Insulated containers for storing temperature-sensitive products

Abstract

Insulation container (1) for holding temperature-sensitive products comprising vacuum insulation elements (2, 5, 6), wherein the vacuum insulation elements (2, 5, 6) are connected to the system at at least two connection surfaces (7), wherein a sealant (4) is arranged on the connection surfaces (7) to reduce heat exchange along the connection surfaces (7) by closing any gaps between the vacuum insulation elements (2, 5, 6), and wherein the sealant (4) is arranged laterally at the joint of the connection surfaces (7) and extends completely or partially along the connection surface (7), and wherein the sealant (4) comprises an adhesive, in particular an adhesive tape, and wherein the vacuum insulation elements (2, 5, 6) comprise vacuum insulation panels, and wherein the vacuum insulation panels of the vacuum insulation elements (2, 5, 6) are each multi-layered.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an insulated container for holding temperature-sensitive products according to the independent claim.

[0002] The invention lies in the technical field of insulating containers for holding products that need to be stored or transported at certain temperatures, in particular improving the thermal insulation of the containers.

[0003] Thermal insulation is the reduction of heat energy transmission through a building envelope to protect a space or object from cooling down or heating up. Thermal insulation is also referred to as heat insulation or thermal insulation.

[0004] It is known from the prior art to provide insulated containers for temperature-sensitive products, which have at least one insulating element. This insulating element is connected to the insulated container via at least two connecting surfaces. The insulated containers consist, for example, of flexible material or of plates that are joined together. Such containers offer passive thermal protection for valuable temperature-sensitive products, such as pharmaceuticals. This is particularly important because the standards for the storage and transport of pharmaceuticals, for example, are very high and must be demonstrably met throughout the entire supply chain.

[0005] The insulation elements used should have the lowest possible thermal conductivity (λ) to achieve good thermal insulation. Thermal conductivity refers to the transfer of heat in a medium without mass transfer (as in convection). Materials with low thermal conductivity are called thermal insulation materials and serve to reduce heat or cold loss.

[0006] Thermal bridges can form at the interfaces where the individual panels are joined, leading to unwanted heat exchange between the interior of the insulation container and its surroundings. These thermal bridges are particularly pronounced, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances or unevenness in the panels, which can create gaps at the interfaces. Heat exchange is a physical process between at least two media in which the thermal energy of the higher-temperature medium is transferred to a lower-temperature medium. Heat exchange results in the heating or cooling of a system, or the evaporation, condensation, freezing, or melting of a substance. This leads to a deterioration of the insulation properties of the containers and a corresponding increase in temperature.Cooling of temperature-sensitive products inside the insulated container. Leaks in the insulation can lead to serious losses of time and resources within the supply chain. The products may then become unusable or only usable to a limited extent.

[0007] The invention aims to provide an insulation container which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular enables improved sealing of the insulation containers and thus a lower heat exchange along the connection surfaces.

[0008] The problem is solved by an insulated container for holding temperature-sensitive products with the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention comprises an insulated container for storing temperature-sensitive products. The insulated container has at least one vacuum insulation element. This vacuum insulation element is connected via at least two connecting surfaces. A sealant is arranged on the connecting surfaces to reduce heat exchange along these surfaces by closing or sealing any gaps that may arise between the vacuum insulation elements. This enables improved sealing of the insulated container and thus reduces heat exchange in the area of ​​the connecting surfaces. Thermal bridges resulting from manufacturing tolerances or unevenness in the plates, which lead to corresponding gaps at the connecting surfaces, are thereby reduced.

[0010] One advantageous aspect is that the sealant is arranged completely or partially along the joint surface. For example, the sealant can be arranged in a narrow strip along the joint surface, extending only across a portion of its width.

[0011] Preferably, the sealant is flexible and deformable. This allows any gaps that may exist when the plates are pressed against each other to be compensated for. The thickness of the sealant is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, particularly 2 mm to 4 mm, because manufacturing tolerances above these ranges do not typically occur.

[0012] It has proven to be a technically sound alternative to apply the sealant laterally at the joint of the connecting surfaces, either completely or partially along the joint surface. For example, a coated foil, particularly aluminum foil, can be used as a sealant.

[0013] It is particularly preferred if the sealant is formed in one piece or in multiple parts at the connection surfaces. The sealant is advantageously formed in one piece, precisely fitted to the connection surface. Alternatively, the sealant can be multi-part and thus arranged multiple times in succession, for example as parallel strips, in the direction of heat transfer.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect, the sealant comprises an adhesive, in particular a tape, adhesive, spray latex, or a combination thereof. Due to adhesion, the sealant can hold the joining surfaces together, thereby increasing the stability of the insulated container, while reducing air passage to minimize heat exchange at the joining surfaces.

[0015] From an advantageous perspective, the sealant comprises a material that minimizes heat transfer, in particular a thermal insulation material, an expanding foam, a foam material, or a combination thereof. The thermal insulation material is, for example, insulating foam. The expanding foam can be made of a thermal insulation material and simultaneously minimize air leakage at the joint surfaces.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the insulated container further comprises four side insulation elements, a bottom insulation element, and a lid insulation element. The four side insulation elements and the bottom insulation element are aligned along their respective connecting surfaces to form a receiving space open on one side for the temperature-sensitive products. The lid insulation element and the four side insulation elements are aligned along their respective connecting surfaces to completely cover the receiving space. A sealant is applied to or along each connecting surface. In this way, an insulated container in the form of a box can be improved.

[0017] An alternative aspect provides that the insulation container further comprises four side insulation elements, a bottom insulation element and a lid insulation element, wherein the four side insulation elements and the bottom insulation element are brought towards each other along their respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to form a receiving space open on one side for receiving the temperature-sensitive products, wherein the lid insulation element and the four side surface elements are brought towards each other along their respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to completely cover the receiving space, wherein a sealing agent is arranged only on and / or along the connecting surface between the lid insulation element and the four side surface elements and / or the bottom insulation element and the four side surface elements.Due to the arrangement of the sealants, when closing the lid of a box, pressure can be exerted on the plates from top to bottom in such a way that the sealants are squeezed or pressed together at the connection surfaces, thus creating an improved sealing effect.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect, the vacuum insulation elements comprise a vacuum insulation panel. This allows the joint surfaces that arise at the seams to be advantageously sealed when several vacuum insulation panels are used in an insulation container.

[0019] It has proven to be a technically sound alternative if the vacuum insulation panels of the vacuum insulation elements are designed as single or multiple layers. When using multiple layers of vacuum insulation panels, adjacent joints can also be sealed separately.

[0020] Advantageously, the insulated container also includes a casing that completely or partially surrounds the container, the product, or the vacuum insulation elements. For example, a foil casing prevents water vapor and air from penetrating between the vacuum insulation elements.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect, angled elements (edge ​​protection elements) are arranged on the outer edges of the insulation container formed along the connecting surfaces. These are designed to at least partially enclose the outer surface of the vacuum insulation elements. This protects the insulation container from impacts and the resulting damage to the products contained within.

[0022] According to one advantageous aspect, at least one band is arranged along the outer surfaces of the vacuum insulation elements to stabilize them. This allows the vacuum insulation elements to be held firmly together, and, for example, due to the elasticity of the band, a contact pressure can be applied to press the connecting surfaces together.

[0023] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 an exploded view of an insulation container according to the invention; Fig. 2 an exploded view of the insulation container made of Fig. 1 in a partially connected state; Fig. 3 a side view of the insulation container made of Fig. 1 in a completely closed state with a casing; Fig. 4 a sectional view through a vacuum insulation element with a casing; Fig. 5 an exploded view of the insulation container made of Fig. 1 with angle elements; and Fig. 6 an exploded view of the insulation container made of Fig. 1 with angle elements and bands to stabilize the vacuum insulation elements.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an insulated container 1 for holding temperature-sensitive products. The insulated container 1 comprises at least one vacuum insulation element 2, 5, 6, which has at least two connecting surfaces 7. The two connecting surfaces are brought together. A sealant 4 is arranged between the two connecting surfaces 7 to reduce heat exchange along the connecting surfaces 7. This enables improved sealing of the insulated container 1 and thus reduced heat exchange in the area of ​​the connecting surfaces 7 by closing any gaps that may arise between the vacuum insulation elements (2, 5, 6).

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 also shows an insulation container 1 according to the invention with a sealant 4 which extends completely along the connection surface 7. For example, the sealant may also extend partially along the connection surface 7. The sealant 4 is formed in one piece at the connection surfaces 7. For example, the sealant may also be formed in multiple pieces. The sealant 4 consists of adhesive tape, adhesive, spray latex, foam material, or a combination thereof. It is also possible that the sealant 4 consists of an adhesive, in particular a thermal insulation material, an expanding tape, or a combination thereof.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows an insulated container 1 according to the invention, comprising four side insulation elements 2, a bottom insulation element 5, and a lid insulation element 6. The four side insulation elements 2 and the bottom insulation element 5 are brought into contact with each other along their respective connecting surfaces 7 such that a receiving space 3, open on one side, is formed for receiving the temperature-sensitive products (not shown). The lid insulation element 6 is placed onto the connecting surfaces 7 of the four side elements 2 such that the receiving space 3 is completely covered. A sealing element 4 is arranged on each of the connecting surfaces 7.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of an insulation container 1 according to the invention, which comprises vacuum insulation panels 2, 5, 6. The vacuum insulation panels 2, 5, 6 are each designed as single layers. Alternatively, the vacuum insulation panels 2, 5, 6 can also be designed as multi-layered.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 3 also shows a complete casing 9 of an insulated container 1 according to the invention. This casing 9 can, for example, be designed as a film, film tube, or film bag. It is conceivable that this casing 9 is shrunk onto the insulated container 1 by means of thermal treatment. It is also conceivable that the casing 9 is designed as an additional thermal bag that completely or partially surrounds the product 1. Optionally, a thermal cover can be placed over the insulated container 1 as the casing 9.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view through a vacuum insulation element 2, 5, 6 with a casing 9 which completely surrounds the vacuum insulation element 2, 5, 6.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 5 shows an exploded view of an insulation container 1 according to the invention. Angle elements 8 are arranged along the outer edges of the insulation container 1. The angle elements 8 partially enclose the outer surface of the vacuum insulation elements 2, 5, 6. It is also conceivable that the angle elements 8 completely enclose the outer surface of the vacuum insulation elements 2, 5, 6. In this case, the angle elements 8 project beyond the connecting surfaces 7 and serve as additional lateral covering and thus as additional insulation along the connecting surfaces 7.

[0032] Fig.Figure 6 shows an exploded view of an insulation container 1 according to the invention, which has three bands 10 along the outer sides for stabilizing the vacuum insulation elements 2, 5, 6.

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