GB2377430A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A freight container (1) having a controlled inner environment has protruding edge sections (22) formed integrally with side walls (12). An air-filled space is formed between adjacent containers by the protruding sections (22). Preferably, the container comprises an inner shell (42) and an outer shell (40) of polymer material with insulating material injected in between. The outer shell (40) preferably is reinforced at the protruding wall sections (22). The protruding wall sections (22) preferably have a rounded-off shape, preferably extend along the entire length of respective edge (20, 21), and preferably are substantially vertical. The bottom (18) and top (16) of the container (1) preferably have complementary projections (50) and recesses (52).

Description

1 2377430

FREIGHT CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

5 The present invention relates in general to freight containers and in particular to freight containers with controlled inner environment for transporting sensitive goods.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the amount of transported sensitive goods, especially goods transported by airfreight, has increased considerably. Sensitive goods, such as food, drugs and electronic equipment, imply specific demands concerning the surrounding environment during transportation or storage. In particular, 15 sensitive goods often require a certain temperature. As a consequence, insulated freight containers with temperature regulating equipment have been developed to be able to control the inside temperature even during flight. Such containers preferably possess certain characteristics, such as light weight and minunum heat transfer.

Previously known containers in the field typically consist of panels

interconnected by profiles, see for example the MYX container manufactured by Envirotainer Engineering AB, Sweden. The panels typically consist of insulating material, such as different layers of polymer material. However, 25 the profiles, which form the framework of the container, are typically made of aluminium. Accordingly, the edges of the container consist of metal, with a relatively high thermal conductivity.

Freight containers according to prior art are adequate in most aspects but

30 still have a number of disadvantages in certain applications. Firstly, the heat transfer through the container walls, in particular at the edges, is non negligible. This constitutes a problem when temperature sensitive goods are transported, since it increases the cooling demands. Another problem, also

ruing heat transfer, is heat transfer between adjacent containers fig transport or storage. A number of containers are often provided close ch other during transport or storage, thus saving space, whereby heat is Erred between them, in particular when the different containers have ent requested inner temperatures. The mentioned problems make it difficult to maintain a constant temperature within each individual inert Consequently, the quality of the transported goods can in some be jeopardized.

rfreight of sensitive goods, the weight of previous containers causes r problems. Containers that partly or entirely consist of aluminium not negligible weight. When using sLach relatively heavy containers, ransport costs are wasted on just transporting the container, since At charging typically is based on weight.

manufacturing of previously known containers, different parts of the her are Epically produced separately and then assembled. This results latively time-demanding and expensive manufacturing process.

transport, rough handling of containers is often damaging Hers. The problem is aggravated due to the fact that features like dges and projecting details, such as handles, are damaged as well as Jamage on adjacent containers. An additional problem is associated pair of damaged contaulers. Prior art combinations of materials,

and/or manufacturing methods make damaged containers very and timedemanding to take care of, since the repair has to be out in a number of steps involving e.g. dismounting of the container.

Iy, this type of repair normally cannot be accomplished at the site he damage occurred. Consequently, the use of the container may be ed for a considerable amount of time. The mentioned problems imply air expenses.

Difficulties in transporting several containers at the same time constitute yet another problem It is often necessary to transport many containers at the same time; side by side as well as on top of each other. Hereby, sliding is a severe problem endangering the safety and quality of the transported goods.

5 As mentioned, containers also often get damaged during this type of transports. SUMMARY

10 A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved freight container. There are a n nber of specific objects of the present invention. An object is to provide a freight container with improved properties as for heat conduction. Less heat transfer through container walls, in particularly edges, as well as between adjacent containers is hereby aimed at. Another 15 object of the present invention is to provide a container of relatively low weight. Still another object is to provide an improved container that is less exposed for damaging and that causes less damage on other containers.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a container that can be manufactured and repaired comparatively fast and inexpensively. Yet 20 other objects are to provide a method of manufacturing freight containers comparatively fast, swift and inexpensively and to provide a method of transporting a number of such containers in a confident way, avoiding sliding. 25 The above objects are achieved in accordance with the attached claims.

A container with protruding wall sections along edges and with walls formed together as one integrated part is provided. The protruding wall sections give rise to an air-filled space between adjacent containers. Hence, heat transfer 30 between walls of adjacent containers is minimised. Another advantage is that presence of protruding wall sections gives protection for container walls, especially protruding features such as handles and locks, and thus results in less damaged containers. Preferably, the integrated part of a container

Ding to the invention comprises shells with insulating material in ten. The uttermost shell preferably comprises a polymer material and toned protruding edges are reinforced. The material then gives the stage of minimized heat transfer through container walls, especially A container of relatively low weight is also achieved. Furthermore, repair and manufacturing is facilitated, implying reduced costs. A red embodiment of the present invention has rounded-off edges, which r prevents damage. Moreover, complementary projections and recesses Inferably provided on the uppermost and lowest horizontal wall of the inert This takes care of the problem with sliding during transport of HI piled containers.

er aspect of the present invention concerns a method of producing a t container. A container of the described type is efficiently produced by g an outer and an inner shell separately and then inserting the inner nto the outer, followed by injecting an insulating material between the An advantage with this method is that container features, such as ding wall sections, easily can be cast into the shells. The method also s that several container walls constitute one integrated part.

Bother aspect of the present invention concerns a method of orting several freight containers. The containers are placed side by whereby protruding wall sections define air-filled space between at containers, preventing heat transfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Mention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best erstood by making reference to the following description taken together

e accompanying drawings, in which: illustrates an embodiment of a freight container according to the invention,

s Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the container of fig. 1 with the lid/top wall removed, Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating general steps of a method of manufacturing a freight container according to the invention, 5 Fig. 4 illustrates a number of containers according to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 provided adjacent and/or on top of each other, and Fig. 5 illustrates parts of an embodiment of the container of fig. 1, used to control the inner environment of the container.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTION

Throughout the present disclosure, an "edges is intended to be the

connection between two planes, i.e. an edge extends generally in one 15 dimension. An edge can extend vertically as well as horizontally. A "corner" is intended to be a connection of at least two edges.

A preferred embodunent of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 1-;. Some variants and modifications are also described.

2 0 However, the claimed subject matter should not be limited to these exemplifying embodiments, but only be defined by the patent claims.

Fig. 1 shows the outside of a freight container 1 in accordance with the present invention. The container 1 is formed as a case 10, consisting of six 2 5 walls 12, 16, 18, of which four are side walls 12 (two are visible in fig. 1), one is a top wall 16 and one is a bottom wall 18 (not Risible in fig. 1). The walls 12, 16, 18 are interconnected by edges 20, 21. There is a main lid 30 provided in the top wall 16 of the case 10 providing access to the inner environment of the container 1. There is also a small lid 32 providing access 30 to an icebox 64. The container 1 is provided with handles 34 and locks 36.

In one container side wall 12, a battery unit 38, which is a part of a temperature control device, is provided. Wall sections 22 adjacent to each of

or vertical edges 20 (of which three are visible in fig. 1) are protruding e the main planes of the two adjacent vertical side walls 12.

or advantage with said protruding wall sections 22 appears when fining one container juxtaposed to another. This is illustrated in fig. 4, containers 1, according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated 1, are shown. The containers are placed side by side as well as on top of other. An air-f ed space 24 is then provided between adjacent Hers 1. Heat transfer by direct heat conduction between containers 1 iently prevented by the air-f lled space 24. Furthermore, air that is or heated by a container side wall 12 starts a convection, which Is the heat/cold from the contriver vicinity. The space 24 thus serves type of insulation, considerably increasing the possibilities of isfuLLy controlling the inner environment of the container 1 as for "attire. In this way, the severe problem of heat transfer between at containers 1 is avoided. A further advantage with the protruding ctions 22 is that sensitive parts of the container 1 are better protected Lamage caused by contact with adjacent containers 1 and/or other The protruding wall sections 22 are typically the first parts of a 1er 1 that will get into contact with surrounding equipment.

Early, it is very advantageous that protruding details, such as handles locks 36, are protected from damage.

eferred embodiment, the protruding wall sections 22 are reinforced to he container 1 even more resistant to rough handling and damaging stances. In the illustrated embodiment, all vertical edges 20 protrude outside the main plane of adjacent walls 12 and the protruding wall s 22 extend along the entire length of respective edge 20, 21. Other iments may comprise cases where the protruding wall sections 22 le more or less. However, a preferred minimum protrusion distance siding an efficient convection space would be 4 mm outside said main Embodiments within the scope of the invention may also comprise there less than all vertical edges 20 are provided with protruding wall

sections 22. Preferably, at least two vertical edges have protruding wall sections 22, though. There may also be embodiments with horizontal edges 21 provided with protruding wall sections 22. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may comprise cases where at least one protruding wall section 5 22 does not extend along the entire length of the edge 20, 21. However, such modifications do not alter the general functionality of the container 1 and thus lie within the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the protruding wall sections 22 10 and thus the vertical edges 20 have a rounded-off shape. Rounded- off edges 20 further minimise the damage on adjacent containers 1. They also prevent adjacent containers 1 from getting caught on each other. The edge radius preferably exceeds 3 % of the width of any of the adjacent vertical walls 12 in order to provide a useful edge curvature.

In fig. 9, the inside and inner environment of a container 1 in accordance with the invention is shown in a cut through view obtained by removing the top container wall, including the lids, whereby the bottom wall 18 is seen.

Here, the structure of the container case 10 is visible. The container case 10 20 comprises in this embodiment an outer shell 40 and an inner shell 42. An interspace 44 between the shells 40, 42 is filled with an insulating material.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 2, the five container walls 12, 18 constitute one integrated part. This solution is enabled by the choice of 25 material of the container 1 and the manufacturing method( The)outer shell 40 here consists of vinyl ester reinforced by glass fibre, kevlarland carbon fibre.

An additional reinforcement by additional layers of kevlar is used at the protruding wall sections 22. The inner shell 42 consists of polyester reinforced by glass fibre and carbon fibre. In the interspace 44 between said outer shell 30 40 and said inner shell 42 the insulating material polyurethane is provided.

As mentioned, the casting of polymer material enables a container 1 to be formed as substantially one integrated part. Features such as handles 34 and locks 36 can easily be recessed into the container walls 12, 16, 18 resulting

Fence or a minimum of details projecting outside the main planes of the 12, 16, 18. In this way, containers 1 are less damaged and also cause damage on adjacent containers 1 during storage and transport.

ermore, polymer material facilitates repair of containers 1 according to mention. Repair can be carried out swift and inexpensive by adding new eric material onto the damaged container area. Another advantage is Containers 1 according to the present invention have a minimum of heat r to the surrounding through their walls 12, 16, 18, since metal s are not needed to maintain the structure rigidity of the container 1.

he edges 20, 21 are in this case made of a polymer material.

are obviously variants of the constructional features described above.

Stainers 1 can comprise other materials but with at least one shell 40, least partly comprising polyester, polyvinyl ester, glass fibre, carbon or kevlar,or another polyestric or nonmetallic material. However, a ed embodiment has an outer shell 40 that comprises a polymer anufacturing of the container is preferably performed according to r aspect of the present invention, generally illustrated by fig. 3. The rer 1 in the illustrated embodiment as well as in other embodiments L by the present invention may be effectively produced according to owing four main steps 102, 104, 106, 108 between a start step 100 top step 110.

Sing an outer shell 40 that comprises the desired outer features.

ing an inner shell 42, which is to constitute the innermost part of the ainer case 10.

rting the inner shell 42 into the outer shell 40. Preferably, the two Ls 40, 42 are connected to each other.

:ting insulating material into an interspace 44 between the shells 2. tioned, this manufacturing method is intimately connected to the of the container 1. An outer shell 40 can be cast in a mould shaped

to achieve the described protruding wall sections 22. The casting steps are preferably performed with a polymer material. Preferably, an additional step of reinforcing the protruding sections 22 with polymer material is performed to further improve the stability and robustness of the container 1. The above 5 steps 102, 104, 106, 108 constitute a comparatively fast, swift and inexpensively way to produce a container 1 with controlled inner environment according to the present invention. Naturally, there may be embodiments of the present invention that have additional shells cast and inserted between said inner and outer shells 40, 42. There may also be more 10 than one interspace between the shells 40, 42.

Some prior art containers may present edges unintentionally comprising

protruding wall sections. For instance, a container designed according to prior art with aluminium profiles and insulating panels has in fact small

15 protruding wall sections. However, the purpose of these protrusions is to hold the insulating panels. Typically, these protrusions are too small to provide an efficient air space. Furthermore, since also e.g. the edges between the bottom and side wall also presents a protrusion, any air flow between adjacent containers is efficiently prohibited instead.

When adopting the new manufacturing method of casting an inner and outer shell, the need for the protrusions discussed in the last paragraph vanishes.

A natural design of a cast container is therefore provided with planar sides, without protruding sections close to the edges. Anyone skilled in the art 25 would therefore not preserve the detailed shape of the container shell of the profile - panel container, since it is entirely connected to the manufacturing technique. A combination of protruding wall sections and the new manufacturing method is thus not obvious for anyone skilled in the art.

30 The preferred embodiment of the invention has six walls 12, 16, 18. However, other embodiments of the invention may consist of a different number of walls 12, 16, 18. At least four walls are necessary to realise the invention, though. It follows that it is also possible that less than live container walls constitute an

ated part. The main lid 30 may in another embodiment comprise the top wall 16. Furthermore, other embodiments of the invention may have 10, 32 on another container wall.

ding to yet another aspect of the present invention, containers 1 may ctively transported by placing them side by side and/or on top of each as illustrated by fig. 4. Hereby, protruding wall sections 22 of different iners are placed in contact or in close proximity of each other, forming -filled space 24 between adjacent containers 1. As mentioned, heat or between adjacent containers is in this way prevented. Moreover, ner features, such as handles 34 or locks 36, are well protected.

referred embodiment of the invention is, as illustrated by fig. 1 and 4, ed with complemental recesses 52 and projections 50. The top wall provided with four recesses 52 by the corners. Projections 50, mentary to said recesses 52, are provided on the bottom wall 18.

features facilitate the transport of several containers 1, since they can id upon each other in a convenient way, illustrated by fig. 4. The s 52 serve as positioning aid when stacking the containers. The ions 50 have a tapered shape, further facilitating the stacking.

s to facilitate the stacking, thus making it quicker, the mentioned s result in more solid piles. Hence, the transports of the sensitive become safer. The projections 50 have a height, enough for allowing a t truck to enter its fork below the bottom wall 18.

ntainer 1 of the present embodiment is intended to be used for ature controlled freight, preferably by air. In Fig. 2, some parts are which serves for the provision of a controlled inner environment. An main wall 46, consisting of a vacuum panel and presenting a rably lower heat conduction, divides a main goods compartment 70 he cooling arrangements. The cooling arrangements have typically a suture of -78 C and a normal temperature of the main goods tment could be e.g. +5 C. It is thus obvious that every improvement

on heat insulation is welcome. The inner main wall is insulating, typically made of an insulating material or by a double walled, evacuated board.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the inner shell 42 is provided with recesses for receiving the edge parts of the vacuum panel 46. The edges of 5 the vacuum panel exhibit the highest heat conduction of the entire panel, and by hiding these parts into recesses of the inner shell 42, the heat conduction from the cooling arrangements via the edge of the vacuum panel into the main goods compartment is reduced significantly.

10 An inner divisional wall 47 defines an ice box opening 49 leading down to an ice box (not shown in this figure). An insulating panel 60, consisting of a vacuum panel and presenting a considerably lower heat conduction, is provided between the ice box opening 49 and the adjacent inner shell 42 wall, providing an additional heat insulation for the battery unit situated in 15 the wall at this position. Temperature measurement means (not shown) are provided for measuring the temperature within the goods compartment at suitable positions.

A fan unit 48 is arranged at the inner main wall 46 for drawing air from the 20 goods compartment through an inlet opening (not shown) of the inner main wall 46 into an inlet space 63 above the ice box. An insulating layer 62 separates the ice box from this inlet space 63. The inlet space 63 is separated from an outlet space 65 by a flow restriction wall. The air sucked in by the fan unit 48 is pushed through the inlet space down around the ice 25 box and back up to the outlet space 65, during which flow the air becomes cooled by the ice box. The cooled air is then pushed out through an outlet opening 45 in the inner main wall 46 into the goods compartment.

Arrangements for distributing the cooled air over the goods compar nent are preferably also provided (not shown).

Fig. 5 illustrates some of the parts belonging to the cooling arrangements.

The ice box 64 is here shown, together with the insulating panel 60, the insulating layer 62, the inner divisional wall 47 and the flow restriction wall

low arrows 68 indicate the flow path of air during the cooling down in contact with the surfaces of the ice box. The ice box is typically d with carbon dioxide ice, serving as a cooling agent. If the cooling of Ids compartment is sufficient, the fan is stopped and the air flow will up. If the air in the inlet space is allowed to be cooled down, a back-

ing through the fan is possible to occur. However, the insulating layer ubits such air situated on top of the ice box to be cooled down, hence fig the risk for back-streaming. Preferably, the control unit and ice are provided as modular units, i.e. each of them is mounted in the er case 10 as one piece or module, including all its functions within module. rh the invention has been described herein with reference to specific ted embodunents thereof, it should be emphasised that the invention vers equivalents to the disclosed features, as well as modifications tarts thereof that are obvious to the man skilled in the art. Therefore, be of the invention should only be limited by the enclosed claims.

e present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and

Uprising" means "including or consisting of".

eatures disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or

ccompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a s for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for ing the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any ination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse thereof.

Claims (1)

1. A container (1) with controlled inner environment, with a case (10) 5 comprising at least four walls (12, 16, 18) interconnected by edges (16), said container being provided with at least one lid (30, 32), charactensed by wall sections (22) of walls adjacent to at least two of said edges protruding outside main planes of adjacent walls, and in that walls comprising said wall sections are formed together as one integrated part.

2. A container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said integrated part in turn comprises an outer shell (40); an inner shell (42) fixed within said outer shell, whereby an interspace (44) is defined by said outer and inner shells; and insulating material occupying a substantial part of said interspace.

3. A container (1) according to claim 2, charactensed in that said outer shell (40) comprises a polymer material, reinforced at said protruding wall sections (22). 20 4. A container (1) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that edges (20, 21) adjacent to said protruding wall sections (22) have a generally rounded-off shape.

- 5. A container (1) according to clann 4, characterized in that said rounded 25 off edges (20, 21) have a radius of at least 3 % of the width of any adjacent wall. 6. A container (1) according to any of claims 1-5, charactensed in that said protruding wall sections (22) protrude at least 4 mm outside said main plane 3 0 of respective wall.

ontainer (1) according to any of claims 1-6, charactensed in that said ding wall sections (22) extend substantially along the entire length of tive edge.

Container (1) according to any of clanns 1-7, characterized in that said ding wall sections (22) are prodded on substantially vertical walls.

Container (1) according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that a first said walls constitutes a bottom wall (18) and a second one of said walls lutes a top wall (16), said bottom wall and top wall being provided with mentary projections (50) and recesses (52).

container (1) according to any of claims 1-9, cllaracterised in that calls of said container are provided with recesses for receiving of edges nsulating panel (46) therein.

nethod of producing a container (1) with controlled inner environment, Sing the steps of: r an outer shell (40) with at least three walls (12, 16, 18) interconnected res (20, 21), said outer shell having wall sections (22) of said walls at to at least two of said edges that protrude outside main planes of ljacent walls; r an inner shell (42); fig said inner shell into said outer shell; and tg insulating material into an interspace (44) between said inner and hell, forming one integrated part.

method of producing a container (1) according to claim 11, tensed by the further step of reinforcing said protruding wall sections h polymer material.

method of producing a container (1) according to claim 11 or 12, tensed in that said casting steps are performed with polymer material.

14. A method of transporting containers (1) with controlled inner environment, characterized by placing containers side by side, whereby protruding wall sections (22) of the containers are placed in contact with or in close profanity 5 of a neighbouring container, defining air- filled space (24) between adjacent container walls.

15. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.