Transport container system and transport container
By using inwardly projecting projections to support identical latent heat storage elements at the top and bottom of the inner container, the system simplifies design and reduces costs while maintaining temperature stability, addressing the complexity and expense issues of existing transport container systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2017701793
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2016-02-22
- Filing Date
- 2017-01-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2037-01-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing transport container systems are complex and expensive due to the requirement of multiple sizes and types of latent heat storage elements, which complicates their design and increases costs, particularly in applications like the pharmaceutical sector.
The system employs an inner container with inwardly projecting projections at the upper edge to support a single type of latent heat storage element at the top and bottom of the receiving space, eliminating the need for additional elements and simplifying the design while maintaining temperature stability.
This approach reduces complexity and costs by using identical latent heat storage elements, ensuring sufficient temperature control in the receiving chamber without additional elements, making the system more efficient and cost-effective.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a transport container system with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to an inner container for a transport container system with the features of the preamble of claim 8. Finally, the invention also relates to a lid for a transport container with the features of the preamble of claim 13.
[0002] Transport container systems of the type in question are widely known in practice. They serve, for example, to organize the transport of pharmaceutical goods within the distribution cycle of the pharmaceutical industry. In technical jargon, such a transport container system is referred to as a "Returnable Domestic Shipper" (RDS; RDS box).
[0003] A transport container system is known from the prior art (EP 2 700 891 A2) which initially comprises an outer container made of a rigid, resistant material, consisting of a trough-shaped lower part with a base and a shell, and a lid that closes the lower part at the open side. The outer container and its lid can be made, for example, of thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material, but also of metal or composite materials. The lid can be loosely placed on the lower part, or it can be hinged on one side by means of appropriate hinge elements and, if necessary, be lockable in some way on the opposite side. This is explained in detail in the prior art described above.
[0004] In the known transport container system, an outer container contains a trough-shaped inner container inserted into the lower part of the outer container. This inner container has an inner base and an inner wall. The inner container forms an open-topped receiving space for the transported goods. This inner container, referred to as the "liner," can itself be made of a rigid, durable material, i.e., a material similar to that of the outer container. Preferably, it is made of a thermally insulating material.
[0005] In the known transport container system, the inner container is smaller than the lower part of the outer container, creating a gap between the inner and outer containers at both the outer shell and the base. Appropriately sized vacuum insulation panels are positioned within this gap, both at the base and along the outer shell walls. The inner container features a circumferential collar at its upper edge, extending outwards beyond the inner shell and covering the gap between the inner and outer containers, thus preventing foreign objects from entering from above.
[0006] The walls of the inner mantle diverge slightly conically from the inner bottom of the inner container upwards.
[0007] In the inner container's receiving chamber, a plate-shaped latent heat storage element is arranged on the inner floor. Its outer dimensions correspond precisely to the inner dimensions of the inner floor within the receiving chamber, i.e., its clear length and width. A minimal gap remains at the edges, allowing the latent heat storage element, which has corresponding access openings at its edges, to be grasped by hand and lifted out of the receiving chamber. Plate-shaped latent heat storage elements are also arranged in a row around all the inner walls of the inner casing. These rest at their edges on the underside of the latent heat storage element located on the inner floor. On their reverse sides, the latent heat storage elements associated with the inner walls of the inner casing are provided with projections of varying heights, so that their effective outer surfaces taper slightly conically, while their inner surfaces run exactly parallel to each other.This makes it possible for another latent heat storage element, acting as a kind of lid, to rest on top of the latent heat storage elements arranged at the edges, the external dimensions of which – length and width – correspond to the external dimensions of the latent heat storage element located at the bottom of the inner floor.
[0008] In the known transport container system, the two latent heat storage elements located at the top and bottom of the receiving space are identical in their external dimensions. However, their external dimensions differ from those of the latent heat storage elements located at the edges. If the inner container is rectangular, the laterally arranged latent heat storage elements also differ from each other in pairs.
[0009] The previously described transport container system is comparatively complex. In particular, it requires the use of at least two different sizes of latent heat storage elements, each in pairs. Such a transport container system is comparatively complex and expensive for a goods cycle designed for maximum efficiency, for example, in the pharmaceutical sector.
[0010] Another transport container system is described in JP S5399667 U. This system features an outer container with a trough-shaped base and a lid that closes the base at the open end. A lid body is attached to the lid and is placed on top of the outer container. A heat sink is integrated into the lid body, which has projections on which the heat sink can be placed.
[0011] US Patent 6,244,458 B1 describes a container consisting of a bottom, side walls, and a lid. The lid has an outer shell and an inner lining, between which a vacuum insulation panel is located. The outer shell and the inner lining are firmly joined by a weld bead that forms a watertight seal.
[0012] US document 4,065,336 reveals a heat storage container with a lid that can be removed to access the interior of the container.
[0013] German patent BE 433 648 A describes a portable case with a front door. The portable case has an outer casing consisting of an upper wall, a lower wall, side walls, and inner walls. A thermal insulator is arranged between the side walls and the inner walls. A cavity is located between the upper wall, the lower wall, and the inner walls. Within this cavity is a chamber bounded by insulators and walls. The chamber can be removed from and reinserted into the case when the front door is open. A container with a cooling mixture is arranged in an upper section of the chamber, resting on a grid supported by opposing, inwardly projecting protrusions. Alternatively, a container can hold a hot liquid. In this case, the container is positioned on the wall forming one of the bottoms.
[0014] JP 2013-085550 A describes a heat storage container consisting of a tank and a lid. The lid is pivotally mounted on the tank.
[0015] GB 2523726 A discloses a container for thermal insulation. The container has a lid with a pocket to hold a vacuum insulation panel, a protective element, and a PCM panel. The pocket is not limited at the bottom by the lid.
[0016] JP S59150763 U relates to a transport container system comprising an outer container and a lid. The outer containers are designed to be stacked on top of each other.
[0017] JP 4778856 B2 discloses a lid for a transport container, wherein the lid has a lid body with a receptacle for at least one vacuum insulation panel.
[0018] US 4 528 439 A describes a heat storage container with a container and a lid.
[0019] The underlying problem of this doctrine is to simplify and reduce the cost of the previously explained transport container systems.
[0020] The problem identified above is solved in the transport container system by the features of claim 1.
[0021] It is provided that the inner container has at least one inwardly projecting projection on at least two opposite sides at the upper edge of the inner shell, that the clear distance between the opposite projections is slightly less than the corresponding internal dimension - length or width - of the inner floor in the receiving space, so that the projections form a support for a latent heat storage element, i.e. a latent heat storage element with a corresponding external dimension can be placed on these projections.
[0022] According to the invention, the inner container of the transport container system is designed such that, as in known transport container systems, two latent heat storage elements with identical external dimensions can be installed at the top and bottom of the receiving space. However, this is possible without having to arrange any further latent heat storage elements in the receiving space. The transport container system according to the invention requires exactly two latent heat storage elements: one at the bottom of the receiving space and one at the upper, open side of the receiving space, which is later closed by a lid. These two latent heat storage elements have the same external dimensions. They are therefore one and the same type of latent heat storage element. This is correspondingly particularly cost-effective.
[0023] It also falls within the scope of the theory if each individual latent heat storage element is itself composed of several sub-latent heat storage elements. For example, a latent heat storage element of a certain length and width can be composed of two sub-latent heat storage elements of the same length but only half the width. In this case, one could, for example, work with a total of four identical sub-latent heat storage elements, two at the bottom and two at the top.
[0024] According to the invention, the projections on the upper edge of the inner shell of the inner container create a support for a second latent heat storage element at the upper end of the receiving space, without substantially impairing the accessibility of the receiving space from above after removal of the latent heat storage element located there.
[0025] The temperature stability in the receiving chamber of a transport container system according to the invention is sufficient for classic goods distribution cycles, such as those in the pharmaceutical industry. The two latent heat storage elements used in the receiving chamber, as described in the invention, are sufficient for this purpose. Latent heat storage elements arranged on the inner walls of the inner shell are unnecessary, making the transport container system very simple and cost-effective.
[0026] However, the design according to the invention does not ultimately preclude the arrangement of latent heat storage elements on one or more inner walls of the inner jacket. This can be an option if a very long-lasting temperature stability in the receiving space proves necessary and / or the heat load from the transported goods is particularly high.
[0027] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the transport container system according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims relating to the transport container system.
[0028] The invention also relates to an inner container in which the problem previously identified is solved by the features of claim 8. Such an inner container is suitable for use in a transport container system of the type in question.
[0029] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the inner container according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims relating to the inner container itself.
[0030] The invention also relates to a lid for a transport container with the features of claim 13. A key feature of this lid is the recess in the lid body, in which at least one vacuum insulation panel can be accommodated. This increases the thermal insulation that such a lid can provide. The lid body consists of two interconnected half-shells, between which the recess is formed, in which the vacuum insulation panel, if present, is arranged. The half-shells are detachably connected to each other and are identical in design.
[0031] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the lid according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims relating to the lid.
[0032] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating only preferred embodiments. The drawing shows Fig. 1 in perspective view a transport container system with closed lid, here in the specific design of an RDS box, Fig. 2 the RDS box made of Fig. 1 with open lid and inner container visible inside, Fig. 3 the inner container (transport container) made of Fig. 1 in a perspective exploded view in conjunction with two plate-shaped latent heat storage elements, Fig. 4 the inner container (transport container) made of Fig. 3 in cross-section with inserted latent heat storage elements, Fig. 5 in a Fig. 4 The corresponding illustration shows the arrangement of vacuum insulation panels on the inner container (transport container), with the lower part of the outer container indicated, Fig. 6 in a Fig. 4 The corresponding illustration shows a modified embodiment of an inner container (transport container) according to the invention, Fig. 7 in section a preferred embodiment of a lid according to the invention for a transport container of the type in question.
[0033] Fig. 1 Figure 1 schematically shows an example of a transport container system with an outer container 1, which consists of a trough-shaped lower part 4 having a bottom 2 and a shell 3, and a lid 5 that closes the lower part 4 at the open side. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 5 is made in two parts, and both parts of the lid 5 are pivotally hinged laterally to the upper edge of the lower part 4 of the outer container 1.
[0034] Fig. 2 shows the outer container 1 with the lid 5 open, i.e., two laterally unfolded parts of the lid 5. In Fig. 2 Looking into the interior of the lower part 4 of the outer container 1, one finds that a tub-shaped inner container 6 is inserted in the lower part 4.
[0035] The lid 5 is not essential to the teaching of the invention; the invention primarily relates to the lower part 4 of the outer container 1 with the inner container 6 arranged therein.
[0036] The outer container 1 is made of a rigid, durable material, in this case, possibly fiber-reinforced plastic. The outer container 1 is designed to protect the goods inside the transport container system when the system is moved, for example, on conveyor belts or loaded into or unloaded from the cargo area of vehicles. The inner container 6, on the other hand, primarily serves to safely transport the goods inside and to provide thermal insulation.
[0037] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows the inner container 6 for the transport container system according to the invention in a perspective exploded view. Such an inner container 6 can be used with another outer container or packaging. This is reflected in independent claims 8 to 12.
[0038] The inner container 6 is designed in a trough shape and has an inner base 7 and an inner shell 8. This creates an open-topped receiving space 9 in which goods can be transported.
[0039] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a cross-section through the inner container 6. It can be seen that the walls of the inner shell 8 run practically parallel to each other. However, for manufacturing reasons, particularly for demolding the inner container 6 from a suitable tool, it may also prove advantageous for the walls of the inner shell 8 to diverge slightly conically from the inner base 7.
[0040] Out of Fig.3 combined with Fig. 4 It can be deduced that the inner floor 7 in the recording room 9 has certain internal dimensions, namely a certain clear length, in Fig. 3 and 4 to measure from left to right, and a certain clear width, in Fig. 3 measuring from back to front, has.
[0041] Fig. 3 in connection with Fig. 4 also recognize that a plate-shaped latent heat storage element 10 is arranged in the recording chamber 9 on the inner floor 7 of the inner container 6 ( Fig. 4 ). Out of Fig. 4 It can be deduced that the external dimensions of the latent heat storage element 10, arranged on the inner base 7, essentially correspond to the internal dimensions of the inner base 7 in the receiving chamber 9. Therefore, the external dimensions of the latent heat storage element 10 will normally be chosen to be as small as possible compared to the internal dimensions of the inner base 7 in the receiving chamber 9. The latent heat storage element 10 should be easy to insert and, if necessary, also be removable without major problems. If the inner casing 8 of the inner container 6 is made of a relatively easily elastically deformable material, the latent heat storage element 10 can also be pressed slightly into the inner container 6 to ultimately rest against the inner base 7 of the inner container 6 (press fit).
[0042] For details of a plate-shaped latent heat storage element such as latent heat storage element 10, reference is made here to the prior art to avoid unnecessary length, in particular to the aforementioned EP 2 700 891 A2, but also to DE 20 2014 004 515 U1, which originates from the applicant of the present application itself. Latent heat storage elements of the type in question are now available for a wide range of target temperatures. The desired target temperature should correspond to the goods being transported. In the field of pharmaceuticals, the desired transport and storage temperature is a few degrees °C. The latent heat storage element(s) ensures that a stable temperature within the desired range of the target temperature is maintained in the receiving chamber 9, which is thermally insulated at least by the inner container 6.
[0043] Out of Fig. 3 and 4It follows that the inner container 6 has an inwardly projecting projection 11 on two opposite sides at the upper edge of the inner shell 8. The clear distance between the opposing projections 11 is slightly less than the corresponding internal dimension – length or width – of the inner base 7 in the receiving space 9. The projections 11 thus form a support for a latent heat storage element 10 with the corresponding external dimensions.
[0044] In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The first latent heat storage element 10, which is arranged on the inner floor 7 in the receiving chamber 9, can be seen below, and the second latent heat storage element 12 with identical dimensions to the first latent heat storage element 10 can be seen above, on the in Fig. 4 deposited on the left and right visible protrusions 11.
[0045] In Fig. 3 and 4It can be seen that the receiving chamber 9 in the inner container 6 can be effectively temperature-controlled by means of the two latent heat storage elements 10, 12, without having to arrange further latent heat storage elements on the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6. Thus, only one type of latent heat storage element is required, which is used twice in this inner container 6: as the first latent heat storage element 10 on the inner base 7 and as the second latent heat storage element 12 at the upper edge of the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6. This provides a structurally simple and therefore significantly more cost-effective solution for the application area of the transport container system according to the invention.
[0046] Since the projections 11 are located laterally at a sufficient distance from each other, the first latent heat storage element 10 can easily be removed upwards from the receiving space 9 in the inner container 6, provided the receiving space 9 is sufficiently high, by placing it at an angle in the receiving space 9 and then pulling it upwards through the opening between the two projections 11 near the diagonal position.
[0047] In Fig. 3 and 4 Two projections 11 are clearly visible, arranged opposite each other on the two narrow sides of the rectangular inner container 6. In principle, the projections 11 could be located on the long sides or on all four sides. However, the arrangement of exactly two projections 11 opposite each other on the narrow sides offers the most advantages in terms of handling.
[0048] The projections 11, which are arranged opposite each other, need not extend over the full length of the corresponding side of the inner container 6. They may each extend only over a portion of the length, or several projections 11, arranged evenly or unevenly, may be provided. The essential requirement is that at least one inwardly projecting projection 11 on the corresponding side of the inner container 6 provides a support for the latent heat storage element 10.
[0049] Whether the projections 11 can be molded onto the inner shell 8 or attached in some other way, especially by gluing, depends on the material of the inner container 6. There are numerous methods known to experts for this.
[0050] Alternatively, the projections 11 on the inner shell 8 can also be detachably attached. For example, a projection 11 can be clamped into the plastic material of the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6 or inserted into a receptacle that may be present there.
[0051] If the projections 11 are detachably attached to the inner shell 8, the lower latent heat storage element 10 can first be placed in the receiving space 9 of the inner container 6 and then the projections 11 can be inserted at the correspondingly provided places, for example.
[0052] As shown, it would therefore be particularly advantageous for the insertion of the lower latent heat storage element 10 into the receiving space 9 of the inner container 6 if the projections 11 were not present during this process.
[0053] In a Fig. 6 In the particularly interesting variant shown, it can also remain the case that the projections 11 on the inner shell 8 are molded on the inside, for example, produced using the same foam injection molding process, or are otherwise firmly attached, in particular glued on. In this variant, this result is achieved by the inner shell 8 being at least divided into two parts, such that an upper part 8' of the inner shell 8, having the projections, is detachable from the rest of the inner shell 8. Fig. 6 The dividing line between the upper part 8' of the inner jacket 8 and the lower, trough-shaped remainder of the inner jacket 8 is visible. The lower, trough-shaped remainder of the inner jacket 8 could itself also consist of several parts. The essential point is that the upper part 8' of the inner jacket 8, to which the projections 11 are integrally molded, can be removed in order to insert the latent heat storage element 10 located at the bottom of the inner base 7. The upper part 8' of the inner jacket 8 is then replaced, and the projections 11 for the upper latent heat storage element 12 are immediately in the correct position.
[0054] The in Fig. 3 bis 5 The illustrated embodiment shows a further design in which the projections 11 on the inner container 6 also do not interfere with the insertion of the lower latent heat storage element 10. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 bis 5 In the depicted construction, the material of the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6 is independent. Here, the projections 11 are formed on an insert frame 13 that is separate from the inner container 6. The insert frame 13 is connected to the inner container 6 in some way or at least arranged in a specific predetermined position relative to it.
[0055] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, a receptacle 14 for the insert frame 13 is formed at the upper edge of the inner shell 8, and the insert frame 13 is arranged in the receptacle 14 on the inner container 6. Here, too, the insert frame 13 can be loosely inserted into the receptacle 14, or, if the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6 and / or the insert frame 13 itself is made of a sufficiently elastic material, a press fit can be achieved.
[0056] In Fig. 3 The deployment framework 13 shown above is presented separately. Fig. 4 The insert frame 13 can be seen inserted in the receptacle 14 at the upper edge of the inner shell 8 of the inner container 6. The inwardly projecting laterally protruding projections 11 are formed on the insert frame 13, namely molded in one piece. The [material] rests on these projections. Fig. 4 the second latent heat storage element 12. In Fig. 4 The first latent heat storage element 10 can be seen lying on the lower part of the inner floor 7 in the recording chamber 9. It has the same external dimensions as the second latent heat storage element 12. Fig. 3 The two latent heat storage elements 10, 12 each have suitable insertion shapes 15, so that the latent heat storage elements 10, 12 can be easily removed from the inner container 6 or the insert frame 13.
[0057] Furthermore, one can see in Fig.3 that the outer surfaces of the latent heat storage elements 10, 12 are as smooth as possible. This facilitates the handling of the latent heat storage elements 10, 12 by means of a manipulation robot (e.g. with vacuum suction systems), which may also be desired.
[0058] The inner container 6 should be made of a material with good thermal insulation properties, for example, expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), polyurethane (PU), or polyethylene combined with EPS, EPP, or PU, to name just a few. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the inner container 6 is designed as an injection-molded plastic part, specifically thick-walled expanded polypropylene (EPP). Various processes exist for manufacturing components from thick-walled expanded polypropylene, such as the combination of foam extrusion and molding, the thermoplastic foam molding (TSG) process, polyurethane (PUR) foaming, and other processes known in the art.
[0059] In principle, it is possible, though not shown here, for the inner container 6 to fit precisely into the lower part 4 of the outer container 1. In this case, the thermal insulation is primarily provided by the inner container 6 and only to a minor extent by the outer container 1. However, the effectiveness of the latent heat storage elements 10, 12 increases considerably if improved thermal insulation is ensured.
[0060] The illustrated and preferred embodiment shows this in Fig. 3 and 4 that a gap exists between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1 at the casing 3 and preferably also at the base 2. Additional materials for thermal insulation can be used in the gap between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1. Fig. 5 This shows that in this case at least one vacuum insulation panel 16 is arranged at a distance between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1.
[0061] Reference may also be made to the prior art in EP 2 700 891 A2 and DE 20 2014 004 515 U1 for vacuum insulation panels. These documents provide examples of vacuum insulation panel designs. Further information on vacuum insulation panels can also be found in WO 2004 / 104498 A2.
[0062] It is particularly effective if corresponding vacuum insulation panels 16 are arranged on the inside of both the bottom 2 and the shell 3 of the outer container 1, so that the entire space between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1 is filled by vacuum insulation panels 16.
[0063] Fig. 4 und 5 This reveals a further special feature of a preferred inner container 6, namely that the inner container 6 has a circumferential collar 17 at its upper edge, extending outwards beyond the inner shell 8, by which the gap between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1 is covered. Such a collar 17 already exists in principle in the transport container system from which the present invention is based. According to a further preferred teaching of the invention, however, the collar 17 is used here in a special way, namely by forming a receiving groove 18 on the underside of the collar 17 for the edge of at least one vacuum insulation panel 16. It can be seen in Fig. 5 that vacuum insulation panels 16 can be pre-positioned in the receiving groove 18 on the inner container 6. This makes it easier to handle the vacuum insulation panels 16 together with the inner container 6 when the inner container 6 is inserted into the outer container 1.
[0064] Fig. 3 and 4 Furthermore, another special feature is evident: a circumferential sealing lip 19 is formed on the collar 17, the outer dimensions of which are chosen such that the inner container 6, inserted in the lower part 4 of the outer container 1, sits in a press fit. The sealing lip 19 on the collar 17 of the inner container 6 provides a clean seal between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1. This prevents contaminants, especially smaller solids, from penetrating the space between the inner container 6 and the outer container 1, which could otherwise damage the vacuum insulation panels 16 located there.
[0065] The entry of pollutants into the space between inner container 6 and outer container 1 can, in principle, also be prevented in other ways, for example by gluing inner container 6 and outer container 1 together at the upper edge or by permanently sealing the gap with an adhesive strip.
[0066] Fig. 3 and 4 The figures show a further special feature of a preferred embodiment of a transport container system according to the invention, namely that the inner container 6 has its own inner lid 20. The illustrated and preferred embodiment shows that the inner container 6 has a circumferential recess 21 for the inner lid 20 at the upper edge of the inner shell 8, into which the inner lid 20 can be inserted precisely. Finally, the figures show Fig. 4 In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, a vacuum insulation panel 22 is also arranged on the inner lid 20, specifically in a receptacle 23 provided there. The receptacle 23 is located on the underside of the inner lid 20, facing the receiving chamber 9 in the inner container 6. Alternatively, the receptacle could be arranged on the top side of the inner lid, thus positioning the vacuum insulation panel on the top side. However, the arrangement on the underside of the inner lid 20 is more advantageous for avoiding damage to the vacuum insulation panel 22.
[0067] Fig. 7 The figure shows a further special feature, which has independent inventive significance, namely an inner lid 20 in a preferred embodiment, which can optionally be used for a transport container 6 or inner container 6 according to the invention, but also otherwise represents a particularly preferred design. This lid has the receptacle 23 for a vacuum insulation panel 22 already discussed above.
[0068] According to the invention, in the Fig. 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the lid body consists of two interconnected half-shells 20', 20'', between which the receptacle 23 is formed, in which, if present, the vacuum insulation panel 22 is arranged.
[0069] In principle, the half-shells 20', 20" of the inner lid body 20 can be permanently joined together, for example, by gluing, when the vacuum insulation panel 22 is in the receptacle 23. However, the vacuum insulation panel 22 cannot then be replaced if it should become defective. According to the invention, the illustrated embodiment therefore provides that the half-shells 20', 20" are detachably connected to each other, in particular by frictional clamping and / or positive locking. In the illustrated embodiment, the two half-shells 20', 20" have tongue-and-groove connections, which are designed as press fits and / or as snap-fit connections. By inserting the two half-shells 20', 20" together, they are detachably connected to each other.
[0070] The construction described above is particularly suitable for use when the two half-shells 20', 20" of the inner cover 20 are made of a foamed plastic.
[0071] The illustrated embodiment according to the invention exhibits a special feature insofar as the two half-shells 20', 20" in the Fig. 7 The representation shown is rotationally symmetrical about an axis located centrally and running perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. This makes it possible to manufacture both half-shells 20', 20" identically, i.e., practically only one component is produced, which is then used twice to manufacture the inner cover 20. Bezugszeichenliste
[0072] 1 Outer container 2 Base 3 Jacket 4 Lower part 5 Lid 6 Inner container 7 Inner base 8 Inner jacket 8' Upper part of the inner jacket 9 Receiving chamber 10 First latent heat storage element 11 Projection 12 Second latent heat storage element 13 Insert frame 14 Receptacle for 13 15 Inset recesses 16 Vacuum insulation panel 17 Collar 18 Receptacle groove 19 Sealing lip 20 Inner lid 20' Half shell 20" Half shell 21 Receptacle for 20 22 Vacuum insulation panel 23 Receptacle for 22
Claims
1. Transport container system with an outer container (1) made of a rigid, resistant material, which has a trough-shaped lower part (4) having a bottom (2) and a casing (3) and a lid (5) closing the lower part (4) on the open side, and with at least two inwardly protruding protrusions (11) arranged opposite one another, the clear distance between the protrusions (11) arranged opposite one another being designed such that the protrusions (11) form a support for a latent heat storage element (10), i.e. a latent heat storage element (10) with a corresponding external dimension can be placed on these protrusions (11), wherein - the transport container system has a trough-shaped inner container (6) inserted into the lower part (4) of the outer container (1) and having an inner bottom (7) and an inner casing (8), - the inner container (6) forms a receiving space (9) for transported goods, the receiving space being open at the top, - the walls of the inner casing (8) run parallel to each other or diverge slightly conically from the inner bottom (7), - the inner bottom (7) in the receiving space (9) has internal dimensions, namely a specific clear length and a specific clear width, - a plate-shaped latent heat storage element (10) can be arranged in the receiving space (9) on the inner bottom (7), - the external dimensions of a latent heat storage element (10) that can be arranged on the inner bottom (7) can at most correspond substantially to the internal dimensions of the inner bottom (7) in the receiving space (9), - the protrusions (11) are arranged on the upper edge of the inner casing (8) of the inner container (6) on at least two opposite sides, - the clear distance between the protrusions (11) arranged opposite each other is slightly less than the corresponding internal dimension - length or width - of the inner bottom (7) in the receiving space (9), - a first latent heat storage element (10) is arranged in the receiving space (9) of the inner container (6) at the inner bottom (7), and - a second latent heat storage element (12) with identical external dimensions to the first latent heat storage element (10) is arranged on the protrusions (11).
2. Transport container system according to claim 1, characterized in that the protrusions (11) are integrally formed on the inside of the inner casing (8) or otherwise firmly attached, in particular glued on, or detachably attached, in particular plugged in, and the inner casing (8) is divided into at least two parts in such a way that an upper part (8') of the inner casing (8) having the protrusions can be detached from the remaining inner casing (8).
3. Transport container system according to claim 1, characterized in that the protrusions (11) are formed on an insert frame (13) separate from the inner container (6), wherein, preferably, a receptacle (14) for the insert frame (13) is formed at the upper edge of the inner casing (8) and the insert frame (13) is arranged in the receptacle (14) on the inner container (6).
4. Transport container system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that there is a gap between the inner container (6) and the outer container (1) on the shell (3) and preferably also on the bottom (2), and at least one vacuum insulation panel (16) is arranged at a distance between the inner container (6) and the outer container (1).
5. Transport container system according to claim 4, characterized in that the inner container (6) has a circumferential collar (17) at the upper edge which extends outwards beyond the inner casing (8) and which covers the distance between the inner container (6) and the outer container (1), wherein, preferably, a receiving groove (18) for the edge of at least one vacuum insulation panel (16) is formed on the underside of the collar (17).
6. Transport container system according to claim 5, characterized in that a sealing lip (19) is formed on the outside of the collar (17), the outer dimensions of which are selected such that the inner container (6) inserted in the lower part (4) of the outer container (1) sits here in the press fit.
7. Transport container system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner container (6) has its own inner lid (20), wherein, preferably, the inner container (6) has a circumferential receptacle (21) for the inner lid (20) at the upper edge of the inner casing (8), into which receptacle the inner lid (20) can be inserted or fitted precisely, wherein, preferably, a receptacle (23) for at least one vacuum insulation panel (22) is provided on the inner lid (20).
8. Inner container for a transport container system, wherein the inner container (6) can be inserted into a trough-shaped lower part (4), having a bottom (2) and a casing (3), of an outer container (1) of the transport container system, which outer container (1) consists of a rigid, resistant material, wherein the inner container (6) has an inner bottom (7) and an inner casing (8) and forms a receiving space (9) for transported goods, wherein the walls of the inner casing (8) extend parallel to one another or slightly conically from the inner bottom (7) and wherein the inner bottom (7) in the receiving space (9) has internal dimensions, namely a specific clear length and a specific clear width, wherein the inner container (6) has an inwardly protruding protrusion (11) on the upper edge of the inner casing (8) on at least two opposite sides, and wherein the clear distance between the protrusions (11) arranged opposite one another is slightly less than the corresponding internal dimension - length or width - of the inner bottom (7), whereby the receiving space (9) is open at the top, a first latent heat storage element (10) is arranged in the receiving space (9) of the inner container (6) on the inner bottom (7), and a second latent heat storage element (12) with identical external dimensions to the first latent heat storage element (10) is arranged on the protrusions (11).
9. Inner container according to claim 8, wherein the protrusions (11) are integrally formed on the inside of the inner casing (8) or otherwise firmly attached, in particular glued on, or detachably attached, in particular plugged in, and the inner casing (8) is divided into at least two parts in such a way that an upper part (8') of the inner casing (8) having the protrusions can be detached from the remaining inner casing (8).
10. Inner container according to claim 8, wherein the protrusions (11) are formed on an insert frame (13) separate from the container (6), wherein, preferably, a receptacle (14) for the insert frame (13) is formed at the upper edge of the inner casing (8) and the insert frame (13) is arranged in the receptacle (14) on the inner container (6).
11. Inner container according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the inner container (6) has a circumferential collar (17) at the upper edge which extends outwards beyond the inner casing (8), wherein, preferably, a receiving groove (18) for the edge of at least one vacuum insulation panel (16) is formed on the underside of the collar (17), wherein, preferably, an outer circumferential sealing lip (19) is formed on the collar (17).
12. Inner container according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the inner container (6) has an inner lid (20), wherein, preferably, the inner container (6) has a circumferential receptacle (21) for the inner lid (20) at the upper edge of the inner casing (8), into which receptacle the inner lid (20) can be inserted or fitted precisely, wherein, preferably, a receptacle (23) for at least one vacuum insulation panel (22) is provided on the inner lid (20).
13. Inner lid for a transport container (1, 6), wherein the inner lid (20) has a lid body with a receptacle (23) for at least one vacuum insulation panel (22), wherein the lid body consists of two half shells (20', 20 ") connected to one another, between which the receptacle (23) is formed, in which, if present, the vacuum insulation panel (22) is arranged, wherein the half-shells (20', 20") are detachably connected to one another, characterized in that the half shells (20', 20") are designed identically.
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