MXPA96004501A - Auto-content portable cooler freezer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for shipping temperature controlled cargo in a non-refrigerated cargo area of a substantially larger vehicle, vessel or transport aircraft comprising: a) a container having an internal area with a volume that is going to load with a frozen and / or refrigerated cargo and / or other controlled temperature cargo with an opening opening that can be opened and closed b) at least one refrigerant tank mounted in the container to contain a liquefied cryogenic refrigerant under pressure that is will use to cool the interior of the container, c) a discharge pipe element to conduct the refrigerant from the tanks, d) a valve element that communicates with the discharge pipe to pass the flow of refrigerant that is discharged from the tank, e) a controller element that responds to the temperature to open the valve element for dosing the liquefied refrigerant from the tanks. is in order to maintain a desired pre-selected and preset chilled or frozen temperature scale within the interior of the container, and f) a lifting element attached to the container to allow the container to be lifted by a crane element by joining the crane to the lifting element, wherein the vessel includes an upper part, side walls and a lower part, and the lifting element includes: (i) lifting eyelets attached to the bottom of the container; lifting eyelets and extending above the upper part of the container when the container is right, and (iii) extending bars attached to the upper part of the container to substantially prevent contact between the side walls of the container and the belt elements, the belt elements make contact with the extensor bars

Description

AUTO-CONTENT PORTABLE COOLER FREEZER SPECIFICATION This is a partial continuation of the Request for U.S. Patent Pending with Serial No. 07 / 905,791, filed June 29, 1992, now U.S. Patent Number 5,337,579, which is a partial continuation of the United States Patent Application United States with Number of Series 07 / 602,856, filed October 23, 1990, now U.S. Patent Number 5,125,237, which is a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 07 / 493,298, filed on March 14, 1990, now United States Patent Number 4,991,402, which is a continuation of Serial Number 343,025, filed on April 24, 1989 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of Serial Number 119,702, filed on November 12, 1987, now U.S. Patent Number 4,825,666, all incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to portable temperature controlled containers (such as frozen and / or refrigerated), which have integrated cooling system. 2. General Background Many truck lines use refrigerated trucks to transport food products over long distances. The present invention is an economical substitute for refrigerated trucks when less than a full refrigerated or frozen truckload has to be transported. For more information on this invention, see United States Patent Number 5,125,237.

COMPENDIUM OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention solves the problems and drawbacks of the prior art in a simple and direct manner, by providing an improved portable transportable refrigeration system for use on truck lines of the common carrier type, airplane, and boats, for example. The apparatus described herein comprises a self-supporting container having an interior for transporting refrigerated or frozen cargo, or other controlled temperature load, and adapted to be lifted by a hoist or crane element, or both. Accordingly, the container of the present invention is a versatile container that can be used in trucks, airplanes, and vessels, making it possible for a frozen or refrigerated cargo shipper to use the same container, whether boarding by land, by air, or by sea, or some combination of one or more of these methods. The present specification discusses a belt lifting system that allows the vessel to be lifted easily with a crane. For detailed information about the operation of the refrigeration system of the present invention, please see the patents and prior patent applications of Saia and Saia et al., Which are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention comprises an apparatus for shipping cargo at a controlled temperature in an uncooled cargo area of a substantially larger transport vehicle, vessel, or aircraft. The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises a container having an internal area with a volume to be loaded with frozen and / or refrigerated cargo and / or other controlled temperature cargo, with an access opening that can be opened and closing, a temperature control element integrated in the container to maintain a refrigerated or frozen temperature scale previously established and previously selected inside the container, and a lifting element attached to the container to allow the container to be lifted by an element of crane by joining the crane element to the lifting element. The lifting element is preferably attached to the container in such a way that the container is balanced when the crane element is attached at a single point to the lifting element. Preferably, the container has a base plate having two separate parallel grooves adapted to be coupled with a hoist lift device. The container preferably includes an upper part, side walls, and a lower part, and the lifting element preferably includes lifting eyelets attached to the bottom of the container, a strap element attached to the lifting eyelets and extending up from the upper part of the container when the container is erect, and extender bars attached to the upper part of the container to substantially prevent contact between the side walls of the container and the belt member, the strap member contacting the extender bars. Preferably, the strap element is attached at a point above the top of the container to enable the container to be lifted by a crane element attached to the lifting element at that point. Also, the extender bars preferably have internal and external ends, and include rollers adjacent to the outer ends, providing a low friction connection between the belt element and the extender bars. The lifting element is preferably certified for a maximum weight capacity of twice the weight of the container when it is fully loaded with the product. The method of the present invention comprises a method for shipping refrigerated or frozen perishable goods in a non-refrigerated area of a vessel having an area for containing cargo. The preferred method comprises the steps of placing the perishable items in a structural container that can be placed in the area containing the cargo of the vessel.; cooling the perishable articles by dosing a liquid refrigerant from one or more cans containing liquid refrigerant that are transported inside the container; use a valve to dispense liquid refrigerant from the cans; control the temperature inside the internal area of the container by controlling the degree of opening of the valve; and transferring the container to and from the vessel with a crane element by joining the crane element to a lifting element that is permanently attached to the container. The lifting element is preferably attached to the container in such a way that the container is balanced when the crane element is attached at a single point to the lifting element. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the additional step of moving the container around the vessel with a forklift. It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerated transport device that includes elements to facilitate the lifting of the device by means of a crane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention can be had when considering the detailed description of a preferred embodiment stipulated below, in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus of the embodiment preferred of the present invention, with the lifting straps shown in the position assumed when the main lifting shackle is attached to a lifting rope (not shown) of a crane (not shown). Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the lifting belts shown in the position they assume when the main lifting shackle is attached to a lifting rope (not shown) of a crane ( not shown). Figure 3 is a top view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a detail of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a front view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the lifting straps shown in the position they assume when the main lifting shackle is not attached to a lifting cable of a crane. Figure 6 is a side view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the lifting straps shown in the position they assume when the main lifting shackle is not attached to a lifting cable of a crane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The following is a list of elements of the present invention: 19 separate recesses. 20 separate recesses. 500 apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 512 container. 513 upper surface of container 512. 514 side wall of container 512. 515 sidewall of container 512. 516 sidewall of container 512. 517 side wall of container 512. 518 lower portion of container 512. 521 container door 512. 522 latch closing. 533 gas inlet to allow the vessel 512 to be preliminarily cooled with an external gas supply, and to be used to fill the cylinders containing refrigerant. 535 microprocessor-based temperature controller to set the temperature in vessel 512. 537 door on the 535 control panel. 539 door that covers a compartment for shipping instructions, boarding policies, etc. 541 stainless steel angles along the edges of the sides of the container 512. 542 stainless steel angles along the upper edges of the container 512. 543 stainless steel rubbing plates along the sides of the container 512 . 550 belt lifting system. 551 lifting eyelets. 552 7.6-centimeter aluminum channel extender bar riveted to 541 stainless steel angles. 553 7.6-centimeter aluminum channel extender bars riveted to 541 stainless steel angles. 554 0.48-centimeter aluminum plate welded to extender bars 552, 553. 555 2.1-cm diameter polyurethane rollers riveted onto the 552-553 extension bars. 556 7.6-centimeter by 3.4-meter nylon fabric slings that join the 551 lifting eyelets to the 557 nylon strap. 557 sling of nylon fabric of 7.6 centimeters by 1.2 meters that connects the slings 556 to each other. 558 main lifting shackle. 559 shackles attached to the lifting eyelets 551. 560 openings in the bars 552 and 553.

The apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container apparatus 500, is shown in Figures 1 to 6. The container apparatus 500 includes a container 512 and a belt lifting system 550. An insurable door 521 allows the access to the interior of the container 512. As mentioned above, the refrigeration system inside the container 512 may be the same as that described, for example, in the patents and prior applications of Saia and Saia and co-workers mentioned above. In Figures 1 to 6, an enlarged transportable rectangular shaped box 512 can be seen having an upper surface 513 (see Figure 3) and a plurality of side walls 514, 515, 516, 517, forming an enclosure with a lower portion 518 of the container 512. The lower portion 518 includes a pair of spaced recesses 19, 20, for example, which can be used to form a connection with the peaks of a forklift, such that the container 512 can be move and transport easily, such as during the unloading or loading of trucks and airplanes. The container 512 includes a plurality of stainless steel angles 541, one along each edge of the sides of the container 512, and a plurality of stainless steel angles 542 along the upper edges of the container 512. There is a plate of stainless steel 543 along the lower portion of each side of the container 512. The plates 543 help to prevent the container 512 from being damaged by the peaks of the elevator, and the angles 541 help to prevent the container 512 from being damaged by the direct hits; the angles 541 allow the container to take an oblique incidence as the freight moves in and out of the trailers. The present invention also includes a lifting element for easily lifting the container 512 with a crane. The lifting element includes a belt lifting system 550 that includes four lifting eyelets 551, spreader bars 552 and 553, and belt elements comprising nylon fabric slings 556 and 557. There is a 533 gas inlet to allow the cylinders in the container 512 are filled by an external gas supply, and, when changing the position of a ball valve (not shown), preliminarily cool the container 512 with the external gas supply to conserve the gas supply inside the container 512. A temperature controller based on microprocessor 535 is used to set the temperature in container 512. There is a door 537 on control board 535. A door 539 covers the boarding policy compartment. There are four lifting eyelets 551, one welded to the bottom 518 of the container 512 in each lower corner. There is a 559 shackle attached to each of the 551 lifting eyelets. An aluminum channel extender bar of 7.6 centimeters 552 is riveted to the stainless steel 541 angles and welded to an aluminum plate of 0.48 centimeters 554. Of the same In this manner, two 7.6 cm 553 aluminum channel extender bars are riveted to the 541 stainless steel angles and welded to the 554 plate. There are 5.08 cm diameter 555 polyurethane rollers riveted onto the 552, 553 extension bars, adjacent to each other. its outer ends. Nylon woven slings 556, preferably 7.6 centimeters by 3.4 meters, connect shackles 559 with nylon woven sling 557. Nylon woven slings 556 pass through openings 560 at bars 552 and 553 , and rest against the outer edge of the rollers 555. The openings 560 are sufficiently large to allow the slings 556 to pass through them without rubbing on anything other than the rollers 555. The sling, made of nylon 557, preferably 7.6 centimeters by 1.2 meters, links the slings 556 together above the upper part of the container 512. A main lifting shackle 558 is connected to the upper part of the nylon 557 fabric sling. 512 is lifted by joining the cable from a crane to the shackle 558. The rollers 555 at the end of each extension bar 552 and 553 provide guidance for nylon 556 fabric slings. they rotate a virtually friction-free contact point between the slings 556 and the bars 552 and 553, reducing the frictional wear of the slings 556 to an absolute minimum. Extenders 552 and 553 and rollers 555 hold slings 556 in place, and prevent slings 556 from putting pressure on walls 513, 514, 515, and 516, which could cause a wall to go inwardly. Preferably, the belt lifting system 550 is certified for a maximum weight capacity of twice the weight of the container 512 f loaded with the product. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for transporting refrigerated products in a container with integrated temperature control, which has an element to allow the container to move quickly and easily with a crane. In the operation, the container 512 is filled with the product to be transported therein. The desired temperature is set in the microprocessor-based temperature controller 535 (after lifting the gate 537 to gain access thereto), and an external gas source (not shown) is connected to a filling or gas inlet nipple 533 , and it is used to fill the cylinders with cryogen, as well as to preliminarily cool the interior of the container 512. Then the lifting cable is attached from a crane or other lifting device similar to the shackle 558, and the crane or other similar lifting device lifts the container 512. Once it is moving, for example, from a dock to a vessel, a forklift can be used to move vessel 512 around the vessel. Seaward, another crane, or the ship's or vessel's crane, can be used to transfer vessel 512 to another vessel or offshore oil platform. Therefore, the container 512 has the advantage of being able to be used not only on trucks or airplanes, for example, but it can be transported quickly and easily on a ship or a boat. The container 512 preferably does not exceed 3.05 meters in any dimension, more preferably does not exceed 2.54 meters in any dimension, and most preferably does not exceed 2.3 meters in any dimension. To allow the container 512 to be easily used in trucks or boats, the container 512 preferably does not exceed 2.69 meters in height (the height of the highest trailer in commercial use of which applicants are aware), 2.1 meters wide, and 2.4 meters deep, more preferably it does not exceed 2.54 meters in height, 1.8 meters in width, and 2.1 meters in depth, and still more preferably does not exceed 2.3 meters in height, 1.5 meters in width, and 1.8 meters in depth. More preferably, the container 512 does not exceed 2.1 meters in height, 1.2 meters in width, and 1.78 meters in depth, to allow it to be easily transported by a forklift, and to allow two containers to fit 512 side by side in a trailer of conventional dry containers (typically 2.4 meters wide). The preferred width is approximately 1.2 meters, since then the container 512 is as wide as it can be, and still fits side by side in a conventional dry container trailer without getting too tight an adjustment. The example dimensions for vessel 512 are 2.1 meters in height, 1.2 meters in width, and 1.7 meters in depth. These are preferably the dimensions of the container 512 when the length of the slings 556 is 3.4 meters long, and of the sling 557 is 1.2 meters long. The container 512 can have a capacity, for example, of 2,047 liters. It is preferable that the slings 556 and 557 are long enough to make it possible for the main lifting shackle 558 to hang on the side of the container 512 when the container 512 is not being lifted by the main lifting shackle 558. The reason for this is that in an offshore environment, the seas are often choppy, and it is difficult to connect a crane lifting cable to a lifting shackle on the vessel. The present invention is convenient in that the main lifting shackle 558 (since it hangs on the side of the container 512) and the lifting cable of the crane can be attached and easily connected. Both the length of the slings and their flexibility contribute to the ease of connecting the lifting cable of the crane and the main lifting shackle 558. The side walls 514-517 are preferably covered with stainless steel to enable them to withstand the conditions hostile, often corrosive, and rough handling present in a marine environment. In view of the numerous modifications that could be made to the preferred embodiments described herein, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention, the details herein should be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus for shipping temperature controlled cargo in an uncooled cargo area of a transport vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, substantially larger, which comprises: a) a container having an internal area with a volume that is going to load with frozen and / or refrigerated cargo and / or other controlled temperature cargo, with an access opening that can be opened and closed; b) at least one coolant tank mounted in the container to contain a liquefied cryogenic refrigerant under pressure, which is to be used to cool the interior of the container; c) a discharge pipe element for driving the refrigerant from the tanks; d) a valve element communicating with the discharge pipe to pass the flow of refrigerant discharging from the tank; e) a controller element that responds to the temperature, to open the valve element, to dose liquefied refrigerant from the tanks, in order to maintain a scale of desired refrigerated or frozen temperature previously established and previously selected inside the container; and f) a lifting element attached to the container to allow the container to be lifted by a crane element, by joining the crane element to the lifting element. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lifting element is attached to the container in such a way that the container is balanced when the crane element is attached at a single point to the lifting element. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: g) a lower carriage portion at the lower end of the container, including a movement member for transporting the container rapidly to and from the loading area of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, not refrigerated, having a volume substantially larger than the volume of the container. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container has a base plate having two separate parallel grooves adapted to be coupled with a hoist lift device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container includes an upper part, side walls, and a lower part, and the lifting element includes: (i) lifting eyelets attached to the bottom of the container; (ii) belt elements attached to the lifting eyelets and extending above the top of the container when the container is erect, and (iii) extension bars attached to the top of the container to substantially prevent contact between the containers. side walls of the container and belt elements, contacting the belt elements with the extension rods. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the strap elements are joined together at a point above the top of the container, to enable the container to be lifted by a crane element attached to the lifting element therein. point. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the spreader bars have internal and external ends, and include rollers adjacent to the outer ends, which provide a low friction connection between the belt elements and the spreader bars. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lifting element is certified for a maximum weight capacity of twice the weight of the container when it is fully loaded with the product. 9. An apparatus for shipping cargo at a controlled temperature in an uncooled cargo area of a transport vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, substantially larger, which comprises: a) a container having an internal area with a volume that is will load with frozen and / or refrigerated cargo and / or other controlled temperature cargo, with an opening opening that can be opened and closed, - b) at least one tank of refrigerant mounted in the container to contain a liquefied cryogenic refrigerant under pressure, which will be used to cool the interior of the container, - c) a discharge pipe to conduct the refrigerant from the tanks, - d) a valve that communicates with the discharge pipe to pass the flow of refrigerant that It is discharged from the tank; e) a controller that responds to the temperature, to open the valve for dosing liquefied refrigerant from the tanks, in order to maintain a desired refrigerated or frozen temperature scale previously established and previously selected inside the container; and f) a lifting system attached to the vessel to allow the vessel to be lifted by a crane by attaching the crane to the lifting system. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lifting system is attached to the container such that the container is balanced when the crane is attached at a single point to the lifting system. The apparatus of claim 9, which further comprises: g) a lower carriage portion at the lower end of the container, which includes recesses of forklifts to transport the container rapidly to and from the loading area of a vehicle, vessel , or aircraft, not refrigerated, having a volume substantially larger than the volume of the container. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container has a base plate having two separate parallel grooves adapted to be coupled with a hoist lift device. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container includes an upper part, side walls, and a lower part, and the lifting system includes: (i) lifting eyelets attached to the bottom of the container; (ii) belts attached to the lifting eyelets and extending up the top of the container when the container is erect; and (iii) extension bars attached to the upper part of the container to substantially prevent contact between the side walls of the container and the straps, contacting the straps with the extender bars. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the straps are joined together at a point above the top of the container, to enable the container to be lifted by a crane attached to the lifting system at that point. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the spreader bars have internal and external ends, and include rollers adjacent to the outer ends, which provide a low friction connection between the belts and the spreader bars. 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lifting system is certified for a maximum weight capacity of twice the weight of the container when it is fully loaded with the product. 17. A method for shipping refrigerated or frozen perishable goods in a non-refrigerated area of a vessel that has a cargo containment area, which comprises the steps of: a) placing the perishable items in a structural container that can be placed in the container; area for containing the cargo of the vessel; b) cooling the perishable articles by dosing a liquid refrigerant from one or more cans containing liquid refrigerant that are transported inside the container; c) use a valve to meter the liquid refrigerant from the cans; d) control the temperature inside the internal area of the container by controlling the degree of opening of the valve; and e) transferring the container to and from the vessel with a crane element, by joining the crane element to a lifting element that is permanently attached to the container. The method of claim 17, wherein the lifting element is attached to the container such that the container is balanced when the crane element is attached at a single point to the lifting element. The method of claim 17, which further comprises the step of moving the container around the vessel with a forklift. The method of claim 17, wherein the container includes an upper part, side walls, and a lower part, and the lifting element includes: (i) lifting eyelets attached to the bottom of the container; (ii) belt elements attached to the lifting eyelets and extending above the top of the container when the container is erect; and (iii) extension bars attached to the upper part of the container to substantially prevent contact between the side walls of the container and the belt elements by contacting the belt elements with the extender bars. The method of claim 20, wherein the lifting element further comprises a main lifting shackle attached to the belt elements, to enable the container to be lifted by a crane, and wherein the belt elements are sufficiently lengths to make it possible for the main lifting shackle to hang over the side of the container when the container is not being lifted by the main lifting shackle, and which also comprises the step of attaching the main lifting shackle to the lifting cable of the main lifting shackle. a crane when the main lifting shackle is hanging on the side of the container. 2

2. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a main lifting shackle attached to the belt elements to enable the vessel to be lifted by a crane, and wherein the belt elements are long enough to enable The main lifting shackle hangs over the side of the container when the container is not being lifted by the main lifting shackle. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a main lifting shackle attached to the belts to enable the container to be lifted by a crane, and wherein the belts are long enough to enable the lifting shackle main hanger on the side of the container when the container is not being lifted by the main lifting shackle.