A mobile transport box and a heating and cooling assembly with the mobile transport box

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile transport box (1) comprising a box main body defining an inside of the mobile transport box (1) with side walls (2), a bottom (4) and at least one lid (3) for opening the mobile transport box (1) and providing access to the inside of the mobile transport box (1). Further, the mobile transport box (1) comprises at least one aperture in the side walls (2), the bottom (4) or the lid (3) of the mobile transport box (1), wherein a shutter assembly (5) is arranged within the at least one aperture. The shutter assembly (5) comprises a shutter housing (5a) and a movable shutter member (5b), wherein the movable shutter member (5b) is movable between a closed position and an opened position, in which air can flow into the inside of the mobile transport box (1). The present invention further relates to a heating and cooling assembly (20) comprising a heating and cooling unit (10) and a mobile transport box (1).

Description

[0001] A MOBILE TRANSPORT BOX AND A HEATING AND COOLING ASSEMBLY WITH THE MOBILE TRANSPORT BOX

[0002] The present invention relates to a mobile transport box and a heating and cooling assembly comprising the mobile transport box.

[0003] Mobile transport boxes are generally known from the prior art. Generic mobile transport boxes comprise a thermally insulated housing for storing goods while maintaining the goods temperature and a lid that allows access to the inside in order to put the goods into or take them out of the mobile transport box. It is in the nature of mobile transport boxes that such boxes are not stationary but can be moved by the user. Typically, such mobile transport boxes are used for any kind of non-stationary use, such as for deliveries, outdoor activities, camping, sailing or the like in order to store goods such as food, beverages or other products for a certain period of time.

[0004] Especially with the increase in food or grocery deliveries in recent years, it is very beneficial to have a mobile transport box keeping the goods at the desired temperature for example in order to deliver hot food or keep fresh groceries at a low temperature during deliveries on hot summer days.

[0005] However, conventional mobile transport boxes are passively maintaining the temperature inside and the goods inside are thus prone to deriving from the desired temperature the longer the delivery takes. Also mobile transport boxes with heating or cooling units are known, which actively maintain the desired temperature. Such active mobile transport boxes, however, are heavy and are thus inconvenient for the delivery personal as well as more expensive due to the electronic parts.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a mobile transport box which is lightweight and cost effective while the goods inside can be kept at a predetermined temperature for a longer period of time while transporting the mobile transport box.

[0007] This scope is achieved by the mobile transport box according to claim 1 and the heating and cooling assembly with the mobile transport box according to claim 9. Preferable modifications are presented in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mobile transport box comprises a box main body which defines an inside of the mobile transport box. The box main body has side walls, a bottom and at least one lid for opening the mobile transport box and providing access to the inside of the mobile transport box. At least one aperture is provided in the side walls, the bottom or the lid of the mobile transport box. A shutter assembly is arranged within the at least one aperture. The shutter assembly comprises a shutter housing and a movable shutter member, wherein the movable shutter member is movable between a closed position and an opened position in which air can flow into the inside of the mobile transport box.

[0009] With the mobile transport box according to the first aspect, the interior of the mobile transport box can easily be provided with air of a desired temperature without the necessity of opening the lid of the mobile transport box. In other words, in an opened position the shutter assembly allows for ventilation of the interior of the mobile transport box with an easily openable mechanism for example during deliveries while the shutter assembly can seal the interior from the exterior when the shutter assembly is in a closed position.

[0010] Preferably, the movable shutter member is biased to the closed position, preferably by at least one coil spring. This configuration allows the movable shutter member to stay closed unless the movable shutter member is actively pushed to an opened position and maintained in the opened position. The movable shutter member can be arranged in such a way, that it moves to a closed position due to a gravitational force acting on the movable shutter member or by a spring or a compressible and / or deformable material that pushes the movable shutter member into a closed position. The spring may for example be a leaf spring, a coil spring or an air spring.

[0011] Preferably, the movable shutter member has a contact portion contactable from outside the mobile transport box, wherein the movable shutter member can be moved from a closed position to an opened position by applying a force to the contact portion. With this configuration, the movable shutter member can be moved from the outside without the necessity to open the mobile transport box. In other words the movable shutter member can be switched from a closed position to an opened position from the outside.

[0012] Preferably, the shutter housing has at least one aperture and the at least one aperture of the movable shutter member aligns with the at least one aperture of the shutter housing when the movable shutter member is in an opened position so as to allow passage of air through the at least one aperture of the movable shutter member and the at least one aperture of the shutter housing and misaligns with the at least one aperture of the shutter housing when the movable shutter member is in a closed position so as to prevent passage of air through the at least one aperture of the movable shutter member and the at least one aperture of the shutter housing. The at least one aperture of the shutter housing can be a plurality of holes, slits or the like which align with a corresponding plurality of holes, slits or the like in the movable shutter member in the opened position. In other words, the movable shutter member seals the at least one aperture of the shutter housing when the movable shutter member is in a closed position and does not seal the at least one aperture of the shutter housing when the movable shutter member is in an opened position. Preferably, the shutter assembly comprises a shutter sealing. The shutter sealing can be a magnetic shutter sealing. The shutter sealing can be arranged on the outside of the shutter housing surrounding the at least one aperture of the shutter housing. With this configuration, the mobile transport box can be arranged next to a surface and the seal can contact said surface in orderto ensure that air directed into the mobile transport box when the movable shutter member is in an opened position passes through the apertures of the shutter housing and the apertures of the movable shutter member and does not pass to the surrounding of the mobile transport box. This ensures efficient ventilation of the interior of the mobile transport box.

[0013] Preferably, the side walls, the bottom and the at least one lid are made of an isolating fabric. Alternatively, the side walls, the bottom and the at least one lid are made of a foam material. The foam material may be expanded polypropylene. With this configuration, the inside of the mobile transport box can be thermally isolated thereby maintaining the temperature on the inside while the mobile transport box can be lightweight, sturdy as well as cost-efficient and easy to manufacture. Further, goods placed on the inside of the mobile transport box can be protected from outside influences like bumps or humidity. This allows for reaching and / or keeping a desired temperature within the mobile transport box more efficiently.

[0014] Preferably, at least one handle and / or at least one attaching means for attaching carrying means is provided on the outside of the mobile transport box. With the at least one handle the mobile transport box can easily be carried. The at least one attaching means can be for example a loop, a carabiner and / or a snap fastener configured to be connected to a separate handle or a strap for easily carrying the mobile transport box.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a heating and cooling assembly comprises a heating and cooling unit comprising a main body, a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and a control unit for controlling the heating and cooling unit. The heating and cooling assembly further comprises a mobile transport box according to any one of the previous aspects, wherein the mobile transport box is detachably coupled to the heating and cooling unit. A movable shutter member of a shutter assembly of the mobile transport box is in an opened position when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit allowing air to be directed from the heating and cooling unit into the mobile transport box through the shutter assembly.

[0016] With the heating and cooling assembly according to this aspect, the mobile transport box can be coupled to the heating and cooling unit in order to provide the interior of the mobile transport box with either heated air or cooled air through the shutter assembly arranged on the mobile transport box. In other words by coupling the mobile transport box to the heating and cooling unit the mobile transport box becomes an actively heated or cooled mobile transport box for the time the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. With this configuration the goods within the mobile transport box can be actively cooled or heated during coupling of the mobile transport box with the heating and cooling unit, while the mobile transport box is still lightweight once decoupled from the heating and cooling unit due to no active components being arranged on or in the mobile transport box.

[0017] Preferably, the heating and cooling unit further comprises a fan to direct air from the evaporator into the mobile transport box when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. With this configuration, the air flow can be actively directed into the interior of the mobile transport box.

[0018] Preferably, the heating and cooling unit further comprises a fan to direct air to the condenser. With such a configuration the air flow through the condenser for heat exchange can be increased and the condenser can be operated more efficiently.

[0019] Preferably, the control unit comprises at least one sensor. The sensor may be a sensor for detecting whether the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. For example, if the sensor detects that the mobile transport box is not coupled to the heating and cooling unit, the heating and cooling unit and / or the fans can be turned off as no conditioned air is required to pass into the mobile cooling box. Alternatively or additionally the at least one sensor may be a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the air directed into the mobile transport box when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit.

[0020] Preferably, the control unit comprises a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving signals to / from an external device. With this configuration, the heating and cooling unit can be activated, deactivated and / or adjusted remotely from an external device. The external device may be a dedicated remote control controlling the heating and cooling unit via Bluetooth, infrared signals or the like. The external device may be a mobile device already owned by a user, e.g. a smartphone, a PC or a smartwatch. The external device may also be an onboard infotainment system of a vehicle. The transmitter and / or receiver may comprise a modem to connect the control unit to the internet via a wireless data transmission, for example via WiFi, 4G or LTE. This allows the control of the heating and cooling unit from a remote location.

[0021] Preferably, the heating and cooling assembly further comprises a housing configured to cover the heating and cooling unit. The housing comprises at least one aperture. The heating and cooling unit is attached to the housing in that air directed into the mobile transport box passes through the at least one aperture. The at least one aperture is aligned with the shutter assembly of the mobile transport box when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. With this configuration, the heating and cooling unit can be covered in order to not be visible to a user. For example, the housing may be shaped to fit into a trunk of a vehicle and may have a dedicated location for coupling the mobile transport box to the heating and cooling unit like a recess in the shape of the footprint of the mobile transport box. With such a configuration, the heating and cooling unit can be permanently arranged within a car and the mobile transport box can be coupled and actively cooled or heated during transport without the risk of the mobile transport box decoupling from the heating and cooling unit due to vibrations during driving.

[0022] Preferably, the housing comprises a control panel electronically connected to the control unit. With the control panel the heating and cooling unit can be activated, deactivated and / or adjusted. The control panel may also comprise a display for example for displaying the current temperature, the set temperature, the fan speeds or other information and / or options for adjusting the heating and cooling unit. With this configuration the heating and cooling unit can easily be adjusted.

[0023] Preferably, the housing comprises at least one abutment element to contact the movable shutter member of the mobile transport box and to maintain the movable shutter in an opened position when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. The at least one abutment element may be a rib, a block or a ledge. In other words, the housing is configured in such a way that the movable shutter member is automatically opened when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit in order to provide heated or cooled air to the interior of the mobile transport box. With this configuration the movable shutter member can be automatically opened when coupling the mobile transport box with the heating and cooling unit and thereby increase the convenience for the user. It is further conceivable to provide the at least one abutment element with an engaging portion, which engages the movable shutter member in order to prevent unauthorized removal of the mobile transport box. In other words, the mobile transport box can be locked to the heating and cooling unit when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit and the engaging portion engages the movable shutter member. In such a configuration, the movable shutter member may comprise a receiving portion for receiving the engaging portion. The engaging portion may be an active engaging portion movable for example by a dedicated motor which is controlled by the control unit of the heating and cooling unit in order to lock or release the mobile transport box remotely when desired. Alternatively, the engaging portion may be a passive engaging portion which can be locked manually by the user for example with a physical key.

[0024] Preferably, the housing comprises at least one positioning means for positioning the mobile transport box relative to the heating and cooling unit for the at least one aperture to align with the shutter assembly of the mobile transport box when the mobile transport box is coupled to the heating and cooling unit. The at least one positioning means may be a recess in the housing shaped to correspond to the footprint of the mobile transport box, for example. Alternatively, the at least one positioning means may be a protrusion, a marking or a plurality of pins. It is also conceivable to position the mobile transport box with the at least one abutment element. In such a configuration the at least one abutment element is also the positioning means. With the at least one positioning means the mobile transport box can easily be aligned with the heating and cooling unit when coupling the mobile transport box to the heating and cooling unit. In the following, embodiments of the mobile transport box and the heating and cooling assembly with the mobile transport box are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Fig. 1 is a mobile transport box according to the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 2A is a detailed view of a shutter assembly of the mobile transport box of Fig. 1 with the movable shutter member in a closed position;

[0027] Fig. 2B is a cross section view of the mobile transport box of Fig. 2A;

[0028] Fig. 3A is a view of a shutter assembly of the mobile transport box of Fig. 1 with the movable shutter member in an opened position;

[0029] Fig. 3B is a cross section view of the mobile transport box of Fig. 3A;

[0030] Fig. 4 is a view of the heating and cooling unit of the heating and cooling assembly;

[0031] Fig. 5 is a side view of the mobile transport box of Fig. 1 coupled to the heating and cooling unit;

[0032] Fig. 6 is a cross section view of the mobile transport box coupled to the heating and cooling unit;

[0033] Fig. 7A is a heating and cooling assembly according to the present invention installed with a housing;

[0034] Fig. 7B is the heating and cooling assembly of Fig. 7A with the mobile transport box removed.

[0035] With reference to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a mobile transport box 1 according to the present invention. The mobile transport box 1 comprises two shorter and two longer side walls 2, a lid 3 at the upper side of the mobile transport box and a bottom 4 on the lower side of the mobile transport box, i.e. facing the ground when the mobile transport box 1 is in the orientation in which the mobile transport box 1 is generally used. The side walls 2, the lid 3 and the bottom 4 can be made of a foam material like expanded polypropylene or an insulated fabric. The lid 3 can be opened in order to gain access to the interior of the mobile transport box 1 . The underside of the lid 3 and the upper side of the side walls 2 may comprise corresponding parts of a zipper or Velcro fastener in order to close the interior of the mobile transport box 1 . On the two shorter side walls 2 attaching means 7 are arranged which comprise a loop and a carabiner attached thereto. The carabiners can be connected to a carrying strap or a carrying loop in order to conveniently carry the mobile transport box for example by placing the carrying strap over the wearer’s shoulder. Below the attaching means 7, a handle 5 is arranged on each of the two shorter side walls 2. A shutter assembly 5 is arranged on one of the shorter side walls 2 below the handle 5 and the attaching means 7. The shutter assembly 5 comprises a shutter housing 5a, a movable shutter member 5b and a shutter sealing 5c.

[0036] The shutter assembly 5 is shown in Fig. 2A in a detailed view, wherein the movable shutter member 5b is in a closed position. A plurality of apertures is arranged in the shutter housing 5a. The plurality of apertures are shaped as slits. The plurality of apertures may alternatively be shaped as holes or the like. The shutter sealing 5c is arranged on the outside of the shutter housing 5a surrounding the plurality of apertures and protrudes from the shutter housing 5a. The shutter sealing 5c can be made of rubber, foam, or another compressible material which is preferably impermeable to air. The shutter sealing 5c may also be magnetic in order to connect to a ferromagnetic surface or another magnet.

[0037] The movable shutter member 5b is movably arranged in a cavity in the shutter housing 5a, wherein a protrusion of the movable shutter member 5b protrudes at the underside of the shutter housing 5a. In the depicted closed position of the movable shutter member 5b, the movable shutter member 5b is arranged in such a way that the apertures of the shutter housing 5a are closed by the movable shutter member 5b. Within the cavity inside the shutter housing 5a a spring may be arranged in such a way as to bias the movable shutter member 5b downwards into the closed position. Alternatively the movable shutter member 5b can be arranged inside the shutter housing in such a way as to move into a closed position due to gravity.

[0038] As can be seen in the cross section depicted in Fig. 2B of the mobile transport box 1 of Fig. 2A, the movable shutter member 5b is movably arranged in a cavity inside the shutter housing 5a. The shutter housing 5a is arranged in an aperture in the shorter side wall 2. The apertures of the shutter housing 5a extend from the exterior of the mobile transport box 1 into the interior of the mobile transport box 1. The movable shutter member 5b has a plurality of apertures which correspond in shape and arrangement with the plurality of apertures of the shutter housing 5a.

[0039] In the closed position of the movable shutter member 5b shown, the apertures of the movable shutter member 5b and the shutter housing 5a are misaligned in such a way that the apertures of the shutter housing 5a are closed by the movable shutter member 5b. In the closed position, no air can pass from the exterior of the mobile transport box 1 to the interior of the mobile transport box 1 in the closed position of the movable shutter member 5b.

[0040] A detailed view of the shutter assembly 5 with the movable shutter member 5b in an opened position is shown in Fig. 3A while a cross section of the mobile transport box 1 of Fig. 3A is shown in Fig. 3B. In the opened position of the movable shutter member 5b, the movable shutter member 5b is moved upwards within the cavity inside the shutter housing 5a in such a way that the apertures of the movable shutter member 5b align with the corresponding apertures in the shutter housing 5a. The interior of the mobile transport box 1 is thereby connected through the apertures of the shutter housing 5a and the apertures of the movable shutter member 5b with the exterior of the mobile transport box 1 in such a way that air can pass into the mobile transport box 1 through the apertures of the shutter housing 5a and the apertures of the movable shutter member 5b.

[0041] A heating and cooling unit 10 of a heating and cooling assembly 20 according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 4. The heating and cooling unit 10 comprises a compressor 11 , an evaporator 12, a condenser 14 and a main body 16. In the present embodiment, the main body 16 is made of bended metal sheets. However, the main body 16 may also be made of plastic or foam, for example. Within the main body 16 which has an opening in a side wall of the main body 16, the evaporator 12 is arranged. A sealing 18 is surrounding the opening of the main body 16 on the outside of the side wall and protrudes therefrom. The sealing 18 may be a rubber lip or a compressible material such as foam, for example, which is preferably impermeable to air. The sealing 18 may also be magnetic in order to connect to a ferromagnetic surface or another magnet.

[0042] A fan 13 is arranged within the opening adjacent the evaporator 12 in order to provide an air flow through the evaporator 12 and direct it out of the main body 16 through the opening. On top of the main body 16 the compressor 11 and the condenser 14 are arranged, wherein a fan 15 is positioned next to the condenser in order to provide an air flow through the condenser 14.

[0043] The compressor 11 , the evaporator 12 and the condenser 14 are connected in such a way that they form a cooling circuit, a heating circuit or a switchable cooling and heating circuit, the function of which is generally known and not further described herein. In other words, the heating and cooling unit 10 can be described as an air conditioner, a heat pump or a reversible heat pump. The heating and cooling unit is thus capable of conditioning air to a predetermined temperature.

[0044] Further, a control unit 17 is positioned next to the compressor 11 on the main body 16. The control unit 17 controls the compressor 11 and the rotation speeds of the fans 13, 15. It is conceivable to electrically connect a control panel to the control unit 17 in order to adjust the settings like target temperature and / or fan speeds directly on the device. The control panel may have buttons like push buttons or rotating buttons in orderto adjust the settings of the heating and cooling unit 10. The control panel may further have a display in order to display information. For example, the display could display the set temperature, the current temperature, fan speeds of each of fan 13 and fan 15 as well as further information and / or settings like a programmable timer. The control unit 17 may also comprise a transceiver in order to send and / or receive data to / from an external device either per wire or wirelessly. The transceiver of the control unit 17 may be a modem capable of transmitting data via Ethernet, WiFi, 4G, LTE, Bluetooth or the like. The control unit 17 may be connectable to the internet via the transceiver in order to control the settings of the heating and cooling unit 10 remotely, for example with a dedicated app on an external device like a smartphone or the like. Alternatively, it is conceivable to connect the control unit 17 with an infotainment system of a vehicle in order to control the heating and cooling unit 10 via the infotainment system. This is particularly advantageous when the heating and cooling unit 10 is operated within a vehicle such as a passenger vehicle, a recreational vehicle, a boat or the like.

[0045] Referring now to Fig. 5, a side view of a heating and cooling assembly 20 according to the invention is shown. The heating and cooling assembly 20 comprises a mobile transport box 1 which is coupled to a heating and cooling unit 10 in such a way that the shutter assembly 5 of the mobile transport box 1 is facing the opening of the main body 16 of the heating and cooling unit 10.

[0046] A heating and cooling assembly 20 with the heating and cooling unit 10 and a section view of the mobile transport box 1 is shown in Fig. 6. Therein, the movable shutter member 5b of the mobile transport box 1 is depicted in the opened position. The apertures of the shutter housing 5a and the movable shutter member 5b are aligned, allowing air to pass from the outside of the mobile transport box 1 into the interior. The opening of the main body 16 of the heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged to face the apertures of the shutter housing 5a and the apertures of the movable shutter member 5b of the shutter assembly 5 of mobile transport box 1 .

[0047] The shutter sealing 5c of the shutter assembly 5 aligns with the sealing 18 of the heating and cooling unit 10. In other words, an air flow directed out of the main body 16 by the fan 13 can only pass through the apertures of the shutter housing 5a and the movable shutter member 5b into the interior of the mobile transport box 1 as the shutter sealing 5c and the sealing 18 prevent air from passing through a possible gap between the heating and cooling unit 10 and the mobile transport box 1 . This has the advantage that the air conditioned by the heating and cooling unit 10 can be efficiently directed into the mobile transport box 1.

[0048] Figs. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of a heating and cooling assembly 20 with a housing 21 which is only partially shown. The housing 21 shown is made of plastic formed by injection molding. However, the housing 21 may also be made of metal, foam or any other material and can consist of a single part or multiple parts.

[0049] In Fig. 7A the housing is formed as a trough opened at the top. The heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged on the outside of the trough-shaped housing 21 while the mobile transport box 1 is arranged within the trough-shaped housing 21. The shutter assembly 5 of mobile transport box 1 faces the side wall of the housing 21 on which the heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged. Fig. 7B shows the heating and cooling assembly of Fig. 7A with the mobile transport box 1 removed and the section of the housing 21 shown adjusted. The housing 21 has a plurality of apertures 22 in the side wall the heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged on. Below the apertures 22 a plurality of abutment elements 23 is arranged. The abutment elements 23 are seven vertical ribs also made of plastic. However, the abutment elements 23 may also be a single block or a protrusion in the housing 21 . The housing 21 has a positioning means 24 shaped as a recess with the footprint of the mobile transport box 1. In other words, for coupling the mobile transport box 1 with the heating and cooling unit 10, the mobile transport box 1 is placed in the recess of the housing 21. Consequently, the mobile transport box 1 is secured in the lateral directions within the positioning means 24 of the housing 21 .

[0050] As can be seen, the sealing 18 of the heating and cooling unit 10 contacts the side wall of the housing 21 surrounding the plurality of apertures 22 arranged therein. In otherwords the sealing 18 of the heating and cooling unit 10 seals a possible gap between the housing 21 and the main body 16 in such a way that an air flow directed from the fan 13 of the heating and cooling unit 10 towards housing 21 can only pass through the apertures 22.

[0051] In the same manner in Fig. 7A, when the mobile transport box 1 is coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10, the shutter sealing 5c contacts the housing 21 surrounding the apertures 22 in such a way, that an air flow passing from the heating and cooling unit 10 through the apertures 22 of housing 21 can only pass through the apertures in the shutter housing 5a and the apertures in the movable shutter member 5b into the mobile transport box 1 .

[0052] The abutment elements 23 of the housing 21 contact a contact portion of the movable shutter member 5b extending downward out of the shutter housing 5a when the mobile transport box 1 is coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10 in such a way, that the movable shutter member 5b is pushed into the opened position and maintained in the opened position while the mobile transport box 1 is coupled with the heating and cooling unit 10.

[0053] It is conceivable to design the housing 21 of the heating and cooling assembly 20 to be form fit to the trunk of a specific vehicle. The trunk may also be a front trunk, which are increasingly available in electric vehicles. For example, the housing 21 could be a shell generally covering the interior of the trunk, while having a cavity wherein the heating and cooling unit 10 is arranged. With this configuration, if the heating and cooling assembly 20 according to the invention is installed inside a trunk of a vehicle, the appearance of the trunk could be generally maintained while the heating and cooling unit 10 is not visible to a user. The housing 21 would comprise a dedicated position for the mobile transport box 1 to be coupled with the heating and cooling unit 10 and to provide conditioned air through apertures 22 into the coupled mobile transport box 1 . The user could keep the mobile transport box 1 coupled to the heating and cooling unit 10 while driving the vehicle and keep the goods like beverages or food inside the mobile transport box 1 at a predefined temperature. The mobile transport box 1 can then be removed, for example for a picknick or a stay at the beach.

[0054] It is further conceivable that the housing 21 can be shaped like a locker. The locker-shaped housing 21 may have separate compartments for the heating and cooling unit 10 and the arrangement of a mobile transport box 1 . The compartment for the mobile transport box 1 may further comprise a lock. The lock may be a mechanical lock or an electrical actuated lock which can be connected to the control unit 17 of the heating and cooling unit 10. With such a configuration it can be ensured that only authorized persons can open the compartment for the mobile transport box 1 . The locker-shaped housing 21 may be arranged for example outside an office building or a residential house such that delivery services e.g. for groceries or food may place a mobile transport box 1 filled with goods to be delivered inside the locker-shaped housing 21 , thereby coupling the mobile transport box 1 with the heating and cooling unit 10 arranged inside the housing 21. With this configuration, the delivered goods can be kept at a preset temperature for a certain period of time, e.g. if the delivery takes place while the recipient is not present.

[0055] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0056] Mobile transport box

[0057] Side wall

[0058] Lid

[0059] Bottom

[0060] Shutter assembly a Shutter housing b Movable shutter member c Shutter sealing

[0061] Handle

[0062] Attaching means 0 Heating and cooling unit 1 Compressor 2 Evaporator 3 Fan 4 Condenser 5 Fan 6 Main body 7 Control unit 8 Sealing 0 Heating and cooling assembly 1 Housing 2 Aperture 3 Abutment element 4 Positioning means

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A mobile transport box (1) comprising: a box main body defining an inside of the mobile transport box (1) with side walls (2), a bottom (4) and at least one lid (3) for opening the mobile transport box (1) and providing access to the inside of the mobile transport box (1); and at least one aperture in the side walls (2), the bottom (4) or the lid (3) of the mobile transport box (1), wherein a shutter assembly (5) is arranged within the at least one aperture; the shutter assembly (5) comprising a shutter housing (5a) and a movable shutter member (5b), wherein the movable shutter member (5b) is movable between a closed position and an opened position, in which air can flow into the inside of the mobile transport box (1).

2. The mobile transport box (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the movable shutter member (5b) is biased to the closed position, preferably by at least one coil spring.

3. The mobile transport box (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable shutter member (5b) has a contact portion contactable from outside the mobile transport box (1), wherein the movable shutter member (5b) can be moved from a closed position to an opened position by applying a force to the contact portion.

4. The mobile transport box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shutter housing (5a) has at least one aperture; the movable shutter member (5b) has at least one aperture; and the at least one aperture of the movable shutter member (5b) aligns with the at least one aperture of the shutter housing (5a) when the movable shutter member (5b) is in an opened position so as to allow passage of air through the at least one aperture of the movable shutter member (5b) and the at least one aperture of the shutter housing (5a) and misaligns with the at least one aperture of the shutter housing (5a) when the movable shutter member (5b) is in a closed position so as to prevent passage of air through the at least one aperture of the movable shutter member (5b) and the at least one aperture of the shutter housing (5a).

5. The mobile transport box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shutter assembly (5) comprises a shutter sealing (5c), preferably a magnetic shutter sealing.

6. The mobile transport box (1) according any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (2), the bottom (4) and the at least one lid (3) are made of an insulated fabric.

7. The mobile transport box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the side walls (2), the bottom (4) and the at least one lid (3) are made of a foam material, preferably expanded polypropylene.

8. The mobile transport box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one handle (6) and / or at least one attaching means (7) for attaching carrying means is provided on the outside of the mobile transport box (1).

9. A heating and cooling assembly (20), comprising: a heating and cooling unit (10) comprising a housing (16), a compressor (11), an evaporator (12), a condenser (14), and a control unit (17) for controlling the heating and cooling unit (10); and a mobile transport box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mobile transport box (1) is detachably coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10); the movable shutter member (5b) of the shutter assembly (5) of the mobile transport box (1) is in an opened position when the mobile transport box (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10) allowing air to be directed from the heating and cooling unit (10) into the mobile transport box (1) through the shutter assembly (5).

10. The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to claim 9, wherein the heating and cooling unit (10) further comprises a fan (13) to direct air from the evaporator (12) into the mobile transport box (1) when the mobile transport box (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).11 . The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the heating and cooling unit (10) further comprises a fan (15) to direct air to the condenser (14).

12. The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the control unit (17) comprises at least one sensor, preferably for detecting whether the mobile transport box (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).

13. The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control unit (17) comprises a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving signals to / from an external device.

14. The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising: a housing (21) configured to cover the heating and cooling unit (10), wherein the housing (21) comprises at least one aperture (22); the heating and cooling unit (10) is attached to the housing (21) in that air directed into the mobile transport box (1) passes through the at least one aperture (22); and the at least one aperture (22) is aligned with the shutter assembly (5) of the mobile transport box (1) when the mobile transport box (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).

15. The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to claim 14, wherein the housing (21) comprises a control panel electronically connected to the control unit (17).

16. The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the housing (4) comprises at least one abutment element (23) to contact the movable shutter member (5b) of the mobile transport box (1) and to maintain the movable shutter member (5b) in an opened position when the mobile transport box (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).

17. The heating and cooling assembly (20) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the housing comprises at least one positioning means (24) for positioning the mobile transport box (1) relative to the heating and cooling unit (10) for the at least one aperture (22) to align with the shutter assembly (5) of the mobile transport box (1) when the mobile transport box (1) is coupled to the heating and cooling unit (10).

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