Patent Application
20240300724
The invention relates to a cooling container. The invention further relates to a container body and a closing element of such cooling container. The invention also relates to an assembly of a cooling container according to the present invention and at least one cooling element.
The challenge of refrigeration chains is to be able to guarantee the temperature of fresh and/or frozen products throughout the chain. Both active and passive cooling systems can be applied in order to optimize the refrigeration chain. For example refrigerated vehicles which are configured for conditioned transport can be applied. However, active cooling systems are rather expensive wherefore it is often chosen to use a passive cooling system. Another reason to choose for a passive cooling system is that this is beneficial in case small quantities of products are to be handled. This is practical for small deliveries per address and/or to transport cooled products in a non-conditioned vehicle. A passive cooling system can for example make use of a cooling box or cooling bag. The most common type of a cooling box is a squeaky foam box made of expanded polypropylene (EPP). Such EPP cooling boxes are widely used in the catering and fish trade but for example also for grocery deliveries. Typically, substantially deeply frozen cooling elements are positioned inside the cooling box and can be replaced when they have lost their cooling ability. A drawback of the passive cooling systems according to the prior art is that they have their limitations for refrigeration chains longer than 3 to 4 hours, considering an ambient temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. This can be explained by the insulation value of the EPP being rather low such that the outside temperature too quickly has an impact on the functionality of the frozen cooling elements. Therefore, relatively large cooling elements must be used in order to ensure that a cooling effect can be established over a certain period of time. The use of multiple relatively large cooling element is unpractical for several reasons. For example, their relatively heavy weight makes them impractical and it takes a relatively long to time to refreeze them after use.
It is a goal of the invention to provide an improved (passive) cooling container which can be applied for longer refrigeration chains or at least an alternative to the known cooling container.
The invention provides thereto a cooling container, comprising a container body, the container body comprising at least one container wall which defines at least one receiving space, in particular for receiving goods and/or products which are to be conditioned, and a closing element configured for substantially closing the container body, wherein the at least one container wall comprises a layered material configuration comprising at least three layers. Said layered material configuration comprises at least one vacuum insulated panel which is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material.
The cooling container according to the present invention has several benefits over conventional cooling containers. The application of a container body comprising a container wall comprising a layered material configuration of at least three layers, wherein at least one vacuum insulated panel (VIP) is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material achieves a significant increase of the cooling ability of the cooling container compared to single- or even double-layered containers. It was experimentally found that the cold chain can be extended up to 72 hours by using a cooling container according to the present invention. For the sake of comparison, currently a maximum of 4 to 12 hours is maximally achievable with existing solutions. The co-action between the three material layers provides optimal insulation. The at least one vacuum insulated panel is typically double sided enclosed by at least one primary insulation material. In this way the primary insulation material can provide a protective function for the relatively vulnerable vacuum insulated panel. Vacuum insulated panels are known for their low thermal conductivity. Such vacuum insulated panel typically comprises a protective outer layer, often a foil layer, which forms an envelop around a porous core material. The envelope is evacuated and sealed to prevent outside gases from entering the panel. Damaging of the envelop will negatively affect the ability of insulation performance of the panel. Further, this may cause core material of the vacuum insulated panel to enter the receiving space which could contaminate the products which are received therein. Such would be undesired for safety and health reasons. As indicated above, the (double sided) enclosure of the vacuum insulated panel by at least one primary insulation material also contributes to an even lower thermal conductivity (and thus a better conditioning ability).
The at least one container wall of the container body defines at least one receiving space for receiving goods or product(s) which are to be conditioned. The cooling container can also be referred to as a cooling box and/or cooling device. The cooling container is typically a passive cooling container. In a preferred embodiment, the cooling container is a substantially portable container. The container is preferably configured for manual handling. The dimensions of the cooling container can be adapted to the intended purpose. It is for example conceivable that the container has a volume in the range of 1 litre to 100 litres. The at least one vacuum insulated panel (VIP) can be any vacuum insulated panel known in the prior art and being configured for insulation purposes. Typically a vacuum insulated panel comprises a gas-tight enclosure or envelope surrounding a rigid core, from which the air has been evacuated. The vacuum insulated panel may have a multi-layered configuration itself, but in view of the present invention a vacuum insulated panel is seen as a single material layer or insulation layer.
It can also be said that the invention relates to a cooling container, comprising a container body, the container body comprising at least one container wall which defines at least one receiving space for receiving goods or products which are to be conditioned, and a closing element configured for substantially closing the container body, wherein the at least one container wall comprises a layered material configuration comprising at least three layers in which at least one secondary insulation material is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material. Preferably the secondary insulation material differs from the primary insulation material.
The at least one vacuum insulated panel is in particular enclosed between two layers of primary insulation material. It is beneficial if these layers which enclose the vacuum insulates panel are made of the same insulation material, however it is primary insulation material and a second primary insulation material. In a preferred embodiment of the container, the at least one vacuum insulated panel is substantially embedded within at least primary insulation material. In this way the co-action between the vacuum insulated panel and the primary insulation material
The closing element may also comprise at least one vacuum insulated panel. The closing element may comprise at least at least one vacuum insulated panel and at least one primary insulation material. It is for example possible that the closing element comprises a layered material configuration wherein at least part of a vacuum insulated panel is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material. It is conceivable that the closing element comprises a layered material configuration comprising at least three layers, wherein at least one vacuum insulated panel is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material.
At least one primary insulation material can for example be a plastic material. The primary insulation material may for example be a polymer based material. It is conceivable that the primary insulation material comprises a plastic material and at least one plasticizer. The use of at least one plasticizer may be beneficial in order to adapt the material properties such as the thermal properties. The plastic material is preferably relatively rigid, thereby providing a supportive function for the container. Non-limiting examples of plastic material could be applied are acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP). It is conceivable that the plastic material is reinforced, for example glass fiber reinforced.
It is also conceivable that at least one primary insulation material is a foam material, in particular expanded polypropylene (EPP). A foam material benefits of being relatively lightweight, which is beneficial for the ease of use of the container. The use of expanded polypropylene is preferred due to its good thermal insulation characteristics. Further, the material benefits of a good machinability, a relatively low weight and density, easy handling and being relatively cheap.
The container according to the present invention is preferably configured to keep its shape. Hence, the container is preferably substantially rigid. However, in yet an alternative embodiment it is imaginable that the container is at least partially flexible.
At least one vacuum insulated panel is preferably attached to the at least one primary insulation material. The vacuum insulated panel can for example be attached to at least one primary insulation material by means of an adhesive layer. The layers of the at least three layered wall configuration can for example be mutually glued to each other. It is conceivable that the vacuum insulated panel is at both sides attached to at least one primary insulation material by means of an adhesive layer. It is beneficial if the layers of the container wall substantially and preferably fully engage each other. In this way the insulation properties of the container wall will not be affected by for example an air layer in between the material layers. The container wall may be of a laminated configuration. In yet an alternative embodiment, it is conceivable that the layers are mechanically attached to each other.
In a preferred embodiment of the cooling container according to the present invention, the container body comprises at least one bottom wall and at least one side wall, and preferably a plurality of side walls, which mutually define at least one receiving space for receiving products which are to be conditioned. It is conceivable that the container wall is formed by at least one bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. It is conceivable that the bottom wall has a different material configuration as the side wall(s). However, preferably the bottom wall and the side wall(s) all have a layered material configuration comprising at least three layers, wherein at least one vacuum insulated panel is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material. Preferably the container according to the present invention has a substantially cube or cuboid shaped. The container can for example have the shape of a rectangular cuboid. It is also conceivable that the container wall is substantially round.
It is conceivable that the container body has a modular configuration. Hence, the container body can be a modular container body. A modular embodiment can be beneficial for several applicational purposes. The modular container body can for example be configured such that container body can be at least partially collapsed or disassembles thereby reducing the required storage space and/or transport volume. It may also enable an easier manufacturing process. It is further conceivable that the closing element has a modular configuration. The closing element may comprise multiple closing element parts which can be mutually connected.
The wall thickness of at least part of an inner layer of the layered material forming the container wall could substantially equal the wall thickness of at least part of an outer layer of said container wall. In a preferred embodiment, at least part of an inner layer of the layered material forming the container wall has a smaller thickness than an outer layer of said container wall. Hence, it is preferred that the thickness of an inner layer of primary insulation material is smaller than the thickness of an outer layer of primary insulation material. A relatively thick outer layer can provide a supportive function for the further material layers and for the container body as such. A relatively thick outer layer of primary insulation material will further positively contribute to the insulation performance of the cooling container in general. A relatively thin inner material layer may be beneficial to ensure optimal insulating co-action between the vacuum insulated panel and the inner material later. Preferably the thickness of the inner material layer is thinner than the thickness of the vacuum insulated panel. It is preferred that each layer has a thickness which is substantially constant. This is beneficial for the thermally insulating properties of the container. However, the outer layer and/or inner layer of the layered container wall can also be at least partially structured, which may result in a (locally) fluctuating thickness. It is conceivable that each material layer has a different thickness. The container wall can optionally comprise at least one reinforcement rib and/or a reinforcement structure (comprising reinforcement ribs).
The preferred thickness of the inner material layer depends at least partially on the applied material and can for example be in the range of 1 to 20 mm. Non-limiting examples are thickness ranges of 1 to 8 mm, preferably 2 to 6 mm or 8 to 15 mm, preferably 10 to 12 mm. In case the primary insulation material comprises plastic, the inner material layer is at least 2 mm. In case the primary insulation material comprises a foam material, the inner material layer is at least 10 mm. The same applies for the outer layer. However, the outer layer is in a preferred embodiment at least partially thicker than the inner layer.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the container, the container body is formed by an outer container body and an inner container body which enclose at least one vacuum insulated panel. In this way, the layer material configuration which is required to obtain the desired insulating properties, can be obtained in a relatively simple manner. Further, such embodiment enables a relatively simple manufacturing process. The inner container body and the outer container body can have a substantially similar shape. The inner container body and the outer container body may be made of the same material. However, it is also conceivable that (slightly) different materials are used. Typically, both the inner container body and the outer container body comprise at least one bottom wall and at least on side wall, and preferably a plurality of side walls, which mutually define at least one receiving space. It is preferred that the inner container body comprises a flange which protrudes outwardly. The outwardly protruding flange may form an upper wall surface of the container body. The flange may form a protective function for the vacuum insulated panel(s) and/or for the outer container body. The flange may engage at least one vacuum insulates panel and/or at least one wall part of the outer container body. It is conceivable that the flange is substantially flat. However, it is also conceivable that the flange comprises a structured surface, in particular a structured upper surface for example defining teeth and/or grooves.
It is possible that the cooling element(s) to be used in combination with the cooling container are removably positioned inside the container body. However, even more benefit in insulation performance of the container can be obtained by an embodiment wherein at least one cooling element is located inside or attached to the closing element of the container. When separate cooling elements are placed on top or next to of the products in the container, which is a conventional practice, freezing or damaging of the product may occur. This is in particular undesirable in case the container is used for food product or medicines. This drawback is overcome by this preferred embodiment. It is for example conceivable that the closing element comprises at least one accommodation space for accommodating at least one cooling element. Preferably, at least one accommodation space is positioned at a (lower) region of the closing element which can be positioned substantially inside the container body. By providing at least one accommodation space for at least one cooling element within the closing element, the cooling element(s) can in practice substantially form part of the closing element. The cooling element(s) being positioned at or within the closing element has several benefits. At first, the positioning of at least one cooling element at the upper region of the container will enable a relatively good temperature distribution over the inner volume of the container. The cold air (originating from the cooling element(s)) will in fact continuously fall downwardly. This has a positive effect on the conditioning effect of the cooling element(s). Further, the weight of the closing element will be increased when it comprises at least one cooling element. This will positively contribute to the stability of the closing element and may prevent undesired detachment of the closing element. In particular when the closing element is substantially made of a foam material, the closing element may easily get detached for example during transport or handling.
The invention also relates to an embodiment wherein the closing element comprises at least one cooling element. The at least one cooling element can be positioned inside the accommodation space, if applied. It is also conceivable that at least one cooling element forms integral part of the closing element. It is for example possible that the closing element comprises a layered material configuration wherein at least part of a vacuum insulated panel is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material and at least one cooling element. This is in particular beneficial for the insulating performance of the cooling element, and thus for the insulating performance of the cooling container as such. The closing element may for example comprise a cascade of integrally connected cooling elements. One or more cooling element may form integral part of the cooling container. However, they may also be replaceable attached to the closing element. The cooling elements applied can be any cooling element according to the prior art which is suitable for the intended purpose. Typically, the cooling element comprise at least one phase change material. When applying a closing element comprising at least one integrally formed cooling element, it is conceivable that the entire closing element is refrigerated after use. In case the closing element comprising at least one vacuum insulated panel, the time required to refreeze the cooling element can be significantly reduced.
It is also possible that the closing element comprises a layered configuration wherein at least part of a vacuum insulated panel is substantially enclosed between at least one primary insulation material on a first side and at least one cooling element on the other side. It is for example conceivable that the closing element is a modular closing element. In a preferred embodiment, the closing element comprises at least one outer part and at least one inner part, wherein said outer part and said inner part are mutually connectable or connected. It is for example conceivable that the outer part substantially encloses the inner part. It is also conceivable that the inner part is at least partially or substantially fully received in the outer part. The closing element parts can for example be made of the primary insulation material. It is possible that the inner part defines an accommodation space for accommodating at least part of at least one cooling element. It is for example possible that at least one inner part and at least one outer part are mutually connected by means of an adhesive layer, preferably a hot melt layer. It is also conceivable that the inner part and the outer part are releasably connected, for example via a click connection. In case the closing element is at least partially made of a foam material, it might be beneficial to provide a rigid connection by means of an adhesive. Preferably, at least one cooling element and at least one vacuum insulated panel are mutually connected by means of an adhesive, in particular a contact spray. It is beneficial if the adhesive applied to connect the inner part and outer part of the closing element is a different type of adhesive. This is preferred due to the different types of material which are to be mutually attached, wherefore it was found that it is beneficial to apply different adhesive types. It is beneficial if the inner part and outer part of the closing element are configured such that the (assembly of the) vacuum insulated panel and cooling element can be clampingly received or retained between said inner part and outer part. It is for example conceivable that a circumferential edge of the cooling element is clampingly retained within the closing element. In this case, the amount of adhesive which is to be applied can be kept relatively small.
The container body and the closing element may have at least one complementary contact surface. Part of the upper edge of the container body and part of the lower edge of the closing element may have a complementary shape which could act as guiding structure for aligning of the closing element with respect to the container body. The container body could for example comprises a coupling member and the closing element comprises a counter coupling member which are configured for mutual aligning and/or coupling. The closing element and the container body may each comprise at least one protruding tooth and/or at least one groove which have a complementary shape. The presence of a complementary (structured) contact surface and/or coupling members and counter coupling members is that these structures may also avoid the formation of a thermal bridge, which could positively contribute to the insulation performance of the cooling container.
The container could further comprise at least one access opening for supplementary equipment. It can for example be an access opening for receiving electronics. The access opening could enable easy use of at least one sensor, such as but not limited to a temperature sensor. It is also conceivable that the container comprises at least one electronic display, which may be coupled to said at least one sensor. The container may further comprise at least one external receiving space for receiving at least one external component, such as but not limited to an electronic component.
The container may also comprise at least one sensor. At least one sensor may for example be a temperature sensor. At least one sensor is in particular configured to determine at least one parameter, such as the temperature, inside the receiving space of the container body. The sensor may comprise a sensor housing. At least part of the sensor housing, if applied, is preferably made of an insulating material. The insulating material can for example be any of the materials as mentioned for the primary insulation material. It is conceivable that the sensor housing is configured to accommodate at least one electrical element, such as a wire, within the housing. It is beneficial if at least part of at least one sensor, and in particular the sensor housing, extends through at least one container wall. It is for example conceivable that at least part of at least one sensor, in particular of the sensor housing, is embedded in at least one container wall, preferably in an air-tight manner. Such embodiment could prevent that the measured temperature is influenced by external factors. It is conceivable that at least one sensor is connected to at least one control unit and/or to at least one electronic display or ePaper display.
Preferably, the container has a stackable configuration. More preferably, both the container body and the closing element have a stackable design.
A lower side of the closing element and/or the cooling element(s) may be, at least partially, substantially parabolic. In particular, the lower side of the closing element which is substantially positioned inside the container body is referred to. The use a parabolic shape may enable that any formed condense can be discharged from the closing element. Further, in case the cooling element have a substantially parabolic shape, this may result in a short refreezing time due to the larger surface area.
The invention further relates to a container body for use in a cooling container according to the present invention. The container body can be any of the described embodiment of the present patent document.
The invention also relates to a closing element for use in a cooling container according to the present invention. The closing element can be any of the described embodiments of the present patent document.
The invention also relates to an assembly of a cooling container according to the present invention and at least one cooling element.
The invention will be further elucidated by means of non-limiting exemplary embodiments illustrated in the following figures, in which:
Within these figures, similar reference numbers correspond to similar or equivalent elements or features.
The closing element 12 comprises an accommodation space 19 which is configured for accommodating at least one cooling element 18. In the embodiment shown, the cooling elements 18 are positioned within the accommodating space. The cooling elements 18 of the shown embodiment basically form a cascade of integrally connected cooling elements 18. This configuration can prevent that the cooling element 18 will expand and/or deform during refreezing. The container 11 further benefits of a stackable configuration.
The vacuum insulated panels 25 are attached to the primary insulation material layers 26, 27 by means of an adhesive layer. The inner side of the container body 21 is provided with a surface structure. The closing element 22 comprises an accommodation space 29 for accommodating cooling elements 28. The cooling elements 28 form integral part of the closing element 22. In particular
It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which are illustrated and described here, but that countless variants are possible within the framework of the attached claims, which will be obvious to the person skilled in the art. In this case, it is conceivable for different inventive concepts and/or technical measures of the above-described variant embodiments to be completely or partly combined without departing from the inventive idea described in the attached claims.
The verb ‘comprise’ and its conjugations as used in this patent document are understood to mean not only ‘comprise’, but to also include the expressions ‘contain’, ‘substantially contain’, ‘formed by’ and conjugations thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027545 | Feb 2021 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2022/050068 | 2/11/2022 | WO |
