GB2500657A

GB2500657A - Thermally Insulated Container with Channels for Coolant Packs

Info

Publication number: GB2500657A
Application number: GB1205494.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Wood; Karen Adams
Original assignee: DS SMITH CORRUGATED PACKAGING Ltd
Current assignee: DS SMITH CORRUGATED PACKAGING Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-28
Filing date: 2012-03-28
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Also published as: WO2013144621A2; WO2013144621A3; GB201205494D0

Abstract

A wall panel for an insulating container comprising an insulating layer 32 with grooves, channels or sleeves for receiving one or more coolant packs, the wall having a backing layer attached to the insulating layer extending beyond the insulating layer so to, in use, at least partly overlap a base panel. The backing layer may also extend upwards from the insulating layer for location of a cover or top panel, which may include handles. The insulating layer may be plastics, e.g. polystyrene and the backing layer corrugated cardboard. The insulating layer may have a base component 38 having a flat front face 40 a channel-forming facing 44 having a rib 46 engaging face 40 to form closed channels for coolant packs. A reinforcing layer 36 e.g. cardboard may be provided on an internal face of the panel. The container may be formed from several types of wall panel having fastenings e.g. hook and loops fasteners to attach to one another. The handles may project beyond the edges of the container to protect the container from strapping during transport.

Description

Insulated Containers The present invention relates to insulated containers, and in particular, but not exclusively, to palletised insulated containers.

It is frequently necessary to transport temperature sensitive goods by road, rail or air. Typically such goods are packed within an insulated container which contains coolant, typically in the form of coolant packs, which are arranged around the goods to maintain the goods at a desired temperature. The packs may be housed in sleeves which are attached to the inner wall of the container, for example as shown in GB-A-2459392. In other arrangements the packs may be housed in grooves formed on the inner wall of the container, for example as shown in WO 2009/035661. In yet further arrangements, the coolant packs may be housed in closed channels, for example as shown in US-A-5 924 302.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved insulated container which is easy to manufacture and assemble.

From a first aspect, the invention provides an insulated container comprising at least one base panel, a plurality of wall panels which can be assembled to said at least one base panel, and at least one top panel, wherein said wall panels each comprise an insulating layer comprising one or more grooves, channels or sleeves for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a backing layer attached to said insulating layer, said backing layer extending vertically downwardly beyond said insulating layer so as in use to at least partially overlap an edge of said base panel.

The invention also extends to a wall panel for an insulating container comprising an insulating layer comprising one or more grooves, channels or sleeves for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a backing layer attached to said insulating layer, said backing layer extending vertically downwardly beyond said insulating layer.

Thus in accordance with this aspect of the invention, an insulating wall panel comprises a layer of insulating material, and a separate backing layer suitably attached to the insulating layer. The backing layer is arranged to project below the insulating layer so as to overlap the base panel, thereby locating the wall panel relative to the base panel. This not only facilitates assembly of the container, but also means that materials best suited to the respective tasks of insulation and location of the wall panels may be used. It also provides additional strength to the insulating layer.

The backing layer also preferably extends upwardly beyond the insulating layer so as to provide a location for the top panel of the container.

The insulating layer may be formed from an insulating plastics material such as expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane, or Neopor® (expanded polystyrene with graphite) or can be formed for example from an insulating panel for example vacuum insulated panel. The backing layer is preferably made from a board material, preferably corrugated cardboard. Of course other backing materials could be used, for example a corrugated plastics material.

Preferably, the insulating layer comprises enclosed channels for receiving coolant packs. However, the invention is also applicable to insulating layers which have open faced grooves for receiving coolant packs.

The insulating layer may be fabricated in a single piece, for example as a moulding or extrusion, but to facilitate manufacture, the insulating layer may be fabricated in more than one part. For example, the insulating layer may comprise a base component and a facing component suitably attached, e.g. bonded thereto, to form the channel or channels. Thus in one embodiment, the base component may provide a substantially planar surface and the facing component comprise a base and one or more ribs or formations extending therefrom for cooperating with the planar surface of the base component to form the coolant receiving channels therebetween.

This construction is believed to be novel and advantageous in its own right, so from a further aspect the invention provides a wall panel for an insulating container, and comprising a base component of insulating material and a facing component of insulating material, said facing component comprising a base and one or more ribs or stand offs projecting therefrom for engaging said base component to form channel between the base component and the facing component.

A potential problem with forming enclosed channels in the wall panels of the container is that the wall thickness between the channels and the interior space of the container may be relatively small, meaning that the wall is potentially susceptible to damage during assembly and use. To obviate or mitigate this problem, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a reinforcing layer is attached, e.g. bonded or otherwise secured, to the inwardly facing surface of the insulating layer.

This arrangement is believed to be novel and advantageous in its own right, so from a further aspect the invention provides a wall panel for an insulating container, said wall panel comprising an insulating layer comprising one or more closed channels formed therein for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a reinforcing layer secured to the inwardly facing surface of the insulating layer. The invention also extends to a container comprising one or more such panels.

The reinforcing layer may, like the backing layer, be made from a board material, especially a corrugated board material. Other sheet materials such as corrugated plastics materials may also be used.

The thickness of the reinforcing layer may be chosen to give an appropriate level of reinforcement, but typically it will be thinner than the backing layer, for example about half the thickness.

It will be appreciated that after the wall panels and top panel have been assembled to the base panel around the product, the container will be secured closed by suitable means. Typically such means comprise netting or strapping placed around the container. However, it would be desirable to provide some means by which the wall panels may be at least temporarily secured together during assembly to prevent them falling over or disengaging from the base panel.

In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the wall panels are provided with fasteners 36 for fastening to adjacent wall panels during assembly of the container.

This feature is believed to be advantageous and novel in its own right, so from a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall panel for assembly with other wall panels into an insulating container, said wall panel comprising an insulating layer and a fastener for at least temporarily fastening the panel to an adjacent wall panel during assembly of the container. The invention also extends to a container comprising one or more such wall panels.

Preferably the fastener is releasable so that the wall panels can be easily dismantled from one another after use, for example for storage or repatriation.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a hook or loop fastener.

Respective adjacent wall panels may be provided with cooperating fasteners. For example one panel may be provided with one or more hook or loop fasteners and the other panel provided with corresponding loop or hook fasteners. Alternatively, a separate member may be provided with fasteners which cooperate with the fasteners provided on the adjacent wall panels.

In the construction discussed above which uses a backing layer, the fastener may be provided on the backing layer.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the fastener may be provided on a flap or tab which projects over the adjacent wall panel for cooperation therewith. For example flaps or tabs may be provided at one or both ends of a wall panel for engagement with an adjacent wall panels.

Any desired number of fasteners may be provided, but in a preferred arrangement, fasteners are provided at the upper and lower ends of the wall panel.

The container of the invention is preferably constructed from more than one type of wall panel. For example in one embodiment, the container comprises opposed first wall panels and opposed second wall panels.

The respective panels are preferably constructed so that they may be assembled in different configurations. For example the respective first and second wall panels are preferably constructed such that they may be assembled either to an adjacent first wall panel or an adjacent second wall panel. For example when assembled to an adjacent panel of the same type, the panels may form a butt-type joint and when assembled to an adjacent panel of the other type, the panels form an overlapping e.g. a ship lap or tongue and groove joint.

This feature is believed to be advantageous and novel in its own right, so from a further aspect the invention provides a kit for producing an insulated container, said kit comprising a plurality of first wall panels and a plurality of second wall panels, the wail panels of the same type being assemblable to each other with a butt joint and the wall panels being assemblable to panels of the other type with an overlapping joint.

The container of the invention is provided with one or more top panels which are assembled over the wall panels to close the top of the container. It will be appreciated that as the container may be quite large (for example 1 Sm x 1.5m in cross section, or even larger), the top panels may be relatively heavy. In order to facilitate the positioning of the top and therefore, in a preferred embodiment the top panel is formed with one or more handles.

This arrangement is believed to be advantageous in its own right, so from a further aspect the invention provides a panel for use in an insulated container, said panel comprising a layer of insulating material and plurality of handles to facilitate handling of the panel. The invention also extends to a container comprising one or more such panels.

Preferably the handles are hingedly attached to the panel so that they may be easily moved from an operative position (in which it functions as a handle) to a non-operative position (in which it does not).

Most preferably, the handles are configured such that when in the non-operative condition, a portion thereof extends around a top edge of the panel. This is advantageous when it comes to the final securing of the container. As mentioned earlier, after assembly a container is typically secured closed by one or more straps which are passed around the container. In order to prevent these straps digging into and possibly damaging the walls of the container, it is usual to provide so-called V boards along the edges of the container. The straps then engage the V boards rather than the panels themselves. However by having the handles configured to extend over the edges of the top panel, the need to provide a separate V board along the top edges of the container is avoided, thereby leading to a cost reduction. The assembly of the straps is also facilitated since the handles are attached to the top panel, as opposed to the V boards which are not and which may therefore fall off during assembly.

The handles may be made from a foldable sheet material such as corrugated board. This facilitates manufacture and also the folding of the handles between operative an non-operative positions.

The top panel may be formed in a similar manner to the wall panels of the container and have a backing layer of corrugated board or the like. In this event, the handle may be suitably retained between the backing layer and the insulating layer.

Of course this feature may also advantageously be applied to other panels of the container, for example the side wall panels.

Some preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a insulated container in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical section along the line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first wall panel of the container of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the wall panel of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view of the wall panel of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second wall panel of the container of Figure 1; Figure 8 is an exploded view of the wall panel of the container of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows the container of Figure 1 during the course of assembly; Figure 10 also shows the container of Figure 1 during the course of assembly; Figure 11 shows a detail of a handle of the top panel of the container of Figure 1 in a first configuration; Figure 12 shows the handle of Figure 11 is a second configuration; and Figure 13A, 13B and 130 show various configurations of container in accordance with the invention.

With reference firstly to Figures 1 and 2, an insulated container 2 in accordance with the invention comprises a base panel 4, which rests upon a pallet 6. The container further comprises an opposed pair of first wall panels 8 and an opposed pair of second wall panels 10. The container further comprises a lop panel 12 and a top board 14 arranged under the top panel 12. The top panel 12 comprises 8 handles 16 spaced around its periphery, with straps 18 passing over and around the container and under the upper surface of the pallet 6 in order to retain the container 2 on the pallet 6.

With reference to Figure 3, the base panel 4 comprises one or more panels 20 of a thermally insulating material such as expanded polystyrene, faced on their upper and lower faces by sheets of corrugated cardboard 22, 24. Typically the insulating material 20 is approximately 18 mm thick with the layers 22, 24 of corrugated material being 3 to 4mm in thickness each. The corrugated material 22! 24 is bonded by a suitable adhesive to the insulating material 20.

The top layer 12 is formed in a similar manner comprising two panels 26 of insulating material such as expanded polystyrene faced on upper and lower surfaces with sheets of corrugated board material 28, 30. Similarly to the base 4, the insulating material may be approximately 13 mm in depth and the layers 28, 30 of corrugated material will be approximately 3 to 4 mm each. While illustrated as having two panels of insulating material, the base and top panels 4, 12 may be formed from a single sheet of material or more than two sheets, depending on the size of container 2. The base and/or top of the container 2 may also be constructed made from a plurality of panels rather than unitary panels as shown.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the first side walls 8 comprise an insulating layer 32, a backing layer 34 and a reinforcing face layer 36.

The insulating layer 32 is of an insulating material such as expanded polystyrene and is approximately 145mm to 150mm thick.

As can be seen most clearly from Figure 5, the insulating layer 32 comprises a base component 38 which presents a generally planar front surface 40 and a pair of side rails 42 and a channel-forming facing component 44 which comprises a rib 46.

The rib 46 engages the surface 40 so as to define a pair of coolant-receiving channels 48 between the two components 38, 44. The channels 48 are sized to receive a suitable coolant pack.

The rails 42 of the base component 40 and the upper surface of the rib 46 form a shoulder 60 in the upper part of the container as shown in Figure 6.

The base component 38 also comprises a portion 50 which extends above the channel-forming facing component 44. This may be formed from a separate component, suitably adhered to the base component 38, or be made in one piece therewith.

The backing layer 34 is formed from a board material, for example corrugated cardboard, although other materials such as corrugated plastics may be used. As can be seen from Figure 6, for example, the backing layer 34 comprises a first portion 52 which extends below the lower surface 54 of the insulating layer 32 and a second portion 56 which extends above the upper surface 58 of the insulating layer 32. Typically, the backing layer will be 7 to 8 mm thick. When a corrugated material is used (e.g. cardboard or plastics) the flute direction in the backing layer 34 is vertical to provide strength to the first portion 52.

The reinforcing facing layer 36 is also formed from a board material, for example corrugated cardboard although other materials such as corrugated plastics may be used. In this embodiment, the reinforcing board layer 36 has a thickness of approximate 3 to 4 mm. The flute direction on the facing layer 36 may be either vertical or horizontal.

As can be seen from Figure 9, the corners of the backing layer 34 are provided with hook fasteners 64.

The second wall panels 10 are constructed slightly differently from the first pair of wall panels 8. Each wall panel 10 comprises an insulating layer 70, a backing layer 72 and a facing layer 74.

The insulating layer 70 is formed in a similar manner to the insulating layer 32 of the first wall panels 8, being formed of an insulating material such as expanded polystyrene and is approximately 145 mm to 150 mm thick. The insulating layer 70 also comprises a base component 76 formed with side rails 78 and a channel-forming facing component 80 formed with a rib 82 which engages a forwardly facing surface 84 of the base component 76. This defines two coolant pack receiving channels 86 between the two components.

Similarly to the first wall panels 8, the base component 76 has a portion 88 which projects above the channels 86, and which as illustrated may be a separate component suitably bonded to the remainder of the component 76 or formed integrally therewith.

The upper ends of the rails 78 and the rib 82 form a shoulder 90 which is, when the container 2 is assembled, coplanar with the shoulder 60 formed in the first wall panels 8.

Again in a similar manner to the first wall panels 8, the side rails 78 of the base component 76 are formed with grooves 92. As can be seen, for example from Figure 2, the grooves 62, 92 engage upon assembly of the container 2.

The facing layer 74 is of a similar construction to that of the wall panel 8. It is, therefore, typically a corrugated board component typically having a thickness of 3 tc 4mm. However, the backing layer 72 is rather different from that of the first wall panel 8. In this embodiment, the backing layer 72 is also formed from a corrugated cardboard material, again typically being 7 to8 mm thick. It also is provided with a first portion 94 which extends below the lower surface 96 of the insulating layer 70 and a second portion 98 which extends above the upper surface 100 of the insulating layer 70. However, whereas in the first wall panel construction, the lateral edges of the backing layer 34 terminate at the edges of the insulating layer 32, in the wall panels 10, the backing layer 72 is formed with flaps 102 which are attached to the remainder of the backing layer 72 by a fold in the backing layer 72.

Each flap 102 is divided into two sub-panels 104, 106, with a distal sub-panel 104 being attached to a proximal base flap panel 106 about a hinge line 108. The proximal sub-panel 106 may be bonded to the lateral edges 110 of the base component 76 of the insulating layer 70, although the distal flaps 104 remain unattached, as is clearly shown in Figure 7.

As can be seen, for example in Figure 7, each distal flap sub-panel 104 is provided with a tab of loop fastener 112 in the projecting portions 94, 98 of the backing layer 72. As can be seen from Figure 9, these fasteners 112 are arranged so as to cooperate with the hook fasteners 64 provided on the external surfaces of the other wall panels 8.

As shown in Figure 8, the backing layer 72 may be provided with V boards 116.

These V boards may be secured in position, e.g. by adhesive, or simply positioned during assembly.

Turning now to Figures 10, 11 and 12, the construction of the top panel 12 will be described in further detail, particularly with regard to the handles 16.

As can be seen from Figure 12, each handle 16 is formed from a blank of foldable sheet material, for example a corrugated board material. Each handle 16 comprises an anchor panel 120, a first handle-forming panel 122 with a first hand S hole 124 formed therein hingedly attached to the anchor panel 120 about a first fold line 128 and a second handle-forming panel 128 with a second handle opening 130 formed therein, hingedly attached to the first handle-forming panel 122 about a second fold line 132, A flap 134 is hingedly attached to the second handle4orming panel 128 about a third fold line 136. The handle openings 124, 130 are aligned as shown.

The anchor panel 120 is sandwiched between the insulating material 26 and the upper cardboard layer 28 of the top panel 12 so as to be firmly anchored to the top panel 12.

As can be seen in Figures 10 and 12, the handle-forming panels 122, 128 are foldable from a generally tat, non-operative configuration shown in Figure 11 in which the handle forming panels 122, 128 lie against the top of the top panel 12 and an extended, operative configuration shown in Figure 12 in which the handle forming panels 122, 128 stand up from the top panel 12. With the handle 16 In the operative configuration, a user is able to lift the top panel 12 into position using the handles 16. After locating the top panel 12, the handle panels 122, 128 are folded down to the configuration shown in Figure 11 such that the flap 134 extends over the backing layer of the adjacent wall panel 8. In this way, a strap 18 can engage the handle 16 rather than an edge of the wall pane 6 or the top panel 12.

Assembly of a container in accordance with the invention will now be described.

As a first step, the base panel 4 is positioned on a pallet 6. A payload is then positioned on the base panel 4 in the desired position which will typically be such that there is an air space arranged around the payload.

Once the payload is in position, the wall panels 8, 10 can be assembled. The panels 8, 10 are assembled to the base panel 4 such that the lower edges 54, 96 of the respective wall panels 8, 10 rest on the upper surface of the base panel 4 with the downwardly projecting portions 52, 94 of the wall panels 8, 10, overlapping the edges of the base panel 4. The adjacent wall panels 8, 10 are inter-engaged such that the grooves 62, 92 formed therein inter-engage to locate the walls 8, 10 one relative to the other. To assist in assembly, it will be seen that the flaps 104 on the wall panels 10 overlap the edges of the wall panels 8 and these may be temporarily secured to one another using the hook and loop fasteners 112, 64 provided on the respective wall panels 8, 10. Once all four wall panels 8, 10 have been assembled to the base panel, suitable coolant packs may be inserted into the channels 48, 86 formed in the wall panels 8, 10. Once the coolant packs have been inserted, a top board 14, which is typically of a corrugated board construction is placed over the payload such that it engages the shoulders 60, 90 formed in the respective wall panels 8, 10. If desired, further coolant packs may then be positioned on top of the board 14. Finally, the top panel 12 is installed in position. To facilitate this, the user extends the handles 16 to the operative configuration shown in Figure 12 whereupon the top panel 12 may more easily be lifted into position. The top panel 12, when installed in position sits inside the upwardly projecting portions 56, 98 of the respective wall panels 8, lOso as to lie generally flush with the upper edges thereof.

Once the top panel 12 is positioned, the handles 16 may be folded down to the configuration shown in Figure 11 such that the flaps 134 thereof lie outside the respective wall panels 8, 10. Thereafter, straps 18 are wrapped vertically around the container 2 and under the pallet 6 to secure the container 2. Also, one or more horizontal straps may be passed around the container 2, engaging with the V boards 116 provided on the end wall panels 10 so as not to cut into the wall panels 8, 10.

In this condition, the container 2 may be moved by a fork lift truck which engages the pallet 6 in a known manner.

In order to unpack the container 2, the reverse sequence is followed namely, cutting the straps, folding up the handle 16 to facilitate lifting of the top panel 12, removing of top board 14, and disengagement of the wall panel 8, 10 in order to provide access to the payload. After disassembly, the individual panels may be stored or transported in Turning now to Figures 13a to 13c, these Figures illustrates the versatility of the container of the present invention. The arrangement shown in Figure 1 3a corresponds to the configuration shown in Figures 1 to 12, namely with respective opposed pairs of first wall panels 8 and second wall panels 10. In the arrangement of Figure 13b, however, rather than having a generally square container as shown in Figure 13a, by using two sets of panels 10 on each side of the container 2, a rectangular container configuration can be achieved. It will be seen in this conftguration; ---earlier embodiment, but that the similar panels 10 engage together in a butt joint.

Figure 13c illustrates a further generally square container in which respective pairs of first panels 8 and second panels 10 are provided on opposed walls of the container. Again, similar panels 8 and similar panels 10 will abut one another whilst dissimilar panels 8, 10 will engage with one another in an overlapping relationship as in the embodiment of Figure 1. It will therefore be seen that by providing a kit of multiple wall parts 8, 10 a plurality of container configurations can be produced. For example, in another arrangement not shown, a further rectangular container may be produced by using two pairs of opposed wall panels Band a single pair of opposed wall panels 10.

It will be understood that the above description is of one or more presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made to the specific embodiments disclosed without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the materials for the respective insulating layers, backing layers and facing layers of the respective wall panels may be different from those disclosed.

Thus, for example, the insulating layer may be provided from any insulating material, although an insulating plastics material such as a foam plastic material such as foam polystyrene is preferred. Similarly, the backing layer and facing layer are preferably made from corrugated board material for reasons of economy, although other sheet materials may be used if appropriate, for example plastics materials.

Also, it will be understood that various features of the invention may be used independently of the other. Thus for example, the general wall constructions may be applied to other types of container from those specifically disclosed.

Also, whilst the use of a hook and loop fastener is disclosed for temporarily joining the wall panels together, other forms of fastener may be used and indeed a separate fastener member may be used to join the panels.

Claims

Claims 1. An insulated container comprising at least one base panel, a plurality of wall panels which can be assembled to said at least one base panel, and at least one top panel, wherein said wall panels each comprise an insulating layer comprising one or more grooves, channels or sleeves for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a backing layer attached to said insulating layer, said backing layer extending vertically downwardly beyond said insulating layer so as in use to at least partially overlap an edge of said base panel.
2, A wall panel for an insulating container comprising an insulating layer comprising one or more grooves, channels or sleeves for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a backing layer attached to said insulating layer, said backing layer extending vertically downwardly beyond said insulating layer.
3. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the backing layer extends upwardly beyond the insulating layer.
4. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulating layer is formed from an insulating plastics material, for example expanded polystyrene.
5. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the backing layer is preferably made from a corrugated cardboard material.
6. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulating layer comprises enclosed channels for receiving coolant packs.
7. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 6 wherein the insulating layer comprises a base component and a facing component attached thereto, to form the channel or channels.
8. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 7 wherein the base component provides a substantially planar surface and the facing component comprise a base and one or more ribs or formations extending therefrom for cooperating with the planar surface of the base component to form the coolant receiving channels therebetween.
9. A wall panel for an insulating container, and comprising a base component of insulating material and a facing component of insulating material, said facing component comprising a base and one or more ribs or stand offs projecting therefrom for engaging said base component to form channel between the base component and the facing component.
10. An insulated contaner or wall panel as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 comprising a reinforcing layer attached to the inwardly facing surface of the insulating layer.
11. A wall panel for an insulating container, said wall panel comprising an insulating layer comprising one or more closed channels formed therein for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a reinforcing layer secured to the inwardly facing surface of the insulating layer..
12. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the reinforcing layer is made from a corrugated board material.
13. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 12 wherein the reinforcement layer is thinner than a or the backing layer.
14. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wall panels are provided with one ort more fastener for fastening to adjacent wall panels.
15. A wall panel for assembly with other wall panels into an insulating container, said wali panel comprising an insulating layer and a fastener for at least temporarily fastening the panel to an adjacent wall panel during assembly of the container.
16. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein the fastener is releasable.
17. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 16 wherein the fastener comprises a hook or loop fastener.
18. An insulated container as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 wherein adjacent wall panels are provided with cooperating fasteners.
19. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18 wherein the fastener is provided on the or a backing layer.
20. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19 wherein the fastener is provided on a flap or tab which projects over the adjacent wall panel for cooperation therewith.
21. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in claim 20 comprising flaps or tabs at one or both ends of a wall panel.
22. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any of claims 14 to 21 wherein fasteners are provided at upper and lower ends of the wall panel.
23. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any preceding claim constructed from more than one type of wall panel.
24. An insulated container or wall panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when assembled to an adjacent panel of the same type, the panels form a butt-type joint and when assembled to an adjacent panel of the other type, the panels form an overlapping joint.
25. A kit for producing an insulated container, said kit comprising a plurality of first wall panels and a plurality of second wall panels, the wall panels of the same type being assemblable to each other with a butt joint and the wall panels being assemblable to panels of the other type with an overlapping joint.
26. An insulated container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or a top panel is formed with one or more handles.
27. A panel for use in an insulated container, said panel comprising a layer of insulating material and plurality of handles to facilitate handling of the panel,
28. An insulated container or panel as claimed in claim 26 or 27 wherein the handles are hingedly attached to the panel for movement between an operative position and a non-operative position.
29. An insulated container or panel as claimed in claim 28 wheerein the handles are configured such that when in the non-operative condition, a portion thereof extends around a top edge of the panel.
30. An insulated container or panel as claimed in any of claims 26 to 29 wherein the handles are made from a foldable sheet material such as corrugated board.
31. An insulated container or panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the handle is retained between a or the backing layer and a or the insulating layer of the panel.