GB2284595A - Insulated box - Google Patents

Abstract

An insulated box has a base which includes an outer shell 1 formed of cut, creased and folded extruded fluted polymer sheet, a layer 2 of thermal insulation material, and an inner lining 4 of cut, creased and folded fluted polymer sheet. The box has a lid with an outer shell 3 formed of cut, creased and folded extruded polymer sheet and a slab of insulation material 5 which locates inside the thermal layer 2 of the base. <IMAGE>

Description

INSULATION BOX TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to containers for the transport of goods that need to maintain a given approximate temperature for a reasonable period of time.

BACKGROUND When transporting certain goods in particular but not limited to food stuffs and the like, it is important to deliver the goods at a level of temperature that preserves the goods or excludes the need for further cooling or heating after delivery.

It is the aim of the present invention to be able to achieve this whilst employing the minimal of container cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The prcsent invention proposcs a container comprising a substantially hollow receptacle manufactured from a material with insulation properties and said receptacle being totally or partially surrounded by semi rigid extruded fluted polymer sheeting so die cut and creased from the flat to form an outer surround casing and inner lining.

In a further aspect to the invention the container comprises three or more separate components. The first being a component that performs as an outer surround casing and the second being a removable insulating receptacle which may be a slide fit into the first component. A third component performs as a lid over the two other components and includes an insulation member.

In a further aspect to the invention the second insulated receptacle may be coatcd with such a material that will seal the said component in such a way that will largely resist any tendency for the insulating material to absorb any of the liquids or parts of the goods being transported.

In a further aspect to the invention there may be provided a fourth component that slide fits into the second insulating receptacle to act as a liner.

In a further aspect to the invention the first, third and fourth components may be formed from die cut and creased flat fluted plastic sheet. Such sheets may be provided with sufficient external ribs as to allow two separate components of the same material to create a form of mechanical lock when the ribs are in the same plane and are held together by tightness of fit.

In a further aspect to the invention the third component lid may have extended vertical sides so as to act as a recess for another container to be located and stacked on top.

In a further aspect to the invention given or all areas of the polymer sheeting or insulating receptacle may be coated with a non inflammable solvent based styrene butadiene rubber adhesive for the purpose of creating a permanent bond between the two surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a container.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of all the component parts.

Figure 3 is a side view of two complete containers nested together.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of an alternative construction of insulation component and inner liners.

Figure 5 is a plan view of an outer and inner liners.

Figure 6 is an assembled container and Figure 6a and 6b arc plan views of the outer casings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a container where 1 is the first outer surround casing and 2 is the insulating receptacle which may be removable. 3 is the lid with insulation material 3: attached to the underside and 4 is the inner liner which is slid into 2 which is in turn slid into 1.

Figure 2 shows all components pulled apart from one another with 1 illustrating how 2 may be slid easily straight into 1 whilst 4 can then be slid snugly inside 2.

Component 1 has a base 9 as does the insulated component 2 have a base 6 and 4 has a base 8. These bases eliminate the possibility of any of the component inserts from passing through.

Lid 3 has an insulted panel 5 bonded to its underside. Panel 5 inserts exactly into the internal dimensions 4 or 2 if 4 is not used.

Component 2 may be lined with a sealer 7 (not shown) which could eliminate the need of 4 being used.

Component 1 may have handles 10 attached for the ease of carrying.

Figure 3 shows carrier 11 nested and located into lid 3 of 1 by means of extensions 13 to the sides of component 3. Down turns 14 of lid 3 act as the overlap of components 3 and 1.

Figure 1 also shows the ribbed flutes 15 and 16 of the plastic of 1 and 3 and in particular illustrates how the complimentary planes of ribs 15 and 16 may hold together when 1 and 3 are assembled in the closed position.

Figure 4 shows an alternative construction of container in which plastic sheets 17 and 18 are so die cut, creased and formed to act as both an outer casing and inner liner to the insulation receptacle 2. Formed sheets 17 and 18 comprise a base 19, sides 20 and interior liner flaps 21. Liner flaps 21 are narrower than walls 20 and the change in widths are accommodated by tapers 22.

Formed sheets 17 and 18 are conveniently nested (direction A) together such that the bases 19 arc touching one another whereupon both formed sheets 17 and 18 are placed around receptacle 2 (direction B) such that walls 20 cover the vertical walls of receptacle 2 whereupon flaps 21 of formed sheets 17 and 18 may fold into receptacle 2 thus the interior walls of receptacles 2 will be covered and areas 23 of formed sheets 17 and 18 will cover top edges 24 of receptacle 2 and tapers 22 will all abut.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the container illustrated in Figures 1 & 2 in which 1 is the outer surround casing and 4 is the inner liner positioned in the inside of receptacle 2 (not shown). Outer surround casing 1 comprises a base 24 and side and end walls 25 which cover the corresponding side and end walls of receptacle 2 (not shown). Once in this position areas 26 will fold over the receptacle such that they rest on the top edges 24 (not shown) and flaps 27 will fold down inside the walls of receptacle 2 (not shown). Side flaps 28 of end walls 25 will then be bonded to side walls 25.

Inner liner 4 comprises a base 29 and end walls 30 and side walls 31. These parts are folded into a rectangular box such that end flaps 32 may then be folded against their adjacent wall. End flaps 33 of end walls 30 may also be folded and used as carrying handles for liner 4. In use liner 4 is removably inserted into receptacle 2 (not shown).

Figure 6 shows a container and Figure 6a and 6b are outcr surround covers wherein end wall 34 covers the end of receptacle 2 and inner liner 35 folds into receptacle 2 with area 36 covering the top edge of receptacle 2. Flap 37 then sits horizontally on the bottom of receptacle 2. There are two of these end wall covers, one for either end of receptacle 2. Figure 6b shows a side wall cover wherein wall 38 covers the side of receptacle 2 and base cover 39 folds under the base of receptacle 2. As in figure 6a inner liner 40 folds into receptacle 2 with area 36 covering the top edge of receptacle 2 with flap 37 siting horizontally on the bottom of receptacle 2. There are two of these side wall covers such that base covers 39 meet up with one an other on the centre line of receptacle 2.

When the outer surround casing depicted in Figures 6a & 6b are located in place, preferably by the aforementioned adhesive, flaps 41 fold over onto the adjacent faces of the covers depicted in Figures 6b and are held in place by the said adhesive. Then a suitably shaped flat polymer sheet may be laid or affixed in the interior base of receptacle 2.

In use, and where any of the said polymer coverings are not affixed to the said receptacle, any one of the coverings may be disposed of individually should they become damaged or discoloured for some reason. This makes the carrier inexpensive to service and keep in good condition.

Claims (15)

1. An insulation box comprising an outer shell which has a lining of thermal insulation material, the outer shell comprising a base an upstanding side wall and being formed of flat sheet material which is cut to shape, creased and folded.

2. A box according to Claim 1, in which the layer of thermal insulation material contains an inner lining formed of flat sheet material which is cut to shape, creased and folded.

3. A box according to Claim 2, in which the outer shell and the inner lining are joined by a top wall which covers the upper edge of the thermal insulation layer whereby the thermal insulation layer is completely enclosed.

4. A box according to Claim 1, in which the lining of thermal insulation material is internally coated with a sealant.

5. A box according to any preceding claim, in which the lining of thermal insulation material is formed of expanded polystyrene sheet or similar material having a *cellular structure.

6. A box according to any preceding claim, in combination with a lid comprising an outer shell having a lining of thermal insulation material, the outer shell being formed of flat sheet material which is cut to shape, creased and folded.

7. A box and lid according to Claim 6, in which the inner lining of the lid is arranged to positively locate inside the thermal insulation lining of the box when the lid is placed thereon.

8. A box and lid according to Claim 6 or 7, in which the outer shell of the lid includes a top wall and a depending peripheral wall which overlies the outer shell of the box to positively locate the lid on the box.

9. A box according to any preceding Claim, in which the sheet material is formed of plastics.

10. A box according to Claim 9, in which the sheet material is an extruded fluted plastics sheet.

11. A box according to any preceding Claim, in which the outer shell is bonded to the lining of thermal insulation material by an adhesive.

12. An insulation box substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

13. An insulation box substantially as described with reference to Figure 4 of the drawings.

14. An insulation box substantially as described with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings.

15. An insulation box substantially as described with reference to Figure 6 of the drawings.