GB2559041A - Improvements to goods storage trailers - Google Patents

Improvements to goods storage trailers Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2559041A
GB2559041A GB1720233.4A GB201720233A GB2559041A GB 2559041 A GB2559041 A GB 2559041A GB 201720233 A GB201720233 A GB 201720233A GB 2559041 A GB2559041 A GB 2559041A
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Prior art keywords
trailer
floor
cavity
passages
air
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GB1720233.4A
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GB2559041B (en
GB201720233D0 (en
GB2559041A9 (en
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Mark Adams William
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/20—Refrigerated goods vehicles
    • B60P3/205—Refrigerated goods vehicles with means for dividing the interior volume, e.g. movable walls or intermediate floors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00007—Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices
    • B60H1/00014—Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices for load cargos on load transporting vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D33/00—Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles
    • B62D33/04—Enclosed load compartments ; Frameworks for movable panels, tarpaulins or side curtains
    • B62D33/042—Enclosed load compartments ; Frameworks for movable panels, tarpaulins or side curtains divided into compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/74—Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents
    • B65D88/745—Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents blowing or injecting heating, cooling or other conditioning fluid inside the container

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

A trailer used to transport goods comprising a first floor 26, a roof 8, a second floor 28 located intermediate the roof and the first floor, opposing end walls and opposing side walls, the trailer having an interior with a first cavity 32 defined by end walls 6, 16, side walls 10, the roof and the second floor, and a second cavity 34 defined by end walls, side walls, the second floor and the first floor, and wherein a series of passages 54 are provided at spaced intervals along at least part of the length of the trailer interior to allow the flow of air 48 between the cavities 32, 34.The passages may be formed between the bottom face of the first cavity and the top face of the second cavity. They may also be formed in the second floor and /or supports which are attached to the side walls (54, fig 3a) of the trailer. The trailer may comprise a temperature control apparatus 4 that introduces cooling/heated air into the front end of the trailer interior. The passages 54 may also be selectively opened or closed to allow the creation of independently controlled cavities.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Improvements to goods storage trailers Abstract Title: Improved airflow in a refrigeration trailer (57) A trailer used to transport goods comprising a first floor 26, a roof 8, a second floor 28 located intermediate the roof and the first floor, opposing end walls and opposing side walls, the trailer having an interior with a first cavity 32 defined by end walls 6, 16, side walls 10, the roof and the second floor, and a second cavity 34 defined by end walls, side walls, the second floor and the first floor, and wherein a series of passages 54 are provided at spaced intervals along at least part of the length of the trailer interior to allow the flow of air 48 between the cavities 32, 34.The passages may be formed between the bottom face of the first cavity and the top face of the second cavity. They may also be formed in the second floor and /or supports which are attached to the side walls (54, fig 3a) of the trailer. The trailer may comprise a temperature control apparatus 4 that introduces cooling/heated air into the front end of the trailer interior. The passages 54 may also be selectively opened or closed to allow the creation of independently controlled cavities.
Figure GB2559041A_D0001
Figure 2
At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.
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1/3
Figure GB2559041A_D0002
14 28 8 32 2
Figure GB2559041A_D0003
26
Figure Id
V
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2/3
Figure GB2559041A_D0004
Figure 2
3/3
3/3
Figure GB2559041A_D0005
Figure 3b
Improvements to Goods storage trailers
The invention to which this application relates is to improvements to a goods storage trailer, typically the type of trailer which is hitched to a tractor unit via a coupling assembly for road transport.
Trailers of this type are well known and large quantities of goods of a wide range of types, are transported across road networks on a daily basis. The goods can be in many forms such as parcels, white goods, letters, components or the like, but the invention is particularly directed towards trailers of the type which are required to transport the goods and to maintain the goods in a desired format. Yet further, the invention is directed towards trailers of the type which are provided with apparatus to create a chilled, frozen or heated environment in the interior of the trailer so as to be able to maintain goods which initially enter the trailer interior at a specific condition, in that condition for the period of time in which the goods are held in the trailer. Typically the period of time is that which is required for the goods to be transported from a loading location to a delivery location.
The provision of this type of trailer is known and the same are commonly referred to as refrigerated trailers. It is also known that it is extremely problematic to be able to provide a uniform temperature control throughout the interior of the trailer as the apparatus which provides the cooling/heating effect is typically located at the front of the trailer. The problem of temperature uniformity is apparent even when the trailer interior is formed as one cavity by the side walls, end walls, a roof and floor but the problems are further exacerbated by the provision of a second intermediate floor between the roof and the first floor which acts to section the interior into two cavities and serves to further restrict or prevent the flow of cooling/heating air through both cavities such that certain areas of the trailer receive less of the cooling/heating air flow and hence these areas, and the goods located therein can be subject to changing temperatures. In the worst scenario this can lead to, for example, foodstuffs reaching a temperature at which the same become unsafe to eat and hence have to be destroyed at the point of delivery.
An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide trailer apparatus which includes an interior space in which the temperature control effect on goods transported in the space can be more accurately maintained and/or controlled to thereby allow the goods to be retained in the required condition during transport of the same. A further aim of the invention is to provide trailer apparatus in a form which includes first and second spaced apart floors in the interior of the trailer and in which the temperature in the interior of the trailer can be accurately controlled with respect to a more uniform airflow through the trailer interior.
In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a trailer for the transport of goods therein, said trailer including a first floor, a roof, a second floor located intermediate the roof and first floor, opposing end walls and opposing side walls, the trailer having an interior with a first cavity defined between the end walls, side walls, the roof and the second floor, and a second cavity defined between end walls, side walls, the second floor and the first floor and wherein a series of passages are provided at spaced intervals along at least part of the length of the trailer interior to allow the flow of air between said cavities.
In one embodiment said passages are provided to pass between the bottom face of the first cavity and the top face of the second cavity.
In one embodiment the passages are formed in the second floor and/or supports therefore which are attached to the side walls of the trailer.
Typically said passages are formed adjacent to both side walls of the trailer. In one embodiment passages are formed at spaced intervals along the length of the trailer.
In one embodiment floor planks are built into the second floor to allow air to flow through and across the trailer width at spaced intervals along the length of the trailer.
In one embodiment the said passages are located so as to allow air to flow between the said cavities at intervals along the length of the trailer interior.
In one embodiment the trailer include temperature control apparatus which introduces cooling/heating air into the trailer interior. Typically the cooling/heating air is introduced at or adjacent to the front end of the trailer and most typically at or adjacent to the roof at the front of the trailer.
In one embodiment guide means are provided to encourage an air flow circuit of cooling/heating air which allows the direction of air from the temperature control apparatus to be at least partially controlled. In on embodiment, for cooling air the same is encouraged to flow along the first cavity towards the rear end of the trailer and progressively downwardly towards the second intermediate floor, through the said passages and into the second cavity from where the air is encouraged to flow towards the front end of the trailer.
In one embodiment one or more ducts may be provided at the front end of the trailer to direct air from the second cavity upwardly towards an inlet of the temperature control apparatus so that the same can be cooled once more.
Typically the temperature control apparatus is a conventional refrigeration unit for use with trailers which require cooling air.
In one embodiment the temperature control apparatus is provided to allow the goods held within the interior of the trailer to be maintained in a frozen, chilled or heated condition uniformly and regardless of which of the first or second cavities the goods are held.
In one embodiment the temperature control apparatus is located in the first cavity preferably adjacent the roof and preferably adjacent the front of the trailer. Typically mechanical and electrical coupling means are provided at the front end of the trailer in order to allow the same to be coupled to a tractor unit which is provided to allow the trailer to be transported between geographical locations.
In accordance with the invention there is therefore provided the ability to allow the control of temperature to be achieved in two cavities in the interior of the trailer using a single temperature control apparatus unit.
In one embodiment the passages can be selectively opened or closed so as to allow, when opened, the control of the temperature as herein described to be achieved in both cavities, and, when shut, the control of the temperature, separately and independently in each cavity.
Typically the floors, roof, end walls and/or side walls can be selectively formed of or include insulation material to further aid the control of the temperature within the respective cavities.
Specific embodiments of the invention now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein
Figures la to d illustrate a side elevation, plan view, end elevation, and an elevation of the trailer in attachment with the tractor unit.
Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation of the interior of the trailer and shows, schematically, the airflow in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figures 3a-d illustrates an embodiment in which passages are provided with respect to the second intermediate floor in accordance with the invention.
Referring firstly to figures la to c, there is illustrated a trailer 2 which is provided for the transportation of goods between geographical locations such as, for example, to allow the trailer to be loaded with goods at a first location and then the trailer and goods to be moved to a second location where the goods are unloaded, for example, to then be placed into a retail outlet for purchase. In accordance with the invention, the trailer includes temperature control apparatus 4 which, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, can be provided in the form of a refrigeration unit which is located at the front end 6 and towards the roof 8 of the trailer. The refrigeration unit operates to provide cooled air into the interior of the trailer and, the same or a different apparatus could alternatively be used to provide heated air which is introduced into the trailer.
The trailer interior is defined by the roof 8, side walls 10, 12, end wall 14, which forms the front end 6, and end wall 16, which forms the rear end and which typically includes a door assembly 18 which can be closed during transport and opened to allow access to the interior 20 of the trailer. A first floor 26 is located at the base of the trailer and a second floor, 28, intermediate the roof 8 and first floor 26, is also provided. Said second, intermediate floor 28, may be fixed into position or may be moveable in height with respect to the roof and first floor. Wheels 22 are provided to space the trailer body from the support surface such as road 24.
The provision of the intermediate floor 28 allows goods to be stored on both the first and second floors and allows a greater portion of the interior to be usable and so provide a more efficient usage of the trailer. In One embodiment the floors 26, 28 may be provided with a parallel portion towards the front end 6 and then diverge towards the end wall 16 so as to allow even more efficient usage of the interior space.
The provision of the intermediate floor 28 also means that the interior is split into two cavities, a first cavity 32 defined between the roof 8 and second intermediate floor 28, and the upper portions of side and end walls 10,12,14,16, and a second cavity 34 defined between the second intermediate floor 28 and the first floor 26 and lower portions of side and end walls 10,12,14,16. As the trailer 2 is provided with a refrigeration unit 4, it will be most common that at least one of the cavities or both, will be required to be used to store goods therein for transport in a frozen, chilled or heated condition and are required to be kept in that condition during transport and it is therefore imperative that the same heated, cooling and refrigerated conditions, are present at all parts of at least one cavity, if only one cavity is to be heated/cooled, or both cavities 32, 34 of the interior of the trailer during transport. In order to transport the trailer, a tractor unit 36 is typically provided which can be selectively connected to the trailer as shown in figure Id, via a coupling mechanism 40. In addition to providing the mechanical coupling of the tractor unit with the trailer in order to allow transport of the same.
In order to allow the cooling effect to be achieved in both cavities 32, 34, the invention utilises the provision of an airflow circuit 42 as illustrated in figure 2. The airflow circuit allows the air to flow under fan movement from the refrigeration unit at point 44 and then move along the top for the cavity 32 as indicated by arrows 46.As the air flows along, the cooling air drops down progressively as indicated by arrows 50 towards the second, intermediate floor 28. At the floor, there are provided passages 48, formed as, possibly, one on each side of the floor or as a series of spaced passages as in this embodiment which allow the airflow to be directed downwards to the second cavity 34. Typically special floor planks are provided to allow air to flow through the deck and across the width of the floor. These passages 48, when opened, therefore allow the airflow to continue, past the second intermediate floor 28 and into the second cavity 34 to thereby allow the same cooling/heated airflow, to be provided into the second cavity 34 and allow that cavity to also be cooled/heated. The air then moves through the second cavity as indicated by arrows 52 downwardly and towards the front end 6 and then directed along duct 60 back to the refrigeration unit 4 to be cooled/heated again and emitted at location 44.
Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a means of creating airflow to provide the first and second cavities selectively and to do so in a manner which allows the airflow cooling effect to be achieved throughout both first and second cavities in the reliable manner.
The passages 48 can be formed in the floor 28 and/or as illustrated in Figures 3a.d can be formed in the support assembly 54 which is provided on the side walls 10, 12 and which act to support the second, intermediate floor in position.

Claims (11)

  1. Claims
    l.A trailer for the transport of goods therein, said trailer including a first floor, a roof, a second floor located intermediate the roof and first floor, opposing end walls and opposing side walls, the trailer having an interior with a first cavity defined between the end walls, side walls, the roof and the second floor, and a second cavity defined between end walls, side walls, the second floor and the first floor and wherein a series of passages are provided at spaced intervals along at least part of the length of the trailer interior to allow the flow of air between said cavities.
  2. 2. A trailer according to claim 1 wherein the said passages are provided to allow air to pass between the bottom face of the first cavity and the top face of the second cavity.
  3. 3 A trailer according to claim 1 wherein the passages are formed in the second floor and/or supports therefore which are attached to the side walls of the trailer.
  4. 4 A trailer according to any of the preceding claims wherein said passages are formed adjacent to both side walls of the trailer.
  5. 5 A trailer according to any of the preceding claims wherein the trailer includes temperature control apparatus which introduces cooling/heated air into the trailer interior.
  6. 6 A trailer according to claim 5 wherein the cooling/heated air is introduced at, or adjacent to, the front end of the trailer.
  7. 7 A trailer according to claim 6 wherein the cooling/heated air is introduced at, or adjacent to, the roof at the front end of the trailer.
  8. 8 A trailer according to claim 6 or 7 wherein an air flow circuit of cooling/heated air is created in the trailer which allows the direction of airflow from the temperature control apparatus along the first cavity towards the rear end wall and progressively downwardly through the said passages and into the second cavity from where the air is encouraged to flow therealong towards the front end of the trailer.
  9. 9 A trailer according to claim 8 wherein one or more ducts are provided at the front end of the trailer to direct air from the second cavity upwardly towards an inlet of the temperature control apparatus so that the same can be cooled/heated once more.
  10. 10 A trailer according to claim 5 wherein mechanical and electrical coupling means are provided at or adjacent to the front end of the trailer in order to allow the same to be coupled to a tractor unit which is provided to allow the trailer to be transported between geographical locations.
  11. 11. A trailer according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least some of the passages are provided to be selectively opened or closed so as to allow, when opened, the creation of the cooling air flow to be achieved in both cavities, and, when shut, the control of the temperature, separately and independently in each cavity.
    12 A trailer according to any of the preceding claims wherein any or any combination of the floors, roof, end walls and/or side walls include insulation material to aid the control of the temperature within the respective cavities.
    Intellectual
    Property
    Office
    Application No: GB1720233.4 Examiner: Mr Gary Clements
GB1720233.4A 2016-12-09 2017-12-05 Improvements to goods storage trailers Active GB2559041B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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GBGB1620959.5A GB201620959D0 (en) 2016-12-09 2016-12-09 Improvements to goods storage trailers

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GB201720233D0 GB201720233D0 (en) 2018-01-17
GB2559041A true GB2559041A (en) 2018-07-25
GB2559041A9 GB2559041A9 (en) 2018-08-22
GB2559041B GB2559041B (en) 2021-06-16

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2564739A (en) * 2017-04-21 2019-01-23 Mark Adams William Improvements to goods movement apparatus

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4879877A (en) * 1988-07-21 1989-11-14 Hicke Gerald E Air conditioning method and apparatus for refrigerated vehicles
US5319941A (en) * 1992-09-22 1994-06-14 Trans-Pak, Inc. System and method for storing perishable products in a refrigerated cargo bay
US6364388B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2002-04-02 Thermo King Corporation Air return bulkhead for use with a transport temperature control system
US20130252529A1 (en) * 2012-03-23 2013-09-26 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Ventilated vehicle loading floor

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201420532D0 (en) * 2014-11-19 2014-12-31 Adams William M Improvements to transport goods trailer

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4879877A (en) * 1988-07-21 1989-11-14 Hicke Gerald E Air conditioning method and apparatus for refrigerated vehicles
US5319941A (en) * 1992-09-22 1994-06-14 Trans-Pak, Inc. System and method for storing perishable products in a refrigerated cargo bay
US6364388B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2002-04-02 Thermo King Corporation Air return bulkhead for use with a transport temperature control system
US20130252529A1 (en) * 2012-03-23 2013-09-26 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Ventilated vehicle loading floor

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2564739A (en) * 2017-04-21 2019-01-23 Mark Adams William Improvements to goods movement apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2559041B (en) 2021-06-16
GB201720233D0 (en) 2018-01-17
GB2559041A9 (en) 2018-08-22
GB201620959D0 (en) 2017-01-25

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