Insulation material holder for insulated containers

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a heat-insulating material support for a heat-insulating container that exhibits load-bearing performance while suppressing a decrease in heat insulation performance. [Solution] A heat-insulating container having an internal space capable of accommodating an object to be kept warm, wherein the internal space is divided into a first storage space for accommodating heat-insulating material and a second storage space for accommodating the object to be kept warm, the first storage space is positioned above the second storage space and is supported by the heat-insulating container so as to connect the first and second storage spaces, and has a bottom plate portion on its upper surface on which the heat-insulating material is placed, the bottom plate portion having a resin foam layer and a support plate layer that supports the resin foam layer from below, the heat-insulating material holder for a heat-insulating container.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat insulating material receiver for a heat insulating container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to keep heated food warm or keep fresh food cold, heat insulating containers made of materials with excellent heat insulating properties have been widely used. Such heat insulating containers are also widely used outside the food field. In this type of heat insulating container, in order to maintain the heated or cooled state of the heat insulating object for a longer time, a heat insulating material such as a heat storage material or a cold storage material may be accommodated together with the heat insulating object. Known heat insulating materials for the purpose of keeping the heat insulating object cold include ice, dry ice, and a gel obtained by swelling a hydrophilic polymer with water and packaged.

[0003] In a heat insulating container, a heat insulating material receiver for holding a heat insulating material may be attached (Patent Document 1 below). That is, the heat insulating container is used as a main component material of a heat insulating container with a heat insulating material receiver.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] If the insulation material holder has a plate-like structure that can divide the internal space of the insulated container into upper and lower sections, and the insulation material can be accommodated in the upper part of the space occupied by the object to be insulated, and the upper and lower spaces of the insulation material holder are connected to allow air to circulate, thereby supplying heat (cooling / heating) from the insulation material to the object to be insulated, it is thought that a relatively large space can be secured for accommodating the insulation material, and the heat from the insulation material can be supplied to the object to be insulated for a long period of time. One example of such an insulation material holder is one made of foamed resin. With this insulation material holder, the foamed resin exhibits thermal insulation properties, which suppresses heat transfer through the insulation material holder and reduces the amount of insulation material consumed. However, insulation material holders made of foamed resin have relatively poor load-bearing capacity, so the amount of insulation material they can hold is limited. Therefore, with insulation material holders made of foamed resin, it is not possible to mount a sufficient amount of insulation material, and there is a problem that it is difficult to keep the object to be insulated warm for a long period of time.

[0006] On the other hand, if load-bearing capacity is improved by increasing the thickness of the foamed resin or decreasing the foaming ratio, in the former case, the space available for housing the insulation material may be reduced, and in the latter case, sufficient thermal insulation may not be achieved, and heat transfer may not be adequately suppressed, potentially leading to excessive consumption of the heat contained in the insulation material. Therefore, it becomes difficult to keep the object being insulated warm for extended periods.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a heat-insulating material support for a heat-insulating container that can exhibit load-bearing performance while suppressing a decrease in heat insulation performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The heat-insulating material receiver for a heat-insulating container according to the present invention is The internal space of a heat-insulating container having an internal space capable of accommodating an object to be kept warm is divided into a first storage space for accommodating the heat-insulating material and a second storage space for accommodating the object to be kept warm. The first containment space is positioned above the second containment space. The first storage space and the second storage space are connected by the insulated container, The upper side is equipped with a bottom plate portion on which the heat-insulating material is placed, The bottom plate portion comprises a resin foam layer and a support plate layer that supports the resin foam layer from below.

[0009] With this configuration, the insulation material holder for the insulated container separates a first and a second storage space while connecting them, and by positioning the first storage space for the insulation material above the second storage space for the object to be insulated, the heat (cold or warm) of the insulation material moves from the first storage space to the second storage space through the connecting point and is supplied to the object to be insulated. Furthermore, the bottom plate has a resin foam layer, which suppresses heat transfer through the insulation material holder for the insulated container. In addition, the bottom plate has a support plate layer, which allows a sufficient amount of insulation material to be mounted. As a result, the insulation material holder for the insulated container according to the present invention exhibits load-bearing performance while suppressing a decrease in thermal insulation performance.

[0010] The aforementioned heat-insulating material receiver for the heat-insulating container is The base plate portion is further provided with a locking device that extends outward from the outer peripheral edge, The aforementioned insulated container comprises a container body with an opening facing upward, and a lid that closes the opening of the container body. The container body has a container bottom wall portion that defines the bottom of the internal space, and a container peripheral wall portion that rises cylindrically from the outer periphery of the container bottom wall portion. The upper end of the peripheral wall portion of the container defines the opening, The outer circumference of the bottom plate portion is smaller than the inner circumference of the container peripheral wall portion. The bottom plate portion is designed to be housed inside the container periphery wall portion, with a gap between the outer edge of the bottom plate portion and the inner surface of the container periphery wall portion that connects the first storage space and the second storage space. The locking device is of a length that allows it to reach the peripheral wall of the container beyond the gap. The locking device is secured to the peripheral wall of the container and supported by the container body.

[0011] With this configuration, the heat-insulating material receiver for the heat-insulating container is further equipped with a locking device, the locking device being long enough to reach the container's peripheral wall beyond the gap, and the locking device being locked to the container's peripheral wall and supported by the container body, so that the bottom plate portion is stably fixed to the container body even if it does not come into contact with the container's peripheral wall. Furthermore, the outer circumference of the bottom plate portion is smaller than the inner circumference of the container's peripheral wall portion, and the bottom plate portion can be housed inside the container's peripheral wall portion with a gap between the outer edge of the bottom plate portion and the inner surface of the container's peripheral wall portion that connects the first and second storage spaces. As a result, in the first storage space, the heat generated from the heat-insulating material moves toward the gap and then moves to the second storage space through the gap. The heat that has moved to the second storage space moves further toward the center of the second storage space from the inner surface of the container's peripheral wall portion. This results in good heat retention in the second storage space, and the amount of heat that moves from the first storage space to the second storage space per unit time is reduced, thus further reducing the consumption of heat-insulating material.

[0012] The aforementioned heat-insulating material receiver for the heat-insulating container is A communication hole is formed in the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion to connect the first storage space and the second storage space.

[0013] With this configuration, a communication hole is formed at the periphery of the bottom plate to connect the first and second storage spaces. In the first storage space, heat generated from the insulating material moves toward the communication hole and then moves to the second storage space through the communication hole, or, if the insulating material is placed directly above the communication hole, the heat moves directly to the second storage space through the communication hole. Subsequently, in the second storage space, the heat moves from near the inner surface of the container's peripheral wall toward the center of the second storage space. As a result, the heat retention in the second storage space is improved, and the amount of heat that moves from the first storage space to the second storage space per unit time is reduced, thus further reducing the consumption of insulating material.

[0014] The aforementioned heat-insulating material receiver for the heat-insulating container is The support plate layer is made of a metal plate, a plastic plate, or a wooden plate.

[0015] According to such a configuration, since the support plate layer is made of a metal plate, a plastic plate, or a wooden plate, the support plate layer is made of a material having rigidity. Thereby, the heat insulating material receiver for a heat insulating container according to the present invention has more excellent load-bearing performance.

[0016] The heat insulating material receiver for a heat insulating container is The support plate layer is made of an aluminum plate.

[0017] According to such a configuration, since the support plate layer is made of an aluminum plate, the support plate layer is made of a material having more excellent rigidity. Thereby, the heat insulating material receiver for a heat insulating container according to the present invention has even more excellent load-bearing performance.

[0018] The heat insulating material receiver for a heat insulating container is The resin foam layer is composed of a laminated foam sheet having a foam layer and a protective sheet layer overlapping the foam layer from above.

[0019] According to such a configuration, since the resin foam layer is composed of a laminated foam sheet having a foam layer and a protective sheet layer, the mechanical strength of the resin foam layer is improved, and deterioration of the foam layer due to external factors is suppressed.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, there is provided a heat insulating material receiver for a heat insulating container capable of exhibiting load-bearing performance while suppressing a decrease in heat insulation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] ) [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a heat insulating container and a heat insulating material receiver for a heat insulating container according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] [[ID=​Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view of an insulating material holder for an insulating container according to one embodiment, showing the cross-sectional view along the line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a front view of an insulating material receiver for an insulating container according to another embodiment of one of the embodiments, showing an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a plan view of an insulating material holder for an insulating container according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a reference diagram illustrating the usage state of an insulating material receiver for an insulating container according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The following describes one embodiment of the heat-insulating material holder 1 for a heat-insulating container according to the present invention, which is a coolant holder 1 for a coolant container.

[0023] The coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment is housed in the internal space 50 of the heat-insulating container 2 (also referred to as the coolant container 2). The internal space 50 is a space capable of accommodating the object to be heated 80 (also referred to as the object to be cooled 80).

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the insulated container 2 comprises a container body 20 that opens upward and a lid 23 that closes the opening of the container body 20. In this embodiment, the insulated container 2 is not configured such that the internal space 50 is tightly sealed when the insulated material holder 1 for the insulated container, which will be described in detail later, is placed inside the container body 20 and the lid 23 is attached to the container body 20, and a small clearance is provided between the container body 20 and the lid 23.

[0025] In this embodiment, the usage of the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container will be explained primarily using a coolant container 2, which is transported by rail freight, trucks, etc., as the main example. However, the coolant container 2 can also be used for storage in refrigerators, freezers, etc., and its use is not particularly limited. Below, the coolant container 2 will be described first.

[0026] The container body 20 has a container bottom wall portion 21 and a container peripheral wall portion 22 that rises cylindrically from the outer circumference of the container bottom wall portion 21. That is, the container body 20 in this embodiment is a bottomed cylindrical shape. The container body 20 in this embodiment is rectangular parallelepiped in shape, and the opening defined at the upper end of the container peripheral wall portion 22 is rectangular in plan view. The container bottom wall portion 21 may be, for example, a plate-like member with a side length of 0.6 m or more and 1.5 m or less in plan view. In this embodiment, for example, the height to the upper edge of the container peripheral wall portion 22 of the container body 20 is 0.6 m or more and 1.5 m or less. The insulated container 2 in this embodiment may be transported, for example, by being mounted on a pallet. Therefore, the outer contour line of the container peripheral wall portion 22 in plan view of the container body 20 may be a shape corresponding to a T11 type pallet (1.1 m × 1.1 m). The container body 20 may have an outer contour line in plan view of the container peripheral wall portion 22 that corresponds to other general-purpose pallets (for example, 1.4m × 1.1m, 1.3m × 1.1m, 1.2m × 1.0m, 1.2m × 0.8m, 1.165m × 1.165m, 1.1m × 0.9m, etc.).

[0027] The container peripheral wall portion 22 is composed of four plate-like members. The container peripheral wall portion 22 is formed such that the shape of each of the four plate-like members in a front view is rectangular. More specifically, two plate-like members facing each other in the front-rear direction have a common shape, and two plate-like members facing each other in the left-right direction also have a common shape. In this embodiment, the shapes of the four plate-like members are common, and the shape of the container peripheral wall portion 22 in a plan view is square.

[0028] In this embodiment, the four plate-like members in the container peripheral wall 22 share a common position in the vertical direction of their respective upper edges. That is, the container peripheral wall is formed such that the virtual plane that abuts against the upper edge is a horizontal plane.

[0029] In this embodiment, the container bottom wall portion 21 and the container peripheral wall portion 22 are formed of a heat insulating material.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the lid 23 has a shape that allows it to be fitted onto the container body 20. The lid 23 is detachably attached to the container body 20 and provided on the insulated container 2. The lid 23 has a lid ceiling portion 24 whose lower surface abuts against the upper edge of the container peripheral wall portion 22 when fitted onto the container body 20, and a lid side wall portion 25 that extends downward in a short cylindrical shape from the outer circumference of the lid ceiling portion 24 to the outside of the container peripheral wall portion 22. From the viewpoint of engaging the opening of the container body 20 with the lid 23, the lid 23 in this embodiment is formed such that the inner contour line of the lid side wall portion 25 in a bottom view is substantially the same as the outer contour line of the container peripheral wall portion 22 in a plan view.

[0031] The lid ceiling portion 24 is a plate-shaped member. The lid ceiling portion 24 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The lid ceiling portion 24 can be made of the same material as the container bottom wall portion 21.

[0032] The lid side wall portion 25 is composed of four plate-like members. The lid side wall portion 25 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The material of the lid side wall portion 25 can be the same as the material of the container bottom wall portion 21.

[0033] The internal space 50 is defined by the container bottom wall portion 21, the container peripheral wall portion 22, and the lid ceiling portion 24. That is, the bottom of the internal space 50 is defined by the container bottom wall portion 21. The sides of the internal space 50 are defined by the container peripheral wall portion 22. The top of the internal space 50 is defined by the lid ceiling portion 24.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the coolant holder 1 for the insulated container according to this embodiment is a plate-shaped member. The coolant holder 1 for the insulated container is arranged in the internal space 50 of the insulated container 2 in a substantially horizontal position, facing the lid ceiling portion 24 on the upper side and facing the container bottom wall portion 21 on the lower side, and divides the internal space 50 into a first storage space 51 for housing the heat-insulating material 70 (also called the coolant 70) and a second storage space 52 for housing the object to be kept cold 80. The coolant holder 1 for the insulated container is supported by the insulated container 2 such that the first storage space 51 is positioned above the second storage space 52.

[0035] The first storage space 51 is defined by the coolant holder 1 for the cooler container and the lid 23. The second storage space 52 is defined by the coolant holder 1 for the cooler container and the container body 20.

[0036] The coolant holder 1 for a cooler container according to this embodiment comprises a holder body 10 and a locking device 16 attached to the holder body 10 for supporting the holder body 10 on the cooler container 2. The coolant holder 1 for a cooler container comprises a plate-shaped bottom plate portion 11, which is a main component of the holder body 10. The coolant holder 1 for a cooler container comprises the bottom plate portion 11 on which the coolant 70 is placed on the upper surface, and the locking device 16 extending outward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 11. The coolant holder 1 for a cooler container is attached to the cooler container 2 in a state in which the horizontal direction is parallel to the surface on the bottom plate portion 11 on which the coolant 70 is placed. In the coolant holder 1 for a cooler container according to this embodiment, the holder body 10 further comprises a side wall portion 17 that rises cylindrically from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 11.

[0037] The bottom plate portion 11 is a plate-shaped member. The bottom plate portion 11 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. That is, the receiving body 10 of this embodiment is rectangular in shape. The bottom plate portion 11 has a resin foam layer 12 and a support plate layer 13 that supports the resin foam layer 12 from below.

[0038] The resin foam layer 12 is formed in a sheet shape. As shown in Figure 3, in one embodiment, the resin foam layer 12 is composed of a single foam layer 12a. As shown in Figure 4, in another embodiment, the resin foam layer 12 is composed of a laminated foam sheet 12' having a foam layer 12a and a protective sheet layer 12b that overlaps the foam layer 12a from above.

[0039] The foamed layer 12a contains a foamed resin. Examples of the foamed resin include polyurethane foamed resins, polystyrene foamed resins, polyethylene foamed resins, polypropylene foamed resins, polyvinyl chloride foamed resins, phenolic resin foamed resins, urea resin foamed resins, silicone foamed resins, polyimide resin foamed resins, melamine resin foamed resins, and the like. The foamed resin is preferably a polystyrene foamed resin.

[0040] The foamed layer 12a is obtained by foaming and molding the foamed resin into a sheet.

[0041] In one embodiment, the foamed layer 12a has different densities in the central part in the thickness direction and in the surface part. Preferably, the foamed layer has a higher density in the surface part than in the central part in the thickness direction.

[0042] The protective sheet layer 12b contains a non-foaming resin. Examples of the non-foaming resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The non-foaming resin is preferably polystyrene.

[0043] The laminated foam sheet 12' is obtained by laminating the protective sheet layer 12b to the upper surface of the foam layer 12a. Methods for laminating the protective sheet layer 12b to the foam layer 12a include applying the non-foamed resin in layers to one side of the foam layer 12a, or attaching the protective sheet layer 12b to one side of the foam layer 12a by lamination. The protective sheet layer 12b may be laminated to both sides of the foam layer 12a. The foam layer 12a and the protective sheet layer 12b may be laminated together by co-extrusion, laminated together by extrusion lamination of the protective sheet layer 12b onto the foam sheet constituting the foam layer 12a, or laminated together by dry lamination. In terms of the ease with which such lamination can be carried out, it is preferable that at least the foam layer 12a of the laminated foam sheet 12' is an extruded foam sheet.

[0044] The support plate layer 13 is formed in a sheet shape. The support plate layer 13 is made of a metal plate, a plastic plate, or a wooden plate. Preferably, the support plate layer 13 is made of a metal plate. Examples of the metal plate include an aluminum plate, a stainless steel plate, a titanium plate, a copper plate, etc. Preferably, the support plate layer 13 is made of an aluminum plate. The support plate layer 13 may be a pure aluminum plate such as A1100 or A1050, but from the viewpoint of superior strength, it may also be an alloy aluminum plate (Al+Mg system, Al+Mg+Si system, Al+Zn+Mg system, etc.). Among these, Al+Mg+Si systems such as A6061 and A6063 are suitable as the material for forming the support plate layer 13 because they are excellent in strength and workability. The support plate layer 13 may be formed of an aluminum plate having an anodized film. When the support plate layer 13 is an aluminum plate with an anodized layer formed by anodizing, the anodized layer may be a black anodized layer or a colored anodized layer, but it is preferable that it be formed to exhibit a silvery-white color in order to suppress thermal radiation, and is preferably a regular anodized layer, a hard anodized layer (anodized layer as defined in JIS H 8603:1999 "Hard anodic oxide coatings of aluminum and aluminum alloys"), etc. When an anodized aluminum plate is used, the anodized aluminum plate may be a sealed or unsealed product.

[0045] In this embodiment, the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container connects the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52.

[0046] In the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the outer circumference of the bottom plate portion 11 is smaller than the inner circumference of the container peripheral wall portion 22. The bottom plate portion 11 is provided with a gap 60 between the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 11 and the inner surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22 that connects the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52, and can be housed inside the container peripheral wall portion 22. That is, as shown in Figure 5, the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment is attached to the coolant container 2 such that the outer surface of the side wall portion 17 and the inner surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22 face each other at a distance. The coolant holder 1 for the coolant container is attached to the coolant container 2 such that, in a plan view, the outer surface of the side wall portion 17 forms a rectangle that is slightly smaller inside the rectangle formed by the inner surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22. The coolant holder 1 for the coolant container is attached to the coolant container 2 such that the distance (also called the gap distance) between the outer surface of the side wall portion 17 and the inner surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22 is approximately the same on all four sides.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, in the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, a communication hole 14 is formed at the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11 to connect the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52, and a non-communication region 15 is formed other than the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11 that does not connect the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52.

[0048] In the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the communication holes 14 are drilled in multiple locations on the bottom plate portion 11.

[0049] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the communication hole 14 is formed by connecting a first through hole 14a that penetrates the resin foam layer 12 in the thickness direction (vertical direction) and a second through hole 14b that penetrates the support plate layer 13 in the thickness direction (vertical direction), in the stacking direction (vertical direction) of the resin foam layer 12 and the support plate layer 13. In the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the first through hole 14a and the second through hole 14b are each drilled in multiple locations.

[0050] In the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the first through holes 14a (multiple first through holes 14a) drilled in multiple locations are arranged so that adjacent first through holes 14a are at equal intervals from each other.

[0051] In the cooling material holder 1 for the cooling container according to this embodiment, the number of the first through holes 14a is preferably 2 to 16, and more preferably 4 to 12.

[0052] In the cooling material holder 1 for the cooling container according to this embodiment, each of the multiple first through holes 14a has the same area in a plan view.

[0053] In a plan view, the area of ​​each of the plurality of first through holes 14a is smaller than the area of ​​the surface on which the cooling material is placed. In the cooling material holder 1 for a cooling container according to this embodiment, the ratio of the total area of ​​the plurality of first through holes 14a in a plan view to the area of ​​the bottom plate portion 11 in a plan view is preferably 0.05 or more and 0.80 or less, and more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.50 or less.

[0054] In the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the second through holes 14b (multiple second through holes 14b) drilled in multiple locations are arranged so that adjacent second through holes 14b are at equal intervals from each other.

[0055] In the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, each of the multiple second through holes 14b has the same area in a plan view.

[0056] Two or more second through holes 14b can be formed below each of the multiple first through holes 14a.

[0057] In the cooling material holder 1 for the cooling container according to this embodiment, the area of ​​each of the multiple first through holes 14a in a plan view is larger than the area of ​​each of the multiple second through holes 14b in a plan view.

[0058] The plurality of second through holes 14b are arranged in an annular region along the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 11, and the resin foam layer 12 is formed such that it blocks some of the plurality of second through holes 14b arranged in this annular region from above, while the remaining portion is connected to the first through hole 14a. In other words, the non-communicating region 15 is formed in the resin foam layer 12 in a region where the first through hole 14a is not formed.

[0059] In order to ensure that the bottom plate portion 11 (support plate layer 13) exhibits excellent load-bearing capacity, it is advantageous to ensure that the distance between the opening edges of adjacent second through holes 14b is above a certain level. On the other hand, in order to ensure good airflow through the communication holes 14, it is advantageous that the second through holes 14b are not excessively far apart. In the coolant holder 1 for a coolant container according to this embodiment, the distance between the opening edges of the second through holes 14b can be, for example, 1 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

[0060] In order to ensure good airflow through the communication holes 14, it is advantageous for the area of ​​each of the second through-holes 14b to be large. On the other hand, in order to prevent the cooling material from falling, it is considered advantageous to make the diameter of the second through-holes 14b small.

[0061] Even if the area is the same, a long, narrow shape like a slit in the second through-hole 14b may be advantageous in preventing the cooling material from falling and in allowing the bottom plate portion 11 (the support plate layer 13) to exhibit excellent load-bearing capacity. On the other hand, for the second through-hole 14b, it is advantageous for good airflow if the distance between the two points that make up the longest length of the line segment connecting two different points on the opening edge of the second through-hole 14b is approximately the same as the vertical dimension of the second through-hole 14b, and the horizontal dimension of the second through-hole 14b in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the vertical dimension is approximately the same.

[0062] In this embodiment, the second through-hole 14b can, in one aspect, penetrate the support plate layer 13 vertically. That is, the first opening of the second through-hole 14b formed on one side of the support plate layer 13 and the second opening of the second through-hole 14b formed on the other side of the support plate layer 13 can be positioned at substantially the same location in a plan view. As a result, the heat generated from the cooling material 70 can move in a substantially vertical direction, so that the heat absorption by the support plate layer 13 is relatively suppressed, while cold air can be efficiently supplied to the second containment space 52.

[0063] In this embodiment, the second through-hole 14b can, in other embodiments, penetrate the support plate layer 13 in any direction from vertical to parallel. That is, the second through-hole 14b and the first opening can be located at non-identical positions in a plan view. As a result, the path of the cold air supplied to the second containment space 52 is not vertical, so that cold air can be concentrated on a specific location in the second containment space 52. For example, if there are areas in the second containment space 52 where the object to be kept cold 80 is placed and areas where the object to be kept cold 80 is not placed, it becomes possible to concentrate the supply of cold air to the areas where the object to be kept cold 80 is placed.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, in the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the locking device 16 is formed to extend outward from the upper end of the side wall portion 17. As shown in Figure 5, the locking device 16 has a length that can reach the container peripheral wall portion 22 beyond the gap 60. The locking device 16 in this embodiment is provided to extend outward from each of two opposing sides of the four sides of the rectangle that defines the outer edge of the holder body 10 in a plan view. In this embodiment, four or more locking devices 16 are provided to extend outward from multiple locations on two of the four sides. More specifically, in this embodiment, locking devices 16 are provided at both ends of each side of two of the four sides. The locking device 16 may be provided to extend outward from one or more locations on each of three of the four sides, or it may be provided to extend outward from all four sides.

[0065] In the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the locking device 16 has a step at its end, with the inside being one step lower than the outside. As a result, in the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container according to this embodiment, the locking device 16 is locked to the container peripheral wall portion 22 and supported by the container body 20. In this embodiment, the locking device 16 also serves as a guide member that restricts the horizontal movement of the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container 1 when the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container 1 is supported by the container body 20 using the locking device 16, thereby determining the position of the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container 1 relative to the container body 20. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking device 16 is locked to the container peripheral wall portion 22 at multiple locations and plays a role in stably fixing the bottom plate portion 11 to the container body 20. The locking device 16 provides a structure that ensures the bottom plate portion 11 is securely supported at the contact point with the container peripheral wall portion 22, thereby preventing the bottom plate portion 11 from shifting position within the container body.

[0066] As described above, a gap 60 connecting the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52 is provided between the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 11 and the inner surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22. The locking devices 16 are not formed around the entire circumference, but are scattered in the circumferential direction so as not to block the gap 60. As a result, a first ventilation passage connecting the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52 is formed between adjacent locking devices 16. Furthermore, by placing the object to be kept cold 80 on the container bottom wall portion 21 at a predetermined distance from the container peripheral wall portion 22, a second ventilation passage is formed along the container peripheral wall portion 22.

[0067] The distance between the object to be kept cool 80 and the container peripheral wall 22 in the second ventilation passage (also called the second ventilation passage width) may be shorter than, the same length as, or longer than the gap distance. The second ventilation passage width may be 0.1 times or more, 0.5 times or more, 1.0 times or more, or 2.0 times or more than the gap distance. The second ventilation passage width may be 10 times or less of the gap distance.

[0068] Here, we will describe the path by which the heat-generated air layer (also called the cold air layer) generated by the cooling material 70 moves from the first containment space 51 to the second containment space 52.

[0069] The cold air layer includes a first cold air layer that extends from the first accommodation space 51 to the second accommodation space 52 through the communication hole 14, and a second cold air layer that extends from the first accommodation space to the second accommodation space through the first ventilation passage while crossing the side wall portion 17.

[0070] The first cold air layer efficiently cools the lower layer of the second containment space 52. Furthermore, a portion of the first cold air layer and a portion or all of the second cold air layer reach the container bottom wall 21 through the second ventilation passage, that is, along the container peripheral wall 22, thereby forming a wall of cold air around the container peripheral wall 22. By forming the wall of cold air near the container peripheral wall 22, which is susceptible to the influence of the outside air in the insulated container 2, heat transfer through the container peripheral wall 22 due to the heat of the outside air is suppressed, and the object to be kept cold 80 can be kept sufficiently cold. Because the cold air layer has the above-described movement path, a uniform temperature distribution is achieved throughout the second containment space, improving the cold retention performance. In other words, the locking device 16 stably fixes the bottom plate 11 to the container body 20, and also contributes to improving the cold retention performance by contributing to the formation of the first ventilation passage through which the second cold air layer passes.

[0071] The distance from the position where the locking device 16 contacts the bottom plate portion 11 to the step (also referred to as distance c) is preferably 30 mm or more. The distance between the inner surfaces of the two opposing container peripheral walls (also referred to as distance a) may be 500 mm or more and 2000 mm or less. The ratio of distance c to distance a may be 0.03 or more and 0.11 or less. Distance c can be calculated using distance a and the distance between the outer surfaces of the two opposing side walls (also referred to as distance b) by the following formula (1). Distance c(mm)={distance a(mm)-distance b(mm)} / 2...(1)

[0072] When the distance c is within the above numerical range, the second cold air layer can more easily pass through the first ventilation passage, thereby improving the cooling performance.

[0073] The material of the locking device 16 can be the same as the material of the support plate layer 13.

[0074] In the coolant holder 1 for a coolant container according to this embodiment, the side wall portion 17 is composed of four plate-like members. The side wall portion 17 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The side wall portion 17 has a side wall resin foam layer 18 and a side wall support plate layer 19 that supports the side wall resin foam layer 18 from the outside. In the coolant holder 1 for a coolant container according to this embodiment, the support plate layer 13 and the side wall support plate layer 19 may be formed by bending the four sides of a plate material that has an area larger than the bottom plate portion 11 by the height of the side wall portion 17 at right angles in the same direction. That is, the support plate layer 13 and the side wall support plate layer 19 may be a single integrated unit.

[0075] The sidewall resin foam layer 18 is formed in a sheet shape. The sidewall resin foam layer 18 may consist of a single layer of sidewall foam layer 18a. Preferably, the sidewall resin foam layer 18 is composed of a laminated sidewall foam sheet 18' having a sidewall foam layer 18a and a sidewall protective sheet layer 18b that overlaps the sidewall foam layer 18a from above.

[0076] The sidewall foam layer 18a contains the foamed resin, similar to the foamed layer 12a. The sidewall foam layer 18a is obtained by foaming the foamed resin into a sheet, similar to the foamed layer 12a.

[0077] The sidewall protective sheet layer 18b contains the non-foamed resin, similar to the protective sheet layer 12b.

[0078] The sidewall laminated foam sheet 18' is obtained by laminating the sidewall protective sheet layer 18b inside the sidewall foam layer 18a. The method for laminating the sidewall protective sheet layer 18b onto the sidewall foam layer 18a can be the same as the method for laminating the protective sheet layer 12b onto the foam layer 12a.

[0079] The side wall support plate layer 19 is formed in a sheet shape. The material of the side wall support plate layer 19 can be the same as the material of the support plate layer 13.

[0080] Because the bottom plate portion 11 has a resin foam layer 12, and the resin foam layer 12 has heat insulating properties, when a cooling material 70 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 11, heat transfer through the resin foam layer 12 due to the heat generated by the cooling material 70 is suppressed, and the amount of cooling material 70 consumed can be reduced.

[0081] Because the bottom plate portion 11 has a support plate layer 13, the load of the cooling material 70 on the resin foam layer 12 can also be supported by the support plate layer 13. As a result, the load-bearing capacity of the cooling material holder 1 for the cooling container is improved.

[0082] The protective sheet layer 12b, which is made of non-foamed resin, has a higher density than the foamed layer 12a, which is made of foamed resin, and therefore has relatively greater rigidity than the foamed layer 12a. As a result, when the resin foam layer 12 is made of a laminated foamed sheet 12' having a foamed layer 12a and a protective sheet layer 12b that overlaps the foamed layer 12a from above, the mechanical strength of the resin foam layer 12 is improved compared to when the resin foam layer 12 is made of a single layer of foamed layer 12a, and deterioration or damage of the foamed layer 12a due to external factors such as the load of the heat insulating material can be suppressed. In addition, since the thickness of the resin foam layer 12 is increased by laminating the protective sheet layer 12b on the foamed layer 12a, the heat insulating properties of the resin foam layer 12 are improved.

[0083] The use of polystyrene-based foam resin improves the mechanical strength and thermal insulation properties of the foam layer 12a.

[0084] In the foamed layer 12a, the density of the surface layer is higher than that of the center in the thickness direction, allowing the foamed layer 12a to exhibit high bonding strength with the protective sheet layer. Furthermore, the higher density of the surface layer of the foamed layer 12a compared to the center in the thickness direction allows the resin foam layer 12 to have excellent surface strength.

[0085] Because the non-foamed resin is polystyrene, it is easier to improve the adhesion between the foamed layer 12a and the protective sheet layer 12b, thereby improving the mechanical strength and heat insulation properties of the foamed layer 12a.

[0086] Aluminum plates are lighter and more rigid than other metal plates. Therefore, because the support plate layer 13 is made of aluminum, even if the support plate layer 13 is formed thinly, it can still exhibit sufficient mechanical strength to adequately support the resin foam layer 12. As a result, the load-bearing capacity of the insulated container coolant holder 1 is further improved.

[0087] The outer circumference of the bottom plate portion 11 is smaller than the inner circumference of the container peripheral wall portion 22, and the bottom plate portion 11 can be housed inside the container peripheral wall portion 22 with a gap 60 connecting the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52 between the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 11 and the inner surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22. As a result, in the first storage space 51, the cold air that has received the cold energy generated from the cooling material 70 moves radially toward the gap 60. Subsequently, the cold air that retains the cold energy of the cooling material 70 moves to the second storage space 52 through the gap 60, and in the second storage space 52, it moves downward along the inner surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22. Heat from the outside space flows into the second storage space 52 through the container peripheral wall portion 22. As the cold air moves downward along the inner surface of the container's peripheral wall 22, a wall of cold air can be formed near the container's peripheral wall 22, which is susceptible to outside air, thus ensuring that the object to be kept cold 80 is sufficiently cooled. In addition, the cold air that has passed through the gap 60 and moved to the underside of the receiver body 10 also moves to the center of the second storage space 52. As the cold air that has received heat moves to the center of the second storage space 52, the lateral temperature gradient from the center of the second storage space 52 toward the container's peripheral wall 22 is reduced, and the amount of heat moving per unit time from the first storage space 51 to the second storage space 52 is suppressed, thus further reducing the consumption of the cooling material 70.

[0088] A communication hole 14 is formed on the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11 to connect the first storage space 51 and the second storage space 52. As a result, in the first storage space 51, the heat generated by the cooling material 70 moves radially toward the communication hole 14 and moves to the second storage space 52 through the communication hole 14, or, if the cooling material 70 is placed directly above the communication hole 14, the heat moves directly to the second storage space 52 through the communication hole 14. Subsequently, in the second storage space 52, the heat moves from near the inner circumferential surface of the container peripheral wall portion 22 toward the center of the second storage space 52. This reduces the temperature gradient in the second storage space 52, and the amount of heat that moves per unit time from the first storage space 51 to the second storage space 52 is suppressed, thus further reducing the consumption of the cooling material 70.

[0089] When a sufficient amount of cooling material 70 is placed on the cooling material holder 1 for the cooling container, a non-communication region 15 is formed in areas other than the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11, so that some of the cooling material 70 is placed on the non-communication region 15. As a result, the area in contact between the cooling material 70 and the resin foam layer 12 increases, which suppresses heat transfer through the cooling material 70 and reduces the amount of cooling material 70 consumed.

[0090] When transporting the insulated container 2 on a truck or the like, vibrations can easily cause the cooling material 70 to slide along the upper surface of the bottom plate 11 of the insulated container cooling material holder 1, moving back and forth and side to side. Sublimable cooling materials such as dry ice 70 are particularly slippery and easily move along the upper surface of the bottom plate 11. However, in this embodiment, since multiple first through holes 14a provided in the resin foam layer 12 open to the upper surface of the bottom plate 11, it is easy to retain the cooling material in these first through holes 14a. When using multiple blocks of dry ice as cooling material, if the dry ice slides easily along the upper surface of the bottom plate 11, the dry ice may collide with each other and chip, accelerating the consumption of the cooling material. However, in the insulated container cooling material holder 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the movement of the dry ice is restricted by the first through holes 14a, preventing unexpected consumption of the dry ice. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the first through-hole 14a is located on the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11, the dry ice can be separated from each other. In addition, in the coolant holder 1 for a cooler container of this embodiment, which can secure the coolant to the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11, the coolant can be concentrated in close proximity to the gap 60, communication holes 14, etc., which serve as points for supplying cold air. To achieve such effects, it is preferable that the number of coolant pieces contained in the first storage space 51 of the coolant holder 1 for a cooler container be equal to or greater than the number of first through-holes 14a.

[0091] In this embodiment, the coolant holder 1 for the coolant container has multiple communication holes 14, which increases the paths through which heat generated by the coolant 70 moves from the first containment space 51 to the second containment space 52, thereby allowing the object to be cooled 80 to be cooled more effectively.

[0092] In the multiple first through-holes 14a, adjacent first through-holes 14a are arranged at equal intervals, and in the multiple second through-holes 14b, adjacent second through-holes 14b are arranged at equal intervals, thereby reducing the difference in the amount of heat transferred from the first containment space 51 to the second containment space 52 in each communication hole 14. As a result, the temperature gradient in the second containment space 52 becomes smaller, and the amount of heat transferred per unit time from the first containment space 51 to the second containment space 52 is further reduced, thus further reducing the consumption of the cooling material 70.

[0093] Since each of the multiple first through-holes 14a has the same area in a plan view, and each of the multiple second through-holes 14b has the same area in a plan view, the difference in the amount of heat moving from the first containment space 51 to the second containment space 52 in each communication hole 14 is reduced. As a result, the temperature gradient in the second containment space 52 becomes smaller, and the amount of heat moving per unit time from the first containment space 51 to the second containment space 52 is further reduced, thus further reducing the consumption of the cooling material 70.

[0094] In a plan view, the area of ​​each of the multiple first through-holes 14a is smaller than the area of ​​the surface on which the cooling material 70 is placed, thus preventing the cooling material 70 from coming into contact with the support plate layer 13. As a result, the cooling material 70 is stably placed on the resin foam layer 12, which suppresses heat transfer through the cooling material 70 and reduces the amount of cooling material 70 consumed.

[0095] By forming two or more second through-holes 14b below each of the multiple first through-holes 14a, a path for heat transfer to sufficiently cool the object to be cooled 80 can be secured.

[0096] In a plan view, the area of ​​the first through-hole 14a is larger than the area of ​​the second through-hole 14b in a plan view, and because the support plate layer 13 is made of a metal plate or aluminum plate, a portion of the metal plate or aluminum plate that constitutes the support plate layer 13 is exposed on the first containment space 51 side. Although heat from the cooling material 70 is easily transferred to the exposed portion of the metal plate or aluminum plate, multiple second through-holes 14b are drilled in that portion, so the exposed area is small and the aluminum plate is cooled to a moderate degree. As a result, heat is further transferred from the moderately cooled metal plate or aluminum plate, and the object to be cooled 80 can be cooled slowly. This suppresses overcooling.

[0097] Because the side wall portion 17 has a side wall resin foam layer 18, even if the cooling material 70 moves horizontally in the cooling material holder 1 for the cooling container due to vibrations such as those during transportation, damage to the cooling material 70 due to the impact of such movement can be suppressed.

[0098] Because the side wall portion 17 has a side wall support plate layer 19, even if the cooling material 70 moves horizontally in the cooling material holder 1 for the cooling container due to vibrations such as those caused by transportation, damage to the side wall resin foam layer 18 due to the impact of such movement can be suppressed.

[0099] Furthermore, the heat-insulating material receiver for heat-insulating containers according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0100] A heat-insulating material holder for a heat-insulating container is not limited to a coolant holder for a cold container, but may also be a heat-insulating material holder for a heat-insulating container used to heat the object being insulated.

[0101] The term "insulated container" is not limited to "cold containers," but may also refer to "insulated containers" used to heat objects.

[0102] The top surface of the bottom plate does not necessarily have to have a cooling pack placed on it; however, a heat-retaining material for warming the object to be kept warm may be placed on it.

[0103] Cooling packs are not particularly limited and include ice, dry ice, and frozen mixtures of water and superabsorbent polymers.

[0104] The shape of the base plate is not limited to a rectangular shape in plan view; for example, it may be triangular, pentagonal, polygonal, circular, or the like.

[0105] The protective sheet layer does not have to be laminated only on the top surface of the foam layer; it may be laminated on both sides of the foam layer.

[0106] The outer circumference of the bottom plate does not have to be smaller than the inner circumference of the container's peripheral wall; it may be approximately the same as the inner circumference of the container's peripheral wall. In other words, if the bottom plate is provided with means for connecting the first and second storage spaces, there does not need to be a gap between the outer edge of the bottom plate and the inner surface of the container's peripheral wall.

[0107] In a plurality of first through-holes, adjacent first through-holes are not limited to being arranged at equal intervals, but may be arranged at non-equal intervals.

[0108] In a plurality of second through-holes, adjacent second through-holes are not limited to being arranged at equal intervals, but may be arranged at non-equal intervals.

[0109] The planar area of ​​each of the multiple first through-holes is not limited to being the same, but may be different.

[0110] The planar area of ​​each of the multiple second through-holes is not limited to being the same, but may be different.

[0111] The position where the locking device is formed is not limited to the outer edge of the bottom plate or the upper end of the side wall, but may also be, for example, the lower end of the side wall, or between the upper end and the lower end of the side wall.

[0112] The shape of the locking device is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a shape formed by bending a plate-like member, or a shape formed in the shape of a hook.

[0113] The configuration of the side wall is not limited to four plate-like members, but may also consist of, for example, three plate-like members, five plate-like members, six or more plate-like members, cylindrical members, etc.

[0114] The shape of the side wall is not limited to a rectangular shape when viewed from the front; for example, it may be triangular when viewed from the front, or the like.

[0115] The side wall portion may be composed of a single layer of side wall resin foam, or it may be composed of a single layer of side wall support plate.

[0116] The laminated foamed sidewall sheet does not necessarily have to have the sidewall protective sheet layer laminated only on the inside of the foamed sidewall layer, but may also have it laminated on both the inside and outside of the foamed sidewall layer.

[0117] The container body does not have to open upwards; it may open to the side. If the container body opens to the side, it does not have to have a container perimeter wall at the open portion.

[0118] If the container's peripheral wall is composed of multiple plate-like members, some of the plate-like members in the container's peripheral wall may be removable. In other words, a part of the container's peripheral wall may be open.

[0119] The lid may be a component separate from the container body, or it may be a component connected to the container body.

[0120] If the lid is a component connected to the container body, the method of connection is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, a connection method using a hinge.

[0121] The shape of the bottom wall of the container is not limited to a rectangular shape in plan view; for example, it may be triangular, pentagonal, polygonal, circular, or the like.

[0122] The container's peripheral wall is not limited to four plate-like members; for example, it may consist of three plate-like members, five plate-like members, six or more plate-like members, cylindrical members, and the like.

[0123] The shape of the container's peripheral wall is not limited to a rectangular shape when viewed from the front; for example, it may be triangular when viewed from the front, or the like.

[0124] The shape of the lid's top surface is not limited to a rectangular shape in plan view; for example, it may be triangular, pentagonal, polygonal, circular, or the like.

[0125] The configuration of the lid's side wall is not limited to four plate-like members, but may also include, for example, three plate-like members, five plate-like members, six or more plate-like members, cylindrical members, etc.

[0126] The shape of the side wall of the lid is not limited to a rectangular shape when viewed from the front; for example, it may be triangular when viewed from the front, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1: Insulated container holder for heat-insulating materials (cooling container holder for cooling materials), 10: Receiver body, 11: Bottom plate part, 12: Resin foam layer, 12a: Foamed layer, 12b: Protective sheet layer, 12': Laminated foam sheet, 13: Support plate layer, 14: Communication hole, 14a: First through hole (multiple first through holes), 14b: Second through-hole (multiple second through-holes), 15: Non-communicating area, 16: Locking device, 17: Side wall section, 18: Sidewall resin foam layer, 18a: Sidewall foam layer, 18b: Sidewall protective sheet layer, 18': Laminated foam sheet for the side wall, 19: Side wall support plate layer, 2: Insulated container (cold container), 20: Container body, 21: Bottom wall of the container, 22: Container peripheral wall part, 23: Lid, 24: Top part of the lid, 25: Side wall portion of the lid, 50: Interior space, 51: First containment space, 52: Second containment space, 60: Gap, 70: Insulating material (cooling material), 80: Items to be kept warm (items to be kept cold)

Claims

1. The internal space of a heat-insulating container having an internal space capable of accommodating an object to be kept warm is divided into a first storage space for accommodating the heat-insulating material and a second storage space for accommodating the object to be kept warm. The first accommodation space is positioned above the second accommodation space. The first storage space and the second storage space are connected by the insulated container, The upper side is equipped with a bottom plate portion on which the heat-insulating material is placed, The bottom plate portion has a resin foam layer and a support plate layer that supports the resin foam layer from below. Insulation material holder for insulated containers.

2. The base plate portion is further provided with a locking device that extends outward from the outer peripheral edge, The aforementioned insulated container comprises a container body with an opening facing upward, and a lid that closes the opening of the container body. The container body has a container bottom wall portion that defines the bottom of the internal space, and a container peripheral wall portion that rises cylindrically from the outer periphery of the container bottom wall portion. The upper end of the peripheral wall portion of the container defines the opening, The outer circumference of the bottom plate portion is smaller than the inner circumference of the container peripheral wall portion. The bottom plate portion is designed to be housed inside the container periphery wall portion, with a gap between the outer edge of the bottom plate portion and the inner surface of the container periphery wall portion that connects the first storage space and the second storage space. The locking device is of a length that allows it to reach the peripheral wall of the container beyond the gap. The locking device is locked to the peripheral wall of the container and supported by the container body. The heat-insulating material receiver for a heat-insulating container according to claim 1.

3. A communication hole is formed in the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion to connect the first storage space and the second storage space. The heat-insulating material receiver for a heat-insulating container according to claim 1.

4. The support plate layer is made of a metal plate, a plastic plate, or a wooden plate. The heat-insulating material receiver for a heat-insulating container according to claim 1.

5. The support plate layer is made of an aluminum plate. The heat-insulating material receiver for a heat-insulating container according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned resin foam layer is composed of a laminated foam sheet having a foam layer and a protective sheet layer that overlaps the foam layer from above. An insulating material receiver for an insulating container according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images