A mobile transport container and a heating and cooling arrangement with the mobile transport container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile transport container 1 comprising a container main body defining an interior of the mobile transport container 1 with side walls 2, a base 4, and at least one lid 3 for opening the mobile transport container 1 and allowing access to the interior of the mobile transport container 1. Furthermore, the mobile transport container 1 has at least one opening in the side walls 2, the base 4, or the lid 3 of the mobile transport container 1, wherein a closure assembly 5 is arranged in the at least one opening. The closure assembly 5 comprises a closure housing 5a and a movable closure element 5b, wherein the movable closure element 5b is movable between a closed position and an open position in which air can flow into the interior of the mobile transport container 1.The present invention further relates to a heating and cooling arrangement 20 comprising a heating and cooling unit 10 and a mobile transport container 1.

Description

The present invention relates to a mobile transport container and a heating and cooling arrangement comprising the mobile transport container.Mobile transport containers are generally known from the prior art. Known mobile transport containers consist of a thermally insulated housing for storing goods while maintaining the temperature of the goods and a cover which allows access to the interior space in order to place the goods in the mobile transport container or remove them from it. It is in the nature of the mobile transport containers that they are not fixed in place but can be transported by the user. Typically, such mobile transport containers are used for any type of non-stationary use, such as deliveries, outdoor activities, camping, sails or the like, for storing goods such as food, beverages or other products for a certain time.Especially with the increase of food deliveries in recent years, it is very advantageous to have a mobile transport container which maintains the goods at the desired temperature, for example to deliver warm foods or to maintain fresh foods at a low temperature during deliveries on hot summer days.However, conventional mobile transport containers passively maintain the temperature in the interior, so that the goods located therein can deviate from the desired temperature with increasing duration of delivery. Mobile transport containers with heating or cooling units are also known which actively maintain the desired temperature. However, such active mobile transport containers are heavy and thus inconvenient for the delivery personnel and are more expensive due to the electronic components.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mobile transport container which is light weight and inexpensive while the goods contained therein can be maintained at a predetermined temperature for a long period of time during the transport of the mobile transport container.This object is achieved by the mobile transport container according to claim 1 and the heating and cooling arrangement with the mobile transport container according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mobile transport container includes a container main body defining an interior of the mobile transport container. The container main body has side walls, a bottom and at least one lid for opening the mobile transport container and allowing access to the interior of the mobile transport container. At least one opening is provided in the side walls, the base or the cover of the mobile transport container. A closure assembly is disposed in the at least one opening. The closure assembly includes a closure housing and a movable closure member, the movable closure member movable between a closed position and an open position in which air can flow into the interior of the mobile transport container.With the mobile transport container according to the first aspect, the inside of the mobile transport container can be easily supplied with air of a desired temperature without having to open the lid of the mobile transport container. In other words, in an open position, the closure arrangement enables ventilation of the interior space of the mobile transport container with an easily openable mechanism, for example during deliveries, while the closure arrangement can close the interior space with respect to the environment when the closure arrangement is in a closed position.Preferably, the movable closure element is biased into the closed position, preferably by at least one helical spring. In this embodiment, the movable closure element remains closed when the movable closure element is not actively pushed into an open position and is held in the open position. The movable closure element may be arranged to move to a closed position due to gravity acting on the movable closure element or by a spring or compressible and / or deformable material urging the movable closure element to a closed position. The spring can be, for example, a leaf spring, a spiral spring or an air spring.Preferably, the movable closure element has a contact section which can be contacted from outside the mobile transport container, wherein the movable closure element can be moved from a closed position to an open position by applying a force to the contact section. With this embodiment, the movable closure element can be moved from the outside without the mobile transport container having to be opened. In other words, the movable closure element can be displaced from the outside from a closed position into an open position.Preferably, the closure housing has at least one opening and the at least one opening of the movable closure element is aligned with the at least one opening of the closure housing when the movable closure element is in an open position to allow passage of air through the at least one opening of the movable closure element. The at least one opening of the movable closure element and the at least one opening of the closure housing are offset from each other when the movable closure element is in a closed position, such that the passage of air through the at least one opening of the movable closure element and the at least one opening of the closure housing is prevented. The at least one opening of the closure housing may consist of a plurality of holes, slots or the like, which align with a corresponding plurality of holes, slots or the like in the movable closure element in the open position. In other words, the movable closure element closes the at least one opening of the closure housing when the movable closure element is in a closed position, and does not close the at least one opening of the closure housing when the movable closure element is in an open position.Preferably, the closure assembly comprises a closure seal. The seal seal may be a magnetic seal seal seal. The closure seal can be arranged on the outer side of the closure housing and surround the at least one opening of the closure housing. In this configuration, the mobile transport container may be disposed adjacent a surface and the seal may contact that surface to ensure that air directed into the mobile transport container when the movable closure member is in an open position flows through the openings of the closure housing and the openings of the movable closure member and does not enter the environment of the mobile transport container. This ensures efficient ventilation of the interior of the mobile transport container.Preferably, the side walls, the base and the at least one cover are made of an insulating fabric. Alternatively, the side walls, the bottom and the at least one lid are made of a foam material. The foam may be expanded polypropylene. With this configuration, the interior of the mobile transport container can be thermally insulated, whereby the temperature in the interior is maintained, while the mobile transport container is light, stable and cost-effective and simple to produce. Moreover, goods placed in the interior of the mobile transport container can be protected from external influences such as shocks or moisture. As a result, the desired temperature in the mobile transport container can be reached and / or maintained more efficiently.Preferably, at least one handle and / or at least one fastening means for attaching carrying means is provided on the outer side of the mobile transport container. The mobile transport container can be easily carried by the at least one handle. The at least one fastening means can be, for example, a loop, a carabiner and / or a pushbutton, which are designed such that they can be connected to a separate handle or a belt for simple carrying of the mobile transport container.According to another aspect of the present invention, a heating and cooling arrangement comprises a heating and cooling unit comprising a main body, a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and a control unit for controlling the heating and cooling unit. The heating and cooling assembly further comprises a mobile transport container according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the mobile transport container is removably coupled to the heating and cooling unit. A movable closure element of a closure assembly of the mobile transport container is in an open position when the mobile transport container is coupled to the heating and cooling unit, such that air can be directed from the heating and cooling unit through the closure assembly into the mobile transport container.With the heating and cooling arrangement according to this aspect, the mobile transport container can be coupled to the heating and cooling unit in order to supply the interior of the mobile transport container with either heated air or cooled air through the closure arrangement arranged on the mobile transport container. In other words, by coupling the mobile transport container to the heating and cooling unit, the mobile transport container becomes an actively heated or cooled mobile transport container for the period in which the mobile transport container is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. With this embodiment, the goods in the mobile transport container can be actively cooled or heated during the coupling of the mobile transport container to the heating and cooling unit, while the mobile transport container, after decoupling from the heating and cooling unit, is still light, since no active components are arranged on or in the mobile transport container.Preferably, the heating and cooling unit further comprises a blower for directing air from the evaporator into the mobile transport container when the mobile transport container is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. With this configuration, the air stream can be actively conducted into the interior of the mobile transport container.Preferably, the heating and cooling unit further comprises a fan directing the air to the condenser. With such a configuration, the air flow through the condenser can be increased for heat exchange, and the condenser can be operated more efficiently.Preferably, the control unit comprises at least one sensor. The sensor may be a sensor that detects whether the mobile transport container is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. For example, if the sensor determines that the mobile transport container is not coupled to the heating and cooling unit, the heating and cooling unit and / or the fans may be turned off because conditioned air does not need to be directed into the mobile transport container. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one sensor can be a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the air that is directed into the mobile transport container when the mobile transport container is connected to the heating and cooling unit.Preferably, the control unit comprises a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving signals to / from an external device. With this configuration, the heating and cooling unit can be activated, deactivated and / or adjusted from an external device. The external device may be a special remote control which controls the heating and cooling unit via Bluetooth, infrared signals or the like. The external device may be a mobile device which the user already owns, for example a smartphone, a PC or a smart watch. The external device may also be an on-board infotainment system of a vehicle. The transmitter and / or receiver may include a modem to connect the controller to the Internet via a wireless communication, such as via WiFi, 4G or LTE. This allows control of the heating and cooling unit from a remote location.Preferably, the heating and cooling unit further comprises a housing configured to cover the heating and cooling unit. The housing has at least one opening. The heating and cooling unit is arranged on the housing such that the air conducted into the mobile transport container flows through the at least one opening. The at least one opening is aligned with the closure assembly of the mobile transport container when the mobile transport container is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. In this embodiment, the heating and cooling unit can be covered so that it is not visible to a user. The housing may for example be shaped to fit in the trunk of a vehicle and it may have a special position for coupling the mobile transport container to the heating and cooling unit, such as a recess in the shape of the base of the mobile transport container. With such a configuration, the heating and cooling unit can be permanently arranged in a vehicle and the mobile transport container can be coupled during transport and actively cooled or heated without there being the risk that the mobile transport container is uncoupled from the heating and cooling unit due to vibrations during travel.Preferably, the housing comprises an operating panel which is electronically connected to the control unit. The control panel can be used to activate, deactivate and / or set the heating and cooling unit. The control panel can also comprise a display on which, for example, the current temperature, the set temperature, the blower rotational speeds or other information and / or options for setting the heating and cooling unit are displayed. With this configuration, the heating and cooling unit can be easily adjusted.Preferably, the housing comprises at least one stop element for contacting the movable closure element of the mobile transport container and maintaining the movable closure in an open position when the mobile transport container is connected to the heating and cooling unit. The at least one stop element can be a rib, a block or a strip. In other words, the housing is configured such that the movable closure element is automatically opened when the mobile transport container is coupled to the heating and cooling unit in order to supply the interior of the mobile transport container with heated or cooled air. With this embodiment, the movable closure element can be automatically opened when coupling the mobile transport container to the heating and cooling unit and thus increase the comfort for the user. It is furthermore conceivable to provide the at least one stop element with an engagement section which engages in the movable closure element in order to prevent unauthorized removal of the mobile transport container. In other words, the mobile transport container can be locked to the heating and cooling unit when the mobile transport container is coupled to the heating and cooling unit and the engagement portion engages with the movable closure element. In such a configuration, the movable closure element can comprise a receiving portion for receiving the engagement portion. The engagement portion may be an active engagement portion moved by, for example, a dedicated motor controlled by the control unit of the heating and cooling unit to remotely lock or unlock the mobile transport container as desired. Alternatively, the engagement portion may be a passive engagement portion that can be manually locked by the user with, for example, a physical key.Preferably, the housing comprises at least one positioning means for positioning the mobile transport container relative to the heating and cooling unit so that the at least one opening is aligned with the closure arrangement of the mobile transport container when the mobile transport container is connected to the heating and cooling unit. The at least one positioning means can be, for example, a recess in the housing which is shaped such that it corresponds to the base surface of the mobile transport container. Alternatively, the at least one positioning means can be a projection, a marking or a plurality of pins. It is also conceivable to position the mobile transport container with the at least one stop element. In such a configuration, the at least one stop element is simultaneously the positioning means. With the at least one positioning means, the mobile transport container can easily be aligned with the heating and cooling unit when coupling the mobile transport container to the heating and cooling unit.Embodiments of the mobile transport container and of the heating and cooling arrangement with the mobile transport container are described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a mobile transport container according to the present invention; FIG. 2A is a detail view of a closure assembly of the mobile transport container of FIG. 1 with the movable closure element in a closed position; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the mobile transport container of FIG. 2A ; FIG. 3A is a view of a closure assembly of the mobile transport container of FIG. 1 with the movable closure member in an open position; FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the mobile transport container of FIG. 3A ; FIG. 4 is a view of the heating and cooling unit of the heating and cooling assembly; FIG. 5 is a side view of the mobile transport container of FIG. 1 connected to the heating and cooling unit; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mobile transport container connected to the heating and cooling unit; FIG. 7A is a heating and cooling assembly according to the present invention assembled with a housing; and FIG. 7B is the heating and cooling arrangement of FIG. 7A with the mobile transport container removed.Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a mobile transport container 1 according to the present invention. The mobile transport container 1 comprises two shorter and two longer side walls 2, a lid 3 at the top of the mobile transport container and a bottom 4 at the bottom of the mobile transport container, i.e. facing the bottom, when the mobile transport container 1 is in the orientation in which the mobile transport container 1 is generally used. The side walls 2, the cover 3 and the base 4 can consist of a foam material, for example of expanded polypropylene, or of an insulating fabric. The lid 3 can be opened to access the interior of the mobile transport container 1. The underside of the lid 3 and the upper side of the side walls 2 can have corresponding parts of a zipper or hook and loop fastener in order to close the interior of the mobile transport container 1. On the two shorter side walls 2 are arranged fastening means 7 which consist of a loop and a carabiner fastened thereto. The carabiners can be connected to a carrying strap or strap to conveniently carry the mobile transport container 1 by placing the carrying strap over the shoulder of the wearer, for example. Below the fastening means 7, a handle 5 is arranged on each of the two shorter side walls 2.On one of the shorter side walls 2, a closure arrangement 5 is arranged below the handle 5 and the fastening means 7. The closure arrangement 5 comprises a closure housing 5 a, a movable closure element 5 band a closure seal 5 c.The closure arrangement 5 is illustrated in FIG. 2A in a detailed view, wherein the movable closure element 5 bis in a closed position. A plurality of openings are arranged in the closure housing 5 a. The plurality of openings are formed as slits. The plurality of openings can alternatively also be formed as holes or the like. The shutter seal 5 cis disposed on the outside of the shutter housing 5 aand surrounds the plurality of openings and protrudes from the shutter housing 5 a. The closure seal 5c may be made of rubber, foam or other compressible material which is preferably air impermeable. The closure seal 5c may also be magnetic to connect to a ferromagnetic surface or other magnet.The movable shutter member 5 bis movably disposed in a cavity of the shutter housing 5 a, and a protrusion of the movable shutter member 5 bprotrudes at the bottom of the shutter housing 5 a. In the closed position of the movable closure element 5 bshown, the movable closure element 5 bis arranged such that the openings of the closure housing 5 aare closed by the movable closure element 5 b. In the cavity inside the shutter housing 5a, a spring may be arranged to bias the movable shutter member 5b downwardly to the closed position. Alternatively, the movable shutter member 5 bmay be disposed inside the shutter housing so as to move to a closed position due to gravity.As can be seen in the cross section of the mobile transport container 1 from FIG. 2A illustrated in FIG. 2B, the movable closure element 5 bis arranged movably in a cavity within the closure housing 5 a. The closure housing 5a is arranged in an opening in the shorter side wall 2. The openings of the closure housing 5 aextend from the outside of the mobile transport container 1 into the interior of the mobile transport container 1. the movable closure element 5 bhas a plurality of openings which correspond in shape and arrangement to the plurality of openings of the closure housing 5 a.In the closed position of the movable closure element 5 bshown, the openings of the movable closure element 5 band of the closure housing 5 aare offset such that the openings of the closure housing 5 aare closed by the movable closure element 5 b. In the closed position of the movable closure element 5 b, no air can pass from the surroundings of the mobile transport container 1 into the interior of the mobile transport container 1.A detailed view of the closure arrangement 5 with the movable closure element 5 bin an open position is illustrated in FIG. 3A, while a cross section of the mobile transport container 1 from FIG. 3A is shown in FIG. 3B. In the open position of the movable closure element 5 b, the movable closure element 5 bis moved upwards within the cavity in the interior of the closure housing 5 ain such a way that the openings of the movable closure element 5 bare aligned with the corresponding openings in the closure housing 5 a. The interior of the mobile transport container 1 is thereby connected to the environment of the mobile transport container 1 via the openings of the closure housing 5 aand the openings of the movable closure element 5 b, so that air can pass through the openings of the closure housing 5 aand the openings of the movable closure element 5 binto the mobile transport container 1.A heating and cooling unit 10 of a heating and cooling assembly 20 according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 4. The heating and cooling unit 10 includes a compressor 11, an evaporator 12, a condenser 14, and a main body 16. However, the main body 16 may be made of plastic or foam. Inside the main body 16 having an opening in a side wall of the main body 16, the evaporator 12 is disposed. A gasket 18 surrounds and projects from the opening of the main body 16 on the outside of the side wall. The seal 18 may be a rubber lip or a compressible material such as foam, which is preferably air impermeable. The seal 18 may also be magnetic to connect to a ferromagnetic surface or other magnet.A blower 13 is disposed in the opening adjacent the evaporator 12 to create an air flow through the evaporator 12 and direct it out of the main body 16 through the opening. On top of the main body 16, the compressor 11 and the condenser 14 are disposed, and a blower 15 is positioned adjacent to the condenser 14 to generate an air flow through the condenser 14.The compressor 11, the evaporator 12 and the condenser 14 are connected to each other so as to form a cooling circuit, a heating circuit or a switchable cooling and heating circuit, the function of which is generally known and will not be described further here. In other words, the heating and cooling unit 10 may be referred to as an air conditioner, a heat pump, or a switchable heat pump. The heating and cooling unit is thus capable of conditioning air to a specific temperature.Further, a control unit 17 is disposed adjacent to the compressor 11 on the main body 16. The control unit 17 controls the compressor 11 and the rotational speeds of the fans 13, 15. The control panel may include buttons such as pushbuttons or knobs for changing the settings of the heating and cooling unit 10. The control panel may also have a display to display information. The display can display, for example, the set temperature, the current temperature, the blower rotational speeds of blower 13 and blower 15, and further information and / or settings such as a programmable timer. The control unit 17 may also comprise a transceiver to transmit and / or receive data from an external device, either by cable or wirelessly. The transceiver of the control unit 17 may be a modem capable of transmitting data via Ethernet, WiFi, 4G, LTE, Bluetooth, or the like.The control unit 17 may be connected to the Internet via the transceiver to remotely control the settings of the heating and cooling unit 10, for example, with a dedicated application on an external device such as a smartphone or the like. Alternatively, it is conceivable to connect the control unit 17 to an infotainment system of a vehicle in order to control the heating and cooling unit 10 via the infotainment system. This is advantageous in particular when the heating and cooling unit 10 is operated within a vehicle, such as a passenger car, a motorhome, a boat or the like.FIG. 5 shows a side view of a heating and cooling arrangement 20 according to the invention. The heating and cooling arrangement 20 comprises a mobile transport container 1 coupled to a heating and cooling unit 10 such that the closure arrangement 5 of the mobile transport container 1 faces the opening of the main body 16 of the heating and cooling unit 10.FIG. 6 shows a heating and cooling arrangement 20 with the heating and cooling unit 10 and a sectional illustration of the mobile transport container 1. Therein, the movable closure element 5 bof the mobile transport container 1 is shown in the open position. The openings of the closure housing 5 aand of the movable closure element 5 bare aligned with one another, so that air can pass from the outside of the mobile transport container 1 into the interior space. The opening of the main body 16 of the heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged to be opposed to the openings of the shutter housing 5 aand the openings of the movable shutter member 5 bof the shutter assembly 5 of the mobile transport container 1.The seal seal 5 cof the closure assembly 5 is aligned with the seal 18 of the heating and cooling unit 10. in other words, an air flow led out from the main body 16 by the blower 13 can only enter the interior of the mobile transport container 1 through the openings of the closure housing 5 aand the movable closure element 5 b, since the seal seal 5 cand the seal 18 prevent air from passing through a possible gap between the heating and cooling unit 10 and the mobile transport container 1. This has the advantage that the air conditioned by the heating and cooling unit 10 can be efficiently conducted into the mobile transport container 1.FIGS. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of a heating and cooling arrangement 20 with a housing 21, which is only partially shown. The housing 21 shown is made of plastic which is produced by injection molding. However, the housing 21 may be made of metal, foam or other material and may be made of a single piece or pieces.In FIG. 7A, the housing is designed as a trough open at the top. The heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged on the outside of the tub-shaped housing 21, while the mobile transport container 1 is arranged inside the tub-shaped housing 21. The closure arrangement 5 of the mobile transport container 1 faces the side wall of the housing 21, on which the heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged.FIG. 7B shows the heating and cooling unit 10 from FIG. 7A, wherein the mobile transport container 1 has been removed and the illustrated section of the housing 21 has been adapted. The housing 21 has a plurality of openings 22 in the side wall where the heating and cooling unit 10 is located. Below the openings 22, a plurality of stop elements 23 are arranged. The stop elements 23 are seven vertical ribs, which likewise consist of plastic. The stop elements 23 can, however, also be a single block or a projection in the housing 21. The housing 21 has a positioning means 24 which is designed as a recess with the base surface of the mobile transport container 1. In other words, in order to couple the mobile transport container 1 to the heating and cooling unit 10, the mobile transport container 1 is placed in the recess of the housing 21. Thereby, the mobile transport container 1 is secured in the lateral directions within the positioning means 24 of the housing 21.As can be seen, the seal 18 of the heating and cooling unit 10 abuts the side wall of the housing 21 such that it surrounds the plurality of openings 22 arranged therein. In other words, the seal 18 of the heating and cooling unit 10 seals a possible gap between the housing 21 and the main body 16 such that an air flow directed from the blower 13 of the heating and cooling unit 10 in the direction of the housing 21 can only pass through the openings 22.Similarly, in FIG. 7A, when the mobile transport container 1 is coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10, the closure seal 5 ccontacts housings 21 around the openings 22 such that an air flow flowing from the heating and cooling unit 10 through the openings 22 of the housing 21 can pass only through the openings in the closure housing 5 aand the openings in the movable closure element 5 binto the mobile transport container 1.The stopper members 23 of the housing 21 contact a contact portion of the movable shutter member 5b which extends downward out of the shutter housing 5a when the mobile transport container 1 is coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10, so that the movable shutter member 5b is pushed to the opened position and held at the opened position while the mobile transport container 1 is coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10.It is conceivable to design the housing 21 of the heating and cooling arrangement 20 in a form-fit manner for the trunk of a specific vehicle. The trunk can also be a front trunk, as is increasingly found in electric vehicles. For example, the housing 21 could be a shell which largely covers the interior of the trunk and has a cavity in which the heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged. With this configuration, when the heating and cooling assembly 20 of the present invention is installed in a trunk room of a vehicle, the appearance of the trunk room could be basically maintained while the heating and cooling unit 10 is not visible to a user. The housing 21 would include a special location for the mobile transport container 1 to be coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10 and to provide conditioned air through openings 22 in the coupled mobile transport container 1. The user could have the mobile transport container 1 connected to the heating and cooling unit 10 during the journey with the vehicle and keep the goods such as beverages or food in the mobile transport container 1 at a predefined temperature. The mobile transport container 1 can then be removed, for example, for a picnic or beach stay.Furthermore, it is conceivable for the housing 21 to have the shape of a cabinet. The cabinet-shaped housing 21 can have separate compartments for the heating and cooling unit 10 and the arrangement of a mobile transport container 1. The compartment for the mobile transport container 1 can also have a lock. The lock can be a mechanical lock or an electrically actuated lock which can be connected to the control unit 17 of the heating and cooling unit 10. With such a configuration, it can be ensured that only authorized persons can open the compartment for the mobile transport container 1. The cabinet-shaped housing 21 can be arranged, for example, outside an office building or a residential building, so that delivery services, for example for foods, can place a mobile transport container 1 filled with goods to be delivered into the cabinet-shaped housing 21, whereby the mobile transport container 1 is coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10 arranged in the housing 21. With this arrangement, the goods being supplied can be kept at a predetermined temperature for a certain time, for example when the supply takes place in the absence of the recipient.REFERENCE NUMERALS1 Mobile transport container 2 Side wall 3 Lid 4 Bottom 5 Closure arrangement 5 a Closure housing 5 b Movable closure element 5 c Closure seal 6 Handle 7 Fastening means 10 Heating and cooling unit 11 Compressor 12 Evaporator 13 Blower 14 Condenser 15 Blower 16 Main body 17 Control unit 18 Seal 20 Heating and cooling arrangement 21 Housing 22 Opening 23 Stop element 24 Positioning means

Claims

A mobile transport container (1) comprising: a container main body defining an interior of the mobile transport container (1) having side walls (2), a bottom (4) and at least one lid (3) for opening the mobile transport container (1) and allowing access to the interior of the mobile transport container (1); and at least one opening in the side walls (2), the bottom (4) or the lid (3) of the mobile transport container (1), wherein a closure assembly (5) is disposed within the at least one opening; the closure assembly (5) comprises a closure housing (5a) and a movable closure element (5b), wherein the movable closure element (5b) is movable between a closed position and an open position in which air can flow into the interior of the mobile transport container (1).Mobile transport container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movable closure element (5b) is biased into a closed position, preferably by at least one helical spring.The mobile transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable closure element (5b) comprises a contact portion contactable from outside the mobile transport container (1), wherein the movable closure element (5b) is movable from a closed position to an open position by applying a force to the contact portion.The mobile transport container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure housing (5a) comprises at least one opening; the movable closure element (5b) comprises at least one opening; and the at least one opening of the movable closure element (5b) is aligned with the at least one opening of the closure housing (5a) when the movable closure element (5b) is in an open position in order to allow passage of air through the at least one opening of the movable closure element (5b) and the at least one opening of the closure housing (5a), and is aligned offset with the at least one opening of the closure housing (5a) when the movable closure element (5b) is in a closed position in order to prevent passage of air through the at least one opening of the movable closure element (5b) and the at least one opening of the closure housing (5a).Mobile transport container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure arrangement (5) comprises a closure seal (5c), preferably a magnetic closure seal.The mobile transport container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (2), the bottom (4) and the at least one lid (3) consist of an insulating material.The mobile transport container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the side walls (2), the bottom (4) and the at least one lid (3) consist of a foam material, preferably of expanded polypropylene.Mobile transport container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one handle (6) and / or at least one fastening means (7) for attaching carrying means is provided on the outside of the mobile transport container (1).A heating and cooling arrangement (20) comprising: a heating and cooling unit (10) having a housing (16), a compressor (11), an evaporator (12), a condenser (14) and a control unit (17) for controlling the heating and cooling unit (10); and a mobile transport container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mobile transport container (1) is detachably coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10); the movable closure element (5b) of the closure arrangement (5) of the mobile transport container (1) is in an open position when the mobile transport container (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10) such that air can be directed from the heating and cooling unit (10) through the closure arrangement (5) into the mobile transport container (1).The heating and cooling assembly (20) of claim 9, wherein the heating and cooling unit (10) further comprises a blower (13) to direct air from the evaporator (12) into the mobile transport container (1) when the mobile transport container (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).The heating and cooling assembly (20) of claim 9 or 10, wherein the heating and cooling unit (10) further comprises a blower (15) to direct air to the condenser (14).Heating and cooling arrangement (20) according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control unit (17) comprises at least one sensor, preferably for detecting whether the mobile transport container (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).Heating and cooling arrangement (20) according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control unit (17) comprises a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving signals to / from an external device.The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising: a housing (21) configured to cover the heating and cooling unit (10), the housing (21) having at least one opening (22); the heating and cooling unit (10) being disposed on the housing (21) such that air introduced into the mobile transport container (1) flows through the at least one opening (22); and the at least one opening (22) being aligned with the closure assembly (5) of the mobile transport container (1) when the mobile transport container (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).Heating and cooling arrangement (20) according to claim 14, wherein the housing (21) comprises an operating panel electronically connected to the control unit (17).Heating and cooling arrangement (20) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the housing (4) comprises at least one stop element (23) for contacting the movable closure element (5b) of the mobile transport container (1) and maintaining the movable closure element (5b) in an open position when the mobile transport container (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).Heating and cooling arrangement (20) according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the housing (4) comprises at least one positioning means (24) for positioning the mobile transport container (1) relative to the heating and cooling unit (10) so that the at least one opening (22) aligns with the closure arrangement (5) of the mobile transport container (1) when the mobile transport container (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).

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