GB2625541A

GB2625541A - Thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container

Info

Publication number: GB2625541A
Application number: GB2219182.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Birgersen Torgeir; Alexander Daniel Paul
Original assignee: Oyster Thermal AS
Current assignee: Oyster Thermal AS
Priority date: 2022-12-19
Filing date: 2022-12-19
Publication date: 2024-06-26
Also published as: GB202219182D0; WO2024136667A1

Abstract

An isolated island 500 provided in a through-hole port 440 of a vacuum-insulated container (100, fig. 1). The container comprises a thermally-insulating layer 430 arranged in an intermediate space between an inner 410 and outer 420 body layers. A barrier 700, 700’ connects at least one of these layers with the island to provide an impermeable/diffusion-tight barrier for sealing off the insulating layer in the port, which in turn provides a thermally isolated transition between the port and the island. The island may comprise a thermal structure (550, fig. 5a) having a heat sink (551, fig. 5a) external to the container, a Peltier element (554, fig. 5a) in connection with the heat sink and a thermal conductor (553, fig. 5a) connected to the Peltier device on the side opposite ethe heat sink, and an internal heat sink (552) connected to the thermal conductor opposite the Peltier element. Further, there may be a gap 600 between the inner and outer body layers respectively. Further, the present invention relates to a vacuum-insulated container comprising the isolated island.

Description

Thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an isolated island provided in a through-hole port of a vacuum-insulated container. The invention further relates to a vacuum-insulated container comprising an isolated island.

Background of the invention

Box-like insulated containers, often known as coolers or cool boxes, are commonly used within the domestic market. These are most commonly used to maintain an internal temperature lower than the external ambient temperature, but can equally be used to maintain internal temperatures above external ambient temperatures. In the case of maintaining a lower internal temperature, a cooling element or ice pack is often placed inside the container to keep the temperature low. Such insulated containers traditionally comprise interior and exterior shells of plastic, with a rigid insulating expanded polymer-based foam filling the intermediate space between the inner and outer shells. In such insulated containers made of plastic with conventional foam isolation, it is difficult to achieve a homogeneous temperature across the interior of the container. The plastic shell has low thermal conductivity and when cooling elements are typically placed in the bottom of the interior, the temperature difference between the bottom and the top of the interior can typically be between 8-12 degrees Celsius.

Vacuum-insulated transport containers are sometimes used within the commercial market for transport of heat-sensitive products, such as fresh produce. These are usually rectangular boxes lined with vacuum-insulated panels along each side of the container. This is achieved either by using individual panels along each wall, or by using one or more flat panels that are folded to conform to the walls.

Vacuum-insulated panels comprise a flexible barrier layer formed from multi-layer metallised foil enclosing a rigid and highly porous core that supports the barrier layer. One technique by which conventional vacuum-insulated panels may be manufactured is by assembling these parts in a low-pressure environment, with the foil barrier layer then being sealed via a heat welding process around all edges of the core to maintain the low internal pressure once the panel is removed from the low-pressure manufacturing environment.

Transport containers utilising vacuum insulation offer significantly improved insulation, whilst reducing weight and wall thickness compared to conventional insulated transport containers. However, the vacuum-insulated panels are very delicate and can be easily perforated, thereby destroying the vacuum. Furthermore, whilst the panels have good insulation properties at their centres, this is much lower along the edges or folds where thermal bridges reduce the insulation performance.

Conventional passive coolers utilizing expanded polymer-based foam insulation with a higher thermal conductivity and therefore greater heat transfer from the external environment compared to an equivalent vacuum-insulated cooler with the same insulation thickness.

Similarly, thermoelectric coolers with expanded polymer-based foam insulation will have greater heat transfer from the external environment compared to a vacuum-insulated thermoelectric cooler.

A thermoelectric cooler element is typically a Peltier element. The thermal efficiency of a Peltier element is very sensitive to the temperature differences between the warm and cold side of the element. Even small increase of the temperature between the two sides lead to a significant reduction in efficiency.

Due to the combination of poor insulation and limited efficiency conventional thermoelectric coolers have limitations to how large temperature difference that can be achieved between ambient and the internal storage space. Typically, conventional thermoelectric coolers can only achieve 15-25 degrees Celsius temperature difference that is not sufficient to reach for instance food safe fridge temperature under typical operating conditions.

Conventional thermoelectric coolers also generally utilise a plastic shell and expanded polyurethane insulation construction and have similar challenges due to large temperature differences when filled with temperature-sensitive goods. A thermoelectric cooler element is generally small in size and placed on one of the walls of the insulated container. The inside of the lid is a commonly chosen placement due to practical considerations. Convection cooling via fan-forced air within the internal storage space is the predominant method of cooling the storage receptacle. When filling conventional thermoelectric coolers made of plastic, where the thermoelectric element is placed in the lid, only the upper part of the internal storage volume with free airflow can be cooled as the goods block convection cooling via airflow, and the internal walls made of plastic has low thermal conductivity.

A thermoelectric element is typically penetrating one or more of the walls of the coolers and the penetration or opening is sealed with a sealing element, typically a sealing gasket. Such gaskets form thermal bridges further reducing the thermal insulating performance of the cooler.

There is hence a need to address the above challenges.

Objects of the present invention The main object of the present invention to maximize refrigeration capacity and efficiency, and minimize operating temperature in a thermo electric vacuum insulated container.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize thermal bridges between the interior and exterior shells of a vacuum-insulated container and the bushings or through-hole ports while at the same time providing a vacuum fight sealing of the vacuum insulated walls.

A further object of the present invention to provide a diffusion tight sealing in bushings or through-hole ports in the vacuum-insulated container.

Yet another object of the present invention to optimize insulation properties.

Summary of the invention

In the following throughout the specification, the following terms means: The term "tub" used throughout the document is used to describe a storage compartment with an opening on one of its sides enabling access the compartment.

The term "lid" used throughout the document is used to describe a cover covering an opening of a container enabling access to the tub.

The insulating properties of the container allow for warm and cold storage, though for the sake of simplicity, only cold storage is described in the claims. The technical principles are equally valid for warm-storage scenarios.

The term "refrigeration capacity" is used to define the amount of heat removed from an object to be cooled per unit time by a refrigerating machine.

In a first aspect, the present invention is thus related to an isolated island provided in a through-hole port of a vacuum-insulated container. The vacuum-insulated container comprises a thermally-insulating layer arranged in an intermediate space between an inner body layer and an outer body layer. A barrier is connecting at least one of the inner body layer and the outer body layer with the isolated island, thus providing an impermeable/diffusion-tight barrier for sealing off the thermally-insulating layer in the through-hole port, which in turn provides a thermally isolated transition between the through-hole port and the isolated island.

In embodiments, the isolated island is chosen from a group of a thermal structure, compressor, capillary tubes, pipes or cables.

In embodiments, the thermal structure comprises starting with an external heat sink external to the vacuum-insulated container, a Peltier element connected to the external heat sink, a thermal conductor connected to the Peltier element on the side opposite the external heat sink, and an internal heat sink connected to the thermal conductor opposite the Peltier element.

In embodiments, the barrier is a barrier film.

In embodiments, the barrier film is a mulfilayer metallized film.

In embodiments, the barrier is a mylar.

In embodiments, the barrier is an epoxy.

In embodiments, the epoxy is a silver loaded epoxy.

In embodiments, the outer body layer is made of a metallic material.

In embodiments, the inner body layer and/or outer body layer is made of aluminium.

In embodiments, the inner body layer and/or outer body layer is made of steel.

In embodiments, the thermally-insulating layer is fumed silica.

In embodiments, the thermally-insulating layer is soda-lime borosilicate glass comprising glass bubbles.

In a second aspect, the present invention is thus related to a vacuum-insulated container.

The vacuum-insulated container comprises a tub forming a compartment with an opening, a replaceable container lid for covering the opening of the tub. The tub and the replaceable container lid each comprises a wall. The wall comprises an inner body layer and an outer body layer, wherein at least the inner body layer is made of a metallic material, a thermally-insulating layer arranged between the inner body layer and the outer body layer, a seal connecting the inner body layer and the outer body layer, and at least one through-hole port through the inner body layer, the thermally-insulating layer and the outer body layer in one or both of the tub and the replaceable container lid for communication between the inner body layer and the outer body layer. The Vacuum-insulated container further comprises an isolated island, wherein the inner body layer is thermally anchored to the isolated island by means of a barrier.

In embodiments, the inner body layer and outer body layer is retracted from the thermally-insulating layer in the at least one through-hole port providing a gap between the isolated island and the inner boy layer and the outer body layer respectively.

In embodiments, the isolating island comprises at least one step in its periphery, the at least one step having a surface being flush with the inner layer and/or outer layer.

In embodiments, at least one through-hole port provides a thermally-isolated transition arranged between the at least one though-hole port and the elements arranged in the at least one though-hole port.

The present invention relates to an isolated island provided in a through-hole located on one or more of the walls of a vacuum-insulated container. The vacuum-insulated container comprises an insulating core layer provided between an inner body layer and an outer body layer. A barrier, with very low air and moisture vapor permeability and low effective thermal conductivity is connecting at least one of the inner body layer and outer body layer with the isolated island. The barrier provides a functionally vacuum-tight seal whilst providing a thermally-isolated transition between the inner body layer and outer body layer and the isolated island. Also, the interior or inner compartment of the vacuum-insulated container is isolated.

The isolated island can be a part of a thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container. The isolated island is typically a thermoelectric heat pump, for instance a Peltier element connected to a heat sink. In operation, the heat pump will transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side of the element. For example, if the pump is used to cool the inner compartment, the temperature on the hot side of the heat sink will be much higher than the outer body layer. The isolated island minimizes the heat transfer between the heat sink and the outer body layer and thereby ensures that the outer body layer maintains outer ambient air temperature. There is a linear relationship between the heat loss through the insulation and the temperature difference between the inner body layer and outer body layer. The isolated island therefore ensures that heat loss is minimized. In another embodiment, the pump can also transfer heat from hot side to the cold side of the element, for instance when the vacuum-insulated container is used to heat the inner compartment.

The vacuum-insulated container is formed as a vacuum-insulated tub functioning as a compartment for storing items to be cooled or kept cool, and a vacuum-insulated lid to cover an opening in the tub. The lid can be opened and closed to gain access to the compartment. In embodiments, the container comprises a plurality of separate compartments, separated by walls. The vacuum-insulated tub and vacuum-insulated lid of the present invention comprises an inner body layer and an outer body layer, where at least the inner body layer is made of a metallic material or metallic foil, preferably aluminium or steel. The inner body layer and outer body layer form an intermediate space filled with an insulation layer. This intermediate space is at a pressure below atmospheric pressure.

The thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container comprises at least one through-hole port in the walls of the tub and/or lid for placement of an isolated island providing a thermal transfer between a cold side and the warm side of the device, wherein the cold side is facing one or more internal compartments of the device and the warm side is facing the ambient external environment outside the device or vice versa. The isolated island typically comprises a thermal element, compressor, a Peltier/thermoelectric element or capillary tubes, pipes or cables, etc. The through-hole perforates the inner body layer, outer body layer and the insulation layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are retracted from the trough-hole in the insulation layer. The isolated island comprises a sleeve or an outer wall abutting or contacting the isolating layer in the through-hole port and a flange, that is an internal flange and an external flange, at each end of the sleeve, preferably having an outer surface being flush with the outer surface of the inner body layer and outer body layer respectively.

Gaps are provided between the inner body layer and the internal flange of the sleeve of the isolated element and between the outer body layer end the external flange of the sleeve of the isolated element respectively. Each gap forms a thermal break that is covered by a barrier. The barrier is connected to the inner body layer and the internal flange and to the outer body layer and the external flange.. The through-hole port formed by the sleeve may be of any shape; for instance, circular, oval, rectangular or with multiple independent holes.

The barrier has an annular corresponding shape to the through-hole port. Thus, the inner body layer and outer body layer are connected with the isolated island providing a vacuum-fight barrier for sealing of the thermally-insulating layer and the compartment of the container with the external environment. The inner body layer and outer body layer is thus thermally separated from the thermally-insulating layer. Heat transfer between the external environment and internal storage compartment is minimized and the pressure in the thermally-insulating layer is maintained below the atmospheric pressure.

The insulated container of the present invention comprises a tub having a compartment for storing goods to be kept cool or to be cooled and a lid for covering the container. The tub typically comprises a bottom wall, and four side walls extending up from and surrounding the bottom wall forming the compartment and an opening. The lid and the walls of the tub comprises of an inner body layer, an outer body layer and a thermally-insulating layer arranged between the inner body layer and the outer body layer. The inner body layer and outer body layer are made of metal, preferably aluminium or steel. An inner body layer and outer body layer of metal provides an even temperature distribution within the insulated container, as the metal has high thermal conductivity. The inner body layer and the outer body layer is formed by common sheet metal forming processes such as a deep drawing process.

The isolated island provided in the through-hole port in at least one of the walls is thus thermoelectric fully integrated with the vacuum-insulated container, where the isolated island is thermally isolated from the inner body layer and outer body layer. Having a container with at least the inner body layer made of a metallic material, together with the isolated island, thus provides good insulating properties and low heat transfer between inner storage compartment and external environment. This provides better cooling capacity allowing the thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container to operate at lower internal temperatures.

The inner body layer made of aluminium is used to conduct heat via thermal conduction. The cold side of the thermoelectric element should not have direct contact with the inner body layer, as this will result in an increased temperature difference between cold and warm side and thereby increase heat loss through the insulation. Preferably, the air from the cold side of the thermoelectric/Peltier element is first distributed away from the cold side via convection with air, preferably by means of a fan, and when this air hits the inner body layer of aluminium, the cold will be distributed across the inner body layer of the container.

The temperature difference between cold side and warm side of the thermoelectric element is driving the heat transfer. The temperature of the warm side of the thermoelectric element should be as low as possible, only slightly warmer than the ambient temperature, in order to pull as much heat from cold side as possible. The temperature on the cold side of the thermoelectric element should be as high as possible, only slightly lower than the temperature inside the container. The isolated island design enables the thermoelectric heat pump to operate at a minimum temperature difference between the warm and cold side of the thermoelectric element under varying operating conditions thereby optimizing the efficiency of the thermoelectric heat pump.

The combination of reduced heat loss through the insulation and optimized efficiency of the thermoelectric heat pump enable the thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container to operate at a significantly lower operating temperature inside the chamber and / or have a higher refrigeration capacity compared to conventional thermoelectric coolers.

There is no conduction between the internal heat sink and the inner body layer nor between the external heat sink and the outer body layer. However, there is convection between the internal heat sink and the inner body layer.

Description of the figures

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures, wherein: Figure la shows schematically and in perspective an embodiment of the thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container of the present invention; Figure lb shows schematically and in perspective the embodiment of figure la, where the thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container is turned upside down; Figure lc shows schematically and in perspective an alternative embodiment of a thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container of the present invention where multiple thermoelectric elements are used, Figure ld shows schematically and in perspective an alternative embodiment of a thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container of the present invention where thermoelectric elements can be placed on alternative walls of the container; Figure 2a shows schematically a side view of the thermoelectrical vacuum-insulated container shown in figure la. Figure 2b shows a cross sectional view A-A of figure 2a; Figure 3a shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the wall with an isolated island presented as a simple through-hole port. Figure 3b shows a detail B of figure 3a, wherein the structure of the wall of the through-hole port is shown; Figure 4a shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the container wall with an isolated island with a similar outer structure as figure 3a and 3b, but with the addition of an airtight gasket/seal encapsulating two or more capillary tubes allowing closed-loop flow of fluids such as in compressor-based heat exchanger systems; Figure 4b shows an embodiment with a similar construction as figure 4a, but with the addition of an extra internal wall to conceal refrigerant capillary tubes of a compressor-based heat exchanger system; Figure 5a shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the container wall with an isolated island with a similar outer structure as figure 3a and 3b, but with the addition of a central thermally conductive core, thermoelectric element, cold-side heat sink and warm-side heat; Figure 5b shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the container wall with an isolated island and thermoelectric element with a similar structure as figure 5a, but with the addition of a warm-side fan mounted to the warm-side heatsink; and Figure Sc shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the container wall with an isolated island and thermoelectric element with a similar structure as figure 5a, but with the addition of a warm-side fan mounted to the warm-side heatsink and a cold-side fan mounted to a cold side heat sink.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention Figure la shows schematically and in perspective an embodiment of the thermoelectrical vacuum-insulated container 100 of the present invention. The thermoelectrical vacuum-insulated container 100 comprises a tub 200 forming a compartment 210 with an opening (not shown). The opening is covered by a lid 300. The tub 200 and lid 300 comprise a wall 400 comprising an inner body layer 410 (not shown) and an outer body layer 420 made of a metal material, such as aluminium or steel. Between the inner body layer 410 and outer body layer there is arranged a thermally-insulating layer 430 (not shown). A through-hole port 440 is indicated in the lid 300. The through-hole port 440 is not limited to this location but can be placed in the lid 300 and/or in any other wall 400 of the container 100.

Figure lb shows schematically and in perspective the embodiment of figure la, where the thermoelectrical vacuum-insulated container 100 is turned upside down.

Figure lc shows schematically and in perspective an alternative embodiment of a thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container 100 of the present invention where multiple thermoelectric elements are used.

Figure id shows schematically and in perspective an alternative embodiment of a thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container 100 of the present invention where thermoelectric elements can be placed on alternative walls 400 of the container 100.

Figure 2a shows schematically a side view of the thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container 100 in figure la. Figure 2b shows a cross sectional view A-A of figure 2a wherein the through-hole port 440 is shown in the lid 300.

Figure 3a shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the wall 400 with an isolating island 500 presented in a simple through-hole port 440 having an isolated island 500 arranged in the through-hole port 440. Figure 3b shows a detail B of figure 3a, wherein the structure of the wall 400 of the through-hole port 440 is shown. The wall 400 comprises an inner body layer 410 and an outer body layer 420 made of a metallic material. A thermally-insulating layer 430 is arranged between the inner body layer 410 and outer body layer 420. An isolated island 500 is arranged in the through-hole port 440. The isolated island 500 can be one of a simple through-hole, a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier device, one or more capillary tubes, pipes or cables, etc. The isolated island 500 comprises an outer sleeve 510 contacting or abutting the thermally-insulating layer 430 in the through-hole port 440, an internal flange 520 is arranged in one end of the sleeve 510 and an external flange 530 is arranged in the other opposite end of the sleeve 510. The internal flange 520 having an outer surface 521 being flush with or at the level of the outer surface 411 of the inner body layer 410 and the external flange 530 having an outer surface 531 being flush with or at the level of an outer surface 421 of the outer body layer 420. The inner body layer 410 and outer body layer 420 is retracted from the through-hole port 440, leaving a gap 600 between the inner body layer 410 and the internal flange 520 and a gap between the outer body layer 420 and the external flange 530. The gap 600 forms a thermal break, and thus there is minimal heat transfer between the outer body layer 420 and the inner body layer 410 through the isolated island 500. The gap 600 is covered by a barrier 700, 700' in that the barrier 700, 700' is connected to the inner body layer 410 and the internal flange 520 and the outer body layer 420 and the external flange 530 respectively. The through-hole port 440 may be circular, oval, rectangular etc., and the barrier 700, 700' is having an annular corresponding shape to the through-hole port 440. Thus, the inner body layer 410 and outer body layer 420 connected with the isolated island 500 providing an impermeable/diffusion-tight high barrier sealing for sealing off the isolating layer.

Figure 4a shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the wall 400 with a through-hole port 440 having an isolated island 500 arranged in the through-hole port 440.

The same principles as for figure 3a and 3b applies, but here, the isolated island 500 is shown to comprise a compressor 540. The compressor 540 comprises a compressor system 541 arranged in ambient/external environment and a heat exchanger system 542 arranged in the compartment 210 of the thermoelectrical vacuum-insulated container 100. The heat exchanger system 541 is formed as an open loop comprising a refrigerant pipe in 543 and a refrigerant pipe out 544 extending from the compressor system 542 through the through-hole port 440 and an insulating gasket 545 and into the compartment 210 of the thermoelectrical vacuum-insulated container 100 where it is forming the loop. The gasket 545 ensures that the compartment 210 is sealed off in openings for the refrigerant pipe in 543 and refrigerant pipe out 544 arranged in the isolated island 500. An additional through-cable 800 is fed through the gasket 545 to allow electrical communication with a temperature sensor 900 placed within the storage compartment.

Figure 4b shows an embodiment with similar structure to 4a, but with the addition of an extra internal shell layer 1200 concealing the refrigerant capillary tubes 542 kept within an additional intermediate space 1300 at standard atmospheric pressure.

Figure 5a shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the wall 400 with a through-hole port 440 having an isolated island 500 arranged in the through-hole port 440.

The same principles as for figure 3 applies, but here, the isolated island 500 is shown to include a thermoelectric element 550. The thermoelectric element 550 comprises an external heat sink 551 arranged in the ambient/external environment and an internal heat sink 542 arranged within the compartment 210 of the thermoelectric vacuum-insulated container 100, wherein the internal heat sink 552 is connected to a thermal conductor 553 extending through the through-hole port 440. The thermal conductor 553 is further connected to a thermoelectric/Peltier element 554 arranged in the ambient/external environment which further is connected to the external heat sink 551. The thermal conductor 553 is having an extension through the through-hole port 440 ensuring that the heat sinks 551, 552 and the Peltier element 554 is not touching the inner body layer 410, the outer body layer 420 and the isolating layer of the wall 400, the flange 510 of the isolating body or the barrier 700, 700'. Cooling of the external heat sink 551 occurs via natural convection air flow 1210.

Cooling of the internal heat sink 552 occurs via natural convection.

Figure 5b shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the wall 400 of the container 100, either the wall 400 of the tub 200 or the wall of the lid 300 with an isolated island 500 being a thermoelectric element with a similar structure as figure 5a, but with the addition of a warm-side fan 1230 mounted to the warm-side heatsink 551. Cooling of the external heat sink 551 occurs via fan-forced convection where a warm-side intake air flow 1240 is pulled through the warm side fan 1230 and the external-side exhaust airflow 1250 is then forced over the warm-side heat sink 551. Cooling of the internal heat sink 552 occurs via natural convection.

Figure Sc shows an embodiment showing a cross sectional close up of the wall 400 of the container 100, either the wall 400 of the tub 200 or the wall of the lid 300 with an isolated island 500 being a thermoelectric element with a similar structure as figure 5a, but with the addition of a warm-side fan 1230 mounted to the warm-side heatsink 551 and a cold-side fan 1260 mounted to a cold side heat sink 552. Cooling of the external heat sink 551 occurs via fan-forced convection where an external-side intake air flow 1240 is pulled through the warm side fan 1230 and the external-side exhaust airflow 1250 is then forced over the warm-side heat sink 551. Cooling of the internal heat sink 552 occurs via fan-forced convection where an internal-side intake air flow 1270 is pulled through the cold side fan 1260 and the internal-side exhaust airflow 1280 is then forced over the cold-side heat sink 552.

In order to provide increased mechanical stability of the heat sinks 551, 552 a low-heat or non-heat conductive supports, e.g. by means of a thermally-insulating mounting bosses 560, 560', may be arranged between the internal heat sink 551 and the inner body shell 410, and between the external heat sink 552 and the outer body shell 420 as shown in figures 5a-5c.

Table 1

Ref Description

Thermoelectrical vacuum-insulated container Tub 210 Compartment 220 Opening 300 Lid 400 Wall 410 Inner body layer 411 Outer-facing surface of inner body layer 420 Outer body layers 421 Outer-facing surface of outer body layer 430 Thermally-insulating layer 440 Through-hole port 500 Isolated island 510 Sleeve / outer wall of isolated island 520 Internal flange 521 Outer-facing surface of internal flange 530 External flange 531 Outer-facing surface of external flange 540 Compressor 541 Compressor system 542 Heat exchanger system 543 Refrigerant pipe in 544 Refrigerant pipe out 550 Thermal structure 551 External heat sink 552 Internal heat sink 553 Thermal conductor 554 Thermoelectric/Peltier element 560 Thermally-insulating mounting boss external side 560' Thermally-insulating mounting boss internal side 600 Gap 700 Barrier external side 700' Barrier internal side 800 Through-cable 900 Temperature sensor 1000 Internal shell layer! Internal wall 1100 Intermediate space 1210 External-side natural convection over heat sink 1220 Internal-side natural convection over heat sink 1230 External-side fan 1240 External-side fan air intake 1250 External-side fan-forced convection over heat sink 1260 Internal-side fan 1270 Internal-side fan air intake 1280 Internal-side fan-forced convection over heat sink 1300 Locking outer edge of through-hole port

Claims

Claims 1. An isolated island (500) provided in a through-hole port (440) of a vacuum-insulated container (100), wherein the vacuum-insulated container (100) comprises: a thermally-insulating layer (430) arranged in an intermediate space between an inner body layer (410) and an outer body layer (420); wherein a barrier (700, 700') is connecting at least one of the inner body layer (410) and the outer body layer (420) with the isolated island (500), thus providing an impermeable/diffusion-tight barrier for sealing off the thermally-insulating layer (430) in the through-hole port (440), which in turn provides a thermally isolated transition between the through-hole port (440) and the isolated island (500).
2. The isolated island (500) according to claim 1, wherein the isolated island (500) is chosen from a group of a thermal structure (550), compressor (540), capillary tubes, pipes or 15 cables.
3. The isolated island (500) according to claim 2, wherein the thermal structure (550) comprises starting with an external heat sink (551) external to the vacuum-insulated container (100), a Peltier element (554) connected to the external heat sink (551), a thermal conductor (553) connected to the Peltier element (554) on the side opposite the external heat sink (551), and an internal heat sink (552) connected to the thermal conductor (553) opposite the Peltier element (554).
4. The isolated island (500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier (700, 700') is thermally insulating.
5. The isolated island (500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier (700, 700') is a barrier film.
6. The isolated island (500) according to claim 5, wherein the barrier film is a multilayer metallized film.
7 The isolated island (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the barrier (700, 700') is a mylar.
8. The isolated island (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the barrier (700, 700') is an epoxy.
9. The isolated island (500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner body layer (410) is made of a metallic material.
10. The isolated island (500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer body layer (420) is made of a metallic material.
11. The isolated island (500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner body layer (410) is made of aluminium.
12. The isolated island (500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer body layer (420) is made of aluminium.
13. The isolated island (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner body layer (410) is made of steel.
14. The isolated island (500) according to claim 13, wherein the outer body layer (420) is made of steel.
15. A vacuum-insulated container (100), comprising: a tub (200) forming a compartment (210) with an opening (220); a replaceable container lid (300) for covering the opening (220) of the tub (200); wherein the tub (200) and the replaceable container lid (300) each comprises a wall (400) comprising: an inner body layer (410) and an outer body layer (420), wherein at least the inner body layer (410) is made of a metallic material, a thermally-insulating layer (430) arranged between the inner body layer (410) and the outer body layer (420), a seal connecting the inner body layer (410) and the outer body layer (420) at least one through-hole port (440) through the inner body layer (410), the thermally-insulating layer (430) and the outer body layer (420) in one or both of the tub (200) and the replaceable container lid (300) for communication between the inner body layer (410) and the outer body layer (420), and an isolated island (500) according to any preceding claim; wherein the inner body layer (410) is thermally anchored to the isolated island (500) by means of a barrier (700, 700').
16. The vacuum-insulating container (100) according to claim 15, wherein the inner body layer (410) and outer body layer (420) is retracted from the thermally-insulating layer (430) in the at least one through-hole port (440) providing a gap (600) between the isolated island (500) and the inner boy layer (410) and the outer body layer (420) respectively.
17. The vacuum-insulating container (100) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the isolating island (500) comprises at least one step in its periphery, the at least one step having a surface being flush with the inner layer and/or outer layer.
18. The vacuum-insulating container (100) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the at least one through-hole port (440) provides a thermally-isolated transition arranged between the at least one though-hole port (440) and the elements arranged in the at least one though-hole port (440)
19. The vacuum-insulating container (100) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the thermally-insulating layer (430) is fumed silica.
20. The vacuum-insulating container (100) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the thermally-insulating layer (430) is soda-lime borosilicate glass comprising glass bubbles.