JP2015512833A - Containers and systems for product storage and transportation - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for storing and transporting the product comprises a plurality of walls (2) connected to each other so as to define a receiving part (3) and at least one for adjusting the temperature inside the receiving part (3) Including a heat exchanger (8), said heat exchanger (8) being integrated within at least one said wall (2).

Description

  The present invention relates to containers and systems for the storage and transport of products.

  In the storage and transport of the product, a rigid container is used, with or without a lid, in which the product is placed.

  Specifically, these products can be placed in a container or, in the case of liquid products, introduced into an impermeable bag that is introduced into the container.

  For certain products, storage and transportation are preferably performed under constant or controlled temperature conditions to prevent product quality degradation.

  In other cases, some products are introduced and recovered in liquid form, but remain stored and transported in solid form. For example, this type of product is palm oil or cocoa butter.

  In this case, the product is introduced in liquid form into a bag contained in the container and solidified during transportation and storage. When recovered, the product is heated and liquefied again using a separate heating means.

  Using known containers, these operations are cumbersome and require considerable time to perform them.

  In this regard, the technical object on which the present invention is based is to propose a container and system for product storage and transport that overcomes the aforementioned difficulties in the known art.

  A specific object of the present invention is to provide a container and system for product storage and transport that allows the product to be stored and transported in a conditioned environment in a simple manner. .

  The foregoing technical objects and specific objects are satisfactorily achieved by containers and systems for the storage and transport of products, including the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

  Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following illustrative and non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a container and system for product storage and transport, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. It will become clearer.

1 is a perspective view of a container for storing and transporting products according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of details of the container of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of 2nd embodiment of the container according to this invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of details of the container of FIG. 3. 4 is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of a container according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for storing and transporting products according to the present invention.

  Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 refers to the entire container for storage and transport of products according to the present invention.

  The container 1 is preferably an IBC having a volume between 0.9 m 3 and 1.6 m 3, ie an intermediate bulk container.

  The container 1 includes a plurality of walls 2 that are connected to each other so as to define a receiving part 3 for containing a product.

  As shown, the container 1 includes five walls 2, i.e. one bottom wall and four side walls, which are connected to each other such that the receiving part 3 has a cubic shape. These walls 3 are square.

  The container 1 also includes a lid 4 that is hinged to one of the side walls 2. In other embodiments, there is no lid.

  Note that the cube shape is not an essential feature. In this regard, in other non-illustrated embodiments, the container 1 includes a different number of walls 2 that are different, such as cylindrical, generally parallelepiped, hexagonal cross section, octagonal, or the like. Connected to each other so as to define the corresponding receiving part 2 in shape.

  The base 5 is connected to the bottom wall 2. For example, the base 5 may be a pallet that allows the container 1 to be moved easily and quickly. For example, the base 5 may also be an integral part connected to the bottom wall 2.

  In addition, wheels (not shown) may be attached to the base 5 to facilitate handling of the container 1.

  The rib 6 can be joined to the wall as a reinforcement.

  In addition, the corner reinforcing member 7 can be connected to the apex of the container 1.

  The container 1 also includes at least one heat exchanger 8 for controlling the temperature inside the receiving part 3.

  According to the invention, the heat exchanger 8 is integrated inside the at least one wall 2.

  The container 1 preferably includes a plurality of heat exchangers 8, each integrated into the corresponding wall 2. The lid 4 can also be integrated inside a separate heat exchanger 8.

  Advantageously, all heat exchangers include a respective hairpin coil 9 that is integrated into the interior of the wall 2. The coil 9 is provided with a flow of thermovector fluid that is regulated by a suitable regulating device 10 separate from the container 1.

  The heat exchanger 8 integrated in the wall 2 is fluidly connected to each other via a flexible pipe. Alternatively, they can be fluidly connected via fluid couplings or via channels provided in the support structure of the walls 2 that connect the various walls 2 to each other.

  Advantageously, the heat vector fluid is simply water. Alternatively, the heat vector fluid may be water with one or more additives such as glycol.

  In an embodiment not shown, an auxiliary flow path filled with a phase change material is disposed between the flow paths defining the hairpin coil 9.

  For example, such materials may be paraffinic organic composites and hydrocarbons obtained as a by-product of petroleum refining or by polymerization, and certain inorganic compounds such as hydrated salts.

  The use of these materials greatly increases the thermal stability of the receiving part 3.

  In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall 2 comprises a panel 11 made of plastic material, preferably polycarbonate.

  The panel 11 is preferably a multilayer material that includes two surfaces 12 between which a space is defined. For example, a multi-walled structure is fixed in the space.

  Specifically, the multi-wall structure is arranged so that the cells extend along a direction substantially transverse to the thickness of the panel 11.

  Thus, the hairpin coil 9 is defined by appropriately connected cells of the panel 11 into which the heat vector fluid is directed.

  For example, as specifically illustrated in FIG. 2, each panel 11 has a closure member 15 disposed at the end of the panel 11. Openings (not shown) between the cells of each panel 11 allow fluid to pass from one cell to another.

  The connecting element 27 allows the closure member 15 to be secured to the associated panel.

  Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the connecting element can connect the closure members 15 together.

  In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hairpin coil 9 is rigid and made of metal.

  In this case, each hairpin coil 9 includes a plurality of conduits 16 connected to each other by a metal curved tubular member 17.

  Thus, the hairpin coil 9 has sufficient rigidity to define the wall 2.

  Two panels 18, preferably plastic material and / or preferably thermally insulating, are placed against each hairpin coil 9 so as to close and cover each wall 2.

  In all cases, the walls 2 can be connected so as to be rotatable together. For example, the walls 2 are hinged together.

  In this way, the wall 2 of the container 1 can be folded to reduce the volume of the container 1 when not in use.

  In a preferred embodiment (FIG. 5), the container 1 also includes a bag 19 formed of an impermeable and flexible material, preferably plastic.

  For example, the material may be a polyethylene film, or a polyethylene and polyamide laminate film that may include several film layers that are bonded together, as long as the bag is welded.

  The bag 19 is introduced into the receiving part 3 and filled with a liquid product.

  The bag 19 has an inlet 20 that allows the product to be introduced into the bag 19.

  The inlet 20 is closed by an inlet cap 21. The inlet 20 is located on the lid 4 of the container 1 when the bag 19 is introduced into the receiving part 3.

  The bag 19 also has an outlet 22 that allows the product to be removed.

  The discharge port 22 is closed by a discharge port cap 23. The discharge port 22 is located in the bottom wall 2 when the bag 19 is introduced into the housing portion 3.

  Similarly to the cap 23, the discharge port 22 is located in a discharge hole 28 provided in one of the walls 2 of the container 1.

  In this way, the bag 19 can be emptied by accessing the outlet 23 through the hole 28 without removing the bag 19 from the receiving portion 3.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the discharge hole 28 is located in the side wall 2. However, it may be located on the bottom surface 2 instead.

  The bag 19 also has one or more auxiliary openings 24 that allow further access to the interior of the bag 19.

  The auxiliary opening 24 may be closed by an auxiliary cap 25 or may be in the form of a one-way flow valve. The auxiliary opening 24 is preferably located on the lid 4 of the container 1 when the bag 19 is introduced into the housing part 3. However, the auxiliary opening 24 may instead be located on the other wall 2 of the container 1.

  In this regard, the container 1 includes one or more spacers 26 that can be inserted into the bag 19.

  This insertion can occur before, during or after injection.

  The spacer 26 is advantageously applied in the case of liquid products that solidify after filling.

  In this case, when the bag 19 is emptied, the product is heated because it must be liquefied again.

  The spacer 26 creates a cavity in the solidified product into which the heating element is inserted.

  In this case, the product is melted from the outside by the hairpin coil 9 connected to the wall 2 and from the inside by a heating element inserted in the cavity formed by the spacer 26.

  The spacer 26 is inserted into the bag 19 through the auxiliary opening 24.

  For example, the spacer 26 is preferably a tubular element having a circular cross section. However, other shapes are possible.

  The spacer 26 is preferably an inflatable element that reduces its volume to a minimum when not in use.

  Referring to the adjusting device 10, this can be connected to various supply means.

  For example, it can be connected to an electrical power source. Alternatively, it can be connected to the alternator of the vehicle.

  Moreover, the adjustment apparatus 10 may be connected to a solar cell panel or a wind power generator.

  The container is an IBC container, but may be other types of containers.

  As an example, container 1 is a 20ft or 40ft intermodal container.

  In addition, the container may be a truck or trailer housing body for carrying goods.

  The invention also relates to a system 30 for storing and transporting products comprising a plurality of containers 1 as described above (FIG. 6).

  The system 30 also includes the conditioning device 10 connected to the container 1 via a pipe 31 to provide a heat vector fluid at the required temperature.

  The containers 1 are preferably connected in parallel to each other in order to make the adjustment of the respective receiving parts 3 uniform.

  Alternatively, the containers 1 may be connected in series.

  The conditioning device 10 includes a heat exchanger that cools or heats the heat vector fluid. The pump 32 is mounted downstream of the regulator 10 to ensure an accurate flow of heat vector fluid.

  In an embodiment not shown, the system 30 is applied to sea transport. In this case, the system does not include a regulator, but includes a pump 32 that recovers water from the sea and circulates it through the heat exchanger 8 of the vessel 1.

  The temperature of the seawater is sufficiently low and stable to ensure good adjustment of the receiving part 3 without wasting further energy.

  Thus, the described invention achieves the stated objective and provides significant advantages.

  In this respect, the described container and system allows the product to be stored and transported in a conditioned environment in a simple manner, i.e. conditioned temperature.

  This is particularly advantageous when the product being transported or stored exhibits characteristics that are affected by changes in temperature conditions.

  Furthermore, in transporting the solidified liquid product, product filling and discharging is accelerated when the product is dissolved again.

Claims (11)

A plurality of walls (2) connected to each other so as to define a receiving part (3) and at least one heat exchanger (8) for controlling the temperature inside said receiving part (3), A container for storing and transporting products,
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger (8) is integrated in at least one of the walls (2).   The wall (2) has a space and the heat exchanger (8) comprises a hairpin coil (9) arranged in the space for the flow of a heat vector fluid. The container according to 1.   Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the wall (2) comprises a panel (11) of multi-walled material and the hairpin coil (9) is defined by cells of the panel (11).   Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger (8) comprises the hairpin coil (9) of rigid metal defining the wall (2).   Characterized in that it comprises a panel (18), preferably plastic material and / or preferably insulating, placed against two sides of the metal hairpin coil (9) so as to cover the wall (2). The container according to claim 4.   A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the walls (2) are hinged together so that they can be folded.   In order to contain a liquid product, it comprises a bag (19) of impervious material arranged inside said containing part (3), said bag (19) being an inlet (20) for injecting said product And a discharge port (22) for taking out the product, according to any of the preceding claims.   The bag (19) further includes one or more spacers (26) insertable into the bag (19), and the bag (19) includes one or more auxiliary openings (24) for inserting the spacer (26). The container according to claim 7, wherein   9. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the spacer (26) is an inflatable tubular element.   Container according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a regulating device (10) connected to the heat exchanger (8) for the heat vector fluid.   Product transport system comprising a plurality of containers (1) according to any of the preceding claims and an adjusting device (10) connected to the heat exchanger (8) of each container (1).

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