WO2013144487A1

WO2013144487A1 - Device for ensuring the sealed closure of an isothermal box and box provided with such a device

Info

Publication number: WO2013144487A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/050619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Jean-Pierre BAILLEUL
Original assignee: Sofrigam
Priority date: 2012-03-30
Filing date: 2013-03-22
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Also published as: FR2988761A1

Abstract

A lock (2) for a box, in particular an isothermal box (1), designed to engage with a striker (9) provided in one of the walls (5) of the box (1), preferably mounted rotating about an axis of the lock (X2), and comprising: - a base (10) secured to the door (6) comprising a bearing (22); - a bolt (14) extending perpendicular to the axis (X2), at the rear of the bearing (22); - a handle (12), accessible at the front, to drive the bolt (14) relative to the base (10); - a shaft (13, 18) linking the bolt (14) to the handle (12); and, - a spring (15) urging the door (6) against the edges (8) of the side walls (5) of the box (1).

Description

DEVICE FOR GUARANTEEING THE SEALED CLOSURE OF A

ISOTHERMAL BOX AND BOX EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE.

The present invention relates to a device for ensuring the tight closure of an insulated body. It also relates to a box equipped with such a device.

Isothermal boxes are used for the transport of foodstuffs or products that must be maintained within a given temperature range, throughout their journey and storage in the box. Such boxes are therefore provided to guarantee this temperature range for a certain period. They are used in particular for the transport of drugs or biological products. It is obvious that the temperature conditions are essential for the conservation of such products and that it must be able to ensure that they will be respected throughout the journey.

Bulk shipments, including drugs, are in large boxes, palletized or palletized, for example about 2m high. For cost reasons, these boxes have an outer structure of corrugated cardboard, lined internally panels with high insulating power. These boxes are generally cabinet type, with opening in front, by a double door. For ease and a simpler design of the cabinet, the leaves are kept closed by one or more straps surrounding the body. However, such an arrangement does not guarantee the perfect sealing of the doors, thus maintaining a desired temperature range, inside the body. Nor does it guarantee that the cash register has not been opened. Such a provision therefore does not guarantee in itself that the cold chain (in the case of a refrigerated box) has not been broken.

An object of the invention is therefore to ensure a good closure of an insulated body. Another object of the invention is therefore to ensure that a refrigerated box has not been opened, voluntarily or not, during its journey, between the moment it was closed by its sender and when it is opened by its recipient.

According to a first object, the invention therefore proposes a lock for a body, in particular an insulated body, the body comprising a door on the front, intended to come into application against the free edges of the side walls of the body, the latch being designed to cooperate with a keeper disposed in one of said side walls, the latch being further provided to be fixed to the door and preferably rotatably mounted about a latch axis, characterized in that it comprises in particular:

- a base attached to the door and comprising a bearing;

a bolt extending perpendicularly to the bolt axis, at the rear of the bearing and designed to take at least one closed position, in which the bolt is engaged with the striker and an open position in which it is not not;

- A handle, accessible on the front, to drive the bolt relative to the base;

- a shaft connecting together the bolt and the handle; and,

- Returning means tending to press said door against the edges. The shaft and the bearing advantageously form, together, a pivot sliding around the bolt axis, the handle and the bolt being provided for turning together around the lock axis. The bolt can be attached to a first shaft stump and the handle comprises a second shaft stub, the stubs being designed to be joined to each other axially, along the bolt axis, to form the The latch further comprises assembly means, preferably an axial bolt, for holding the abutments end to end, and means for rotating engagement of one stump on the other, preferably by reciprocal axial interlocking. , for example tabs and counter-tongues. The base may comprise a housing for a body of the handle, and the return means comprise a spring mounted in the housing between a shoulder at the rear of the housing and a bottom at the front of the body, so that the spring tends to extract the handle from the base, that is to say to move the handle forward. The handle advantageously comprises at least one stud extending forwardly from the bottom of the body and forming a grip for the fingers of a user.

The shaft may comprise a stop and the bearing comprise at least one abutment to limit the rotation of the bolt between its open position and its closed position.

The base may further comprise rotary engagement means with the door, preferably pins provided for sinking back and forth in a door material. It may also comprise a flange, intended to bear on a front face of the door, the flange being preferably arranged such that the rest of the base is behind said flange, that is to say advantageously arranged in the thickness of the door.

According to a second object of the invention, there is provided a locking system comprising a latch according to the invention and a striker, the bolt and the latch comprising reciprocal engagement means, designed to engage under the action of the return means, so that it maintain said latch in the closed position. They can also be arranged so that they can take the weight of the door and prevent it from sliding vertically. According to a third object of the invention, a box is proposed, in particular an insulated box, comprising at least one lock according to the first subject of the invention or a lock system according to the second subject of the invention. Preferably the body comprises a latch on each of two opposite edges of the door. It may include a lock near each corner of the door and / or near the middle of the longer sides of the door.

According to a fourth object of the invention, there is provided a device for guaranteeing that a lock according to the first object of the invention has not been opened, comprising means for gripping with complementary gripping means of the base of said latch. . These gripping means may be hooks and the complementary gripping means be windows, the hooks being provided to engage, preferably rotatable about the lock axis, with an edge of the window. The guarantee device advantageously comprises means for keeping it engaged on the base, designed so that the grip is maintained as long as they are not broken. The holding means preferably comprises a pin formed integrally with a frangible tongue, the pin being provided to engage a window complementary to the base.

The warranty device may include means for preventing access to the lock handle, if necessary to prevent access to the pads.

The guarantee device may also comprise means for associating it with a base, for example associated or complementary forms forming keying, or a numbering system, preferably linked to a database.

Several embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation, in a three-quarter-sided plunging view, of a refrigerating box equipped with a locking system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a three-quarter front view of a lock system according to the invention, the lock being in the open position;

- Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, the latch being in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the main elements of the lock of FIGS. 2 and 3;

- Figure 5 is a rear three-quarter view of the latch of Figures 2 to 4, in the closed position;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the lock of FIGS. 1 to 5, illustrating the locking of the bolt in the closed position;

- Figure 7 is a detailed view of the lock of Figures 1 to 5, illustrating the blocking of the bolt in the open position;

Figure 8 is a three-quarter plunging view of the striker for the latch system of Figures 2 and 3;

- Figures 9 and 10 illustrate, respectively three-quarter front and three-quarter rear, a warranty plate for the lock of Figures 1 to 5;

- Figures 11 and 12 illustrate, respectively three-quarter face and three-quarter rear, the warranty plate of Figures 9 and 10, disposed on a base for the lock of Figures 1 to 5; and, FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of detail XIII of FIG. 12, illustrating means for gripping the guarantee plate of FIGS. 9 and 10 on the basis of FIGS. 11 and 12. In the figures, the arrows A and R designate respectively, and arbitrarily, front and back, for the purpose of description and relative positioning of the elements of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerated box 1 according to the invention, equipped with locks 2 according to the invention. The box is of substantially rectangular shape. It comprises a box 3, open towards the front. The box is formed of a rectangular bottom 4 and four rectangular side walls 5. The box further comprises a rectangular door 6 intended to close the opening of the box 3 and constitute a sixth wall of the box 3, vis-à- 4. In FIG. 1, the door 6 is shown in the closed position, bearing against the free edges 8 of the side walls 5. The box 1 is designed so that the support of the door 6 on the edges 8 is substantially airtight. In particular, the door comprises four latches 2, each disposed in the vicinity of a respective angle of the door and adapted to engage with a respective latch 9 disposed in a neighboring side wall 5, vertical.

We will now describe a lock system 2, 9, comprising a lock according to the invention, and its operation, in particular with reference to Figures 2 to 8. In addition to a latch 2, intended to be fixed to the door 6, the system of lock comprises a striker 9, intended to be fixed a side wall,

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 4, the illustrated latch 2 has a substantially revolution configuration around a lock axis X2 and notably comprises:

a base 10 intended to be fixed on the door 6;

- a latch 11; a handle 12 intended to drive the latch in rotation; and,

a helical spring 15 intended to form biasing means tending to move the handle forwardly relative to the base 10. In the example illustrated, the latch comprises a first cylindrical shaft stub 13, of axis X2 . A bolt 14 extends, substantially perpendicularly to the axis X2, from the rear end of the first stump 13. The handle 12 comprises a cylindrical body 17 in the form of a cylindrical bowl open towards the rear and axis X2. A second cylindrical shaft stub 18 extends axially rearwardly from the bottom 19 of the body cup 18.

The base 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 21, and a bearing 22, both of axis X2. The housing 21 is provided to receive the body 17 of the handle 12. The bearing 22 extends rearwardly from a shoulder 23 formed between the bearing 22 and the housing 21. The base 10 further comprises an annular flange 24, extending radially away from the axis X2, from a front edge of the housing 21. The first stump 13 and the second stump 18 are intended to be abutting, so as to form together a tree 13,18. The shaft is provided to form with the bearing 22 a pivot sliding along the lock axis X2. The free ends of the stubs 13, 18 form tabs and counter-tongues provided to engage reciprocally by interlocking. They serve both as a keying device, so as to guarantee and maintain the relative angular positioning of the handle and the bolt, and rotational grip, so as to ensure the driving of the bolt by the handle. The lock further comprises means for axially holding the stubs in mutual engagement. In the illustrated example, these means for maintaining the assembled shaft 13, 18 comprise a bolt (not shown in the figures) arranged along the axis X 2, whose nut is intended to be housed in a hexagonal cavity 27 formed in the bottom of the body 17 of the handle 12.

The latch 2 further comprises a washer 26, provided to be housed in an annular recess 28 formed in the shoulder 23. The washer carries a circular rib 29, extending rearwardly. The spring 15 is mounted between the bottom 19 of the body 17 and the flange 26. The lateral retention of the spring 15 is provided by the circular rib 29. The latch 11 comprises stop means 31, extending radially from the first abutment. away from the X2 axis. Thus disposed, the stop 31 abuts against a rear edge 32 of the bearing 22, thus limiting the advance of the handle and the latch, under the action of the spring 15. Thus, the base 10 is mounted captive between the stop 31 and the body 17.

The bearing 22 further comprises abutments 33, extending rearwardly from the rear edge 32. The abutments 33 cooperate with the stop 31 to limit the rotation of the bolt 14 between its closed position and its open position. The bearing 22 also includes notches 34 extending forwards in the rear edge 32. Grains 36 extend forwardly from the first stump 13; each grain 36 is provided to fit into a respective notch 34 when the latch is in the open position, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 7. At its distal end 37, on its front edge, the bolt 14 comprises a notch 38A provided for engage a groove 38B formed in the striker 9 under the action of the spring 15, when the latch 2 is in the closed position, as particularly illustrated in Figures 6 and 8. Thus, the latch 2 is held in the closed position, without risk that it is opened spontaneously, especially under the action of vibrations, during transport. In addition, although the door is maintained on the box 3 only by the locks 2, that is to say that it is not, for example, articulated to the box by hinges, the groove 38A and the notch 38B prevent the door falls vertically along the edges 8, under the action of its own weight. In addition, in the closed position, the spring 15, by pushing the base 10 towards the rear, tends to bring the base 10 closer to the bolt 14, thus to press the door 6 against the edges 8 of the box 3. Thus, although the door is held on the casing 3 only by the latches 2, that is to say that it is not, for example, articulated to the box by hinges, the latch 2, by the action of the spring 15, contributes effectively to maintain a good airtightness between the door 6 and the box 3.

The handle 12 comprises two studs 40, extending forwardly from the bottom 19 of the body 17 of the handle 12. They are intended to be used as a hand grip of the one who opens or closes the lock.

The base 10 further comprises four pins 39 extending parallel to the axis X2 rearwardly from the shoulder 23, more particularly from the portion of said recessed shoulder 28 serving for housing the washer 26. These pins are provided to sink in the relatively soft material which constitutes the insulating panels of the box, when the lock 2 is fixed on the door 6. They prevent rotation of the base 10 relative to the door 6.

A guarantee device 50 intended to cooperate with the lock 2 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 in order to ensure the one that will unlock the box 1 that it has not been opened since the device guarantee has been affixed.

In the example shown, the guarantee device has the form of a warranty plate 50. The plate 50 comprises an annular flange 51 surrounding a cylindrical recess 52. The counter collar 51a substantially the dimensions of the collar 24. The recess 52 is provided to wrap the pads 40, when the flanges are against each other, as particularly illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, so that the pads are no longer accessible. The plate 50 also comprises a circular rail 55, extending rearward, substantially at the junction of the counter collar 51 with the recess 52. The outer diameter of the rail 55 is provided to fit inside the housing 21 of the base 10, thus providing a guide in rotation of the plate 50 on the base 10. The plate 50 further comprises two hooks 53 extending towards the rear of the counter collar 51. Each of the hooks is provided to be introduced into a respective window 54 formed in the flange 24. The hook and its window are formed so that due to a rotation of the plate 50 about the axis X2, each hook engages an edge its respective window 54, as particularly illustrated in Figure 13. In the example shown, each hook is rotated radially towards the axis X2; each window 54 comprises a radially enlarged zone 56, which allows the axial penetration of the hook 53 and a radially narrowed zone, forming a redent 57, on which the hook 53 engages. The dimensions of the hook are provided such that when the hooks are engaged, the flange 24 and the flange 51 are held axially pressed against each other.

The counter flange 51 of the plate 50 comprises a notch 61 extending radially from an edge of the recess 52. A frangible tongue 62 which extends radially from this edge of the recess 52 is formed in said notch 61. A pin 63 s extends backwards from the tongue 62. A radially oblong window 66 is formed in the collar 24, so that when the hooks 53 engage with the stub 57, the pin 63 enters the window 66, immobilizing the plate 50 in rotation. Thus, the hooks 53 are held in mesh on the redents 57. To release the rotation of the plate 50, so the hooks 53, it is necessary to pull the frangible tongue 62 forward, so cause its break.

If the tab has been broken, we can think that the box has been opened. On the contrary, if the tongue is intact, it can be considered that the body has not been opened.

Nevertheless, to ensure that a new plate has not been put in place after breaking an original plate, each plate can be uniquely associated with its respective base. For example, the plate may have a unique number to identify its presence on a given box; the plate and the associated base may also have an identical number, engraved on each or different numbers, associated in a database transmitted by the sender to the recipient. Each plate and each associated base may also have particular shapes, in particular forming polarizing means, for example a particular position of the pin and the oblong window, preventing another plate can be used with the base. Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

Claims

claims

1. Lock (2) for body, including insulated body (1), said body comprising a door (6) on the front, provided to apply against the free edges (8) of the side walls (5) of the body (6). ), said latch being provided to cooperate with a keeper (9) disposed in one of said side walls, said latch being adapted to be fixed to the door (6) and preferably rotatably mounted about a latch axis (X2 ), characterized in that it comprises in particular:

- a base (10) fixed to the door (6) and comprising a bearing (22);

- a bolt (14) extending perpendicularly to the bolt axis, at the rear of the bearing and provided to take at least one closed position, in which the bolt is engaged with the striker (9) and an open position in which he is not;

- A handle (12), accessible on the front, to drive the bolt relative to the base;

a shaft (13, 18) interconnecting said bolt (14) and said handle (12); and,

- biasing means (15) tending to press said door (6) against the edges (8).

2. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (13,18) and the bearing (22) together form a pivot sliding around the bolt axis (X2), the handle (12) and the bolt (14) being provided to rotate together about said latch axis.

3. Lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bolt (14) is attached to a first stump (13) and the handle comprises a second stump (18), said stubs being provided to be abutted one to the other axially, along the latch axis (X2), to form together the shaft (13-18), the latch (2) further comprising means assembly, preferably an axial bolt, for holding said stubs end to end, and means for rotating engagement of a stump on the other, preferably by reciprocal axial engagement, for example tabs and counter-tongues.

Lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base (10) comprises a housing (21) for a body (17) of the handle, and in that the return means comprise a spring (15) mounted in the housing (21) between a shoulder (23,28) at the rear of the housing (21) and a bottom (19) at the front of the body (17), so that the spring tends to extract the handle from the base, that is to say to move the handle forward.

Lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the handle comprises at least one stud (40) extending forwardly from the bottom (19) of the body (17) and forming grip for the fingers of a user.

Lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shaft (13, 18) comprises a stop (31) and in that the bearing (22) comprises at least one abutment (33) for limiting the rotation bolt between its open position and its closed position.

Lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base comprises means (39) for rotating engagement with the door, preferably pins (39) provided for sinking back and forth in a material of the door (6).

Lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base (10) comprises a flange (24) intended to bear on a front face of the door (6), the collar being preferably arranged on such that the remainder (21-23) of the base is behind said flange.

Lock according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a guarantee device that the lock has not been opened, said device for guarantee comprising gripping means (53) with complementary engagement means (54) of the base (10) of said latch (2).

10. Lock according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the engagement means are hooks (53) and in that the complementary engagement means are windows (54), said hooks being provided to engage, preferably by means of a rotation of the guarantee device (50) around the latch axis (X2) relative to the base (10), with an edge (57) of said window (54).

11. Lock according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises means (62,63) for maintaining it engaged on the base, said holding means (62,63) being designed so that said grip is maintained as long as they are not broken, said holding means preferably comprising a pin (63) formed integrally with a frangible tongue (62), said pin being adapted to engage a window (66) complementary to the base (10).

12. Lock according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises means (52) for preventing access to the handle (12) of the lock (2), if necessary to prevent access to the pads ( 40).

13. Lock according to claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises means for associating said guarantee device (50) with a base (10), for example associated forms or complementary forming polarizer, or a numbering system , preferably linked to a database.

14. Lock system, characterized in that it comprises a latch (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and a striker (9), characterized in that the bolt (14) and the striker (9) comprise means (38A, 38B) for taking reciprocal, provided to engage under the action of the biasing means (15), so that maintain said latch in the closed position.

15. Box, especially insulated box (1), characterized in that it comprises at least one lock (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13 or a lock system (2,9) according to claim 14, of preferably at least one lock (2) disposed on each of two opposite edges of the door (6).

16. Box according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a latch (2) in the vicinity of each corner of the door (6).

17. Box according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it comprises a latch (2) near the middle of the longer sides of the door (6).