or transport routes.

In a first transport section, a first target temperature can be specified for the goods 10 to be transported, with a second target temperature being able to be specified in a second transport section. Furthermore, both target temperatures in both outer containers 3 or in both transport containers 1 can in principle also be at least essentially the same, so that in particular, a longer period of cooling or temperature control is made possible.

List of reference symbols:

1. 1 transport container
2. 2 inner containers from 1
   • 21 Inner container bottom
   • 22 Inner container wall
   • 23 Inner container space
   • 24 inner container lids
   • 241 cover
   • 25 top margin
   • 26 collar
3. 3 outer containers of 1
   • 31 Outer container bottom
   • 32 Outer container wall
   • 33 Outer container space
   • 34 Outer container lid
4. 4 thermal insulation element from 1
5. 5 PCM element from 1
6. 6 lids of 1
   61 locking device
7. 7 Distance between 2 and 3
8. 8 Inner container support
9. 9 Positioning device
10. 10 Goods to be transported

Claims (13)

1. A transport container (1), in particular for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs,

   - having an external container (3) which has an external container base (31) and an external container wall (32);

   - having an internal container (2) which is able to be inserted into the external container (3) and retrieved from the external container (3) and which has an internal container base (21) and an internal container wall (22);

   wherein the internal container (2) forms an internal container space (23) for cargo (10) which is open toward the top;

   wherein on the external container wall (32) and on the external container base (31) a spacing (7) is present between the internal container (2) and the external container (3);

   wherein at least one thermal insulation element (4), in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container (2) and the external container (3), in particular the external container wall (32);

   wherein at least one retrievable PCM element (5) is disposed between the internal container (2) and the external container (3), in particular the thermal insulation element (4),

   characterized in that

   the internal container (2) on an upper periphery (25) has an encircling collar (26) that reaches outward beyond the internal container wall (22), and in that the transport container (1) has an internal container support (8) on which the collar (26) of the internal container (2) bears in the inserted state.
2. Transport container (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that exactly one thermal insulation element (4), in particular exactly one vacuum insulation panel, which extends between the internal container wall (22) and the external container wall (32) as well as between the internal container base (21) and the external container base (31) and is folded and/or bent, is disposed between the internal container (2) and the external container (3).
3. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container support (8) supports the internal container (2) in the inserted state.
4. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container support (8) in the inserted state is disposed on the thermal insulation element/elements (4) and/or the PCM element/elements (5) and/or on the external container wall (32).
5. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container support (8) is fixedly connected to the collar (26) of the internal container (2).
6. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container support (8) at least in portions has a stepped cross section.
7. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container support (8) encircles the external container wall (32) on the inside.
8. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably retrievable positioning installation (9) for the PCM element/elements (5) is disposed between the external container (3) and the internal container (2), in particular between the thermal insulation element/elements (4) and the internal container base (21).
9. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport container (1) has a lid (6) for closing the transport container (1), in particular exactly one lid (6) for closing the external container (3) and the internal container (2).
10. Transport container (1) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the lid (6) in the closed state of the transport container (1) bears on the internal container support (8) and/or the collar (26) of the internal container (2).
11. Transport container (1) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the lid (6) has a closure installation (61) that complements the internal container support (8).
12. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal container (2) for sub-dividing the internal container space (23) into two separate chambers has a retrievable divider.
13. Transport container (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport container (1) has a measuring installation for measuring the temperature in the internal container space (23).

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