Thermally insulated transport container

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insulated transport container (1) having an outer shell (2) surrounding an outer insulating chamber (28), an inner shell (3) disposed within the outer shell (2), and a cooling chamber shell (47) surrounding a cooling chamber (4), the cooling chamber shell (47) being connected to a closable tubular inlet channel element (5), the interior (52) of which opens to the cooling chamber (4). The cooling chamber (4) has a plurality of chambers (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) for receiving items (7) to be refrigerated, wherein the cooling chamber (3) has a central refrigerated item chamber (40), and the tubular inlet channel element (5) is disposed at the center of the outer shell (2) and the inner shell (3) and is flush with the central refrigerated item chamber (40). The present invention is characterized in that a central refrigerated goods compartment (40) is surrounded by a plurality of centrifugal refrigerated goods compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46); the centrifugal refrigerated goods compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) are connected to or can be connected to the central refrigerated goods compartment (40) through their respective conveyor gates (41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46'); and the central refrigerated goods compartment (40) is equipped with a tubular annular sliding device (6). The tubular annular sliding device (6') is rotatable about the central axis (X) and has at least one conveying port (65). By rotating the annular sliding device on the circumferential wall (62) of the annular sliding device, the conveying port can be aligned with the corresponding conveying gates (41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46') to form a passage from the paired centrifugal refrigerated compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) to the central refrigerated compartment (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermally insulated transport container as described in the forecourt of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] In the pharmaceutical field, it is often necessary to transport frozen or deep-frozen samples or active ingredients over long distances and for extended periods without interrupting the cooling chain and without allowing the temperature of the refrigerated items to exceed the limits. Highly insulated cryogenic transport containers equipped with accumulators are well-known for addressing this task, such as transport containers for cooling frozen items, EP2 041 502 B1.

[0003] However, transporting large quantities of small refrigerated containers (i.e., vaccine vials) to vaccination sites (such as doctors' offices or mobile vaccination stations) is a challenging problem, especially when distributing vaccines that require deep freezing or freezing (e.g., -70°C to -80°C). At these sites, vaccines are not needed simultaneously but individually and continuously at intervals, requiring removal from transport containers. If the transport container is opened and closed each time it is removed, warmer ambient air enters the cooling space within the container during each removal, rapidly reducing the storage capacity of the cold storage and significantly shortening the maximum cold-keeping time (i.e., the time it takes for the items to reach their maximum permissible temperature).

[0004] Description of the prior art

[0005] DE 10 2007 008 351 A1 describes a self-cooling transport container with a revolver-shaped rotating hopper inside a cooling chamber containing multiple refrigerated product inserts arranged in a ring. A tubular inlet channel element is centrifugally fixed above the ring of refrigerated product inserts within the transport container. By rotating the hopper, one refrigerated product insert can be positioned below the tubular channel element at a time, and the refrigerated product can then be removed from the insert through the inlet element. Providing such a rotating hopper in a refrigerated container where temperatures can range from -70°C to -80°C requires considerable technical expertise to ensure reliable rotation even at such low temperatures. Furthermore, the centrifugal arrangement of the tubular channel element is disadvantageous from an insulation perspective. Additionally, such a permanently installed removal device makes the transport container equipped with this device difficult to clean, which is particularly disadvantageous if the transport container is used to transport medical and pharmaceutical products. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to improve a general thermally insulated transport container so that its maximum cold-keeping time is not significantly reduced even when transporting a large number of refrigerated item sockets (the refrigerated item sockets are removed one by one at intervals).

[0007] This objective is achieved by a thermally insulated transport container having the features listed in claim 1.

[0008] The thermally insulated transport container has an outer shell surrounding an outer insulation chamber, an inner shell housed within the outer shell and surrounding an inner refrigerant chamber, and a refrigeration chamber housed within the inner shell. This refrigeration chamber is connected to a tubular inlet channel element, which is accessible through tubular internal fittings and can be sealed by a closure plug. The container also has multiple refrigerated item compartments for receiving refrigerated items. According to the invention, the refrigeration chamber has a central refrigerated item compartment surrounded by multiple centrifugal refrigerated item compartments. The tubular inlet channel elements are centrally arranged within the outer and inner shells and aligned with the central refrigerated item compartment. The centrifugal refrigerated item compartments communicate with the central refrigerated item compartment or can communicate with it through their respective conveyor doors.

[0009] Advantages

[0010] In embodiments of the invention, the refrigerated container is always removed through a central refrigerated compartment located at the axial center of the refrigeration chamber, and further through the center of the inner shell surrounded by the refrigerant chamber. If warmer ambient air enters the central refrigerated compartment during removal, a symmetrical heat load on the refrigerant will form a cold accumulator (provided by the refrigerant chamber), thus the storage capacity of the cold accumulator will be only slightly affected. Furthermore, according to the solution of the invention, no complex rotating device is required, because when the central refrigerated compartment is empty, the refrigerated container can slide out of one of the centrifugal refrigerated compartments and into the central refrigerated compartment by means of a corresponding conveyor gate by slightly tilting the transport container.

[0011] The transport container constructed according to the invention also has the advantage that the central tubular inlet channel element can enter the cooling chamber substantially unimpeded, even when cleaning the transport container. In particular, if liquid leaks into the cooling chamber, the cooling chamber can be reliably and easily cleaned, especially if the surfaces of the cooling chamber are formed of smooth walls (such as stainless steel).

[0012] Other advantages and design features of the transport container according to the invention are the subject of claims 2 to 10.

[0013] Ideally, a tubular annular sliding device rotatable about a central axis is installed in the central refrigerated goods compartment. This device has at least one conveying port on its circumferential wall, which can overlap with a corresponding conveyor gate by the rotation of the annular sliding device, thereby forming a channel from the centrifugal refrigerated goods compartment associated with the conveyor gate to the central refrigerated goods compartment. Such annular sliding device allows for targeted selection of centrifugal refrigerated goods compartments by overlapping the conveyor port of the selected centrifugal refrigerated goods compartment with its conveyor gate, thereby allowing only one refrigerated goods container from that centrifugal refrigerated goods compartment to enter the central refrigerated goods compartment. The conveyor gates of all other centrifugal refrigerated goods compartments are thus sealed by the walls of the annular sliding device, preventing warmer ambient air entering the central refrigerated goods compartment during the removal process from entering these sealed centrifugal refrigerated goods compartments. The annular sliding device can be easily removed by pulling it out from inside the tubular inlet channel element. This facilitates cleaning of the interior and the central and centrifugal refrigerated goods compartments, and also allows for rapid cooling of the refrigerant.

[0014] Ideally, the central annular sliding device should be inserted into the central tubular inlet channel element so that it can be removed in the axial direction. This facilitates the removal of the entire annular sliding device when cleaning is required and also provides easy access to the refrigerator compartment, etc.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the annular sliding device engages with the interior of the tubular inlet channel element at one end opposite to the bottom of the central refrigerated compartment. In this way, especially if the portion of the annular sliding device that engages with the channel element provides an additional seal to the inner circumference of the tubular channel element via a shaft seal, no air will enter the centrifugal refrigerated compartment from the channel element, and air exchange caused by convection between the interior of the inlet channel element and the centrifugal refrigerated compartment can be reliably prevented.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, is as follows: the annular sliding device has a coupling device on its end face opposite to the bottom of the central refrigerated compartment. This coupling device is designed to be rotatably and permanently connected to a mating coupling device on the end face of the tubular inlet channel element, into which the tubular actuating element can be inserted. The actuating element can thus be removed from the tubular inlet channel element when not in use, thereby preventing the formation of a thermal bridge when the inlet channel element is closed with a closure insert (e.g., an insulating plug).

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, the outer shell and inner shell, as well as the central refrigerated compartment and tubular inlet channel element, are all cylindrical and coaxially arranged, with the centrifugal refrigerated compartments arranged in a star shape around the central refrigerated compartment. This circular symmetrical design makes the insulation of the refrigerated compartment particularly effective and uniform.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the centrifugal refrigerated goods compartment is formed by refrigerated goods niches extending radially outward from the central refrigerated goods compartment.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the annular sliding device has two tubular annular sliding elements, coaxially arranged inside each other, with each element having at least one conveying port on its circumferential wall, and capable of rotating relative to each other. This coaxial arrangement of the two annular sliding elements, allowing them to rotate relative to each other and each having at least one conveying port, allows the conveying port of the inner annular sliding element to be aligned with the conveying port of the outer annular sliding element to form a common conveying port for the annular sliding device. This port can then be aligned with the conveying door of a centrifugal refrigerated compartment to open the centrifugal refrigerated compartment toward the central refrigerated compartment. However, the two annular sliding elements can also be twisted relative to each other so that their conveying ports do not overlap, thereby keeping the tube walls of the annular sliding device closed and isolating all centrifugal refrigerated compartments from the central refrigerated compartment.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, the outer shell has a cup-shaped outer shell base enclosed by an outer casing wall, with a tubular inlet channel element connected to the outer casing wall. An inner shell base connected to the tubular inlet channel element is inserted into the outer shell base, its outer wall, together with the wall of the tubular inlet channel element, the wall of the outer shell base, and the outer casing wall, defining the internal space of the outer shell base. The inner and outer spaces of the outer shell base are emptied, thus providing particularly good thermal insulation. Ideally, the inner and outer spaces are filled with mechanically supported devices with poor thermal conductivity to more effectively support the ambient gas pressure acting on the walls of the outer shell base under vacuum or negative pressure conditions. Furthermore, additives, particularly fumed silica as an additive, restrict the free paths of any individual gas molecules that might still exist inside under high vacuum conditions, thus achieving high insulation even under these conditions.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, the inner housing has a cup-shaped inner housing base closed by an inner casing wall, with a tubular inlet channel element connected to the inner casing wall. The inner housing base forms a refrigeration insert, the walls of which surround the refrigerator compartment and are connected to the tubular inlet channel element, the interior of which opens into the refrigerator compartment. The interior of the inner housing base is filled with refrigerant, or a refrigerant-filled refrigeration element is inserted into the interior space of the inner housing base.

[0022] If the inner shell substrate is designed to be horizontally separable, then during assembly, refrigerant-containing refrigeration elements can be inserted into the internal space of the inner shell substrate. Different shell substrate components are assembled in a way that allows for combination with each other, thereby defining internal spaces of different sizes within the inner shell substrate, enabling the accommodation of different numbers or sizes of refrigeration elements within this space. Therefore, not only can the refrigeration capacity be adapted to the requirements of the assembly process, but it also allows for the simple and cost-effective manufacture of different transport containers with varying refrigeration capacities within a modular system.

[0023] The preferred embodiments of the invention, which have additional design details and other advantages, will now be described and illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The figures show:

[0025] Figure 1 A vertical cross-sectional view of the thermally insulated transport container of the present invention, showing the annular sliding device without being cut off;

[0026] Figure 2 Along line II-II Figure 1 A horizontal cross-sectional view of the inner shell of a thermally insulated transport container;

[0027] Figure 3 A vertical cross-sectional view of the inner shell of the thermally insulated transport container of the present invention, with an enlarged view of the first improved annular sliding device;

[0028] Figure 4 A vertical cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of the thermally insulated transport container of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 A vertical cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the thermally insulated transport container of the present invention, showing a second improved annular sliding device and an unloading sliding member;

[0030] Figure 6 right Figure 5 A vertical sectional view of the inner shell of a thermally insulated transport container, with an enlarged view of the second improved annular sliding device and unloading sliding component;

[0031] Figure 7 Side view of the unloading slider;

[0032] Figure 7A Unloading slider edge Figure 7 The axial view taken in the direction of arrow VII; and

[0033] Figure 8 Annular sliding device with unloading slider along Figure 5A top view taken in the direction of the middle arrow VIII. Detailed Implementation

[0034] exist Figure 1 The image shows a cylindrical thermally insulated transport container 1 according to the invention in a vertical cross-section. However, the invention is not limited to the cylindrical embodiment; the transport container may also have an elliptical, rectangular, or other polygonal layout, but the cylindrical shape is the preferred embodiment and is particularly advantageous in terms of thermal insulation due to rotational symmetry.

[0035] The outer shell 2 of the transport container 1 includes a cup-shaped outer shell base 20 that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the vertical central axis X and an annular outer cover wall 21 that encloses the outer shell base 20. The outer shell 2 is formed by a wall 22, which is preferably made of stainless steel with poor thermal conductivity. The wall has a cylindrical outer wall 23 of the outer shell base 20, a substantially flat bottom wall 24, and an annular cover wall 21.

[0036] The inner shell 3 (described in detail below) is inserted into the cup-shaped housing base 20. The inner shell 3, disposed inside the outer shell base 20, and the tubular inlet channel element 5 connected thereto are surrounded by the outer shell 2, defining the insulating chamber 28 and forming the refrigerant insert 8. The tubular inlet channel element 5 opens into the inner opening 21' of the stepped annular outer cover wall 21 and is sealed and welded thereto (weld 22'). The circumferential wall 23 and the cover wall 21 of the cup-shaped housing base 20 are also sealed and welded to each other (weld 22") to ensure the high vacuum seal of the outer insulating chamber 28. The wall 22 of the outer shell 2 surrounds the annular space 26 and the bottom space portion 27 surrounding the inner shell 3 and the inlet channel element 5, which together form the outer insulating chamber 28.

[0037] The outer insulation chamber 28 can be evacuated by means of a vacuum valve (not shown) and a vacuum pump (also not shown) disposed in the wall 22. During operation of the thermally insulated transport container 1 according to the invention, a vacuum exists in the outer insulation chamber 28.

[0038] To prevent the compressive forces of the environmental pressure acting on wall 22 from deforming or even collapsing it, the entire insulating chamber 28 is filled with a vacuum support material 29. This vacuum support material is a poor conductor of heat and can withstand mechanical pressure, such as pyrolytic silica. Figure 1 As shown, this is used only in the lower region of the insulating chamber 28 as an example. Providing this vacuum support material 29 in the insulating chamber 28 allows for a thinner wall thickness in the wall 22, thereby reducing heat conduction along the wall 22 without compromising its mechanical stability.

[0039] The inner shell 3, coaxially arranged relative to the central axis X, comprises a cup-shaped inner shell base 30 and an annular inner cover wall 31 that closes the latter. The inner shell 3 has a wall 32, preferably made of a material with poor thermal conductivity (e.g., stainless steel), and includes a cylindrical outer wall 33, a substantially planar bottom wall 34 of the cup-shaped inner shell base 30, and an inner cover wall 31 that closes the latter at the top. A refrigerated compartment shell 47 is inserted into the cup-shaped inner shell base 30, which (described in detail below) surrounds a refrigerated compartment 4 for transporting refrigerated goods 7. A tubular inlet channel element 5 passes through the internal opening 31' of the annular inner cover wall 31 and is sealed and welded thereto (weld 32'). The circumferential wall 33 and the cover wall 31 of the cup-shaped outer shell base 30 are also sealed and welded together (weld 32”) to ensure the high vacuum seal of the outer insulation chamber 28. The wall 32 of the inner shell 3 and the wall 50 of the tubular inlet element 5 surround the annular space 36 and the bottom space portion 37 surrounding the refrigeration chamber shell 47, which together form the inner refrigeration chamber 38. The inner refrigerant chamber 38 is filled with organic refrigerant 39 and forms a cold accumulator 39'.

[0040] Ideally, the refrigerant compartment 38 contains a metal wool filling 39" with good thermal conductivity. For clarity, Figure 1 Metal wool filler 39” is shown only in a portion of the refrigerant chamber 38, but preferably the entire refrigerant chamber 38 is filled with metal wool filler 39”. Instead of metal wool filler 39”, a thermally conductive metal foam filler, such as aluminum foam or another thermally conductive space metal grid, can also be provided in the refrigerant chamber 38. Ideally, the organic refrigerant used is a material that undergoes a solid-to-liquid phase change in the temperature range of -15°C to -100°C and has, for example, a heat of fusion of at least 50 joules / mL.

[0041] The refrigerator compartment 4, surrounded by the refrigerator compartment shell 47, forms a socket for refrigerated items 7 and has a central refrigerated item compartment 40 and centrifugal refrigerated item compartments arranged in a star shape around it, as described below. Figure 2 As further described, the refrigerator housing 47, coaxially arranged with respect to the central axis X, has a cup-shaped refrigerator housing base 48 and an annular upper cover wall 49, which closes the latter and has a central opening 49'. The walls of the refrigerator housing 47, including the refrigerator housing base 48 and the upper cover wall 49, are preferably made of a material with good thermal conductivity (e.g., aluminum) to ensure effective cold input from the refrigerator compartment 38 to the refrigerator compartment 4.

[0042] A tubular inlet channel element 5 extends from above, coaxial with the central axis X, through the central inner opening 21' of the outer casing wall 21, and is sealed and welded to the edge of the opening through the central inner hole 31' of the inner casing wall 31. The tubular inlet channel is also sealed and welded to the edge of the opening, extending downward to the central opening 49' of the annular upper casing wall 49 of the refrigerator compartment housing 47. The cylindrical wall 50 of the tubular inlet channel element 5, preferably made of stainless steel with poor thermal conductivity, is firmly and tightly connected to the annular upper casing wall 49, preferably made of aluminum. The interior 52 of the inlet channel element 5 thus opens into the refrigerator compartment 4.

[0043] The cylindrical wall 50 of the tubular inlet channel element 5 is surrounded by an annular insulator 29 in its upper region opposite to the refrigerated compartment 4. The radially inner wall 29' of the insulator is firmly supported on the cylindrical wall 50 of the inlet channel element 5, thus connecting the insulator 29 to the inlet channel element 5 in a rotatable and axially fixed manner. An upper flange ring 51 forms the cylindrical wall 50 opposite to the upper end of the central refrigerated compartment 40 and surrounds the upper opening 51' of the inlet channel element 5. The upper flange ring 51 rests on the annular insulator 29 and does not extend radially outward beyond the annular insulator 29. The radially outer wall 29" of the insulator 29 is precisely fitted into an annular groove 25 formed by the annular stepped outer casing wall 21 of the outer casing 2. The annular insulator 29 is a very poor thermal conductor, ensuring that the inlet channel element 5 is received and retained within the outer casing substrate 2 without allowing any significant heat exchange between these substrates.

[0044] To seal the upper opening 51' of the tubular inlet channel element 5, a closure plug 54 is provided, for example in the form of an insulating plug. This closure plug, together with the insulating shaft 54', extends into the interior 52 of the tubular inlet channel element 5 and partially or completely fills the interior 52 along its vertical length. The insulating handle 54' of the closure plug 54 is preferably designed as a hollow cylinder, with a desiccant, such as absorbent cotton or felt, filling its downward-opening cavity (towards the refrigerator compartment 4) to absorb any liquid that may escape. The closure plug 54 is sealed to the inner wall of the inlet channel element 5 at its upwardly projecting end by a neck-shaped washer 54". Another peripheral washer 54" is provided in the lower region of the insulating shaft 54', which also seals to the inner wall of the inlet channel element 5.

[0045] The outer container cap 10 can be securely attached to the outer casing 2, and is secured by annular seals 12 and 14 (only when...). Figure 1 (Schematic shown) It is supported on the upper cover wall 21 of the outer casing 2. Ideally, the outer container cover 10 is sealed to the outer casing 2 as in EP 2 041 502 B1, a method original to the inventors, whose public disclosure in this respect is expressly cited and is hereby included in the disclosure of this application.

[0046] Figure 2 A horizontal cross-section through the inner shell 2 and the refrigerator compartment 4 is shown. The refrigerator compartment 4 has a central refrigerator compartment 40 for accommodating a refrigerator container 70, which is surrounded by six centrifugal refrigerator compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 that extend radially outward from the central refrigerator compartment 40 in a star shape. Instead of six centrifugal refrigerator compartments, more or fewer centrifugal refrigerator compartments may be provided. In this case, the centrifugal refrigerator compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 are formed by refrigerator niches 41", 42", 43", 44", 45", and 46" that extend radially outward from the central refrigerator compartment and are formed by the inner wall 36 of the inner shell.

[0047] Each of the centrifugal refrigerated compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 has an opening leading to the central refrigerated compartment 40, forming a conveyor gate 41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46'. When the refrigerated compartment 4 is filled from the central refrigerated compartment 40 into the corresponding centrifugal refrigerated compartment 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, the refrigerated containers 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 can be moved. And when the refrigerated containers 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 are removed from the corresponding centrifugal refrigerated compartment 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, the corresponding refrigerated containers 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 can be transferred back to the central refrigerated compartment 40. The dimensions of the corresponding centrifugal refrigeration chambers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 can also be set to accommodate more than one refrigerated item container 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76, such as... Figure 2 As shown. Then, ideally, multiple refrigerated containers are arranged radially one after another within refrigerated compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46. The dimensions of refrigerated compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 can be alternatively or additionally arranged such that several refrigerated containers are arranged one on top of another, when conveyor doors 41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46' and conveyor openings 65, 67 (… Figure 3 When the height of the containers is compatible with the height of the centrifugal refrigerated compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46, they can be removed together as a pile. The centrifugal refrigerated compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 can also be equipped with one or more horizontal intermediate shelves (not shown), allowing refrigerated containers to be placed on multiple levels within the centrifugal refrigerated compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46. Then, the conveyor ports 65 and 67 ( Figure 3 ) can be designed to operate according to these levels, in the relevant annular sliding elements 60, 66 ( Figure 3 It extends circumferentially in a stepped manner in the longitudinal direction so as to specifically allow access to only one level.

[0048] A tubular annular sliding device 6, rotatable about a central axis X, is disposed in the central refrigeration compartment 40 and includes an annular sliding element 60 having a tubular circumferential wall 62. The outer diameter of the tubular circumferential wall 62 is thus sized such that the annular sliding element 60 is precisely but rotatably received within the tubular inlet channel element 5. The circumferential wall 62 of the annular sliding element 60 has at least one conveying port 65 in its lower region, the size of which substantially corresponds to the size of the respective conveying gates 41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46'. By rotating the annular sliding element 60, the conveying port 65 can be overlapped with any of the conveying gates 41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46', thereby forming a channel for refrigerated containers 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 from the associated centrifugal refrigerated compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 to the central refrigeration compartment 40, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0049] The annular sliding element 60 of the annular sliding device 6 engages within the interior 52 of the tubular inlet channel element 5, with its upper end 61 pointing away from the bottom 40' of the central refrigerated compartment 40. The annular sliding device 60 has circumferentially distributed coupling devices 64 on its upper end face 63 opposite to the bottom 40' of the central refrigerated compartment 40, which are designed to be rotatably coupled to an anti-coupling device 58 disposed on the lower end face 57 of the circumferential wall 59 of the tubular actuating element 56, which—after the removal of the closure insert 54—can be introduced from above into the tubular inlet channel element 5 and can be rotatably coupled to the annular sliding element 60. The annular sliding element 60 can then be rotated by the actuating element 56.

[0050] Figure 3 An improved embodiment is shown, wherein the annular sliding device 6 further comprises an inner annular sliding element 66 having a tubular circumferential wall 68 within the outer annular sliding element 60, and the two annular sliding elements are rotatable relative to each other. The inner annular sliding element 66 also has at least one conveying port 67 on the circumferential wall 68 in its lower region, the size of which substantially corresponds to the size of the corresponding conveying gates 41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46', and therefore also corresponds to the conveying port 65 of the outer annular sliding element 60.

[0051] The invention also provides an internal actuating element (not shown) for the inner ring sliding element 66, which is rotatably arranged radially inside the circumferential wall 59 of the outer actuating element 56 and designed in the same manner as the outer actuating element 56. Therefore, the internal actuating element can also be coupled to the inner ring sliding element 66 in a rotationally fixed manner through corresponding (not shown) coupling and reverse coupling devices.

[0052] Two annular sliding elements 60, 66 can rotate relative to each other in such a way that they can close all the conveyor gates 41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46' or open selected conveyor gates. Alternatively, the two annular sliding elements can be coupled to each other in the direction of rotation such that when one of the annular sliding elements, such as the outer annular sliding element 60, rotates about the vertical central axis X in the first direction of rotation from the position where the two conveyor gates 65, 67 are aligned with each other, the other annular sliding element 66 does not initially rotate with it, thus causing the conveyor gates to rotate relative to each other again and thereby close them. Only in this way can the two annular sliding elements 60, 66 rotate together and synchronously with each other and together with the closed conveyor gates 65, 67 in the first direction of rotation. Then, rotation in the second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, can again cause relative movement between the two annular sliding elements 60, 66, causing the conveyor gates 65, 67 to open again, and the two annular sliding elements 60, 66 rotate together and synchronously with each other and together with the open conveyor gates 65, 67 in the second direction of rotation. This approach enables the tailgate operation of two coupled annular sliding elements.

[0053] and Figure 1 Compared to the embodiments described above, another embodiment of the thermally insulated transport container 1' according to the present invention has an improved inner shell 3', such as... Figure 4 The vertical cross-section is shown. The inner shell 3' is designed in two parts, having an upper shell portion 3" designed as a double-walled tube and a cup-shaped lower shell portion 3"', which are connected together in a sealed manner along the dividing line 3"". The upper shell portion has a radial inner tube wall 30' and a radial outer tube wall 30", which are connected to each other by end walls 30"' at their respective upper ends away from the cup-shaped shell portion 3"'. Thus, a cylindrical annular space 36' is formed in the upper shell portion 3"', as shown in the figure. Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment, this space can be filled with refrigerant, or a refrigerant-filled refrigeration element 80 can be precisely inserted into it, making thermal contact with the inner wall 32. The cavity 36' formed by the cup-shaped lower shell portion 3”' of the inner shell 3' can also be filled with refrigerant, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the embodiments, at least one refrigerant-filled disc-shaped refrigeration element 82 can be precisely inserted into the cavity. Incidentally, this refrigeration element can also be used in... Figure 1 In the modified cold accumulator 39' shown.

[0054] The lower part of the upper housing portion 3" has a refrigerator compartment housing 47 that is inserted (e.g., via a heat jacket). The upper cover portion of the upper housing portion 3" is radially inwardly adjacent to the inner annular columnar portion 28' of the outer insulating chamber 28, which forms an insulating space between the upper housing portion 3' and the tubular inlet channel element 5. The lower end of the cylindrical wall 50 of the tubular inlet channel element 5 is tightly and securely connected to the refrigerator compartment housing 47, which is preferably made of aluminum and surrounds the refrigerator compartment 4.

[0055] Figures 5 to 8 Showing with Figures 1 to 4 The embodiments described above are modified embodiments of the transport container of the present invention compared to those described above. Components and parts that differ from the embodiments described above have the same reference numerals, and therefore the above description applies to them in a similar manner.

[0056] The annular sliding device 6' with an outer annular sliding element 60' and an inner annular sliding element 66' corresponds to the above-mentioned annular sliding device in terms of structure and operation. However, the two annular sliding elements 60' and 66' not only extend into the tubular inlet channel element 5, but also pass upward through it into the operating space 25' formed in the annular groove 25 of the annular stepped outer casing wall 21 of the housing 2.

[0057] In the area opposite to the central cooling chamber 40 at the upper end of the tubular outer annular sliding element 60', a radially outwardly protruding actuating element 60" is laterally connected thereto. This actuating element forms a lever, which allows the outer annular sliding element 60' to be manually rotated in two directions within the inlet channel element 5 and to rotate relative to the channel element about the central axis X, as shown below. Figure 8 As indicated by the double arrow A, at least one shaft seal 55, 55', such as a sealing ring, is provided between the radially inner surface 50' of the wall 50 of the inlet channel element 5 and the radially outer surface 60" of the outer annular sliding element 60'. As a result, the portion of the annular sliding device 6' passing through the inlet channel element 5 is sealed on the inner circumference of the tubular inlet channel element, thereby preventing air exchange between the refrigerator compartment 4 and the operating compartment 25' and improving the insulation of the refrigerator compartment.

[0058] A tubular inner ring sliding element 66' extends axially through the tubular outer ring sliding element 60' into the operating chamber 25'. The upper end of the tubular inner ring sliding element 66' extends from the outer ring sliding element 60' and faces away from the central refrigeration chamber 40. It also has a radially outwardly extending actuating element 66', which forms a lever. Using this lever, the inner ring sliding element 66' can be manually rotated in two directions within the outer ring sliding element 60' and rotated relative to each other around the central axis X, as shown below. Figure 8 As indicated by the double arrow B in the diagram. At least one shaft seal (not shown) may also be provided between the outer ring sliding element 60' and the inner ring sliding element 66'.

[0059] A cylindrical unloading slider 9 is inserted coaxially with and at the center of the tubular inner ring sliding element 66'. This slider can move along the central axis X but cannot rotate, and is preferably sealed around its periphery. The unloading slider 9 has an upper shaft-like section 90 with a closed cross-section. At its upper end, an operating handle 91 is connected to the annular sliding device 6'. A tubular section 92 with a transverse conveying port 96 is provided at the free end 93 of the shaft-like section 90 of the unloading slider 9. This free end 93 can be introduced into the central refrigerated goods compartment 40, forming a receiving and transfer compartment 97 for refrigerated goods containers 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76. Refrigerated goods containers placed therein can thus be removed from or loaded into the refrigerated compartment via the unloading slider 9.

[0060] Therefore, the wall 95 of the tubular segment 92 is interrupted by a transfer port 96, which has the same dimensions in the circumferential direction (opening angle) as the transfer ports 65 and 67 of the two annular sliding elements 60' and 66'. The axial extent of the transfer port 96 within the wall 95 of the unloading slider 9 is preferably adapted to the axial length of the refrigerated containers 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 (i.e., slightly greater than the latter), so that only one refrigerated container can be received in the receiving and transferring chamber 97 at a time. According to the design principle, a single refrigerated container can be removed at a time via this unloading slider 9.

[0061] Since the unloading slider 9 is rotatably fixed in the inner annular sliding element 66, once the unloading slider is inserted far enough into the inner annular sliding element 66, the delivery ports 96 and 67 of the unloading slider 9 and the inner annular sliding element 66 are always aligned with each other in the circumferential direction.

[0062] An unloading slide with a longer axial conveyor port 96 is also suitable for larger refrigerated containers, or, if centrifuge chambers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 each accommodate multiple stacked refrigerated containers, such an unloading slide can also be used to remove multiple refrigerated containers. In this case, where multiple refrigerated containers are stacked in a centrifugal refrigerated compartment, an unloading slide can also be provided, wherein the axial range of the conveyor port 96 substantially corresponds to the axial range of the conveyor gates 41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46', thus forming a loading slide for the refrigerated compartment. The interchangeability of the unloading slide 9 increases the flexibility of use of the transport containers under this invention.

[0063] Because the unloading slider 9 has a closed cross-section in its upper shaft portion 90, when it is inserted into the inner annular sliding element 66', it forms a sealing plug for the remaining through passage of the tubular inlet channel element 5, and thus, together with the tubular annular sliding elements 60' and 66', seals the inlet channel element 5, preventing cold air from escaping from the refrigerator compartment while preventing hot air from entering. The shaft section 90 of the unloading slider 9 and the annular sliding elements 60' and 66' are preferably made of materials that are non-thermally conductive or have very poor thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel, titanium, or plastics (e.g., Teflon).

[0064] To remove a refrigerated container from a centrifugal chiller, first rotate the two annular sliders 60' and 66' relative to each other so that their delivery ports 65 and 67 are not aligned, i.e., closed. Then, remove the lid 10' of the transport container and place it in a horizontal position with the central axis X extending horizontally and the cooling chamber at the top (the refrigerated container will be removed from the cooling chamber). Then rotate the entire annular slider 6', keeping the delivery ports 65 and 67 closed, so that the delivery port 67 of the inner annular slider 66' points upwards. By rotating the outer annular slider 60' to align its delivery port 65 with the delivery port 67 of the inner annular slider 66', the refrigerated container can fall downwards from the upper centrifugal chiller into the receiving and transfer chamber 97 due to gravity. Before the unloading slider 9, along with the unloaded refrigerated container, is pulled axially out from the inner annular slider 66', the outer annular slider 60' is first rotated again relative to the inner annular slider 66' to close the passage to the centrifugal refrigerator compartment again and prevent cold air leakage. The centrifugal refrigerator compartment is filled in the opposite manner, also using gravity.

[0065] The above process is achieved through the design of the annular sliding device 6', which uses only gravity to load and unload the centrifugal refrigeration chamber. Therefore, it is unnecessary to install any gripping device in the transport container, which would require an actuator extending from the transport container, and the actuator would always form a thermal or cold bridge.

[0066] The reference numerals in the claims, description, and drawings are used only to better understand the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

[0067] Reference Mark List

[0068] The following symbols represent:

[0069] 1 Thermally Insulated Transport Container

[0070] 2. Outer shell

[0071] 3 Inner Shell

[0072] 3' Inner Shell

[0073] 3" Upper part of the shell

[0074] 3”' Lower part of the shell

[0075] 3” separator line

[0076] 4. Refrigeration compartment

[0077] 5. Tubular inlet channel element

[0078] 6. Annular sliding device

[0079] 6' Annular Sliding Device

[0080] 7. Refrigerated items

[0081] 8 Refrigerant inserts

[0082] 9. Unload slider

[0083] 10. Outer container lid

[0084] 12 Annular seal

[0085] 14. Annular seal

[0086] 20. Shell substrate

[0087] 21. Upper outer wall

[0088] 21' internal opening

[0089] 22 walls

[0090] 22' weld

[0091] 22" weld

[0092] 23 Cylindrical outer wall

[0093] 24. Outer bottom wall

[0094] 25 Annular groove

[0095] 26. Circular Space

[0096] 27. Bottom Space Section

[0097] 28 External insulation chamber

[0098] 29 Insulators

[0099] 29' radial inner wall

[0100] 29" radial outer wall

[0101] 30 Inner Shell Matrix

[0102] 30' inner tube wall

[0103] 30” outer pipe wall

[0104] 31 Inner wall

[0105] 31' internal opening

[0106] 32 walls

[0107] 32' weld

[0108] 32" weld

[0109] 33 Cylindrical outer wall

[0110] 34 bottom wall

[0111] 36. Circular Space

[0112] 36' annular space

[0113] 36” cavity

[0114] 37. Bottom Space Section

[0115] 38 Internal refrigerant compartment

[0116] 39. Refrigerant

[0117] 39' cold storage unit

[0118] 39” Metal Wool Filling

[0119] 40 Central Cold Storage Room

[0120] 40' bottom

[0121] 41 Centrifugal Refrigerated Goods Room

[0122] 41' Transfer Gate

[0123] 41” Refrigerated Item Niche

[0124] 42 Centrifugal Refrigerated Items Room

[0125] 42' Transfer Gate

[0126] 42” Refrigerated Item Niche

[0127] 43 Centrifugal Refrigerated Items Room

[0128] 43' Transfer Gate

[0129] 43” Refrigerated Item Niche

[0130] 44 Centrifugal Refrigerated Items Room

[0131] 44' Transfer Gate

[0132] 44” Refrigerated Item Niche

[0133] 45 Centrifugal Refrigerated Items Chamber

[0134] 45' Transfer Gate

[0135] 45” Refrigerated Item Niche

[0136] 46 Centrifugal Refrigerated Items Room

[0137] 46' Transfer Gate

[0138] 46” Refrigerated Item Niche

[0139] 47. Refrigerator compartment shell

[0140] 48. Refrigeration compartment shell base

[0141] 49. Top Cover Wall

[0142] 49' central opening

[0143] 50 wall

[0144] 50'50 radial inner surface

[0145] 51 flange ring

[0146] 51' upper opening

[0147] 52 Internal

[0148] 54 Closure Plugin

[0149] 54' Insulated Shaft

[0150] 54” neck gasket

[0151] 54” outer gasket

[0152] 56 Actuating Elements

[0153] 57 56 lower surface

[0154] 58 Reverse coupling device

[0155] 59 Zhou Xiangbi

[0156] 60 Outer ring sliding element

[0157] 60' outer ring sliding element

[0158] 60” Actuator

[0159] 60”'60” radial outer surface

[0160] The upper part of 61 6

[0161] The top of 61'6"

[0162] 62 Tubular circumferential wall

[0163] 63. Top surface

[0164] 64 coupling device

[0165] 65th Transmission Port

[0166] 66 Inner Ring Sliding Element

[0167] 66' Inner Ring Sliding Element

[0168] 66” Actuator

[0169] 67 Port

[0170] 68 Tubular circumferential wall

[0171] 70 Refrigerated Containers

[0172] 71 Refrigerated Containers

[0173] 72 Refrigerated Containers

[0174] 73 Refrigerated Containers

[0175] 74 Refrigerated Containers

[0176] 75 Refrigerated Containers

[0177] 76 Refrigerated Containers

[0178] 80 Refrigeration Components

[0179] 82 Disc-shaped refrigeration element

[0180] 90 Upper axial segment

[0181] 91 Operating handle

[0182] 92 Tubular Section

[0183] 93 90 free end

[0184] 95 92 wall

[0185] 96 Transmission Port

[0186] 97 Receiving and Transmission Room

[0187] X is perpendicular to the central axis.

Claims

1. A thermally insulated transport container (1) comprising an outer shell (2) surrounding an outer insulation chamber (28), an inner shell (3) disposed within the outer shell (2) and surrounding an inner refrigerant chamber (38), and a refrigeration chamber shell (47) disposed within the inner shell (3) and surrounding a refrigeration chamber (4), the refrigeration chamber shell (47) being connected to a closable tubular inlet channel element (5), the interior (52) of the tubular inlet channel element opening to the refrigeration chamber (4), wherein the refrigeration chamber (4) has a plurality of refrigerated item compartments (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) for receiving refrigerated items (7), wherein the refrigeration chamber (4) has a central refrigerated item compartment (40), and wherein the tubular inlet channel element (5) is disposed at the center of the outer shell (2) and the inner shell (3) and aligned with the central refrigerated item compartment (40). Its features The central refrigerated goods compartment (40) is surrounded by multiple centrifugal refrigerated goods compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46). The centrifugal refrigerated compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) are connected to or can be connected to the central refrigerated compartment (40) via their respective transmission doors (41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46'). and A tubular annular sliding device (6, 6') rotatable about a central axis (X) is provided in the central refrigerated compartment (40). The annular sliding device has at least one conveying port (65) on its circumferential wall (62). The conveying port (65) can overlap with a corresponding conveying door (41', 42', 43', 44', 45', 46') by rotation of the annular sliding device, thereby forming a passage from the associated centrifugal refrigerated compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) to the central refrigerated compartment (40). The inner refrigerant chamber (38) is formed by an annular space (36) surrounding the refrigerator shell (47) and a bottom space portion (37), the annular space (36) being surrounded by the wall (32) of the inner shell (3) and the wall (50) of the tubular inlet channel element (5).

2. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1, Its features The annular sliding device (6, 6') is engaged in the interior (52) of the tubular inlet channel element (5), with its ends (61, 61') facing away from the bottom (40') of the central refrigerated compartment (40).

3. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1 or 2, Its features The annular sliding device (6, 6') is detachably inserted into the tubular inlet channel element (5).

4. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1 or 2, Its features The annular sliding device (6) has a coupling device (64) on its end face (63) at the bottom (40') away from the central refrigerated compartment (40). According to the design principle, the coupling device is rotatably and fixedly connected to the reverse coupling device (58) on the end face (57) of the tubular actuating element (56), which can be inserted into the tubular inlet channel element (5).

5. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1 or 2, Its features The annular sliding device (6') extends through the tubular inlet channel element (5) at its end (61') away from the bottom (40') of the central refrigerated compartment (40) and enters the operating space (25') formed between the upper cover wall (21) and the cover body (10') of the outer casing (2). The annular sliding device (6') is provided with at least one actuating device (60', 66') for rotating and actuating the annular moving device (6').

6. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 2, Its features The annular sliding device (6, 6') has a tubular annular sliding element (60, 60') having at least one conveying port (65) on its circumferential wall (62) and being rotatable about a central axis (X) relative to the tubular inlet channel element (5).

7. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 6, Its features A radially inner tubular annular sliding element (66, 66') is located inside and coaxially arranged with the tubular annular sliding element (60, 60'), the radially inner tubular annular sliding element also having at least one conveying port (67) on its circumferential wall (68), the conveying port being rotatable about the central axis (X) relative to the tubular inlet channel element (5) and relative to the outer tubular annular sliding element (60, 60').

8. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 7, Its features A cylindrical unloading slider (9) may be provided or supplied, which is centrally engaged with the annular sliding device (6, 6') in the axial direction and is axially displaceable relative to the annular sliding device, and The cylindrical unloading slider (9) has a tubular section (92) with at least one conveying port (96) on the wall (95) of the tubular section, which can overlap with at least one conveying port (65, 67) of the annular sliding device (6, 6').

9. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 8, Its features The cylindrical unloading slider (9) is radially disposed or can be radially disposed inside and coaxial with the inner tubular annular sliding element (66, 66'), and can be axially displaced relative to the inner tubular annular sliding element (66, 66'). The inner tubular annular sliding element (66, 66') can rotate relative to the cylindrical unloading sliding element (9).

10. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 8 or 9, Its features The cylindrical unloading slider (9) has a shaft-like section (90) that is closed in cross-section and is made of a material with poor thermal insulation or conductivity. The free end (93) of the axial segment (90) forms a tubular segment (92), which is provided with a conveying port (96) and can be inserted into the central refrigerated compartment (40).

11. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1 or 2, Its features The outer shell (2), inner shell (3), central refrigerated compartment (40), and tubular inlet channel element (5) are cylindrical and coaxially arranged. Centrifugal refrigerated compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) are arranged in a star shape around the central refrigerated compartment (40).

12. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 11, Its features Centrifugal refrigerated compartments (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) are formed by refrigerated niches (41", 42", 43", 44", 45", 46") which extend radially outward from the central refrigerated compartment (40).

13. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1 or 2, Its features The outer shell (2) has a cup-shaped outer shell base (20) which is closed by an outer cover wall (21).

14. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1 or 2, Its features The inner shell (3) has a cup-shaped inner shell base (30), which is closed by an inner cover wall (31), and The tubular inlet channel element (5) is connected to the outer casing wall (31).

15. The thermally insulated transport container according to claim 1 or 2, Its features The inner shell (3) can accommodate at least one refrigeration element (80, 82) in the refrigeration module (8).

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