Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
  • F25D3/12—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow
  • F25D3/14—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
  • F25D2331/804—Boxes

Definitions

• the subject matter of the present invention is a container for packaging or packing, particularly suited for containing pharmaceuticals, substances, products, or foodstuffs that require protection and insulation from the surrounding environment and maintenance within a constant temperature range for a certain number of hours during their transport.
• pharmaceutical companies generally do not deliver directly to customers, instead they consign goods to specialized freight forwarders, that, in turn, channel goods through different articulated levels before reaching a van that, on specific request, supplies individual chemist's shops, hospitals, laboratories, etc.
• Some Pharmaceuticals must be maintained at temperatures below 0° while others must be maintained at positive temperatures but always within limited specific ranges. In particular, if a pharmaceutical reaches temperatures outside its temperature range limits during a journey, the therapeutic properties might become ineffective or the pharmaceutical might even become toxic, and consequently such consignments are contestable by purchasers (chemist's shops, hospitals, etc.). Pharmaceuticals also require protection from light, impact, and the external environment such that the packs and chemical compounds are not damaged or altered, also considering that pharmaceutical preparation is very expensive and disposal is extremely problematic due to compos ition from high ly pol luting substances .
• both the pharmaceuticals and ice packs are put into polythene bags, knotted manually by an operator, to limit humidity.
• the polystyrene container is closed with a cover and sealed using adhesive tape over the fissure between the cover and container.
• both the pharmaceuticals and the ice packs are immobilized using air filled cushions .
• Packing systems for transporting pharmaceuticals of known type suffer from numerous disadvantages both as regards maintenance of the required temperature for the necessary period of time, and the generation of a substantial vo lume of waste materials, which are also highly pol luting.
• the internal capacity of the containers is l imited by the presence of ice packs, resulting in considerable wastage of space during transport.
• the preparation of the containers is laborious due to the need to assign a member of staff for the insertion of both the pharmaceuticals and the ice packs into ' polythene bags, and the ice packs require extended prior refrigeration before use occupying cons iderab le space and consuming electrical energy without effective ly achieving the necessary temperatures for the required durations.
• the ice packs are bulky and heavy and occupy space inside the container, cons idering that often more than one is inserted, and they are not retrieved or reused representing a significant waste of materials .
• Other disadvantages arise from the use of air filled cushions and the operations necessary to prepare them, increasing container preparation time and consumption of materials, and generating another element for disposal after use.
• the containers of known type offer no guarantee against tampering and theft of contents because the adhesive seal ing tape utilized is freely available on the market and thus easily removable and/or rep laceable.
• the claimant previously invented a container that obviates the maj ority of the problems described above .
• the container comprises an inflatable internal element, positioned above the packs of pharmaceuticals and containing dry ice, which sublimates and consequently cools the internal environment of the container and the contained pharmaceuticals.
• the previously invented container suffers from problems of constructional complexity of a valve that regulates the inflatable e lement, and an incapacity of the cooling time to exceed 24 hours considering that current transport times require an autonomy of 36 to 48 hours .
• condensation forms on the inflatable element which can harm the pharmaceutical packs .
• the inflatable element comes into contact with the pharmaceuticals and thereby excessively lowers the temperature.
• the aim of the present invention is to obviate the problems of known art described above by way of a container for packing capable of maintaining a pre-established temperature for a predetermined time (at least 48 hours) ins ide the container.
• a second aim of the invention is a container for packing that requires no manual packing operations.
• a third aim of the invention is a container for packing that effectively restrains the contents thereof such that during transport the contents do not move and/or deteriorate.
• a fourth aim of the invention is a container for packing offering an excellent cover seal, inhibiting tampering and opening of the container, thereby providing a final user a guarantee that the container was not opened during transport.
• a further aim of the invention i s a container for packing that facilitates and accelerates the packing stage and is capable of effectively containing any type of product without compromising its characteristics of practical ity, airtightness, and security.
• a further aim of the invention is a simple and practical container for packing that avoids contact between contained packs and refrigeration components.
• a further aim of the invention is an e limination of material waste because the components of the container are entirely reusable and/or recyclab le.
• a further and significant aim of the invention is an easily constructed and functionally designed container for packing.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of a container for packing of the invention
• figure 2 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the container of figure 1 in use
• figure 3 is a detail of the container of the invention
• - figure 4 is a further view of the detail of the container of figure 3
• figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the detail of the container of figure 3 ;
• - figure 6 is a perspective view from above of a different component of the container of the invention
• - figure 7 is a perspective view from below of the component of the container of figure 6;
• figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the component of figure 6 ;
• - figure 9 is a perspective view of another component of the container of the invention.
• - figure 1 0 is a lateral view of the component of figure 9 ;
• FIG. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the component of figure 9.
• a 1 denotes a complete container for packing of the present invention prearranged to contain packs of pharmaceuticals during transport at an approximately constant temperature (at least within +2° and +8°) for at least 48 hours .
• the container 1 comprises a box structure formed from a base 2, from which extend a rear wall 3 , two side walls 4, and a front wall 5 , and a closing element 6.
• the rear wal l 3 in proximity to an upper edge 30, exhibits a rear niche 3 1 a function thereof to be described in detail below.
• Each side wall 4 exhibits a channel 4 1 in proximity to an upper edge 40.
• the front wall 5 exhibits a vertical extension inferior to a vertical extension of the other walls, a resulting difference in vertical extension being occupied by a forward portion 60 of the closing element 6.
• the closing element 6 is a cover for the box and comprises a covering wall 6 1 exhibiting respectively a first protrusion 62 located on a rear edge and designed to matchingly occupy the rear niche 3 1 of the container, and two second protrusions 63 on two lateral edges designed to matchingly occupy corresponding channels 4 1 .
• Each lateral protrusion 63 exhibits a chamfered portion 63 a in proximity to the rear edge and constituting a guide facil itating entry and sliding in the respective channels 4 1 .
• the protrusion 62 also exhibits slightly chamfered corners 62a.
• the closing e lement 6, on the covering wal l 61 in proximity to the front wall 60 affords at least a cavity 64 fac i l itating gripp ing of the clos ing element for sliding to open and close the cover.
• the covering wall 6 1 of the closing e lement 6 exhibits instructions, realized by incision or printing, indicating operations necessary for opening and a cover opening direction.
• an upper surface of each lateral channe l 4 1 exhibits a plurality of proj ections 45 designed to couple and engage with corresponding grooves 66 on an upper side of the protrusion 63 as illustrated in figure 1 .
• the proj ections and grooves prevent the cover from sliding and the container opening.
• saw-shaped teeth are used, in place of proj ections and grooves, to restrain the cover to equal effect.
• the closing element 6 exhibits an opening button 1 6 located in proximity to the protrusion 62 and comprising a small cyl inder 1 6A partially cut out of the polystyrene as illustrated in detail in figure 5.
• the closing element 6 affords a cavity 68 on the internal side, the function of which will better emerge below, and a trapezoidal protrusion 65 positioned centrally and in proximity to the rear edge, as illustrated in figure 4.
• the container also exhibits, at a height from the base along all four internal vertical walls, a protruding edge 50 which delimits a well 8 envisaged to house packs of pharmaceuticals or other products during transport.
• the vertical walls and the base of the wel l exhibit a plurality of vertical ribs 80, or other protrusions of a different configuration, such as to create a corrugated wal l and reduce a surface area of the well walls in contact with contained packs to a minimum, whi le also slightly separating the packs from the base and wal ls to permit good c irculation of air and coolness.
• the protruding edge 50 is designed to support a cartridge 12 of singular obl igatory insertion orientation due to the presence on the rear wal l 12A of a lug 12 1 illustrated in figure 7 and designed to engage in a corresponding recess 35 in the internal rear wal l 3 of the container.
• the cartridge 12 is designed to rest on the protruding edge 50 such as to constitute a cover over the well 8, as schematically illustrated in figure 2.
• the cartridge 12 exhibits a parallelepiped form including, in addition to the lug 12 1 on the rear face 12A, a substantially semi-cylindrical cavity 122 the function of which will be described below, an opening 123 closed with a cap 124 on the front face 12B, a small niche 125 on the upper wall 12C which forms a guide for inserting and in particular for extracting the cartridge 12 , a first channel 1 26 on the rear face, increasing in depth until reaching a second channel 127 located orthogonally to the first, and a shaped seat 1 28 on the lower face 12D the function of which will be described below.
• the lower face 12D exhibits a thickness variable in relation to the temperature that must be maintained ins ide the wel l 8.
• the wall 12C of the cartridge is designed to be inserted into the cavity 68 in the closing element 6.
• the cartridge 12 remains secured, forming a mechanical closure by an interference fit of the cover as i llustrated in figure 7.
• the first channel 1 26 engages the trapezoidal protrusion 65 such as to further restrain the cartridge 12 and the closing element 6 of the container.
• the cavity 1 22 is designed to house a valve 9 which restrains an inflatable e lement 1 0.
• the valve 9 substantially comprises a body 90 exhibiting an edge 9 1 designed to afford a stop for a pusher element 9 1 A .
• the valve body 90 is hollow, exhibiting a diameter such as to internally house a portion of an external unit 92 supporting the inflatable element.
• the opposite end of the edge 9 1 of the body 90 exhibits a small cut 9OA and two small holes 9OB positioned diametrically opposite each other as illustrated in figure 9.
• the body 90 affords two series of small slots 9OC positioned diametrically opposite each other, wherein each series of slots comprises three vertically al igned slots, the first slot being formed in the edge 9 1 .
• the body 90 internally houses a portion of the external unit 92 substantially comprising a first cyl indrical section 92a and a second cylindrical section 92b arranged orthogonal ly relative to the first section 92a.
• the first section 92a exhibits a rubber sealing ring 93 in proximity to the edge and designed to e l iminate any possible space between the body 90 and the external unit 92.
• the first section 92a is designed to engage with the body 90 using two small teeth 920 positioned diametrically opposite each other in a raised position on the first section 92a, and a proj ection 92 1 .
• the proj ection 92 1 is designed to insert into the cut 9OA of the body 90 such as to firmly secure the body 90 and the external unit 92 together and in singular obligatory conformation.
• the external unit 92 in the area where the two sections 92a and 92b meet, exhibits a perforated base 92c which prevents the dry ice from reaching the bal loon .
• the second section 92b of the external unit 92 features, at the free end, a slight enlargement 922 and an edge 923 from which a tab 924 protrudes .
• the tab 924 is designed for insertion into the inflatable e lement 10 comprising a balloon or other expandable material including, for example, latex, rubber, or plastic material .
• the balloon engages and attaches both to the edge 923 and the enlargement 922. More spec ifical ly, the correct positional restraint of the balloon is achieved by supporting the balloon on the tab 924 which is designed to insert into the shaped seat 128 of the cartridge .
• the valve 9 also comprises an internal unit 95 which exhibits a cylindrical body 950 affording a plurality of protuberances 95 1 and two diametrically opposite fins 952 extending from two protuberances as i llustrated in figure 1 1 .
• the cylindrical body 950 of the internal unit 95 exhibits a sealing base 950a affording a plural ity of small holes arranged in a c ircle and designed to permit gas in the balloon to exit, as specified be low, and to prevent the rising of dry ice.
• a plurality of feet 953 extending from the base are designed to prevent the exit of the internal unit 95 from the body 90.
• the cylindrical body In proximity to the feet, the cylindrical body exhibits a rubber seal ring 954 which forms a hermetic seal when the valve is closed.
• a plate 955 inside the cyl indrical body exhibits a centrally positioned breather and closing element 956 of mushroom-shaped configuration which permits the exit of excess gas from the bal loon when the valve is closed.
• section 92a of the external unit 92 is des igned to contain a smal l quantity of dry ice 1 1 pellets .
• the balloon inflates, thus increasing in vo lume and filling the free space in the well 8, simultaneous ly exerting a light upward pressure on the cartridge 12 which rises upwards, the upper wall 12C thereof entering the cover cavity 68.
• the valve can assume three positions : open, c losed, and reopened.
• the valve can breathe slightly because the seal ring 954 is not under pressure and does not form a hermetic seal between the body 90 and the internal unit 95 which exhibits the two fins 952 inserted into slot 9OC located at the edge 9 1 of the valve body 90.
• the cartridge can be moved and the container is in non operating state because the closing element is not fitted.
• the valve In the second position (pusher element in position 9 1 A/2 as illustrated in figure 1 0), the valve is closed because a slight pressure is applied to the pusher element 9 1 A by the protrusion 62 of the c losing element 6 resulting in the two fins 952 being inserted into slot 9OC below the s lot in the edge 9 1 .
• the balloon inflates and cannot lose pressure and consequently expands to fill al l residual space inside the well 8 pushing the cartridge 12 upwards to engage in the cavity of the closing element, preventing the closing element from opening. If pressure in the bal loon exceeds a set value, the breather e lement 956 intervenes, permitting an exit of gas and reducing the pressure inside the bal loon .
• the valve In the third position (pusher e lement in position 9 1 A/3 as i llustrated in figure 10), the valve is reopened after pressure was app lied to the opening button, pushing on the small cylinder 1 6A of the c losing element and moving the internal unit 95 such that the fins 952 enter the lower s lot 9OC .
• This position permits the balloon to deflate, reducing the balloon dimensions and the pressure exerc ised on the smal l cylinder s lightly inc l ines the cartridge towards the inside of the container such that it is possib le to open the closing element and remove the pharmaceuticals.
• the trapezoidal protrusion 65 moves the cartridge into a horizontal position and pushes the cartridge downwards into contact with the protruding edge 50.
• the pusher element 9 1 A is flexed, press ing and closing the valve such that the valve cannot breathe and the balloon begins to inflate.
• the dry ice sublimates, the volume thereof increases by a multiple of approximately 500 such that only an extreme ly small quantity is required to inflate the balloon. The dry ice does not generate cold but acquires the temperature of the wel l 8.
• the balloon is self-regulating because if there is a single pack of pharmaceuticals in the wel l, the balloon inflates to fil l the available space because it is designed to expand until there is no more space available and any excess force causes gas to be re leased through the breather element 956 of the valve.
• the cartridge 1 2 is designed to matchingly house the valve 9 in the cavity 122 as c learly i llustrated in figure 7.
• the cartridge cap 124 is also engaged such that sealing thereof is not required once dry ice is inserted.
• the thickness of the lower wall of the cartridge in contact with the well 8 is variable in relation to the required refrigeration time, such that the thicker the lower wall, the longer the container maintains the required refrigeration temperature.
• a greater thickness of the lower wall of the cartridge offers a superior insulation of the well such that the dry ice contained in the cartridge sublimates over a longer period of time providing a more protracted source of cooling.
• the cartridge exhibits a thin base equipped with a seat designed to receive an additional cool ing element which accumulates energy and cold from the dry ice and remains at a variable temperature in relation to the freezing point of the element. When the dry ice is exhausted, the additional cooling element starts releasing cool thereby extending the period of reduced temperature inside the container.
• the additional cooling element serves a further function of limiting penetration of cold into the well when the dry ice sublimates maintaining the well temperature constant at 4° to 5 ° .
• the container must guarantee maintenance of a constant temperature and locking of the c losing element such that if the balloon accidentally deflates, the cartridge remains nevertheless restrained and engaged with the closing element.
• the container 1 is preferably made of polystyrene but can also be made of polypropylene or any other insulating material .
• the container exhibits an impermeable covering fi lm which prevents the polystyrene from transuding and renders the container more robust in general .
• the container can be equipped with a coded label such that all the movements of the container can be monitored.
• the containers are stackable such that the feet 1 8 on the base engage in small depressions 1 9 in the closing element of an underlying container in a substantially known conformation.
• the valve 9 is made of plastic material by inj ection moulding. In the present embodiment of the invention, the valve is as described herein above, but in an alternative embodiment a structural ly s imp ler valve could be used, poss ibly available on the market and possibly less expensive .
• the valve required for the container must be capable of eas ily releas ing the gas contained in the inflatable element.
• compressed air is blown into the valve using a specific device as an alternative to dry ice . The air flow inflates the balloon and any excess pressure is released by the breather element 956.
• the compressed air fulfils the same function as the gas resulting from the sublimation of the dry ice, but e l iminates a potential emi ssion of carbon dioxide.
• the temperature and cooling functional autonomy (residual refrigeration time) of the container can be monitored using sensors to indicate, via leds, the temperature and when the reserve system activates and the additional cooling element becomes operational .
• the container exhibits, internal ly, a first aeration channel in the rear wal l 3 having an outlet in proximity to the bottom of the wel l and a further aeration channel in the upper wall 12C of the cartridge .
• the covering e lement 6 affords a connecting channe l diagonal ly travers ing the closing element and uniting the extremity of the first aeration channel with a second channel which descends into the well.
• the second channel is formed by a cavity partly in the cartridge and partly in the front wall of the container.
• a seat is provided in the cartridge at the outlet of the first channel and designed to house a small fan which extracts air from the wel l and circulates the air such as to avoid temperature stratification and render the air temperature uniform inside the well.
• the fan is powered by a battery which is activated when the valve 9 is c losed.
• the container 1 of the invention is des igned to operate from a neutral state of inactivity without containing products, to a first operating state wherein, following insertion of pharmaceuticals into the wel l and insertion of a cartridge, it is closed by the closing element, and a second operating state wherein the dry ice sublimates causing expansion of the inflatable element which fills the empty space inside the well and pushes the cartridge upwards restraining the product packs and the closing element.
• a user When it is necessary to transport products requiring maintenance of a given constant temperature for a given number of hours including, for example, pharmaceuticals, a user need only inset the packs of pharmaceuticals into the well of the container, close the well by inserting the cartridge, and close the container by positioning the c losing element such that the lateral protrusions sl ide inside the corresponding channels until stopping against the upper wall and the rear protrusion engages in the relative channel 3 1 .
• the container is substantial ly ready for transport s ince the pos itioning of the closing element activates the valve and the dry ice begins sublimating into gas.
• the sublimation of the dry ice in the inflatable element causes the expansion of the inflatable element such as to occupy all the free space inside the well and immobilize the product packs contained there in, and fo llowing occupation of the free space the inflatable element causes the cartridge to rise and enter the cavity 68 of the closing element when the trapezoidal protrusion 65 engages into the first channel 126 blocking the closing element.
• the sublimation of the dry ice inside the cartridge maintains a substantially constant temperature ins ide the well such as to ensure a perfect conservation of the pharmaceuticals contained therein for the necessary period of time .
• the valve is activated when the pressure exerc ised by the closing element upon closure causes the fins 952 to move from the first slot to the second slot.
• valve 9 activates such that the breather element 956 re leases a portion of the resulting gas from the inflatable element into the we l l .
• a user In order to open the container, a user simply presses the opening button 1 6 towards the inside of the container thereby detaching the button from the closing element and causing the small polystyrene cyl inder to descend and push down the internal unit such as to cause the fins to insert in the lower slot thereby reopening the valve and releasing gas from the inflatable element which reduces in volume eliminating the force acting on the cartridge, which in turn tilts in response to the pressure exerc ised thereon by the button and releases the closing element.
• the container is supplied equipped with a cartridge loaded with dry ice, the cartridge exhibiting a valve and inflatable e lement such that the operator, after inserting products into the container, need only insert the cartridge to close the well and close the container using the closing element.
• the closing element When the closing element is closed, the dry ice in the valve begins to sublimate and the inflatable element expands because the gas produced by the dry ice is unable to escape into the environment.
• the device of the present invention thus attains the proposed aims .
• the container for packing of the invention is capable of maintaining a predefined internal temperature for at least 48 hours.
• the presence of dry ice, starting from a temperature of minus 79° C, makes it possible to achieve significantly lower temperatures compared to use of ice packs of known type, or to maintain reduced temperatures for much longer periods of time with greatly increased margins for success (up to 48 hours at temperatures from 2° ' to 8° Centigrade).
• the temporal duration of the reduced temperature is a direct and singular function of the quantity of dry ice inserted into the cartridge.
• the expansion of gas inside the inflatable element simultaneously absolves two functions: filling the free space inside the well such as to restrain the products contained therein, and internally locking the closing element on the container thereby obviating the use of adhesive tape.
• the internal locking of the closing element offers a final user a guarantee that during transport the container was not tampered with or opened, circumstances which would expose contained products to risk of deterioration or theft, because an intact valve opening button proves that the container arrived at its destination in the same condition as it departed.
• the fact that the valve opening button on the closing element remains intact during transport is equivalent to a seal of guarantee, attesting that the container has not been tampered with.
• the inflatable element can display writing and slogans and become an advertising medium.
• the container exhibits relatively limited volumetric bulk and reduced weight compared to containers of known type .
• the container for packing can also be quickly and efficiently prepared manually by any relatively unskilled operator in contrast with known containers and, in particular, the container can be prepared in an entirely automated way, thereby offering considerable savings in time, labour, and costs.
• the container is also extreme ly versatile and can be adapted for any type of product requiring conservation during transport, retaining all the practical characteristics of the invention .
• the container of the invention can be used as a m ini refrigerator, following parachuting into emergency situations, such as to maintain the contained pharmaceuticals in good condition .
• the container of the invention includes lim ited realization costs and a possibility for complete reuse and recycl ing, thereby resulting in considerable savings as regards disposal of polluting materials compared to containers of known type.
• the valve and the cartridge can be reutilized, requiring only recharging with dry ice .
• the container is reusable because a kit is foreseen with a replacement opening button in substitution of the small polystyrene cylinder, or the opening button can be recuperated and reset such that there are no resulting materials for disposal and consequent financ ial savings .
• a container for packing of the type comprising a containment structure essentially constituted of a base (2) from which the following can be detached: a rear wall (3), a couple of side walls (4) and a front wall (5), and a sealing element (6), a valve (9) connected to an inflatable element (10), characterised by the fact that the said container features: at a certain height from the bottom of all four vertical internal walls, a protruding edge (50) which marks out the limits of a well (8) envisaged to house packs of drugs or other products to transport, the said well (8) featuring, on the vertical walls and the base, a plurality of vertical ribs (80) or other protrusions of a different configuration so as to create a corrugated wall to reduce the surface area which comes into contact with the packs on the walls of the said well to a minimum, keeping them slightly apart and thus permitting a good circulation of air and coolness, a "cartridge"(12), envisaged to rest on the protruding edge (50) in such a way as to create

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• 2009
  • 2009-05-05 IT IT000009A patent/ITMN20090009A1/it unknown
• 2010
  • 2010-05-04 WO PCT/IT2010/000199 patent/WO2010128535A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-05-04 EP EP10736803A patent/EP2427705A2/en not_active Withdrawn

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