EP1698568A1 - Isothermal container - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has a parallelepipedic rigid box (2) with an opening surrounded by a peripheral shoulder and a peripheral rib (6). A flexible insulating material door (3) is embedded in the opening to close the container, so that the door is compressed against the rib. A door closing strap compresses the door against the shoulder. The door has a sleeve positioned on an edge of the door in which a rod (8) is engaged to form a hinge.

Description

The present invention relates to an isothermal container, that is to say a container for conveying products at a constant or substantially constant temperature.

In the field of logistics of products that must be kept at controlled temperature, isothermal containers are often used. The products in question may be, for example, food products or medical products.

Depending on the case, these containers may incorporate a cryogenic tank that can receive solid phase carbon dioxide.

These containers are, in particular, used to transport food products, whose temperature must be maintained within a certain range, from a logistics center to a point of sale.

It is important that the containers transporting such products are particularly insulating and waterproof to prevent heat exchange between the outside environment and the interior of the container. Leaks will result in a warming of the transported products and possibly a break in the cold chain. This can, therefore, alter the quality of the products transported.

While having a thermal insulation capacity to transport products from a warehouse to a destination, it is desirable to minimize the costs of acquiring and using containers of the aforementioned type.

An object of the invention is to provide an insulating container which has a simple structure, which provides good thermal insulation and easy maintenance.

The invention essentially relates to an isothermal container comprising a box that can be closed by a door. The box of substantially parallelepiped rigid insulating material has an opening surrounded by a continuous peripheral shoulder and a peripheral rib. The door of flexible insulating material can fit into the opening of the box to close the container, the door then being in compression against the peripheral rib. Means for closing the door can compress the door against the shoulder.

The basis of the invention lies essentially in the combination of a rigid body and a flexible door of inexpensive material but which achieves an excellent seal with the body. This sealing is obtained on the one hand, by the fact that the door is placed compression against the peripheral rib and, secondly, by the compression of the door against the shoulder. Thanks to the flexibility of the door, it creates a double seal with respect to the shoulder and with respect to the rib which border the opening and, without having to resort to a reported seal. It should also be mentioned that the flexibility of the door makes it possible to maintain the seal between the latter and the box even when the box is deformed as a result of shocks due to its handling, the wear of its materials, or possibly when it rests on an uneven surface.

In one embodiment of the container, it may be provided that it comprises hinge means for pivoting the door relative to the body, between an open position in which the door releases access to the opening and a closed position in which the door closes the opening and bears against the shoulder.

According to an advantageous arrangement, the rib has, on at least one side of the opening, at least one slot.

In addition, a pin can be engaged in the crenellated rib, the pin being apparent at each slot.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, the door has at least one sleeve, of length at most equal to that of a slot, positioned on an edge of the door in which the pin can be engaged to form a hinge. The door is thus articulated on the body by a very simple and reliable connection which, in particular, does not present a moving mechanical part. Thanks to this connection, the maintenance of the container is, moreover, very simple since a door change is simply by removing the pin which has the immediate effect of the release of the door. This maintenance operation can be done by a staff without special qualifications.

According to another embodiment, the door has, on one of its edges, a flexible panel incorporating a rod that can be engaged in a C-shaped cross section rail integrated in the container, which also constitutes a very simple connection and reliable.

• ceux-ci peuvent comprendre une sangle recevant des panneau de textile auto agrippant pouvant être rabattue et fixée sur elle-même après passage autour d'une broche,
• ceux-ci peuvent comprendre une sangle dont une extrémité est fixée à la porte et dont l'extrémité libre constituée d'un matériau élastique reçoit un crochet pouvant venir agripper une broche opposée à la broche formant charnière.
• ceux-ci peuvent comprendre une sangle ayant un crochet mobile pouvant venir agripper une broche opposée à la broche formant charnière et un crochet de serrage permettant de régler la tension de la sangle.
• ceux-ci comprennent un cordon élastique dont les deux extrémités sont liées à une broche, le cordon formant au moins une boucle pouvant venir se fixer sur un créneau du coté de la caisse opposé au coté sur lequel sont fixés les extrémités du cordon. De façon avantageuse, il peut être alors prévu que la porte présente, sur sa face extérieure, une bande parallèle à chaque broche, dans laquelle sont ménagées des ouvertures permettant le guidage de chaque boucle.

According to several possibilities of execution of the closing means of the door:

• these may comprise a strap receiving textile panel self-gripping that can be folded and fixed on itself after passing around a pin,
• these may comprise a strap whose one end is fixed to the door and whose free end made of a resilient material receives a hook that can catch a pin opposite to the pin forming hinge.
• these may comprise a strap having a movable hook that can grip a pin opposite to the hinge pin and a clamping hook for adjusting the tension of the strap.
• these comprise an elastic cord whose two ends are connected to a pin, the cord forming at least one loop being able to be fixed on a crenel on the side of the box opposite the side on which are fixed the ends of the cord. Advantageously, it may be then provided that the door has, on its outer face, a strip parallel to each pin, in which are provided openings for guiding each loop.

According to a preferred possibility, the door consists of an insulating foam core covered with a sheath of impermeable material.

It is also envisaged that the core comprises at least two superimposed layers of insulating foam of different density, the lower density foam being intended to be in contact with the shoulder in the closed position of the door.

In another embodiment of the door, particularly in the case where it is not hinged to the body, the door has on each of its sides a flap that receives an elastic cord that can hang on a projection exceeding the box.

To ensure a better hold of the door relative to the body, it can be provided that at least one of the ribs has a lip directed towards the opening for locking the door in the closed position.

• Figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une première forme de réalisation de ce conteneur,
• Figure 2 représente le même conteneur que celui représenté à la figure 1, équipé de moyens de fermeture,
• Figure 3 montre, en perspective, plusieurs possibilités de réalisation de ces moyens de fermeture,
• Figures 4, 5 et 6 montrent, en vue de face, un conteneur selon l'invention équipé de différentes formes d'exécution de ses moyens de fermeture,
• Figure 7 montre, en vue de face, une porte du conteneur selon l'invention,
• Figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon VIII-VIII de figure 1,
• Figures 9 et 10 montrent, en coupe deux formes d'exécution de la porte,
• Figure 11 montre, en perspective avec arrachement partiel, une forme d'articulation de la porte par rapport à la caisse du conteneur,
• Figures 12 et 13 montrent une autre possibilité de réalisation de la charnière entre la porte et la caisse,
• Figures 14 montre en perspective un conteneur ayant une autre forme de réalisation des moyens.de fermeture,
• Figure 1 5 montre en perspective une variante d'exécution de la porte équipant le conteneur représenté à la Figure 14,
• Figures 16, 17, 18 montrent respectivement en vue de face, en vue de dessus et en coupe une autre forme de réalisation d'un conteneur
• Figure 19 montre en vue éclatée la porte équipant le conteneur représenté aux Figures 16, 17 et 18.

For a good understanding, the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing, by way of non-limiting example, several embodiments of an isothermal container according to the invention.

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of this container,
• FIG. 2 represents the same container as that represented in FIG. 1, equipped with closure means,
• Figure 3 shows, in perspective, several possibilities of realization of these means of closure,
• Figures 4, 5 and 6 show, in front view, a container according to the invention equipped with different embodiments of its closure means,
• FIG. 7 shows, in front view, a door of the container according to the invention,
• Figure 8 is a sectional view according to VIII-VIII of Figure 1,
• Figures 9 and 10 show, in section two embodiments of the door,
• Figure 11 shows, in perspective partially broken away, a form of articulation of the door relative to the container body,
• Figures 12 and 13 show another possible embodiment of the hinge between the door and the body,
• Figures 14 shows in perspective a container having another embodiment of the closing means,
• Figure 1 shows in perspective an alternative embodiment of the door equipping the container shown in Figure 14,
• Figures 16, 17, 18 show respectively in front view, in plan view and in section another embodiment of a container
• Figure 19 shows in exploded view the door equipping the container shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18.

It is specified that the elements common to the various embodiments have the same reference numerals.

The container 1 according to the invention is a container which is particularly intended for storing and transporting products under controlled temperature such as fresh products or frozen products.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 or in FIG. 2, this container 1 has a box 2 on which a door 3 is hinged; the door 3 is held in the closed position on the body by closing means.

The box 2, in the examples illustrated in these figures, has a parallelepiped shape which constitutes a common embodiment of the container although other forms can be envisaged. In the example shown, the box 2 rests on one of its small faces; the large faces of the body 2 are vertical to the ground. Although this is not shown in the drawing, the small face which constitutes the base of the box can be provided with four wheels to facilitate the movement of the container 1.

The body 2 is made of a thermally insulating material. The box 2 can be, for example, made in rotomolding with polyethylene walls in which is injected a polyurethane foam. It can also be performed by an assembly of insulating panels. As can be seen in the drawings, there are provided on each wall of the box stiffening ribs.

The box 2 has, therefore, a rectangular opening in one of its large faces, which can be closed by the door.

Referring to Figures 3, 8 and 11, it can be seen that the opening is surrounded by a shoulder 4. This shoulder 4 is continuous and extends over the entire periphery of the opening. In the example shown, the shoulder 4 is formed in the thickness of the wall of the body 2.

It is also noted, and it can be seen in the above figures, that the opening is also surrounded by a peripheral rib 6. This rib 6 may have the peculiarity of being cut by slots 7. In the example shown in the figures, the slots 7 are present on the two ribs which frame the opening vertically.

As shown in the figures, there is, in addition, the presence of two pins 8 which each engage in a bore formed in each of the vertical ribs 6 which border the opening.

Due to the presence of the slots 7 in each of the vertical ribs 6, the pin 8 is apparent at each slot 7. The function of these two pins will appear later.

Regarding the door 3, in the embodiments thereof shown in the drawing, the door 3 consists of a core 11 of foam which is sheathed with an impermeable material. The soul 11 can be a flexible polyurethane foam and, optionally as shown in Figure 10, it is envisaged to make this core with two layers of foam of different density. For example, for a door 80 mm thick, it is possible to envisage a 40-millimeter layer with a density of 30 kilograms per cubic meter and a 40-millimeter layer with a density of 16 kilograms per cubic meter. m3.

As regards the sheath 9, it can be made in a polyester fabric coated with PVC. The sheath 9 may be, depending on the case, assembled by sewing, welding or gluing on the core 11 of foam. The sheath 9 can still be directly glued to the core 11 of foam.

It is important to specify that the transverse and longitudinal dimensions of the door 3 are slightly greater than the dimensions of the opening between the ribs 6.

Note that the waterproof fabric sheath is extended on one side of the door of several sleeves 10, as shown in Figure 7. These sleeves 10 have a length less than or equal to that of the slots 7 formed in the ribs 6 of the box, so that, by applying the door against the shoulder 4 made in the box, the sleeves 10 are placed in each of the slots 7, the pin 8 having been previously removed. By engaging the pin 8 in the bores provided for this purpose, it enters each of the sleeves 10 and thus forms a hinge for the door.

It can thus be seen that a hinge has been made in a simple manner for pivoting the door 3 relative to the box 2 of a container.

In addition, in case of damage or wear of the door 3, the removal and replacement of the latter is very simple since it is sufficient to remove the pin 8 to remove the door of the box and in ensure replacement.

In the example shown, the door 3 has a thickness slightly less than the dimension of the peripheral rib 6. Thus when the door is closed, it is embedded in the body 2 and is thus protected at its periphery by the rib 6.

An important point that should be highlighted is that the door 3 rests on the shoulder 4 formed in the box and rests also on the ribs 6. Because of its dimensions, the door must be compressed to fit between the ribs 6.

It is thus creating a double surface contact which is extremely favorable for the sealing of the container. This sealing is achieved by the fact that the door 3 itself is made of a flexible material.

Thus, it is not useful to report a specific seal to achieve sealing. It should be noted that, in the case of a door having a core 11 made of foam of several densities, it will be advantageous to place the foam having the lowest density opposite the inside of the box, so that the The foam that has the greatest flexibility can crash against the shoulder 4 and provide the best surface contact possible to create, therefore, the best possible seal.

Figures 12 and 13 show another embodiment of the hinge between the body 2 and the flexible door 3. According to this embodiment, it is planned to extend the sheath 9 of the door 3 by a lateral flap 12 which encloses a rod 13. It is then envisaged to integrate in the box 2, a rod 14 of substantially transverse section. C-shaped in which the ring 13 of the door can be engaged. The door can then rotate relative to the body with this hinge.

Mention must also be made of the means for closing the door which make it possible to keep the latter in the closed position. In this respect, several types of closure means are provided, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6.

A common point to these closure means is that they are embedded on the door and they use, as a point of attachment, the pin 8 opposite to that forming the hinge of the door thus putting the door in compression against the shoulder .

Figure 3 shows three types of closure means. The closure means shown in the upper part of FIG. 3 is a strap 16 which has two self-gripping parts 17a, 17b. The fixed end of this strap is fixed to the door 3 at its hinge, while its free end can be passed through the pin 8 which appears at a crenel 7 and be folded back on itself to come close thanks to its gripping parts 17a, 17b.

The closure means, illustrated on the intermediate portion of Figure 3, provides a strap 18 also attached to the door whose free end is resilient and having a hook 19 can be caught on the spindle.

Finally, the third closure means shown in Figure 3 shows a strap 20 having a movable hook 21 which can come to grip the pin 8 and a hook 22 to adjust the tension of the strap.

An important point common to all means of closure is that they can print a permanent compression to the door and thus ensure the seal between the body and the door during all handling and transport operations.

In other words, thanks to these closing means, not only the door 3 is kept in its closed position, but also it is put in compression with respect to the body 2. Now, the door is made of a flexible material , so that the tightening thereof relative to the body causes a crushing of the door 3 at the shoulder 4 on which it rests. This crushing contributes, very importantly, to the sealing of the door relative to the body.

It is also noted that it is possible to close the door by a tamper-evident strapping 24 which has the function of both closing the door 3 and also preventing an unauthorized opening of the door. it.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the container in which there is provided a single closure means and two straps.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the upper part and the lower part of the door are closed by a closing means, while the central part is closed by a strapping.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the door is closed by three closing means.

Figure 14 illustrates another embodiment of the closure means. It can be provided an elastic cord 26 whose two ends are fixed to the same pin 8. The elastic cord 26 forms several loops which are guided through openings 28 formed in a band 27 attached to the outer face of the door 3. These openings 28 may be either eyelets as shown in Figure 14, or areas in which the strip 27 is peeled from the door 3 as shown in Figure 15. The locking of the door 3 can then be done very simply because it is sufficient to fix each of the loops formed by the cord 26, on the rib 6 crenellated to block the door 3.

Figure 14 further shows a feature that may be useful for retaining the door 3 relative to the body. He may consider providing one of the ribs 6 with a rigid or semi-rigid lip 25. In the example shown, the two transverse ribs 6 are provided with a lip 25 which extends towards the opening; thus during the setting up the door 3, the latter being flexible crushes to pass each of lips 25 and then resumes its normal shape while being blocked by the two lips 25.

It may also be noted that the handling of the container can be done easily by means of one of the pins 8 which, when it appears at the level of the crenellations, constitutes a means of gripping the container.

Figures 16 to 18 illustrate another embodiment of a container which is presented as a "chest" unlike the preceding which is presented as a "cabinet".

In this embodiment, the door 3 is not articulated on the body 2; it comes to bear against the shoulder 4 and fit between the ribs 6 which surround the opening of the body 2. The door 3 has transverse and longitudinal dimensions slightly greater than the dimensions between the ribs 6 so that the door 3 is in compression when it closes the body 2. There is thus on this container the same double sealing as existing in the previously described containers.

FIG. 19 shows the structure of the door 3. This comprises a core 11 of foam and a sheath 9 which can be a polyester tarpaulin coated with PVC. It may be noted that the sheath 9 is extended by four flaps 29 which are each equipped with elastic cords 30. Each flap has eyelets through which the cord is passed. The fixing of the door 3, once it has been fitted on the body 2, is done by fixing the elastic cord on bosses 31 which protrude from the lateral faces of the body 3.

As shown in Figure 17, the flaps 29 cover the corners of the box which allows to stack several containers without the door 3 is damaged.

The invention thus provides a container having a flexible door which provides a very good seal with respect to the rigid box of the container.

As a corollary, the fact that the door is flexible prevents leakage of the seal in case of deformation of the container, for example when it rests on unequal supports.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example, but it embraces all embodiments.

Claims (15)

Isothermal container characterized in that it comprises: a box (2) of substantially parallelepipedal rigid insulating material having an opening surrounded by a peripheral shoulder (4) and a peripheral rib (6), a door (3) of flexible insulating material that can fit into the opening of the box to close the container, the door (3) being in compression against the peripheral rib (6), and means for closing the door that can compress the door (3) against the shoulder (4). Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises hinge means for pivoting the door relative to the body, between an open position in which the door releases access to the opening and a position closure in which the door closes the opening and bears against the shoulder (4). Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the rib (6) has, on at least one side of the opening, at least one slot (7). Container according to claim 3, characterized in that a pin (8) is engaged in the crenellated rib, the pin (8) being apparent at each crenel (7). Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the door (3) has at least one sleeve (10) of length at most equal to that of a slot (7), positioned on an edge of the door (3) in which pin (8) is engageable to form a hinge. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the door (3) has on one of its edges a flexible panel (12) incorporating a rod (13) engageable in a rail (14) of C-shaped cross section integrated into the body (2). Container according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the means for closing the door comprise a strap (16) receiving panels of self-gripping textile (17a, 17b) that can be folded and fixed on itself after passage around a pin (8). Container according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the closing means of the door comprises a strap (18) whose end is fixed to the door and whose free end made of an elastic material receives a hook (19) engageable pin (8) opposite the pin forming hinge. Container according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the closing means of the door comprise a strap having a movable hook (21) that can grip a pin opposite to the hinge pin and a clamping hook (22). ) to adjust the tension of the strap. Container according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the closing means of the door comprise an elastic cord whose two ends are connected to a pin (8), the cord (26) forming at least one loop that can to be fixed on a slot (7) on the side of the box opposite the side on which are fixed the ends of the cord (26). Container according to claim 10, characterized in that the door (3) has, on its outer face, a strip (27) parallel to each pin (8), in which are provided openings (28) for guiding each loop . Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the door (3) consists of a core (11) of insulating foam covered with a sheath (9) of impermeable material. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the core (11) comprises at least two superimposed layers of insulating foam of different density, the lower density foam being intended to be in contact with the shoulder (4) in position closed from the door. Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the door (3) has on each of its sides a flap which receives an elastic cord that can hang on a projection protruding from the body. Container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one of the ribs (6) has a lip (25) for locking the door in the closed position.

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