Stud for retaining insulating panels

Abstract

The retention stud is used to retain insulating panels in upright condition. The retention stud comprises elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end; at least one transverse wall integrally linking the first and second side walls spacedly from each other; elongated spaced-apart first front and rear flanges attached to the first side wall and extending away from the first and second side walls, with the first front flange being located frontwardly of the first rear flange along the first side wall; and elongated spaced-apart second front and rear flanges attached to the second side wall and extending away from the first and second side walls, with the second front flange being located frontwardly of the second rear flange along the second side wall. The first front and rear flanges and the first side wall define a first opened side channel for inserting the edge portion of a first insulating panel therein. The second front and rear flanges and the second side wall define a second opened side channel for inserting the edge portion of a second insulating panel therein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to acoustic wall insulation, and more particularly to a stud for retaining insulating panels, especially adapted for acoustic insulating panels provided in mobile power generator units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] High output mobile power generator units are used to provide electricity to electric grids which suffer from temporary power failure, which do not have access to the usual power lines, or as a fall-back option for electric grids to compensate temporary power insufficiencies.

[0004] A conventional mobile power generator unit includes a mobile container, usually in the form of a semi-trailer container which can be hitched to a tow truck for carrying the mobile generator unit. The mobile container carries in its inner chamber a power generating motor assembly including a motor, a flywheel, a drive, a radiator, a fuel tank, cooling fans, and other elements known in the art. Openings are present in the walls of the container, for example for providing fresh air intake ports for cooling the radiator and for feeding air to the motor combustion chamber, and for providing warm air outlet ports. Most, if not all, of the air intake and air outlet openings are covered with acoustic louvers, which allow the required air circulation, while preventing a significant portion of the sound emitted by the power generating motor assembly from exiting the container. The power generating motor assembly being a very loud device, it is desirable to control the sound emissions coming out of the container, especially when the power generator unit is installed in a residential area.

[0005] To help reduce the sound levels outside of the container, it is known to install acoustically insulating panels on the inner walls of the container. The louvers are also acoustically insulated, and thus sound emissions can be significantly reduced.

[0006] However, the acoustically insulated panels for the container walls have the disadvantage of being fragile, and difficult to install. One example of a known acoustically insulated panel which is used to insulate power generator unit container walls is a semi-rigid panel comprising a first and a second foam layer separated by a plastic sheet. The first foam layer is provided with a glue film on its outer surface opposite the plastic sheet, and a removable protective paper sheet is applied on the glue film to prevent the foam layer from sticking to other objects before it is installed. The second foam layer is provided with a perforated fabric layer on its outer surface opposite the plastic sheet, which acts as a protective layer for the underlying foam material. The plastic sheet is preferably made of vinyl, while the foam layer is preferably made of resin melamine foam sold under the registered trademark Basotect by the company BASF PLASTICS.

[0007] To install such an acoustically insulated panel against a wall of the power generator unit container, the protective paper sheet is removed, and the panel is flatly abutted and pressed against the container wall. The glue sets, and the insulated panel then theoretically remains attached to the container wall.

[0008] A problem with the attachment of the panel to the wall, is that it is difficult to keep the panel in a vertical position against the wall before the glue sets. Indeed, applying pressure on large insulated panels can be a complicated task. Moreover, the Basotect foam panels are fragile, and thus concentrated pressure points can damage the panel. Also, even if glue is used, the insulated panel may be prone to accidentally being removed from the container wall when the power generating motor assembly is moved inside the container, e.g. when the motor is changed. Indeed, the insulating panels are usually installed between spaced-apart channel vertical studs provided along the container wall, and although every effort is made to ensure that the insulating acoustic panel will be flatly attached to the wall, it is likely that the side edge portions of some panels will protrude slightly beyond the studs. When the machinery located inside the container is moved about, it may accidentally catch the protruding side edge portions of the insulating acoustic panels, thus possibly damaging them or removing them from the container walls.

[0009] Also, the inner wall of many containers is corrugated, and thus the panel is not applied against a continuous flat surface, which reduces the area of adhesion of the panel.

[0010] Moreover, wires, tubing or other elements will be advantageously installed between the insulating panels and the container wall. In such a case, the insulating panels may not be flatly applied against the container wall due to the obstructing elements located therebetween. To circumvent this problem, the wires will often pass within the vertically extending channelled studs, but this increases the installation time, and may require longer wires, since they cannot simply be positioned for example diagonally behind the insulating panel.

[0011] Finally, the channelled studs, since they abut against the container wall, may cause vibration-induced sounds, which is not desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a retention stud for retaining insulating panels in upright condition, said stud comprising:

[0013] elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end;

[0014] at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls spacedly from each other;

[0015] elongated spaced-apart first front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said first front flange being located frontwardly of said first rear flange along said first side wall; and

[0016] elongated spaced-apart second front and rear flanges attached to said second side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said second front flange being located frontwardly of said second rear flange along said second side wall;

[0017] wherein said first front and rear flanges and said first side wall define a first opened side channel for inserting the edge portion of a first insulating panel therein, and said second front and rear flanges and said second side wall define a second opened side channel for inserting the edge portion of a second insulating panel therein.

[0018] The invention also relates to a retention stud for retaining insulating panels in upright condition, said stud comprising:

[0019] an elongated generally cross-sectionally C-shaped main body having a pair of side walls defining front and rear ends, a transverse wall integrally linking said rear ends of said side walls, and an inner opened channel between said side walls and frontwardly of said transverse wall;

[0020] a pair of elongated front flanges each attached at the front end of a corresponding said side wall and extending away from said side walls; and

[0021] a pair of elongated rear flanges each attached at the rear end of a corresponding said side wall and extending away from said side walls;

[0022] wherein each side wall together with its corresponding front and rear flanges, forms a side opened channel for receiving an insulating panel edge portion therein.

[0023] In one embodiment, said front flanges further protrude in said inner opened channel.

[0024] In one embodiment, said main body further comprises elongated reinforcement plates linking said side walls and said transverse wall.

[0025] The present invention also relates to an insulating panel assembly comprising:

[0026] a) a number of aligned, acoustically insulating panels defining opposite first and second side edge portions; and

[0027] b) a number of parallel, spaced-apart, elongated retention studs comprising:

[0028] elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end;

[0029] at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls;

[0030] elongated spaced-apart first front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said first front flange being located frontwardly of said first rear flange along said first side wall and with said first front and rear flanges and said first side wall defining a first opened side channel; and

[0031] elongated spaced-apart second front and rear flanges attached to said second side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said second front flange being located frontwardly of said second rear flange along said second side wall and with said second front and rear flanges and said second side wall defining a second opened side channel;

[0032] wherein each said insulating panel is disposed between two corresponding successive said retention studs, with said first side edge portion of each said insulating panel engaging said first opened side channel of one of said two corresponding successive said retention studs, and with said second side edge portion of said insulating panel engaging said second opened side channel of the other of said two corresponding successive said retention studs.

[0033] In one embodiment, said front flanges further protrude in said inner opened channel.

[0034] In one embodiment, said transverse wall links the respective rear ends of said side walls.

[0035] In one embodiment, said main body further comprises reinforcement plates linking said side walls and said transverse wall.

[0036] The invention further relates to an acoustically insulated container for use in housing a power generating motor assembly, said container comprising:

[0037] i) a container structure comprising a peripheral wall, a floor and a ceiling for enclosing said power generating motor assembly; and

[0038] ii) an insulating panel assembly mounted spacedly adjacent a wall portion of said peripheral wall so as to define an air gap between said insulating panel assembly and said wall portion, said insulating panel assembly being fixedly attached to said container structure and comprising:

[0039] a) a number of co-extensive, acoustically insulating panels defining opposite first and second side edge portions; and

[0040] b) a number of upright, spaced-apart, elongated retention studs each comprising:

[0041] elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end and a frontwardly opened channel between said side walls;

[0042] at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls;

[0043] elongated spaced-apart first front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said first front flange being located frontwardly of said first rear flange along said first side wall and with said first front and rear flanges and said first side wall defining a first opened side channel; and

[0044] elongated spaced-apart second front and rear flanges attached to said second side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said second front flange being located frontwardly of said second rear flange along said second side wall and with said second front and rear flanges and said second side wall defining a second opened side channel; wherein each said insulating panel is disposed between two corresponding successive said retention studs with said first side edge portion of said insulating panel engaging said first opened side channel of one of said two corresponding successive said retention studs, and with said second side edge portion of said insulating panel engaging said second opened side channel of the other of said two corresponding successive said retention studs.

[0045] In one embodiment, said insulating panel assembly further comprises a number of horizontally disposed retention studs each fixedly attached to the container structure and each comprising:

[0046] elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end;

[0047] at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls; and

[0048] elongated spaced-apart front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls in a generally upward direction, with said front flange being located frontwardly of said rear flange along said first side wall and with said front and rear flanges and said first side wall defining an opened side channel; wherein said horizontally disposed retention studs support said insulating panels which sit in said opened side channel of said horizontally disposed retention studs.

[0049] In one embodiment, each said upright retention stud and each said horizontally disposed retention stud define an inner channel therein and each also have inturned flange portions integrally fixed to corresponding stud side walls and protruding inside said inner channel, said upright retention studs being attached to a corresponding said horizontally disposed retention stud by means of attachment members which engage the respective inner channels of said horizontally disposed retention studs and said upright retention studs and which abut against said inturned flange portions.

[0050] In one embodiment, said insulating panel assembly further comprises a number of horizontally disposed channel members each fixedly attached to the container structure and located over and attached to corresponding said upright retention studs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] In the annexed drawings:

[0052] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a mobile power generator unit;

[0053] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the power generator unit of FIG. 1, with the ceiling panel being removed for schematically illustrating the interior of the container;

[0054] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cut-away perspective view of a container portion of the power generator unit of FIGS. 1 and 2, including an insulated wall portion, a ceiling portion and a floor portion thereof;

[0055] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

[0056] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the lower end of the container wall equipped with an insulating panel assembly, together with a container floor portion;

[0057] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the upper end of the container wall portion equipped with an insulating panel assembly, together with a container ceiling portion; and

[0058] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a retention stud according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0059] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a mobile power generator unit 10 comprising a movable semi-trailer container 12 carried over ground by a number of wheels 14 mounted by pairs to axles 16. A pivotable front foot member 18 allows container 12 to be maintained in a horizontal condition when it is motionless to operate as a power generator, while a front hitch (not shown) allows releasable attachment of container 12 to a tow truck for carrying container 12 when it is inoperative. Container 12 defines a reinforced floor 20; a peripheral wall comprising first and second side walls 22, 24, a front wall 26 and a rear wall 28 in the form of a pair of access doors; and a ceiling 30.

[0060] A power generating motor assembly generally referred to by numeral 32 is carried inside the inner chamber enclosed inside the container 12, the power generating motor assembly comprising conventional elements, among them a motor, a drive, a flywheel, a cooling air fan assembly 34, and a radiator assembly 36. Fresh air intake ports 38, 40, 42 are provided in the container side walls 22, 24, and a warm air outlet port (not shown) is provided on the container ceiling 30 above cooling air fan assembly 34, with a trap door (not shown) selectively closing the outlet port.

[0061] Acoustic louvers 44 are provided on fresh air intake ports 38, 40, 42 (only the louvers 44 covering intake port 38 are shown, the others being concealed in the drawings).

[0062] Several maintenance or access doors or panels 46 are also provided on container 12.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, each one of the side wall panels 22, 24 of container 12, for example side wall panel 22, is made from a corrugated sheet of metal 60 which is supported 10 by and attached to a horizontally disposed cross-sectionally C-shaped beam 62. Corrugated sheet 60 is attached at its top end to a horizontally disposed tubular corner beam 64 which is integrally linked to the container ceiling 30. C-shaped beam 62 is integrally linked to the container floor 20.

[0064] FIGS. 3 and 4 show that a number of upright, flat, semi-rigid, acoustically insulating panels 66 are provided along the container peripheral wall, for example along side wall 22. Each insulating panel 66 comprises a bottom edge portion 66a, a top edge portion 66b, and first and second side edge portions 66c, 66d. Insulating panels 66 are spaced apart and retained against tilting away from their vertical position by vertical retention studs 68 which extend for substantially the whole height of insulating panels 66 at each side edge portions 66c, 66d thereof, as detailed hereinafter. Each insulating panel can be made for example of a pair of foam layers separated by a plastic sheet, with a fabric envelope covering the foam layers to help prevent the latter from being damaged.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows that each retention stud 68 has a generally C-shaped main body in cross-section comprising a transverse back wall 70 and two side walls 72, 74. Side walls define in cross-section front and rear ends. Three longitudinally extending reinforcement plates 76, 78, 80, namely a transverse intermediate plate 80 and two plates 76, 78 parallel to side walls 72, 74, integrally link back wall 70 and side walls 72, 74. Side walls 72, 74 extend beyond the frontmost transverse intermediate plate 80, defining an inner frontwardly opened channel 82. A pair of rear flanges 84, 86, slightly elbowed, extend away from side walls 72, 74 at the rear end thereof, and a pair of front flanges 88, 90 extend away from side walls 72, 74 at the front end thereof. Front flanges 88, 90 further have an inwardly hooked edge portion 88a, 90a that protrudes within channel 82, to allow attachment of different elements to stud 68, as detailed hereinafter. Walls 70, 72, 74, reinforcement plates 76, 78, 80 and flanges 84, 86, 88, 90 are all integrally attached to one another to form a monolithic stud 68.

[0066] In one alternate embodiment (not shown), none of the reinforcement plates 76, 78, 80 is provided on stud 68. Furthermore, a single transverse wall 70 or 80 could link side walls 72, 74 at a desired position between the front and rear ends of wide walls 72, 74. This single transverse wall would need to be spaced from the front end of side walls 72, 74 for the frontwardly opened channel 82 to exist.

[0067] Front and rear flanges 88 and 84, together with side wall 72, form a first side opened channel 92, and front and rear flanges 90 and 86, together with side wall 74, form a second side opened channel 94. As shown in FIG. 3, insulating panels 66 are positioned between two successive upright studs 68, with the panel side edges 66c, 66d being inserted in corresponding opened side channels 92, 94. Thus, panels 66 are retained by the studs front and rear flanges 88, 90 and 84, 86 from tilting away from their vertical positions. Also, the slightly elbowed shape of rear flanges 84, 86 provides slightly diverging opened side channels 92, 94, which facilitates the insertion of panels 66 into a tight fit within channels 92, 94, with the panel side edges being slightly squeezed between the corresponding stud flanges for a secure engagement therebetween.

[0068] FIGS. 3 and 5 further show that a horizontally disposed lower retention stud 68′, that is structurally identical to stud 68 and which includes primed reference numbers in the annexed drawings, is attached (e.g. bolted) to an elbowed bracket plate 96 which is in turn attached (e.g. welded) to the side wall corrugated sheet 60. The bottom edge portion 66a of each insulating panel 66 can thus be inserted into the upwardly facing opened side channel 94′ formed between the corresponding first front and rear flanges 86′, 90′.

[0069] According to one embodiment, lower retention stud 68′ could be devoid of any second front and rear flanges 84′, 88′.

[0070] Each vertically extending stud 68 is also fixed at its lower end portion to the lower retention stud 68′by means of vertical fixing plates 98 that are bolted to the inwardly protruding portions of the front flanges 88, 90 and 88′, 90′ of vertical stud 68 and horizontal stud 68′. More particularly, bolts 99 equipped with rotatable attachment blocks that are engageable in channels 82 and 82′ of vertical and horizontal studs 68 and 68′ and that abut against the inwardly protruding portion 88a, 90a and 88a′, 90a′ of front flanges 88, 90 and 88′, 90′ are used to attach fixing plates to both studs 68 and 68′. As shown in the drawings, vertical studs 68 further rest on the upwardly oriented front and rear flanges 86′, 90′ of horizontal stud 68′. Since rear flange 86′ is slightly longer than front flange 90′, rear flange 86′ can be slightly cut where vertical stud 68 rests, to prevent vertical stud from being frontwardly inclined.

[0071] According to an alternate embodiment, the front and rear flanges of studs 68, 68′ would have a same length.

[0072] Each vertically extending stud 68 is further fixed at its upper end portion to a horizontally disposed cross-sectionally C-shaped channel member 100 by means of vertical fixing plates 102 bolted to both channel member 100 and stud 68. More particularly, additional bolts 99 equipped with rotatable attachment blocks that are engageable in channels 82 and 82′ of vertical stud 68 and horizontal channel member 100 and that abut against the inwardly protruding portion of front flanges 88, 90 and against inturned flanges 103, 105 of channel member 100, are used to attach fixing plates to both studs 68 and 68′. Channel member 100 is fixed (e.g. welded) to an L-shaped bracket plate 104 which is in turn fixed (e.g. welded) to the upper portion of the wall corrugated plate 60.

[0073] It is understood that other fixing means could be used to secure the vertical retention studs 68 in their vertical position, for example other suitable bracket members attached to the floor 20 and to the ceiling 30 to which the vertical retention studs 68 would be attached.

[0074] FIGS. 3 and 4 show that an electric relay box 106 (or any other desired element necessary to the operation of the power generating motor assembly 32) may be attached to the vertical retention stud 68. Relay box 106 is attached by means of a rotatable spring loaded attachment block 108 engaged in the channel 82 of stud 68 and to which box 106 is bolted. Attachment block 108 is retained against disengagement from channel 82 by its abutment against the inwardly protruding portion of front flanges 88, 90 of stud 68.

[0075] Generally, the opened channel 82 can be used to install wires or other elongated elements therein, to install electric relay boxes or other known elements which are advantageously readily accessible inside container 12, and to attach studs 68 to the upper horizontal channel member 100 and to the lower horizontal stud 88′ as detailed hereinabove. The inwardly protruding flange portions 88a, 90a of front flanges 88, 90 are used in combination with bolts equipped with attachment blocks to attach different elements to studs 68.

[0076] According to one embodiment, studs 68 are not equipped with inwardly protruding flange portions in their channel 82.

[0077] FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the insulating panels 66 are thus retained by the retention studs 68 in the desired vertical position, spacedly from side wall 22. This position is obtained through the instrumentality of the pairs of spaced apart front and rear flanges 88, 84 and 90, 86 which retain panels 66 on both its front and rear surfaces. A gap 110 thus exists between panels 66 and wall 22. This gap 110 is desirable since it allows wires and other elements to be installed between insulating panels 66 and wall 22, and also since no vibrations can be transmitted between studs 68 and wall 22, thus reducing the overall noise emissions from container 12.

[0078] It is understood that throughout the present specification, the front and rear ends and the front and rear flanges of the retention stud side walls have been so called with reference to their intended positioning in the container, i.e. the front flange of the retention stud faces inside the container and the rear flange of the retention stud faces in the opposite direction towards the container side wall.

[0079] Any modifications to the present invention, which do not deviate from the scope thereof, are considered to be included therein.

Claims

1. A retention stud for retaining insulating panels in upright condition, said stud comprising: elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end; at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls spacedly from each other; elongated spaced-apart first front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said first front flange being located frontwardly of said first rear flange along said first side wall; and elongated spaced-apart second front and rear flanges attached to said second side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said second front flange being located frontwardly of said second rear flange along said second side wall; wherein said first front and rear flanges and said first side wall define a first opened side channel for inserting the edge portion of a first insulating panel therein, and said second front and rear flanges and said second side wall define a second opened side channel for inserting the edge portion of a second insulating panel therein.

2. A retention stud for retaining insulating panels in upright condition, said stud comprising: an elongated generally cross-sectionally C-shaped main body having a pair of side walls defining front and rear ends, a transverse wall integrally linking said rear ends of said side walls, and an inner opened channel between said side walls and frontwardly of said transverse wall; a pair of elongated front flanges each attached at the front end of a corresponding said side wall and extending away from said side walls; and a pair of elongated rear flanges each attached at the rear end of a corresponding said side wall and extending away from said side walls; wherein each side wall together with its corresponding front and rear flanges, forms a side opened channel for receiving an insulating panel edge portion therein.

3. A retention stud as defined in claim 2, wherein said front flanges further protrude in said inner opened channel.

4. A retention stud as defined in claim 2, wherein said main body further comprises elongated reinforcement plates linking said side walls and said transverse wall.

5. An insulating panel assembly comprising: a) a number of aligned, acoustically insulating panels defining opposite first and second side edge portions; and b) a number of parallel, spaced-apart, elongated retention studs comprising: elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end; at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls; elongated spaced-apart first front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said first front flange being located frontwardly of said first rear flange along said first side wall and with said first front and rear flanges and said first side wall defining a first opened side channel; and elongated spaced-apart second front and rear flanges attached to said second side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said second front flange being located frontwardly of said second rear flange along said second side wall and with said second front and rear flanges and said second side wall defining a second opened side channel; wherein each said insulating panel is disposed between two corresponding successive said retention studs, with said first side edge portion of each said insulating panel engaging said first opened side channel of one of said two corresponding successive said retention studs, and with said second side edge portion of said insulating panel engaging said second opened side channel of the other of said two corresponding successive said retention studs.

6. An insulating panel assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said front flanges further protrude in said inner opened channel.

7. An insulating panel assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said transverse wall links the respective rear ends of said side walls.

8. An insulating panel assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said main body further comprises reinforcement plates linking said side walls and said transverse wall.

9. An acoustically insulated container for use in housing a power generating motor assembly, said container comprising: i) a container structure comprising a peripheral wall, a floor and a ceiling for enclosing said power generating motor assembly; and ii) an insulating panel assembly mounted spacedly adjacent a wall portion of said peripheral wall so as to define an air gap between said insulating panel assembly and said wall portion, said insulating panel assembly being fixedly attached to said container structure and comprising: a) a number of co-extensive, acoustically insulating panels defining opposite first and second side edge portions; and b) a number of upright, spaced-apart, elongated retention studs each comprising: elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end and a frontwardly opened channel between said side walls; at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls; elongated spaced-apart first front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said first front flange being located frontwardly of said first rear flange along said first side wall and with said first front and rear flanges and said first side wall defining a first opened side channel; and elongated spaced-apart second front and rear flanges attached to said second side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls, with said second front flange being located frontwardly of said second rear flange along said second side wall and with said second front and rear flanges and said second side wall defining a second opened side channel; wherein each said insulating panel is disposed between two corresponding successive said retention studs with said first side edge portion of said insulating panel engaging said first opened side channel of one of said two corresponding successive said retention studs, and with said second side edge portion of said insulating panel engaging said second opened side channel of the other of said two corresponding successive said retention studs.

10. An acoustically insulated container as defined in claim 9, wherein said insulating panel assembly further comprises a number of horizontally disposed retention studs each fixedly attached to the container structure and each comprising: elongated first and second spaced-apart side walls each defining in cross-section a front end and a rear end; at least one transverse wall integrally linking said first and second side walls; and elongated spaced-apart front and rear flanges attached to said first side wall and extending away from said first and second side walls in a generally upward direction, with said front flange being located frontwardly of said rear flange along said first side wall and with said front and rear flanges and said first side wall defining an opened side channel; wherein said horizontally disposed retention studs support said insulating panels which sit in said opened side channel of said horizontally disposed retention studs.

11. An acoustically insulated container as defined in claim 10, wherein each said upright retention stud and each said horizontally disposed retention stud define an inner channel therein and each also have inturned flange portions integrally fixed to corresponding stud side walls and protruding inside said inner channel, said upright retention studs being attached to a corresponding said horizontally disposed retention stud by means of attachment members which engage the respective inner channels of said horizontally disposed retention studs and said upright retention studs and which abut against said inturned flange portions.

12. An acoustically insulated container as defined in claim 11, wherein said insulating panel assembly further comprises a number of horizontally disposed channel members each fixedly attached to the container structure and located over and attached to corresponding said upright retention studs.