Portable auxiliary refrigeration unit for temporary, emergency refrigeration of refrigerated trucks/trailers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for temporarily refrigerating perishable items contained in a refrigerated truck or trailer whose refrigeration unit is not functioning properly or at all. The apparatus comprises a portable, auxiliary refrigeration unit adapted to be transported to the refrigerated truck or trailer and includes a sealing element configured and adapted for placement in or adjacent a door opening of the refrigerated truck or trailer to provide at least a partial seal thereat. A chilled air duct is provided for delivering chilled air through / across the sealing element to the perishable items inside the refrigerated truck or trailer and the portable, auxiliary refrigeration unit is operable to deliver chilled air through the chilled air duct and into the interior of the refrigerated truck or trailer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 794,264, filed Apr. 21, 2006, entitled PORTABLE AUXILIARY REFRIGERATION UNIT FOR TEMPORARY, EMERGENCY REFRIGERATION OF REFRIGERATED TRUCKS / TRAILERS, is hereby claimed, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by this reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally portable refrigeration units and more particularly to a portable refrigeration unit for temporarily refrigerating perishable items contained in a refrigerated truck or trailer whose own refrigeration unit is not functioning.BACKGROUND[0003]Refrigerated trucks and trailers are often used to transport perishable goods such as milk or other dairy products, seafood, meats, blood plasma and other biologicals, pharmaceuticals, fresh flowers, etc. These trucks and / or trailers typically have a self-contained refrigeration unit for refrigerating the perishable items. These...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a method of keeping perishable items cool in a truck or trailer that is without a refrigeration unit. This is achieved by using a portable refrigeration unit that circulates refrigerated air throughout the interior of the vehicle. This helps to maintain the entire load of perishables, not just the items near the door. The invention is beneficial in keeping items warm in winter, as well. Overall, the invention allows for the preservation of valuable or important items, even if the truck or trailer fails to maintain proper climate control.

Problems solved by technology

In such instances, the perishable goods aboard the truck or trailer are often spoiled, destroyed or compromised.

However, dry ice is not always available or a good practical solution, and is only a very temporary solution.

Also, dry ice can be expensive in the quantities needed to preserve larger quantities of goods, especially in instances in which the refrigeration unit of the truck or trailer is broken down for an extended period of time.

Also, the use of dry ice as a temporary measure is limited by the fact that the dry ice typically is placed near the door opening, while much of the perishable cargo is far from the door opening.

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