FR2726255A1 - Refrigerated chamber for air transport of perishable food - Google Patents

Abstract

The chamber has a shape that can be fitted into an aircraft hold, and can be associated with a refrigeration system which keeps the interior of the chamber at the correct temperature to preserve food. The shape and size of the container conforms to standards applied in air transport, and represents a one Unit Load Device. The container can be secured in place. The refrigeration unit is electrically powered, making use of external electrical supply when on the ground and of the aircraft electrical system while on board. The heat evaporator, condenser and circulation fan are integral with the container.

Description

COLD AND SELF-CONTAINED CONTAINER FOR
AIR TRANSPORT OF PERISHABLE FOODSTUFFS.

The present invention relates to a refrigerated container intended for the transport by aircraft of perishable foodstuffs to be kept cold.

We know the importance and the need to maintain the cold chain when handling perishable foodstuffs, mainly foodstuffs, and which must be kept at a constant temperature, in any case below a given temperature. Depending on the foodstuffs concerned, the temperature is for example between 0 and 30 C, between 3 and 60 C, or lower than Go C, or even - 15 or - 300 C for frozen food. In other words, during the various stages of transport from the place of manufacture and / or packaging of the foodstuffs to the point of sale, where the final consumer takes possession of the foodstuff, the required temperature must be maintained, despite the load changes or the different means of transport used, or the different climatic conditions.

In known manner, the cold chain is respected during the road or rail transport of foodstuffs, by means of refrigerated trucks or wagons, this provided that the usual precautions are taken at the time of loading and unloading of said trucks or wagons refrigerators.

The places of sale must also be provided with means of conservation and presentation for the sale of foodstuffs, able to maintain a correct temperature.

Furthermore, the evolution of food consumption needs highlights an increased demand from consumers for food from distant countries. This is explained either by the climatic conditions specific to these countries allowing the growth of early foodstuffs (fruits and vegetables for example), or by the fact that these countries have geographical and human conditions making them alone capable of producing certain particular products ( for example French cheese), or with an excellent quality / price ratio.

Depending on the food concerned, the temperature is generally between 0 and 30C or less than 200C. We know that any variation in temperature over time harms the organoleptic characteristics of the food in question.

Furthermore, in the field of positive cold, maintaining the temperature must be very strict since it must be within a relatively narrow range (between C and 30C).

The transport of perishable foodstuffs from one continent to another separated by an ocean is carried out by means of maritime transport. However, maritime transport has the disadvantage of being slow and in particular cannot be used for the transport of foodstuffs with a limited lifespan.

We know how to transport goods by aircraft.

However, to date it is not possible to transport perishable goods by air, where it is not possible to maintain the cold chain.

In addition, air transport is subject to specific constraints resulting from strict standards, in particular in terms of weight, size and safety of stowage for example.

The present invention aims to remedy this situation and provides a method and a device for the transport of perishable foodstuffs to be kept cold, in particular "positive" (above 0 C) under conditions suitable for preventing any interruption of the chain of cold, while obeying the standards of weight, size and safety specific to air transport, and this in economic conditions fully compatible with the budgetary standards of profitability of such transport for such foodstuffs.

To this end, according to the invention, the insulated container for transporting perishable foodstuffs to be kept cold, is characterized in that it is shaped so as to be able to be placed in an aircraft, and in that it is likely to be associated with refrigeration means capable of maintaining the interior volume of the container at an adequate temperature for the conservation of said foodstuffs.

The term "perishable foodstuffs to be kept cold" means the foodstuffs covered by the regulations in force governing the conditions of cold storage, and in particular the ministerial decree of February 1, 1974 modified in 1975, 1981, 1984, 1985 and 1986 .

Advantageously, the container has an external dimension compatible with the standards and norms in force for air transport.

According to a first embodiment, the means capable of maintaining the interior volume at the appropriate temperature are incorporated into the container.

According to a variant, the container includes means for connecting the refrigeration means to a separate energy source arranged at a distance, either mobile or fixed.

The supply of electrical energy to the refrigeration means can indeed come either from the aircraft itself, or from external energy and of different voltages and frequencies according to local standards, when the aircraft is on the ground.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the container is of the ULD (Unit Load Divice) type, of the AKE type for a volume of 4.5 m.

The container has two parallel walls facing each other, one having a main access door and the other an opening for communication with the neighboring container.

The container also includes means for securing to the walls of the aircraft hold and / or to neighboring containers.

The invention will be clearly understood in the light of the following description relating to illustrative but nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawing in which - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of container according to invention; - Figure 2 shows two containers of the type shown in Figure 1, arranged in longitudinal juxtaposition - Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an aircraft hold in which are arranged two containers of the type 1; and - Figures 4 to 10 show schematic perspective views of other examples of container shapes of the invention.

The container 1 has a generally parallelepiped shape and has an upper face 2, a lower face 3 (which is not visible in FIG. 1), a front face 4 and a rear face 5 (which is also not visible in the perspective view), as well as two lateral faces respectively 6 and 7. The faces are planar.

The front face 4 is provided for example with two doors 8 and 9, known in themselves, with a vertical axis and provided with closure means 10 (known in themselves). Other closure systems can be used (for example removable panels).

More particularly, the example of container shown in FIG. 1 has a shape with a trapezoidal section, in a transverse plane, that is to say parallel to the front 4 and rear 5 faces.

According to the particular example of Figure 1, the container is provided with associated refrigeration means and incorporated into the container.

The refrigeration means are understood as means capable of making it possible to maintain inside the enclosure delimited by the useful volume of the container 1, an adequate temperature, in accordance with the requirements of the regulations and in particular of the ministerial decree of the February 1, 1974, amended in 1975, 1981, 1984, 1985 and 1986; by way of example, such a temperature is between GB and 30 C. These means can also, as the case may be and depending on the foodstuffs called for to be disposed and stored in the container, also be capable of keeping inside the enclosure a temperature lower than Go C.

The refrigeration means use known elements, such as a condenser, an evaporator and a motor member capable of operating the evaporator, and ventilation means intended to inject a current of inside the enclosure. air cooled by evaporators.

According to the embodiment of Figure 1, the container can be divided artificially, for the purposes of the description, into two parts. A first part defines a substantially paralellepiped volume and constituting the volume called useful and intended to contain foodstuffs. The second volume is intended to contain the refrigeration means.

The useful volume is delimited by the upper 2 and lower 3, front 4 and rear 5 faces, and a first side wall 6, as well as a second side wall, separating the first volume from the second volume of the refrigeration means. The volume containing the refrigeration means has a trapezoidal cross section, the base of which is formed by the wall separating the volume of the refrigeration means from the useful volume of the container.

In the useful volume, temperature sensors are arranged, connected, in known manner, to thermostatic elements capable of triggering the operation of the refrigerating means when the temperature inside the useful enclosure exceeds a given threshold temperature. The refrigeration means also include, in the example of FIG. 1, an autonomous source of energy.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide elements for connecting and connecting the refrigeration means to an external source of energy, for example that of the aircraft, or to ground, fixed or mobile means.

The outer faces of the panels delimiting the volume containing the refrigeration means include grids 11 facing the exchangers and evaporators, control panels 12 and 13, as well as an access hatch 14, for maintenance operations and / or repair.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the container has external dimensions corresponding to standards such as those of IATA used for the transport of cargo and / or baggage inside an aircraft.

The example in FIG. 1 shows a container whose external dimensions correspond to a unit for loading freight or baggage of the type usually called
AKE. These external dimensions are: - height: 1.626 m - width: 1.562 m - depth: 1.534 m - upper width: 2.007 m - useful volume: 3.896 m (wall thickness to be deducted) (total volume: 4.5 mol).

The walls of the useful part of the container are made up of panels made of isothermal material, such as glass wool or any other similar material, associated with panels made of rigid material capable of constituting the self-supporting structure of the container. Each panel thus consists of a composite set of sandwich panels, the rigid panel being arranged towards the outside, the insulating panel in the middle, an interior panel being provided, on the side of the enclosure, made of plastic material by example or aluminum, and having a smooth surface.

A drainage and evacuation of condensation water is provided at floor level to collect the condensation water. Also, lighting means are provided inside the container, in a manner known per se, in the form for example of an interior ceiling light fitted with an internal switch.

In order to store and arrange the food adequately, shelves are provided and, preferably, adjustable in height or liftable or removable.

The refrigeration means can be controlled directly from the outside via the control panels 12 and 13, or even remotely, via remote controls.

There is shown in Figure 2 two juxtaposed containers 16 and 17. It is thus understood that several containers can be arranged one after the other, so as to constitute a storage assembly having a minimum size.

The container 16 includes refrigeration means 18. The side walls of each container 16 and 17 facing each other have a communication opening 19,20 respectively from one container to the other.

The rear wall 5 of the container 17, opposite the container 16 is provided with access doors 8 and 9. The communication openings can be associated with closing means, of the folding accordion type, not shown and known in itself. even, having sufficient insulation characteristics not to affect the preservation of the food inside the container. Also alternatively, it is possible to provide rigid panels for closing said communication openings 19 and 20, mounted removably so as to be detached when the containers are intended to be arranged one after the other.

The juxtaposition of the panels can then be considered sufficient to avoid any thermal bridge.

There is shown in Figure 3 a partial cross-sectional view of an aircraft 21 in which are arranged containers 22, 23 of the type of Figure 1 and back to back, and thus having a minimum size, in the transverse direction.

Figures 4 to 10 show in schematic perspective other examples of embodiment of containers. The containers shown have three-digit references corresponding to current standards for container dimensions for the air transport of luggage and freight. Each reference corresponds to a specific volume and dimensions. The containers of Figures 4 to 10 are similar to those of Figure 1, in that they can be associated with refrigeration means arranged in an enclosure separate from the useful enclosure where the food is arranged.

The invention is of course applicable to all types of current or future containers obeying air transport standards. For example, the invention is applicable to any insulated container placed on pallets.

According to an alternative embodiment, the containers do not include refrigeration means. The containers are provided with isothermal walls capable of making it possible to maintain the foodstuffs inside the container at an adequate temperature for a given duration, for example up to one hour. Connection means are provided to allow the containers to be connected to external refrigeration means, for example when the aircraft is on the ground, which makes it possible to maintain the cold chain, during technical stops, without having to unload for example the containers. Ventilation means are then provided and ventilation connection elements can be arranged to bring inside the containers a stream of cold air.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown, but on the contrary covers all the variants mentioned in the claims below.

Claims (10)

REVENDI CATIONS 1 - Isothermal container for the transport of perishable foodstuffs to be kept cold, characterized in that it is shaped so as to be able to be placed in an aircraft, and in that it is likely to be associated with refrigeration means able to maintain the interior volume of the container at a temperature suitable for the consumption of foodstuffs. 2 - Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an external dimension compatible with the standards and norms in force for air transport. 3 - Container according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means capable of maintaining the interior volume at the appropriate temperature, are incorporated into the container. 4 - Container according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means for connection to a separate refrigeration unit arranged remotely, either mobile or fixed. 5 - Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the supply of electrical energy to the refrigerating means can come either from the aircraft itself, or from external energy, when the aircraft is Earth. 6 - Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is of the ULD (Unit Load) type Divice), of the AKE type for a volume of 4.5 m. 7 - Container according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it has two parallel walls facing each other, one having a main access door and the other an opening for communication with the neighboring container. 8 - Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means for securing to the walls of the hold of the aircraft and / or to neighboring containers. 9 - Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the refrigeration means include isothermal walls. 10- container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the refrigeration means include one or more of an exchanger, an evaporator, a condenser, a fan.