METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED TRANSPORT
The invention relates to a method for temperature controlled transport. In the method, temperature controlled products are transported. In the method, a passive transport is used, in which the product is packed in an essentially energy tight transport package. In addition, in the method a thermal element, by which the internal temperature of the transport package is maintained as desired without external energy, is included in the transport package. Further, in the method the temperature of the transport package is monitored wirelessly essentially continuously. The invention also relates to a system for temperature controlled transport.
The present invention relates to a method for temperature controlled transport, in which method temperature controlled products are transported. The invention also relates to a system for temperature controlled transport.
For example, many foodstuffs require temperature controlled transport. Chilled transport is used for fresh produce and refrigerated transport for frozen produce. On the other hand, there are also products that must be kept warm for the entire duration of transportation. In the known manner, transport equipment is designed and dimensioned to correspond to a specific transportation need. For example, refrigerated transport equipment has insulated and sealed load spaces, as well as refrigeration machinery, by means of which the load space is continuously refrigerated.
First of all, the special equipping of transportation rolling stock leads to costs. Efficiency also suffers from separate transport, as products belonging to different temperature classes must be transported and handled separately. In other words, for example, products requiring chilled transport and products requiring refrigerated transport must be transported using different transportation means, even if the consignee is the same. In addition, the use of refrigeration machinery increases the consumption of fuel and electricity. Despite active freezing, there are often excessive temperature variations particularly when transporting frozen goods, which cut the refrigerated transport chain. In such cases, especially the quality of foodstuffs is endangered and in the worst case they will become unusable. Except for distribution transportation, frozen goods, for example, are transported in large batches between freezing plants and refrigerated warehouses. Transporting small product batches farther than the local area then becomes difficult and often impossible. Also other temperature controlled products are transported on their own totalities. Correspondingly, the export of products generally requires the use of special containers or special trailers, the transportation of which to the destination country takes days, if not weeks. In addition, in the prior art the aforementioned container must often be returned empty to the original consigner, leading to additional costs. There are also special transport packages, which are intended to prevent changes in temperature. Such transport packages are, however, heavy and take up much space. In addition, the known transport packages are disposable. In order to keep an even temperature, various media are used, the effect of which is limited and their use in many applications is restricted.
The invention is intended to create a new type of method for temperature controlled transport, by means of which the limitations of the prior art can be avoided and by means of which an unbroken temperature controlled transport chain can be ensured. In addition, the invention is intended to create a new type of system for temperature controlled transport, by means of which saving are achieved, diversity and flexibility is brought to logistics, and a reliably even temperature is ensured for the entire duration of transportation. The characteristics features of the method according to the present invention are stated in the accompanying Claim 1. Correspondingly, the characteristic features of the system according to the invention are stated in the accompanying Claim 11. In the method according to the invention, a passive system is used, in which there is little energy transfer. Thus, the product will remain at the target temperature for even long periods of time without external energy. At the same time, the means of transport can be selected on the basis of other criteria than only temperature. Even forms of transport that were previously quite unsuitable can be used. At the same time, transportation is accelerated and previously essential intermediate stages can be eliminated.
In the following, the invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings depicting some embodiments of the invention, in which
Significant savings are achieved especially if the products are transported in a means of transport that are not temperature controlled. The demands of an energy tight transport package for temperature control are really small, as even an external thermal load will not cause the temperature of the product to rise. Thus, in practice even frozen food can be transported using a means of transport intended for normal piece goods transport, such as a truck, according to
Further, savings and flexibility are achieved in logistics when products 11 with different temperature ranges are transported in the same non-temperature controlled means of transport 10. This is entirely possible thanks to the energy tight transport packages. For example, in the truck of
In the method, non-disposable transport packages made from recyclable materials are preferably used. One such transport package 12 is shown in
Unlike in
The transport package is preferably manufactured from EPP material (cellular polypropylene). EPP material is durable but light in weight and has excellent insulation properties in both directions. Despite its insulating power, the wall thicknesses required are small, so that the useful capacity of the transport package will be as great as possible. The cellular structure of EPP material is closed, so that it is hygienic and will withstand water and steam washing. The transport package can thus be easily cleaned. A transport package manufactured from EPP material is also environment friendly, as it is non-toxic and can be used many times and is manufactured from a recyclable material.
Thermal elements are also referred to as cold gel mats, in which the cold gel is in several small compartments. The compartments are assembled to form a cold gel mat by seaming them inside a lacquered PVC fabric. The cold gel is non-toxic, safe, and decomposes biologically in nature. In use, cold gel is drip-free and can be re-frozen repeatedly. In addition, cold gel freezes faster than pure water. The thermal element is cooled to a temperature of, for example, +1° C. in chilled transport and −23° C. in refrigerated transport. In chilled transport, the temperature is kept close to zero and in refrigerated transport close to −21° C. The thermal element shapes itself to the product being transported, thus avoiding air pockets. In addition, warm air that may be inside the transport package will rise on top of the thermal element, farther away from the product.
According to the method, the temperature is monitored using a condition monitoring apparatus 16, a separate and independent sensor 17 belonging to which being fitted inside the transport package 12. One such sensor 17 is shown in
Significant savings can be achieved with the aid of the method, even simply from the reduction in the demands placed on the transport means and the combination of transports. In addition, even smaller consignments than previously can be transported quickly and reliably to the consignee. Air freight too now becomes a possible alternative. In the prior art, carbon dioxide ice is used. Because carbon dioxide gas displaces oxygen when it melts, its use in aircraft is limited. Thus, only about 240 kilograms of freight cooled by carbon dioxide ice can be transported in a jumbo jet. Using the system according to the invention, even the entire capacity of a jumbo jet can be utilized to carry similar freight. This is in the order of tens of tonnes. Thanks to the method, the entire transportation chain is straightened and simplified. The manufacturer or producer packs the products into energy tight transport packages along with pre-frozen thermal elements. The products are then transported using the most suitable transport means at the time, without unnecessary delays and intermediate loading, to the consignee or end user, where the product is removed from the transport package. The product has then been at the correct temperature for the entire duration of transportation, which ensures the preservation and freshness of the product. The emptied transport package is returned to circulation, being, if necessary, cleaned before the next use.
According to the invention, the condition monitoring apparatus 16 includes the independent and remotely readable sensor 17, which is fitted inside the transport package 12 (
Temperature monitoring and history information are significant advantages in temperature controlled transport. The sensor preferably 17 includes processing means 25, recording means 26, and communications means 24 for recording data on the product 11 and creating and sending an alarm from the transport package 12 to the condition monitoring apparatus 16. The sensor is completely watertight and otherwise enclosed, so that it can be placed next to, or even inside the product (
An alarm limit can also be set in the sensor, above which or below which the driver of the transport means or the central control room receives an alarm. This permits rapid reaction and thus minimizes the extent of possible damage. Transportation is also simplified by independence from the means of transport, even though the product may demand a precise temperature range. In addition to transportation, the products can also be stored in the transport packages without external energy. Thus, short-term cold stores, for example, can be reduced in size, or at least allow a clearly longer time for arranging the transportation of the products. The applications of the method and system are particularly the transportation of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and samples, health care related transport, and generally global transportation, in which reliable temperature controlled transport is required.
According to the invention, the transport package is arranged to form a foodstuffs apartment. For its part this permits continuous monitoring, because data is demanded from the foodstuffs apartment concerning transport, transport means, the foodstuffs being transported, and the transport temperatures and methods of ascertaining the temperatures. Thanks to the system, the monitoring is real-time and reliable. In addition, history data and reports can be obtained from the system easily and quickly. In
The method also takes logistics in its entirety into account. Thus, in the method, multi-part transport packages are used, the parts of which are detached from each other after transport and the return transport of the parts without products takes place in a smaller volume than previously. Thus, the return transport can be made as efficiently and cheaply as possible.
The system according to the invention permits an unbroken cold chain of at least 24 hours, without external energy. The cold chain remains unbroken for the duration of transport, storage, and distribution. The automatic on-line monitoring records the temperature during transport and warns if the temperature changes from that desired. The alarm can be local, or it can be transmitted by, for example, a short text message or email. The system is wireless and automatically remotely readable and operates uninterruptedly. In addition, the system monitors and records other data on the product and conditions. Real-time temperature information and history data can be obtained from the system. Thus, the system will also provide reliable information for public officials. The sensor also registers position information, so that the location of the products is known the whole time. The sensor also registers, for example, humidity and acceleration. The system can also be easily combined with existing production control and warehouse management systems. The system permits temperature controlled transport using nearly any means of transport whatever. There can be refrigerated, chilled, and ambient transports in the same means of transport, naturally each in its own transport package.
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. Method in temperature controlled transport, in which method temperature controlled products are transported, characterized in that, in the method, a passive transport is used, in which the product is packed in an essentially energy tight transport package, and a thermal element, by means of which the internal temperature of the transport packaged is maintained as desired without external energy, is placed in the transport package, and the temperature in the transport package is monitored wirelessly essentially continuously.
20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the products are transported in a non-temperature controlled means of transport.
21. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that products with different temperature ranges are transported in the same non-temperature controlled means of transport.
22. Method according to claims 19, characterized in that the temperature is monitored using a condition monitoring apparatus, the separate and independent sensor belonging to which is fitted inside the transport package.
23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the sensor is remotely read during transport and/or after transport.
24. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that data on the product, on the basis of which transport documents and/or temperature reports are created, are contained in the sensor.
25. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the product is removed from the transport package at the premises of the end user.
26. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that a non-disposable transport package manufactured from a recyclable material is used in the method.
27. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that, in the method, a multi-part transport package is used, the parts of which are detached from each other after transportation, and the parts are transported back without a product, in a volume less than before.
28. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that each transport package is arranged to form its own foodstuffs apartment.
29. System for temperature controlled transport, which system includes a means of transport for transporting a temperature controlled product, characterized in that the system further includes
- an essentially energy tight transport package for the product,
- a passive thermal element fitted inside the transport package in order to maintain the internal temperature of the transport package as desired without external energy, and
- a condition monitoring apparatus for monitoring the temperature wirelessly essentially continuously.
30. System according to claim 29, characterized in that the means of transport is non-temperature controlled.
31. System according to claim 29, characterized in that the condition monitoring apparatus includes a separate, independent, and remotely readable sensor, which is arranged to be placed inside the transport package.
32. System according to claim 31, characterized in that the sensor includes processing means, recording means, and communications means for recording the data of the product and creating and transmitting an alarm from the transport package to the condition monitoring apparatus.
33. System according to claim 29, characterized in that the transport package is non-disposable and manufactured from a recyclable material.
34. System according to claim 29, characterized in that the transport package is formed from several parts, which are arranged to be detachably attached to each other, and the parts are arranged in such a way that the volume of the parts is less than the volume of the transport package.
35. System according to claims 29, characterized in that the transport package is formed of two mutually similar pieces.
36. System according to claim 35, characterized in that a piece includes three walls arranged at right angles to each other, which have a single common connection point.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 23, 2012
Applicant: CCS COLD CARGO SOLUTIONS OY (Jyvaskyla)
Inventor: Jukka Proskin (Suolahti)
Application Number: 13/504,571
International Classification: B65B 63/08 (20060101);