ES2653955T3 - Insulated container and cargo cooling procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

Container or insulated room (100) comprising lateral walls (110, 120), a lower wall (130), an upper wall (140), a rear wall and a front wall, in which the walls each comprise a inner face (112, 122, 132, 142) and an outer face (111, 121, 131, 141) and an insulating layer (150) of insulating material between the inner face (112, 122, 132, 142) and the outer face (111, 121, 131, 141), the insulated container or room further comprising means (103) for distribution of the temperature control fluid for the distribution of the temperature control fluid within the container or room (100) isolated, in which the means (103) for distributing the temperature control fluid comprise at least two conduits (165, 175, 185, 195) adapted to guide the temperature control fluid along the walls (110, 120) lateral and each having at least one hole (164, 174, 184, 194) adapted for per mitigate a flow (40) of temperature control fluid from a side wall (110) of the container or room (100) to the other wall (120) of the container (100) or room, characterized in that the container or room further comprises a sealing element (30) that is fixed to each side wall (110, 120), adapted to prevent flow of the temperature control fluid below a load pallet.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Insulated container and cargo cooling procedure

The invention relates to an insulated container comprising side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall, in which the walls each comprise an internal face and an external face and an insulating layer of insulating material is located between the inner face and the outer face. The insulated container further comprises temperature control fluid distribution means for the distribution of the temperature control fluid in the insulated container. In addition, the invention relates to a method for cooling the load in an insulated container comprising side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall, in which the walls each comprise a face internal and an external face and an insulating layer of insulating material, the insulated container further comprising temperature control fluid distribution means for the distribution of the temperature control fluid in the insulated container, said method comprising the step of providing a fluid of temperature control having a predefined temperature and / or humidity and providing a flow of said temperature control fluid inside the insulated container. The procedure and the container as mentioned above can be used for the transport of refrigerated or temperature controlled cargo, such as fresh fruit, flowers, fish or meat.

From EP 2 535 296 A1, an insulated container having side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall is known. This known container is sized as an ISO cargo container in accordance with ISO 668 and has an appropriate thermal insulation. In addition, the container comprises an integral refrigeration unit to control the temperature inside the container. The temperature control of the merchandise to be transported with the insulated container is based on an air flow through the internal volume of the insulated container. The air is cooled by the refrigeration unit and is flowed through the volume of the container from the bottom to the top. Therefore, the cooled air is blown into the lower wall of the insulating container, said lower wall is provided with T-shaped grilles.

There are several disadvantages related to these known integral refrigerated containers. First, the cooling of the goods contained in the region opposite the side where the refrigeration unit is located or where the cooled air is introduced requires a large energy input. Generally, the air velocity at the end of the door or at the rear wall is only 10 to 20% of the air velocity at the air guide inlet. Therefore, known containers need a high volume of ventilation of up to 6000 m3 / hour to compensate for this drop in speed. Therefore, known containers have a very poor energy / effect ratio.

In addition, the open structure of the T-shaped grilles and the uneven storage of the cargo inside the container create gaps between the load elements that constitute shortcuts for the blown air. Instead of passing through the goods, air flows around the load elements directly to the refrigeration unit. Therefore, the cooling load of the blown air is not used effectively. It has been shown that 83% of the air flow derives in only 33% of the cooling capacity while 17% of the supplied air flow derives in 67% of the cooling capacity.

Finally, the open structure of the T-shaped grilles on the floor must be cleaned because it is in direct contact with the load. This is the most important in the case of condensation. However, the shape of the T-shaped grilles implies difficult access to all areas of the ground with unattainable and uncontrollable cavities that are difficult to clean. Generally, the T-shaped grid is made of extruded aluminum for structural purposes. Aluminum is, in principle, undesirable from a food safety point of view due to its ability to retain bacteria. From FR 2046306, an insulated container having the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1 is known. EP 2 837 293 which falls under article 54 (3) EPC also discloses a maturation chamber / container that has some of the features of claim 1. An object of the invention is to optimize the cooling effect on the load while reducing the amount of energy spent for cooling. In addition, an object of the invention is to provide an insulated container and a method for cooling the load with better cooling performance in areas away from the refrigeration unit and / or away from the temperature control fluid inlet. Finally, an object of the invention is to provide an insulated container that allows better hygienic performance.

The object of the invention is solved by an insulated container according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. According to the invention, an insulated container comprising side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall is disclosed. , a rear wall and a front wall. The rear wall may comprise at least one door or gate such that the interior of the insulated container may be accessible in order to load or unload goods. On the front wall, a refrigeration unit can be provided that is adapted to provide a temperature control fluid having a predetermined temperature and / or humidity. In addition, the refrigeration unit can be adapted to control the air exchange rate between the interior of the insulated container and the surroundings.

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While the invention is described with reference to the embodiment of a container with temperature control, it should be clear that the invention can be used together with any room cooled or conditioned with air, in particular, cold storage facilities.

The walls of the insulated container each comprise an inner face and an outer face and an insulating layer of insulating material. The insulating layer may comprise mineral wool, a rigid form or a vacuum insulation.

In some embodiments of the invention, the insulated container may comprise the size and / or shape of an ISO cargo container in accordance with ISO 668.

The insulated container comprises means for distributing the temperature control fluid for the distribution of the temperature control fluid inside the insulated container. The temperature control fluid distribution means comprise at least two ducts that are adapted to guide the temperature control fluid along the side walls of the container. If both ducts are present, a duct is used as a return duct to guide temperature control fluid from the internal volume of the container to the refrigeration unit. The other conduit is used as a supply conduit to guide the temperature control fluid of the refrigeration unit with the internal volume of the container. In another embodiment of the invention, more than two ducts may be present, such that a plurality of supply ducts and / or a plurality of return ducts may be available to guide the temperature control fluid inside the container. isolated. These embodiments may allow any of a more homogeneous temperature distribution or faster cooling time.

The temperature control fluid may comprise a gas. In some embodiments of the invention, the gas may comprise ambient air. In other embodiments of the invention, the temperature control fluid may comprise a protective gas such as nitrogen or argon to prevent maturation or oxidation of the charge within the insulated container. In some embodiments of the invention, the temperature control fluid is heated or cooled to a temperature predefined by the refrigeration unit. In some embodiments of the invention, the temperature control fluid can be loaded or unloaded with a humidity predefined by the refrigeration unit.

The at least two ducts each comprise at least one hole or nozzle that is adapted to allow a flow of temperature control fluid from one side wall of the container to the other side wall of the container. This feature has a plurality of advantages over known designs. Known containers use a flow from the bottom to the top of the container. Therefore, the container according to the invention does not need a T-shaped grid on the floor. Therefore, there are no unattainable and uncontrollable cavities present that are difficult to clean.

In addition, the resistance to the flow of the temperature control fluid is only slightly affected by the amount of load present inside the insulated container. In known concepts, the flow of temperature control fluid from the T-shaped grid to the internal volume is impeded by the loading position on the ground. This means that a greater amount of load restricting a larger subsurface of the inner face of the lower wall will lead to a lower flow of temperature control fluid and / or an unwanted flow distribution. According to the invention, a flow is used from one side wall to the other side wall approximately perpendicular to the length of the insulated container that can easily penetrate the cargo stored in crates or cradles.

Finally, the width of the insulated container between the side walls is generally less than the length or height so that this shorter flow of temperature control fluid can be easily controlled and the cooling capacity is used more efficiently.

In some embodiments of the invention, the insulated container or room further comprises an inflatable elastic bag that is disposed on either the upper wall and / or the rear wall and / or the front wall and / or at least one side wall.

In some embodiments of the invention, said method comprises the step of providing an inflatable elastic bag in any of the upper wall and / or the back wall and / or the front wall and / or at least one side wall.

In the invention, the insulated container or room further comprises a sealing element that is fixed to each of the side walls.

In some embodiments of the invention, at least one upper duct is located at the intersection of the side wall and the upper wall. In some embodiments at least one lower duct is located at the intersection of the side wall and a lower wall. At the corners of the insulated container, the upper and lower ducts are protected from mechanical damage.

In some embodiments of the invention, at least one hole is formed by a gap between the inner face of a side wall of the insulated container and the boundary of the conduit. This feature will result in the flow of temperature control fluid from the orifice that flows approximately parallel to the side wall. This will give

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as a result, a high pressure in the side wall located in the at least one feed duct and a flow of displacement will expand towards the opposite side wall. On the opposite side wall, at least one return line is provided which results in a low pressure area adjacent to this side wall so that a flow parallel to the side wall is formed in the direction of the return line.

In some embodiments of the invention, the hole may include a baffle. Such a baffle can be used to guide the temperature control fluid in a predefined direction. In addition, the baffle can be used to protect the hole from dust and dirt entering the ducts.

In some embodiments, the baffle adjacent to a lower duct is designed to overlap at the height of a load pallet. In some embodiments, the baffle adjacent to an upper duct overlaps the maximum load line. This feature has the advantage that a flow of parasitic temperature control fluid at the top of the load or below the load pallet is prevented so that a larger portion of the temperature control fluid is flowing through load. The insulated container further comprises at least one sealing element that joins each of the side walls. The sealing element will help prevent the parasitic temperature control fluid from flowing below the load pallet so that the temperature control fluid flow is limited to the load, thereby improving the use of the cooling capacity. .

In some embodiments of the invention, the sealing element comprises a brush seal. A brush seal has low wear and can be self-adjusted to different sizes of gap between the side wall and the load.

In some embodiments, the sealing element is disposed at a distance of about 10 cm to about 20 cm from the inner face of the lower wall. As a known pallet generally has a height of 15 cm, the sealing element will help make a tight seal between the side wall and the load pallet so that an unwanted and useless flow of the temperature control fluid below the pallet Loading can be avoided.

In some embodiments, the insulated container may comprise an inflatable elastic bag that is disposed on either the top wall and / or the back wall and / or the front wall. An elastic bag of this type may be in soft contact with the load when it swells so that a tight seal is made between the load and the respective wall. This can prevent the parasitic temperature control fluid from flowing around a load block so that the cooling capacity is used not only on the exterior surfaces of the load, but within the load volume.

In some embodiments, the elastic bag is adapted to be loaded with the temperature control fluid. This allows the fully automatic operation of the elastic bag as the bag automatically swells when the refrigeration unit is turned on and the flow of temperature control fluid forms inside the insulated container accumulates. In addition, this allows the elastic bag to provide radiant cooling when charged with the temperature control fluid at a controlled temperature.

In some embodiments, the insulated container may further comprise a groove in any of the upper wall and / or the back wall and / or the front wall, said groove being adapted to receive the elastic bag when it deflates. The elastic bag is protected inside the slot when it is not in use, so that damage during load handling can be avoided.

In some embodiments of the invention, the insulated container may further comprise at least one closed channel that runs in the lower wall and / or the upper wall. The temperature control fluid can be guided through these closed channels so that a temperature change between the load and the temperature control fluid by the radiant heat is made possible. Since the channel that runs in the lower wall is a closed channel, the entry and entry of dirt is impossible and unlike the known T-shaped grilles, the channel does not need frequent cleaning.

In some embodiments of the invention, the container further comprises at least one closed channel that runs in the rear wall or in the wall or side walls in the vicinity of the end of the door. In some embodiments, the closed channel that runs on the lower wall is connected to at least one closed channel that runs on the upper wall by means of the closed channel that runs on the rear wall. Therefore, a single closed flow path can be provided from the upper wall through the rear wall to the lower wall.

In some embodiments of the invention, any of the inner faces of the bottom wall and / or the back wall and / or the top wall are flat. This allows easy cleaning of the internal volume so that the hygiene performance of the insulated container is improved.

The invention will be explained in greater detail based on the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an empty container according to the invention.

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Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an insulated container according to the invention with load.

Figure 3 shows an upper duct in greater detail.

Figure 4 shows the upper wall of Figure 2 in greater detail.

Figure 5 shows a superior supply conduit in greater detail.

Figure 6 shows an upper return duct in greater detail.

Figure 7 shows a lower supply line in greater detail.

Figure 8 shows a lower return duct in greater detail.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an insulated container 100. The insulated container 100 comprises a first side wall 110 and a second side wall 120. In addition, the container comprises a lower wall 130 and an upper wall 140. A rear wall and a front wall are not shown in Figure 1. Each wall comprises an inner face 112, 122, 132 and 142, respectively. The inner faces of the walls delimit an inner volume 101.

In addition, each wall comprises an external face 111, 121, 131 and 141. Between the inner faces 112, 122, 132 and 142 and the outer faces 111, 121, 131 and 141, an insulating layer 150 of insulating material is present. The insulating material may be selected from any mineral wool and / or rigid form and / or a vacuum insulation in some embodiments of the invention. The insulated container can have a width, length and height of a standard ISO merchandise container.

In the lower wall 130, legs 102 may be provided to allow easy handling of the insulated container by a forklift.

The insulated container 100 comprises means 103 for distributing the temperature control fluid. The temperature control fluid distribution means 103 comprise conduits 165, 175, 185 and 195 that are arranged at each corner of the internal volume 101. As best seen in Figure 3, each of the means 103 for distributing the temperature control fluid further comprises a hole 164 that is delimited, in the internal volume 101 by means of a baffle 160. The baffle 160 may allow the flow guide emerging from the hole 164 so that the temperature control fluid flows along the inner face 112 of the side wall 110.

In addition, closed channels 105 are arranged on the inner face 142 of the upper wall and on the inner face 132 of the lower wall 130 of the container 100. The insulated temperature control fluid flowing into the closed channels 105 may allow cooling from the bottom and roof of the insulated container so that radiant heat from the cargo can be extracted from the insulated container 100.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cargo such as bananas can be rapidly cooled by providing a first flow of temperature control fluid that penetrates the charge through the means 103 for distributing the temperature control fluid. After the charge has reached its target temperature, the first flow of temperature control fluid can be stopped. The cooling power for steady state temperature control can be provided by circulating a second flow of temperature control fluid through the closed channels 105. This procedure has the advantage that the load cannot be dried because no first flow of the temperature control fluid that carries moisture out of the interior 101 of the container 100 has to be maintained for prolonged transport periods.

Figure 2 shows a container as detailed in Figure 1 loaded with the load 25. The load 25 is arranged on pallets 20. The container 100 can be loaded and unloaded in a known manner by means of a forklift. As can be seen in Figure 2, the gasket 30 that is arranged on the side walls 110 and 120 seals the pallet against the side walls so that an undesired flow of the temperature control fluid from one side to the other side below load 25 is avoided.

Figure 1 and Figure 3 show an inflatable bag 35 that is disposed on the upper wall of the container 100. The inflatable bag 35 can be received in a slot 36 when it is deflated. Therefore, damage to the inflatable bag 35 during loading and unloading of the container 100 can be avoided. Figure 2 and Figure 4 show the inflatable bag 35 during operation of the container 100. The inflatable bag 35 can be swollen with temperature control fluid so that a joint is provided between the load 25 and the inner face 142 of the upper wall 140, thereby preventing an unwanted flow of the temperature control fluid over the load 25.

Figure 2, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 explain the flow of temperature control fluid during container operation in greater detail. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two supply ducts 165 and 185 are provided next to the first side wall 110 and two return ducts 175 and 195 are provided next to the second side wall. Temperature control fluid 120 enters the container near

of the first side wall 110 by means of the supply conduits 165 and 185 and the hole 164 and 184. The temperature control fluid is guided by the baffles 160 and 180 along the inner face 112 of the first wall 110 side.

From the first side wall 110, the temperature control fluid enters the load 25 and flows to the second side wall 120. During its journey, the temperature control fluid exchanges heat and / or humidity with the load 25. The load 25 can be arranged in boxes or other suitable packaging material and form in order to allow the passage of the control fluid from temperature through it.

Near the inner face 122 of the second side wall 120, the flow of temperature control fluid makes a turn towards the intersection of the bottom wall and the side wall and the intersection of the top wall and the side wall. 10 The temperature control fluid flows along the second side wall 122 and is sucked through the hole 174 and 194 in the return ducts 175 and 195. Optional baffles 170 and 190 are provided to guide the flow along the inner face 122 of the second side wall 120. The temperature control fluid is then guided through ducts 175 and 195 back to the refrigeration unit.

While the invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the description should be considered as illustrative rather than limiting. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention be limited only by the claims.

Claims (13)

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Insulated container or room (100) comprising lateral walls (110, 120), a lower wall (130), an upper wall (140), a rear wall and a front wall, in which the walls comprise, each , an inner face (112, 122, 132, 142) and an outer face (111, 121, 131, 141) and an insulating layer (150) of insulating material between the face (112, 122, 132, 142 ) internal and the outer face (111, 121, 131, 141), further comprising the insulated container or room means of temperature control fluid distribution (103) for the distribution of the temperature control fluid within the container or room ( 100) isolated, wherein the temperature control fluid distribution means (103) comprise at least two ducts (165, 175, 185, 195) adapted to guide the temperature control fluid along the walls (110, 120) lateral and each having at least one hole (164, 174, 184, 194) adapted to allow a flow (40) of temperature control fluid from a side wall (110) of the container or room (100) to the other wall (120) of the container (100) or room, characterized in that the container or room further comprises a sealing element (30) that is fixed to each side wall (110, 120), adapted to prevent flow of the temperature control fluid by under a load pallet. 2. Insulated container according to claim 1, wherein at least one upper duct (165, 175) is located at the intersection of a side wall (110, 120) and the upper wall (140) and / or in the that at least one lower duct (185, 195) is located at the intersection of a side wall (110, 120) and the bottom wall (130). 3. Insulated container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one hole (164, 174, 184, 194) is formed by a gap between the inner face (112, 122) of a wall (110, 120 ) lateral and a duct boundary (165, 175, 185, 195). 4. Insulated container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one hole (164, 174, 184, 194) includes a baffle (160, 170, 180, 190). 5. Insulated container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing element (30) comprises a brush seal and / or wherein the sealing element (30) is arranged at a distance of 10 cm to 20 cm from the inner face (132) of the lower wall (130). 6. insulated container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a bag (35) inflatable elastic that is arranged in any of the upper wall (140) and / or the back wall and / or the front wall. 7. insulated container according to claim 6, wherein the elastic bag (35) is adapted to be loaded with the temperature control fluid. 8. Insulated container according to any of claims 6 or 7, further comprising a slot (36) on any of the upper wall (140) and / or the rear wall and / or the front wall, said slot (36) adapted to receive the elastic bag (35) when deflated. 9. Insulated container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising at least one closed channel (105) running in the lower wall (130) and / or further comprising at least one channel (105 ) closed running in the upper wall (140) and / or further comprising at least one closed channel running in the rear wall. 10. An insulated container according to claim 9, wherein said closed channel (105) running in the lower wall (130) is connected to said at least one closed channel (105) running in the upper wall (140) by means of said at least one closed channel that runs in the rear wall. 11. Insulated container according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein any of the inner faces (132, 142) of the lower wall (130) and / or the rear wall and / or the upper wall (140) they are flat and / or wherein said at least one closed channel (105) running in any of the lower wall (130) and / or rear wall and / or upper wall (140) are sealed against the internal volume (101) of the container 12. Method for cooling cargo (25) in an insulated container (100) comprising lateral walls (110, 120), a lower wall (130), an upper wall (140), a rear wall and a front wall, in the that the walls each comprise an inner face (111, 121, 131, 141) and an outer face (112, 122, 132, 142) and an insulating layer (150) of insulating material that is between the face ( 112, 122, 132, 142) internal and the outer face (111, 121, 131, 141), the insulated container further comprising temperature control fluid distribution means (103) for the distribution of the temperature control fluid in the insulated container (100), said process comprising the following steps: - providing a temperature control fluid having a predefined temperature and / or humidity, and - providing a flow of said temperature control fluid from a side wall (110) to the opposite side wall (120), wherein the temperature control fluid flows below a pallet of goods are avoided by means of at least one sealing element (30) that is fixed to each side wall (110, 120). 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein a predefined temperature of any of the lower wall (130) and / or upper wall (140) and / or rear wall is maintained by means of a temperature control fluid flowing in at least one closed channel (105) that is located in any of the lower wall (130) and / or upper wall (140) and / or rear wall.