US2812643A - Container - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 12, 1957 F. WORSCHITZ I 2,812,643 I CONTAINER 'Filed March '1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 12, 1957 F. WORSCHITZ 2,812,643

CONTAINER Filed March 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q, Q m

i u H I I W Q N 0%]T M Q United States Patent CONTAINER Federico Worschitz, Buenos Aires, Argentina Application March 1, 1955, Serial No. 491,386 1 Claim. (Cl. 62-104) This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to containers for perishable substances.

Specifically, the present invention is concerned with container equipment which is used with a freezing means, cooling means and means for maintaining low temperatures without removing the stored substances from their containers.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved container for perishable substances.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved container whose temperature is substantially independent of ambient temperatures.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved container capable of independent action as a refrigeration unit while being stored or transported.

One embodiment of the invention achieving the objectives of the invention comprises a plurality of spaced containers one enclosing the other and defining therebetween a plurality of chambers in which a refrigerating liquid may be employed or which may alternatively be used to enclose air insulation spaces. Within the inner chamber, one or more containers may be rigidly positioned by means of spacers which are detachable in order that the containers might be removed. Additionally, the invention contemplates the provision of means for introducing fluid mediums into the various chambers and means for providing for the circulation of a refrigerating fluid in order to obtain a refrigeration of the container goods with a maximum efficiency.

Advantageously, containers provided in accordance with the invention are both economical to construct and are by virtue of their shape readily transportable.

Other objects as well as advantages of this invention will be shown in the following specification illustrated by the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a container provided in accordance with the invention, the figure illustrating the equipment in a phase wherein the stored substances are being refrigerated.

Fig. 2 illustrates the same equipment in its storing phases wherein substances are stored at low temperatures.

:Fig. 3 illustrates the same unit, opened, so as to enable removal of the stored substances.

in the different figures the same reference characters are used to indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawing, a is a chamber in which containers b are disposed, the chamber being closed by lids 1.

The chamber a has a double wall and double bottom, as in addition to wall 2 and bot-tom 3, the chamber is surrounded by a second wall 4 and a second bottom 5 so that, between walls 2 and 4 and bot-toms 3 and 5 a chamber 0 is formed which houses a eutectic fluid which is loaded through nozzle 6, which in turn is closed by stopper 7.

The external wall 4 is surrounded by a wooden wall, or any other insulating material; said wall 4, formed by staves, for example, constitute a barrel, so as to form ice a solid outer shell giving the container great resistance and maneuverability.

The walls of the container also form a cavity 10 which is an air insulation chamber. The interior bottom 5 is spaced from a counter-bottom 11 which leaves an air cavity 12, also forming an air insulation chamber.

The structure formed by wall 4 and bottom 5 is fixed in the annular cap 13, with an isolating packing 14 made of cork or any appropriate elastic material. In the upper part of said wall 4, which is united with wall 2, there is an elastic isolator 14 which is of rubber or any adequate material.

The chamber a is closed with lid 15 adapted for abutment against border 16; said lid 15 possesses a nozzle 17 for the introduction of a refrigerating fluid and chamber a confines the circulation of the refrigcrating fluid. The bottom 3 is provided with a nozzle 18 which also passes through bottom 5 and counter-bottom 11 so that to the nozzle 18 may be connected a return tube. Nozzle 17 has a stopper 19, while nozzle 18 is provided with its corresponding stopper 20 which allows the closing of the entrance and outlet after the circulav tion of the refrigerating fluid.

Containers b are reduced diameter with respect to the interior diameter of chamber a so that aspace exists between walls 21 and 2. Said space is maintained by means of separators 22 which are rubber or of any other adequate elastic material. The lower container rests on bottom 3 with the separating supports 23 and serves as seat for the upper container. by means of separator 24. Between lid 1 of the upper container andlid15, there is located another separator 25, so that both containers b are at a determinable distance from the walls, bottom and lid of chamber a.

Due to the disposition of containers b with respect to the walls, bottom and lid of chamber a, it is possible to surround both containers with the refrigeration liquid in circulation in such a manner as to obtain the congealing of the contents of both containers b. Since chamber a is adjacent to chamber 0, filled with liquid, it is also possible to freeze said liquid so that it may remain as a source of refrigeration.

The unit forms a type of a barrel, substantially portable, so that after being conditioned, it may be readily transported for the distribution of the stored product.

in order to condition the product in the equipment, the operation is carried out in the following manner:

Containers b are loaded with solid or liquid foods; both containers are closed by lid 1 and after support 23 is applied against the bottom 3, container b is centrally placed with the corresponding separator 22. On the lid of the lower container is disposed a separating support 24 and on the lid rests the upper container which is centered by separator 22. After separator 25 is positioned, the chamber a is closed with lid 15.

With stopper 1 withdrawn, a fluid such as brine is introduced through nozzle 6. When chamber 0 is totally loaded it constitutes a hydraulic shield as shown in Fig. 1.

Stoppers 19 and lit withdrawn, tubes 26 and 27 are applied, the first of which is coupled to the refrigerating machine d which freezes the brine and provides for its circulation, while tube 7 is coupled to nozzle 18 constituting a return path in a closed circuit towards machine d.

Thus, by filling chamber a with brine, the freezing of the contents of containers b is obtained, as well as the freezing of the fluid in chamber a, thus providing a refrigerating phase.

After this operation, chamber a is drained and stoppers 18 and 19 fixed so that air is confined within the chamber.

As shown in Fig. 2, after the first phase is completed, the storing operation commences. The frozen fluid in chamber maintains low temperatures. The process is thus developed so that the products invariably maintain thestate acquired in the first freezing.

Lastly, the barrel-shaped container operates as a perfect insulation against ambient temperatures, as, apart from the fact that the walls 8, because of the material from which they are constructed, are insulators, the cavity also constitutes an insulator. Walls 4 can be made of aluminum which, as known, reflects heat very efliciently.

Any small amount of heat which may pass through said walls 4 is absorbed by the congealed fluid in chamber c, which means that the product contained in containers b is maintained absolutely independent of the exterior temperature.

In these. conditions, the barre1shaped container may be transported or stored until the contents are removed, and the distribution of the contents may be independent of time considerations.

As may be appreciated from Fig. 3, containers b may be withdrawn from the barrel-shaped container with the possibility of being able to re-deposit the goods, which means that the low temperature can be maintained as though by an ice chest with freezing loads.

Undoubtedly, many modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the following claim.

I claim:

A transportable container for protecting perishables in cooperation with a source of refrigerating fluid comprising a cylinder with an open end and a closed end, a nozzle on said closed end, a cover adapted to close the open end, a nozzle in said cover, a covered container adapted to be inserted and withdrawn via the open end into and out of said cylinder, supports for detachably positioning said covered container in said cylinder and providing a space therebetween, a second cylinder substantially concentric with said first cylinder and having a body with closed and open ends, the closed end of said second cylinder supporting and passing the nozzle of the closed end of said first cylinder, closing means for connecting the open ends of said cylinders to form a space between said cylinders for housing a fluid medium, entry means in said closing means for putting the fluid medium into the latter said space, a wall of insulating material encircling the body of said second cylinder and forming therewith an enclosed insulating space, and means for supporting said wall on said second cylinder, one of the nozzles being adapted,

for being coupled to said source of refrigerating fluid for receiving the refrigerating fluid from said source, the other of said nozzles being adapted for being coupled to said source of refrigerating fluid for passing the refrigerating fluid back to said source.

References-Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 178,094 Armstrong May 30, 1876 2,059,065 Tuscan Oct. 27, 1936 2,138,885 Ross Dec. 6, 1938 2,239,484 Cocks Apr. 22, 1941 2,315,425 Hill Mar. 30, 1943 2,381,796 Williams Aug. 7, 1945 2,508,385 Hall May 23, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 498,964 Belgium Apr. 26, 1951

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