TRANSPORT CONTAINER
The invention relates to a transport container, in particular for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, having an external container (3) which has an external container base (31) and an external container wall (32); having an internal container (2) which is able to be inserted into the external container (3) and retrieved from the external container (3) and which has an internal container base (21) and an internal container wall (22); wherein the internal container (2) for cargo (10) forms an internal container space (23) which is open toward the top; wherein a spacing (7) on the external container wall (32) and on the external container base (31) is present between the internal container (2) and the external container (3); wherein at least one thermal insulation element (4), in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container (2) and the external container (3), in particular the external container wall (32); wherein at least one retrievable PCM element (5) is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container (2) and the external container (3), in particular the thermal insulation element (4).
The invention relates to a transport container, in particular for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for transporting a cargo by means of a plurality of transport containers. The cargo may be formed by pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs.
Transport containers of the type discussed are known in many variations from the prior art. Said transport containers serve for organizing the transportation of pharmaceutical goods in the goods distribution cycle of the pharmaceutical industry, for example. Such a transport system in the jargon of the sector is referred to as “Returnable Domestic Shipper” (RDS; RDS box). The fundamental component of a transport container of this type is ultimately a container which has a base, a case, and a lid. Such a container can be embodied so as to be cuboid or box-shaped. The case in this case has longitudinal walls and transverse walls. The container can also be embodied so as to be cylindrical or tubular. The case in this embodiment in turn has a cylindrical shape. The case can be embodied so as to be integral to the base. The lid is configured such that the internal space of the container is accessible from the outside.
Transport containers of the type discussed are thermally insulated containers. The following two embodiments are, inter alia, known herein. On the one hand, the container can be integrally configured and composed of a thermally insulated material, or have thermally insulated walls. On the other hand, at least one thermal insulation element can be disposed in the container.
Temperature-sensitive goods can be transported with transport containers of this type. These are understood to be goods which are sensitive in relation to fluctuations of the temperature in the internal space of the container. Such goods include pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, biotechnology products, testing apparatuses, and specimens for and from clinical studies, transplantation goods, and blood supplies. In this field of application the optimum transport and storage temperature to be absolutely adhered to is between 2° C. and 8° C., for example.
These cargoes are often, if at all, stable only in a very tight temperature range. These cargoes therefore have to be mandatorily transported and stored in a temperature range of this type. Moreover, such products which are highly sensitive in terms of the transport temperature must in particular not freeze under any circumstances. Temperatures below 0° C. have to be reliably avoided in this instance.
A transport container which has an external container from a stiff resilient material and which is composed of a trough-shaped lower part that has a base and a case, and a lid that closes the lower part on the open side, is known from EP 2 700 891 A2. The external container and the lid thereof can be composed of a thermal plastic or thermosetting plastics material, for example, or else of metal or composite materials. The lid can be able to be placed loosely on the lower part or else, by way of corresponding hinge elements, be articulated on one side and optionally able to be closed in one way or another on the opposite side.
It is furthermore known that a trough-shaped internal container which has an internal base and an internal case, or an internal wall, respectively, and is inserted into the lower part of the external container is provided in the external container. The internal container forms a receptacle space which for cargo is open toward the top. This internal container, which can also be referred to as an “inliner”, can per se be composed of rigid resilient material, thus of a material similar to that of the external container. Said internal container is preferably composed of a thermally insulating material.
In order to be inserted into the external container, the internal container of the known transport container in terms of the dimensions thereof has to be embodied smaller than the lower part of the external container such that a spacing on the case and also on the base is present between the internal container and the external container. Vacuum insulation panels of suitable dimensions are disposed in this spacing on the base as well as on the walls of the case, between the internal container and the external container. The internal container at the upper periphery has an encircling collar which reaches outward beyond the internal case and on account of which the spacing between the internal container and the external container is covered such that no foreign matter can enter from above.
A plate-shaped latent heat accumulator element is disposed on the internal base in the receptacle space of the internal container, the external dimensions of said latent heat accumulator element potentially corresponding to the internal dimensions of the internal base in the receptacle space, thus the available length of said internal base and the available width of said internal base.
A latent heat accumulator element contains a latent heat accumulator material. A latent heat accumulator material has the advantage that comparatively large quantities of heat can be accumulated in a small temperature range therein. Since the phase change takes place at a substantially constant temperature over a specific duration, there is the possibility for compensating temperature fluctuations and avoiding temperature peaks. Latent heat accumulator materials are known in various forms. These materials are also referred to as phase change material or PCM. For phase change materials one typically does not define the phase change temperature range but a phase change temperature within the phase change temperature range. The phase change temperature usually represents a target temperature to which the phase change material is to be temperature controlled, thus the operating point, so to speak. At a target temperature of approximately 0° C., water having various additives can thus be used as a latent heat accumulator material. Suitably prepared saline solutions are used for accumulating cold below 0° C., for example. Other materials, for example such based on paraffin, are better suited in the range just above 0° C.
In the assembly of the latent heat accumulator element, also referred to as PCM element, known from the prior art it is provided that said PCM element is adapted so as to exactly fit the internal space of the internal container and simultaneously also to be removable from the internal space.
The known transport container explained above is of a comparatively complex design. The complex design is also a result of different latent heat accumulator elements which differ from one another in terms of their geometric shape and are mutually adapted for an exact fit being inserted into the internal container. Different shapes and sizes of latent heat accumulator elements thus have to be kept ready and in each case be inserted individually into the internal container so as to be mutually modified and/or adapted. A system of this type is comparatively complex and expensive for the cycle of goods geared towards ideally high efficiency, for example in the pharmaceutical products sector or else in the foodstuffs transportation sector.
It is furthermore disadvantageous in the known embodiment of the container that the latent heat accumulator elements can be relatively easily damaged. The latent heat accumulator elements are exposed to high stress each time the cargo is removed from the container. Moreover, when retrieving the cargo from the transport container attention has at all times to be paid to the latent heat accumulator increments not being damaged, on the one hand. On the other hand, it has to be taken into account that the PCM elements are securely held or fixed, respectively, in position.
The teaching of the present invention is therefore based on the object of designing and refining the transport container of the type discussed such that said transport container can be more flexibly adapted to the intended use, wherein the ease of handling of the transport container is to be improved.
Accordingly, the teaching of the present invention is also based on the object of specifying a correspondingly improved method for transporting cargo by means of a plurality of transport containers.
The present invention achieves the object stated above in a transport container of the aforementioned type with the features of claim 1 or claim 2. Preferred design embodiments and refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims relating to the transport container.
Provided according to a first embodiment according to claim 1, is a transport container, in particular for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, which has an external container and an internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the external container. The external container has an external container base and an external container wall. The internal container in turn has an internal container base and internal container wall. The internal container for cargo forms an internal container space which is open toward the top. A spacing on the external container wall and on the external container base is provided between the internal container and the external container. Furthermore, at least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container and the external container, in particular the external container wall. At least one retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container and the external container.
The property “retrievable” in the context of the present invention is to be understood such that the corresponding component can be retrieved and re-inserted without said component per se or other components being damaged.
In terms of vacuum insulation panels in the context of the present invention, reference may be made to the prior art from EP 2 700 891 A2 and DE 20 2014 004 515 U1. Examples for the design of vacuum insulation panels are provided therein. Further information pertaining to vacuum insulation panels is also derived from WO 2004/104498 A2.
According to the invention, the PCM element can also be referred to as a latent heat accumulator element. These descriptions are in particular used synonymously hereunder.
A latent heat accumulator element, or a PCM element, respectively, according to the present invention is a latent heat accumulator material in a casing which is optionally also provided with a pressure compensation valve. Said latent heat accumulator material is preferably a macro-encapsulated latent heat accumulator material. However, micro-encapsulated latent heat accumulator materials can also be used. The casing is often from a plastics material. The fundamental construction is known, for example, from so-called “cold packs”.
Latent heat accumulator elements, or PCM elements, respectively, of this type can be considered individually or else as a plurality of latent heat accumulator elements which are installed in a corresponding container, for example.
PCM elements of the type discussed have in the meantime become available for a raft of target temperatures. In particular, latent heat accumulator elements or PCM elements, respectively, can be used for target temperatures of 37° C., 22° C. 18° C., 5° C., 0° C., −19° C., −21° C., −26° C., and −37° C.
Passive chilled transportation in the context of the present invention is to be understood as transportation of cargo in which no “active” cooling is provided. The cooling of the cargo according to the invention takes place “passively” by the transport container to which no external, in particular electrical, auxiliary power is supplied during the transportation. The cooling, or the thermal insulation, respectively, is ultimately provided by the design and the materials of the transport container.
In a second embodiment according to claim 2 a transport container having the features of claim 2 is moreover provided.
The second embodiment of the present invention relates to a transport container, in particular for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, which has an external container and an internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the internal container. The external container has an external container base and an external container wall. The internal container in turn has an internal container base and an internal container wall. The internal container for the cargo forms an internal container space which is open toward the top. A spacing on the external container wall and on the external container base is present between the internal container and the external container. The external container is, or forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element. At least one retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container and the external container.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the invention in particular in that the thermal insulation element is formed by the external container. This is not “mandatorily” provided in the first embodiment in which at least one thermal insulation element is disposed between the internal container and the external container. The configuration of the external container as a thermal insulation element enables a separate thermal insulation element to be dispensed with. The transport container in terms of construction is thus significantly simplified. Material can be saved, on the one hand, and the construction can be designed so as to be more user-friendly, on the other hand.
In both embodiments the external container is preferably composed of a stiff, resilient material.
It is relevant to the invention in the case of the first as well as the second embodiment that the retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container and the external container. This disposal enables the PCM element to be protected, and a flexible use of the entire transport container that is highly modular and individually adaptable to the respective transport route.
It has been established according to the invention that the entire procedure of the transportation of cargo can be simplified by a corresponding disposal of the latent heat accumulator element, or of the PCM element, respectively. A number of advantages which will be discussed hereunder emerge in combination with the transport container according to the invention.
It is particularly advantageous in the design embodiment according to the invention that a raft of potential variations are present, wherein the thermal requirements which are set for the transport container can be met at all times as a function of the respective intended deployment or use, respectively.
It is thus particularly advantageous that the internal container can be retrieved conjointly, in particular solely, with the cargo in order for the cargo to be retrieved. In particular, no thermal insulation elements and/or PCM elements are disposed in the internal container. In particular, the internal container is not connected to thermal insulation elements and/or PCM elements. The consignor or consignee of the cargo can consequently readily transport the cargo in and with the internal container. When transporting the cargo, it can consequently also be guaranteed that the cargo is not exposed, in particular at least not directly, to external influences when said cargo has been retrieved from the external container, in particular wherein the internal container space is closed.
For example, the pharmaceutical and/or the foodstuff (cargo) in the internal container can be hooked up to a separate cooling circuit which may also be designed as an active cooling circuit. In particular, the cargo in the internal container can be transported under active cooling to the external container.
The internal container can be inserted into an external container any number of times in order for the performance, in particular transportation range, to be increased.
Upon retrieving the internal container from the external container, the external container conjointly with the PCM element/elements and in particular the thermal insulation element/elements can be transported onward and/or returned to the consignor. This is advantageous with a view to the consignee being able to be handed over the cargo with the internal container without a transfer of the particularly expensive PCM elements having to take place.
Moreover, a multiplicity of different internal containers can be (successively) disposed in an external container so as to form “new” transport containers. This significantly simplifies the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo.
Moreover, the invention is advantageously distinguished in that the PCM element is protected against wear and mechanical stress, on the one hand, and by being spaced apart by way of the internal container does not have any direct contact with the cargo. This simplifies in particular the aspect of hygiene or sanitizing, respectively, of the internal container space, respectively.
Furthermore, contact between the cargo and the material of the PCM element can be avoided in the case of any leakage of the latter, or vice versa. This significantly increases the safety and the protection of the cargo when the cargo is transported.
On account of the use of the PCM element according to the invention the most efficient form of a heat accumulator element is in particular utilized. In addition, the use of further heat accumulator elements is also conceivable, for example a heat accumulator element which is based on sensitive heat such as a cool pack and/or even a heat accumulator block of great mass (for example of stone or fireclay).
The costs of the transport container according to the invention can be significantly reduced in comparison to transport containers known from the prior art. The transport container can be used for a significantly longer time, on the one hand, in particular by virtue of the disposal of the PCM elements protected against wear. On the other hand, the costs can be reduced in that the entire construction of the transport container can be simplified and is in particular of modular construction.
The preferred embodiments described hereunder relate according to the invention to the first embodiment as well as to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The internal container is preferably designed so as to be washable and/or suitable for foodstuffs.
In one particularly preferred embodiment, at least one thermal insulation element is disposed on the internal side of the external container base and/or on the internal side of the external container wall. It can preferably be provided that the at least one thermal insulation element bears on the internal side of the external container base, or the external container wall, respectively, and/or interacts in a form-fitting manner with the respective internal side. The thermal insulation element most particularly preferably has a shape of such type that said thermal insulation element bears at least substantially over the full area on the internal side of the external container wall and/or of the external container base. For example, it can be provided that the thermal insulation element, preferably the vacuum insulation panel, is disposed so as to be able to be retrieved on the internal side of the external container base and/or of the external container wall. Alternatively, the thermal insulation element can be fixedly connected to the internal side of the external container wall, or the internal side of the external container base, respectively.
Furthermore preferably, a retrievable PCM element can be disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container base and the external container base. Alternatively or additionally, at least two, preferably four, retrievable PCM elements can be disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container wall and the external container wall. The aforementioned disposal of the PCM elements enables the PCM elements to be replaced in a simple manner. This is advantageous in particular when the transport container is to be adapted to different transport purposes, or to the different target temperatures, respectively. A replacement of damaged PCM elements is thus also enabled in a comparatively simple manner.
It is in particular provided that a PCM element faces the external container base, wherein the further PCM elements or the further PCM element can face the external container wall. The design embodiment and the disposal of the PCM elements on the respective wall can be selected as a function of the intended use and in particular of the target temperature, in a manner corresponding to the cargo.
The PCM elements are preferably not readily accessible from the outside, that is to say proceeding from the internal container space. For example, it can be provided that the internal container including the internal container wall has to firstly be removed from the transport container in order to “reach” the PCM elements. On account thereof, any manipulation of and/or damage to the PCM elements in the inserted state of the transport container is at least substantially reliably avoided.
The plurality of the PCM elements and/or of the thermal insulation elements, to the extent that said elements differ in mechanical terms, advantageously have at least almost identical properties (in particular thermal properties).
In the afore described transport container it can be provided in a further preferred embodiment that exactly one thermal insulation element, in particular exactly one vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container and the external container. The exactly one thermal insulation element can extend between the internal container wall and the external container wall as well as between the internal container base and the external container base, wherein the exactly one thermal insulation element is folded and/or bent.
It is preferable for the thermal insulation element to have at least substantially the shape of the external container and/or to be configured so as to correspond to the shape of the external container and/or of the internal container. The internal container herein can be configured in such a manner that said internal container is able to be inserted through the opening formed by the thermal insulation element. The thermal insulation element can in turn be able to be inserted into the external container. The insulation of the transport container can in particular be improved by a “contiguous” configuration of the thermal insulation element. Gaps or crannies by way of which a minor temperature exchange would otherwise be enabled are thus in particular avoided. A large face provided on account of the substantially integral thermal insulation element also enables a positive thermal insulation of the transport container. A modular “dismantlable” transport container is likewise provided in particular in the case of an integral configuration of the thermal insulation element, and/or a retrieval of the thermal insulation element can be carried out in a particularly simple manner without the risk of any damage to the thermal insulation element/elements.
The size of the internal container base area preferably is at least 70% of the size of the external container base area. By virtue of the outstanding insulating properties of vacuum insulation panels it is possible for the space between the internal container base area and the external container base area to be kept small such that an internal container base area which in terms of size is similar to that of the external container base area is provided.
In one further preferred design embodiment of the transport container it can be provided that the internal container at an upper periphery has an encircling collar that reaches outward beyond the internal container wall, and that the transport container has an internal container support on which the collar of the internal container bears in the inserted state. A configuration of this type can be provided in such a manner that the collar has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the internal container support. This enables the collar and the internal container support to latch into one another and/or engage in one another.
It is preferably provided that the internal container support supports the internal container in the inserted state.
It is preferable for the internal container support in the inserted state to be disposed on the thermal insulation element/elements and/or the PCM element/elements and/or on the external container wall.
It is furthermore preferable for the internal container support to be fixedly connected to the collar of the internal container. The internal container support in this instance is configured as a component which is releasable from the external container. The internal container support can in particular be connected in a materially integral and/or form-fitting manner to the collar, and/or in a materially integral and/or form-fitting manner to the internal container wall of the internal container.
The material of the internal container support can differ from the material of the collar, of the internal container base, and/or of the internal container wall.
The shape of the internal container support, and the shape of the collar of the internal container, at least that portion that faces the internal container support in the inserted state, are in particular configured so as to correspond to one another. A connection between the collar and the internal container wall is in particular configured in such a manner that the internal container space is aligned in the closed state of the transport container. It is understood herein that not the entire collar has to mandatorily be adjacent to the internal container support. It is ultimately sufficient for the collar to have a contact portion for disposing the internal container support. This contact portion of the collar can in particular have a shape which corresponds to and/or complements that of the internal container support.
It is particularly preferable for the internal container support, at least in portions, preferably on the contact portion that faces the collar and/or is to be disposed on the collar, to have a stepped cross section.
The internal container support can encircle the external container wall on the inside.
In the case of the external container wall encircling the inside it can be provided that the internal container support in an encircling manner can be adjacent to and/or bear on the internal side of the external container wall that faces the internal container and/or on an upper periphery of the external container wall. A preferably encircling protrusion and/or projecting collar can be provided on the internal side of the external container wall for the internal container support to bear on. The available spacing between the internal container and the external container can in particular be bridged by way of the internal container support such that the internal container, preferably the collar of the internal container, by way of the internal container support is connected indirectly to the external container, in particular the internal side of the external container wall and/or the protrusion and/or the projecting collar of the external container.
It can be achieved by the stepped cross section, for example, that the sealing function in the inserted state, and in particular in the closed state, of the transport container can be improved. It has been demonstrated that the at least substantially tight connection to the collar of the internal container support in the inserted state can be improved by way of the internal container support which at least in portions has a stepped cross section. A preferably form-fitting disposal of the internal container on the external container can also be simplified by way of being adapted to a substantially exact fit on the stepped cross section of the internal container support.
In one further preferred embodiment it can furthermore be provided that a positioning installation for the PCM element or elements, respectively, is disposed between the external container and the internal container. The positioning installation can in particular be disposed between the thermal insulation element/elements and the internal container base. In terms of handling it is particularly advantageous for the positioning installation to be configured so as to be retrievable. The positioning installation serves for positioning and mounting the PCM elements and enables the latent heat accumulator elements to be readily inserted into the external container, or on the internal side of the external container wall that faces the internal container, respectively. The positioning installation moreover contributes toward stabilizing the PCM elements and reducing thermal bridges.
The positioning installation can be configured such that said positioning installation also contributes toward positioning and/or protecting the thermal insulation element/elements.
The positioning installation can be configured, for example, as a plate-shaped space holder which is able to be placed onto the external container base, in particular wherein the positioning installation has a plate-shaped baseplate. The positioning installation can furthermore have a preferably encircling, projecting leg, in particular wherein the leg projects from the baseplate and/or the spacing between the outer periphery of the baseplate and the leg can correspond at least substantially to the thickness, or the width, respectively, of the PCM element. The basic shape of the positioning installation, in particular of the baseplate, can in particular correspond to the shape of the external container base.
In one further preferred embodiment of the concept of the invention it can moreover be provided that the transport container has a lid for closing the transport container.
Exactly one lid for closing the external container and the internal container is preferably provided. It can be ensured by the exactly one lid that the internal container as well as the external container can be sealed in the inserted state such that the transport container can provide the required thermal insulation properties. By disposing the lid on, or on top of, respectively, the internal container as well as on, or on top of, respectively, the external container it can be guaranteed that the internal container as well as the external container can simultaneously be closed in an at least substantially reliable manner by the lid.
Alternatively, in the sense of a “lid system”, the lid can have an internal container lid for closing the internal container and a separate external container lid for closing the external container, wherein for closing the transport container the internal container lid is initially disposed on the internal container, in particular the collar of the internal container and/or the internal container support, thus closing the internal container. The external container lid is subsequently disposed on the external container, in particular the upper periphery of the external container, and can thus close the latter. The internal container lid and the external container lid in the closed state of the transport container can be mutually adjacent and/or be disposed next to one another. The internal container lid and the external container lid herein can preferably engage in one another in a form-fitting manner and/or latch into one another.
The lid, in particular the internal container lid, in the closed state of the transport container preferably bears on the internal container support and/or the collar of the internal container. It is preferable herein for the lid, in particular the internal container lid, to have a closure installation which complements the internal container support. It is in particular provided that the closure installation is also disposed on the collar of the internal container and closes and/or seals the latter in the inserted state and in the closed state of the transport container. The closure installation can be provided on the periphery of the lid so as to at least substantially encircle the latter. It can be provided herein that the closure installation has a shape which corresponds to and/or complements the cross section, in particular the stepped cross section, of the internal container support.
The lid, in particular the internal container lid and/or the external container lid, can be configured so as to be integral or in multiple parts.
In one further preferred embodiment it can be provided that at least one thermal insulation element, preferably a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed and/or bordered on the lid, in particular in the internal container lid. The thermal insulation element can be bordered and/or enclosed in a main body of the internal container lid and/or of the external container lid. The thermal insulation element herein can be connected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to the main body of the internal container lid and/or of the external container lid.
According to one further preferred embodiment, at least one latching means which is configured for interacting in a form-fitting manner with a further latching means on the external side of the external container wall that faces away from the internal container can be provided on the external container lid. The lid can thus be disposed in a reliable and in particular form-fitting manner on the external container. The latching means and the further latching means can be configured so as to correspond to one another and/or complement one another. For example, the latching means can be configured as an opening, and the further latching means can be configured as a protrusion for engaging in the opening of the latching means, or vice versa.
The lid can furthermore be sealable to the internal container. Sealing the lid to the internal container is particularly advantageous for transporting the cargo in that the cargo can be protected. Any manipulation of the cargo during transport can thus be at least detected or identified, respectively. If a seal were to be broken it is unequivocally obvious to the person retrieving the cargo that the internal container has been opened. It can thus be checked whether the cargo has been accessed during the transportation.
Expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and/or polyurethane (PUR) can be provided as the material for the positioning installation and/or the internal container support and/or the lid, in particular the internal container lid and/or the external container lid and/or the closure installation of the lid. The aforementioned installations can be composed of this material or comprise this material. The material is in particular distinguished by a positive thermal insulation effect which improves the entire thermal insulation of the transport container.
It can furthermore be provided that the internal container has a retrievable divide for sub-dividing the internal container space into two separate chambers. It can be enabled by the divide that the internal container space can be subdivided into two portions for receiving cargo. This proves particularly advantageous when two types of cargo are to be transported which must not come in contact with one another, or must not bear on one another, respectively. For example, when two different pharmaceuticals are being transported, one pharmaceutical can in each case be placed in one chamber of the internal container space.
The transport container preferably has a further internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the external container. The further internal container for cargo forms a further internal container space which is open toward the top. A spacing on the external container wall and on the external container base is present between the further internal container and the external container. At least one retrievable PCM element can in particular be disposed in this spacing between the further internal container and the external container.
It is understood that the described preferred design embodiments of the internal container according to the invention can also be provided in an analogous manner for the further internal container.
It is not precluded according to the invention that a plurality of further internal containers which can be inserted into the external container are provided. The internal container can ultimately also be configured in multiple parts. Separate chambers which in turn can serve for receiving, in particular different types of, cargo can be provided by a plurality of (further) internal containers.
The transport container can have a measuring installation for checking and/or measuring the temperature in the internal container space. In particular, the measuring installation has a temperature sensor. The measuring installation can be coupled and/or connected to a display installation in such a manner that the temperature in the internal container space can be displayed at, or on, respectively, the display installation, for example. The display installation can be disposed on the external side on the transport container, for example, such that the temperature in the internal container space in the closed state of the transport container can be displayed to third parties on the external side without the transport container having to be opened.
According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for transporting cargo. Pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs are in particular envisaged as a cargo. Preferred design embodiments and refinements of the method according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims relating to the method.
In the method according to the invention, the cargo is transported by a plurality of transport containers. Each transport container has an external container which has an external container base and an external container wall. Likewise provided is an internal container of the transport container that is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the external container. The internal container has an internal container base and an internal container wall. The internal container for the cargo forms an internal container space which is open toward the top. A spacing on the external container wall and on the external container base is present between the internal container and the external container. At least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container and the external container. At least one PCM element is disposed between the internal container and the external container, in particular the thermal insulation element.
In the method according to the invention only transport containers of the type described above are most particularly preferably used. It is understood that the advantages and particular embodiments of the transport container according to the invention discussed above apply in analogous manner also to the transport method according to the invention. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference may be made to the preceding explanations.
In the method according to the invention it is provided that the cargo is initially disposed in the internal container space of an internal container.
Said internal container can be closed with a lid. Said internal container can subsequently be sealed to the lid. Moreover, said internal container can be transported with the cargo. The cargo herein can be actively cooled.
After the cargo has been disposed in said internal container, and optionally after one or a plurality of the optional steps described above, said internal container is inserted into an external container. Thereafter, the transport container is transported with said internal container, said external container, and the cargo.
Said internal container including the cargo is retrieved from said external container in particular after transportation. Said internal container including the cargo is later inserted into another external container. Thereafter, the transport container can be transported with said internal container, the other external container, and the cargo.
The high potential for variation of the method according to the invention and of the transport container according to the invention is demonstrated by means of the procedure discussed above. Above all, the fact that an internal container can be successively inserted into a plurality of external containers so as to form a transport container contributes to the high degree of flexibility, this proving advantageous in the logistics flow, or for the transportation of the cargo, respectively.
The transport containers which are used in the method according to the invention can differ in terms of the number of PCM elements and/or the phase change material of the PCM elements. For example, the different transport containers can have different thermal properties which are designed as a function of the respective transport route.
It is particularly preferably provided according to the invention that the transport container and/or the transport container used in the method is configured as a stackable container. A potential for stacking the transport container proves advantageous in terms of the transportation in that a plurality of transport containers can be disposed on top of one another and herein in particular bear on one another, or are adjacent to one another, respectively, so as to be at least substantially secured against slipping.
Further features, advantages, and fields of application of the present invention are derived from the description of exemplary embodiments hereunder by means of the drawing and the drawing per se. All described and/or visualized features herein form the subject matter of the present invention individually or in any combination, independently of the combination and back-references of said features in the claims.
The invention will now be explained in more detail hereunder by means of a drawing which merely illustrates a preferred exemplary embodiment. In the drawing:
A transport container 1 filled with a schematically indicated cargo 10 is illustrated in
The transport container 1 furthermore has an internal container 2 which is able to be inserted into the external container 3 and retrieved from the external container 3. The internal container 2 has an internal container base 21 and an internal container wall 22. The internal container 2 is configured in such a manner that said internal container 2 for cargo 10 forms an internal container space 23 which is open toward the top.
In the preferred embodiment shown in
It can be seen from
The spacing 7 is likewise shown in
It is furthermore illustrated in
The variant in which at least one thermal insulation element 4 is disposed either on the internal side of the external container base 31 or on the internal side of the external container wall 32 is not illustrated.
In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the thermal insulation element 4 is configured as a vacuum insulation panel.
The sectional illustrations according to
In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, it is provided that a plurality of PCM elements 5 are present. In particular, the PCM elements have an at least substantially identical phase change material.
In a further preferred embodiment not illustrated it is provided that the external container 3 in the transport container 1 is, or forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element 4. In comparison to the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the thermal insulation element 4 disposed between the internal container 2 and the external container 3 can be dispensed with in the further preferred embodiment.
The features set forth hereunder relate in particular to the first-described, illustrated and preferred embodiment of the transport container 1. It is however understood that these features can be applied, or transferred, respectively, in the same manner also to the not-illustrated and further preferred embodiment of the transport container 1, in which the external container 3 is, or forms, respectively, the thermal insulation element 4.
Exactly one retrievable PCM element 5 is disposed between the internal container base 21 and the external container base 31 in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment.
Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least two retrievable PCM elements 5 are disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container wall 22 and the external container wall 32. In the schematic exploded view of the components of the preferred embodiment illustrated in
It is particularly provided herein that the exactly one vacuum insulation panel 4 extends between the internal container wall 22 and the external container wall 32, and between the internal container base 21 and the external container base 31, wherein the vacuum insulation panel 4 is folded or bent, respectively, in the transition region from the external container base 31 to the external container wall 32.
The exactly one thermal insulation element 4 in terms of the shape thereof herein corresponds at least substantially to the shape of the external container 3, or of the internal container 2, respectively, such that the external container 3 is ultimately spaced apart from the internal container 2 by way of the thermal insulation element 4, wherein the thermal insulation element 4 is able to be inserted into the external container 3, in particular able to be retrieved from the external container 3.
The thermal insulation element 4 most particularly preferably is at least substantially directly adjacent to the external container wall 32 and/or the external container base 31.
In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment it is provided that the thermal insulation element 4 has an at least substantially U-shaped cross section.
It is derived from
The transport container 1 furthermore comprises an internal container support 8 which is illustrated in
The internal container support 8 in the inserted state of the internal container 2 in the external container 3 can at least in portions bear on the external container 3 and/or be adjacent to the external container 3, as is shown in
The internal container support 8 is particularly preferably configured in an encircling manner and is in particular disposed so as to encircle the collar 26 of the internal container 2.
In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the internal container 2 in the inserted state is supported by the internal container support 8.
It is derived from
It is not illustrated that the internal container support 8 in the inserted state can be disposed on the thermal insulation element 4.
It can be seen from the sectional illustrations of
A positioning installation 9 for the PCM elements 5 is present in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment. The positioning installation 9 here has an at least substantially rectangular baseplate, the shape of the latter corresponding at least substantially to the shape of the external container base 31. The positioning installation 9 here furthermore has an encircling leg which projects from the baseplate and which is spaced apart from the external periphery of the baseplate. This leg can serve for contacting the PCM elements 5.
In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the lid 6, in particular the internal container lid 24, in the closed state of the transport container 1 bears on the internal container support 8 and the collar 26 of the internal container 2. In particular, the lid 6, most particularly the internal container lid 24, has a closure installation 61 which is complementary to the internal container support 8. The closure installation 61 has a shape that corresponds to the internal container support 8, specifically in such a manner that the closure installation 61 at least in regions can be disposed in an exact fit and/or a form-fitting manner on the internal container support 8.
According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in
In the exploded view according to
The latched, or closed, respectively, state of the external container lid 34 is moreover also derived from
It is furthermore derived from the exploded view according to
It is illustrated in
It is not illustrated that it can be provided in a further embodiment that the lid 6 is or forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4.
It is furthermore not illustrated that the lid 6, in particular the internal container lid 24, can be sealed to the internal container 2.
In a further preferred exemplary embodiment not illustrated, exactly one lid 6 is provided for closing the external container 3 and the internal container 2. This lid 6 herein can in particular close in a sealing manner simultaneously the external container 3 and the internal container 2.
In a further and preferred exemplary embodiment which however is not illustrated it is moreover provided that the internal container 2 for sub-dividing the internal container space 23 into two separate chambers has a retrievable divider. The divider can in particular be connected in a form-fitting manner to the internal side of the internal container wall 22 that faces the internal container space 23.
It is furthermore not illustrated that the transport container 1 in a further preferred embodiment has a further internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container 3 and retrieved from the external container 3. In particular, the further internal container can be inserted conjointly with the internal container 2 into the external container 3. The further internal container preferably is disposed on the internal container 2 such that both internal containers 2 at least substantially fill the external container space 33.
The further internal container can in particular form a further internal container space which is open toward the top. A spacing on the external container wall 32 and on the external container base 31 can be provided or present, respectively, between the further internal container and the external container 3, said spacing potentially corresponding in particular to the available space 7 between the internal container 2 and the external container 3.
It is moreover not illustrated that the transport container 1 preferably has a measuring installation for measuring the temperature in the internal container space 23.
Not illustrated is moreover a method for transporting cargo 10, wherein the method is carried out by means of a plurality of transport containers 1. The method can be used for transporting pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs which can form the cargo 10.
Each transport container 1 used in the method has an external container 3 which has an external container base 31 and an external container wall 32. An internal container 2 which is able to be inserted into the external container 3 and retrieved from the external container 3 has an internal container base 21 and an internal container wall 22. The internal container 2 for the cargo 10 forms an internal container space 23 which is open toward the top. A spacing 7 on the external container wall 32 and on the external container base 31 is present between the internal container 2 and the external container 3. At least one thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is disposed between the internal container 2 and the external container 3. Furthermore, at least one PCM element 5 which can in particular be adjacent to the thermal insulation element 4, is disposed between the internal container 2 and the external container 3.
It is particularly preferable for each transport container 1 used in the method to be configured according to the preferred exemplary embodiment described above.
It is provided in the method that the cargo 10 at a starting location is initially disposed or placed in, respectively, the internal container space 23 of an internal container 2.
In one preferred embodiment of the method, said internal container 2 is closed with a lid 6, 24 of the internal container 2. Thereafter said internal container 2 in the closed state is transported with the cargo 10 to an unloading location. The cargo can be actively cooled herein.
Said internal container 2 at an unloading location is inserted into an external container 3. At least one thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is disposed herein between said internal container 2 and said external container 3. Furthermore, at least one PCM element 5 is disposed between said internal container 2 and said external container 3. The thus created transport container 1 with said internal container 2, said external container 3, and the cargo 10, is thereafter transported to an intermediate stop.
Said internal container 2 including the cargo 10 is retrieved from said external container 3 at the intermediate stop. Said internal container 2 including the cargo 10 is later inserted into another external container 3. At least one thermal insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is disposed herein between said internal container 2 and the other external container 3. At least one PCM element 5 is furthermore disposed between said internal container 2 and the other external container 3. The thus created transport container 1 with said internal container 2, the other external container 3, and the cargo 10 is thereafter transported to a destination.
A plurality of external containers 3 are ultimately used in the method, since a plurality of transport containers 1 are also utilized in the method. The same internal container 2 herein can be disposed in different external containers 3, wherein the cargo 10 is disposed, or remains disposed, respectively, in the internal container space 23 of this internal container 2.
In the context of the method it is furthermore preferable for the transport containers 1 which are used within the method, to differ in terms of the number of PCM elements 5 and/or the phase change material of the PCM elements 5. In particular, temperature controlling, or cooling, respectively, of the cargo 10 can take place as a function of the transport route and/or of the transport stage, since the cargo 10 by way of the internal container 2 can at all times be disposed in a transport container 1 of the type that has the thermal properties which are required for cooling, or temperature controlling, respectively, the cargo 10.
The method not illustrated ultimately makes it possible that the cargo 10 by way of the modular configuration of the internal containers and external containers can be disposed in different external containers 3 of a transport container 1. A high degree of flexibility of the method is achieved on account thereof, wherein the transportation of the cargo 10 can be individually adapted to environmental temperatures, stages of the route and/or transport routes.
In a first transport stage, a first target temperature can be predefined for the cargo 10, wherein a second target temperature can be predefined in a second transport stage. Furthermore, in principle both target temperatures in both external containers 3, or in both transport containers 1, respectively, can also at least be substantially identical such that cooling, or temperature controlling, respectively, is made possible in particular over a comparatively long period of time.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
- 1 Transport container
- 2 Internal container of 1
- 21 Internal container base
- 22 Internal container wall
- 23 Internal container space
- 24 Internal container lid
- 241 Cover
- 25 Upper periphery
- 26 Collar
- 3 External container of 1
- 31 External container base
- 32 External container wall
- 33 External container space
- 34 External container lid
- 4 Thermal insulation element of 1
- 5 PCM element of 1
- 6 Lid of 1
- 61 Closure installation
- 7 Spacing between 2 and 3
- 8 Internal container support
- 9 Positioning installation
- 10 Cargo
Claims
1. A transport container, in particular for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs,
- having an external container which has an external container base and an external container wall;
- having an internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the external container and which has an internal container base and an internal container wall;
- wherein the internal container forms an internal container space for cargo which is open toward the top;
- wherein on the external container wall and on the external container base a spacing is present between the internal container and the external container;
- wherein at least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container and the external container, in particular the external container wall;
- wherein at least one retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container and the external container, in particular the thermal insulation element.
2. A transport container, in particular for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs,
- having an external container which has an external container base and an external container wall;
- having an internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the external container and which has an internal container base and an internal container wall;
- wherein the internal container forms an internal container space for cargo which is open toward the top;
- wherein on the external container wall and on the external container base a spacing is present between the internal container and the external container;
- wherein the external container is or forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element;
- wherein at least one retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container and the external container.
3. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one thermal insulation element is disposed on the internal side of the external container base and/or on the internal side of the external container wall.
4. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container base and the external container base.
5. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two, preferably four, retrievable PCM elements are disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container wall and the external container wall.
6. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein exactly one thermal insulation element, in particular exactly one vacuum insulation panel, which extends between the internal container wall and the external container wall as well as between the internal container base and the external container base and is folded and/or bent, is disposed between the internal container and the external container.
7. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal container on an upper periphery has an encircling collar that reaches outward beyond the internal container wall, and wherein the transport container has an internal container support on which the collar of the internal container bears in the inserted state.
8. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the internal container support supports the internal container in the inserted state.
9. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the internal container support in the inserted state is disposed on the thermal insulation element/elements and/or the PCM element/elements and/or on the external container wall.
10. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the internal container support is fixedly connected to the collar of the internal container.
11. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the internal container support at least in portions has a stepped cross section.
12. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the internal container support encircles the external container wall on the inside.
13. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a preferably retrievable positioning installation for the PCM element/elements is disposed between the external container and the internal container, in particular between the thermal insulation element/elements and the internal container base.
14. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transport container has a lid for closing the transport container, in particular exactly one lid for closing the external container and the internal container.
15. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lid in the closed state of the transport container bears on the internal container support and/or the collar of the internal container.
16. The transport container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lid has a closure installation that complements the internal container support.
17. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed on the lid.
18. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lid is or forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element.
19. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lid can be sealed to the internal container.
20. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning installation and/or the internal container support and/or the lid and/or the closure installation of the lid comprises or is composed of expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), or polyurethane (PUR).
21. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal container for sub-dividing the internal container space into two separate chambers has a retrievable divider.
22. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the transport container has a further internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the external container;
- the further internal container forms a further internal container space for cargo which is open toward the top; and
- on the external container wall and on the external container base a spacing is present between the further internal container and the external container.
23. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transport container has a measuring installation for measuring the temperature in the internal container space.
24. A method for transporting a cargo, in particular pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, by means of a plurality of transport containers,
- wherein each transport container has: an external container which has an external container base and an external container wall; an internal container which is able to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the external container and which has an internal container base and an internal container wall; wherein the internal container forms an internal container space for the cargo which is open toward the top; wherein on the external container wall and on the external container base a spacing is present between the internal container and the external container; wherein at least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container and the external container; wherein at least one PCM element is disposed between the internal container and the external container, in particular the thermal insulation element;
- wherein the cargo is initially disposed in the internal container space of an internal container;
- wherein said internal container is optionally closed with a lid of the internal container;
- wherein said internal container is optionally sealed with the lid;
- wherein said internal container is optionally transported with the cargo;
- wherein said internal container is inserted into one of the external containers;
- wherein the transport container is transported with said internal container, said external container and the cargo;
- wherein said internal container including the cargo is retrieved from said external container; and
- wherein said internal container including the cargo is inserted into another external container.
25. (canceled)
26. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the transport containers differ in terms of the number of PCM elements and/or the phase change material of the PCM elements.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2019
Publication Date: Oct 7, 2021
Inventors: Kristina KLETZEL (Würzburg), Fabian ESCHENBACH (Rottendorf), Roland GFELLER (Emmenbrücke)
Application Number: 17/269,481
