KR100354936B1 - Transportation and / or storage of agricultural products or cargo - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to transport and / or store the produce, individual refrigeration units are provided in palletized packages. One end of the produce 201 is surrounded by a packaging that acts as a gas barrier, for example a plastic bag 2, corrugated cardboard, or the like. The packaging may also optionally include a heat insulator 200. In one option, the freezing device is in or on the pallet 3. The gas flow through the evaporator 15 (ie, the internal flow to the gas barrier) is a gas flow through the condenser 10 in the same way as the physical separation of condensers and evaporators and conduits or channels within the pallet ( The flow eventually remains separate from the heating of ambient air). In another alternative, the freezing device is located on the produce. In this case the separation of the gas flow can be achieved by sealing the barrier to the flange surrounding the condenser (for example by clamping the inlet of the plastic bag by the zero ring).

Description

How to transport and / or store agricultural products or cargo

Many container transport systems have been proposed that can transport frozen meat or fresh foodstuffs in a frozen and controlled environment.

The size and cost of such a container is such that a large amount of produce can be loaded, which means that once packed in a container, special transportation must be awaited.

There are refrigerated cargoes based on pallet systems for applications where no special transport (by container) is required, and since pallet systems generally handle smaller volumes than actual transport containers, they can be filled. There is a very low need to collect sufficient crops.

In the containers destined for the Northern Hemisphere, environmental control (usually high carbon dioxide concentrations) was normally required in addition to freezing, but in reality, for meat, in many cases frozen meat can be packaged in one pallet, so within a simple freezing shelf life without a controlled environment It was possible to reach the market in the northern hemisphere. There is an improved technique for simple gas flushing after injecting possible gases at the time of packaging, but it does not involve any continuous control. More elaborate forms include some gas environment monitoring and adjustment (eg, flushing / scrubbing).

The present invention is directed to a pallet based refrigerated transportation system or storage and / or shipping container capable of transporting and / or storing mixed loads in a common environment.

1 is a packaged form of the system of the present invention having a cardboard surround surrounding packaged or unpackaged produce (preferably meat), with members placed across the top of the surround supporting the refrigeration apparatus. And a plastic bag (preferably transparent bag) surrounds the outside of the surround and the device from the bottom of the produce and surrounds (preferably) an air inlet and an air outlet that communicates with the condenser area of the refrigeration system. Sealed around the boss or flange.

1A is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 shows another arrangement shown in relation to FIG. 1, in which the plastic bag placed on a pallet (preferably with a base liner of cardboard or plastic material) comprises the produce packaged in a box, and thus To provide its own good vertical stability, and the plastic bag is sealed against the refrigeration device which induces a vertical bearing force from the box itself, to provide an insulation with a degree of insulation selected to meet the requirements of the goods. Wrapping around, for example, double grooved cardboard or other materials is preferred.

3 shows the assembled device of FIG. 2 with an upper cap such as a base tray located on top of the pallet;

4 shows an arrangement in which the bag can be sealed against the inlet / outlet openings in communication with the condenser, ie the condenser fan.

5 is a plan view of a preferred refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is a view without the top lid in FIG.

7 is a perspective view of a refrigeration apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another packaging form of the present invention having a refrigeration device combined with a pallet and having a cardboard surround surrounding the frozen or unpackaged produce (preferably meat) stacked on a pallet;

9 shows the device of FIG. 10 stacked on top of each other;

10 shows another embodiment with a box fixed on one side of a pallet capable of placing / removing the refrigeration apparatus associated with FIGS. 11 and 12.

11 is a perspective view of a refrigeration apparatus.

12 is a side view of the refrigeration apparatus of FIG.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of another form of the present invention equipped with a swinging door to the freezing device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the unitary pallet based refrigeration unit of FIG. 8; FIG.

15 shows that a refrigeration apparatus is provided in a pallet, the produce is placed in the pallet, the produce is then substantially surrounded by a plastic bag and optionally surrounded by a thermal insulation panel and an outer cardboard case, the cover of the produce Is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the plastic retaining strip is held in place and provided with means for sealing the plastic bag to the pallet.

16 is a side elevation view of the present invention shown in FIG.

17 is an elevational view of the end of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a partial end elevation view of FIG. 15 showing a box backing of the produce, where the box has an air conduit through the box. FIG.

19 is a perspective view of an individual produce box as shown stacked in FIG.

20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pallet refrigeration apparatus.

FIG. 21 is an end elevational view of a pallet of the form shown in FIG. 13 showing the produce stacked on a pallet and tied with a strap to be secured thereto; FIG.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a pallet loaded as shown in FIG. 14; FIG.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a marine container included in a number of devices according to the present invention, in which there may be a master / slave relationship between a refrigeration device and various dependent produce storage devices.

24 is a sectional plan view showing the arrangement of various devices according to the present invention, the arrangement providing an air gap or conduit between the individual devices and the device itself adjoining the inner wall of the marine container. do.

25 is a cross-sectional plan view showing another arrangement of the device according to the invention, wherein an air gap or conduit is provided between the individual devices and between the inner wall of the marine container.

FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of a preferred form of the present invention, which uses an interior (relative to the plastic material) insulation panel 200. The panel is sized to support itself and to provide air conduit around the deposited agricultural products or cargo embedded within one panel, the outer surface of the insulating panel being covered and sealed with a barrier material (2), for example a plastic bag. The barrier material is sealed against the pallet base 3. Also shown is a gas barrier 33 between the hot and cold sides of the refrigeration system.

However, the present invention provides, if necessary, a pallet for frozen meat or other produce (eg vegetables), whether or not initial gas flushing or continuous monitoring of the gas environment with calibration means is provided. The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of providing a transportation system based on the present invention.

As a first aspect of the invention, a method of transporting and / or storing agricultural products or cargoes,

Providing a pallet member (made of wood, metal or other material);

Loading (directly or indirectly) the produce or cargo to be transported onto the pallet member;

Partially enclosing the produce or cargo (before and / or after the loading step) with a barrier material (eg cardboard, paper or plastic film material);

Providing a refrigeration system associated directly or indirectly within said pallet member;

Operating the refrigeration system carried directly or indirectly by the pallet member to cool the produce or cargo,

The cooling system comprises a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) communicating with the evaporator region of the cooling system, a gas inlet and a gas air outlet (common or separated) communicating with the condenser region, and between the two inlet and outlet systems. A gas barrier for preventing the movement of gas from one side to the other,

The barrier material separates between the gas associated with the produce cooled by the evaporator of the refrigeration system and the ambient gas environment heated by the compressor of the refrigeration system.

The barrier material is preferably corrugated cardboard and / or plastic film.

As another aspect of the present invention, a method for transporting and / or storing agricultural products or cargoes,

Providing a forklift transferable pallet having a refrigeration system installed therein;

Loading (directly or indirectly) the produce or cargo to be transported on the pallet;

Surrounding the produce with a barrier material (eg, cardboard, paper or plastic material or the like) (before and / or after the loading step);

Operating the refrigeration system to cool the produce or cargo and / or gas associated with the produce,

The refrigeration system comprises a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) to the evaporator region of the refrigeration system, a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) to the condenser region of the refrigeration system, the two inlets and A gas barrier between the outlet system to prevent the movement of gas from one side to the other,

The barrier material separates the gas associated with the produce or cargo cooled by the evaporator of the refrigeration system and the ambient gas environment heated by the compressor of the refrigeration system.

In another aspect of the present invention, a forklift transferable pallet comprises a housing having a refrigeration system, a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separated) in communication with the evaporator area of the refrigeration system, and a condenser of the refrigeration system. A gas inlet and gas outlet (common or separated) in communication with the area, and a gas barrier for preventing the movement of gas from one side to the other between the two inlet and outlet systems.

Preferably the gas inlet / outlet communicating with the evaporator region of the refrigeration system is disposed along one side of the pallet and the gas inlet and outlet communicating with the condenser region of the refrigeration system is disposed substantially along the opposite side. It is.

Preferably the forklift comprises at least two channels and the gas inlet and outlet communicating with the evaporator region are located along or through one channel and the gas inlet and outlet communicating with the condenser region are the other Located along or through the channel.

In another aspect of the present invention, a transportation device comprises: a pallet transportable by a forklift claimed in claim 4;

Cargo or produce loaded directly or indirectly on a pallet transportable by the forklift;

A barrier material surrounding the cargo or produce and separating the gas associated with the produce or cargo cooled by the evaporator of the refrigeration system and the surrounding gas environment heated by the compressor of the refrigeration system.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a refrigeration apparatus associated with a pallet based pack includes:

A housing having a refrigeration system that is electrically operated, the housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) in communication with the evaporator region of the refrigeration system and a (common or separate) communication with the condenser region of the refrigeration system. ) A gas inlet and gas outlet, and a gas barrier to prevent gas movement from one side to the other between the two inlet and outlet systems,

Wherein a means is provided in which the inlet of a plastic, paper or foil (hereinafter “plastic”) bag can be sealed to the housing around the gas inlet and outlet openings communicating with the condenser area, and also for powering the refrigeration system. An external and / or internal power device is provided.

Preferably the gas inlet and gas outlet for the evaporator region are located in the boss or flange region of the housing where the inlet of the plastic bag can be secured by, for example, a zero ring, tape, clamp or other means.

Preferably the housing comprises an enclosing channel or other means by which one area (ie the inlet) of the plastic bag can be wedged or otherwise fixed.

Preferably the refrigeration unit is well combined to share a common top surface with the forklift transportable pallet.

Preferably the refrigeration apparatus may be arranged on a pallet or may be supported on the pallet or at least some produce by the barrier material or a member thereof and mounted on the pallet without contacting the pallet.

Another feature of the invention is a method of transporting and / or storing a produce or other cargo (hereinafter "produce") to be cooled,

Providing a pallet member (made of wood, metal or other material);

Placing the plastic bag (“plastic” as previously defined) on the pallet member (directly or indirectly);

Loading the produce or cargo to be transported into the bag;

Providing a support (preferably over the top of the produce) on the pallet using certain structural elements (made of wood, cardboard or other material);

Placing a refrigeration device as claimed in claim 8 (directly or indirectly) on the support;

Then sealing the inlet of the plastic bag against the refrigeration apparatus around a gas inlet and a gas outlet through the condenser region;

Before, at the same time or afterwards, the refrigeration unit is occasionally operated.

Preferably the system does not include a gas flushing step and an air bleeding step.

As described above, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparatus operates in a number of different ways, but each method is a plastics bag or other positioned directly or indirectly on the refrigerating device 1 and the pallet 3. A sealing barrier or means 2 is used. Plastics include, for example, thin pieces of metal, plastics, paper and other materials including combinations thereof, such as cured plastic films. PVC plastic impermeable films will be preferred as the plastic bag.

In another embodiment of the invention the plastic bag is composed of a barrier film. In another embodiment the film is of a type that absorbs at least some gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane or ethylene.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the pallet 3 comprises a cardboard and a plastic lined tray 4 preferably located on the cardboard, in which the base of the plastic bag 2 is provided. Within the plastic bag 2 there may be placed cardboard or other liner 5 or unpackaged produce in separate cartons 6.

In another embodiment of the invention the tray is a plate with high thermal conductivity, for example metal. This makes it less likely that hot spots or cold spots will be created.

The stack of crates 6 supports the refrigeration apparatus 1 either directly or through a suitable spacer (preferably through a spacer). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the support cardboard or similar member (skeleton or other structure, in particular made of wood) positions the members lying across the top and in the preferred embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 7 supports the refrigeration apparatus.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, the stack of crates 6 is supported by the refrigeration unit and the pallet either directly or through a ribbed bottom or raised bottom.

The refrigerating device 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, and 8, 10, 11, 12 comprises an exhaust fan 8, a condenser inlet 9 and a condenser 10. Compressor 16 is shown in FIG. 6.

The evaporator region (evaporator denoted by reference numeral 15) of the refrigeration system with circulation fan 13 and air inlet 14 lies on the opposite side of the refrigeration apparatus in housing 11.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various means of sealing around the inlet / outlet openings to the condenser side of the refrigeration unit can be installed in the channel or around the flange, for example in FIG. 17 is shown.

The electrical leads 18 provided in the refrigeration apparatus in areas where no sealing is required for the plastic bag are not shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 but shown in FIG. 1.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a produce container 60 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, wherein the produce container comprises a protrusion or extension 61 on the bottom surface, the extension or protrusion Conduits or air holes 62 are included to facilitate the flow of air to the produce. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, at least when the meat is transported, the air flow actually crosses over the produce upwards along the inner wall of the container and then down along the opposite inner wall. Headed.

In the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, the plastic bag 2 is provided with an additional layer or several sheets of insulating material 41, for example polystyrene foam. In another embodiment of the invention an additional protective layer 42, for example cardboard, is provided on a plastic sheet. In embodiments of the present invention, straps 53 and 54 may be provided to hold the produce in place during storage or transportation. In another embodiment of the present invention, the strap may stand up a produce box and create air conduits or gaps therebetween. In other embodiments of the present invention, air holes may be provided by stacking close to the inner walls of other similar produce conveying devices or marine containers. In other embodiments of the present invention, various packings or protrusions may be provided inside the produce, container or pack based on the pallet to provide air conduits or holes.

Another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, is a refrigeration or combined refrigeration pallet apparatus with a stack of crates 6 supported directly or indirectly via a suitable facer placed on a rib or pallet. It includes. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the stack of boxes is surrounded by a layer of cardboard 37 on which the plastic can be lined. The use of a thermal insulation step of accurately aligning the packaging guide 39 for aligning the stack of crates with the insulation and the insulation 37 surrounding the produce produces a gap 38 between the stack and the insulation to circulate air. This is done. The circulating air conduit and ribbed bottom 40 create an air gap at the bottom of the stack, through which the air is circulated to the evaporator fan 42.

11 and 12 show the arrangement of the evaporator 15, the cold air outlet and the circulating air inlet 35 associated with the evaporator fan 42. Air flows along the circulating air conduit 38 to the circulating air inlet 35, which is isolated from the condenser and other system components by the dividing wall 33, and then across the evaporator 15. Or cooled while passing, and then forced out of the cold air outlet by the evaporator fan 42. Cold air can then flow through the gap provided by the rubbed bottom and the gap between the boxes, thus cooling or keeping the box cool.

As shown in FIG. 10, the refrigerating device has a door 34 on one or more sides, and the door can operate the refrigerating device or change settings. 10 also shows a pallet with a ribbed bottom 6 and a circulating air inlet on the top surface of the device 35 with a refrigeration device and a cold air inlet on the device side 36. Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 14 where the refrigeration unit and the pallet are combined into a slim line unit having a common, preferably ribbed top surface, which slim line unit The fork space (45) and the upper surface is preferably provided with an air inlet, outlet. This embodiment may have a plurality of condensers and evaporators to reduce the overall height, supply bottom air and circulating air flow down two opposite sides of the pallet.

The apparatus takes up little space when not carrying the produce, and FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the invention in which one produce is deposited on top of another.

The movement of air flowing from the evaporator region of the apparatus to the condenser region of the apparatus is limited by installing a gas barrier, preferably by the thermal barrier or divider 33 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

The condenser enters through the condenser cooling air inlet 9 and is cooled by a separate air stream which is accelerated by the condenser fan 8 and heated by the condenser and exits through the condenser cooling fan outlet.

Figure 13 shows a slightly different embodiment of the invention wherein the door for accessing the internal components is located on the long side of the refrigeration apparatus.

Thus, the divider 33 keeps the flow of cooling air contained in the thermal insulation layer 37 separate from the outside air used to cool the condenser.

Those skilled in the art will understand that various means of sealing around the inlet / outlet openings leading to the condenser side of the refrigeration unit can be installed in the channel or around the flange, for example in FIG. 17 is shown.

The electrical leads 18 provided in the refrigeration apparatus in areas where no sealing is required for the plastic bag are shown in FIG. 1 although not shown in FIGS. 4 to 7.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has a partition 33 which restricts the movement of air from the evaporator to the condenser.

Those skilled in the art will recognize the novel approach provided by the present invention from current refrigeration transportation systems. It will also be appreciated that a slight adjustment of the system can be used to flush the gas, or even use the retrofit of the refrigeration apparatus to vent air from the bag 2.

Another variant is to include a heating element to heat the defrost element or the base of the pallet on the evaporator. Because of this, it is possible to transport the produce, where the pallet is carried at a warm ambient temperature but can be stored in a hold with the frozen produce.

Yet another embodiment includes means for increasing the CO ₂ gas content of air circulating through the heating element and the produce. This enables the fumigation process, ie it can increase the temperature to about 40 ° C. and increase the CO ₂ content for half an hour.

The present invention generally includes a refrigeration apparatus that is directly or indirectly associated with a pallet. The refrigerating device is equipped with an external voltage source that may include electrical energy supplied by a power cable or the like, or an internal voltage source that may include a battery, a battery, or the like. The present invention provides a means for separating evaporated and cooled air from warm air in a condenser.

The cooled air of the evaporator is well circulated along or through the stack of produce supported directly or indirectly by the pallet. The means for separating and recycling the cooled air stream is preferably insulated.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a system or apparatus in which the produce can be sealed at a controlled temperature and preferably in an atmospheric environment. The sealing barrier or means is preferably shaped to release the seal for access to the cargo, for example for customs inspection or for unloading some or all of the loads contained in the device.

An advantage of the present invention is that several pallets are often suitable for transport vehicles or storage areas that can be controlled at a single temperature. The main application of the present invention is to use different palletized cargoes or containers, each containing different types of cargo in the same transport vehicle or storage site, and each palletized cargo or container is maintained at an optimum temperature.

The refrigeration system or apparatus may be placed on a pallet base or placed on top of a palletized stack. Obviously the system can be sized to fit any pallet size, for example iso euro pallets.

The cold side of the refrigeration system is separated from the hot side of the refrigeration system by a gas barrier.

The present invention uses a gaseous barrier to seal and separate the cooled air from the hot air generated by the condenser. Thus the cold side of the evaporator of the refrigeration system is separated from the hot side of the condenser. It is possible to seal with a barrier around the condenser. This is an undesirable technique since it is difficult to reseal after opening.

The gas barrier may also flush or purge the gaseous environment contained in the container or palletized cargo and inject a suitable air or gas mixture, for example 99% CO ₂ . In various non-respiring items of agricultural products such as fish, gas barriers can increase the shelf life of agricultural products. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is considered that it is not necessary to continuously inspect and control the environment, the mixing of the simply injected gas and the resealed container or cargo.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the bag material or gas barrier may be comprised of a semipermeable material such that, for example, a selected gas, such as ethylene, can enter and exit. In other embodiments, the barrier material may be completely impermeable.

There are several ways to seal the bag, for example the side portions of the bag may be well positioned in a molded metal cavity attached around the pallet base. The nylon strap can firmly secure the plastic bag to the cavity to seal the gas thoroughly. The bag or barrier material may also be sealed by a water trap device permanently installed on a pallet base.

Various applications can be made by adding insulating materials. The thickness of the insulation can vary depending on the application. The shape of the insulating material may also vary depending on the application.

The insulation may be designed to control the cargo or produce temperature while the container or palletized cargo according to an embodiment of the present invention is operated in an external environment range of -18 ° C to + 20 ° C. If the present invention is operated outside the above temperature range, auxiliary insulation may be required. It can be added in the form of an elastic cover or other insulating wrap. Thicker thickness panels or containers may also be used. Of course, thinner insulation is used if necessary.

Insulation is designed for easy disassembly and assembly, for example to inspect cargo between states or at borders. Because of this, it is also possible to put down some or all of the produce at the destination.

The thermal insulation panel itself may comprise a spacer element which forms an air plenum when the sides of the cargo or produce collide with each other. The spacer element is designed in such a way that it can take advantage of maximum aerodynamics so that the airflow can be sufficiently spread over the sides of the palletized cargo for optimal temperature control.

Even during normal handling, there may be movement and deformation of the cargo and damage to the outer case. When this happens, the air flow path may be completely or partially closed and may serve to warm some of the cargo or produce. To overcome the problems of some of the components of this packing system, for example, spacer elements can be made of a strong material, such as molded plastic or foam plastic insulation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a pallet base or other refrigeration apparatus is assembled with extendable or retractable spacer elements, which spacer elements are provided prior to placing cargo or produce in plastic bags or barrier materials and / or insulated containers. It is later designed to cover the length of one or more sides of the palletized cargo. When the spacer element is installed or configured, the spacer element forms a plenum that allows the air to circulate in a manner that supplies the air required around the cargo.

Alternatively, the spacer element may consist of some form of molded plastic pattern covering the four sides of the top of the palletized cargo. The plastic pattern can be made of a resilient or inelastic material, fit into a cargo like a net, and can be in the form of a bag.

Of course polypropylene insulation can be used instead of cardboard.

Now describe the refrigeration system. The cold side of the refrigeration system moves air onto a refrigeration (evaporator) coil or processes air from the refrigeration (evaporator) coil. The system circulates air around or through the produce. Air travels by fan or convection means. The air pattern is determined by air plenums and conduits integrated in the refrigeration unit. Additional conduits and plenums are made by assembling the configuration and / or cargo packaging of the packaging system. The fan may vary in speed for optimal cooling.

The hot side of the refrigeration system moves air over the condenser or treats air coming from the condenser. The ambient cold air directed to the condenser 10 is absorbed (by mechanical means) through an air conduit comprising a conduit provided by a forklift access channel for the purpose of being made into a pallet base. The hot air from the condenser 10 is discharged so as not to return directly to the condenser 10.

When some palletized cargo or containers according to an embodiment of the present invention are stacked together in an airless refrigeration space, there will be no means for the hot air generated by the condenser to escape to the atmosphere. Even worse, hot air accumulates in the space to such a level that the refrigeration unit cannot continue to cool the cargo.

Another potential problem exists when cargo or containers palletized in a manner that inhibits or blocks hot air from the condenser 10 collide against each other or against walls, such as the walls of trucks and other cargo. This may have the effect of recycling hot air directly back to the condenser 10 or part of the hot air may be recycled and another part directly with the outer side of another palletized cargo according to an embodiment of the invention. Be able to communicate. This has the effect of warming the sides of the palletized cargo and may make it difficult or impossible for the system to freeze the cargo.

There are various ways to solve the problem.

A good choice is to integrate air channels or conduits into the pallet base to deliver hot air to a point where it can be discharged without being directly recycled or reused by the refrigeration system. The air channel may be formed in a pattern. In each pallet base the pattern is the same so that the channels of adjacent devices can be connected when in contact with each other. The channels can carry hot air from the pallet base to the outside, where the air can be exhausted.

Another way of overcoming this problem is to provide spacer elements around one or more sides of each device or palletized cargo such that hot air from the condenser of each pallet device is directed to one or more sides of the condenser when the sides contact each other. It is to install a space to let it out. This is an inefficient choice because it does not maximize the cargo at the basic rate of transport or storage. In addition, hot air that does not mix with the surrounding environment can warm the sides of the container and adversely affect the cargo.

Another way is to integrate two forklift channels into the pallet base. One forklift channel is a conduit that supplies air to the condenser, and the other forklift channel is used to exhaust hot air to the condenser. The technique requires adjacent palletized cargo or containers to contact and allow the appropriate forklift channels to communicate with each other. The feed air enters the last palletized cargo, possibly in lined air channels facing the wall. The hot air will be discharged from the last palletized cargo at an outlet lined up at the opposite end where feed air enters.

Another method is to provide an air conduit in the form that allows hot air to flow from the condenser 10 to a position above the top of the palletized cargo or container.

Another way to solve this problem is to physically separate the hot and cold sides of the refrigeration system by placing a cold side at the base of the palletized cargo or container and a hot side at the top. In between, the necessary cables and pipes can pass through.

Well-aired air in a transport vehicle or storage house quickly dissipates hot air from the condenser by flowing cold air below or through the pallet base. Such a situation can allow palletized cargo on one or four sides to be in contact with each other and direct hot condenser air to the ventilated surroundings or allow cold air to flow through or down the pallet base.

For example, in a truck curtained on the side, the bottom edge of the curtain can be raised to sufficiently vent the palletized cargo or container of the device.

Defrost elements are used to provide heat to the refrigeration system. The heating system is used when the device is at an external temperature lower than the required control temperature. For example, a palletized cargo or container can be adjusted to keep fresh meat at -1 ° C, and if placed in an environment of -18 ° C instead of providing freezing, the device can, for example, maintain the correct temperature. In order to heat it using a resistance heater.

The system can be heated periodically or kept warm. The speed of the air can of course be controlled by the variable speed fan in good form.

The refrigeration unit is designed in a modular form and can be easily removed from the pallet base for repair or maintenance.

As described above, the fan preferably has a variable speed, and humidity is an element, that is, an element representing a temperature difference between the air entering and leaving the refrigeration coil. This is affected by the speed of the fans, i.e., high speed fans have a smaller temperature difference than is required for low speed fans. By controlling the temperature difference using the speed of the fan, the humidity level can be raised or lowered.

The electrical components in the refrigerating device need to be clearly protected from water and dust.

Various types of power sources can be envisioned, for example mains power sources, portable generators, batteries, solar power or combinations thereof. Although the refrigeration system has been described above primarily as electrical, it is also possible to generate electricity by any mechanical means, ie hydropower.

The advantage of incorporating rechargeable batteries into the device allows the device to be transported or stored for one to five days without needing to be connected to a power source. To be transported in the air or to be stored in an area without power.

The refrigeration system preferably monitors and alerts to abnormal temperature conditions.

The time delay switch can be properly installed in the fan in case the refrigeration system fails. The failure can lead to excessive temperature conditions and loss of produce.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a suitable preliminary temperature sensor is connected to an isolation switch that automatically shuts down the system. It may also include, for example, a sounding alarm or other alarm device connected to a remote sensing system.

If the external environment of the palletized cargo or container maintains frozen produce, the power to the refrigeration unit may be cut off to allow the frozen cargo or produce, ie meat, to freeze slowly.

For example, there are various options for different air flow patterns as follows.

1. Circulate air around the four and top surfaces of cargo or containers palletized by the plenum.

2. The air is circulated horizontally through the cargo / cargo packaging by at least two air plenums located opposite each other and an air conduit assembled in the cargo packaging between the plenums. One plenum is under small pressure.

3. The air is circulated vertically through the cargo / cargo packaging by at least two air plenums, one located at the top of the pallet stack and the other at the bottom of the pallet stack and Air is circulated vertically through the air conduits made by the cargo packaging in between. Air at the bottom runs over the exterior of the palletized stack of cargo in the air space between the cargo and the pellet container.

4. Circulate air vertically through at least one air plenum positioned towards the center of the palletized cargo, and somewhat horizontally through an air conduit of cargo packaging extending the air 90 degrees with respect to the vertical air plenum. Forced flow, flowing outwardly with respect to the side of the pallet stack, and into the air plenum between the outer side of the palletized cargo and the insulated container, and then the air plenum on top of the palletized stack Return to the freezing coil to complete the cycle. If the device is mounted on the base of a palletized cargo, the airflow pattern is reversed. The use of the chimney packaging concept was developed in Australia.

5. Circulate air up half of the palletized cargo and down the other half of the palletized cargo. The two air streams are separated by a gas barrier provided by cargo packaging or attached by plastic material or other means. And if so, two fans, one at the top and one at the bottom, can be used to move the air.

The basic principle is that an air stream flows into at least one conduit between one edge of the palletized cargo conveying plate (plate) and the side of the base unit and flows onto a refrigeration coil located below the plate and from the refrigeration coil. It exits to the other edge of the plate and the air flow between the side and the side of the base unit flows into the space created by the palletized cargo and packaging components. The air can circulate across the four sides and top of the palletized cargo and return to the suction conduit to complete a cycle or to move to that point through the cargo.

Air circulating around the cargo or through the cargo or circulating the refrigeration coil enters an air plenum that flows down through conduits made by the cargo packaging and directs the air out of the side of the container's base. It flows up to the upper plenum, then through the conduit communicating with the plenum and into the refrigeration coil.

There are a variety of methods for loading agricultural products or cargo into pallets or containers according to the present invention. One example is to use an additional pallet that is loaded first, then sealed if necessary and then lifted and transported onto the pallet according to the invention.

Claims (14)

In the method of transporting and / or storing agricultural products or cargo, Providing a pallet member (made of wood, metal or other material); Loading (directly or indirectly) the produce or cargo to be transported onto the pallet member; Partially enclosing the produce or cargo (before and / or after the loading step) with a barrier material (eg cardboard, paper or plastic film material); Providing a refrigeration system associated directly or indirectly within said pallet member; Operating the refrigeration system supported directly or indirectly by the pallet member to cool the produce or cargo, The refrigeration system comprises a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) communicating with the evaporator region of the refrigeration system, a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) communicating with the condenser region, and between the two inlet and outlet systems. A gas barrier to prevent the movement of gas from one side to the other, And the barrier material separates between a gas associated with the produce cooled by the evaporator of the refrigeration system and an ambient gas environment heated by the compressor of the refrigeration system. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier material is a corrugated cardboard or plastic film. In the method of transporting and / or storing agricultural products or cargo, Providing a forklift transferable pallet having a refrigeration system installed therein; Loading (directly or indirectly) the produce or cargo to be transported on the pallet; Surrounding the produce with a barrier material (eg, cardboard, paper or plastic material or the like) (before and / or after the loading step); Operating the refrigeration system to cool the produce, or cargo or gas associated with the produce, The refrigeration system includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) to communicate with the evaporator region of the refrigeration system, a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) to communicate with the condenser region of the refrigeration system, the two intakes and A gas barrier between the outlet system to prevent the movement of gas from one side to the other, And the barrier material separates between a gas associated with the produce or cargo cooled by the evaporator of the refrigeration system and an ambient gaseous environment heated by the compressor of the refrigeration system. For pallets transportable by forklift, A housing having a refrigeration system, a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) in communication with the evaporator region of the refrigeration system, a gas inlet and a gas outlet (common or separate) in communication with the condenser region of the refrigeration system; A pallet with a gas barrier to prevent the movement of gas from one side to the other between two inlet and outlet systems. 5. The gas inlet and outlet of claim 4, wherein the gas inlet and outlet communicating with the evaporator region of the refrigeration system are disposed along one side of the pallet, and the gas inlet and outlet communicating with the condenser region of the refrigeration system are along the opposite side. Pallet deployed. The pallet as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the forklift transferable pallet comprises two or more channels, the gas inlet and outlet communicating with the evaporator area being located along or through one of the channels, Said gas inlet and outlet communicating with a condenser region are located along or through the other said channel. A pallet transferable to the forklift claimed in claim 4; Cargo or produce loaded directly or indirectly on a pallet transportable by the forklift; A barrier material surrounding said cargo or produce and separating a gas associated with the produce or cargo cooled by an evaporator of said refrigeration system and an ambient gas environment heated by a compressor of said refrigeration system. A housing having an electrically operated refrigeration system, a gas inlet and gas outlet (common or separate) to the evaporator region of the refrigeration system, and a gas inlet and gas (common or separated) to the condenser region of the refrigeration system A refrigeration apparatus associated with a pallet-based pack, comprising: an outlet and a gas barrier for preventing gas movement from one side to the other between the two inlet and outlet systems; Means are provided in which the inlet of a plastic, paper or foil (hereinafter “plastic”) bag can be sealed to the housing about the gas inlet and outlet openings leading to the condenser area, and an external device for powering the refrigeration system. And / or an internal power device. 9. The refrigeration system according to claim 8, wherein the gas inlet and the gas outlet to the evaporator region are located in a boss or flange region of the housing in which the inlet of the plastic bag can be held by, for example, a zero ring, tape, clamp or other means. Device. 10. Refrigerating apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the housing comprises an enclosing channel or other means by which some areas (i.e., inlets) of the plastic bag can be wedged or maintained. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8 in combination with a forklift transferable pallet to share a common top surface with the pallet. 9. A refrigeration apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the refrigerating device can be mounted on the pallet so as not to be placed on or in contact with the pallet and supported by the barrier material or a member associated therewith. A method of transporting and / or storing a produce or other cargo (herein "produce") to be cooled, Providing a pallet member (made of wood, metal or other material); Disposing (directly or indirectly) a plastic bag (“plastic” as previously defined) on the pallet member; Loading the produce or cargo to be transported into or on the bag; Providing a support (preferably on top of the produce) over the pallet using a predetermined structural member (made of wood, cardboard or other material); Placing the refrigeration apparatus according to claim 8 (directly or indirectly) on the support; Then sealing the inlet of the plastic bag with respect to the refrigeration apparatus around a gas inlet and a gas outlet through the condenser region; A method of transporting and / or storing produce or other cargo, the method comprising the occasional operation of said refrigeration apparatus before, simultaneously and / or after sealing. The method of claim 13, wherein the system does not include a gas flushing step and an air evacuation step.