Transport container for a temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport container (1) for a temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods, comprising a container wall (2) which completely encloses an interior (3) in a closed state. The container wall (2) comprises three lateral wall elements (21a, 21b, 21c), a cover element (22), a base element (23), and a door element (24) which can be arranged on the transport container (1) so as to completely close an opening (10) of the transport container (1), and each of the three lateral wall elements (21a, 21b, 21c) is equipped with at least one receiving strip (4) so as to attach temperature storage elements (5) thereon. A receiving frame (6) with at least one receiving strip (4) is movably arranged on at least one of the lateral wall elements (21a; 21c) adjoining the opening (10) in order to attach temperature storage elements (5) so as to at least partly cover the opening when the transport container (1) is closed and completely release the opening (10) when the transport container (1) is open.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport container for the temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods.

[0002] Such transport containers are particularly well suited for passively temperature-controlled transport due to the use of vacuum insulation elements for thermal insulation.

[0003] During temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods, a predetermined temperature range is maintained throughout the transport. This predetermined temperature range can be selected according to the goods being transported, such as food, beverages, pharmaceutical products, or medical devices.

[0004] In this case, passive temperature control involves the use of additional temperature storage elements, such as PCM (phase-changing material), melt storage elements, or dry ice. The advantage of using such temperature storage elements is that no energy source is required for cooling (heating) the temperature-sensitive goods during transport, and the transport temperature can be maintained within a predetermined range without the use of external or internal cooling and / or heating units.

[0005] The prior art includes the European patent with publication number EP 2 876 389 B1 and the German utility model DE 20 2018 104 807 U1, both of which protect vacuum insulation containers similar to a transport container for passively temperature-controlled transport. Such a transport container has three side wall elements, a ceiling element, a floor element, and at least one door element. The door element is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis. Rail-like receptacles are attached to the side walls inside, into which the melt storage elements are inserted for transport. Such transport containers can be provided in various sizes depending on the desired transport volume.

[0006] It has been shown that when using large-volume transport containers, for example, for transporting goods in aircraft, which can accommodate one or two transport pallets, the rail-like mounts for temperature storage elements located solely in the side walls are insufficient to ensure adequate cooling. Furthermore, the fact that the temperature storage elements are located on only three sides poses problems with regard to the homogeneity of the temperature distribution.

[0007] WO 2004104498 A2, GB2543047 A, JP 2019043649 A and DE 202018106306 U1 are known from the prior art.

[0008] It is the object of the invention to provide a transport container which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular ensures a homogeneous temperature distribution in the interior and ensures the arrangement of a large number of melt storage elements.

[0009] This object is achieved by a transport container according to claim 1. Advantageous aspects of the invention form the subject matter of the respective subclaims.

[0010] The invention relates to a transport container for the temperature-controlled transport of goods. The transport container comprises a container wall which, when closed, completely encloses an interior space. The container wall comprises three side wall elements, a ceiling element, a floor element and a door element. The door element can be arranged on the transport container in such a way as to completely close off an opening to the interior of the transport container. At least one receiving strip is arranged on each of the three side wall elements in such a way as to attach temperature storage elements thereto. On at least one of the side wall elements adjacent to the opening, a (single) receiving frame with at least one receiving strip for attaching temperature storage elements is movable (e.g.pivotable) to at least partially cover the opening when the transport container is closed and to completely uncover the opening (across the entire cross-section of the interior) when the transport container is open. Due to the mounting frame in the area of ​​the opening to the interior, temperature storage elements can be arranged on the door side to enable homogeneous temperature distribution. Since temperature storage elements can also be arranged in the area of ​​the door element in this way, the total number of arranged temperature storage elements can be increased.

[0011] According to an advantageous technical aspect, the door element is arranged via at least one first hinge on a first side wall element adjacent to the opening. The receiving frame is arranged via at least one second hinge on a second side wall element adjacent to the opening and opposite the first side wall element. In this way, the door element and the receiving frame can be pivoted in different directions for opening, whereby the opening angle of the receiving frame is not restricted by the door element. This also ensures the stability of the opened transport container.

[0012] Advantageously, the transport container further comprises at least one guide rail, which is arranged in the interior space in such a way as to extend essentially from the opening of the transport container straight to a side of the container wall opposite the opening. The at least one guide rail has a cross-section that widens toward the side of the container wall opposite the opening. This secures a transport item inserted into the transport container, such as a transport cage for liquid containers, against slipping in the rear part while simultaneously allowing it to be easily inserted into the interior space through the larger front area of ​​the opening.

[0013] Preferably, a wedge strip is arranged on the side of the floor element facing the opening, rising toward the interior. The wedge strip can be designed such that when the door element is moved (e.g., pivoted) into a closed state of the transport container, the door element does not jam against the lower part of the opening. The wedge strip can also provide a rising sliding surface that facilitates the insertion of a transport item, such as a transport cage for liquid containers.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if a first locking arrangement is arranged on the door element, which is designed to lock the door element against the floor element and / or the ceiling element. The first locking arrangement can be designed such that it does not protrude beyond the side wall elements.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if at least one second locking arrangement is arranged on the door element, which is designed to lock the door element against at least one of the side wall elements adjacent to the opening. Each locking arrangement can be designed such that it does not protrude beyond the side wall elements.

[0016] According to a further advantageous aspect, each locking arrangement comprises an actuating element, each of which is arranged on the door element. The actuating elements can be designed as handles.

[0017] It is preferred if at least one spacer element for supporting a fork arm of a lifting truck is arranged on one side of the floor element opposite the interior space (or on an outer surface). The spacer element can be one (preferably three) metal disc(s) with a thickness of more than 1 mm, mounted transversely to the insertion direction of the transport fork.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the receiving strips essentially comprise an L- or U-shaped stop for attaching temperature storage elements.

[0019] In this technical aspect, it is preferred if the stop has at least one recess. A clamping element can be adjustably attached (e.g., foldable or movable) to the receiving strip at the location of the recess in such a way that it exposes the recess in a first position and at least partially covers the recess in a second position. This allows the temperature storage elements to be locked in the receiving strips to prevent them from falling out, for example, in the event of movement during transport.

[0020] Preferably, at least one guide plate is embedded or attached to the floor element on the side of the floor element facing the opening. The guide plate is advantageous for reducing wear due to frequent impact contact with the transport forks of a forklift at this location. The guide plate can be embedded or attached to the floor element in such a way that the guide plate protrudes at least partially from the floor element, thereby further reducing wear due to frequent impact contact with the transport forks of a forklift at this location.

[0021] It is further advantageous if at least one stop element is arranged on the third side wall element opposite the opening in such a way as to space a transport item introduced into the transport container from the third side wall element opposite the opening. A transport item inserted into the interior, such as a transport cage for liquid containers, strikes the stop element when fully inserted.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the transport container further comprises a locking element. The locking element is arranged in the interior space in such a way as to lock a transport item inserted into the transport container against removal from the container. For this purpose, the locking element can be designed as a spring-loaded rotary lever, one end of which abuts against the inserted transport item to hold it in position using the spring force.

[0023] The transport container according to the invention for the temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods is explained in more detail below using the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Identical reference numerals refer to the same features in all figures.

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an opened transport container; Fig. 2 a front view of a closed transport container from Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 a view from below of the transport container from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 .

[0025] The transport container 1 for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods is in Fig. 1 Shown in a perspective view from the front. In the open state shown, it can be seen that there is no transported goods inside.

[0026] The illustrated transport container 1 has a cubic container wall 2 that can completely hermetically enclose an interior space 3. The container wall 2 has three side wall elements 21a, 21b, 21c, each connected to one another on one side, which in turn are each connected to a ceiling element 22 on one side. A floor element 23 is arranged on the opposite side, creating a square opening 10 that can be closed by a door element 24.

[0027] The door element 24 is arranged pivotably about a vertical axis on the edge region of the right side element 21a and closes the opening 10 completely in a first position and opens the opening 10 completely (entire circumference) in a second position, so that a transport item whose circumference essentially corresponds to the circumference of the opening 10 can be inserted.

[0028] On all three side wall elements 21a, 21b, 21c, one support bar 4 is attached in the upper area, one support bar 4 in the lower area, and two support bars 4 in the middle area. In the example shown, the support bars 4 have an L-shaped stop 41, with the stops arranged such that temperature storage elements 5 can be inserted and moved between them. The stop 41 has a recess 42 in the center, which can be opened and closed using a clamping element 43.

[0029] A mounting frame 6 is pivotably mounted on the side wall element 21c adjacent to the opening 10 to the left. Four mounting strips 4 for attaching temperature storage elements 5 are arranged on the mounting frame 6, just as in the side wall elements 21a, 21b, 21c. The mounting frame 6 is pivotable about the connecting axis with the side wall element 21c and completely covers the opening 10 when pivoted in, and completely uncovers the opening 10 when pivoted out.

[0030] Due to the mounting frame 6 in the area of ​​the opening 10 to the interior 3, temperature storage elements 5 can be arranged on the door side to achieve a homogeneous temperature distribution. Temperature storage elements 5 can thus also be arranged in the area of ​​the door element 24, thus increasing the total number of arranged temperature storage elements.

[0031] In the example shown, the door element 24 is attached to the right side wall element 21a via four hinges 241. The support frame 6 is attached to the opposite side wall element 21c.

[0032] In the present illustration, a guide rail 7 can be seen in the lower area. The guide rail 7 is arranged to extend essentially from the opening 10 of the transport container 1 to the rear container wall 2. The at least one guide rail 7 has a cross-section that widens rearward toward the interior.

[0033] On the side of the floor element 23 facing the opening 10, a wedge strip 231 is arranged, rising toward the interior space 3. The wedge strip 231 is designed such that the door element 24 does not jam when closed.

[0034] On the third side wall element 21b opposite the opening 10, a stop element 11 is arranged, against which a transport item introduced into the transport container 1 can be brought into contact.

[0035] Furthermore, the transport container 1 comprises a locking element 12, which is arranged on the side wall element 21a, and a further locking element 12 (not shown), which is arranged on the side wall element 21c, with which a transported item can be locked against removal from the transport container 1.

[0036] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, at least one guide plate 9 is arranged on the side of the floor element 23 of the transport container 1 facing the opening 10. The guide plate 9 is mounted in such a way that the guide plate 9 partially protrudes from the floor element 23, thereby reducing wear at this point due to frequent impact contact with the transport forks of a forklift.

[0037] In Fig. 2 the transport container 1 is shown from the front in the closed state of the door element 24.

[0038] The door element 24 is pivotally mounted on the side wall element 21a by four hinges 241. A first locking arrangement 242 is arranged on the door element 24, with which the door element 24 is locked against the floor element 23 and the ceiling element 22 by rotating a locking rod (not shown) with engagement hooks (not shown) and thus engaging the floor element 23 and ceiling element 22.

[0039] A second locking arrangement 243 is also arranged on the door element 24, which locks the door element 24 against the opening (see Fig. 1 ) adjacent side wall elements 21c are locked.

[0040] Each of the closure assemblies 242, 243 is designed so as not to protrude beyond the side wall elements 21a, 21c.

[0041] Each closure assembly 242, 243 comprises an actuating element 242a, 243a configured as a handle, which is arranged on the door element 24. An advantage of this arrangement of the actuating elements 242a, 243a is that several transport containers 1 can be placed close to one another at the side wall elements 21a, 21c without restricting the opening and closing of the actuating elements 242a, 243a.

[0042] In Fig. 3 The bottom of the transport container 1 is shown. At one of the interior (see Fig. 1 ) opposite side of the floor element 23, six spacer elements 8 are arranged for support on a fork arm of a pallet truck.

Claims

1. Transport container (1) for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods, comprising a container wall (2) which, in a closed state, completely encloses an interior space (3), the container wall (2) comprising three side wall elements (21a, 21b , 21c), a ceiling element (22), a floor element (23) and a door element (24), which door element (24) can be arranged on the transport container (1) in such a way as to completely close an opening (10) of the transport container (1), and wherein at least one receiving strip (4) is arranged on each of the three side wall elements (21a, 21b, 21c) in such a way that temperature storage elements (5) can be attached to it, characterized in that a receiving frame (6) having at least one receiving strip (4) for attachment of temperature storage elements (5) is arranged on at least one of the side wall elements (21a; 21c) adjoining the opening (10) in such a way that it can be moved so as to at least partially cover the opening when the transport container (1) is in the closed state and to completely uncover the opening (10) when the transport container (1) is in the open state.

2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the door element (24) is arranged on a first side wall element (21a) adjoining the opening (10) by way of at least one first hinge (241), and wherein the receiving frame (6) is arranged on a second side wall element (21c) adjoining the opening (10) and opposite the first side wall element (21a) by way of at least one second hinge (61).

3. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one guide strip (7) which is arranged in the interior space (3) in such a way as to extend essentially straight from the opening (10) of the transport container (1) to a side of the container wall (2) opposite the opening (10 ) of the container wall (2), and the at least one guide strip (7) having a cross-section that widens towards the side of the container wall (2) opposite the opening (10).

4. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a wedge-shaped strip (231) rising towards the interior space (3) is arranged on that side of the floor element (23) which faces the opening (10).

5. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first closure arrangement (242) is arranged on the door element (24) and is designed to lock the door element (24) against the floor element (23) and / or the ceiling element (22).

6. Transport container (1) according to claim 5, wherein at least one second closure arrangement (243) is arranged on the door element (24) and is designed to lock the door element (24) against at least one of the side wall elements (21a; 21c) adjoining the opening (10).

7. Transport container (1) according to claim 6, wherein each closure arrangement (242, 243) comprises an actuating element (242a, 243a), each of the actuating elements (242a, 243a) being arranged on the door element (24).

8. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one spacer element (8) is arranged on one of the sides of the floor element (23) opposite the interior space (3) for placement on a fork extension of a forklift truck.

9. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving strips (4) essentially have an L- or U-shaped stop (41) for the attachment of temperature storage elements (5).

10. Transport container (1) according to claim 9, wherein the stop (41) has at least one recess (42), and wherein, at the location of the recess (42) on the receiving strip (4), a clamping element (43) can be slidably mounted in such a way that, in a first position, it exposes the recess (42) and, in a second position, it at least partially covers the recess (42).

11. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one guide plate (9) embedded into or mounted onto the floor element (23) is arranged on the side of the floor element (23) facing the opening (10).

12. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one stop element (11) is arranged on the third side wall element (21b) opposite the opening (10) in such a way as to space a transport item stored in the transport container (1) against the third side wall element (21b) opposite the opening (10).

13. Transport container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a locking element (12) which is arranged in the interior space (3) in such a way as to lock a transport item stored in the transport container (1) against removal from the transport container (1).

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