US2521080A - Apparatus for shipping perishable articles - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 5, 1950 w. L.. MORRISON APPARATUS FDR SHIPPING PERISHABLE ARTIC Original Filed July 10, 1944 LES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 K720672607" JVZZZaraZ LJforrz' 072 Sept. 5, 1950 w. L. MORRISON APPARATUS FOR SHIPPING PERISHABLE ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 10, 1944 YVZ'ZZQ: 70ZZ. Morrison y M m AGE-60747261995.

Sept..5, 1950 w. L. MORRISON APPARATUS FOR SHIPPING PERISHABLE ARTICLES Original Filed July 10. 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fnvevz LL07 WQ'ZZazmZLJforrzbon Sept. 5, 1950 w. L. MORRISON APPARATUS FOR SHIPPING PERISHABLE ARTICLES Original Filed Juiy 10. 1944 4 SheetsSheet 4 Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES "PATENT OFF vICE APPARATUS FOR SHIPPING PERISHABLE ARTICLES Willard -L. Morrison, Lake Forest, .111.

Original application July -10, 1944, Serial -No. 544,263. Divided and this application July 27, 1945, Serial-'No.=607,288

a maximum period.

Another purpose is to provide a shipping means in which the employment of brine, Dry Ice or any other outside agenlnliquid or frozen, is unnecessary.

Another purpose is to provide an improved insulation means which may be employed not only .in connection with shipping and storage containers but in connection with cooiling and refrigerating devices.

The present application is a division of my co-pending application 544l,263,.-now abandoned, filed in the United States Patent Ohice on July 10, .1944: iorAppa-ratus and Method-of Shipping Perishable :Articles.

Other purposes will :appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a sideelevation;

:Figure 2 israsection-xon the .line-22 :of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line,3-3 of Fig. l;

-l:'-.igure 4 is a section on the line -:'44 of Figure .1;

Figure 5 is a vertical axial section on the line ;5-. 5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective of one of the cells used in the top and bottom of the container, with the. filler omitted;

Figure ,7 is a perspective of a modified form of cell to be used in the side wall of the container; and

Figure 8 is a sectional perspective of -a further modified form of cell.

:Like ,parts are indicated :by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings ll generally indicates a container in the form of agenerally cylindrical side wall having a bottom 2 and an open top or This inner container 5, 2 is preferablyroi metalbut may be oi any suitable water- 2 tight or waterproof material. In practice thin sheet metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel is practical, but a variety of materials may be employed. Ihe container thus formed is adapted ta receive the removable inner food container orcan 3, preferably of metal, which may be filled with the material to be stored or shipped, such as food studs, indicated diagrammatically at A.

It will be understood that in practice the entire container :3 may be filled with the material to beshipped, whichmay under some circumstances advantageously be divided into separate packages suitably wrapped as in oiled paper or the like. Preferably the material shipped or stored is tightly packed in the inner container 3, with a minimum of air space between adjacent pack ages, and between the packages and the container wall.

No cover 'for the removable container 3 is needed, as the container, when in use, is filled with .solidly frozen material. However, I find it advantageous to employ a cover 5 for .the container l, which is shown as having a circumferential .flange .6 and an outwardly extending edge or bead l, to limit itsdownward-movement.

In employing my container, the inner container 3 and its contents may be reduced to :a temperature as .low as or lower than below zero F. lhe problem is to insulate the inner container and its frozen vcontents, to postpone heat transfer and to keep it down to such a degree that :the container and its contents maybe shipped or stored for a period of anumber of days, and may be subjected .to outside heat, without raising the temperature of the shipped or stored goods to a damaging degree. I use an outer housing, and insulation between it and the cylinder I, which may be described as vfollows. I employ an outer cylinder or can IE] shown as having circumferential reinforcing ribs II and a bottom [2. The bottom l2 may have a circumferential downwardly extending stiffening ring it and an intermediate stiffening ring it.

The bottom l2 may be formed ina separate piece and may have an outer flange ['5 surrounding the lower edge of the cylinder l0. However, it will be understood that if desired the entire outer container may be made in a single iece, or maybe assembled to form a sin gle unitary body.

The basis of the insulating elements or insu1ating material interposed between the members I and I9 is a series of cells generally indicated as and 25, each of which has a wa l 22 of paper, fiber or the like. The y be secured by staples 22a. These cells may be of different forms. The cells 20, which are of small radial extent, but which are in effect truncated segments, may be employed between the side wall I of the inner container and the surrounding outer wall I of the outer container. They may be of any desired length. Each such cell is filled with an insulating material. In practice I find that a light feathery insulating material, is a highly efficient insulating material for my purpose. However, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to any particular insulating material, as other insulating materials, including finely divided ones, may be available. The cells 2I may be employed below the bottom 2 of the member I, or above its top. Referring first to the bottom portion, I may assemble a series of the segmental cells 2|, as shown in Figure 2, which surround the central space in which loose insulation, or a cell with a cylindrical exterior, may be positioned. The result is to produce a group of closely fitting cells which form in efiect a bottom insulating disc upon which the bottom 2 of the inner housing I may be positioned. I may surround this entire group of cells with an outside cover 25, or such cover may be omitted. In order to prevent air leakage and consequent heat transfer along the inner cell spaces, I find it desirable to employ insulation material between cells. One effective method of doing this is to provide each cell with an outside layer 2% of cotton fluff or flock, or its equivalent. This material may be permanently secured to the exterior of each cell, so that when the cells are as sembled as shown in Figures 2, 3 or 4 and are closely packed, the fluff or the intermediate insulation effectively prevents air passage about and between the cells. Assume that the bottom group of cells, either with or without the surrounding wall 25, is in position on the bottom I2 of the outer container Iii. The inner container I is then positioned as shown in Figure 5 and the cells 28 are arranged, as shown in Figure 4, in the space between the walls I and I0. It may be advantageous, particularly if the Wall 25 is used, to put an extra layer of cotton fluff or cotton batting 25a on that part of the wall 25 which underlies the cells 2!]. However, this may not be necessary. The insulating wall is then built up and if short cells are used, it may be advantageous to stagger the cells 20 so that the vertical joints are out of line. Also, cells 20a, as long as the length between top and bottom of the container may be used. The cells may fill the entire space between the walls I and I6, clear up to the top or close to the top of the wall I. A top layer 26 of any suitable sealing or air tight ma terial may be employed. I may use a fibrous ring sprayed with sealing material 26a with breaker areas 26b to prevent heat conduction. Note that the upper edge or lip of the member I is substantially below the upper edge 21 of the outer wall I0. I therefore have space to employ a unitary removable insulating lid 36 which may have an outer surrounding wall 3| and which includes, within said wall 3I a plurality of the cells 2|. For convenience in removal a handle 32 may be provided but it is not strictly necessary. Before positioning the cover insulation in place, it is advantageous to insert a ring of loose cotton or batting as at 33, over the top of the insulation between the walls I and IE, and over the inner part of the removable cover 5. Then the outer cover til may be applied.

The outer cover 40 is shown as having a circumferential flange II which surrounds the upper portion of the wall I0. Any suitable means for locking the cover 40 in place may be employed. I illustrate for example outward extensions or pockets 42 which surround similar but slightly smaller pockets 43 in the upper portion of the Wall II]. These pockets may be slotted at their sides as to 44 to receive any suitable locking strap 45. It will be noted that the upper part of the cover 48 is domed as at 46, both to give space for the handle 32, if such handle is used, and to make it impossible to stack the container wrong end up. Thus in transportation, and in positioning for opening, the container will rest on the bottom rings I3 and I4, which have a strengthening function, and which also reduce the area of heat conducting contact With the supporting surface.

Cell 2m, shown in Figure 8 is a variant form having a cover 22?) top and bottom, which may be taped to the side walls 22 as by means of the tape 220.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown an operative and practical device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative 0r diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

For example, I may employ a plurality of the cells 20 and 2| and may assemble them about a container and insulate their outer surfaces or surround them with any suitable insulating or retaining cover and thereby use the cells themselves as a container for the inner package or container 3. Any suitable container may be employed, when surrounded by cells of the type herein described suitably joined together and in sulated. The shape and form ma be widely varied and the particular size and proportion of containers and size and shape of insulating cells herein described and shown as illustrative rather than as limiting me to the specific showing herein.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

Broadly stated, my procedure includes employing the material shipped or stored as its own cooling agent, there being no necessity to use Dry Ice, brine or any other cooling agent. The material to be stored, including the removable inner can 3, is initially reduced to a temperature which may be of the order of below zero F. or even colder. As the material shipped, such as food stuffs, will arrive or be opened in satisfactory condition if its temperature is kept below zero or even slightly above, a substantial temperature margin is thus provided. This container 3 and its frozen contents is then dropped into the inner container I. It may be advantageous to have the containers I and II! and the whole insulating structure initially reduced to a determined low temperature, its latent heat being removed before the container 3 is inserted. This is a practical procedure, as in loading frozen material, the loading may advantageously take place in a freezing room, the temperature of which may be at zero F. or below. After the container 3 and its contents have been positioned within the inner cylinder I and the cover 5 is in place, the cotton batting insulating material or its equivalent 33 is positioned about the outer edge of the cover 5 and above the insulation between the walls I and I9. Thereafter the insulating cover 38 is put in place and the closure 40 is applied and secured. Such .5 a container may then. be shipped and handled in any normal way, for example by being carried in a truck or railroad car. As an example, a charge of 121 lbs. or frozen food, in a container weighing 82 lbs. with the frozen food initially cooled to 120 below Zero, was in the container 80 hours from the time it was loaded until it was emptied. The temperature of the food when unloaded was still substantially below zero F.

Whereas I may employ a variety of insulating materials, a light feathery substance, is preferable. The task of making a container to utilize such a feathery substance presented quite a problem. One solution is to divide the material into segregated bodies, in the cells 29 and 25, each cell having the outside fluffy covering layer These cells then used in effect as building blocks or bricks to erect an insulating and spacing and centering wall between the outer cylinder I and the inner container I, the thickness of the insulating and supporting layer being substantially uniform throughout the entire container. I provide in efiect a circular plinth or disc at the bottom of the container, which supports the inner member I, 2 and insulates it from below. Then 1 I the cells are formed to provide a centering and insulating layer between the members I and I0. And. finally the top insulating disc is used to close and insulate the top of the container. The individual cells 20 and 2| are separate units, so that each holds its own insulating material, and they are sealed air tight. Suitable insulating materials are likely to leak almost as freely as air and hence the importance of adequate sealing. Sealing wax may be used, or taped joints, or any other suitable means.

It will be understood that a variety of materials may be employed. The outer container may be of Wood or aluminum, or any other suitable light material.

The cells herein described may be employed in effect as insulating building blocks and may be made of any desired shape and size and may be assembled wherever it is desired to provide a heat insulating surrounding wall or partition. Properly proportioned cells made in accordance with my invention may for example be employed in connection with insulating spaces to be cooled such as rooms which are air conditioned. Each cell or block constitutes a segregated mass of a i highly eificient heat insulating material, which is prevented from leakage from the cell by any suitable sealing of the cells walls, edges and the like. As each cell may have a fluffy exterior layer, positioning individual cells together to form a wall or partition, results in automatically sealing the gap between adjacent cells against air leakage. The fiuffy surfaces of the two cells, when opposed, provide an ideal seal against air passage.

One major advantage of my shipping container is the avoidance of the necessity of using ice or Dry Ice or any cooling medium which loses weight and bulk during shipment. I am able to calculate the heat leakage of a given insulating member. Then, in turn, I reduce the temperature of the food to be carried, to compensate for the rate of heat infiltration and for the required length of time adequate to cover the desired shipping or storage period. No dilution takes place and no loss in weight or bulk since no cooling medium is employed. No ice or eutectic solution is necessary. I may find it desirable to place on the container a table showing how many hours or days the contents can be kept prior to opening, specifying the amount of B. t. u.s discharged from the food and the time it will take, at any given outside temperature, for the charge to reach the high temperature danger Zone.

The container is both light and efiicient. Even though the individual cardboard or fiber cells have walls of flexible material, when they are packed in place, they hold the inner and outer shells firmly spaced apart, and resist a substantial outside weight or thrust without deformation of the container.

I claim:

1. An insulating container including an outer enclosing wall, a plurality of separate independent insulating blocks enclosed within the wall, defining and enclosing a storage chamber, each block including a relatively stifi shell wall sealed against air movement into and out of the block, a relatively light, fluffy insulating material contained within and completely filling each block, and a loose fibrous fluffy coating for the entire outer periphery of each block, some of the fibers of such coating being cemented to the block, the fibers of the coating on each block interlocking with the fibers of the coating of the adjacent blocks to prevent air movement in the space between the blocks.

2. An insulating wall comprising a plurality of insulation blocks, each block including a relatively stifi outer shell, light, loose, insulating material completely filling the interior of the shell, the shell being sealed to prevent escape of the material therein contained and to prevent ingress and egress of air, the entire outer periphery of each block being coated with a thin layer of fiufiy, fibrous material, some of the fibers of which are cemented to the surface of the block, the blocks being assembled side by side so that the fibrous material on one block interlocks with the fibrous material on the adjacent block to prevent passage of air along the space between adjacent blocks.

WILLARD L. MORRISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 348,187 Burns Aug. 31, 1886 1,376,770 Hunt May 3, 1921 1,449,409 Hunt Mar. 27, 1923 1,505,845 Banta Aug. 19, 1924 1,637,497 ODowd Aug. 2, 1927 1,709,510 White Apr. 16, 1929 1,970,746 Grayson et a1 Aug. 21, 1934 1,979,903 Rivera Nov. 6, 1934 2,086,433 Prudden July 6, 1937 2,301,657 Hlavaty Nov. 10, 1942 2,365,086 Kamowski Dec. 12, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 23,621 Great Britain 1910 529,697 Great Britain Nov. 26, 1940 OTHER REFERENCES Popular Science, article published June 1943, pages -81.

Images