U.S. patent application number 16/707778 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for locker system.
The applicant listed for this patent is ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Hoi Kan Chung, Nigel Dade, Gareth Hunt, Nashim Imam.
Application Number | 20200116414 16/707778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56684832 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200116414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dade; Nigel ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
LOCKER SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for secure delivery or collection of goods includes at
least one lockable storage space, in which the temperature of the
at least one storage space is independently controllable to provide
any one of: ambient temperature; or chilled temperature; or frozen
temperature on an as needed basis. Access to the storage space may
be remotely programmable. A controller may be configured to set a
temperature set point for the storage space based upon goods in a
customer order that will be stored in the storage space.
Inventors: |
Dade; Nigel; (Long Sutton,
GB) ; Hunt; Gareth; (Narborough, GB) ; Chung;
Hoi Kan; (London, GB) ; Imam; Nashim; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. |
GLENVIEW |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56684832 |
Appl. No.: |
16/707778 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15609874 |
May 31, 2017 |
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16707778 |
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15111698 |
Jul 14, 2016 |
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PCT/GB15/50198 |
Jan 28, 2015 |
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15609874 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2600/02 20130101;
A47G 2029/147 20130101; A47G 2029/149 20130101; G07F 17/12
20130101; A23B 4/06 20130101; G07F 9/105 20130101; F25D 25/02
20130101; A47B 88/90 20170101; F25B 29/003 20130101; F25D 13/00
20130101; F25B 5/02 20130101; F25D 25/00 20130101; F25D 13/02
20130101; A47G 29/141 20130101; A47G 2200/166 20130101; A47G
2200/186 20130101; F25D 13/04 20130101; F25D 17/00 20130101; G07F
11/62 20130101; F25D 29/00 20130101; G07C 9/23 20200101; A47G 29/30
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 13/04 20060101
F25D013/04; F25D 17/00 20060101 F25D017/00; A23B 4/06 20060101
A23B004/06; F25D 25/02 20060101 F25D025/02; F25D 13/02 20060101
F25D013/02; A47G 29/30 20060101 A47G029/30; F25D 29/00 20060101
F25D029/00; A47G 29/14 20060101 A47G029/14; A47B 88/90 20060101
A47B088/90; G07F 17/12 20060101 G07F017/12; F25B 29/00 20060101
F25B029/00; F25B 5/02 20060101 F25B005/02; G07F 9/10 20060101
G07F009/10; G07F 11/62 20060101 G07F011/62; G07C 9/23 20060101
G07C009/23 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 29, 2014 |
GB |
1401539.0 |
Feb 4, 2014 |
GB |
1401910.3 |
Mar 27, 2014 |
GB |
1405566.9 |
Jun 18, 2014 |
GB |
1411043.1 |
Sep 19, 2014 |
GB |
1416641.7 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
GB |
1416742.3 |
Dec 23, 2014 |
GB |
1423158.3 |
Claims
1-56. (canceled)
57. A method of securely storing items for pickup, comprising: (1)
utilizing an assembly of lockable storage spaces, wherein the
assembly comprises: a) at least three storage compartments each
closeable by a remotely programmable insulated lockable door; and
b) at least one common distribution system comprising a
refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant is arranged to be in
cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at least one common
distribution system distributing the refrigerant to exchange heat
with the compartments; c) at least one heating system for providing
heat to each of the compartments; and d) a controller for
controlling the common distribution system and the heating system,
the controller configured to prepare the compartments to store
items from a customer order by defining a temperature set point for
each compartment, wherein the controller is configured to control
the common distribution system and the heating system to achieve
the temperature set point of each compartment, wherein, for each of
the compartments, the temperature set point can be selectively
defined and controlled to be within each of the following ranges as
needed: i) an ambient storage temperature range between 4.degree.
C. to 21.degree. C.; ii) a chilled temperature range below the
ambient temperature range and above freezing; and iii) a frozen
temperature range at or below freezing. (2) the controller
operating to define the temperature set point of each compartment
based on required temperature needs of the items to be stored.
58. The method of claim 57, further comprising: (3) the controller
receiving the customer order, including multiple items to be stored
in the chilled temperature range and multiple items to be stored in
the frozen temperature range; (4) the controller: i) defining a
first temperature set point of a first one of the three
compartments to be within the chilled temperature range and
controlling the common distribution system and the heating system
to achieve the first temperature set point in preparation for
storage of items from the order; iii) defining a second temperature
set point of a second one of the three compartments to be within
the ambient temperature range and controlling the common
distribution system and the heating system, if needed, to achieve
the second temperature set point in preparation for storage of
items from the order.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein the customer order includes
multiple items to be stored in the ambient storage temperature
range, and the method includes the controller: iii) defining a
third temperature set point of a third one of the three
compartments to be within the ambient temperature range and
controlling the common distribution system and the heating system
to achieve the third temperature set point in preparation for
storage of items from the order.
60. The method of claim 57, wherein each remotely programmable
insulated lockable door includes at least one insulating panel
detachably secured to the door by a snap-on fixture or at least one
magnet, wherein each insulating panel carries at least one sealing
member for sealing around one compartment
61. An assembly of storage spaces, comprising: a) three or more
storage spaces, each of the three or more storage spaces comprising
one or more compartments; wherein each of the three or more storage
spaces comprises a remotely programmable insulated lockable door;
and b) at least one common distribution system comprising a
refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant is arranged to be in
cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at least one common
distribution system distributing the refrigerant to exchange heat
with the one or more compartments in the each of the three or more
storage spaces; c) a heating system for providing heat to each of
the compartments; and d) a controller for controlling the common
distribution system and the heating system, the controller
configured to define, for each of the one or more compartments of
each storage space, a temperature set point, wherein the controller
is configured to control the common distribution system and the
heating system to achieve the temperature set point defined for
each compartment, wherein the controller is configured such that,
for each of the one or more compartments, the temperature set point
can be selectively defined and controlled to be each of the
following, as needed: i) an ambient storage temperature having a
temperature range between 4.degree. C. to 21.degree. C.; ii) a
chilled temperature below the temperature range and above freezing;
and iii) a frozen temperature at or below freezing.
62. The assembly of claim 61, wherein each one of the three of more
storage spaces comprises a plurality of compartments, and the
remotely programmable insulated lockable door of each storage space
closes and opens access to all of the compartments of the storage
space.
63. The assembly of claim 61, wherein each of the compartments
comprises: a) a cavity; b) an insulating layer exterior of the
cavity; c) at least one heat exchanger for cooperation with the
refrigeration system, said at least one heat exchanger being
mounted to at least one wall of the cavity and partially embedded
within the insulation layer.
64. The assembly of claim 61, wherein the assembly of storage
spaces comprises a housing having a cavity with internal frontal
dimensions defining a common height for each storage space, wherein
at least one of the storage spaces is defined by first and second
compartments that together collectively have an external height
dimension matched to the common height, wherein an external height
dimension of the second compartment greater than an external height
dimension of the first compartment, and the external height
dimension of the second compartment is an integer multiple of the
external height dimension of the first compartment.
65. The assembly of claim 61, wherein the refrigeration system is
located remotely to the assembly of storage spaces; and wherein the
refrigeration system is in cooperation with the at least one common
distribution system.
66. The assembly of claim of claim 61, wherein each of the
compartments comprises a heat exchanger and a quantity of heat
transferred to the refrigerant by each compartment is separately
varied through the heat exchangers.
67. The assembly of claim 66, wherein the quantity of heat
transferred is varied by varying a duration of time the refrigerant
passes to the compartments or through the heat exchanger and/or
wherein the quantity of heat transferred is varied by varying the
quantity of refrigerant to the compartments.
68. The assembly of claim 61, wherein the assembly comprises a
chiller unit in cooperation with the refrigeration system so as to
dissipate heat from the refrigerant; the chiller unit is a separate
chiller refrigeration unit, said chiller unit is in cooperation
with the refrigeration system by a separate distribution system for
distributing a heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the
refrigerant in the refrigeration system, wherein said chiller unit
is located downstream, in a direction of flow of the refrigerant,
of a condenser of the refrigeration system and upstream of the
compartments.
69. The assembly of claim 68, wherein the refrigeration system of
the assembly is a primary refrigeration system and said separate
distribution system distributes the heat transfer fluid to exchange
heat with refrigerant from a plurality of primary refrigeration
systems.
70. The assembly of claim 61, wherein each compartment comprises at
least one fan for varying the quantity of heat transfer between the
refrigerant and the compartment.
71. The assembly of any of claim 61, wherein the each of the
compartments are modular.
72. The assembly of any of claim 61, wherein, for each of the
compartments, one or more sealing members are provided to effect
individual sealing of the compartment from the atmosphere and
wherein the one or more sealing members of each compartment are
provided on the remotely programmable insulated lockable door
associated with the compartment, in or adjacent the compartment or
both on the remotely programmable insulated lockable door
associated with the compartment and in or adjacent the
compartment.
73. The assembly of claim 61, wherein each remotely programmable
insulated lockable door includes at least one insulating panel
detachably secured to the door by means of a snap-on fixture or at
least one magnet, wherein each insulating panel carries at least
one sealing member for sealing around one compartment.
74. A method of storing items from for pickup, comprising: (1)
utilizing an assembly of lockable storage spaces, wherein the
assembly comprises: a) at least three storage compartments each
closeable by a remotely programmable insulated lockable door; and
b) at least one common distribution system comprising a
refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant is arranged to be in
cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at least one common
distribution system distributing the refrigerant to exchange heat
with the compartments; c) at least one heating system for providing
heat to each of the compartments; and d) a controller for
controlling the common distribution system and the heating system,
the controller configured to define a temperature set point for
each compartment, wherein the controller is configured to control
the common distribution system and the heating system to achieve
the temperature set point of each compartment, wherein, for each of
the compartments, the temperature set point can be selectively
defined and controlled to be within each of the following ranges as
needed: i) an ambient storage temperature range between 4.degree.
C. to 21.degree. C.; or ii) a chilled temperature range below the
ambient temperature range and above freezing; and iii) a frozen
temperature range at or below freezing. (2) the controller
receiving a customer order and preparing the compartments to store
items from the customer order by: i) defining the temperature set
point of each compartment based on required temperature needs of
the items in the customer order; (3) controlling the common
distribution system and the heating system to achieve the
temperature set point of each compartment prior to receiving the
items from the customer order.
75. The method of claim 74, further comprising: (3) the controller
receiving the customer order, including multiple items to be stored
in the chilled temperature range and multiple items to be stored in
the frozen temperature range; (4) the controller: i) defining a
first temperature set point of a first one of the three
compartments to be within the chilled temperature range and
controlling the common distribution system and the heating system
to achieve the first temperature set point in preparation for
storage of items from the order; iii) defining a second temperature
set point of a second one of the three compartments to be within
the ambient temperature range and controlling the common
distribution system and the heating system, if needed, to achieve
the second temperature set point in preparation for storage of
items from the order.
76. The method of claim 75, wherein the customer order includes
multiple items to be stored in the ambient storage temperature
range, and the method includes the controller: iii) defining a
third temperature set point of a third one of the three
compartments to be within the ambient temperature range and
controlling the common distribution system and the heating system
to achieve the third temperature set point in preparation for
storage of items from the order.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a locker system, more
preferably to a refrigerated/heated locker system for the storage
of perishable goods.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] Advances in online security coupled with ever increasing
internet coverage and computer proficiency among the general public
has prompted a shift in consumer shopping habits; there have never
been more transactions made online. Shopping online has many
advantages over conventional high street shopping. For example, the
time and effort saved by avoiding the queue at peak times; the
convenience of having the goods delivered. Also, with the use of
price comparison websites, purchases made online are often
cheaper.
[0003] Generally purchasing transactions are processed online and
goods are subsequently delivered either by a postal service or
dedicated team of couriers. The latter is often adopted by
supermarket chains, making full use of their transportation hubs
and distribution network to deliver grocery shopping. However due
to fierce competition, supermarkets and the general grocery trade
often operates with a comparatively small profit margin, and the
additional cost associated with greater coverage in rural areas has
made door-to-door delivery services unsustainable. Even though
supermarkets do charge their customers for the convenience
door-to-door delivery brings, they often need to subsidise the
service to keep the loyalty of their customers.
[0004] Perishable goods account for a big proportion of grocery
shopping. However, the necessity of using refrigerated vehicles to
preserve these perishable goods also adds substantially to the cost
of delivery.
[0005] Some couriers are not equipped with refrigerated vehicles,
and they avoid spoiling the perishable goods by scheduling with
short turnaround times. However, this requires more frequent
reloading at a refrigerated depot. In consequence, they are not
utilising their full capacity and deliveries are limited to close
vicinity to the depot.
[0006] There are alternative delivery mechanisms to lower the cost
of delivery. The system disclosed in GB2474118 (ByBox Holdings
Limited) enables the deposit of grocery shopping in an automated
collection point (ACP) for later collection by the addressee. An
ACP typically comprises a plurality of lockable storage spaces and
is in communication with a remote computer. Upon receiving a
deposit confirmed by a barcode or RFID tags on the package, the
remote computer sends a message to notify the addressee for
collection. The addressee then inputs a unique code into a user
interface to unlock the corresponding locker. ACPs are often
conveniently placed at locations such as transportation hubs and
office clusters so customers are able to pick up their online
shopping on their way home. However the floor space at these
convenient locations is often limited and comes with a premium mark
up. Moreover these ACPs do not have provision for storing chilled
and frozen goods and their applications are currently limited to
electronics, multimedia discs, books and other non-perishable goods
that do not require any degree of specialized storage
facilities.
[0007] The concept of refrigerated locker systems is known and has
been used in a wide range of applications. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 2,198,239 (William McKinley Baird), GB615167 (William McKinley
Baird) and US2012/0206029 (Joseph Zabbatino) disclose locker
systems for various purposes ranging from storing agriculture
produce in rural communities to personal lunch and snack storage at
the workplace. These prior art documents require a supply of air
cooled by a central refrigeration unit, the cooled air being
circulated around or through the plurality of lockers via suitable
conduits, cooling the locker volume and its content in the process.
The partition walls in some of these prior art documents allow air
to pass through so to aid circulation of cold air, for example
multiple orifices punched in the partition walls, or the partition
walls are in the form of a mesh. Since the chilled air in these
locker systems is supplied from the same source there exists no
temperature control for each individual locker, and thus all goods
are stored at roughly the same temperature. A temperature gradient
may tend to develop across the locker system, whereby the lockers
closest to the refrigeration unit and/or less exposed to ambient
temperature will be at a lower temperature than others. In order to
accommodate the three types of goods, i.e. ambient, chilled and
frozen goods normally found in a typical grocery shopping, it would
require three distinct sets of lockers, each locker set possibly
comprising their own refrigeration plant. In addition, it is
inconvenient for the customer to traverse between different locker
sets and to repeatedly input security codes to unlock the locker
space. Furthermore, since the customers are likely to pick up their
purchases from the lockers during their designated time slots
during the day, the majority of lockers are left vacant overnight.
But due to the occupation in some of the lockers, it is impossible
to conserve energy by stopping cooling. To provide additional
storage space, one has to provide additional lockers. Considering
the limited floor space available particularly in areas that
experience heavy commuter traffic such as railway stations, such
expansion of storage space becomes untenable or even
uneconomical.
[0008] JP7101492 (Hokoku Kogyo) teaches a locker system that allows
individual temperature control in each locker. A thermoelectric
cooling device operates by the Peltier effect and removes heat
across the walls of the locker whilst a fan placed within each
locker enhances air circulation to aid heat removal. The heat flux
of thermoelectric cooling devices is often low and thus not very
effective.
[0009] Another approach to providing a refrigerated locker system
is to install a number of pre-assembled refrigerated units into
lockable storage spaces in a locker assembly with each lockable
storage space in the locker assembly having its own dedicated
pre-assembled refrigerated unit. Examples of such locker assemblies
are that provided by ByBox Holdings Ltd. (GB2474118B). This
approach suffers from the problem that each storage space has to
provide enough ventilation to prevent build-up of heat. As a
result, it is necessary that each storage space containing the
refrigerated unit has its own dedicated fan leading to increased
energy consumption as well as increased likelihood of breakdowns.
Running multiple refrigerated units, with each refrigerated unit
having its own compressor, is very inefficient. In addition, the
need to provide ventilation to the individual storage spaces for
accommodating the refrigerated goods would create a warm harbour
for vermin such as rats, particularly during the winter months.
[0010] AU 2013203916 (Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd) teaches
a refrigerator unit comprising a plurality of compartments that
each have a first section that is cooled to a first temperature
range, and a second section that is cooled to a second temperature
range that is lower than the first temperature range, and a
plurality of lockable doors that each close onto both an opening to
the first section and an opening to the second section of one of
the compartments. The refrigerator unit includes a canopy that
extends over the top of the fridge and projects so that it covers
at least the doors when open. The first section is maintained in
"chilled" conditions in the temperature range approximately
0.degree. Celsius to 6.degree. Celsius and the second section is
maintained in "freezer" conditions in the temperature range
approximately -16.degree. Celsius to -20.degree. Celsius. The
fridge section has a first chamber and a first set of dividers that
divide the first chamber into the first sections for each of the
compartments. Similarly, the fridge has a second chamber and a
second set of dividers that divide the second chamber into the
second sections for each of the compartments. The dividers have
apertures (e.g. wire grille or mesh) that allow air flow between
the sections within the respective chamber. Thus, the dividers
isolate goods stowed in one compartment from goods stowed in an
adjacent compartment. As the system is dependent upon air flow
between adjacent lockers, goods in each locker may impede the flow
of air through the walls of adjacent lockers and therefore, affect
the cooling performance in each of the compartments. Secondly,
goods in each compartment are not completely isolated from each
other and may lead to cross contamination between goods in adjacent
lockers. This could be problematic for storing goods that cater for
customers that have particular religious beliefs, e.g. Kosher
and/or Halal meats. For example, it would be inconvenient to store
a joint of pork next to a compartment containing Kosher meats
etc.
[0011] However, there still requires a need to provide a
refrigerated locker system that is easy to assemble and can be
easily serviced or repaired in event of a breakdown or
servicing.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0012] The present applicant has mitigated the above problems by
providing a temperature controlled storage apparatus, comprising;
[0013] a) a plurality of lockable storage spaces, each of the
plurality of lockable storage spaces comprising one or more
compartments; [0014] in which the temperature of each of the one or
more compartments is independently controllable to provide either
one of:-- [0015] chilled temperature; or [0016] frozen temperature;
[0017] and wherein access to the storage space is remotely
programmable.
[0018] For the purpose of this invention and all the prior
applications, the term "remotely programmable" and "remotely
lockable" is where the operation of locking mechanism are
controlled or programmed remotely to the lockable storage spaces.
For example, the said locking mechanism may be controlled or
programmed by an access control module placed in the vicinity of
the lockable storage space, or from a central control system
located offsite though telecommunication means, i.e. the access to
the storage space is programmable from a physical distance. Further
detail for the access control and remotely programmable locking
mechanism is discussed below.
[0019] Optionally, the temperature controlled storage apparatus of
claim 1, in which the temperature of each of the one or more
compartments is independently controllable to provide any one of:
[0020] controlled ambient temperature; or [0021] chilled
temperature; or [0022] frozen temperature.
[0023] Independently controlling the temperature of each of the one
or more compartments within the range of substantially -21.degree.
C. to substantially +50.degree. C. removes the need to provide
respective dedicated compartments for goods requiring storage at
different temperatures, e.g. ambient temperature, chilled
temperature and/or frozen temperature and/or hot foods,
significantly improves flexibility and maximizes locker
utilization. The temperature of each of the one or more
compartments may be adjusted remotely prior to delivery in order to
match the storage temperature of grocery goods. The ability to
pre-set compartment temperature aids mapping the locker's load
against a variable demand for the storage spaces. The temperature
in the one or more compartments is controlled to provide storage
for goods requiring different storage temperatures, e.g. chilled
temperature and/or frozen temperature. For the purpose of the
present invention, chilled temperature represents the temperature
range for storage of groceries such as milk and yogurt, etc. covers
a range between substantially 1.degree. C. to substantially
4.degree. C. The frozen temperature represents the temperature
range for storage of frozen groceries such as ice cream and frozen
food. For the purpose of the present invention, the frozen
temperature covers a range between substantially -25.degree. C. to
substantially 0.degree. C., more preferably between substantially
-21.degree. C. to substantially -18.degree. C. Preferably, the
temperature of each of the one or more compartments is
independently controllable to provide any one of ambient or chilled
or frozen temperature. The ambient temperature represents the
temperature range for storage of typical groceries such as
chocolate or dry goods. For the purpose of the present invention,
ambient temperature covers a range between substantially 4.degree.
C. to substantially 21.degree. C. For the purpose of this invention
and all the prior applications, the term "ambient temperature" is
construed to mean "room temperature" or more appropriately
"controlled ambient temperature". It does not refer to the actual
air temperature of the surrounding environment, for example the
sub-zero temperature experienced during the winter months; rather
"ambient temperature" means a temperature range suitable for
storing goods that does not require refrigerated storage to remain
stable.
[0024] Optionally, each of the plurality of lockable storage spaces
comprises a programmable lockable door. Preferably, the
programmable lockable door is closable to seal the one or more
compartments from each other. The locking and/or unlocking of the
programmable lockable door is remotely programmable to enable
controlled access to the interior of the one or more compartments.
The said programmable door is insulated to reduce heat transfer
with the environment. The elimination of a physical key for locking
and unlocking the storage space means the locker can be used by
many different users consecutively without compromising security.
The locking mechanism can be any devices known to those skilled in
the art, for example solenoid operated deadbolts or electromagnetic
locks.
[0025] Optionally, the temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprises at least one common distribution system that is arranged
to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at least one
common distribution system distributing a heat transfer fluid to
exchange heat with the one or more compartments in each of the
plurality of storage spaces. The refrigeration system is preferably
a vapour compression refrigeration unit comprising a compressor, a
condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator (metering device).
The vapour compression refrigeration unit is commonly described as
a heat pump served to extract and convey heat from the evaporator
to the atmosphere, with the use of a refrigerant. The refrigerant
is conveyed directly to the compartments with the use of at least
one common distribution system. The benefit of utilising one common
distribution system for distributing the heat transfer fluid to
exchange heat with the one or more compartments in each of the
plurality of lockable storage spaces is greatly improved energy
efficiency and reduced maintenance cost. This enables the use of
only one refrigeration system to provide cooling for multiple
storage spaces, significantly reducing the footprint required. In a
prior art system where a separate vapour compression refrigeration
unit is installed into each of the storage spaces, localised
ventilation is needed for heat dissipation. In the case of the
present aspect of the invention, the localised ventilation can be
omitted. Thus, there need be substantially no free spaces between
adjacent compartments, or between compartments and an outer housing
of the assembly, so as to offer greater weather protection, as well
as enhanced security against theft, vandalism and rodent/pest
infestation. In addition, the use of a common distribution system
allows the refrigeration system to be positioned remotely from the
lockable storage spaces. For example, instead of the refrigeration
system being integrated into each of the lockable storage spaces,
the refrigeration system can be physically separate to the lockable
storage spaces. For example, the refrigeration system can be
adjacent the lockable storage spaces but integrated into a locker
module comprising an assembly of the lockable storage spaces, e.g.
at the top of the locker modules. Alternatively, the refrigeration
system can be physically separate to the locker modules. This
enables inspections and maintenance of the refrigeration system to
be carried out without the need of access into each of the lockable
storage spaces. It also allows the storage spaces to be fabricated
as a fully sealed, closed unit independent of the refrigeration
system. This limits or prevents any cross contamination between
food stuff stored in adjacent compartments or lockable storage
spaces.
[0026] Optionally, the temperature of each of the one or more
compartments is independently controllable by separately varying
the quantity of heat transferred to said one or more compartments.
Optionally, the quantity of heat transferred is varied by varying
the duration of time the heat transfer fluid passes to the one or
more compartments. The quantity of heat transferred is varied to
each of the one or more compartments by varying the temperature
difference between the heat transfer fluid to the each of the one
or more compartments and the temperature of their corresponding
compartments. Having a steeper temperature gradient between heat
transfer fluid and the compartment increases the rate of heat
transfer. Therefore, to promote rapid cooling in the compartments
the heat transfer fluid may be supplied to the compartments at a
lower temperature. Optionally, the temperature controlled storage
comprises at least one valve for varying the quantity of heat
transfer fluid to the one or more compartments. For example, the
quantity of heat transferred to the compartments can be controlled
by varying the flow rate and/or the flow duration of heat transfer
fluid. In some cases, combined use of on/off valves and throttling
valves gives a more precise control of the flow rate of the heat
transfer fluid.
[0027] Optionally, the heat transfer fluid is a liquid or a gas.
Optionally, the heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant, and
optionally the refrigerant is type R290 refrigerant.
[0028] Optionally, the common distribution system comprises a first
distribution system for distributing a first heat transfer fluid to
exchange heat with a second distribution system; said second
distribution system distributes a second heat transfer fluid to
exchange heat with each of the one or more compartments.
Independent control of the first and second heat transfer fluid
permits the temperature within each compartment to be controlled
more precisely. This facilitates rapid switchover between the
different storage temperatures.
[0029] Optionally, the first heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant
and the second heat transfer fluid is a liquid, preferably, the
liquid experiences no phase transition over the entire working
range of temperature. Optionally, the second heat transfer fluid
comprises glycol. Optionally, the second heat transfer fluid can be
any one of ethylene glycol, silicone oil, water etc., and
compatible mixtures of such fluids, e.g. a mixture of water and
glycol at a lower cost.
[0030] Optionally, the temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprises a heating system for supplying heat to each of the one or
more compartments and therefore, provides more flexibility in the
control of the temperature of the compartment, e.g. during very
cold spells where chilled or ambient temperatures are required or
even defrosting of the compartments. Optionally, the heating system
comprises an electric heating element. Optionally electric heating
elements are installed to conduct heat to the at least one wall of
the lockable storage space or at least one compartment such that
the temperature thereof is raised by the operation of electric
heating elements. Optionally, the heating system comprises a
separate heat transfer fluid in cooperation with the refrigeration
system. For increased energy efficiency and to recuperate the heat
energy dissipated from the refrigeration system, e.g. condenser,
the heating system can utilise the dissipated heat energy to
provide heat to a separate heat transfer fluid so as to exchange
heat with the compartments.
[0031] Optionally, each of the one or more compartments comprises a
heat exchanger and a fan for circulating air from the heat
exchanger into the at least one of each of the one or more
compartments. The utilization of air circulation improves the heat
transfer from the heat transfer fluid to the air within the at
least one of each of the one or more compartments and thus the
switchover between different storage temperatures can be carried
out much promptly. Indeed, the improved efficiency means a smaller
surface area for heat transfer is required, thus the heat exchanger
design can be made simpler. Optionally, the temperature of the at
least one of each of the one or more compartments is controlled by
controlling the speed of the fan. The utilization of air
circulation improves the heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid
to the air within at least one compartment and thus the switchover
between different storage temperatures can be carried out much more
rapidly. By controlling the speed of the fan enables the
temperature in each of the compartments to be more reactive to any
fluctuation in temperature. For example, using PID based
(Proportional, Integral, Derivative) controllers, the temperature
in the lockable storage space or compartment can be more accurately
tuned to the desired set point level.
[0032] Optionally, the temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprises a chiller unit in cooperation with the refrigeration
system so as to dissipate heat from the heat transfer fluid. The
chiller unit serves as a heat sink to absorb excessive heat from
the refrigerant, when the primary refrigeration system is unable
dissipate all the heat from the refrigeration process to the
atmosphere. This mechanism is particular important during summer
months when an elevated ambient temperature impairs heat
dissipation.
[0033] Optionally, the refrigeration system defines a primary
refrigeration system and the chiller unit defines a secondary
refrigeration system, said chiller unit is in cooperation with the
primary refrigeration system by a separate distribution system
distributing a chiller heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with
the heat transfer fluid in the primary refrigeration system.
Optionally, the separate distribution system distributes the
chiller heat transfer fluid to a plurality of said primary
refrigeration systems or units. Preferably, the secondary
refrigeration system of the chiller unit cooperates with a separate
common distribution system to exchange heat with the heat transfer
fluid in the primary refrigeration system. The use of a separate
common distribution system for the chiller unit is only necessary
when the chiller unit is connected to more than one primary
refrigeration systems. Optionally, the heat transfer fluid in the
chiller refrigeration unit comprises glycol.
[0034] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a
temperature controlled storage apparatus, wherein the refrigeration
system has a defined maximum refrigeration capacity; and further
comprising a controller to selectively allocate the available
refrigeration capacity to all or a sub-group of compartments as
appropriate on the basis of defined urgency criteria; such that
those compartments in most need are prioritised and so that the
refrigeration system is not called upon to exceed its defined
maximum refrigeration capacity.
[0035] Optionally, the controller is arranged to receive data
indicating the temperature in the compartments and adapted to
compare the temperature in each compartment with a defined desired
range of temperature for that compartment; and in which the urgency
criteria prioritise compartments having a temperature outside said
defined desired range of temperature for that compartment.
[0036] Optionally, the comparison between the temperature in each
compartment with a defined desired range of temperature for that
compartment defines a differential temperature and in which the
urgency criteria prioritise compartments having the greatest
differential temperature. In the context of the present invention,
prioritisation based on "differential temperature" is the
temperature difference between the actual temperature of the
compartment (more preferably the air temperature inside the
compartment) and the desired set point temperature. For example, if
an available compartment is at temperature, T, and the compartment
is waiting in the queue to be cooled to frozen temperature at a
desired set point temperature of, T.sub.S.P., then the differential
temperature is T-T.sub.S.P.. The controller prioritises the
refrigeration capacity to those compartments having the greatest
differential temperature.
[0037] In the context of the present invention, the term "capacity"
relates to the ability of the refrigeration system to provide
cooling to a given number of compartments without affecting cooling
to each of these compartments. For example, in the case where the
refrigeration system is a vapour compression refrigeration unit
comprising a heat transfer fluid, e.g. a refrigerant, the capacity
of the refrigeration system is the limit where the amount of
refrigerant evaporated to each of the compartments becomes
inadequate. Optionally, the controller determines for each
compartment a required refrigeration capacity to maintain or return
the compartment to said defined desired range of temperature and
the urgency criteria include said required refrigeration capacity.
The term "refrigeration capacity" is equivalent to "cooling
capacity" or "refrigerant capacity" given elsewhere in the
referenced prior patent applications. Optionally, the controller
continuously makes the temperature comparison and adapts the
selective allocation of available refrigeration capacity; or
alternatively, the controller periodically makes the temperature
comparison and adapts the selective allocation of available
refrigeration capacity.
[0038] Optionally, the controller ranks the compartments in an
order of urgency and allocates refrigeration capacity to a group of
compartments having a total required refrigeration capacity at or
below the defined maximum refrigeration capacity. Optionally, the
defined desired range for each compartment is remotely
programmable. For example, remote temperature control can be
carried out via the data communication module. For example, the
temperature in the at least one compartment or each of the
compartments is controlled remotely to cater for the storage
requirement of a particular grocery order. Advantageously, the
lockable storage space or compartment can be regulated remotely to
the required temperature before the groceries are delivered, e.g.
changed from ambient or unregulated, to the desired temperature, on
a "just in time" basis, to minimise energy consumption of the
apparatus.
[0039] Optionally, the controller is arranged to place one or more
compartments having a temperature outside said defined desired
range of temperature for that compartment in a queue. Optionally,
the controller is arranged to determine the waiting times of the
one or more compartments in the queue and to prioritise available
refrigeration capacity to those compartments in the queue based on
their respective waiting times.
[0040] Optionally, the refrigeration system is adapted to cool a
sub-group of two compartments. To conserve space and to conserve
energy, the refrigeration system, in particular the compressor is
sized to cool a sub-group of compartments in the temperature
controlled apparatus at any one time. Thus, the refrigeration
capacity can be defined as the number of compartments that is able
to be cooled at any one time, e.g. two compartments. Thus, for
example, cooling in excess of three compartments runs the risk that
the capacity of the refrigeration system has been exceeded
resulting in inadequate cooling to each of the three compartments
as a result of an inadequate supply of heat transfer fluid to each
of the three compartments.
[0041] Preferably, the controller determines the required
refrigeration capacity by determining the number of compartments in
a group that are calling for cooling and if the number of
compartments calling for cooling is less than the predetermined
number of compartments then this is indicative of refrigeration
capacity being available. In the context of the present invention,
the term "calling for cooling", represents operational status of
the compartment. For example, when the compartment calls for
cooling the operational status of the compartment becomes active as
it attempts to draw heat transfer fluid to effect cooling of the
compartment.
[0042] In an event where only a limited number of compartments
calling for cooling, this would result in surplus refrigeration
capacity resulting in an imbalance in the refrigerant pressure and
thereby, causing a premature shut down of the refrigeration system,
i.e. the compressor. To mitigate this imbalance in the refrigerant
pressure, optionally the controller is arranged to relief any
surplus refrigeration capacity, e.g. the surplus refrigeration
capacity bypasses the compartments, so as to maintain or balance
the refrigerant pressure within the system and allow the limited
number of compartments to be cooled to their respective set point
temperature. Optionally, the controller controls/signals a bypass
valve to relieve any surplus refrigeration capacity.
[0043] Optionally, the controller is arranged to determine the
available refrigeration capacity by determining the status of at
least one said valve, e.g. by determining whether one or more
valves have been actuated or not, since the actuation of the valves
is an indication that its corresponding compartment is calling for
cooling. Optionally, the controller is arranged to determine
whether one or more said valves have been actuated.
[0044] During a cooling cycle there is a temperature difference
between the air temperature inside the compartment and the wall
temperature adjacent the evaporator or heat exchanger of the
compartment. This is due to the thermal lag between the air
temperature of the compartment and the wall of the compartment. Due
to thermal lag between the temperature of the air in the
compartment and the temperature of the heat exchanger which is
driving the lowering of the temperature of the air in the
compartment, this temperature differential can vary significantly
particularly when the compartment calls from more cooling during
the initial preparation phase of the compartment or when the door
is opened. It is paramount to keep this temperature differential as
small as possible as this leads to "surface freezing", where the
wall of the compartment is at a much lower temperature than the air
temperature inside the compartment and causes surface freezing of
perishable goods such as vegetables, e.g. lettuce, resting on the
wall of the compartment which are destined to be stored under
chilled conditions. Other problems include, the wall temperature of
the compartment "running way" from the air temperature causing
excessive cooling of the walls when the slave PCB is trying to
maintain the air temperature at a steady state. To mitigate this
problem, the present inventions "pulses" the cooling over a
predetermined temperature range of the evaporator or heat
exchanger, i.e. the heat transfer fluid exchanges heat with the
compartment in predetermined steps. This "pulsing" is repeated
until the air temperature inside the compartment has reached its
desired set point temperature.
[0045] The present invention provides a lockable temperature
controlled storage apparatus comprising; [0046] a) at least one
compartment having at least one wall, [0047] b) a refrigeration
system adapted to exchange heat with the least one compartment; and
[0048] c) a controller adapted to receive a first temperature
substantially indicative of the air temperature inside the
compartment and a second temperature substantially indicative of
the temperature of the at least one wall of the at least one
compartment, wherein the controller is arranged to; [0049] i)
interrupt the exchange of heat with the least one compartment when
the second temperature reaches a substantially lower limit and
re-establishes the exchange of heat with the at least one
compartment when the second temperature reaches a substantially
upper limit; [0050] ii) repeat step (i) until the first temperature
substantially reaches a predetermined set point temperature.
[0051] The refrigeration system or unit can be any refrigeration
system known to the person skilled in the art, for example
thermoelectric and magnetoccaloric refrigerators, or preferably
vapour compression refrigeration unit comprising a compressor, a
condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator (metering device).
The vapour compression refrigeration unit is commonly described as
a heat pump served to extract and convey heat from the evaporator
to the atmosphere, with the use of a refrigerant. The evaporator
serves to exchange latent heat between the refrigerant and the
surrounding air or heat transfer fluid in contact with the
evaporator.
[0052] Optionally, the temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprises:
at least one common distribution system comprising a heat transfer
fluid that is arranged to be in cooperation with the refrigeration
system, said at least one common distribution system distributing
the heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; wherein the controller is arranged to:-- [0053] i)
interrupt the flow of heat transfer fluid to the at least one
compartment when the second temperature reaches the substantially
lower limit and re-establish the flow of heat transfer fluid to
exchange heat with said at least one compartment when the second
temperature reaches the substantially upper limit; [0054] ii)
repeat step (i) until the first temperature substantially reaches
the predetermined set point temperature.
[0055] By interrupting and re-establishing the flow of heat
transfer fluid to the evaporator or the heat exchanger, the cooling
to the compartment can be "pulsed" in predetermined bursts.
Optionally, the first temperature is measured by a first
temperature sensing device and the second temperature is measured
by a second temperature sensing device, and wherein the first
temperature sensing device is adjacent to the at least one wall of
the compartment. Preferably, the first temperature sensing device
is fixed to at least one wall of the compartment, more preferably
to a rear wall of the compartment opposite the lockable door.
Optionally, at least one compartment comprises a heat exchanger or
an evaporator in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid
and wherein the second temperature sensing device is located
adjacent the heat exchanger or the evaporator. To get a close
enough measurement of the temperature of the evaporator or the heat
exchanger, the second temperature sensing device is placed adjacent
the evaporator or heat exchanger. In this context, the heat
exchanger can be termed an evaporator since cooling mainly occurs
in the evaporator as the liquid refrigerant evaporates and thus,
cools.
[0056] Optionally, the temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprises at least one valve for varying the quantity of heat
transfer fluid to the at least one compartment in each of the two
or more storage spaces and wherein said controller is arranged to
control the actuation of the valves for interrupting and
re-establishing the flow of the heat transfer fluid between the
lower limit and the upper limit of the temperature from the second
temperature sensing device respectively to at least one
compartment. Optionally, said upper limit is substantially
-7.degree. C. and said lower limit is substantially -10.degree. C.
The number of cooling "pulses" by interrupting and re-establishing
the flow of the heat transfer fluid is dependent on whether the set
point temperature measured from the first sensing device has been
reached, i.e. whether the air temperature inside the compartment
has reached its desired set point temperature. Once, the
temperature from the first sensing device has been reached, this
pulsing and thus, the flow of the heat transfer fluid to the
evaporator is stopped. Optionally, the temperature controlled
storage apparatus comprises two or more lockable storage spaces,
each of the two or more lockable storage spaces comprises said at
least one compartment.
[0057] Optionally, the present invention provides a method of
preparing a temperature controlled storage apparatus for the
storage of one or more temperature sensitive items, comprising a
controller arranged to controlling each of the one or more
compartments of the at least one of the plurality of lockable
storage spaces to store goods at at least chilled or frozen
temperature in anticipation or preparation of demand.
[0058] Optionally, the controller arranged to controlling each of
the one or more compartments of the at least one of the plurality
of lockable storage spaces to store goods at controlled ambient or
chilled or frozen temperature in anticipation or preparation of
demand.
[0059] Optionally, the method comprises the steps of:-- [0060] i)
receiving an order for one or more temperature sensitive items;
[0061] ii) preparing the temperature of the one or more
compartments of at least one of the plurality of lockable storage
space for the order.
[0062] Optionally, the method comprises the steps of: [0063] i)
identifying the required storage temperature of each of the one or
more temperature sensitive items in the order; [0064] ii)
allocating one or more compartments of the at least one of the
plurality of lockable storage spaces to store the one or more
temperature sensitive items based on their identified storage
temperature.
[0065] Optionally, each of the plurality of lockable storage spaces
comprises a programmable lockable door closable to seal the
plurality of lockable storage spaces from each other and a local
user interface associated with the programmable lockable door, the
method further comprising the steps of: [0066] i) generating a
unique collection code to input into the local user interface to
permit access to the allocated one or more compartments of the at
least one of the plurality of lockable storage spaces; [0067] ii)
storing the one or more temperature sensitive items into the
allocated one or more compartments of the at least one of the
plurality of lockable storage spaces; [0068] iii) communicating the
unique collection code to a customer whereupon input of the unique
collection code into the local user interface electronically
unlocks the programmable lockable door of each of the plurality of
lockable storage spaces allocated to the customer order.
[0069] Optionally, whereupon input of the unique collection code
into the local user interface, the method further comprising the
step of: [0070] i) automatically opening the programmable door of
the allocated lockable storage space comprising the stored one or
more temperature sensitive items; and/or [0071] ii) providing
identification means of the allocated lockable storage space
comprising the stored one or more temperature sensitive items.
[0072] Optionally, the present invention provides a method of
preparing temperature sensitive items for delivery to a temperature
controlled apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:-- [0073]
i) receiving a user request for delivery of one or more temperature
sensitive items; [0074] ii) determining the required temperature of
the one or more temperature sensitive items; [0075] iii) placing
the one or more temperature sensitive items in one or more
containers of selected size such that the items in any one
container may be exposed to a common temperature range without
adverse effect; [0076] iv) before or after placing the one or more
temperature sensitive items in one or more containers of selected
size, determining availability at the temperature controlled
apparatus of one or more of the compartments of the plurality of
lockable storage spaces:-- [0077] a) at or controllable to a
temperature or temperatures suitable to receive the containers
[0078] b) of suitable dimensions to receive the containers.
[0079] Optionally, the compartments are of different size and the
containers are of selected size to closely fit the width and/or
depth of the compartments.
[0080] Optionally, the containers are of selected size to closely
fit the height of the compartments.
[0081] Optionally, the containers are of a selected size to closely
fit side by side to each other in the compartment.
[0082] Optionally, the containers are stackable such that two or
more containers adapted to fit in a small compartment can be
stacked to fit in a larger compartment while protecting the goods
from crushing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0083] Further features and aspects of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of an
illustrative embodiment made with reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0084] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the arrangement of
refrigerated locker modules according to an embodiment the present
invention.
[0085] FIGS. 1B-1D are perspective views showing the installation
of the refrigerated locker modules onto a platform according to an
embodiment the present invention.
[0086] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing the
arrangement of the compartments within a lockable storage space of
the locker module according to an embodiment the present
invention.
[0087] FIGS. 2C-2E are perspective views showing detachable
insulating panels being mounted on a door.
[0088] FIG. 2F is a perspective view showing secondary magnets
installed or located at the free end of the locker door and LED
strip installed internally of the compartment.
[0089] FIG. 2G is an expanded view of the hinge mechanism according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0090] FIG. 2H is a perspective view of the diametrical formation
at the end of the helical spring received at the end of the hinge
pin;
[0091] FIG. 2I is a perspective view of the hinge mechanism
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0092] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing some possible
different sizes and arrangements of the stack of modular
compartments according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0093] FIGS. 4A-4C are process flow diagrams showing the primary
system and/or secondary system for refrigerating, heating and
distributing the heat transfer fluid to the each of the
compartments of the locker module according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0094] FIG. 4D is a process flow diagram showing a set of isolation
valves for diverting the heat transfer fluid or refrigerant away
from the economiser heat exchanger.
[0095] FIG. 4E is a process flow diagram showing a supplementary
cooling circuit to provide addition cooling when required.
[0096] FIG. 4F is a perspective view showing a refrigeration unit
mounted on top of a locker module according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0097] FIG. 4G is a process flow diagram showing the layout of the
components of the refrigeration unit leading to the individual
compartments of a locker module according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0098] FIG. 4H is perspective view of a pressure-enthalpy diagram
of a refrigeration cycle with a sub-cooled liquid region.
[0099] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the distribution system
for distributing the heat transfer fluid to each of the storage
spaces of the locker module according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0100] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a magnified view of
the manifold of the distribution system according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0101] FIGS. 6B-6E are perspective views showing stages of
installing the distribution system and the bund.
[0102] FIGS. 6F-6H are schematic representations showing
distribution of heat transfer fluid to an array of compartments in
a locker module.
[0103] FIG. 6I is a flowchart showing the steps in setting the
temperature of each of the compartments to a desired set point
temperature.
[0104] FIGS. 6J and 6K are perspective views of the inline manifold
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0105] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger
exterior to one of the compartments according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0106] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a forced air
circulation heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0107] FIGS. 9A-9H are perspective views showing the stages of
forming one of the compartments according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0108] FIG. 9I is a top view of the evaporator plate in an unfolded
configuration according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0109] FIG. 9J is a perspective view of the evaporator plate of
FIG. 9I in a folded configuration;
[0110] FIG. 9K is a bottom view of the evaporator plate showing the
heater element;
[0111] FIG. 9L is an exploded view of the suction line assembly of
the refrigeration system, showing a suction line tube and opposed
female keyed connector adapted to be joined to the end of the
suction line and the capillary tube inside the connector;
[0112] FIG. 9M is an exploded view of the suction line support of
the brazed joint between the channels of the evaporator plate;
[0113] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a channel of the
secondary heat exchanger with a D shaped cross-section
substantially flat against the wall of the cavity, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0114] FIGS. 11A-11C are perspective views showing (a) a retainer
for retaining the channels of the secondary heat exchanger and
temperature sensing device in contact with the exterior wall of the
cavity, (b) a slave PCB installed adjacent to a compartment for
localised temperature control, and (c) an enclosure for the
protection of the slave PCB.
[0115] FIGS. 11D-1, 11D-2, 11D-3 and 11D-4 show a flow diagram
showing the sequence of steps in prioritising the supply of
refrigerant to each of the compartments in a locker module
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0116] FIG. 11E shows a cross-sectional view of the thermal break
assembled onto the edge of the compartment according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0117] FIG. 11F is a cross sectional view of the thermal break
showing the extrusion profile of the sealing and engaging
portions;
[0118] FIG. 11G showing an exploded view of the connection of
mitred ends of strips of the thermal break by a connector according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0119] FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are perspective views showing the
arrangement of the network components according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0120] FIG. 13A shows an example of a layout of the arrangement of
the compartments in the system.
[0121] FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a shelving unit according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0122] FIG. 13C is a perspective view of a compartment shelf
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0123] FIG. 13D shows the compartment shelf of FIG. 13C when stowed
away to the top wall of the compartment according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0124] FIG. 13E is a perspective view of the support rod extending
through the compartment shelf according to the second embodiment of
the present invention
[0125] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the locker modules
equipped with an overhead gantry according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0126] FIGS. 14B and 14C show the door handle having a recess to
accept a unique identification label according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0127] FIG. 14D is a perspective view of locker module with an
overhead canopy according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0128] FIG. 14E is an exploded view of the canopy strut according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0129] FIG. 14F is a perspective view showing a refrigeration unit
that is mounted on top of a locker module according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0130] FIGS. 14G and 14H show an exploded view showing the
engagement of the locker module to the canopy strut according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0131] FIG. 14I is a perspective view of an assembly of locker
modules adopting a substantially "U" shaped configuration;
[0132] FIG. 14J is a perspective view of the canopy struts of the
present invention assembled together to form a corner junction at
an assembly of the locker modules shown in FIG. 14I;
[0133] FIG. 14K is an exploded view of the front end of a canopy
strut of the assembly shown in FIG. 14J;
[0134] FIG. 14L is an exploded view of the rear end of the canopy
of the assembly shown in FIG. 14J;
[0135] FIG. 15 shows an example of a control unit that may be
employed in an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0136] The apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of units
representing refrigerated locker modules 20, an access control
module 40 for controlling access to and monitoring the status of
the locker modules and a refrigeration plant module 50 coupled to a
distribution system 60. The distribution system 60 is shown running
along the top of the apparatus 10, to circulate and distribute heat
transfer fluid from the refrigeration plant module 50 to the rest
of the apparatus 10. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1A,
the plurality of locker modules 20, the access control module 40
and the refrigeration plant modules 50 are arranged side-by-side to
conserve floor space. However, other arrangements of the units are
permissible such as a vertically stacked arrangement. Each of the
units representing the plurality of locker modules 20, access
control module 40 and the refrigerated plant module 50 are arranged
in modular form so as to permit the system 10 to be easily
expandable by simply adding more locker modules 20.
[0137] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, each of the locker modules 20 are
mounted onto a platform 12 to form the apparatus 10. The mounting
mechanism and method described here applies to other modular units,
i.e., access control module 40 and the refrigeration plant module
50. The platform 12 comprises a levelling mechanism to ensure that
each of the locker modules are level and in alignment with each
other. The levelling mechanism can be any means known to the person
skilled in the art, for example differential screws, mechanical or
hydraulic jacks. The base of the locker modules 20 comprises one or
more wheels 17 for mounting onto tracks 16 that extend
perpendicular to the length of the platform 12. This enables the
locker modules to be easily mounted or dis-mounted from the
platform simply by rolling the locker modules in a direction
perpendicular to the length of the platform. In the particular
embodiment shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the base of the locker
modules comprises at least a pair of wheels 17, preferably located
at the rear of the locker modules, which are spaced apart so as to
mount onto a pair of tracks fixed to the platform. To mount the
locker module onto the platform, the user tilts the locker module
forward so that the front of the locker module pivots on its front
end and the opposite end comprising the wheels 17 are lifted clear
from the ground. This allows the wheels 17 to be mounted onto the
tracks. When mounted on the tracks, the locker module is then
pivoted about the rear opposite end containing the wheels 17 so
that the front end is lifted clear off the ground, so enabling the
user to slide the refrigerator unit onto the platform using the
rear wheels 17 to help manoeuvre the locker module onto the tracks.
The rails are preferably installed onto the base during the
manufacturing process to allow quick and precise positioning during
module assembly on site. Once all the modular units are securely
mounted onto the platform 12, cover panels 14 are installed to side
of the modular unit assembly. This modular arrangement permits easy
replacement of units in the event of a breakdown or a faulty unit,
in particular with respect to the refrigerated plant module 50.
However, it is not necessary that the units are arranged in modular
form for the working of the present invention.
[0138] In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the locker
module 20 comprises a door 18 and a lockable storage space 22. The
lockable storage space 22 is divided into three vertically stacked
compartments 24, 28, 30 separated by a partition 26. In FIG. 2A the
interior volume and thus the storage capacity of the each of the
compartments 24, 28, 30, is adjustable to cater for sets of
groceries of different sizes. For example, frozen goods, which
usually account for the smallest portion of grocery shopping are
assigned to the smallest compartment 28, whilst ambient goods are
stored in the largest compartment 30. In the particular embodiment
shown in FIG. 2A, the partition 26 separating the compartments 24,
28, 30 is able to be vertically adjustable to allow redistribution
of storage capacity within a lockable storage space 22. For
example, the partitions 26 may run along runners or rails mounted
to the side walls of the lockable storage space 22 allowing easy
movement of the partition 26 to their desired height. Equally or in
addition to the movement of the partitions 26, at least one of the
partitions 26 can be removed so merging at least two compartments.
Movable partitions warrant a greater degree of flexibility to store
oversized consignments and in some cases it is necessary that the
compartments in the same storage space can be merged. The removable
wall can for example be slotted into or onto a selected one of a
number of horizontal grooves or ridges (not shown) provided at
intervals throughout the height of the side and/or rear walls of
the lockable storage space 22 and preferably making a seal with
these walls when slotted into position. The removable wall may
carry a seal at its front edge for sealing against the door 18 when
closed. Sensors (e.g. optical sensors or mechanical limit switches)
may be provided to determine which grooves or ridges are occupied
and hence the configuration of the partitions and the associated
refrigeration or heating requirements. Thus, if an individual item
or the whole grocery consignment to be kept at a given temperature
exceeds the dimension of the largest compartment 30, the courier
can opt to merge two adjacent compartments at the point of deposit,
e.g. the two partitions 26 may be stacked to eliminate the middle
compartment 28 and create more storage capacity in the other two
compartments 24 and 30.
[0139] Another example of a locker module arrangement is
illustrated in FIG. 2B. Here a locker module comprises individual
lockable storage spaces 22a and 22b. As shown in FIG. 2B, each of
the top two lockable storage spaces 22a consists of only one
compartment 24 and associated door. For example, the lockable
storage space 22a provides storage for a consignment of goods
requiring the same storage temperature. Similarly lockable storage
space 22b provides storage for another consignment of goods all to
be kept at the same temperature, which may be the same as or
different from the temperature of space 22a. The temperature of
space 22a may be varied for successive consignments of goods; and
likewise the temperatures of lockable storage space 22b and/or
compartments 24, 28 and 30. For an order of grocery goods requiring
multiple storage temperatures, the locker module of FIG. 2B is
provided with a single lockable storage space 22 comprising a
plurality of separate individual compartments sharing a single
access door 18. In the particular case, three individually
separated compartments 24, 28, 30 are shown to cater for goods
requiring ambient, chilled and frozen temperature respectively.
[0140] Each of the lockable doors 18 securing a storage space 22 is
rotatably attached to a frame or support structure 19 using any
connecting means known to the person skilled in the art, for
example pivots, barrel hinges and flexible living hinges. The
lockable doors 18 may open sideway as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.
Alternatively the lockable doors can be arranged to open downwardly
or upwardly. This is particular useful if the doors cannot fully
opened in a confined location where one side of the locker is
backed against a wall.
[0141] In comparison to the locker module 20 shown in FIG. 2A where
storage spaces are divided into compartments by partitions, the
compartments 24, 28, 30 illustrated in FIG. 2B are housed within
the storage space 22 as individual units. Also shown in FIG. 2B, is
that the individual compartments are vertically stacked and held
within the frame or support structure 19, which may be one bay in a
larger framework comprising a plurality of such bays arranged side
by side. For example, a 3-tier storage space may consist of
ambient, chilled and frozen compartments, vertically stacked, to
cater for different types of grocery goods so as to enable
customers to benefit retrieving their entire grocery shopping
within one lockable storage space. This permits different
combinations of lockable storage spaces to be stacked, each
lockable storage space behind a given door housing one or more
compartments.
[0142] FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of the different sizes and
arrangements of compartments that can be stacked to offer different
sized storage. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the
height of the compartments can be varied whilst keeping their width
fixed so as to offer compartments of differing interior volume. The
fixed width enables the compartments to be mounted into a housing
having a cavity (housing cavity). In the particular embodiment of
the present invention as shown in FIG. 3B, the housing is provided
by a frame 19 such that the compartments are mounted onto the frame
19. Five examples of compartments (A, B, C, D, E) with different
heights are shown in FIG. 3A and represent heights of 250 mm, 350
mm, 400 mm, 450 mm and 550 mm respectively. The heights of the
compartments are not restricted to those shown in FIG. 3A and other
examples of heights offering different interior volumes are
permissible in the present invention. Each compartment has an open
end or compartment cavity to receive goods for storage. Optionally,
the cavity has an internal volume of substantially 65 litres or 145
litres or 226 litres. And optionally, the cavity has an internal
length of substantially 620 mm and a width of substantially 420 mm
and wherein the height of the cavity is substantially 250 mm or 560
mm or 870 mm. A cavity with the specified capacity and dimensions
permits a single or a stack of standard sized tote containers to be
closely fitted into the said cavity in order to maximise storage
capacity.
[0143] A lockable door 18 is mounted to the frame for closing the
open end 98 of the compartment. As shown in FIG. 2B, a single door
18 may be used to close multiple compartments or alternatively,
each compartment has its own dedicated door. To allow
interchangeability of the compartments and to provide different
combinations of variously sized compartments, the compartments can
be mounted to rails 92 so as to allow each compartment to be easily
slid out of the frame. FIG. 3B shows three different combinations
of the compartments mounted to the frame of a fixed height and
indicated as AAAAA or CDD or CBE, where A has the smallest interior
volume and E has the largest interior volume. The greater the
height of each compartment, the smaller the number of compartments
that can be mounted to the frame and vice versa. In the case where
the total height of the stack of compartments does not extend the
full height of the frame, a spacer can be inserted into the gap 94
created between the uppermost compartment and the top of the
frame.
[0144] Alternatively the compartments 24 are installed as stacked
modular units and the combined height of the stack of compartments
equals to the full height of the frame 19. Optionally, each of the
compartments are removable. The modular design allows the
compartments to be replaced easily, for example with a compartment
of a different size or combination of sizes is required, or to
replace faulty compartments. Equally, each of the lockable storage
spaces containing at least one compartment can be modular. The
compartments 24 have external dimensions in substantially integral
ratios, such that different combinations of compartments can be
incorporated to equate to the full height of the frame. Since the
combined height of the compartments is substantially equal to the
full height of the frame, the spacer described in the previous
embodiment is no longer required. For example, numerous
combinations can be built into a 1.5 m tall frame using 250 mm, 500
mm, 750 mm, 1000 mm and 1250 mm tall compartments having a
corresponding ratio of 1:2:3:4:5, e.g. to achieve a total height of
1500 mm a combination can be any of the 250 mm/500 mm/750 mm
(1:2:3), two of the larger sizes 500 mm/1000 mm (2:4), three of the
500 mm tall compartment (2:2:2) or six of the 250 mm tall
compartments (1:1:1:1:1:1). In addition, the height of each of the
lockable doors securing a storage space will be manufactured to the
same integral ratio to the compartments. For example the doors are
manufactured to a height multiple of 250 mm, to accommodate any
compartment combinations.
[0145] In addition to the vertically stacked configuration,
compartments 24 can be arranged side by side to occupy the full
width of the frame 19. The widths of compartments 24 in this case
have integral ratios of 1:2:3:4:5. This serves to incorporate
compartments 24 with different storage temperature at the same
level within a given bay or frame 19, to create smaller storage
spaces. For example, it is particularly useful for storage of
smaller grocery orders. When a storage space is divided
horizontally, some compartments may have a height greater than
their width, thus providing upright storage for "ready to drink"
cold beverages, for example soft drinks, champagne and white wine.
In addition, the compartments 24 can also be arranged back to front
to occupy the full depth of the frame 19. The integral ratios of
the width, height and/or depth of the compartment can be
represented by x:y:z. The substantially integral ratios of the
height and/or the width and/or the depth of the two or more storage
compartments ensure various combinations of storage compartments
can be fully incorporated into the cavity. In addition it gives the
flexibility for adopting any new combination of the storage
compartments when required, to be fully incorporated into the
cavity. The integral ratio also reduces the variation of
compartments supplied by the manufacturer, and thus reduces the
number of spare parts and manufacturing cost.
[0146] Instead of each compartment having its own dedicated door as
shown in FIG. 2B, a single master door serving all of the
compartments in a storage space would be ideal irrespective of the
size of the compartment contained therein. To accommodate for the
different compartmental sizes in a storage space, detachable
insulating panels 91 of varying sizes depending on the size of the
compartment are removably attached to the master door 18 using any
fastening means known to the person skilled in the art, e.g.
snap-on fixings and/or magnetic fasteners. The use of insulating
panels separately detachable from a master door allows any damaged
insulating panels to be replaced easily without the need to replace
the entire door. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2C-2E, the
insulating panels are detachably fixed to the master door by means
of a snap-on fixture and are sized so that each insulating panel
substantially covers and seals the mouth of the compartment with
sealing members 93 as shown in FIG. 2E. Such sealing members 93
optionally have primary magnets lined underneath, so that when the
door is in the closed position the magnets are attracted onto the
mouth of compartment 24 to provide a water tight seal. For the
purpose of this invention, the term "sealing" is construed to mean
sealing the compartment to substantially prevent the ingress of
moisture, more preferably, to provide an air seal as is commonly
found in refrigeration units. In some embodiments, the insulating
panels 91 are only detachable using specialised tools. The
insulating panels 91 comprise insulating material (i.e.
polystyrene) encapsulated in a stainless steel cover to ensure the
surface of insulation panels 91 are easily cleanable so as to
inhibit bacterial growth.
[0147] Having a door comprising a master door and at least one
insulating panels is transferable to other temperature controlled
apparatus such as for closing an oven or a refrigerator where
through wear and tear, the door particularly the seal and/or
insulating capability is lost over time. By just replacing the
insulating panel forming part of the door removes the needs to
replace the entire door which in a majority of cases would
necessitate detaching the door from its mounting hinges.
[0148] FIG. 2F shows an example of a locker door 18 with a closure
mechanism to bias the locker door from an open configuration to a
closing configuration. The closure mechanism may be any mechanisms
known the person skilled in the art, for example closing hinges and
concealed chain spring closures. To prevent the locker door
bouncing back to an open configuration and to stabilise the door
when in a closed configuration, secondary magnets 95 are installed
or located at the free end of the locker door opposite the hinged
end for maintaining the door in in a closed configuration. The
magnetic pull of the secondary magnetic is able to engage the door
in the final locking configuration. Thus, the remotely programmable
insulated lockable door comprises a first magnetic to effect
sealing of the compartments from atmosphere and a second magnetic
to aid and/or maintain the remotely programmable insulated lockable
door in a closed configuration.
[0149] The door is rotatably mounted to a door frame of the
compartment by a hinge mechanism 400 comprising a shaft or pin 402
receivable in the compartment door frame 404 (see FIG. 2G). Since
the exterior shell of the locker module is fabricated from pressed
sheet metal, e.g. steel, the door frame 404 at the mouth of the
compartment offers very little support to maintain the door in a
substantially vertical orientation. Without any support there is a
tendency for the sheet metal of the door frame in the vicinity of
the hinge mechanism 400 to buckle or bend through either the weight
of the door and/or opening the door beyond its limit. The hinge
mechanism 400 of the present invention comprises a support bracket
406 having one or more apertures or through holes 408 to allow the
hinge pin or shaft 402 to extend axially in a vertical direction
through the door frame 404 and into the one or more apertures 408
of the support bracket 406. The double support of the hinge pin 402
offers additional structural support with limited play when the
door is mounted to the hinge mechanism. In the particular
embodiment shown in FIG. 2G, the support bracket 406 is
substantially "U" shaped having an attachment face 410 for securing
the support bracket 406 onto a wall of the compartment and opposing
pin or shaft receiving portions 412 (see FIG. 2I). The support
bracket 406 is orientated so that the through holes 408 in the
opposing pin or shaft receiving portions 412 is in alignment with
the pin or shaft 402 extending from the door frame at the mouth of
the compartment.
[0150] To urge the door in a closed configuration every time the
door is opened and thereby, reduce the escape of cold air or
ingress of warm air into the compartment, the hinge mechanism 400
further comprises a torsion biasing mechanism 414. The torsion
biasing mechanism 414 as shown in FIGS. 2G and 2I comprises a
helical spring, which is fitted onto the shaft. Its spring legs on
both sides of the helical spring are respectively locked to the
rotating shaft and the support bracket in a state in which a
resilient force is reserved in the spring legs when the door is
opened. As shown in FIG. 2H, one leg of the spring comprises a bent
portion 416 in a diametrical formation that is received in a
diametrical slot or recess 418 at the end of the shaft allowing
this end to rotate when the shaft rotates. The other leg at the
other end 420 of the spring is locked or butts up against a wall of
the support bracket 406 and therefore, is prevented from rotating.
The other end 422 of the shaft is fixed to the door so as to rotate
when the door is opened or closed. Thus, opening of the door from a
closed configuration causes the shaft to rotate which in turn
exerts a torque on the spring that tends to return the door to the
original closed configuration. To prevent the torque exerted on the
spring closing the door too fast with the potential to trap a
user's fingers, viscous material such as grease can be charged
between the shaft and a shaft inserting portion. For example the
door frame at the bottom wall of the compartment can be adapted to
receive the shaft to also include a shaft insertion portion which
can be fabricated as a shaft receiving tube for receiving the hinge
pin. Such a viscous material resists against the relative turn
between the shaft and the shaft inserting portion when the shaft is
turned within the shaft inserting portion, so that the door is
slowly closed at a suppressed speed by the spring. Internal
lightings are provided in some embodiments of present invention,
more preferably each of the compartments comprises at least one
internal light for illuminating the interior of the compartment. As
shown in FIG. 2F a LED strip is installed internally to the
compartment to provide illumination. However the internal lighting
can be any lighting known to the person skilled in the art, for
example incandescent bulbs and fluorescence tubes. However, LED
lighting or solid state lighting is more preferable due to their
efficiency and minimum heat dissipation to the surroundings. The
lights are controlled by proximity or tactile switches so that they
only operate when the locker doors are opened.
[0151] When replacing a compartment of one size (preferably height,
e.g. 250 mm) by a compartment of another size (e.g. 500 mm), the
previously mounted insulating panel is replaced by another
insulating panel of a different size sufficient to close the mouth
of the replacement compartment. In some embodiments as shown in
FIG. 2C, where a single door 18 seals multiple compartments 22,
each mouth of the compartment may be substantially covered and
sealed by a single insulating panel 91 such that each compartment
in the storage space shares the same insulating panel.
Alternatively, there may be multiple insulating panels 91 sharing
the same master door such that the mouths or openings of the
compartments in the storage space 22 is closed by separately
mounted insulating panels. The benefit of using detachable
insulating panels 91 is that any damaged panels are easily
replaceable without the need to replace a new door 18, which in a
majority of cases necessitates detaching the door from its
hinges.
[0152] To prevent inadvertent tampering with the door to gain
access to the contents of the compartments, the master door 18
securing a temperature controlled storage space 22 is sufficiently
resilient to stop thieves from prying the locker doors open or
breaking the doors with blunt force. These master doors 22 are
typically manufactured from a single piece of metal slab with
considerable thickness to guarantee their structural integrity.
Thus, the typical insulating technique where insulating materials
are sandwiched between metal claddings need not be applied
here.
[0153] The apparatus may further comprise containers (not shown) to
facilitate a more efficient delivery and collection process. The
containers are preferably rigid and stackable for temporary storage
of grocery goods at appropriate storage temperatures. The
containers are of selected size to closely fit the width and or
depth (front to rear dimension) of the compartments so as to enable
easy removal of the containers. The close fit may be achieved with
a single container or by several containers placed beside one
another. Such method ensures a more efficient delivery process, for
example instead of stocking the compartment with individual items,
the courier can simply load the whole container into the
compartment. For example multiple containers can be stacked in a
single compartment. During delivery, a courier can slide a single
or a stack of multiple pre-packed container containing an order of
grocery goods directly into a compartment, instead of stocking up
with individual items. Preloading the container also ensures the
groceries can fit into a chosen compartment even before they are
delivered. Similarly the consignee or end customer also has the
option to collect the containers, as opposed to loading each
individual grocery item into his/her own carrier bags. Optionally,
the container comprises an outer container (otherwise known in the
field of the present invention as a "bale arm") and an inner
container or a tote, said inner container or tote is removable from
the outer container. The outer container facilitates carrying one
or more inner containers. Preferably, the inner container or tote
is disposable. One or more of the disposable inner container or
tote carriers that fit and line the rigid outer containers are
provided to facilitate easy removal of grocery goods. As such
during collection the consignee or end customer may collect one or
more of the disposable tote carriers or inner containers containing
the order of grocery goods. The use of containers significantly
cuts down this delivery and collection time. As the locker systems
are often located at busy commuter hubs, e.g. train stations with
limited parking provisions, an efficient delivery and collection
process is particularly beneficial. For example a faster turnaround
time means the courier can deliver to more locker systems in a
given time and there will be less crowding by customers collecting
their orders at peak times. Alternatively, a single container can
be used to deliver the grocery goods without the need to have a
separate outer container or an inner container.
[0154] The exterior dimensions of the outer container or single
container (if there are no outer and inner containers) are
preferably substantially identical to the interior dimensions of a
corresponding cavity so as to provide a substantially close sliding
fit with little wasted space. For example, in order to store one or
more standard sized containers (otherwise known in the field of the
present invention as a "bale arm") with a 600 mm by 400 mm
footprint, the length and width of the cavity may be fixed at 620
mm and 420 mm, whilst the height of the cavity can vary between 250
mm, 560 mm and 870 mm to provide storage for a stack of one, two
and/or three containers. Alternatively the containers are
manufactured to different sizes so that they can be placed within
the any of the corresponding compartments described earlier.
Another distinct advantage of using a container is that by
prepacking an order of grocery goods into a container, the
supermarket supplier can confirm that the entire grocery order can
fit into a compartment, since the dimensions of a container are
substantially identical to the size of its corresponding
compartment. The containers are preferably equipped with
identification mechanisms to aid and ensure the containers are
placed into the correct compartment. Such identification mechanisms
can be any means known to the person skilled in the art, for
example colour coded containers, RFID tags, markings and
temperature sensitive labels.
[0155] The container is made from any (preferably) rigid and
durable material known to the person skilled in the art, for
example plastic (e.g., HDPE, PP) or metal (e.g., stainless steel),
or readily recyclable materials such as corrugated
cardboard/fibreboard or paper. Whilst the plastic and metal
containers are reusable, the corrugated cardboard containers are
disposable as it is an alternative to plastic bags. The container
should allow sufficient heat transfer between the grocery goods and
the surrounding environment to ensure the goods are kept at the
correct temperature within the storage compartments of the
apparatus and within the other temperature controlled parts of the
distribution chain. For example even though plastic is a thermal
insulator, by including a plurality of ventilation holes on the
container's walls, it allows convective heat transfer between the
grocery goods and the surrounding air. While a low level of thermal
insulation/thermal mass of the container allows temperature
equilibrium to be quickly attained in the temperature controlled
parts of the delivery chain, there may be some merit in providing
containers having somewhat higher thermal mass and/or thermal
insulation properties, so as to keep the groceries at an acceptable
temperature when the container is exposed to ambient temperatures,
e.g. during the final collection leg by the customer. The container
may be put into a separate insulating bag, wrapper or the like for
this stage.
[0156] Container collection facilities may be made available
locally at the locker apparatus for customers to return empty
containers. To prevent damage to or theft of these containers the
container collection facility may comprise any security mechanism
known to the person skilled in the art, such as non-return flaps.
The empty containers may be nestable or collapsible for compact
storage in the return facility, but stackable when full, with the
weight of a container above resting on a container below, so that
several containers may be stacked within a storage compartment
without crushing goods in the container(s) below. The heights,
widths and/or depths of the containers may be chosen relative to
the corresponding dimensions of the storage compartments of the
locker apparatus, such that the containers can be stacked one upon
another, one beside another, and/or one in front of another, in the
storage compartments, with little wasted space. In hard to reach
places which require excessive bending of the user's back or for
wheel chair bound users, a compartment, preferably the bottom
compartment 30, may include a step 32 so as to offer an elevated
shelf to the user. This minimizes the user's reach needed to access
the furthermost parts of the compartment.
[0157] To prevent unauthorized access to the lockable storage space
22, the door of the lockable storage space 22 is fitted with a
digital locking mechanism. Further explanation of the working of
the digital locking mechanism to permit access to the lockable
storage space 22 is discussed below.
[0158] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the apparatus preferably
comprises a primary system 200 for refrigeration and heating and a
secondary system 260 in cooperation with the primary system 200 for
distributing or transferring heat or cooling in the primary system
200 to the individual compartments of the lockable storage space
(see FIG. 4A). The primary system 200 is a closed loop system and
schematically represents the refrigeration/heating plant module 50
as well as the temperature controlled compartments (see FIG. 4A).
In the particular arrangement shown in FIG. 4A, the primary system
200 comprises a separate refrigeration system 220 and a heating
system 240, both configured as a separate closed loop system. The
refrigeration system 220 may comprise a conventional vapour
compression refrigeration unit and acts as the primary heat pump
for heat extraction, however it can be any other heat pumps known
to the person skilled in the art, for example thermoelectric or
magnetocaloric refrigerators. Magnetocaloric refrigeration is based
on applying a series of magnetization and demagnetization cycles to
a magnetocaloric material such as gadolinium alloy; as such the
magnetocaloric material may be heated during magnetization and then
offloads excess energy towards a heat sink, before it is cooled
during demagnetization and takes energy from a liquid refrigerant,
as such lowering the temperature of the said liquid refrigerant.
The benefit of adopting a magnetocaloric refrigerator is that the
inefficiency associated with vapour compression, i.e. frictional
loss in a compressor, pressure drop in the gas phase
refrigerant.
[0159] The refrigeration system 220 is a vapour compression unit
and can be based on a conventional refrigerant such as R290 but
other conventional and/or natural refrigerants known in the art are
permissible in the present invention. In comparison to the
refrigeration system 220, the closed loop representing the heating
system 240 carries a heat transfer fluid to absorb heat from the
primary system. A separate heating system 240 is optional and
functions to provide heat to the secondary system 260 via a heat
transfer fluid in order to facilitate a temperature change of each
of the compartments from a compartment for storing frozen goods to
a compartment for storing goods that require a chilled or ambient
temperature or to maintain a compartment at a set temperature or
within a temperature range, or even at elevated temperatures. The
heating system 240 can be any system known to the person skilled in
the art. For example, the heating system 240 can be provided by
electric heating elements or by gas heating. However, in hot
climate regions such as the Middle East, it may not be necessary to
use a separate heating system since the system can extract the heat
from the surrounding environment and this has the beneficial effect
of conserving energy. The heating system may also be arranged to
extract heat from the condenser of the refrigeration system
220.
[0160] In cooperation with the primary system 200, the secondary
system 260 distributes and circulates the heat or cooling from the
primary system 200 to the individual compartments. In the
particular embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, heat/cooling is transferred
from the primary system 200 to the secondary system 260 by virtue
of a primary heat exchanger 280 and/or 290. The primary heat
exchangers 280/290 can be any devices known to those skilled in the
art, for example plate heat exchangers or shell and tube heat
exchangers. Distribution systems 60a,60b in the secondary system
260 are configured as closed loops respectively conveying the
cooling and heating via separately distributed heat transfer fluid
flows to the individual compartments of the lockable storage spaces
22. The heat transfer fluid in the heating fluid distribution
system 60b can be the same heat transfer fluid used for the heating
system 240 discussed above, i.e. there is no secondary system for
heating. Instead the heating fluid distribution system 60b contains
an electrical heater or a heat exchanger directly exposed to the
combustion gases in a gas boiler or the like. Hence the primary
heat exchanger 290 for the heating system may be eliminated,
whereby the entire heating fluid distribution system for heating
becomes a primary system as shown in FIG. 4B. Alternatively, as
shown in FIG. 4A, respective primary heat transfer fluids separated
from the heat transfer fluids in both the cooling fluid
distribution system and heating fluid distribution system 60a, 60b
in the secondary system can be used for both the refrigeration
system 220 and the heating system 240. The distribution systems
60a, 60b can be used to convey the heat transfer fluids at the
different temperatures in the secondary system, each distribution
system 60a, 60b having its own dedicated pipe network. For example,
the distribution system can comprise a cooling fluid distribution
system 60a for distributing the heat transfer fluid for the
refrigeration system 220 and a separate heating fluid distribution
system 60b for distributing the heat transfer fluid for the heating
system 240. Examples of heat transfer fluid include but are not
limited to ethylene glycol, silicone oil, water etc., and
compatible mixtures of such fluids. The use of a (preferably single
phase) heat transfer fluid in the secondary system 260 for cooling
duties, as opposed to a pressurized refrigerant subject to
multiphase flow, simplifies process control and reduces the level
of maintenance required, i.e. leak detection is limited to the
primary system 200. It also allows additional lockable storage
spaces to be retrofitted to existing lockable storage spaces with
relative ease. For example, the piping network in the distribution
system 60a, 60b can be extended simply by using conventional union
type connectors (e.g. compression fittings of push fit or nut-and
olive type, or lead free soldered connections instead of welded or
brazed connections). As already noted, in the case of the heating
system 240, heat exchanger 290 is not essential. However, if a
primary heat exchanger 290 is used for transferring heat from the
heating system 240, as shown in the particular example in FIG. 4A,
it is advantageous to isolate the heat transfer fluid in the
primary system 200 from the heat transfer fluid in the second
(heating) distribution system 60b, whereby the heating fluid
distribution system becomes a secondary system so as to minimize
fouling of the heat transfer fluid/compartment heating elements in
the heating system 240. Separating the heat transfer fluid in the
heating system 240 into primary and secondary circuits also allows
a different type of heat transfer fluid to be used in each circuit.
For example, the primary heating circuit 240 can utilize silicone
oil to operate at a higher temperature, whilst the secondary system
260 can adopt a mixture of water and glycol at a lower cost.
[0161] The storage apparatus may comprise only a primary system 200
as shown in FIG. 4C, which schematically represents the
refrigeration/heating plant module 50 and the storage compartments.
In this case the heat exchangers 280 and 290 are omitted, so that
the heating fluid distribution system is also the primary circuit
240 and similarly the cooling fluid distribution system is also the
primary circuit 220. The distribution system 60a, 60b distributes
and circulates the heat or cooling from the primary system 200
directly to the individual compartments. For example the
refrigerant becomes the heat transfer fluid and circulates in the
cooling fluid distribution system 60a and the heated heat transfer
fluid circulates in the heating fluid distribution system 60b. The
omission of the heat exchangers 280, 290 and the elimination of
secondary heat transfer fluid circuits reduces the manufacturing
cost. Where heat is transferred to the interior of the compartments
by conduction, the rate limiting step is the transfer of heat
through at least one wall of the compartment. The use of a
refrigerant as the heat transfer fluid to provide direct cooling at
the compartments is advantageous, as the lower the temperature of
the refrigerant results in a shorter turnaround time when preparing
the compartments for receiving a new grocery order. For example, a
distribution system carrying typical glycol/water mixture (a mix
ratio of 50:50) can only attain a temperature close to the storage
temperature in the frozen compartment, i.e. around -25.degree. C.
Further reduction in the glycol/water temperature runs a risk of
freezing the heat transfer fluid in the distribution system. A lack
of substantial temperature difference between the heat transfer
fluid and the frozen compartment means that the rate of cooling
tends to be very low, and could present problems during locker
preparation, i.e. a significant amount of time may be needed when
preparing an ambient compartment for receiving frozen goods.
Arguably a more concentrated glycol/water mixture may help lower
its freezing point, but this is conflicted by the resultant higher
fluid viscosity of the mixture. This may lead to pumping
difficulties, and potentially clogging the distribution system. In
the case of the use of a refrigerant as the heat transfer fluid, it
can be expanded and chilled to a much lower temperature (i.e.
<-30.degree. C.) without significantly changing its physical
properties. Therefore by applying a refrigerant directly at the
heat exchangers it is possible to induce a steeper temperature
gradient to increase the rate of heat transfer across the wall of
the compartment.
[0162] FIG. 4F shows an example of a refrigeration unit 220 for
directly supplying each of the compartments via the heat exchangers
in a locker module with a refrigerant. For example, the
refrigerating unit (220) can be installed on top of each of the
locker modules so as to service all of the compartments installed
within the same locker module via a common distribution system.
Alternatively and equally permissible in the present invention, is
that the refrigeration unit in one locker module is not only shared
amongst the plurality of compartments in a given locker module but
also amongst compartments in multiple locker modules via a common
distribution system. This allows the refrigeration units in each of
the locker modules to be shared amongst multiple locker modules.
Thus, in case the refrigeration unit in one locker module is faulty
or is being serviced, those compartments that are still calling for
cooling in the locker module can still be cooled by a refrigeration
unit from one or more neighbouring locker modules. Linking the
distribution system of the coolant (e.g. refrigerant) from multiple
refrigeration units so providing a common distribution system
amongst the compartments from multiple locker modules can be
achieved using specialised pressure connectors.
[0163] The temperature of each of the compartments in a given
locker module are independently controlled by one or more control
valves (66). Further detail of the operation of the control valves
66 to control the temperature of each of the compartments is
discussed below. This is distinctively different from a common
refrigerator where the flow of refrigerant to different storage
spaces is not controlled. Also shown in FIG. 4F is a suction line
accumulator (65) to prevent liquid refrigerant from the
compartments from returning to the compressor as is commonly known
in the art. The benefit of spreading the cooling duties to a number
of refrigeration units as opposed to a single refrigeration unit
discussed above with respect to the primary system in FIG. 1A is
that in an event of breakdown only a limited number of compartments
serviced by the faulty refrigeration unit are affected instead of
the whole locker assembly. In addition, placing the small
refrigeration units on top of each of the locker modules reduces
overall footprint that is otherwise necessary to accommodate a
dedicated primary refrigeration locker module. Furthermore the
cooling fins on the condenser (224), which are susceptible to
fouling, are now relocated higher up from the ground and away from
high concentration of dirt and grit. Further benefits include
reducing the material cost, in particular the copper piping forming
the distribution network for feeding the refrigerant to each of the
compartments. In the case where the metering device is a capillary
system only small diameter piping are necessary to feed the
refrigerant from the refrigeration system to each of the
compartments.
[0164] FIG. 4G is a process flow diagram showing the layout of the
components of the refrigeration unit (220) leading to the
individual compartments of a locker module apparatus according to
an embodiment of the present invention. Following the condenser
224, the refrigerant is split amongst several compartments by the
distribution network. A common distribution system comprising a
network of conduits or copper piping distributes the refrigerant to
each of the compartments in the locker module. To allow the
temperature of each of the compartments to be controlled
independently, the compartments are connected in parallel. One or
more manifolds forming part of the common distribution system are
used to distribute the refrigerant to and/or from each of the
compartments. The manifolds branch out to form parallel circulation
loops for the distribution of refrigerant to the compartments. The
manifolds branch out from the at least one common distribution
system, can form parallel circulation loops for the distribution of
heat transfer fluid to the one or more compartments in each of the
storage spaces. For example, a portion of the heat transfer fluid
is diverted from the at least one common distribution system
through the manifold and supplied to only one compartment before
returning to the refrigeration system. The use of parallel
circulation loops allows the temperature to be independently
controllable in each of the compartments, i.e., the temperature of
the heat transfer fluid supplied to each of the compartments are
unaffected by the other compartments served by the same manifold.
Furthermore, in case of a breakdown in an individual compartment,
i.e. blockage or leakage, its corresponding part in the parallel
loop can be isolated whilst all other compartments served by the
same manifold remains functional.
[0165] Multiple `T`joints can used to branch out the refrigerant
from a single pipe to multiple pipes or vice versa. However, the
use of multiple "T" joints, particularly in copper would
necessitate a number of brazed or soldered joints increasing the
risk of leakage if ever anyone of the joints would fail. To
mitigate this risk, the manifold 440 in the present invention is
integrally fabricated in line within the piping network as shown in
FIG. 6J. The inline manifold 440 comprises a plurality of raised
"nipples" or joints 442 that are integrally formed within the pipe
444 which are sized to accept a plurality of pipes or lines. In the
particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6K, the nipples 442 can be
sized to be inserted into the sleeves 446 formed at the end of
piping 448. The piping 448 can be brazed or soldered onto the
nipples 442. Equally, the joints can be formed as sleeves having a
diameter that is slightly larger than the external diameter of the
pipe in the piping network so as to permit a slip-fit mating
relationship between the sleeve and the pipe. The inline manifold
440 can used to distribute the refrigerant from the condenser to
each of the compartments and/or on the return suction line side of
the distribution network for merging or bringing together the
distributed flow of the refrigerant from each of the compartments
into a single pipe to the compressor.
[0166] Control of the refrigerant to each of the compartments is
provided by individual control valves. In the particular embodiment
shown in FIG. 4G, there are six control valves controlling the flow
of refrigerant to six compartments and an additional bypass valve
44b (see FIG. 4G). Downstream of each of the valves, the
refrigerant which is largely in a liquid state is allowed to expand
in the metering device to a gaseous state and thus, provide the
cooling effect to the individual compartments via an evaporator or
heat exchanger. Each compartment comprises an evaporator or a heat
exchanger where the cold refrigerant vapour (and some liquid
refrigerant which has not fully evaporated) is able to cool the air
in the compartments via at least one wall of each compartment.
Subsequent of the evaporator, the cold refrigerant vapour is drawn
back into the compressor via the suction line side of the assembly
commonly known in the art.
[0167] During a cooling cycle, the refrigerant cools significantly
as it expands in the metering device and thus, any significant
cooling of the piping in the distribution network mainly occurs
around and downstream of the metering device to each of the
compartments supplied with the refrigerant. To prevent condensation
of water vapour on the piping network, the bulk of the piping
network downstream of the metering device and including the
metering device itself is embedded in insulation material, in
particular foamed insulation material. In the particular
embodiment, at least a portion of or the bulk of the piping network
from the metering device and including the metering device is
preferably embedded in foamed insulation in the side wall of the
locker module as shown in FIGS. 6A-6E.
[0168] Also shown in the refrigerant unit (220), are two high
pressure sensor switches (HP switch 1 and HP switch 2) located in
the refrigerant line (225) between the compressor or the condenser
and the control valves (66) (which represents the high pressure
side of the evaporator) to provide an indication of the pressure of
the refrigerant in the condenser prior to being fed to the control
valves. One of the high pressure sensor switches has a higher
pressure rating than the other high pressure sensor switch. The
higher rated pressure sensor switch, as is commonly known in the
art, is a safety pressure switch in case the pressure of the
refrigerant in the piping or tubing in the condenser rises above a
predetermined value. The piping or conduits of the distribution
network feeding the individual compartments are rated to
accommodate a certain level of pressure and exceeding this runs the
risk that the piping may leak or burst. This is particularly the
case, where the metering device is a capillary system feeding the
individual compartments. If the pressure in the refrigerant line
from the condenser exceeds a predetermined value, then the safety
pressure switch closes to shut off the pressure to the compartments
and therefore, prevents damage to the piping in the distribution
network. In the particular embodiment and using a R290 type
refrigerant, the high rated or safety pressure sensor switch is set
to substantially 20 bar(g).
[0169] The other lower rated pressure sensor switch (LP switch)
located between the compressor and the suction line accumulator
represents the low pressure side of the evaporator and controls the
temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser and therefore,
ensures that the refrigerant fully condenses before it reaches the
metering device. For a given refrigerant, the pressure of the
refrigerant varies with its temperature according to Ideal Gas Law
(PV=nRT, where P is the pressure, V is the volume, n is the number
of moles, R is the ideal gas constant and T is the temperature). In
the particular embodiment, a R290 type refrigerant is used. When
the pressure of the refrigerant exceeds a predetermined value and
based on the pressure-temperature relationship according to Ideal
Gas Law, the temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser rises
proportionally, and prevents the gaseous refrigerant in the
condenser from fully condensing. When the pressure reaches a
predetermined level, a cooling fan (224b) is actuated to aid
cooling and thus, condensation of the refrigerant in the condenser.
Conversely, if the pressure drops below a predetermined level,
particularly during the winter months, the pressure of the
refrigerant in the condenser drops so as to affect the flow of the
refrigerant in the distribution network. A separate heater (not
shown) is placed in the vicinity of the condenser to provide heat
to the refrigerant in the condenser when the pressure of the
refrigerant from the condenser drops below a predetermined level.
In the particular embodiment and with the use of a R290 type
refrigerant, the predetermined pressure level is set to
substantially 10 bar(g) which represents a temperature of the
refrigerant of approximately 30.degree. C.
[0170] In addition to the lower rated pressure sensor switch (LP
switch) controlling the temperature of the refrigerant in the
condenser, the LP switch can also be an indication of the
refrigeration capacity of the of the refrigeration unit (220). When
there is over capacity in the refrigeration unit in that the
refrigeration unit is capable of cooling more compartments, the
compressor continually circulates the refrigerant from the low
pressure suction side of the evaporator lowering the refrigerant
pressure. Conversely, when too many compartments are cooling at the
same time, there is little or no refrigeration capacity. As a
result, the refrigerant pressure at the low pressure side of the
evaporator increases since the refrigerant is distributed amongst a
greater number of compartments and thus, evaporators. By measuring
the refrigerant pressure from the LP switch, the refrigeration
capacity can be determined. Further discussion of controlling the
refrigeration capacity by measuring the refrigerant pressure at the
low pressure side of the evaporator is discussed below.
[0171] Energy consumption accounts for a large proportion of the
running cost of the apparatus and reducing energy use also
contributes to corporate environmental responsibility. Heat
integration can be implemented between the heating system 240 and
the refrigeration system 220, i.e. allowing at least a proportion
of the heat normally dissipated to the atmosphere from the
condenser 224 in the refrigerated system 220 to be recovered and
applied in the heating system 240. This is provided by an
additional heat exchanger 230 installed between the heating system
240 and the refrigeration system 220 at a location experiencing the
biggest temperature difference, i.e. in the region where the heat
transfer fluid in the heating system 240 is at its coldest (see
--FIGS. 4A-4E). For the purpose of explanation and to differentiate
from the other heat exchangers, the heat exchanger 230 will be
termed an economizer heat exchanger 230. In operation, cold heat
transfer fluid in the heating system 240 is heated up by the
warmest refrigerant in refrigeration system 220. Clearly this is
only possible where the heat transfer fluid entering the economizer
heat exchanger 230 from the heating circuit is at a lower
temperature than the heat transfer fluid (refrigerant) entering the
economizer heat exchanger 230 from the compressor 222 of the
refrigeration system 220. Under some operating conditions, e.g.
when rapid net (collective) heating of the compartments is
required, this temperature difference may not exist. A solenoid
operated bypass valve 232a or the like may be provided to divert
refrigerant from the compressor 222 directly to the condenser 224,
without passing through the economizer heat exchanger 230 under
these conditions, as shown in FIG. 4D. Heat released to atmosphere
from the condenser may be regarded as waste heat. Providing an
economizer heat exchanger 230 may allow the use of a smaller
condenser 224, emitting less waste heat. Refrigerant leaving the
compressor is cooled in the economizer heat exchanger, with the
extracted heat being transferred back to some of the compartments
via the heating fluid distribution system. For practical purposes
it is not possible to eliminate the condenser altogether, because
the whole apparatus may sometimes have to operate as described
above, with the refrigerant diverted from the compressor to the
condenser so as to bypass the economizer heat exchanger. Even
considering the ideal case where the compartments are perfectly
insulated from the environment and are operating at a collective
steady state, whereby the heating and cooling systems are serving
simply to shunt portions of a fixed quantity of heat within the
collection of compartments from some compartments to others, the
refrigeration system has a finite coefficient of performance, such
that it will generate waste heat which has to be dumped
somewhere.
[0172] The use of economizer heat exchanger, as shown in FIG. 4D,
takes away some of the cooling duties from the condenser 224.
However in countries with warmer climates or during the summer
months when the ambient temperature is elevated, the air-cooled
condenser 224 may not be able to dissipate all the heat as
required. This is particularly exacerbated as the exterior locker
modules are made of metal which will act as a heat sink. As a
result, a portion of refrigerant may be left uncondensed at the
metering device 226 and thus reduces efficiency. To aid cooling of
the refrigerant in the condenser and as discussed above in relation
to FIGS. 4F and 4G, a cooling fan (224b) helps to ensure that the
temperature of the refrigerant does not exceed a predetermined
value, e.g. 30.degree. C. and therefore, ensure that the
refrigerant is fully condensed. In some embodiments, as shown in
FIG. 4E, and in addition to the cooling fan or alternative to the
cooling fan, a supplementary cooling circuit 250 may be installed
to aid heat removal in these circumstances and to ensure the
refrigerant is fully condensed prior to reaching the metering
device 226.
[0173] The supplementary cooling circuit 250 comprises a
supplementary heat exchanger 254 and a chiller unit 256. The
supplementary cooling circuit 250 carries a heat transfer fluid to
exchange heat with any uncondensed refrigerant at the supplementary
heat exchanger 254, before dissipating the absorbed heat at the
chiller unit 256. In the case of the supplementary cooling circuit,
the heat transfer fluid can based on a glycol system since the heat
transfer fluid does need to experience such low temperatures but
merely to lower the temperature of the refrigerant in the primary
refrigeration unit discussed above with reference to FIG. 4F. The
supplementary heat exchanger can be any heat exchanger known to the
person skilled in the art, for example jacketed tubes, plate heat
exchangers, shell and tube heat exchangers. If the condenser 224
failed to fully condense the refrigerant, a three way valve 252
will divert the refrigerant flow towards the supplementary cooling
circuit 250 for additional cooling. The three way valve 252 may be
set to divert refrigerant flow automatically if the refrigerant
rises above a particular temperature or pressure set point. Sensors
can be installed to measure the temperature or pressure from the
condenser and to sense when the refrigerant does not reach a fully
condensed state. Since uncondensed refrigerant exhibits a higher
in-line pressure than a single phase liquid refrigerant, the use of
high pressure set point to activate the three way valve 252 ensures
the supplementary cooling circuit 250 are only used to condense
gaseous refrigerant. Alternatively, the three way valve 252 may be
manually set to open permanently to divert all the refrigerant to
the supplementary cooling circuit 250. The chiller unit 256 can be
any cooling means known to the person skilled in the art, for
example an air cooled heat exchangers or liquid/liquid heat
exchangers connected to an external cooling source, e.g. a chilled
water supply. Alternatively, the chiller unit can be based on a
separate chiller refrigeration unit comprising a compressor and a
condenser for ultimately dissipating heat from the refrigerant in
the primary refrigeration unit. Like the primary refrigeration
unit, the chiller refrigeration unit is in cooperation with the
primary refrigeration unit by a separate common distribution system
for distributing a heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the
refrigerant in the primary refrigeration unit. The heat transfer
fluid in the chiller unit can be based on a much less demanding
refrigerant such as glycol. In addition, the chiller unit may be
installed remotely to the locker module. For example, air cooled
heat exchangers may be positioned away from the sheltered locker
assembly that can aid heat dissipation, e.g. in a cooler
environment.
[0174] The use of supplementary cooling circuit 250 is ideal to
provide additional cooling for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4F,
where a refrigeration unit is provided for each of the locker
modules. The condenser 224 is sized to provide sufficient cooling
capacity to cool and condense the refrigerant locally during normal
operation, i.e. winter months. In this case the supplementary
cooling circuit is made redundant. During summer months where the
condenser 224 can no longer condense all of the gaseous refrigerant
and is optionally sensed by one or more sensors, e.g. temperature
or pressure, the three way valve 252 can divert the refrigerant to
the supplementary heat exchanger 224. Here the refrigerant is
cooled and fully condensed by the heat transfer fluid supplied by a
common chiller unit (not shown) serving all the smaller
refrigeration units in the locker assembly. The benefit for
adapting this system is that the amount of heat dissipated at the
vicinity of locker modules during summer months are limited, and
thus increasing local cooling performance at each locker module.
FIG. 5 shows a plurality of automated refrigerated locker modules
20, each locker module 20 comprising a plurality of storage spaces,
whereby the temperature of the compartments in the storage spaces
is controlled based on the refrigeration/heating system and the
primary/secondary system 200, 260 shown in FIG. 4F. In the
particular embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the heat transfer fluids are
conveyed in distribution systems comprising a plurality of conduits
60 which are positioned above the modular units. A top view of the
system 10 shown in FIG. 5 shows the refrigeration/heating plant
module 50 at one end of the apparatus and conduits 60, supplying
the coldest and hottest heat transfer fluids for refrigeration and
heating respectively.
[0175] A part of the distribution systems servicing an individual
locker module 20 is best illustrated in FIG. 6A. The exemplified
section of the conduits 60 comprises a network of conduits
branching from one or more manifolds 62 to service the individual
compartments in the locker modules. The temperature in each of the
compartments is controlled by controlling the rate of flow of the
heat transfer fluid in the conduits by means of one or more control
valves 66. The number of control valves 66 depends upon the number
of compartments that need to be serviced by the heat transfer
fluid. In one example, each individual compartment in the locker
modules may have their own dedicated control valve 66 to control
the rate of flow of heat fluid to each of the compartments.
[0176] In another example, the compartments may be grouped together
depending on their storage temperature requirements and thus, the
heat transfer fluid is controlled to a group of compartments rather
than each individual compartment. In the latter example, less
control valves 66 are necessary. Different arrangements or
groupings of the compartments e.g. depending upon the temperature
of storage are permissible in the present invention. For ease of
servicing or replacement of the valves in an event of breakdown,
the valves 66 can be located for easy access by a service engineer.
For example, the valves 66 may be located behind a removable front
panel.
[0177] Expansion of the lockable storage space 20 by adding new
locker modules 20 to the system 10 can be easily carried out simply
by retrofitting new sections of insulated pipework 64, as well as
its respective set of manifolds 62 and control valves 66, to the
far end of the conduits 60. For example and as discussed above,
union type connectors can be used to connect to the existing pipe
network in the conduits 60.
[0178] Some commonly used heat transfer fluids are toxic, e.g.
ethylene glycol, and they are harmful to the environment if they
are discharged directly down the drain. Therefore a bund 67 is
installed underneath the distribution system within each locker
module 20, as shown in FIGS. 6B-6E, to collect any heat transfer
fluid discharge in case of a leak or pipe burst. The distribution
system may comprise a leak detection system (not shown). When the
leak detection system senses a leak in the distribution system or
any of secondary (compartment) heat exchangers 68, it serves to
send a fault signal to a central control unit for emergency repair
and in serious cases may shut down heat transfer fluid circulation
to the affected compartments. The leak detection system can be any
sensor known to the person skilled in the art, for example level
sensors and flow pressure sensors.
[0179] During the operation of a vapour compression refrigeration
system, the condenser dissipates a significant amount of heat to
the atmosphere and so the condenser is often exposed to aid heat
dissipation. However the combination of open access and warmth
creates an attractive habitable environment for rodents and other
pests, and so pest infestation is often a serious issue e.g. for
outdoor chest freezers. By locating the refrigeration system
remotely to the locker modules, i.e. in the separate modular unit
of refrigeration/heating plant module, the locker modules no longer
require local ventilation. Thus the refrigeration system is
physically separate to any of the locker modules. For example, the
refrigeration system may be located adjacent to but separate to the
locker modules. In addition the refrigeration system and the locker
modules may be mounted onto a common platform 12. As a result
substantially no habitable gaps may be left in the locker modules,
e.g. between or adjacent to storage spaces or compartments. For
example the back of locker modules can be sealed to prevent rodent
and other pest infestation. In addition sealing the back of locker
modules also enhances weather protection and improves security, for
example it minimises the risk of theft and of damage from
vandalism. The refrigeration plant module that is susceptible to
rodent/pest infestation can also comprise protection mechanisms to
prevent such infestation. The protection mechanism can be any
mechanisms known to the person skilled in the art, for example
screens and traps.
[0180] Heat exchange between the heat transfer fluids and the
compartments 24 is by either transferring heat through the walls of
the compartment 24 by means of conduction or by forced air
circulation to a heat exchanger in or adjacent to the compartment
to maintain the temperature in the compartment 24 by means of
convection. As shown in FIG. 7, a secondary heat exchanger 68 in
fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid from the
distribution system 60a, 60b is attached or placed adjacent to the
exterior of at least one wall of the compartment 24, for extracting
heat from or supplying heat to the compartment via an appropriate
heat transfer fluid. For example the secondary heat exchanger 68
may be connected to the cooling fluid distribution system 60a via
the conduits 60. A second secondary heat exchanger (not shown in
FIG. 7) may be attached to the same or a different wall of the
compartment 24, similarly connected to the heating fluid
distribution system via the conduits 60. In some cases, the
secondary heat exchanger(s) may be placed adjacent to the interior
of at least one wall of the compartment 24 to achieve a direct
contact with the grocery goods placed within the compartment. This
served to minimize the temperature difference across the walls of
the compartment and prompts a more responsive temperature control.
For the sake of simplicity, the heat exchanger 68 used in the
arrangement without a secondary system is also referred to as the
secondary heat exchanger 68, even when a secondary heat
distribution system is not used.
[0181] The secondary heat exchanger 68 in the example shown in FIG.
7 is a heat exchanger coil commonly used in refrigerators. Heat is
transferred through the walls of the compartments 24 via conduction
and the amount of heat transfer is mainly governed by the quantity
of heat transfer fluid circulating within the secondary heat
exchanger 68. The temperature of grocery placed within the
compartment 24 is mainly controlled by a combination of heat
conduction through at least one wall of the compartment, and
natural convection of air within the compartment 24. Temperature
control is provided by controlling the rate of flow of the heat
transfer fluid within the secondary heat exchanger 68 by one or
more control valves 66. The control valves can be any flow
regulating valves known to the person skilled in the art, for
example globe valves, plug valves, gate valves, spool valves,
needle valves, poppet valves, etc. In some cases temperature
control is provided by the controlling the duration of the flow of
heat transfer fluid, for example by manipulating the duration of
opening/shutting of an on/off valve. The use of on/off valves in
place of the flow regulating valves offers a lower capital cost and
simpler control. The on/off valves can be any valves know the
person skilled in the art, for example ball valves or poppet
valves. The heat exchanger 68 is removably attached to the walls of
the compartment 24 by any suitable fastening means known to the
person skilled in the art, for example cable ties or brackets. This
is advantageous for carrying out repairs, replacing a damaged heat
exchanger or simply for cleaning purposes.
[0182] Alternatively or in combination with the heat exchanger 68
discussed above, FIG. 8 shows another example of a heat exchange
mechanism. Rather than having a network of coils to conduct heat to
at least one wall of the compartment 24, the heat exchanger in the
alternative mechanism is based on a convective system whereby
heated or cooled air is forced into the compartment 24 and the
temperature of the air is regulated in the interior volume of the
compartment by means of convention. A heat exchanger 74 in fluid
communication with the relevant heat transfer fluid is housed in a
duct 71 formed by partitioning off a rear portion of the
compartment 24 within the surrounding insulation (not shown) so
that heat is exchanged between the heat transfer fluid and the air
in the housing 24. Also housed within the duct 71 is a fan 70
mounted to the partition wall above the heat exchanger so as to
draw the cool or hot air from within the duct 71 into the interior
volume of the compartment 24. An inlet slot is provided at the
bottom of the partition wall so that the fan can draw air from the
compartment 24 into the duct 71 and through the heat exchanger 74.
As air flows past the heat exchanger 74 it cools or heats up,
depending on the temperature of heat transfer fluid. A cyclic
system is thus set up whereby heat is exchanged between the heat
transfer fluid and the air in the compartment 24. Air that is
warmed or cooled in the interior of the compartment 24 by heat
loss/heat gain of the compartment and its grocery contents is then
drawn out of the compartment 24 and passes over the heat exchanger
74 whereby it is respectively cooled or warmed as the case may be.
The flow path of air is indicated by the arrows shown in FIG. 8,
which transfers heat to or from the compartment 24 by forced
convection. Both a "cold" and a "hot" heat exchanger respectively
connected to the cooling fluid and heating fluid distribution
systems may be mounted across the duct 71, e.g. in series.
Alternatively, separate cold and hot flow paths may be integrated
into the same secondary heat exchanger 74, which are connected to
the cooling fluid distribution system 60a and the heating fluid
distribution system 60b respectively. The fan rotation and hence
the airflow may be reversed, depending upon whether heating or
cooling is occurring, so as to maintain a more even temperature
distribution on the compartment 24. The illustrated flow is for
cooling, with cold air admitted to the top of the compartment,
through which it sinks before being drawn into the bottom of the
duct 71. Hot air would be admitted at the bottom of the
compartment, for more uniform heating. Rather than a reversible
fan, two separate fans may be provided, for moving the air in
opposite directions through the partition. In some examples with a
simpler design (not shown), the secondary heat exchanger(s) and
fan(s) are enclosed within the compartment and thus the forced air
circulation is kept within the compartment. To promote heat
transfer a finned air/liquid secondary heat exchanger 74 may be
used in place of the conduit 74 to increase the total heat transfer
surface area. Storage temperature is primarily controlled by the
regulation of the heat transfer fluid flowing through the heat
exchanger 74 using the one or more control valves 66. Fan operation
may be linked to opening of the control valves. In comparison to
the heat exchanger system 68 described with reference to FIG. 7,
heat transfer via forced air convection offers a more compact and
rapid heating/cooling system. This is especially advantageous if
there is rapid turnover (short intervals between re-stocking) of
grocery shopping in the compartment 24 and/or large temperature
changes required to attain the desired temperature at a re-stock
(for example an "above ambient" order rapidly followed by a
"frozen" order, or vice versa. The stock ordering and delivery
system will ideally seek to minimise such scheduling, but it may
not be possible to avoid this altogether. The valves 66 and fan 70
(where present) may be operated by the stock ordering and delivery
system to regulate the temperature of the compartment 24 on a "just
in time" basis, ready for reception of a new order. They may be set
to an idle state upon access to the compartment by a customer.
[0183] The forced air circulation applied in FIG. 8 has another
competitive advantage. It is also possible to carry out temperature
control by adjusting the fan speed. By increasing the speed of the
fan 70, more air is circulated around the compartment 24, thus
increasing the rate of heat transfer. Ultimately the heat transfer
coefficient is significantly improved. Whilst it is possible to
control temperature by varying fan speed alone, more efficient
temperature control can be achieved if this mechanism is used in
tandem with controlling the rate of heat transfer fluid within the
heat exchanger 74.
[0184] Alternatively the apparatus may maintain a set temperature
in each of the compartments 24. In this case the temperature within
each compartment is fixed at a set point to reduce the complexity
of control system. For example the storage temperature in a
compartment is dictated by the total surface area of the secondary
heat exchanger installed on or in the said compartment, and thus
the storage temperature is not switchable between frozen, chilled
or ambient temperature. A "cold" secondary heat exchanger (and no
"hot" heat exchanger) is installed in compartments for storage of
chilled and frozen goods. Similarly, a "hot" secondary heat
exchanger (and no "cold" heat exchanger) may only be installed for
above-ambient compartments. In this case the secondary heat
exchanger is omitted altogether in compartments providing ambient
storage temperatures.
[0185] Additionally or alternatively the apparatus may be able to
convert each of the compartments 24 for storing goods at a first
temperature to a compartment 24 for storing goods at a second
temperature: for example, for converting a compartment 24 that has
been assigned for storing frozen goods to a compartment 24 for
storing goods that requires a chilled or ambient or even elevated
temperatures (such as for storing "hot" food). By the use of the
heating system 240 discussed above, the heat transfer fluid is
heated to provide a temperature in the compartment concerned,
required for storing goods at a chilled or ambient temperature. In
the case of storing goods at a chilled temperature, the heat
transfer fluid is heated to a temperature in the range between
substantially 1.degree. C. to substantially 4.degree. C. The time
taken to convert a compartment 24 from a first temperature to a
second temperature is dependent upon the temperature and rate of
flow of the heat transfer fluid in the secondary system 260. For
example, the higher the rate of flow and the higher the temperature
of the heat transfer fluid in the secondary system 260, the shorter
the time taken for the compartment 24 to be converted from a first,
lower temperature to a second, higher temperature and vice versa.
To enable faster heating, i.e. to prepare the compartment 24 for a
new consignment requiring a higher storage temperature, electric
heating elements 69 can be used instead of or in combination with
the heat from the secondary heat exchanger 68, 74 (see FIGS. 7 and
8). Alternatively, electric heating elements can be used in place
of the heating fluid distribution system 60b that distributes the
heat transfer fluid from the heating system 240. A benefit of this
approach is that the part of distribution system 60 (heating fluid
distribution system 60b) carrying hot heat transfer fluid can be
omitted altogether. Similarly, where compartments are not needed at
above ambient temperatures and individual compartments are
controlled to maintain a pre-set temperature across successive
deliveries, both the heating system 240 and electric heaters may be
omitted.
[0186] FIGS. 9A-9H show the stages in one illustrative method of
forming the compartment. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B), two half
shells of a liner material 82 are brought together around an inner
former 80 (e.g. a wooden former) to form a compartment cavity. The
edges of the two halves of the liner material 82 (along the medial
plane of the compartment cavity) are sealed together e.g. by
soldering or welding or by a suitable gasket or bead of adhesive or
mastic applied between mating faces. The mating faces may be formed
by a peripheral flange on each half shell as shown, between which
the gasket etc. is applied. The co-operating flanges may be secured
together by suitable fastenings such as clips, screws, rivets or
straps. The secured half shells together form a cavity (compartment
cavity) when the inner former 80 is subsequently removed. To
fabricate the different sized compartments as demonstrated in FIG.
3A, different sized extensions 96 can be inserted between the two
half shells of liner material 82 so that the height of the
compartments is dictated by the height of the extension 96. The
former maintains the structural integrity of the liner material 82
and any extension 96 during the assembly of the secondary heat
exchanger 68 and/or heating element 69. Other methods of forming
the pre-fabricated sheet metal cavity liner known in the art are
permissible in the present invention. In the particular example,
the liner halves are fabricated from a pressed sheet metal or other
resilient and non-corrosive thermally conductive material known in
the art, e.g. stainless steel or even various types of plastic
material. Depending upon whether heat is transferred to each of the
compartments through a secondary distribution system, the secondary
heat exchanger(s) 68 is/are mounted to at least one exterior
surface of the liner so that heat is conducted from/to the
secondary heat exchanger through the liner material. In the case,
where refrigerant from the refrigeration system is conveyed
directly to the compartments by the at least one common
distribution system, the secondary heat exchanger is the primary
heat exchanger or evaporator and serves to exchange latent heat
between the refrigerant and the compartment, i.e. each compartment
in a locker module has a primary heat exchanger. In the particular
embodiment shown in FIG. 9F, the secondary heat exchanger or
evaporator 68 is mounted to one or more exterior surfaces of the
liner. Preferably, the secondary heat exchanger or evaporator 68
substantially covers the surface area of one or more exterior walls
having the greatest surface area. This is to maximise the heat
transfer area of the compartment.
[0187] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
primary/secondary heat exchanger, more preferably, the evaporator
is a plate evaporator 460 having an embossed surface whereby the
refrigerant is contained between two plates of metal or plastic
material to give a large cooling surface. Examples of metals
include but are not limited to copper, aluminium (e.g. galvanized
aluminium) or steel or a combination thereof or even plastic
materials. Examples of construction of the plate evaporator involve
using two sheets of plate material, a top plate and a bottom plate.
Each or at least one of the plates has a relief or is embossed to
form channels 462, e.g. in a series of "S" shapes, through which
the refrigerant can flow. The plates of materials are welded or
adhered together to create a sealed path for the flow of
refrigerant. The channels 462 can also be formed by blow moulding
whereby portions of the inner surface of the plates are prevented
from being welded together to form a relief area prior to the
plates being welded together. For example, a separating agent, e.g.
graphite, as an image of the pattern of channels conveying the
refrigerant in the evaporator plate is applied to the sheet metal
plates which have been cut to size. Compressed air is forced
between the plates causing the plate in the vicinity of the relief
area to expand and thereby, creating raised channels for conveying
the refrigerant around the plate. Another method of construction is
sandwiching bare tubing between two conductive plates. The edges of
the plates are welded together and the space between the plates
evacuated allowing the pressure of the atmosphere to push tightly
against the tubing so as to increase the contact between the
surface of the tubing and the plates and thereby, providing a good
thermal contact between the inner surface of the plates and the
tubing carrying the refrigerant.
[0188] To enable the plate evaporator 460 to be mounted onto the
liner of the compartment with minimum effort, the plate evaporator
is designed to wrap around at least one exterior wall of the liner
of the compartment. FIG. 9I shows a top plan view of the plate
evaporator 460 in an unfolded state. In FIG. 9J, the evaporator
comprises three portions, two foldable side portions 466, 468
either side of a middle portion 464, the middle 464 and each of the
side portions 466, 468 comprises channels 462 for conveying
refrigerant to and from the compressor. The foldable side portions
466, 468 are delineated from the middle portion 464 by a line of
weakness 470. The line of weakness could be perforations or a weak
point. In the particular embodiment, the line of weakness is cut
out portions 470. The cut out portions 470 enables the side
portions 466, 468 to be easily foldable relative to the middle
portion 464 without excessive use of force or creasing of the
plate. In forming the cut out portions, a substantial area of the
plate at the junction between the middle portion 464 and the side
portions 466, 468 are free of the channels. To prevent the side
portions 466, 468 from twisting and to maintain its structural
integrity whilst being folded, the junction between the middle
portion 464 and the side portion 466, 468 is cut out to leave
bridge portions 472, 474, preferably front 472 and back 474 bridge
portions. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 9I, a portion
is cut out at the junction between the middle portion and the side
portion from the evaporator plate so as to leave bridge portions
472, 474 at the distal front and rear ends of the evaporator plate
respectively. The front bridge portion 472 near or adjacent the
mouth of the compartment maintains the structural integrity of the
side portion when folded and the rear bridge portion 474 comprises
channels so as to provide the necessary fluid communication between
the channels in the middle portion 464 and the side portions 466,
468.
[0189] FIG. 9J shows the plate evaporator 460 in a folded
configuration whereby the side portions 466, 468 are folded
substantially perpendicular to the middle portion 464 for mounting
onto the exterior surface of the liner of the compartment. In an
unfolded configuration as shown in FIG. 9I, the evaporator plate
460 is not perfectly rectangular and the two side foldable portions
466, 468 slightly diverge away from the middle portion 464. This
allows the bend 476 at the junction between the middle portion and
the side portions to be tapered or fluted that runs from the rear
end of the evaporator plate away from the mouth or open end of the
compartment to the front end nearest the mouth of the compartment.
The bend at the front 472 of the evaporator plate adjacent the
mouth of the compartment is substantially 90.degree.. The
90.degree. bend enables the evaporator plate to accommodate
insulation strips 84 described with reference to FIG. 9C below. As
shown in FIG. 9C, the thermal insulation strips surrounding the
mouth of the compartment are formed with mitre joints so that any
two strips join together at a substantially 90.degree. angle. The
substantially 90.degree. bend at the mouth of the compartment is
able to accommodate the thermal insulation strips around the mouth
of the compartment offering little gaps particularly at the
junction between the middle portion and the side portion of the
evaporator plate, i.e. it provides a perfect fit.
[0190] At the other (rear) end 474 of the evaporator plate away
from the mouth of the compartment, the bend is more gentle or
rounded so as to carry tubing or conduits linking the channels
between the middle portion 464 and the side portions 466, 468 of
the plate. The gentle bend prevents excessive creasing of the
tubing in the vicinity of the bend. To mitigate creasing of the
tubing, the channels at the bridge 474 between the side portion and
the middle portion at the rear of the evaporator plate comprises a
plurality of tubing or conduits so as to distribute or spread out
the refrigerant across the bridge section 474 rather than just
having a single larger pipe or tubing to accommodate the coolant
(refrigerant) which is prone to creasing when bent.
[0191] In addition to integrating the evaporator channels 462
within the evaporator plate 460, the evaporator plate 460 also
provides support for a heating system 478 to provide heat to the
compartments for both defrosting purposes and/or to raise the
temperature of the compartment during temperature control, e.g.
from a compartment to storing frozen goods to storing goods at
ambient or chilled temperature. In the particular embodiment, shown
in FIG. 9K, at least one wall of the evaporator plate, e.g. the
underside of the evaporator plate, is formed with heater tracks to
accommodate and support the heater elements 478. The heater
elements provide greater flexibility to control the air temperature
inside the compartment rather than just cooling the compartment.
The application of heat also reduces the time of waiting for the
temperature inside the compartment to rise when a higher
temperature is required, e.g., to convert a compartment for storing
frozen goods to a compartment for storing goods at a chilled or
even ambient temperature or even regulating the temperature of the
compartment for storing goods at chilled temperature when the
external temperature is below freezing temperature. In addition,
the heater elements permit quick defrosting of ice built up around
any of the inner walls of the compartment.
[0192] Also shown in FIG. 9L are the inlet 480 and outlet 482
tubing from the condenser and to the compressor representing the
refrigeration capillary tube 480 and the suction line 482
respectively merging into a single connector pipe 484 to form a
suction line/capillary tube assembly 483. As shown in FIG. 9L the
capillary tubing 480 enters inside the suction line/capillary tube
assembly 483. By placing the capillary tube 480 inside the suction
line assembly/capillary tube 483 will result in higher heat
exchange between the relatively cool refrigerant vapour conveyed
from the evaporator outlet through the suction line 482 to the
compressor and the relatively warm liquid refrigerant conveyed from
the condenser outlet through the capillary tube 480 to the
evaporator inlet. Such heat exchange improves the thermodynamic
efficiency of the refrigeration system by cooling the liquid
refrigerant before it enters the evaporator. The greater the
surface area with which the relatively warm liquid refrigerant in
the capillary tube is in contact with the cool refrigerant vapour
from the suction line assembly, the greater the heat exchange
between the two noted mediums. Ideally, the suction line/capillary
tube assembly are substantially coaxial or near enough
substantially coaxial so as to permit heat transfer to occur across
the complete capillary tube circumference. A typical material used
for the suction line application is aluminium due to their low
cost. However, aluminium, while suitable for the suction line
application is generally unsuitable for the capillary tube
application because the inside diameter of the capillary tube must
be very small and controlled within tight tolerances. In the
particular embodiment and in most cases, copper is used for this
tight tolerance application.
[0193] In particular embodiment shown in FIG. 9L, the suction
line/capillary tube assembly is connected to the channels in the
side portion of the evaporator plate via the single connector pipe
484. The connector pipe 484 comprises a main tubular portion and a
larger diameter sleeve portion, having an inside diameter
substantially similar to that of the suction line tube 482.
Assembly of the connector pipe 484 to the suction line comprises
the step of inserting an end of the suction line tube into the
sleeve portion of the connector 484 until the end of the suction
line tune butts up against the neck of the sleeve portion. Once the
suction line tube is assembled onto the connector, they are joined
together, preferably by brazing or soldering or even crimping to
provide a hermetic fluid/pressure tight seal. The capillary tube
480 is inserted in a punched or drilled out aperture 486 in the
connector tube and the capillary tube is brazed or welded in place
at its point of entry. The other end of the connector tube 484
comprising the capillary tube/suction line assembly is brazed or
soldered onto the outlet and inlet of the channels from the
evaporator plate respectively (see FIG. 9M. A bracket or clamp 488
supports the brazed or soldered joint on the evaporator plate.
[0194] By integrating the cooling channels and optionally, the
heating system into the evaporator plate allows quick and easy
assembly of the evaporator plate onto at least one wall of the
liner forming the compartment. To ensure a good heat exchange
between the evaporator plate and the compartment, maximum contact
between the surface area of the evaporator plate and the walls of
the compartment liner is necessary. In the particular embodiment,
the evaporator plate is adhered onto at least one wall of the
compartment. The bottom face of the evaporator plate is covered
with a layer of adhesive, e.g. a pressure sensitive adhesive, and
the adhesive is protected from contamination by a release paper
such as a silicone lined paper, e.g. Kraft paper. The process of
application of the evaporator plate comprises the steps of removing
the release paper so as to expose the underside adhesive and
initially adhering the middle portion 464 of the plate onto a top
or bottom wall of the compartment liner. Subsequent to adhering the
middle portion of the evaporator plate onto the compartment wall,
the side portions 266, 268 of the evaporator plate are then bent or
folded around and adhered onto the adjacent side walls of the
compartment liner. The advantage of this process is that it
provides a one step and cost effective mounting process of the
evaporator plate onto the compartment liner.
[0195] To prevent handling and thus, contamination of the pressure
sensitive adhesive when coming into contact with the adhesive layer
particularly when positioning the evaporator plate onto the
compartment liner wall and thereby reducing its tackiness, a split
line is made into the release paper so as to cause the release
paper to split in two halves running across the length of the
middle portion 464 along the axis X-X of the evaporator plate (see
FIG. 9I). Thus, instead of removing the release paper as one piece
to expose the entire adhesive surface, edges of the release paper
is initially peeled from the centre of the evaporator plate along
the split line X-X so as to create two opposing peeled edges. The
two opposing edges are pulled apart so exposing the underlying
adhesive covering of the middle portion whilst the adhesive on the
side portions is still protected by the release paper. This allows
handling of the side portions of the evaporator plate without
contaminating the underlying adhesive. Subsequent to folding or
bending the side portions of the evaporator plate onto the side of
the compartment liner, the remaining portion of the release paper
is pulled away from the side portions of the evaporator plate so
exposing its underlying adhesive surface. At the same time the
remaining portion of the release paper is removed from the side
portions of the evaporator plate, the side portion of the
evaporator plate is pressed onto the adjacent side wall of the
compartment to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive.
[0196] Alternatively, the evaporator plate can be incorporated
within the fabrication of the compartment liner 82, i.e. the
evaporator plate is integrally formed within the compartment liner
walls. This does away with the need to separately mount and fix the
evaporator plate onto the compartment liner.
[0197] To prevent the build-up of condensation in the vicinity of
the door 18, one or more thermal insulation strips 84 is mounted
around the liner material 82 to offer a thermal break at the
junction where the compartment is mounted to the frame 19, i.e. in
the region where the open end of the cavity meets the door 18. A
mounting bracket 85 or flange for mounting the compartment onto the
frame 19 can then placed and secured over the insulation strips 84.
The insulation strips 84 insulate the mounting bracket 85 from the
cavity walls (liner material 82) used to transfer heat into the
compartment and so prevents heat from the cold or hot areas of the
compartment conducting to the other regions of the locker module
such as the outer frame 19 or door 18 which, besides causing
undesirable heat loss, could lead to icing up and seizing of the
door 18 closed. As a further precaution to prevent the build of
condensation or ice, a heating element 69b is placed into the
insulation strip 84 to evaporate any moisture build-up. Actuation
of the heating element 69b can be controlled by providing one or
more temperature measuring devices for measuring the outside air
temperature and correlating the outside air temperature to the dew
point temperature at a given relative humidity. If the dew point
temperature is above the temperature inside the compartment,
particularly around the mouth of the compartment (in the vicinity
of the thermal break or the thermal break itself), then this may be
an indication that the conditions are ideal for the water vapour in
the air to condense around and/or in the mouth of the compartment.
To a first approximation, the relationship between the dewpoint
temperature and the outside air temperature at a given relative
humidity can be obtained from known psychrometric charts. The
relative humidity will vary from season to season and from country
to country. For example, the relative humidity in the United
Kingdom approximately varies between 60% to 80%, and to a first
approximation the average relative humidity can be taken to be 70%.
Thus, taking the relationship between outside air temperature and
dewpoint temperature at a relative humidity of 70%, at ambient
temperature of 20.degree. C., the dewpoint temperature at which
water vapour will condense is about 15.degree. C. Thus, by
measuring the outside air temperature and correlating this
temperature to the temperature inside of the compartment, the
system can to a first approximation predict whether there will be a
build-up of condensation in or around the mouth of the compartment.
Take the example above, the heating element 69b will be actuated
when the temperature in or around the mouth of the compartment
drops below 15.degree. C. Of course, as the outside temperature
increases at a given humidity, the dewpoint temperature increases
proportionally.
[0198] Each of the compartments within a storage space is
preferably atmospherically sealed from the others at the door, with
the use of sealing members. The sealing members are located on the
door and/or adjacent the compartments, i.e. adjacent the mouth of
the cavity. For a door securing multiple compartments, the sealing
members can be formed from a single piece of material surrounding
each of the compartments, or it can be formed by separate pieces of
material for each sealing a compartment. The sealing members can be
any seals known to the person skilled in the art, for example
gaskets and hollow tubes made of foam or rubber, either magnetic or
non-magnetic. A magnetic seal is not necessary, as the door will
normally be held shut by the remotely programmable locking
mechanism. The sealing members also prevent rain water ingress when
the door is closed. Furthermore, a barrier may be installed at the
mouth of cavity, in order to limit the amount of convection between
the compartment and the atmosphere during opening and closing of
doors. The barrier may be any devices known to the person skilled
in the art, for example PVC strips and curtains.
[0199] In order to fabricate the locker modules on a large
industrial scale and for economies of scale, one or more of the
components of the locker modules are designed so as to enable the
locker module, in particular the compartments to be easily
assembled together with a minimum amount of procedural steps. In
addition to mounting and fixing the evaporator plate to the
compartment as discussed above, the present invention provides a
thermal break 84 as discussed above that can be easily assembled
onto the compartment, more particularly the door frame of the
compartment. FIG. 11F shows a cross section of a strip of the
thermal break 84 along the line Y-Y shown in FIG. 11G according to
one embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 11E shows the
thermal break 84 when assembled onto an edge of the compartment.
The thermal break 84 is an extrusion profile comprising a front
sealing face 500 that doubles up as a sealing member for
cooperating with the door to seal the compartment from the external
environment as well as to seal two or more compartments in a given
locker module from each other. The back face 502 of the thermal
break is profiled to comprise at least one engaging portion or limb
to secure the thermal break onto an edge of the compartment. The
back face 502 of the thermal break can be profiled to comprise one
or more engaging portions. In the particular embodiment shown in
FIG. 11E, the back face 502 of the thermal break is profiled to
comprise two engaging portions or limbs 504, 506. Both engaging
portions are profiled to flex so as to enable the thermal break to
be assembled onto an edge of the compartment, in particular the
edge of a door frame. In the particular embodiment, the first
engaging portion 504 is profiled to engage with a door divider 508
separating two adjacent compartments in the locker module and the
second engaging portion 506 is profiled to engage with the
compartment edge. Both engaging portions are resiliently connected
510, 512 to the back face 502 of the thermal break.
[0200] The first engaging portion 504 comprises a resilient member
having a curled cross-sectional profiled defining a resiliently
openable slit 514 extending along the length of the thermal break
strip. Both ends of the resiliently openable slit grips onto an
edge of the door divider as shown in FIG. 11E. More specifically,
the ends of the first engaging portion are spaced apart to form an
open end 514 that is shaped to receive the edge of the door
divider. The first engaging portion cooperates with back face of
the sealing member to accommodate a heater, e.g. heater element. In
the particular embodiment as shown in FIG. 11F. the first engaging
portion cooperates with back face of the sealing member to provide
a, depression 516, more preferably a substantially circular
cross-sectional depression 516 for reception of a heating
element/wire 69b.
[0201] The second engaging portion 506 of the thermal break is
profiled to engage with the edge of the compartment. As shown in
FIG. 11F, the second engaging has a substantially `L` shaped
cross-sectional profile that is pivotally connected to the rear
face of the sealing member of the thermal break by a connection
member 512. The connection between the substantially `L` shaped
cross-sectional profile and the rear face of the sealing member
functions as a fulcrum allowing the second engaging portion to
pivot about the fulcrum. The connection member 512 and the
substantially "L" shaped member cooperate to define a resiliently
openable slot 518 for reception of the edge of the compartment
[0202] The ends 520 of the thermal break strips are mitred to
enable the thermal break strips to be assembled around the
circumferential mouth of the compartment. To lock the first
engaging portion 504 and the second engaging portion 506 into
engagement with the edge of the compartment/door divider, the
profiles of the first and second engaging portions cooperate to
receive 522 a connector 524 for joining any two thermal break
strips together at a mitred joint. The connector 524 is inserted
within the connector receiving portion 522 (see FIG. 11F) to
prevent the first and second engaging portions from substantially
pivoting about its connection 510, 512 at the rear face of the
sealing member and therefore, locks the first and second engaging
portions into engagement with the edge of the compartment. For
example, the substantially "L" shaped profile comprises a tail end
526 that cooperates with the connector to prevent the substantially
"L" shaped profile from pivoting about its fulcrum. Likewise, the
connector once inserted into the connector receiving portion 522
also prevents the first engaging portion from pivoting about its
connection 510 and thereby, providing additional locking of the
first engaging portion into engagement with the edge of the door
divider.
[0203] Assembling the thermal break strips around the circumference
of the mouth of the compartment comprises the step of engaging the
first and second engaging portions onto an edge of the compartment
and the door divider. Subsequent to assembling the thermal break
strip onto an edge of the compartment/door divider, the first and
second engaging portions are locked into engagement with the edge
of the door by inserting the connector into the connector receiving
portion 522 at the mitred ends of the strip. This is repeated for
the other thermal break strips around the circumferential mouth of
the compartment. Prior to or subsequent to assembling the thermal
break strips around the circumferential mouth of the compartment,
the heater element 69b is secured to the rear face of the sealing
member by inserting the heater element into the heater element
receptacle 516 for accommodating the heater element. The edge of
the compartment locks and prevents the heater element from
escaping.
[0204] To further limit the heat transfer to atmosphere, the doors
are insulated by an insulation layer. The insulation can be of any
suitable type applied or installed by any suitable method known to
the person skilled in the art, for example, mineral wools,
polystyrene, foam insulation or a vacuum chamber. As an example,
the insulation layer is sandwiched and sealed between metal
claddings with a peripheral thermal break, and the insulation layer
is sufficiently thick to ensure minimal heat conduction.
[0205] In order to maximise the surface area contact of the
channels of the secondary heat exchanger 68 with the wall of the
cavity and also to facilitate alignment of the channels, grooves
can be formed in the cavity liner corresponding to the shape of the
secondary heat exchanger 68, for placing the secondary heat
exchanger into. An alternative method for maximising the surface
area contact includes fabricating the channels with a D shaped
cross-section as shown in FIG. 10 such that the straight or flat
portion of the channels is able to lie substantially flat against
the cavity liner. A recess 86 can also be formed into the cavity
liner of the compartment adjacent and opposite each channel 68 to
provide a localised region for ice build-up. In the absence of the
recess ice would tend to extend across the surface of the cavity
liner resulting in the build-up of a sheet of ice extending in a
plane across the interior surface of the compartment cavity. This
in turn results in a reduction in the efficiency of the secondary
heat exchanger 68 to transfer heat through the cavity liner of the
compartment.
[0206] In order to monitor the storage temperature in the cavity,
at least one temperature sensing device 88 is attached onto the
exterior surface on the liner of each cavity, as shown in the
example given in FIG. 11A. The temperature sensing device is
preferably a thermistor such as 10 k NTC sensors but it can be any
type of sensor known to the person skilled in the art, for example
thermocouples, RTDs, thermostats and infrared sensors. Ideally the
temperature sensing device 88 is placed at an equal distance
between two channels 68 to avoid measurement of the temperature of
the heat transfer fluid if it is placed too close to any one
particular channel resulting in a temperature measurement
non-responsive to the temperature of the interior volume of the
cavity. A retainer 87 is used to ensure proper alignment of the
channels 68 and the temperature sensing device 88 and other cabling
with respect to each other. In some other examples the at least one
temperature sensing device 88 is attached to the interior surface
of the cavity liner, in order to achieve a more accurate
measurement of air temperature within the cavity. In this case, a
retainer or other fastening means such as positioning clips (not
shown) may be used for securing the temperature sensing device 88.
A fastening band or strap is used to secure the secondary heat
exchangers 68 around one or more exterior surfaces of the cavity
liner by virtue of securing the retainer 87 to the exterior of the
liner, as shown in FIG. 9G. Optionally and in addition to mounting
the secondary heat exchanger 68 to the exterior surface of the
liner, one or more electric heating elements 69 may be mounted to
an exterior surface of the liner as shown in FIG. 9E. In some
examples (not shown) the electric heating elements (e.g. trace
heaters) may be mounted adjacent to the recess 86, a typical site
for ice built-up, to reduce the time required for defrosting. Once
the secondary heat exchanger 68 and/or the electric heating
elements 69 are mounted to one or more exterior surfaces of the
liner, the assembly is placed inside a larger mould 90 whilst
ensuring that the open end of the cavity remains exposed and
insulation material is injection moulded in the gap formed between
the cavity liner and the interior surface of the mould so as to
partially embed the secondary heat exchanger 68 and/or electric
heating elements 69 and/or cabling within the insulation material
whilst ensuring that the connection points to the secondary heat
exchanger 68 and/or the electric heating elements 69 are left
exposed. Finally as shown in FIG. 11B, when the insulation has
cured, the former and mould are removed from the assembly so
revealing the finished compartment.
Temperature Control
[0207] As shown in FIG. 11B, each compartment module comprises a
slave PCB 89 for carrying out active temperature control in the
associated compartment. For example the temperature sensing device
88 provides instantaneous temperature readout to the slave PCB 89.
The slave PCB compares the difference between the instantaneous
temperature measured by the temperature sensing device 88 and a set
point specified by the temperature control module. The slave PCB
carries out temperature adjustment using any methods described
earlier, e.g. controlling the heat transfer fluid flow and/or
amount of air circulation. Alternatively the slave PCB 89 may
communicate with the temperature control module, which directly
operates the valves and/or the fans for temperature control. In the
particular embodiment, the slave PCB controller carries out
temperature adjustment by controlling the operation of the valves
to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid, e.g. refrigerant to
each of the compartments. In the particular embodiment, the valves
are located in the refrigeration system on top of the locker module
as shown in FIG. 4F. However, for ease of explanation the valves in
FIGS. 6F to 6H are shown to the side of the locker module adjacent
each respective compartment it serves. FIG. 6I is a flowchart
showing the steps in setting the temperature of each of the
compartments to a desired set point temperature, T.sub.S.P, by
controlling the operation of the valves. Initially during the
preparation phase of the compartment 145a, the controller is set to
the desired set point temperature, T.sub.S.P.. Once the set point
temperature 145b has been set, the system measures the air
temperature, T, inside the compartment 145c and correlates 145d the
air temperature, T, with the desired set point temperature,
T.sub.S.P. If the temperature, T, is greater than the set point
temperature, the system "calls for more cooling" by operating the
corresponding valve to that compartment, i.e. opening the valve
145e to allow the flow of the refrigerant to the heat exchanger or
evaporator of the compartment. The system continues to call for
more "cooling" until the air temperature inside the compartment has
reached the desired set point temperature 145f. Optionally (not
shown in FIG. 6I), if the air temperature, T, of the compartment is
significantly less than the desired set point temperature,
T.sub.S.P., for example in the event that the compartment is being
prepped for storage of goods at ambient temperature from previously
storing goods at frozen temperature or the external outside
temperature is lower the desired set point temperature, then one or
more heaters, (e.g. electric heaters or heat transfer fluid as
discussed above) can be used to raise the compartment temperature
to the desired set point temperature. The slave PCB 89 feeds the
temperature data to a processor housed within the access control
module 40 which monitors the status of the compartments and
controls access to the compartments by controlling the operation of
the remotely programmable locking mechanism. The processor can be
any processor known in the art. In the particular embodiment, the
processor is a personal computer.
[0208] To cater for the temperature differential between the
temperature of the evaporator or the heat exchanger adjacent
(evaporator) at least one wall of the compartment and the air
temperature of the compartment, each compartment comprises at least
two temperature sensing devices 88a and 88b (see FIG. 4G). In the
particular embodiment, the two temperature sensing devices are fed
to the PCB 89. Alternatively, it can be fed to the processor in the
access control module 40. The first temperature sensing device 88a
closely represents the air temperature inside the compartment and
the second temperature sensing device 88b is placed adjacent the
heat exchanger or evaporator of the compartment and substantially
represents the temperature of the heat exchanger or evaporator. Due
to thermal lag between the temperature of the air in the
compartment and the temperature of the heat exchanger which is
driving the lowering of the temperature of the air in the
compartment, this temperature differential can vary significantly
particularly when the compartment calls from more cooling during
the initial preparation phase of the compartment or when the door
is opened. The temperature differential reduces significantly when
the air temperature inside the compartment has reached a steady
equilibrium state. It is paramount to keep this temperature
differential as small as possible as this leads to "surface
freezing", where the wall of the compartment is at a much lower
temperature than the air temperature inside the compartment and
causes surface freezing of perishable goods such as vegetables,
e.g. lettuce, resting on the wall of the compartment which are
destined to be stored under chilled conditions. Other problems
include, the wall temperature of the compartment "running way" from
the air temperature causing excessive cooling of the walls when the
slave PCB is trying to maintain the air temperature at a steady
state.
[0209] To mitigate this problem, the system aims to keep this
temperature differential between the air temperature inside the
compartment and the wall temperature as small as possible by
monitoring the temperature readings from both temperature sensing
devices, 88a and 88b and controlling the rate at which the
compartment cools so as to establish an equilibrium state or as
close as possible during every cooling step between the inside air
temperature and the wall, each time the system calls from more
"cooling". In one embodiment of the present invention, the system
via the slave PCB, calls for cooling by operating the valves to
control the flow of the refrigerant to the compartment in small
increments so as to allow the internal air temperature of the
compartment to "catch up" with the wall temperature of the
compartment, i.e. the system "pulses" the cooling in small
steps.
[0210] In another embodiment of the present invention, the system
calls for cooling to the evaporator in small "pulses" by opening
and closing the valves to the evaporator in small predetermined
steps. The closing of the valve interrupts the flow of the
refrigerant to the evaporator and the opening of the valve
re-establishes flow of the heat transfer fluid to the evaporator.
This provides short "bursts" of cooling to the air inside the
compartment and the cooling "bursts" are repeated until the air
inside the compartment has reached its desired set point
temperature. The "pulses" of cooling is set in the controller by
having an upper differential temperature, T.sub.up by which the
valves are opened to allow the flow of refrigerant and a lower
differential temperature, T.sub.lower by which the valves are
closed to interrupt the flow of the refrigerant. T.sub.up and
T.sub.lower may be any temperature depending on the cooling
condition required. For example when a chilled storage temperature
(i.e., T.sub.S.P.apprxeq.4.degree. C.) is required, the upper
differential temperature, T.sub.up is set to substantially
-7.degree. C. and the lower differential temperature, T.sub.lower,
is set to substantially -10.degree. C. Thus, when the system is
calling for cooling in a particular compartment, the corresponding
valve to that compartment is opened to allow the flow of
refrigerant. When the temperature of the evaporator measured by the
second temperature sensing device 88b reaches the lower
differential temperature, T.sub.lower, (e.g. -10.degree. C.) the
valve closes so as to interrupt the flow of refrigerant to the
evaporator and to allow the evaporator to absorb heat form the
interior of the compartment and thus, cool the compartment. As soon
as the evaporator warms up to the upper differential temperature,
T.sub.up, (e.g. -7.degree. C.), the valve opens again to
re-establish the flow of refrigerant and thus, to allow the
evaporator to cool again to the lower differential temperature.
This "pulsing" of cooling is repeated until the air temperature
inside the compartment has reached it desired set point
temperature. During each pulsing step, there is an inherent delay
to allow the evaporator temperature to warm up by absorbing heat
from the air inside the compartment. The smaller the pulsing steps,
the smaller the differential temperature and thus, the shorter the
delay time and vice versa. In some cases such "pulsing" temperature
control is not adopted in compartments for storage of frozen goods
since the said frozen goods are not susceptible to surface
freezing. On the other hand, in some embodiments the "pulsing"
temperature control described may be applied to prevent excessive
cooling of compartment walls. To prevent the first temperature
sensing device 88a being influenced by the temperature of the
refrigerant in the heat exchanger which is at a much lower
temperature than the air temperature inside the compartment,
particularly when the system is calling for "cooling" during the
preparation phase of the compartment, the temperature sensing
device 88a is placed as far away from the heat exchanger or
evaporator as possible. In the particular embodiment, the first
temperature sensing device 88a is placed on the rear wall of the
compartment opposite the door of the corresponding lockable storage
space and slightly protruding to provide a good representation of
the air temperature inside the compartment and the second
temperature sensing device 88b is placed adjacent the heat
exchanger of the compartment.
[0211] The converse is equally applicable when warming the
compartment, e.g. preparing a compartment at frozen temperature for
a delivery of goods at ambient temperature or maintaining the
compartment at a chilled temperature when the outside temperature
is below freezing temperature. In the converse situation, one or
more electric heaters are "pulsed" so that the temperature of the
air inside the compartment rises to its desired set point
temperature. Again as discussed above and to keep consistency with
the terminology with the cooling, there is an upper differential
temperature, T.sub.up, by which the electric heaters are switched
off and a lower differential temperature, T.sub.lower, by which the
electric heaters are switched on. In this case, as the walls of the
compartment heats up to the upper differential temperature,
T.sub.up, the electric heater(s) are switched off to wait for the
air inside the compartment to absorb heat from the wall of the
compartment and thus, cool down to the lower differential
temperature, T.sub.lower, before the electric heater(s) are
switched on again. This cycle is repeated until the inside
compartment air warms to the desired set point temperature (e.g.
ambient temperature). As the walls of the compartment adjacent the
electric heaters gradually heats up in comparison to the air inside
the compartment, there is an inherent differential temperature
between the wall temperature of the compartment and the inside air
temperature. Thus, any delicate food products (e.g. fruit) would
"scorch" when in contact with any excessive heated wall of the
compartment. To mitigate this effect, very low power electric
heaters are used to prevent excessive heating of the walls of the
compartment. In the particular embodiment, 100 watts rated heaters
are used to provide gentle heating to the compartment. The heat
will conduct through the walls of the compartment and cause the
internal air temperature to rise. When the air temperature is equal
to the desired set point temperature, the heater element will be
switched off.
[0212] Alternatively, the "pulsing" of the heaters may not be
necessary if very low power rating heaters are used, e.g. 100
watts. One or more electric heaters can be switched on until the
air temperature of the compartment rises to its desired set point
temperature and then the electric heater is switched off.
[0213] The slave PCB 89 is protected from the environment by
adhering a PCB cover 89C to the compartments (e.g. to the rear face
of the mounting flange 85) with a self-adhesive gasket 89b.
[0214] In the event, that the temperature measurement inside the
compartment is above the desired set point temperature for a
significant period of time as a result of a fault in the
temperature sensing device or the PCB controller or both or even
the valves for controlling the flow of the refrigerant, any food
stored in the compartment at a chilled or frozen temperature could
perish and therefore, compromise food safety. In such an event, an
alarm condition will be sent to the processor and the processor is
programmed deny access to the food goods by preventing release of
the remotely programmable locking mechanism of the door. The
variation of the temperature of the compartment above or below the
desired set point temperature and the duration of time by which
food products should be kept at the wrong temperature before food
safety is compromised is dictated by the Food Safety Standards.
This applies to both inadvertent elevation in the temperature of
the compartment, e.g. for storage of chilled or frozen goods, or
reduction in temperature of the compartment, e.g. for storage of
goods at ambient temperature. Thus, when the temperature of the
compartment containing perishable goods is above or below the
desired set point temperature by a predetermined amount and/or for
a predetermined length of time, the controller will deny access to
the affected compartment by remotely actuating the remotely
programmable locking mechanism. In the particular embodiment and
according to Food Safety Standards in the UK, an alarm condition
will be generated when the air temperature inside the compartment
is 8.degree. C. above the desired set point temperature for a
period of 90 minutes.
[0215] If the compartments 24 are kept at a frozen temperature for
a prolonged period their walls are susceptible to frosting, which
in severe cases can cease air circulation due to ice build-up. Thus
defrosting is periodically carried out by heating the frozen
compartments 24 for a short period of time. During defrosting the
accumulated ice melts into liquid, and subsequently flows along a
sloped base 76 towards a drain 78 situated at the back or front of
the locker module 20, as shown in FIG. 8. The drain 78 also clears
spillage and rain water ingress, and so prevents flooding and
minimises damage or bacterial spoilage to the stored groceries.
Locating the drain towards the front of the compartment permits
regular clearing of any accumulated water by service personal every
time the storage spaces are inspected or when deliveries made.
Goods may be placed on a wire mesh or perforated shelf (not shown)
suspended just above the base of the compartments, so to offer
further protection against flood spoilage. The heating system 240
can also be used to set the temperature of at least one compartment
24 in the lockable storage space 22 above ambient and therefore,
offers a lockable storage space 22 for hot food delivery. For
example, hot meals, e.g. cooked foods or snacks can delivered to
the compartment 24 and kept warm for a short period of time, before
being picked up by the customer. For the purpose of the present
invention, a substantially above ambient temperature is a
temperature above substantially 21.degree. C., more preferably
above 50.degree. C.
[0216] The difference in storage temperatures between adjacent
compartments can be significant. For example the difference can be
in excess of 40.degree. C. between the above ambient 30 and frozen
compartment 28. To minimise heat transfer among compartments 24,
28, 30 and also to prevent the interior temperature of each
compartment being influenced by the temperature of the surrounding
environment, the partitions 26 and at least one of the external
wall of each of the compartments 24 are insulated.
Refrigeration Capacity Control
[0217] In operation, the cooling duty to each of the lockable
storage spaces (22) in any given locker module may vary
significantly throughout the different stages of operation. For
example, while minimal cooling is required to maintain the
compartments in the lockable storage space (22) at a steady
temperature, the demand of heat transfer fluid reaches its peak
during the preparation phase, i.e., cooling from an ambient to
frozen temperature. In some cases, the refrigeration system are not
sized to provide simultaneous cooling to all of the compartments,
instead they are only designed to handle a fraction of the maximum
load, so as to ensure the system remains efficient during normal
operation, i.e. minor point adjustment and temperature holding.
However, as the demand for cooling a number of compartments
increases, this puts an increase burden on the refrigeration system
to deliver the relevant cooling to each of the compartments. This
is particularly the case where the primary system acts as a
refrigeration system that feeds refrigerant directly to the
compartments as described with reference to FIGS. 4C to 4G. In
order to achieve adequate cooling to each of the compartments
serviced by the refrigeration system, the pressure difference of
the refrigerant in the conduit or piping of the distribution system
supplying each of the compartments and the refrigerant in the
condenser is critical. A metering device such as an expansion valve
or a capillary system allows the refrigerant to lower its pressure
so that the liquid refrigerant vapourises in the conduit or piping
(evaporator) of the distribution system supplying each of the
compartments. This change of state results in the cooling effect as
is commonly known in the art.
[0218] For the purposes of explanation consider the schematic
diagram of a pressure enthalpy (p-H) diagram shown in FIG. 4H
showing the main pressure and energy changes of the refrigerant
during a typical refrigeration cycle. As is commonly known in the
art, the refrigerant under the Saturated Liquid (S-V) line or dome
exists as a mixture of vapour and liquid. To the left of the
critical point and above the S-V line the refrigerant exists as a
liquid. To the right of the critical point and above the S-V line
the refrigerant exists as a superheated vapour. In FIG. 4H, the
refrigeration cycle follow the path shown by the arrows represented
by the lines 1 to 2 to 3 to 4.
[0219] Stage 1 to 2: represents the compressor stage and is where
the refrigerant in gas form is compressed causing a rise in
pressure and thus, enthalpy which equals the energy put into the
refrigerant gas by the compressor.
[0220] Stage 2 to 3: the hot superheated refrigerant gas enters the
condenser and is where the gas is condensed to a liquid. In reality
the refrigerant exits in the condenser in liquid/vapour form.
[0221] Stage 3 to 4: Still at high pressure, the liquid/vapour
passes through a metering device (e.g. capillary tube) causing the
pressure of the liquid/vapour refrigerant to be reduced without any
significant change in enthalpy. At stage 3, the refrigerant
pressure is at the high pressure side, P.sub.high of the evaporator
and once it has passed through the metering device, the pressure
drops to the low pressure side, P.sub.low.
[0222] Stage 4 to 1: the low pressure liquid refrigerant at
P.sub.low evaporates to a gas and enthalpy (heat energy) is
extracted from the compartments.
[0223] Also shown in FIG. 4H are lines of constant temperature,
T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, which represents the temperature of
the refrigerant. For example for a R290 type refrigerant at
approximately 1 bar pressure the temperature, T.sub.1, of the
refrigerant would be around -30.degree. C. and at 10 bar pressure,
the temperature, T.sub.3, of the refrigerant would be above ambient
temperature. It is believed that the cooling capacity of a
refrigeration system is dependent upon the pressure difference,
P.sub.high-P.sub.low, across the metering device. The pressure
difference across the metering device is also dependent upon the
level of constriction provided by the metering device. Take the
example, of a small diameter capillary tube as the metering device
offering a significant constriction of the flow of refrigerant in
the refrigeration circuit (see FIG. 4H), the pressure difference of
the refrigerant across the metering device (between the higher
pressure side indicated at point 3 and the low pressure side at
point 4 in FIG. 4H) would be relatively higher than if the
constriction offered by the capillary tube is reduced, i.e. opened
up. This is reflected in the p-H diagram in FIG. 4H, by a drop in
the refrigerant pressure at the high pressure side (stages 3 to 4)
and an increase in the refrigerant pressure at the low pressure
side (stages 4 to 1). The extent of the pressure difference between
the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the metering
device is thus dependent upon the degree of the constriction
provided by the metering device whereby increasing this
constriction offered by the metering device, increases the pressure
difference across the capillary tube and vice versa. In some cases
the size of constriction may be varied by a pressure regulating
valve in place of the metering device; such pressure regulating
valve known to the person in the art, for example needle valves or
poppet valves. The degree of constriction will also affect the mass
flow rate of the refrigerant through the metering device. By
increasing the constriction offered by the capillary tube, reduces
the mass flow rate of the refrigerant. This increase in the
pressure difference is reflected in an increase in the energy
(enthalpy) extracted from the compartment as reflected by the
different lines of constant temperature in the p-H diagram in FIG.
4F. Likewise, a reduction in the pressure difference will result in
a reduction in the energy extracted from the compartment. A
reduction in the energy extracted from the compartment would
inevitably result in a reduction in a drop in temperature of the
compartment, i.e. a lesser cooling effect, as demonstrated by
equation 1 below.
.DELTA.Q=UA.DELTA.T (1)
Where:
[0224] .DELTA.Q is the heat energy extraction (kJ) U is the overall
heat transfer coefficient across the wall of evaporator
(kJ/m.sup.2K) A is the surface area of the evaporator (m.sup.Z) in
contact with the compartments .DELTA.T is the temperature
difference between the refrigerant and compartment (K)
[0225] The greater the temperature difference, i.e. the lower the
refrigerant temperature, the more heat energy, .DELTA.Q, may be
extracted from the compartment.
[0226] Cooling a group of large number of compartments will have a
significant impact on the cooling performance since the manifold
distributes refrigerant to each of the compartments in a parallel
configuration. Thus, increasing the number of flow passages reduces
the supplied refrigerant pressure distribution network and thus,
the rate by which the amount of refrigerant is evaporated to each
of the compartments. As a result, the attainable refrigerant
temperature in each of the individual compartments is accordingly
reduced, and so greatly affecting the heat transfer efficiency. As
the number of compartments increases, the number of metering
devices servicing each of the compartments also increases. The
greater the number of metering devices has the effect of reducing
total constriction offered by all of the combined metering devices.
This is because the liquid refrigerant is distributed amongst a
greater number of the metering devices (capillaries) resulting in a
greater mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the compressor. As
discussed above, a reduction in the constriction in the
refrigeration circuit will result in a smaller pressure difference
between the higher pressure side and the low pressure side across
the metering device, which in turn results in a reduction in the
extraction of heat energy from each of the compartments, i.e. each
of the compartments would not be cooled as much. The greater the
number of metering devices that the refrigerant flows through, the
smaller the pressure drop of the refrigerant across each of the
combined metering devices and therefore, the smaller the cooling
capacity of the refrigeration system. Thus, a balance has to be
taken between the number of metering devices in the refrigeration
circuit (i.e. number of compartments in the group) and the size of
the compressor so as to provide adequate cooling to each of the
compartments serviced by the compressor.
[0227] In sizing up the compressor and thus, the cooling duty of
the refrigeration system, a number of variables are taken into
consideration namely:-- [0228] a) required operating temperature of
each of the compartments. In the embodiment of the present
invention, each of the compartments can store goods at a controlled
ambient temperature (substantially 4.degree. C. to substantially
21.degree. C.), chilled temperature (substantially P.degree. C. to
substantially 4.degree. C.) and/or frozen temperature
(substantially -21.degree. C. to substantially -18.degree. C.).
[0229] b) the external environmental condition to take into account
the different seasonal temperatures, e.g. summer and winter, and
the location of the locker modules, e.g. in areas of hot climate
versus areas of cold climate. To cover the different external
environmental conditions, a temperature range is taken between the
two extremes, -20.degree. C. and +40.degree. C. [0230] c) usage or
demand of each of the compartments in a given locker module. Since
the locker module is destined to be used to deliver grocery to
customers in anticipation of demand from a grocery store (e.g
supermarket), the compressor is sized to cater for a relatively
high demand. [0231] d) Thermal mass of the grocery. For example
cooling of meat as opposed to ice cream.
[0232] One way to meet the demand for cooling to each of the
compartments is to reduce the number of compartments serviced by
the refrigeration system or increase the number of refrigeration
systems servicing the locker module. However, this may not be
economically feasible and energy efficient since an increased
number of refrigeration systems would need to be running to meet
the cooling demand for all of the compartments in a locker module.
As this represents only a small portion of the cooling duty for any
particular compartment, once the desired set point temperature of
the compartment has been reached, a number of the refrigeration
systems would either remain idle or not operate at its full
capacity leading to over capacity.
[0233] To mitigate the impact of increased cooling demand,
dedicated control valves 66 are installed so that the cooling in
individual compartments in a locker module can be carried out
sequentially or in any sequence of compartments. For example, if a
locker module comprises a total group of six compartments and they
all require cooling from an ambient storage condition to a frozen
storage condition, cooling them simultaneously in anticipation of
demand from a delivery centre, as shown in FIG. 6F, is inefficient
as the temperature difference between the evaporating refrigerant
and the compartments are relatively small, i.e. the refrigerant is
distributed very thinly or sparsely across the six compartments and
therefore, no one compartment in the locker module has an adequate
supply of evaporating refrigerant to cause any significant cooling
effect, i.e. the mass flow rate of the refrigerant through the
combined metering devices increases. In reality, the compartments
nearest the compressor are initially supplied with the refrigerant
leaving those compartments furthest away from the compressor being
deprived of adequate refrigerant to cause any measurable change in
temperature. By controlling the distribution of the refrigerant
(via a controller), more particularly prioritising the distribution
of the refrigerant to each of the compartments in a controlled
sequence depending on their temperature requirements (e.g. frozen
or chilled) removes the problem of distributing the refrigerant
thinly across too many compartments at once. For a given
refrigeration capacity and thus, size of compressor, a cooling
sequence is implemented whereby the supply of refrigerant are
limited to cool a predetermined number of compartments or sub-group
of compartments, e.g. single compartment or a pair of compartments,
at any given time by closing one or more valves, as shown in FIG.
6G. As a result, an adequate supply of refrigerant pressure may be
maintained and thus, enable a much more effective heat transfer
process. The selected compartments may be cooled until the
temperature has reached its desired set point before the heat
transfer fluid is distributed to the next set of compartments along
the cooling sequence by closing its corresponding valves and
opening the next set of valves in the sequence as shown in FIG.
6H.
[0234] Cooling each of the compartments individually until they
reached their desired set point temperature before moving onto the
next compartment in the sequence in the locker module would put a
lot of strain on the compressor and therefore, shorten its lifespan
since the compressor would have to work harder, repeatedly cooling
each of the compartments to its desired set point temperature.
Equally, the time that has elapsed cooling all of the compartments
in the locker module in turn until the temperature of each of the
compartments has reached its desired set point temperature in
sequence (which could be six compartments) can be significant, e.g.
approximately 20 minutes. This time delay may run the risk that the
first cooled compartment in the sequence has been left waiting too
long before seeing a repeat cooling activity which may result in
its internal temperature to rise beyond its set point temperature
and thus, any products in the compartments would be
compromised.
[0235] To mitigate this effect, alternatively, the heat transfer
fluid may be periodically supplied to each of the compartments
through a switching sequence, i.e. supplied to a select number of
compartments for a predetermined amount of time, e.g. 90 seconds or
ten minutes, before it is sent (or switched) to the next set of one
or more compartments in the cooling sequence, even though the
temperature in the first set of selected compartments have not
fully reached its set point. In this way, no single compartment in
the locker module has been left without refrigeration for a long
period of time and therefore, is prevented from heating up. The
cycle of cooling to each of the compartments in the sub group is
continued until one or all of the compartments in the sub group
have reached its desired set point temperature. When one of the
compartments, for example, has reached its desired set point
temperature, this frees up refrigeration capacity for another
compartment calling for cooling to join the sub group for cooling.
This pattern of cooling is repeated until all of the compartments
calling for cooling has reached its desired set point temperature.
Subsequent to this the demand on the refrigeration capacity would
reduce as the temperature of the compartments are regulated or
maintained at their desired set point temperature. Alternatively,
if the measured temperature in the first set (sub-group) of
selected one or more compartments has reached its set point before
expiry of the fixed period of time, the heat transfer fluid will
then be diverted to the next set of one or more (sub-group)
compartments instead by closing one or more of its corresponding
valves and opening the next set of valves in the sequence.
[0236] The cooling sequence may be prioritised to favour
compartments that has a higher priority and may be defined
according to criteria such as the degree of cooling required, e.g.
temperature difference between the desired set point temperature
and the compartment temperature, as well as the delivery schedule,
i.e. the occupancy of the compartments and the time remaining until
the next delivery. The prioritising step allows the lockable
temperature controlled apparatus to take advantage of the limited
cooling capacity of the refrigeration system and therefore, is
energy efficient particularly during the initial preparation phase
of the compartment, i.e. when the compartment is calling for
cooling. This is because the initial preparation phase of the
compartments represents only a small portion of the cooling duty
for any particular compartment. Once the desired set point
temperature of the compartment has been reached, a number of the
refrigeration systems would either remain idle or not operate at
its full capacity leading to over capacity. As a result, multiple
refrigeration systems are not required to provide cooling to all of
the compartments in the lockable temperature controlled apparatus
and the apparatus can be used with one refrigeration system, thus
reducing the cost to manufacture the apparatus and size of the
apparatus.
[0237] Initially, the system (via a processor in the access control
module 40) monitors the status of the control valves and thus, the
capacity of the refrigeration system to determine whether any of
the valves are open or close. In the particular embodiment and
based on the cooling duty and demand of the compartments discussed
above, the size of the compressor and thus, the supply of
refrigerant is limited to two compartments in a locker module to
ensure that an adequate supply of refrigerant reaches those
compartments and thus, maintain an adequate refrigerant pressure
for cooling. The number of compartments in a cooling sequence is
not just limited to two compartments but any number of compartments
can be limited to the supply of refrigerant in a cooling cycle as
long as there is enough refrigeration capacity to maintain an
adequate refrigerant pressure to each of the serviced compartments
for cooling purposes. For the purpose of explanation of the
prioritising process in the particular embodiment of the present
invention, the supply of refrigerant in a cooling cycle is limited
two compartments in a locker module at any one time.
[0238] The compressor is conveniently sized so as to meet the
increased cooling duty of the refrigeration system as discussed
above but also limits overcapacity of the refrigeration system as a
result of reduced demand if only one compartment (for example) is
calling for cooling resulting in a significant pressure drop on the
lower pressure side of the evaporator actuating the LP pressure
switch to stop the compressor if the pressure drops below a
predetermined value. To mitigate overcapacity of the refrigeration
system as a result of reduced demand and to make sure that a
limited number of compartments (in this example, one compartment)
has reached is desired set point temperature, a bypass valve is
used to bypass some of the refrigerant through a bypass circuit so
as to maintain a balanced refrigerant pressure, i.e. a balanced
mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the compressor. As the
compressor is sized for a predetermined number of compartments or
sub group of compartments in the locker module, in this example,
two compartments, at any given time, and if there are only two
compartments calling for cooling and thus, when one of the
compartments has reached its desired set point temperature, the
valve to that compressor is closed. There then becomes an
overcapacity in the refrigerant system since the remaining one
compartment is still calling for cooling. In this situation, the
bypass valve is activated to bypass some of the refrigerant to the
compressor so as to maintain a balanced refrigeration pressure
until the only compartment calling for cooling has reached its
desired set point temperature or an additional compartment begins
to call for cooling. Each time there is an overcapacity in the
refrigeration system, the bypass valve is activated to bypass some
of the refrigerant so as to maintain a balanced refrigerant
pressure. Further explanation of the operation of the bypass system
is discussed below.
[0239] Since the refrigeration system has only sufficient
"capacity" to cool a limited number of compartments at any one time
in a locker module, further demand for cooling additional
compartments would necessitate that the compartments be placed in a
queueing system. By placing one or more of the available
compartments which are "calling for cooling" in a queue (those
compartments that want to be "calling for cooling"), then when
capacity becomes available the system can direct the cooling to the
additional available compartments in the queue. Thus, when an order
is made to cool one or more compartments in the locker module, the
system checks the capacity of the refrigeration system, i.e.
monitors the status of the valves, and if, in this example, two of
the valves are currently open, cooling of any additional
compartments would need to be placed in a queue until a valve
becomes available since only a predetermined number of compartments
(and thus, valves open to allow the flow of refrigerant) can be
cooled at any one time. When there is no capacity in the
refrigeration system, the system places the available compartments
in a queue and prioritises the supply of refrigerant to the
compartments in the queue by controlling the operation of the
valves to the corresponding compartments depending on their urgency
criteria which can be either their temperature requirement and/or
the length of time the compartment has been waiting in the
queue.
[0240] In the case where the system prioritises the compartments
based on waiting time, each time a compartment is placed in the
queue to initialise a "call for cooling" the system starts a timer
or counting clock to determine their respective waiting times until
when refrigeration capacity becomes available (i.e. one of the open
valves closes freeing up refrigeration capacity). Alternatively,
the system notes the time each valve becomes operational. Take the
example where the system requires that two additional compartments
would need to be cooled for a delivery of chilled and frozen goods
respectively at different times and the refrigeration capacity is
at its limit since two compartments are already calling for
cooling, the system places the compartments in a queue and starts a
timer to measure their respective waiting times until capacity
becomes available. The system monitors the internal temperature of
the available compartments and if there is more than one
compartment available, the system chooses the available compartment
that closely matches the required set point temperature for storage
of chilled or frozen goods. Choosing the availability of
compartments also takes into account those compartments that are
under an alarm condition and simply ignores those compartments.
[0241] Referring to the example above where there is a first
available compartment having a first measured internal temperature
of T.sub.1 and a desired set point temperature T.sub.S.P.1 for
storage of chilled goods, the first available compartment is placed
in a queuing system at t.sub.1. If the system then calls for an
additional second compartment to be cooled for a delivery of frozen
goods, the system monitors the status of the valves to see if there
is any capacity in the refrigerant (i.e. if any of the compartments
in the locker module are available for cooling) and if not, the
system places the second available compartment in the queue at
time, t.sub.2. Take the internal measured temperature of the second
available compartment to be T.sub.2 and the desired set point
temperature to be T.sub.S.P.2 (in this case for storing frozen
goods). When capacity in the refrigerant becomes available at time,
t, (i.e. one of the open valves closes freeing up refrigeration
capacity), the system selects the next available compartment in the
queue for cooling depending on either the length of their waiting
times in the queue or their immediate temperature requirement.
[0242] In the case where the system prioritises the available
compartments in the queue based on waiting time, the system chooses
the available compartment that has been waiting the longest. In the
above example, the first available compartment has been waiting for
time, t-t.sub.1, and the second available compartment has been
waiting for time, t-t.sub.2. Since the waiting time, t-t.sub.1, for
the first available compartment is greater than the waiting time,
t-t.sub.2, for the second available compartment, the valve to the
first available compartment will open first to allow the flow of
refrigerant to that compartment before the second available
compartment is to cooled.
[0243] Alternatively, the system can prioritise the available
compartments in the queue based on the immediate temperature
requirement whereby the available compartment having the greatest
temperature difference (differential temperature) between the
measured internal compartment temperature and the desired set point
temperature takes priority. Referring to the above example, the
first available compartment is destined to store chilled goods and
thus, at time, t, when refrigeration capacity becomes available,
the difference, (T.sub.1-T.sub.S.P.1), between the internal
measured temperature, T.sub.1 of the compartment and the desired
set point temperature, T.sub.S.P.1 is a measure of their immediate
temperature requirement or differential temperature. Since the
second available compartment is destined to store frozen goods, and
subject to its internal measured air temperature, T.sub.2, then its
immediate temperature requirement, (T.sub.2-T.sub.S.P.2) would be
greater than the immediate temperature requirement,
(T.sub.1-T.sub.S.P.1), of the first available compartment. As a
result, the system prioritises the second available compartment for
cooling prior to the first available compartment by opening its
corresponding valve to allow the flow of refrigerant.
[0244] FIGS. 11D-1 through 11D-4 show a flow diagram showing the
sequence of steps in prioritising the supply of refrigerant and
thus, cooling to each of the compartments in a locker module
according to one embodiment of the present invention. Although,
FIGS. 11D-1 through 11D-4 show two compartments (C1 and C2), the
same steps are used to check the availability of the other
compartments in the locker module. As a result, the operational
steps in all of the compartments in a locker module are identical
as the system runs through all of the available compartments in a
locker module and decides which one of them is available for
cooling. For ease of explanation, only two or sub-group of
compartments (C1 and C2) are shown in FIGS. 11D-1 through 11D-4.
Identical procedural steps apply to successive compartments to the
right of Fig. FIGS. 11D-1 through 11D-4 shown by the broken line
191. In FIGS. 11D-1 through 11D-4, the system decides 190a if
Compartment 1 (C1) and/or Compartment 2 (C2) are available for
cooling and so on. The system begins by checking whether
Compartment 1 is currently operational 190a, i.e. it is under a
cooling regime. If Compartment 1 is currently operational, the
system then checks 190c whether the temperature of C1 has reached
its desired set point temperature, T.sub.S.P.. If the answer is
"yes", then the cooling to C1 is stopped 190e by closing the
corresponding valve to C1. If the answer is "no", then the system
decides whether the set time period for cooling for C1 has elapsed
190d. In the particular embodiment, cooling is periodically shared
between a predetermined number of compartments (in this example two
compartments, C1 and C2) for a predetermined amount of time. This
is in comparison to both compartments sharing the refrigeration
capacity at the same time. By periodically sharing the cooling in a
sequential manner between two compartments, each of the two
compartments gets a "burst" of cooling for a predetermined amount
of time before it switches to the next compartment even though
neither of the compartments has reached its desired set point
temperature. This sequential cycling of the call for cooling is
repeated until one or both compartments (in this case, C1 and C2)
reaches their desired set point temperature, i.e. the valve to the
refrigerant for C1 opens for a predetermined amount of time before
it closes and opens the valve to C2 for the same amount of time
before it switches back again to C1. In the particular embodiment,
the valves to two compartments are each periodically opened and
closed for four minutes. If the set time period has elapsed (`yes),
the system stops cooling C1 and switches to cooling C2 until the
set time period has elapsed for C2 and so on. If the set time
period has not lapsed (i.e. "no") for C1, then the system continues
to call for cooling until either the temperature of C1 has reached
the set point temperature or its set time period has elapsed. If
one or both of the compartments (either C1 or C2) in the pair has
reached its desired set point temperature, then the controller
moves onto the next available compartment that has been waiting in
the queue. In all cases, cooling is carried out to a predetermined
number of compartments, e.g. pairs of compartments, at any one
time.
[0245] To service all of the compartments in a locker module and to
prioritise the cooling to those compartments based on the above
criteria, the controller activates the corresponding valves to
provide cooling to the first two compartments for a period of time.
Once the period of time has lapsed, cooling is stopped. The
controller then decides the next two compartments in greatest need
of cooling based on the above criteria. The controller activates
the next two valves to provide cooling to the next two
corresponding compartments for a defined period of time. This cycle
repeats until the cooling requirement in all but one compartment is
satisfied, i.e. the desired temperature is reached in all other
compartments so that a pair of compartments calling for cooling
cannot be established, i.e. there is over capacity in the
refrigeration system.
[0246] Referring back to the first step 190b, if C1 is not cooling
(i.e. not calling for cooling), then the system checks 190f whether
the temperature of C1 is above desired set point temperature. If
the answer is "yes" (i.e. the temperature of C1 is above the
desired set point temperature), then the system checks 190g whether
there are already two compartments operational (i.e. cooling). If
there are already two compartments operational, then the system
places C1 in a queue until when refrigeration capacity becomes
available and checks 190h whether the timer for determining the
waiting time of C1 has been started. If the timer has not been
started, then the system starts the timer 190i to determine the
waiting time for C1. The system then repeats the checking process
for the other compartments in the locker module.
[0247] If there are no two compartments cooling, i.e. the
compartments in the locker module is immediately available, then
the system checks 190j whether there is one compartment in the
locker module operational (calling for cooling). This is to check
whether or not all of the compartments in the locker module are
available. If there is no one compartment under a cooling cycle or
phase (all of the compartments are available for cooling), then
there is excess capacity in the refrigeration system since the
compressor continues to circulate (draw) refrigerant but if all of
the valves to the compartments are closed, no refrigerant is able
to be circulated into the compressor and an alarm condition will
sound. In reality, the LP pressure will activate the compressor to
stop.
[0248] As the compressor has been sized to cater for a fraction or
sub group of the compartments in a locker module (e.g. a pair of
compartments at any one time), in this particular embodiment two
compartments, there will still be an occasion when there is
overcapacity in the refrigeration system. Take the example, where
the compressor is sized to provide cooling for two or more
compartments as discussed above. If only one compartment is calling
for cooling because one of the compartments in the pair has reached
its desired set point temperature, then there is over capacity in
the refrigeration system and the compressor will continually draw
refrigerant at the same capacity if there are two or more
compartments calling for cooling. The resultant effect is that the
pressure at the low pressure side of the evaporator within the
suction line 64 will drop significantly causing excessive cooling
of the compartment. To prevent the pressure of the refrigerant
within suction line 65 from dropping too low causing excessive
cooling of the compartment, a low pressure sensor switch (LP
sensor) is activated to cause the compressor to stop prematurely
when the refrigerant pressure drops below a predetermined value and
preventing the only one compartment reaching its desired set point
temperature.
[0249] To mitigate this effect and to keep the refrigeration cycle
continuous (i.e. to prevent the compressor continuously stopping
and starting each time the refrigerant pressure drops too low as a
result of only a limited number of compartments, e.g. one
compartment, calling for cooling), a bypass valve 66b (see FIG. 4G)
as discussed above is introduced amongst the series of valves 66 so
as to bypass 190n the refrigerant past the compartments and keep
the refrigeration cycle continuous. In the particular embodiment,
the system is set up or programmed to supply refrigerant to two
compartments at any one time in a periodic or sequential or cyclic
manner as discussed above. Thus, when there is only one compartment
calling for cooling and there is overcapacity in the refrigeration
system, the bypass valve is activated to balance or maintain the
refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration system. The cooling cycle
is continued until the compartment calling for cooling has reached
its desired set point temperature. At which point if there is no
compartments calling for cooling, both the bypass valve and the
valve to the compartment is closed so preventing further flow of
refrigerant to the compartment. The compressor continues to run
evacuating the suction line 65, lowering the refrigerant pressure
to a point where the LP sensor switch is activated and stops the
compressor until the temperature within a compartment rises above
the desired set point temperature and therefore, calling for
cooling. When any one compartment is calling for cooling, the
suction line pressure increases due to the flow of refrigerant.
This in turn causes the Low Pressure sensor switch to then be
deactivated causing the compressor to re-start. Sizing the
compressor to cool more than two compartments at any one time,
would result in the need to bypass more refrigerant if only a
limited number of compartments (e.g. one compartment) is calling
for cooling resulting in an increase number of bypass valves.
[0250] For more sophistication to controlling the overcapacity of
the refrigeration system, instead of the bypass valve being an open
and close valve which opens when there is excess capacity in the
refrigeration system, the bypass valve could be a stepper motor
valve or a choke type valve having a range of valve settings which
cooperates with a pressure transducer on the low pressure side of
the evaporator via the controller to control the mass flow rate of
the refrigerant. Ideally, the pressure valve is located close to or
adjacent the suction line accumulator (65) (see FIG. 4F). Depending
upon the cooling duty of the compressor (i.e. available
refrigeration capacity) and thus, the pressure measured from the
pressure transducer, a feedback loop from the pressure transducer
can be fed to the controller to vary the setting of the choke valve
and thereby, change the mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the
compressor. If the pressure as measured from the pressure
transducer drops too far below a predetermined value, then the
controller can operate the bypass valve to open further so as to
increase the mass flow rate of the refrigerant and thereby,
increase the pressure on the low pressure side of the evaporator
until it reaches a predetermined value. Conversely, if the pressure
on the low pressure side increases too far beyond a predetermined
value, then the controller can operate the bypass valve to
constrict the flow of refrigerant further and thereby, drop the
pressure on the low pressure side. This dynamic control of the
bypass valve ensures that the pressure on the low pressure side of
the evaporator is within a predetermined range so as to ensure
adequate cooling to the compartments but yet not overburden the
compressor.
[0251] Thus, following bypassing the refrigerant to the compressor
and as there is refrigeration capacity, there is opportunity for an
available compartment to be operational (i.e. call for cooling). As
C1 is available, the cooling cycle is started 190q for C1. If, on
the other hand, one compartment is already operational (under a
cooling cycle), then the system makes sure that the bypass valve is
shut 190k, freeing up refrigeration capacity so as to allow another
compartment to be operational for cooling (note: that only two
compartments are operational at any one time). In this example, C1
is checked for availability.
[0252] The system then decides 1901 whether C1 has the largest
temperature differential (.DELTA.T) between the actual measured
temperature of the compartment to the desired set point temperature
in comparison to the other available compartments in the locker
module. This is to make that the compartment with the largest
temperature differential takes priority in the queue. For example,
if C1 has a large temperature differential (.DELTA.T), then C1 has
an immediate requirement for cooling than the rest of the available
compartments and the system stops and resets the timer 190r for the
next available compartment and starts the cooling process of C1.
If, on the other hand, C1 has the same 190m differential
temperature to the rest of the compartments, then the system checks
190p whether C1 has been waiting the longest (i.e. having the
highest Call For Cooling CFC value/time). If C1 has been waiting
the longest, then C1 is prepped up for cooling by stopping and
resetting the timer 190r. If, on the other hand, C1 does not have
the same differential temperature (.DELTA.T) as the rest of the
available compartments nor does it have the longest waiting time,
then the system moves to see if Compartment 2 (C2) is operational
(i.e. cooling) and so on with the rest of the compartments in a
given locker module.
[0253] Once a compartment has reached its desired set point
temperature, the cooling demand on that compartment is
significantly reduced since the compressor is only needed to
maintain or regulate the temperature of that compartment at its
desired set point temperature. More specifically, so as to make
sure that the temperature of the compartment and any goods within
the compartment does not vary significantly and compromise food
safety as governed by the Food Safety Standards. Although the above
system prioritises the cooling and thus, the distribution of the
refrigeration capacity to the compartments when preparing available
compartments to store goods (chilled or frozen) in a given locker
module in anticipation of demand, the same logic system applies to
prioritising the distribution of the refrigeration capacity to
maintain or regulate the temperature of the occupied compartments.
Depending upon the cooling duty of the refrigeration system, the
controller of the present invention can share a portion of the
refrigeration capacity to regulate the temperature of the occupied
compartments so as to keep the occupied goods fresh for pick-up.
When one or more occupied compartments that have been previously
cooled to its desired set point temperature begins to call for
cooling because the inside air temperature of the one or more
compartments have risen above its desired set point temperature,
then the controller diverts some of the refrigeration capacity to
the occupied compartments by opening their corresponding valves to
allow the flow of refrigerant. This does not affect the cooling of
the other compartments in the preparation phase in anticipation of
demand, if there is sufficient refrigeration capacity in the
system. However, if the refrigeration capacity is already being
over utilised and therefore, has reached its limit by the
unoccupied compartments being prepared for cooling, any further
opening of valves to cool the occupied compartments would result in
an increase in pressure on the low pressure side of the evaporator
and therefore, a drop in cooling efficiency of the refrigeration
system. To mitigate this, the controller diverts the cooling from
one or more of the unoccupied (in preparation phase) compartments
by closing its corresponding valves and opening the valves to the
occupied compartments in order so as to maintain the refrigerant
pressure on the low pressure within acceptable limits and
ultimately preserve food safety. For example, if the goods inside
the occupied compartments are ice cream, the temperature inside the
occupied compartments must be regulated very close to the desired
set point temperature to prevent the melting of the ice cream.
Depending upon the refrigeration capacity and whether this is any
surplus refrigeration capacity, this could be either by supplying
the surplus refrigeration capacity to the occupied compartment or
diverting some of the cooling from the unoccupied compartments in
the preparation phase to the occupied compartments. Thus, the
controller balances the refrigeration capacity between preparing
one or more available compartment that are being prepared for
cooling for a delivery of goods based on consumer demand and
regulating or maintaining the temperature of the occupied
compartments.
[0254] If there are more than one occupied compartments calling for
cooling at any one time, choosing which of the occupied
compartments to divert the cooling can be based on the same
prioritising principle discussed above with the available,
unoccupied compartments. For example, as the compressor in the
particular embodiment has capacity to cool two compartments at any
one time, then if there are more than two occupied compartments
that are calling for cooling in a given time, then the controller
diverts the cooling to the occupied compartments and prioritises
the cooling of the occupied compartments based on their: [0255] i)
differential temperature between the actual temperature of the
compartment and the desired set point temperature; or [0256] ii)
timer value based on the counting clock that is initialised when
the "call for cooling" for the occupied compartment is
initiated.
[0257] The controller diverts the cooling by closing the valve to
the unoccupied compartments so as to free up refrigeration capacity
to the occupied compartments. Depending upon the degree of the
diversion of the refrigeration capacity to the occupied
compartments, the diversion will manifest in a delay for cooling of
one or more of the unoccupied compartments that are calling for
cooling in preparation for a delivery. In the scheme of things,
this sharing of the refrigeration capacity to maintain the
temperature of the occupied compartments is very small and will not
significantly affect the cooling regime of the available,
unoccupied compartments. However, in another extreme example, if
the temperature of one or more occupied compartments fluctuates
significantly, e.g. the door to the occupied compartments is
inadvertently opened and closed after realising that the
compartment is occupied causing the inside air temperature of the
compartment to rise significantly beyond its desired set point
temperature. In this case, the controller would prioritise the
cooling to this compartment since this compartment would exhibit a
greater temperature differential from the desired set point
temperature. This may cause an additional delay or disrupt the
cooling pattern of the unoccupied compartments that are being
prepared for a delivery of goods. To mitigate this, the
refrigeration capacity can be shared amongst several compartments
from neighbouring locker modules, i.e. from the refrigeration unit
in each of the bank of locker modules is shared amongst several
compartments from neighbouring locker modules via a common
distribution system. Thus, if any one refrigerant unit in a given
locker module is working at full capacity and additional cooling is
required, then the controller can tap into the refrigeration unit
from neighbouring locker modules that has excess refrigeration
capacity. In this case, the controller would seek any spare
refrigeration capacity from neighbouring locker modules so as to
divert the spare refrigeration capacity to those compartments that
are calling for cooling.
[0258] The controller periodically checks the temperature of the
occupied compartments so as to make sure that the inside air
temperature is maintained or regulated at its desired set point
temperature and decides whether cooling of the unoccupied
compartments that are calling for cooling can be diverted for a
period of time to regulate the temperature of the occupied
compartments. Prioritising and sharing the refrigerant amongst
several compartments depending upon the available refrigeration
capacity from one or more locker modules can be controlled by fuzzy
logic. For example, instead of closing the valve to the refrigerant
when the temperature of the compartment has reached its desired set
point temperature, fuzzy logic can be used to close the valve to
the compartment if the refrigeration capacity becomes too low. Once
refrigeration capacity becomes available, the controller opens the
valve to the refrigerant to continue the cooling. The pressure on
the low pressure of the evaporator can be used as a measure of the
availability of refrigeration capacity. A too low pressure on the
low pressure side could indicate that there is refrigeration
capacity available. Thus, instead of diverting the flow of
refrigerant to a bypass valve to maintain a balance refrigerant
pressure, the refrigerant can be diverted to a compartment that is
calling for cooling. For the purpose of understanding of this
aspect of the present invention, a similar analogy can be made to
spinning plates on poles where each spinning plate can be analogous
to a compartment calling for cooling. Take the hypothetical example
of spinning a group of six plates by two hands. The number of
plates can be taken to be analogous to the number of compartments
in a locker module and the number of hands is analogous to the
refrigeration capacity. Only a sub group of two plates can be spun
at any one time before moving onto the next set of plates. This is
repeated until all of the plates are spinning. After two plates are
spun, the previously spun plates are continuously or periodically
checked to see if any one of the plates are about to fall off their
pole and given an extra spin if they are about to fall off their
corresponding pole. This cycle is continuously or periodically
repeated to maintain the spinning of the plates on their
corresponding poles. In the case of the refrigeration system of the
present invention, the controller cools a predetermined number of
compartments in a given locker module for a period of time even
though the temperature of each of the compartments has not reached
its desired set point temperature and then moves onto the next set
compartments that are calling for cooling. This is repeated until
all of the compartments calling for cooling have reached its
desired set point temperature. The controller continuously or
periodically checks the temperature of each of the compartments to
make sure that each of their temperatures are within their desired
set point temperature and if the temperature of anyone of the
compartments increases, then the controller via the refrigeration
system gives that compartment a burst of cooling by opening its
corresponding valve to the refrigerant. As with the spinning
plates, this cycle is continuously or periodically repeated in
conjunction to the bypass valve so as to maintain that the
temperature of the compartments are within their desired set point
temperature range. The bypass valve takes up any surplus
refrigeration capacity.
[0259] Although FIGS. 11D-1 through 11D-4 show that the temperature
differential of C1 takes priority over the length of time of wait
in terms as to whether C1 is prepped for cooling, the converse is
equally applicable whereby the length of time of wait takes
priority over the temperature differential. In respect to FIGS.
11D-1 through 11D-4 the steps 1901 and 190p are reversed. Each time
the temperature of C1 is greater than the desired set point
temperature 190f, the system checks the temperature of C2 and asks
the same questions and so on with the rest of the available
compartments in the locker module until the temperature of a
compartment is less than or equal to the desired set point
temperature and the whole step process discussed above is repeated.
Likewise, if the temperature of C1 has reached its desired set
point temperature or the periodic cooling time period has elapsed,
cooling is stopped 190e for C1 and the system moves onto check the
cooling of C2 and so on with the rest of the available
compartments. Equally, if there are no compartments cooling 190j,
following cooling C1 190q, as there free capacity, the system moves
onto to check whether C2 is cooling and so on with the rest of the
available compartments.
[0260] FIGS. 11D-1 through 11D-4 depict a flowchart of a method and
program product according to an example embodiment of the
invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart,
and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by
various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry
and/or other device associated with execution of software including
one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more
of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer
program instructions. In this regard, the computer program
instructions which embody the procedures described above may be
stored by a memory device of a user terminal (e.g., access control
module 40 or another device hosting the control unit 300) and
executed by a processor in the user terminal. As will be
appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded
onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to
produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the
computer or other programmable apparatus create means for
implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other
programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such
that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory
produce an article of manufacture which implements the functions
specified in the flowchart block(s). The computer program
instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other
programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be
performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to
produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
implement the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).
[0261] Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of
means for performing the specified functions and combinations of
operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be
understood that one or more blocks of the flowchart, and
combinations of blocks in the flowchart, can be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the
specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware
and computer instructions. The instructions, when executed,
transform the special purpose hardware into a tool for computing,
controlling and/or tracking [compartment temperature, prioritizing
compartments based on the availability, condition etc]. As such,
the tool may provide a controller to prioritize the availability of
compartment depending on the refrigeration capacity in a given
locker module.
[0262] For efficiency of operation and convenience of storage, the
compressor is sized to provide refrigerant capacity to a limited
number of compartments. However, to cool multiple compartments in a
given time, the system needs to prioritise the refrigerant to those
compartments that have an immediate requirement for cooling as
discussed above. The refrigerant capacity is related to the cooling
duty of the refrigeration system, i.e. the temperature requirement
of one or more compartments and the demand for cooling goods at
chilled temperature and/or frozen temperature from a delivery
centre (the logistics in the delivery of goods, e.g. grocery, to
customers is discussed further below). A requirement to cool one or
more compartments to store frozen goods and depending on their
starting temperature, places more of a demand on the cooling duty
of the refrigeration system than where there is a requirement to
cool the compartment to store goods at chilled temperature. The
refrigerant capacity will depend on other variables such as the
starting temperature of the compartment and the thermal mass of the
compartment (the thermal mass of the goods). As the compressor is
sized to cool a predetermined number of compartments at any one
time and therefore, maintain a balanced refrigerant pressure, the
system of the present invention can determine the number of
compartments in a locker module that can be prepared for storage of
grocery by determining the refrigerant capacity in a quantitative
manner.
[0263] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
refrigerant capacity can be controlled by monitoring the
refrigerant pressure from the Low Pressure (LP) Switch. For
example, when there is excess capacity in the refrigeration system
because not so much demand is being placed on the refrigeration
system, e.g. only a few compartments are calling for cooling, then
the refrigerant pressure, P.sub.1, measured by the LP Switch would
be less than if there was a greater amount of demand being placed
on the refrigeration system. In the latter case, the refrigerant
pressure, P.sub.2, as measured by the LP switch would be greater
than P.sub.1. If the refrigerant pressure, P.sub.1, drops below a
predetermined amount then this will trigger the bypass valve to
allow some of the refrigerant to bypass through the bypass valve so
as to maintain a balanced refrigerant pressure as discussed above.
Thus, by determining the refrigerant pressure as measured from the
LP switch, a controller can determine the extent or the
availability of refrigerant capacity. Knowing the refrigerant
pressure, P.sub.max, when the refrigeration system is at full
capacity, which is substantially constant for a fixed speed
compressor, each time a compartment is calling for cooling, the
system via the controller can determine the availability of
refrigerant capacity by determining present refrigerant pressure
and correlating this pressure value to P.sub.max. In all cases, the
system aims to maintain a balanced refrigerant pressure.
[0264] Prioritising the refrigerant to a predetermined number of
compartments at any one time is predominately suited to a fixed
speed compressor. Alternatively, the refrigeration system can be
based on a variable speed compressor system whereby the
refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration system can be adjusted
by varying the speed of the compressor. Thus, in an event where
only a limited number of compartments are calling for cooling, i.e.
when the cooling demand is relatively small, the variable speed
compressor can be `throttled back` to meet the reduced cooling
demand of the limited number of compartments. Conversely, when the
number of compartments that are calling for cooling increases, the
variable speed compressor can speed up to meet the increased
cooling demand. The variable speed compressor can be sized to have
a suitable capacity range in order to meet the cooling demand for a
predetermined number of compartments, or all of the compartments in
any given locker module. As with the fixed speed compressor, the
size of the variable speed compressor would need to be balanced
between the substantial cost and physical size of the variable
speed compressor and the likelihood that all of the compartments in
a locker module will be calling for cooling at the same time
leading to over capacity. As the footprint occupied by a locker
module has to be relatively small, the available space,
particularly at the top of the locker module is relatively small.
To conserve space, a small compressor would be ideal to accommodate
the other components of the refrigeration system such has the
condenser and the control system etc.
[0265] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a
balance is made between the maximum capacity of the compressor so
as to meet the cooling demand for a predetermined number of
compartments in a locker module and the physical size of the
variable speed compressor. Preferably, the variable speed
compressor is sized to meet the cooling demand to a predetermined
number of compartments in a locker module (e.g. three compartments)
and the cooling sequence utilizes a combination of prioritizing the
distribution of the refrigeration capacity to the compartments when
there is an increased demand for cooling as discussed above to
varying the speed of the compressor to meet the cooling demand for
the predetermined number of compartments.
[0266] Once a compartment has reached its desired set point
temperature, the cooling demand on that compartment is
significantly reduced since the compressor is only needed to
maintain or regulate the temperature of that compartment at its
desired set point temperature. More specifically, to make sure that
the temperature of the compartment and any goods within the
compartment does not vary significantly so as to compromise food
safety as governed by the Food Safety Standards. Although the above
system prioritises the cooling and thus, the distribution of the
refrigerant capacity to the compartments when preparing available
compartments to store goods (chilled or frozen) in a given locker
module, the same logic system applies to prioritising the
distribution of the refrigerant capacity to maintain or regulate
the temperature of the occupied compartments. The controller of the
present invention shares a portion of the refrigerant capacity to
regulate the temperature of the occupied compartments so as to keep
the occupied goods fresh for pick-up. When one or more occupied
compartments that have been previously cooled to its desired set
point temperature begins to call for cooling because the inside air
temperature of the one or more compartments have risen above its
desired set point temperature, then the controller diverts some of
the refrigerant capacity to the occupied compartments by opening
their corresponding valves to allow the flow of refrigerant. This
does not affect the cooling of the other compartments in the locker
module, if there is sufficient refrigerant capacity in the system,
e.g. only a limited number of unoccupied compartments are being
prepared for cooling. However, if the refrigerant capacity is
already being over utilised and therefore, reached its limit by the
unoccupied compartments being prepared for cooling, then the
controller diverts the cooling from one or more of the unoccupied
(preparation) compartments by closing its corresponding valves and
opening the valves to the occupied compartments in order to
maintain refrigerant capacity to the occupied compartments and
ultimately preserve food safety. For example, if the goods inside
the occupied compartments are ice cream, the temperature inside the
occupied compartments must be regulated very close to the desired
set point temperature to prevent the ice cream melting. Depending
upon the refrigerant capacity and whether this is any surplus
refrigerant capacity, this could be either by supplying the surplus
refrigerant capacity to the occupied compartment or diverting some
of the cooling from the unoccupied compartments in the preparation
phase to the occupied compartments. Thus, the controller balances
the refrigerant capacity between preparing one or more available
compartment that are being prepared for cooling for a delivery of
goods based on consumer demand and regulating or maintaining the
temperature of the occupied compartments.
[0267] If there are more than one occupied compartments calling for
cooling at any one time, choosing which of the occupied
compartments to divert the cooling can be based on the prioritising
principle discussed above with the available, unoccupied
compartments. For example, as the compressor in the particular
embodiment has capacity to cool two compartments at any one time,
then if there are more than two occupied compartments that are
calling for cooling in a given time, then the controller diverts
the cooling to the occupied compartments and prioritises the
cooling of the occupied compartments based on their: [0268] i)
differential temperature between the actual temperature of the
compartment and the desired set point temperature; or [0269] ii)
timer value based on the counting clock that is initialised when
the "call for cooling" for the occupied compartment is
initiated.
[0270] The controller diverts the cooling by closing the valve to
the unoccupied compartments so as to free up refrigerant capacity
to the occupied compartments. Depending upon the degree of the
diversion of the refrigerant capacity to the occupied compartments,
the diversion will manifest in a delay for cooling of one or more
of the unoccupied compartments that are calling for cooling in
preparation for a delivery. In the scheme of things, this sharing
of the refrigerant capacity to maintain the temperature of the
occupied compartments is very small and will not significantly
affect the cooling regime of the available, unoccupied
compartments. However, in another extreme, the temperature of one
or more occupied compartments can fluctuate significantly, e.g. the
door to the occupied compartments is inadvertently opened and
closed after realising that the compartment is occupied causing the
inside air temperature of the compartment to rise significantly
beyond its desired set point temperature. In this case, the
controller would prioritise the cooling to this compartment since
this compartment would exhibits a greater temperature differential
from the desired set point temperature. This may cause an
additional delay or disrupt the cooling regime pattern of the
unoccupied compartments that are being prepared for a delivery of
goods. To mitigate this, the refrigerant capacity can be shared
amongst several compartments from neighbouring locker modules, i.e.
the refrigeration unit in each of the bank of locker modules is
shared amongst several compartments from neighbouring locker
modules via a common distribution system. Thus, if any one
refrigerant unit in a given locker module is working at full
capacity and additional cooling is required, then the controller
can tap into the refrigeration unit from neighbouring locker
modules that has excess refrigerant capacity. In this case, the
controller would seek any spare refrigerant capacity from
neighbouring locker modules so as to divert the spare refrigerant
capacity to those compartments that are calling for cooling.
[0271] The controller periodically checks the temperature of the
occupied compartments so as to make sure that the inside air
temperature is maintained or regulated at its desired set point
temperature and decides whether cooling of the unoccupied
compartments that are calling for cooling can be diverted for a
period of time to regulate the temperature of the occupied
compartments. Prioritising and sharing the refrigerant amongst
several compartments depending upon the available refrigerant
capacity from one or more locker modules can be controlled by fuzzy
logic. For example, instead of closing the valve to the refrigerant
when the temperature of the compartment has reached its desired set
point temperature, fuzzy logic can be used to close the valve to
the compartment if the refrigerant capacity becomes too low. Once
refrigerant capacity becomes available, the controller opens the
valve to the refrigerant to continue the cooling.
Access Control
[0272] Access to the lockable storage space is controlled or
governed by an access control module. FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate the
operation of the access control module. The access control module
40 communicates with the central control system 100 at a delivery
centre (e.g. supermarket or hypermarket) via communication module
101 and grants access to the lockable storage spaces 22 for
authorized users, i.e. courier 102 and customer 104. In addition to
the access control, each of the locker modules comprise a
controller (e.g. PCB controller) for controlling the operation of
the valves and thus, the flow of refrigerant to one or more
compartments that are calling for cooling as well as prioritising
the cooling of the occupied or unoccupied compartments depending on
the availability of refrigeration capacity, i.e. whether a
predetermined number of compartments are already calling for
cooling. Based on instructions from the central control system, the
access control module communicates with the controller located at
the locker module to operate the valves according to the
temperature requirements of one or more compartments in
anticipation of demand from the delivery centre. Depending upon the
number of compartments that are already calling for cooling and the
demand from the delivery centre, the access control module and/or
the controller can place one or more compartments in a locker
module in a queueing system in preparation for when one or more
compartments have reached their desired set point temperature
freeing up refrigeration capacity.
[0273] Access to each lockable storage space 22 is governed
electronically by locking and unlocking the lockable storage space,
upon verification of a user identity at a local user interface or
graphical user interface 42 located at the access control module
40. The digital locking mechanism can be any mechanism known to the
person skilled in the art, for example solenoid operated deadbolts
or electromagnetic locks. The access control module 40 also
monitors the status of each compartment 24 and feeds the status
information to the central control system 100. Examples of status
information include but are not limited to temperature, valve
operation, alarm condition of the compartments, occupancy or size
of each compartment 24 etc. However, it is also permissible in the
present invention that some of the status information can be
determined or controlled by the central control system 100, e.g.
occupancy of the compartment 24. For example, a record of such
status may be maintained at the central control system without such
monitoring. As such the information regarding storage space vacancy
and compartment temperature are used in assigning compartments for
subsequent deliveries.
[0274] The central control system 100, located remotely from the
storage apparatus 10, is responsible for allocating the lockable
storage spaces 22 for receiving goods 106 in anticipation of demand
from the delivery centre, as illustrated in FIG. 12A. Based on the
status information of the lockable storage spaces 22, the central
control system 100 is able to allocate vacant or available
compartments 24 to a number of grocery deliveries or consignments
106 according to their size and storage temperature requirement and
demand, and consequently produce a schedule. In an event that the
lockable storage spaces 22 at a particular temperature are fully
occupied, the schedule can favourably select one or more
compartments 24 which offers the least switch over temperature
change and if necessary, places that compartment in a queue. For
example when selecting a compartment 24 for storage of frozen
goods, the schedule will identify the compartment which offers the
smallest change in temperature. In this case, the schedule will opt
for a compartment 24 that was previously used to store goods at a
chilled temperature as opposed at an ambient temperature. This has
the advantage of not only saving energy but also reduces switchover
time and also prolongs equipment longevity. The central control
system 100 can also instruct the heating system 240 discussed above
to defrost a compartment 24, e.g. in an event where the schedule
requires a changeover from a compartment 24 that was previously
used to store frozen goods to a compartment 24 that requires a
chilled or ambient temperature or simply to defrost a compartment
24, i.e. to remove the excessive build-up of ice on the internal
walls of the compartment.
[0275] FIG. 13A illustrates a typical layout of the compartments in
any one day. The system consists of an access control module 40 and
refrigeration plant module 50. The access control module is
conveniently located at the centre of the system. The controller
for controlling the operation of the valves can be conveniently
located at the top of the locker module, i.e. in the same location
as the refrigeration unit as shown in FIG. 14F. Each compartment is
represented by a rectangular box and is capable of switching
between ambient, chilled and frozen storage temperature. Typically
a storage space accessed via a given remotely programmable
insulated lockable door 18 consists of three compartments each
operating at a distinct storage temperature (ambient, chilled and
frozen temperature). FIG. 13A shows seven purchase orders (Orders 1
to 7). Order 1 and 2 each occupies the storage space (22a and 22b)
of the entire locker module (20a and 20b) having compartments for
storage of chilled, frozen and ambient goods. On the other hand,
locker modules 20c and 20d each comprise two storage spaces (22c,
22d for locker module 20c; 22e and 22f for locker module 20d). Each
of the storage spaces (22c to 22f) in locker modules 20c and 20d
consists of three smaller compartments for storage of chilled,
frozen and ambient goods. The refrigeration plant module 50 is
combined with a storage space 22g having compartments for storage
of chilled, frozen and ambient goods in the locker module 20e.
[0276] A relatively large customer order (Order 1 & 2) may
occupy the entire locker module 22a, 22b. Alternatively the central
control module may assign smaller orders (Order 3-7) to the smaller
storage spaces (22c to 22g). In summary, based on order demand
which can vary from day to day or even within a day, the central
control system maps the availability of vacant compartments or
storage spaces to the order demand. This can also take into
consideration allocating the appropriate compartments based on
temperature storage requirements and whether, there is enough
capacity in a particular locker module. If no compartments at the
right temperature are available, the central control system can
remotely control the temperature of the chosen compartment via a
communication link to the appropriate temperature control module or
places the order in a queue until a compartment becomes available.
When loading any given compartment with goods for collection, in
order to prevent the heavy goods such as milk containers from
damaging the more delicate goods such as soft vegetables or fruit
or even eggs, particularly when stacked, it is desirable to
separate the goods in the compartment. As the grocer will try and
maximise the space available in any given compartment so as to
maximise sale of goods, any shelving used to separate the goods in
a compartment should not occupy too much space. Equally, the
shelving should be easy to clean, hygienic, allows access to the
interior of the compartment without obstruction, is secure to
prevent the shelf being dislodged or inadvertently removed and
finally, easily adjustable to allow larger items or items of
varying sizes to be stored in the compartmental space. FIG. 13B
shows a shelving unit according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The shelving unit 140 comprises a moveable shelf 142
contained and supported by a frame 144. To conserve space in the
compartment, the shelving unit 140 is fabricated from bent wire
(e.g. metal or plastic). To prevent corrosion from liquids and to
preserve hygiene, the shelf 142 is fabricated from coated steel
wire (e.g. Rilsan coated mild steel). The corner of the shelf is
adapted with slideable fixing points 146 for containing and
securing the shelf 142 to each leg of the frame. To permit the
shelf 142 to travel vertically along the frame 144, the fixing
points 146 are bent to form corner rings so as to permit the corner
rings to slide along each leg of the frame 144. A portion of each
leg of the frame along its length is bent to form resting points or
"joggles" 144b for the shelf 142. This is created by inwardly
bending a portion of the length of each leg of the frame so as to
create an inward upper portion 146b for the shelf to travel
vertically and an outward lower portion 146c that is offset the
upper portion. The upper portion 146b and the lower portion 146c
meet at the "joggle" points 144b for resting the shelf. The length
of the upper and lower portion and thus, the height of the "joggle"
points from the foot of the frame dictate the vertical resting
point of the shelf. The lower portion is sufficiently offset the
upper portion to butt up against the walls of the compartment and
thus, conserve space within a given compartmental space. To secure
the shelving unit 140 to the compartment, the frame is formed with
securing points 148, preferably to the legs of the frame as shown
in FIG. 13B. In the particular embodiment, the securing points are
formed as eyelets to allow the frame to be securely fixed to at
least one wall of the compartment. To raise and maintain the shelf
in a raised position for storing larger sized goods or for cleaning
purposes, the shelf is removably attached to a cross member 146b
formed in the uppermost portion of the frame. In the particular
embodiment, the shelf or equally the cross member 146b comprises
one or more magnets to maintain the shelf in the raised
position.
[0277] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,
instead of supporting the moveable shelf 142 by a frame as shown in
FIG. 13B, the front end of the shelf is supported by dowels 602
located on opposing sidewalls of the compartment and the rear end
of the shelf is supported by at least one support rod 604 fixed to
at least one inner wall of the compartment. In the particular
embodiment shown in FIG. 13C, one end 606 of the support rod 604 is
fixed to the roof of the compartment and the other end 608 is fixed
to the inner wall of the compartment. The support rod 604 extends
through the shelf 142 so as to permit the shelf to be moveable
along the support rod. The shelf is grated or fabricated as a wire
mesh or wire grille so as to enable the support rod to extend
through or thread the shelf (see FIG. 13E). By fixing both ends of
the support rod to at least one wall of the compartment prevents
theft or inadvertent removal of the shelf from the compartment. The
height or level of the shelf in the compartment is thus determined
by the location of the support dowels 602 and the length of the
support rod. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 13C and
13D, the support rod extends substantially half way along the
height of the compartment so as to support the shelf substantially
half way of the height of the compartment.
[0278] Alternatively and an extension of the above embodiment, as
the support rod extends through the shelf to prevent removal of the
shelf, both ends of the support rod can be fixed to the top and
bottom wall of the compartment respectively so that the support rod
extends along the full height of the compartment. The shelf and/or
support rod comprises indexing means to support the shelf at
different heights along the support rod. The shelf is prevented
from being removed since the support rod extends through the shelf.
The indexing means can comprise a pivotable toggle plate fixed to
the shelf and the support rod passes through a hole in the
pivotable toggle plate. The toggle plate is held in place along the
support rod by being gripped by an edge of the toggle hole. To
provide the friction grip, the toggle plate is pivotally connected
at one end of the shelf and is urged at an angle against a toggle
spring so that the toggle hole grips the support rod. To release
the toggle plate, the user presses on the toggle plate against the
toggle spring so releasing the frictional grip of the edge of the
toggle hole with the support rod. In use, the toggle plate is
indexed along the support rod thus allowing the user to adjust the
height of the shelf. Equally, instead of a frictional grip, the
indexing means comprises serrations on the support rod so as to
enable the toggle plate to index past successive ratchet
serrations. Again, the toggle plate is pivotable against a toggle
spring to hold the toggle plate and thus, the shelf against a
serration. To release the toggle plate, the user presses on the
toggle plate against the toggle spring allowing the toggle plate to
index part the serrations. To support the front of the shelf, each
of the opposing walls comprises a plurality of dowels along the
height of the compartments that are spaced apart that corresponds
to the different indexing along the support rod and so provides
different height adjustments of the shelf.
[0279] As with the moveable shelf described with reference to FIG.
13B, the shelf and/or the top wall of the compartment comprises
means to retain (e.g. magnet) the shelf to the top wall of the
compartment for storing larger sized goods or for cleaning
purposes. FIG. 13D shows the shelf being stowed away to the top
wall of the compartment by being attracted to magnets 610 fixed to
the shelf and/or the top wall of the compartment.
[0280] To obtain access to a lockable storage space 22, the central
control system 100 generates and communicates a unique collection
code 110 to both the access control module 40 and the users. For
example, when an order for a delivery of goods 106 is made online,
this is communicated to the central control system 100. The central
control system 100 allocates the delivery of the goods 106 to a
schedule. By means of a collection code generator, the central
control system 100 generates and assigns a unique collection code
110 to the goods 106 and then communicates the unique collection
code 110 to the access control module 40 via a collection code
communication means 112. The unique collection code is also sent to
the courier via another data communication means 114 (e.g. via
wireless means such as mobile devices or personal computers) as
shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C.
[0281] The courier inputs the collection code 110 at the local user
interface 42 to be validated by the access control module 40, which
then unlocks the allocated lockable storage space 22. In this
particular case the courier 102 is required to scan the
consignments 106 at a consignment recognition device, before
depositing it into the correct compartment 24 as indicated by
access control module 40. This serves to minimise the risk of the
courier 102 misplacing the goods in a compartment 24 conditioned at
a wrong storage temperature. The consignment recognition device can
be any device known to those skilled in the art, for example bar
code or RFID tag scanners. The delivery process finishes when the
courier 102 closes the door, and the lockable storage space is
locked securing the consignment 106. The lockable storage space may
be configured to lock automatically when the door is closed. Once
that particular lockable storage space 22 is locked, the access
control module 40 then communicates to the central control system
100 that the item is ready for collection. This in turn notifies
the same to the customer 104 via data communication means 114 e.g.
comprising email or SMS and provides the customer with either the
previously generated unique collection code 110 used by the courier
delivery or generates another unique collection code 110 for
increased security.
[0282] The collection process used by the customer 104 is similar
to the delivery procedure discussed above with respect to the
courier 102. The customer 104 inputs the collection code 110 at the
local user interface 42 and upon verification by the access control
module 40, the allocated lockable storage space 22 is unlocked. To
aid the addressee to identify his/her allocated lockable storage
space 22, each of the lockable storage spaces 22 can be equipped
with an externally visible or audible identification means. For
example, the identification means can be provided by a light 116
mounted adjacent to each of the lockable storage spaces 22 which
illuminates once the addresses has entered the correct code into
the access control module. As another possibility, each locker may
be identified by a unique label affixed to or otherwise physically
associated with it; such as a number, letter, geometric shape,
personal name or the like. For example, instead of labelling the
door with a unique compartment identification label as shown in
FIG. 14B, the door handle to each compartment may comprise a recess
560 that this shaped to accept a self-adhesive label with a unique
identification number and/or letter. Upon the customer entering the
correct unlock code, the relevant storage space is unlocked and a
copy of the corresponding unique label is displayed on the user
interface, together with any other relevant messages, e.g.: "Hi
John Doe, your order is ready for collection from locker no. 8,
bottom row, to your left. This has earned you 46 club card points.
For more great offers and rewards, visit our website, www . . . .
Thank you for your custom and have a nice day." Other examples,
include the use of sound, and tactile identifiers on the lockers to
assist the visually impaired. Once the door is closed the lockable
storage space automatically locks and the access control module 40
updates the current status of that particular storage space with
the central control system 100.
[0283] If the goods are not retrieved within the assigned time slot
the central control system 100 will produce an alternative storage
schedule or instruct the courier 102 to retrieve the uncollected
goods 106.
[0284] In some cases the supplier cannot fully satisfy a customer's
online order, for example if a particular item is out of stock, the
supplier can opt to deliver a like for like alternative to the
system. The addressee may either accept the alternative goods along
with other grocery goods, or he/she may choose to leave the
alternative goods in the locker to be collected by a courier later.
The courier will then notify the central control system of any
uncollected goods, to ensure refund is given accordingly. Likewise,
if the addresses decided not to accept a particular item in the
grocery order for any reason, for example damaged goods or wrong
items, he/she may leave the item in the locker to be collected by a
courier for a refund.
[0285] In some embodiments the compartments includes a passive
infrared (PIR) sensor (not shown) as a safety mechanism. For
example if small children or animals are trapped inside a locked
compartment 24, its PIR sensor detects their movement and overrides
the locking mechanism to grant an escape route. PIR sensor also
detects goods collection and aids the central control system 100 in
confirming item collection. Other safety mechanisms known to the
person skilled in the art may also be used, for example load
sensors and emergency releases.
[0286] The doors securing the storage spaces may be biased closed
or motorised and programmed to close automatically. For example if
a courier/customer forgets to close the door after grocery
deliver/collection, the biasing will do so, or the access control
module may instruct the door to close automatically after a
predetermined period. This feature helps to enhance locker security
and minimises unwanted heat exchange to the environment.
[0287] The system may further comprise auxiliary equipment to
improve accessibility and security. As shown in FIG. 14A, a roof or
overhead gantry 150 along the whole width of the system 10 helps to
shelter a user from rain and snow during delivery or collection of
the goods in the storage space. The overhead gantry 150 also blocks
out direct sunlight that could otherwise warm up the lockable
storage spaces 22 or cause glare on the display of the local user
interface 42. In this example, lighting 160 is installed underneath
the overhead gantry 150 to provide illumination for the user during
night time and also serves as a crime deterrent. The well-lit area
may be under constant CCTV surveillance (not shown).
[0288] In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 14D, each locker
module is provided with a roof or canopy 150 that extends along the
whole width of the locker module and overhangs to the front of the
locker module. The roof of apparatus 10 or canopy is slightly
sloped toward the rear to aid rain water removal into a rear
mounted gutter, so as to protect users from a curtain of rainwater
as they enter or emerge from the apparatus 10. The canopy is a
plastic sheeting material, e.g. polycarbonate sheeting material
that extends and is clamped between canopy struts 520 secured to
each end of the locker module. The canopy strut 520 comprises a top
clamping 522 member that cooperates with the body 524 of the canopy
strut 520 to form a clamp. In use, the canopy sheet is clamped
between mating surfaces of the top clamping member 522 and the body
524 of the canopy strut 520. In the particular embodiment shown in
FIG. 14E, the top clamping member 522 is a substantially elongated,
flat metallic plate that is bent to match the curved or sloped
profile over the body 524 of the canopy strut 520. When held taught
between the canopy struts 520, the canopy sheet 521 adopts the same
sloped profile of the top clamping member and the body of the
canopy strut so as to aid the flow of rain water into a mounted
gutter.
[0289] The canopy sheet 521 can be sized to extend over one or
multiple locker modules and clamped in place using the canopy
struts located at either end of the canopy sheet so that the canopy
sheet extends between at least two canopy struts or extends between
multiple canopy struts located at multiple locker modules in order
to provide additional stability of the canopy sheet 521 against
sagging or strong winds. The clamp comprises a gasket 526, e.g. an
elastomer material, to seal two adjacent canopy sheets together,
i.e. in an overlaying fashion. To provide the necessary tensioning
so that the canopy material remains taut over the locker module,
the top clamping member 522 is adjustably fixed 528 at one end of
the canopy strut body and the clamping force is adjusted by a front
adjustable fastener 530 located at the other end of the canopy
strut. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 14E, the top
clamping member 522 is releasably fixed 528 at rear end of the
canopy strut by a hook and slot relationship. For example and as
shown in FIG. 14E, the rear end of the canopy strut body is formed
with a hook that is received in an orifice or slot at one end of
the top clamping member. The front of the canopy strut is formed
with an adjustable fastener 530 for adjusting the clamping force
applied onto the canopy sheet. In the particular embodiment shown
in FIG. 14E, the front adjustable fastener 530 is an adjustable
tensioning buckle. Having an adjustable tensioning buckle located
at the front of the canopy permits easy access to the adjustable
tensioning buckle from the front of the canopy. The adjustable
tensioning buckle at the other end of the top clamping member
comprises an upwardly extending bent portion that cooperates with
an upwardly extending member of the body of the canopy strut. By
reducing or increasing the spacing between the upwardly extending
portion and the upwardly extending member of the body of the canopy
strut, the tension and thus, the clamping force applied to the
canopy sheet can thus be increased or reduced respectively. An
adjustable screw 532 is fed through and threadingly engages with
the upwardly bent portion and the upwardly extending member to
adjust the spacing between both upwardly extending members and
thereby, adjust the tension applied to the canopy sheet.
[0290] In an event of a breakdown or servicing of the locker
modules, the exterior shell of the locker modules are provided with
access points to enable easy access to the interior components of
the locker module, more particularly the refrigeration unit (see
FIG. 4F) and/or the controller unit located on top of each locker
module (see FIG. 14F). In the present invention, the canopy strut
520 permits easy access to the refrigeration unit and/or the
controller unit located on top of each locker module simply by
undoing the front tensioning buckle (releasing the tightening
screw) so as to release the canopy sheet covering from up top of
the locker module and thereby, expose the refrigeration unit and/or
the controller unit underneath (see FIG. 14F). For example, by
undoing the front tensioning buckle releases the canopy sheet from
the clamp, thereby allowing the canopy sheet to be slid back away
from the front of the canopy to expose the refrigeration unit
below. Locating the front tensioning buckle 530 at the front of the
canopy strut, allow easy access to the tensioning buckle from the
front of the locker module so allowing easy removal of the canopy
sheet covering. The canopy sheet can be incorporated with
concertina folds to permit the canopy to be slid away from the top
of the locker module so exposing the refrigeration unit below.
[0291] One of the main problems of stacking multiple locker modules
side by side or adjacent to each other, is that when one of the
middle compartments is removed for repair or replaced, the space
left behind causes one or more adjacent locker modules that have
been resting on the removed locker module to move or lean slightly
sideways from a substantially vertical orientation and occupy some
of the free space left by the removed locker module, i.e. creates a
"domino effect". This "domino effect" is particularly exacerbated
when the underlying floor surface is uneven or not perfectly flat
causing some of the adjacent locker modules to slightly tilt or
lean when installed and therefore, is prevented from falling by
resting on neighbouring locker modules, i.e. bunch up against each
other. As a result, the allocated space or slot, in particular its
width, to reinstall a repaired or replacement locker module becomes
too small and any attempt to reinstall a replacement locker module
becomes very cumbersome. To mitigate this problem, the canopy strut
520 of the present invention also doubles up as a spacer and
connector to ensure each of the locker modules are held in their
allocated slot. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 14E, the
canopy strut comprises a downwardly extending support spacer or
panel 534 that has means to link or connect the locker modules to
each other in an assembly and therefore, ensures that the locker
modules are held in a substantially vertical orientation. As a
result, the weight as a result of one or more tiling locker modules
are distributed among multiple locker modules rather than any one
locker module. Thus, if one of the locker modules are removed for
repair or replaced, the adjacent locker module is prevented from
leaning by being connected or linked to other neighbouring locker
modules in the assembly. The canopy struts are secured to the top
end side wall of each of the locker module in an assembly so that
their downwardly extending retainers or spacers 534 are spaced
apart having a width that is substantially the same or slightly
bigger than that exterior width of each locker module and thereby,
providing a substantially close sliding fit of each locker module
with little wasted space. To permit easy removal and replacement of
the locker module, the downwardly extending spacers 534 of the
canopy strut and the at least one side wall of the locker module
are removeably engageable. FIG. 14G shows the condition when the
locker module is engaged with the downwardly extending retainer 534
and FIG. 14H shows the condition when the locker module is
disengaged with the downwardly extending retainer 534. As shown in
FIGS. 14G and 14H, the locker module is removeably engageable with
the canopy strut through a slot and bolt 536, 538 arrangement but
other removeable engaging means known in the art are permissible in
the present invention.
[0292] Alternatively or in combination to linking the locker
together, the canopy struts can be fixed to an exterior wall or
frame so providing adequate opposing reactive force when one or
more locker modules leans against the downwardly extending spacer
of the canopy strut. In an event where the underlying floor surface
is uneven, the locker modules in an assembly can rest against the
downwardly extending spacer so that when one of the locker modules
is removed for repair or replacement, neighbouring locker modules
are prevented from tilting excessively and therefore, prevented
from encroaching on the allocated space for reinstalling a repaired
or replacement locker module. In the particular embodiment, the
downwardly extending spacer is integrated into the body of the
canopy strut as a single body.
[0293] The canopy strut of the present invention is flexible to
accommodate different shaped configurations of an assembly of
locker modules depending upon user preferences and/or availability
of floor space. FIG. 14I shows an assembly locker modules
accommodating a substantially "U" shaped configuration. FIG. 14J
shows the individual canopy struts of the present invention
assembled to form a canopy framework 539 at a corner junction of an
assembly of locker modules shown in FIG. 14I. The rear profile end
of the canopy struts fan out from a corner pillar or post 540 and
are connected to each other by a rear connection or linkage arm
544. The middle portion of the canopy strut is assembled and
secured to the front of the locker module framework 543. The front
profile end of the canopy struts are connected or linked together
by a front connection or linkage arm 542. The canopy struts are
slotted onto the frame of the locker modules and held together by a
pin and slot arrangement. FIG. 14K shows an exploded view of the
linkage 542 of a front portion of the canopy strut. The upwardly
extending bent portion 549 of the front tensioning buckle 530
comprises side wings or flanges 546 either side of the front
tensioning buckle. At least one of the wings or flanges 546
comprises a slot for receiving a pin 548 of the linkage arm 542.
The upwardly extending bent portion 549 of the front tensioning
buckle 530 is assembled onto the front end of the canopy strut body
by a socket and plug arrangement. The slots in the side wings 546
are orientated such that tightening the adjustable screw 532 not
only increases the clamping force between the elongated top
clamping member 522 and the canopy strut body 524 but also moves
the slots in the side wings 546 (forwards) tighter against the pins
548 of the front linkage arm 542 so providing a more sturdier
connection between the front of the canopy strut and the linkage
arms 542. A similar slot and pin arrangement is used to link the
rear ends of the canopy struts as shown in FIG. 14L. In the
particular embodiment shown in FIG. 14L, at least one end of the
rear connection arm 544 comprises a side bracket or plate 550
having a slot 552 for receiving a pin 554 formed in the side of the
canopy strut body 524.
[0294] The unit comprising the refrigeration plant module 50 may be
combined with a lockable storage space 22 beneath, e.g. enable
wheelchair access 170, as shown in FIG. 14A.
[0295] In some embodiments, various aspects related to the control
and operation of the apparatus 10 may be accomplished via or in
connection with the execution of programs and/or algorithms
configured to perform the respective control and operations
aspects. In such cases, the programs and/or algorithms may be
executed via the operation of a control unit that has been
configured accordingly. The control unit may be located locally at
the apparatus 10 (e.g., in the access control module 40), remotely
at the central control module 100, or may be distributed in some
form between the apparatus 10 and the central control module 100.
Thus, for example, the control unit could be embodied at the
central control module 100 (or in the "cloud") and the access
control module 40 could be a thin client. Alternatively, the
control unit could be embodied at the access control module 40. In
still other cases, some aspects of the control unit could be
distributed between the central control module 100 and the access
control module 40 (or multiple access control modules). Whether
embodied at the access control module 40, the central control
module 100, or distributed therebetween, the control unit may
interface with components of the system described above via wired
and/or wireless connections to facilitate the control and operation
functions described above. FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a
control unit that may be employed in an example embodiment.
[0296] In this regard, FIG. 15 illustrates a control unit 300 that
may interface with various system components to receive information
and provide control instructions that may be communicated to
electrical, mechanical or electromechanical components of the
apparatus 10. However, the control unit 300 may also provide a
mechanism by which to conduct network communications with
communications nodes (e.g., smart phones, laptops, computer
terminals, servers, etc.) in a network similar to that of FIGS.
12A-12C.
[0297] As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 300 may include
processing circuitry 310 configured to perform data processing,
control function execution and/or other processing and management
services according to an example embodiment of the present
invention. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 310 may be
embodied as a chip or chip set (e.g., PCB 89). In other words, the
processing circuitry 310 may comprise one or more physical packages
(e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a
structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly
may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or
limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry
included thereon. The processing circuitry 310 may therefore, in
some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present
invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As
such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for
performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities
described herein.
[0298] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 310 may
include one or more instances of a processor 312 and memory 314
that may be in communication with or otherwise control a device
interface 320 and, in some cases, a user interface 330. As such,
the processing circuitry 310 may be embodied as a circuit chip
(e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware,
software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform
operations described herein. As will be seen below, the processing
circuitry 310 may be configured to interface with various modules,
units and/or the like, and each such module or unit may be
associated with corresponding functionality executable by the
control unit 300.
[0299] The user interface 330 (if implemented) may be in
communication with the processing circuitry 310 to receive an
indication of a user input at the user interface 330 and/or to
provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user.
As such, the user interface 330 may include, for example, a keypad,
a mouse, a display, a touch screen, one or more levers, switches,
indicator lights, speakers, microphones, buttons or keys (e.g.,
function buttons), and/or other input/output mechanisms. The user
interface 330 may be located remotely relative to other portions of
the control unit 300 in some cases. Thus, for example, if the
access control module 40 is a thin client, the user interface 330
may be located at the apparatus 10 (e.g., as the graphical user
interface 42), but the control unit 300 may be substantially
located at the central control module 100.
[0300] The device interface 320 may include one or more interface
mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices (e.g.,
sensors, communication nodes, locks, valves and/or other
accessories or functional units such as servos, solenoids, switches
or other operational control devices for providing control
functions). In some cases, the device interface 320 may be any
means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or
a combination of hardware and software that is configured to
receive and/or transmit data from/to sensors, modules and/or other
components in communication with the processing circuitry 310.
[0301] The processor 312 may be embodied in a number of different
ways. For example, the processor 312 may be embodied as various
processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other
processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other
computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such
as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit),
an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or the like. In an example
embodiment, the processor 312 may be configured to execute
instructions stored in the memory 314 or otherwise accessible to
the processor 312. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a
combination of hardware and software, the processor 312 may
represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry--in the
form of processing circuitry 310) capable of performing operations
according to embodiments of the present invention while configured
accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 312 is embodied
as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 312 may be specifically
configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein.
Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 312 is
embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions
may specifically configure the processor 312 to perform the
operations described herein. Thus, the processor 312 may be
transformed into a functional actor that is specifically configured
in accordance with the instructions, algorithms and/or the like, to
perform various operations described herein.
[0302] In an example embodiment, the processor 312 (or the
processing circuitry 310) may be embodied as, include or otherwise
control the operation of the control unit 300 based on inputs
received by the processing circuitry 310 responsive to various
operating conditions or component status indicators associated with
the apparatus 10. As such, in some embodiments, the processor 312
(or the processing circuitry 310) may be said to cause each of the
operations described in connection with the control unit 300 in
relation to adjustments to be made to the components of the
apparatus 10 to undertake the corresponding functionalities
responsive to execution of instructions or algorithms configuring
the processor 312 (or processing circuitry 310) accordingly. In
particular, the instructions may include instructions for operation
of the system based on operating conditions and component status as
described herein.
[0303] In an exemplary embodiment, the memory 314 may include one
or more non-transitory memory devices such as, for example,
volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or
removable. The memory 314 may be configured to store information,
data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the
processing circuitry 310 to carry out various functions in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For
example, the memory 314 could be configured to buffer input data
for processing by the processor 312. Additionally or alternatively,
the memory 314 could be configured to store instructions for
execution by the processor 312. As yet another alternative, the
memory 314 may include one or more databases that may store a
variety of data sets responsive to input from the sensors and/or
other components. Among the contents of the memory 314,
applications and/or instructions may be stored for execution by the
processor 312 in order to carry out the functionality associated
with each respective application/instruction. In some cases, the
applications may include instructions for processing inputs and/or
providing outputs to control operation of the apparatus 10 as
described herein.
[0304] In an example embodiment in which various functions
described herein (and other functions) are performed in connection
with the operation of configured processing circuitry, the
processing circuitry 310 may be configured to interface with
modules, units and/or the like that include instructions for
performing the corresponding function. Thus, for example, the
control unit 300 may include one or more of an access control
management module 350, temperature control module 352, and a
refrigeration capacity control module 354. Each of the access
control management module 350, temperature control module 352, and
the refrigeration capacity control module 354 may be configured to
interface with components as described above to perform the
corresponding functionalities described above. As such, each
respective module may define algorithms to configure the control
unit 300 for such interface. The control unit 300 may interface
with a sensor network 360 to receive inputs used in connection with
making various determinations and triggering operation of the
modules or of particular functionalities associated with the
modules.
[0305] In some embodiments, the control unit 300 may further
include modules for executing certain functions based on operator
or customer input. Thus, for example, the control unit 300 may
include a scheduling module 370, ordering module 372, interface
module 374, and/or other functional modules. Each module may be any
means such as software, hardware and/or combinations of software
and hardware configured to perform the corresponding functionality
of each respective module. In some cases, any or all of the modules
may be received and/or modified via interaction with other network
components. Thus, for example, modules (or apps) may be provided to
the access control module 40 and/or user equipment from the central
control system 100 or from other repositories associated with a
communication network supporting the apparatus 10.
[0306] The scheduling module 370 may include algorithms and/or
instructions for determining optimal stocking of compartments 24
based on the content and/or timing of orders received relative to
current and/or future compartment temperature conditions or other
factors. The scheduling module 370 may also or alternatively be
configured to provide tools for managing maintenance schedules,
software updates, security upgrades and/or the like. The ordering
module 372 may provide information on inventory, product data,
pricing, sales and/or the like, and may be employed to place orders
for deposit at the apparatus 10 as described above. The ordering
module 372 may interface with the grocer and/or with supply chain,
transportation, delivery, security and/or other entities to manage
the ordering, stocking, delivery and/or replenishment of the
products associated with the orders that serviced with the
apparatus. The interface module 374 may provide control consoles,
forms, reports and/or the like for configuring devices or user
interface components to provide the interface paradigm that the
user experiences when ordering, controlling or otherwise
interfacing with the control unit 300. Various other modules,
applications and/or downloadable component may also be provided to
provide a comprehensive biome with various configurable functions
and/or interaction mechanisms that may be desirable based on
consumer demand and on the information provided by grocers.
Moreover, the number and functionality of the modules may be
determined based on the amount of information that grocers are
capable of providing. As such, the capabilities of the control unit
300 may be scalable and upgradeable on a routine or periodic
basis.
[0307] The storage apparatus of the present invention may
advantageously be used at a centralised location, e.g., train
stations and office clusters. However it is equally applicable in
secure delivery or collection of goods for individual customers or
companies. For example, an individual or a company may install the
system outside their home or workplace. This enables groceries and
other perishable items to be securely delivered and stored at the
correct temperature, even when the recipient is not present.
[0308] Further features of the present invention include:
Feature A--Features Incorporated with Reference to Prior Patent
Application GB1401539.0
[0309] A1. System for secure delivery or collection of goods
requiring refrigeration or heating, comprising at least one
lockable storage space, in which the temperature of said at least
one storage space is independently controllable to provide any one
of:--
ambient temperature; or chilled temperature; or frozen
temperature;
[0310] and wherein access to the storage space is remotely
programmable.
[0311] A2 System as defined in Feature A1, further comprising;
[0312] a) an access control module for controlling the locking
and/or unlocking of the at least one lockable storage space to
enable access to the interior of the at least one lockable storage
space; [0313] b) a local user interface cooperating with the access
control module; [0314] c) a central control system comprising a
collection code generation means and a collection code
communication means for generating and communicating a unique
collection code to the access control module associated with an
individual delivery to the at least one lockable storage space;
[0315] d) data communication means in cooperation with the central
control system; said data communication means is adapted to receive
the unique collection code from the central control system such
that when the unique collection code is subsequently entered into
the local user interface, the at least one lockable storage space
is unlocked.
[0316] A3. System as defined in Feature A2, wherein the data
communication means is wireless transmitter/receiver means.
[0317] A4. System as defined in Feature A3, wherein the data
communication means is a mobile device or a personal computer.
[0318] A5. System as defined in Features A2 to A4, wherein the
central control system communicates with the access control module
with the use of a communication module, wherein the communication
module transmit information via wireless or TCP/IP.
[0319] A6. System as defined in Feature A5, wherein the access
control module monitors the status of the at least one lockable
storage space, and to transmit information derived from such
monitoring to the central control system.
[0320] A7. System as defined in any of the preceding Features A1 to
A6, wherein the at least one lockable storage space comprises at
least one compartment and wherein the temperature of said at least
one compartment is independently controllable to provide any one
of:-- [0321] ambient temperature; or [0322] chilled temperature; or
[0323] frozen temperature.
[0324] A8. System as defined in Feature A7, comprising: [0325] a) a
primary system comprising a refrigeration system; and [0326] b) a
secondary system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is in
cooperation with the primary system; [0327] in which: [0328] c) the
secondary system comprises a distribution system for distributing
the heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0329] d) the temperature of said at least one
compartment is independently controllable by controlling the
circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the secondary system.
[0330] A9. System for secure delivery or collection of goods
requiring refrigeration or heating, comprising at least one
lockable storage space, wherein each of the lockable storage space
comprises two or more compartments, in which the temperature of
each of the compartments is independently controllable to provide
any one of:-- [0331] ambient temperature; or [0332] chilled
temperature; or [0333] frozen temperature; [0334] characterised in
that the system further comprises, [0335] a) a primary system
comprising a refrigeration system; and [0336] b) a secondary system
comprising a heat transfer fluid that is in cooperation with the
primary system; [0337] in which: [0338] c) the secondary system
comprises a distribution system for distributing the heat transfer
fluid to exchange heat with each of the compartments; and [0339] d)
the temperature of each of the compartments is independently
controllable by controlling the circulation of the heat transfer
fluid in the secondary system.
[0340] A10. System as defined in Feature A9, wherein each of the
compartments has an interior volume and wherein the interior volume
of each of the compartments is adjustable.
[0341] A11. System as defined in Feature A9 or A10, wherein each of
the compartments are formed by partitioning the at least one
lockable storage space and wherein the partition is moveable so as
to adjust the interior volume of each of the compartments.
[0342] A12. System as defined in any of the Features A9 to Feature
A11, wherein the two or more compartments are vertically stacked to
form a bottom compartment and a top compartment, and wherein at
least one wall of the bottom compartment is stepped so as to offer
an elevated shelf for storage of goods.
[0343] A13. System as defined in any of the Features A8 to A12,
wherein the primary system further comprises a heating system.
[0344] A14. System as defined in Feature A13, wherein the heat
transfer fluid comprises a first heat transfer fluid in cooperation
with the refrigeration system and a second heat transfer fluid in
cooperation with the heating system.
[0345] A15. System as defined in Feature A14, wherein the
temperature of the at least one lockable storage space or the at
least one compartment or each of the compartments is independently
controllable to provide significantly above ambient
temperature.
[0346] A16. System as defined in Feature A15, wherein the
distribution system comprises a first distribution system for
distributing the first heat transfer fluid and a second heat
transfer fluid for distributing the second heat transfer fluid.
[0347] A17. System as defined in any of the Features A8 to A16,
wherein the distribution system comprises at least one manifold to
distribute the heat transfer fluid to the at least one compartment
or each of the compartments.
[0348] A18. System as defined in Feature A17, wherein the
distribution system comprises at least one control valve to control
the circulation of the heat transfer fluid to the at least one
compartment or each of the compartments.
[0349] A19. System as defined in Feature A18, wherein the
temperature of at the least one compartment or each of the
compartments is controlled by a secondary heat exchanger in fluid
communication with the heat transfer fluid in the distribution
system.
[0350] A20. System as defined in Feature A19, wherein the secondary
heat exchanger comprises a network of channels to conduct heat to
the at least one wall of the at least one compartment or to at
least one wall of each of the compartments such that the
temperature of the at least one compartment or each of the
compartments is controlled by the circulation of the heat transfer
fluid within the channels.
[0351] A21. System as defined in Feature A19 or Feature A20,
wherein the at least one compartment or each of the compartments
comprises a fan for circulating cool or hot air from the secondary
heat exchanger into the at least one compartment or into each of
the compartments.
[0352] A22. System as defined in Feature A21, wherein the secondary
heat exchanger comprises a conduit housed exterior of the at least
one compartment or each of the compartments so as to circulate cool
or hot air from within the housing into the at least one
compartment or each of the compartments.
[0353] A23. System as defined in Feature A21 or A22, wherein the
temperature of the at least one compartment or each of compartments
is controlled by controlling the speed of the fan.
[0354] A24. System as defined in any of the Features A8 to Feature
A23, wherein the system further comprises a temperature control
module so as to control the temperature of the at least one
compartment or each of the compartments.
[0355] A25. System as defined in Feature A24, wherein the
temperature of the at least one compartment or each of the
compartments is independently controllable by controlling any one
of the following alone or in combination of; i) controlling the
speed of the fan; and/or ii) controlling the circulation of the
first and/or second heat transfer fluid in the distribution
system.
[0356] A26. System as defined in any of the Features A7 to A25,
wherein the at least one compartment or each of the compartments
comprises a drain for drainage of liquid accumulated in the least
one compartment or each of the compartments.
[0357] A27. System as defined in Feature A26, wherein the least one
compartment or each of the compartments comprises sidewalls and a
base, and wherein the base is sloped towards the drain.
[0358] A28. System as defined in any of the Features A9 to A27,
further comprising; [0359] a) an access control module for
controlling the locking and/or unlocking of the at least one
lockable storage space to enable access to the interior of the at
least one lockable storage space; [0360] b) a local user interface
cooperating with the access control module; [0361] c) a central
control system comprising a collection code generation means and a
collection code communication means for generating and
communicating a unique collection code to the access control module
associated with an individual delivery to the at least one lockable
storage space; [0362] d) data communication means in cooperation
with the central control system; said data communication means is
adapted to receive the unique collection code from the central
control system such that when the unique collection code is
subsequently entered into the local user interface, the at least
one lockable storage space is unlocked.
[0363] A29. System as defined in Feature A28, wherein the data
communication means is wireless transmitter/receiver means.
[0364] A30. System as defined in Feature A29, wherein the data
communication means is a mobile device or a personal computer.
[0365] A31. System as defined in Features A28 to A30, wherein the
central control system communicates with the access control module
with the use of a communication module wherein the communication
module transmit information via wireless or TCP/IP.
[0366] A32. System as defined in Feature A31, wherein the access
control module monitors the status of the at least one lockable
storage space, and to transmit information derived from such
monitoring to the central control system.
[0367] A33. System as defined in any of the preceding features
comprising modular units, wherein each of the modular units
comprising at least one or more of the following: [0368] i) the at
least one lockable storage space as defined in any of the preceding
features; and/or [0369] ii) the refrigeration system as defined in
any of features A8 to A32; and/or [0370] iii) the distribution
system as defined in any of the features A8 to A32; and/or [0371]
iv) the heating system as defined in Feature A13 to A32; and/or
[0372] v) the access control module as defined in Feature A2 or
Feature A8. Feature B--Features Incorporated with Reference to
Prior Patent Application GB1401910.3
[0373] B1. System for secure delivery or collection of goods,
comprising at least one lockable storage space, in which the
temperature of said at least one storage space is independently
controllable to provide any one of:-- [0374] ambient temperature;
or [0375] chilled temperature; or [0376] frozen temperature; [0377]
and wherein access to the storage space is remotely
programmable.
[0378] B2. System as defined in Feature B1, further comprising;
[0379] a) an access control module for controlling the locking
and/or unlocking of the at least one lockable storage space to
enable access to the interior of the at least one lockable storage
space; [0380] b) a local user interface cooperating with the access
control module; [0381] c) a central control system comprising a
collection code generation means and a collection code
communication means for generating and communicating a unique
collection code to the access control module associated with an
individual delivery to the at least one lockable storage space;
[0382] d) data communication means in cooperation with the central
control system; said data communication means is adapted to receive
the unique collection code from the central control system such
that when the unique collection code is subsequently entered into
the local user interface, the at least one lockable storage space
is unlocked.
[0383] B3. System as defined in Feature B2, wherein the data
communication means is wireless transmitter/receiver means.
[0384] B4. System as defined in Feature B3, wherein the data
communication means is a mobile device or a personal computer.
[0385] B5. System as defined in Features B2 to B4, wherein the
central control system communicates with the access control module
with the use of a communication module, wherein the communication
module transmit information via wireless or TCP/IP.
[0386] B6. System as defined in Feature B5, wherein the access
control module monitors the status of the at least one lockable
storage space, and to transmit information derived from such
monitoring to the central control system.
[0387] B7. System as defined in any of the preceding Features B1 to
B6, wherein the at least one lockable storage space comprises at
least one compartment and wherein the temperature of said at least
one compartment is independently controllable to provide any one
of:-- [0388] ambient temperature; or [0389] chilled temperature; or
[0390] frozen temperature.
[0391] B8. System as defined in Feature B7, comprising: [0392] a) a
primary system comprising a refrigeration system; and [0393] b) a
secondary system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is in
cooperation with the primary system; [0394] in which: [0395] c) the
secondary system comprises a distribution system for distributing
the heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0396] d) the temperature of said at least one
compartment is independently controllable by controlling the
circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the secondary system.
[0397] B9. System for secure delivery or collection of goods
requiring refrigeration or heating, comprising at least one
lockable storage space, wherein each of the lockable storage space
comprises two or more compartments, in which the temperature of
each of the compartments is independently controllable to provide
any one of:-- [0398] ambient temperature; or [0399] chilled
temperature; or [0400] frozen temperature; [0401] characterised in
that the system further comprises, [0402] a) a primary system
comprising a refrigeration system; and [0403] b) a secondary system
comprising a heat transfer fluid that is in cooperation with the
primary system; [0404] in which: [0405] c) the secondary system
comprises a distribution system for distributing the heat transfer
fluid to exchange heat with each of the compartments; and [0406] d)
the temperature of each of the compartments is independently
controllable by controlling the circulation of the heat transfer
fluid in the secondary system.
[0407] B10. System as defined in Feature B9, wherein each of the
compartments has an interior volume and wherein the interior volume
of each of the compartments is to adjustable.
[0408] B11. System as defined in Feature B9 or B10, wherein each of
the compartments are formed by partitioning the at least one
lockable storage space and wherein the partition is moveable so as
to adjust the interior volume of each of the compartments.
[0409] B12. System as defined in any of the Features B9 to Feature
B11, wherein the two or more compartments are vertically stacked to
form a bottom compartment and a top compartment, and wherein at
least one wall of the bottom compartment is stepped so as to offer
an elevated shelf for storage of goods.
[0410] B13. System as defined in any of the Features B8 to B12,
wherein the primary system further comprises a heating system.
[0411] B14. System as defined in Feature B13, wherein the heat
transfer fluid comprises a first heat transfer fluid in cooperation
with the refrigeration system and a second heat transfer fluid in
cooperation with the heating system.
[0412] B15. System as defined in Feature B14, wherein the
temperature of the at least one lockable storage space or the at
least one compartment or each of the compartments is independently
controllable to provide significantly above ambient
temperature.
[0413] B16. System as defined in Feature B15, wherein the
distribution system comprises a first distribution system for
distributing the first heat transfer fluid and a second heat
transfer fluid for distributing the second heat transfer fluid.
[0414] B17. System as defined in any of the Features B8 to B16,
wherein the distribution system comprises at least one manifold to
distribute the heat transfer fluid to the at least one compartment
or each of the compartments.
[0415] B18. System as defined in Feature B17, wherein the
distribution system comprises at least one control valve to control
the circulation of the heat transfer fluid to the at least one
compartment or each of the compartments.
[0416] B19. System as defined in Feature B18, wherein the
temperature of at the least one compartment or each of the
compartments is controlled by a secondary heat exchanger in fluid
communication with the heat transfer fluid in the distribution
system.
[0417] B20. System as defined in Feature B19, wherein the secondary
heat exchanger comprises a network of channels to conduct heat to
the at least one wall of the at least one compartment or to at
least one wall of each of the compartments such that the
temperature of the at least one compartment or each of the
compartments is controlled by the circulation of the heat transfer
fluid within the channels.
[0418] B21. System as defined in Feature B19 or Feature B20,
wherein the at least one compartment or each of the compartments
comprises a fan for circulating cool or hot air from the secondary
heat exchanger into the at least one compartment or into each of
the compartments.
[0419] B22. System as defined in Feature B21, wherein the secondary
heat exchanger comprises a conduit housed exterior of the at least
one compartment or each of the compartments so as to circulate cool
or hot air from within the housing into the at least one
compartment or each of the compartments.
[0420] B23. System as defined in Feature B21 or B22, wherein the
temperature of the at least one compartment or each of compartments
is controlled by controlling the speed of the fan.
[0421] B24. System as defined in any of the Features B8 to Feature
B23, wherein the system further comprises a temperature control
module so as to control the temperature of the at least one
compartment or each of the compartments.
[0422] B25. System as defined in Feature B24, wherein the
temperature of the at least one compartment or each of the
compartments is independently controllable by controlling any one
of the following alone or in combination of; i) controlling the
speed of the fan; and/or ii) controlling the circulation of the
first and/or second heat transfer fluid in the distribution
system.
[0423] B26. System as defined in any of the Features B7 to B25,
wherein the at least one compartment or each of the compartments
comprises a drain for drainage of liquid accumulated in the least
one compartment or each of the compartments.
[0424] B27. System as defined in Feature B26, wherein the least one
compartment or each of the compartments comprises sidewalls and a
base, and wherein the base is sloped towards the drain.
[0425] B28. System as defined in any of the Features B9 to B27,
further comprising; [0426] a) an access control module for
controlling the locking and/or unlocking of the at least one
lockable storage space to enable access to the interior of the at
least one lockable storage space; [0427] b) a local user interface
cooperating with the access control module; [0428] c) a central
control system comprising a collection code generation means and a
collection code communication means for generating and
communicating a unique collection code to the access control module
associated with an individual delivery to the at least one lockable
storage space; [0429] d) data communication means in cooperation
with the central control system; said data communication means is
adapted to receive the unique collection code from the central
control system such that when the unique collection code is
subsequently entered into the local user interface, the at least
one lockable storage space is unlocked.
[0430] B29. System as defined in Feature B28, wherein the data
communication means is wireless transmitter/receiver means.
[0431] B30. System as defined in Feature B29, wherein the data
communication means is a mobile device or a personal computer.
[0432] B31. System as defined in Features B28 to B30, wherein the
central control system communicates with the access control module
with the use of a communication module wherein the communication
module transmit information via wireless or TCP/IP.
[0433] B32. System as defined in Feature B31, wherein the access
control module monitors the status of the at least one lockable
storage space, and to transmit information derived from such
monitoring to the central control system.
[0434] B33. System as defined in any of the preceding features
comprising modular units, wherein each of the modular units
comprising at least one or more of the following: [0435] i) the at
least one lockable storage space as defined in any of the preceding
features; and/or [0436] ii) the refrigeration system as defined in
any of features B8 to B32; and/or [0437] iii) the distribution
system as defined in any of the features B8 to B32; and/or [0438]
iv) the heating system as defined in Features B13 to B32; and/or
[0439] v) the access control module as defined in Feature B2 or
Feature B8.
[0440] B34. A compartment for use in the system as defined in any
of the features B1 to B33 comprising;
[0441] a) a cavity;
[0442] b) an insulating layer exterior of the cavity;
[0443] c) at least one heat exchanger mounted to at least one
exterior wall of the cavity and partially embedded within the
insulation layer.
[0444] B35. The compartment as defined in Feature B34, further
comprising an electric heating element mounted to at least one wall
of the cavity and partially embedded within the insulation.
[0445] B36. A stack of compartments, each compartment is the
compartment as defined in Feature B34 or B35,
[0446] B37. The stack of feature B36, wherein each compartment is
mounted within a frame or support structure, each compartment
having an open end, and at least one lockable door mounted to the
frame for closing one or more open ends of each of the
compartments.
[0447] B38. The stack of feature B36 or B37, wherein each
compartment has an interior volume and wherein the interior volume
of one compartment in the stack is different to the interior volume
of another compartment in the stack.
[0448] B39. A method for producing a compartment as defined in
feature B34 or B35 comprising: [0449] i) forming the cavity from a
mould; [0450] ii) mounting the heat exchanger to the exterior
sidewall of the cavity to form an assembly; [0451] iii) partially
moulding insulation around the assembly such that the heat
exchanger is partially embedded within the insulation.
[0452] B40. The method of feature B39, wherein step (iii) further
comprises the steps of: [0453] i) placing the assembly within an
outer mould so as to form a gap between the wall of the cavity and
the outer mould; [0454] ii) injection moulding insulation in the
gap. Feature C--Features Incorporated with Reference to Prior
Patent Application GB1405566.9
[0455] C1. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus,
comprising [0456] a. two or more compartments controllable to have
different temperatures; and [0457] b. a remotely programmable
insulated lockable door closable to seal the two or more
compartments from each other.
[0458] C2. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature C1, wherein each compartment is a temperature controlled
compartment.
[0459] C3. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature C1 or C2, wherein one or more sealing members are provided
to effect sealing of the compartments from each other by the
remotely programmable insulated lockable door.
[0460] C4. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature C3, wherein the sealing members are provided on the door,
in or adjacent the compartments or both on the door and in or
adjacent the compartments.
[0461] C5. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
any of the features C1 to C4, wherein the insulated lockable door
comprises a master door and at least one insulating panel
detachable from the master door.
[0462] C6. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature C5, wherein the at least one insulating panel is secured to
the master door by means of a snap-on fixture or magnetic
means.
[0463] C7. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature C5 or C6, wherein each of the two or more compartments is
provided with a respective said insulating panel.
[0464] C8. A door for closing a temperature controlled apparatus
comprising a master door, said master door comprising fixing points
for detachably securing at least one insulating panel to the master
door.
[0465] C9. The door of feature C8, wherein the insulating panel is
detachably secured to the master door by means of a snap-on fixture
or magnetic means.
[0466] C10. The door of feature C8 or C9, wherein the door is for
closing an oven or a refrigerator.
[0467] C11. An oven or a refrigerator comprising a door of any of
the features C8 to C10.
[0468] C12. An assembly of storage spaces, comprising:
a) three or more storage spaces, each of the three or more storage
spaces comprising one or more compartments; b) at least one common
distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid to exchange heat with the one or more compartments in the
each of the three or more storage spaces; wherein the three or more
storage spaces each comprises a remotely programmable insulated
lockable door.
[0469] C13. The assembly of feature C12, wherein each of the
compartments comprises; [0470] a) a cavity; [0471] b) an insulating
layer exterior of the cavity; [0472] c) at least one heat exchanger
for cooperation with the refrigeration system, said at least one
heat exchanger being mounted to at least one wall of the cavity and
partially embedded within the insulation layer.
[0473] C14. An assembly of storage spaces each of the storage
spaces comprising a plurality of compartments; [0474] a) at least
one common distribution system for distributing a heat transfer
fluid to and from the plurality of compartments; [0475] b) means
for separately varying the quantity of heat transferred to the heat
transfer fluid to the plurality of compartments.
[0476] C15. An assembly of storage spaces, wherein each of the
assembly of storage spaces comprising: [0477] a) one or more
compartments; [0478] b) a housing having a cavity with internal
frontal dimensions to accommodate the plurality of storage spaces;
[0479] wherein the one or more compartments have external
dimensions in substantially integral ratios such that different
combinations of the one or more compartments substantially fills
the cavity.
[0480] C16. The assembly of feature C15, wherein the height of the
one or more compartments are in substantially integral ratios.
[0481] C17. The assembly of feature C16, wherein the width of the
one or more compartments are in substantially integral ratios.
[0482] C18. The assembly of feature C17, wherein the depth of the
one or more compartments are in substantially integral ratios.
[0483] C19. The assembly of any of the features C15 to C18, wherein
the integral ratios is x:y:z, where x or y or z has any value of 1
or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5.
[0484] C20. The assembly of any of the features C15 to C19, further
comprising:
a) at least one common distribution system for distributing a heat
transfer fluid to and from each of the one or more compartments;
and b) means for separately varying the quantity of heat
transferred to the heat fluid to each of the one or more
compartments.
[0485] C21. The assembly of any of the features C5 to C13, wherein
the refrigeration system is located remotely to the assembly of
storage spaces; and wherein the refrigeration system is in
cooperation with the at least one common distribution system.
[0486] C22. The assembly of any of the features C11 to C21, wherein
each of the compartments comprises a heat exchanger and wherein the
quantity of heat transferred to the heat transfer fluid is
separately varied through the heat exchangers.
[0487] C23. The assembly of feature C22, wherein the quantity of
heat transferred is varied by varying the duration of time the heat
transfer fluid passes to the compartments or through the heat
exchanger.
[0488] C24. The assembly of feature C22 or C23, wherein the
quantity of heat transferred is varied by varying the quantity of
heat transfer fluid to the compartments.
[0489] C25. The assembly of any of features C22 to C24, further
comprising at least one valve for varying the quantity of heat
transfer fluid to the compartments.
[0490] C26. The assembly of any of features C20 to C25, wherein the
quantity of heat transferred is varied to each of the one or more
compartments by varying the temperature difference between the heat
transfer fluid to the each of the one or more compartments and the
temperature of their corresponding compartments.
[0491] C27. The assembly of any of the features C22 to C19, wherein
the heat transfer fluid is a liquid or a gas.
[0492] C28. The assembly of feature C27, wherein the heat transfer
fluid is a refrigerant such that the refrigerant in the at least
one common distribution is arranged to be in fluid communication
with the heat exchanger in each of the compartments.
[0493] C29. An assembly of storage spaces, each of the storage
spaces comprising one or more compartments; said assembly
comprising;--
a) a primary refrigeration unit comprising a refrigerant to
exchange heat with the one or more compartments in the each of the
storage spaces; b) a chiller unit in cooperation with the primary
refrigeration unit so as to dissipate heat from the
refrigerant.
[0494] C30. The assembly of storage spaces of feature C29, further
comprising at least one common distribution system that is arranged
to be in cooperation with the primary refrigeration unit so as to
distribute the refrigerant to exchange heat with the one or more
compartments in the each of the storage spaces
[0495] C31. The assembly of storage spaces of feature C29 or C30,
wherein the chiller unit is a separate chiller refrigeration unit,
said chiller unit is in cooperation with the primary refrigeration
system by a separate distribution system distributing a heat
transfer fluid to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the primary
refrigeration unit.
[0496] C32. The assembly of storage spaces of feature C31, wherein
said separate distribution system distributes the heat transfer
fluid to a plurality of said primary refrigeration units.
[0497] C33. The assembly of storage spaces of feature C31 or C32,
wherein the heat transfer fluid is a liquid, preferably comprising
glycol.
[0498] C32. The assembly of storage space of any of the features
C29 to C31, wherein each of the storage spaces each comprises a
remotely programmable insulated lockable door.
[0499] C33. The assembly of any of the features C22 to C32, wherein
the each of the compartments comprises at least one fan for varying
the quantity of heat transferred from the heat exchanger to the
compartments.
[0500] C34. The assembly of any of the features C12 to C33, wherein
the each of the compartments are modular.
[0501] C35. The assembly of features C34, wherein the each of the
compartments are removable.
[0502] C36. The assembly of any of the features C12 to C35, wherein
the storage spaces are arranged in a substantially vertical or
horizontal stack.
[0503] C37. The assembly of any of the features C12 to C36, wherein
each of the one or more compartments or each of the plurality of
compartments is a temperature controlled compartment.
[0504] C38. A method for preparing temperature sensitive items for
delivery to a remotely lockable temperature controlled storage
device comprising one or more compartments, the method comprising
the steps of:-- [0505] i) receiving a user request for delivery of
one or more temperature sensitive items; [0506] ii) determining the
required temperature of the one or more temperature sensitive
items; [0507] iii) placing the one or more temperature sensitive
items in one or more containers of selected size such that the
items in any one container may be exposed to a common temperature
range without adverse effect; [0508] iv) before or after placing
the one or more temperature sensitive items in one or more
containers of selected size, determining availability at the
remotely lockable temperature controlled storage device of one or
more compartments:-- [0509] a) at or controllable to a temperature
or temperatures to receive the containers [0510] b) of suitable
dimensions to receive the containers.
[0511] C39. The method of feature C38, in which the compartments
are of different size and the containers are of selected size to
closely fit the width and/or depth of the compartments so as to
enable easy removal of the containers.
[0512] C40. The method of feature C38 or C39, in which the
containers are of selected size to closely fit in the height of the
containers so as to enable easy removal of the containers.
[0513] C41. The method of any of the features C38 to C40, in which
the containers are stackable such that two or more containers
adapted to fit in a small compartment can be stacked to fit in a
larger compartment while protecting the goods from crushing.
[0514] C42. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprising:-- [0515] i) an assembly of compartments as defined in
any of the features C12 to C37; and [0516] ii) a plurality of
containers dimensioned to closely fit the dimensions of the
compartments.
[0517] C43. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature C42, wherein the one or more compartments are
insulated.
Feature D--Features Incorporated with Reference to Prior Patent
Application GB1411043.1
[0518] D1. An assembly of storage spaces, comprising: [0519] a)
three or more storage spaces, each of the three or more storage
spaces comprising one or more compartments; [0520] b) at least one
common distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid to exchange heat with the one or more compartments in the
each of the three or more storage spaces; [0521] wherein the three
or more storage spaces each comprises a remotely programmable
insulated lockable door.
[0522] D2. The assembly of feature D1, wherein each of the three of
more storage spaces comprising a plurality of compartments.
[0523] D3. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
each of the compartments comprises; [0524] a) a cavity; [0525] b)
an insulating layer exterior of the cavity; [0526] c) at least one
heat exchanger for cooperation with the refrigeration system, said
at least one heat exchanger being mounted to at least one wall of
the cavity and partially embedded within the insulation layer.
[0527] D4. The assembly of feature D3, wherein the cavity has an
internal volume of substantially 65 litres or 145 litres or 226
litres.
[0528] D5. The assembly of feature D4, wherein the cavity has an
internal length of substantially 620 mm and a width of
substantially 420 mm and wherein the height is substantially 250 mm
or 560 mm or 870 mm.
[0529] D6. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
each of the assembly of storage spaces comprising a housing having
a cavity with internal frontal dimensions to accommodate the three
or more storage spaces.
[0530] D7. The assembly of feature D6, wherein the one or more
compartments have external dimensions in substantially integral
ratios such that different combinations of the one or more
compartments substantially fills the cavity.
[0531] D8. The assembly of feature D7, wherein the height of the
one or more compartments are in substantially integral ratios.
[0532] D9. The assembly of feature D8, wherein the width of the one
or more compartments are in substantially integral ratios.
[0533] D10. The assembly of feature D9, wherein the depth of the
one or more compartments are in substantially integral ratios.
[0534] D11. The assembly of any of the features D8 to D10, wherein
the integral ratios is x:y:z, where x or y or z has any value of 1
or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5.
[0535] D12. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
the refrigeration system is located remotely to the assembly of
storage spaces; and wherein the refrigeration system is in
cooperation with the at least one common distribution system.
[0536] D13. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
said one or more compartments are controllable to have different
temperatures by separately varying the quantity of heat transferred
to the heat transfer fluid to the one or more compartments.
[0537] D14. The assembly of feature D13, wherein the quantity of
heat transferred to the heat transfer fluid is separately varied
through the heat exchangers.
[0538] D15. The assembly of feature D14, wherein the quantity of
heat transferred is varied by varying the duration of time the heat
transfer fluid passes to the compartments or through the heat
exchanger.
[0539] D16. The assembly of feature D14 or D15, wherein the
quantity of heat transferred is varied by varying the quantity of
heat transfer fluid to the compartments.
[0540] D17. The assembly of any of features D14 to D16, further
comprising at least one valve for varying the quantity of heat
transfer fluid to the compartments.
[0541] D18. The assembly of any of features D14 to D17, wherein the
quantity of heat transferred is varied to each of the one or more
compartments by varying the temperature difference between the heat
transfer fluid to the each of the one or more compartments and the
temperature of their corresponding compartments.
[0542] D19. The assembly of any of the features D14 to D18, wherein
the heat transfer fluid is a liquid or a gas.
[0543] D20. The assembly of feature D19, wherein the heat transfer
fluid is a refrigerant such that the refrigerant in the at least
one common distribution is arranged to be in fluid communication
with the heat exchanger in each of the compartments.
[0544] D21. The assembly of feature D20, wherein the assembly
comprising a chiller unit in cooperation with the primary
refrigeration unit so as to dissipate heat from the
refrigerant.
[0545] D22. The assembly of storage spaces of feature D21, wherein
the chiller unit is a separate chiller refrigeration unit, said
chiller unit is in cooperation with the primary refrigeration
system by a separate distribution system distributing a heat
transfer fluid to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the primary
refrigeration unit.
[0546] D23. The assembly of storage spaces of feature D22, wherein
said separate distribution system distributes the heat transfer
fluid to a plurality of said primary refrigeration units.
[0547] D24. The assembly of storage spaces of feature D22 or D24,
wherein the heat transfer fluid is a liquid, preferably comprising
glycol.
[0548] D25. The assembly of any of the features D13 to D24, wherein
the temperature of each of the one or more compartments is remotely
controllable.
[0549] D26. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
the each of the compartments comprises at least one fan for varying
the quantity of heat transferred from the heat exchanger to the
compartments.
[0550] D27. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
the each of the compartments are modular.
[0551] D28. The assembly of features D27, wherein the each of the
compartments are removable.
[0552] D29. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
the storage spaces are arranged in a substantially vertical or
horizontal stack.
[0553] D30. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
one or more sealing members are provided to effect sealing each of
the compartments from the atmosphere.
[0554] D31. The assembly of feature D30, wherein the sealing
members are provided on the remotely programmable insulated
lockable door, in or adjacent the compartments or both on the
remotely programmable insulated lockable door and in or adjacent
the compartments.
[0555] D32. The assembly of any of the preceding features, wherein
the remotely programmable insulated lockable door comprising a
master door, said master door comprising fixing points for
detachably securing at least one insulating panel to the master
door.
[0556] D33. The assembly of feature D32, wherein the insulating
panel is detachably secured to the master door by means of a
snap-on fixture or magnetic means.
Feature E--Features Incorporated with Reference to Prior Patent
Application GB1416641.7
[0557] E1. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus,
comprising: [0558] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; [0559] b) at least one common
distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0560] characterised in that the heat transfer fluid
is distributed to said one or more compartments sequentially.
[0561] E2. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus,
comprising: [0562] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; [0563] b) at least one common
distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0564] c) a controller arranged to prioritise the
distribution of heat transfer fluid to each of the
compartments.
[0565] E3. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature E1 or E2, comprising at least one valve for varying the
quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at least one compartment in
each of the two or more storage spaces and wherein said valves are
arranged to distribute the heat transfer fluid to said compartments
sequentially.
[0566] E4. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
any of the preceding features, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a
refrigerant.
[0567] E5. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
any of the preceding features, wherein the heat transfer fluid is
distributed sequentially to each said two or more compartments for
a predetermined amount of time.
[0568] E6. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
any of the preceding features, wherein the refrigeration system has
a cooling capacity for exchanging heat with a predetermined number
of compartments in a given time.
[0569] E7. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature E6 or E7, wherein the predetermined number of compartments
is two compartments.
[0570] E8. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus as
defined in feature E7, wherein the lockable temperature controlled
storage apparatus is arranged to determine the status of the
cooling capacity of the refrigeration system and if the cooling
capacity has been exceeded determines the availability of one or
more compartments.
[0571] E10. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in feature E8 and feature E3, wherein the lockable
temperature controlled storage apparatus is arranged to determine
the cooling capacity of the refrigeration system by determining the
status of said valves.
[0572] E11. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in feature E10, wherein the lockable temperature
controlled storage apparatus is arranged to determine the status of
said valves by determining whether one or more valves have been
actuated.
[0573] E12. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features, wherein said one or
more compartments are placed in a queue,
[0574] E13. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in Feature E12, wherein said one or more compartments
are prioritised in the queue based on their waiting time and/or
their differential temperature.
[0575] E14. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature E13 and feature E3, comprising a timer for determining
the waiting time of each compartment in the queue and wherein
actuation of said valve to each of said one or more compartments is
prioritised based on their corresponding waiting time.
[0576] E15. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature E14, wherein said compartment having the longest waiting
time is prioritised in the queue.
[0577] E16. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the features E13 to E15, wherein actuation of
said corresponding valve to each of said one or more compartments
in the queue is prioritised having to the compartment with the
largest temperature differential.
[0578] E17. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the features E3 to E16, comprising a
controller for controlling the actuation of said valves
sequentially.
[0579] E18. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in feature E17, wherein the controller places the
compartments in a queue and prioritises the compartments in the
queue.
[0580] E19. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features and feature E3, wherein
the controller is arranged to prioritise the one or more
compartments in the queue by prioritising their corresponding
valves.
[0581] E20. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the features E17 to E20, wherein the
controller is arranged to monitor the status of the valves.
[0582] E21. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in feature E20, wherein the controller is arranged to
place the one or more compartments in the queue in an event that a
predetermined number of valves are occupied.
[0583] E22. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features E1 TO E21,
comprising
i) a first compartment at a first temperature and a second
compartment at a second temperature, said first compartment is set
to a first set point temperature and said second compartment is set
to a second set point temperature, and ii) a controller arranged to
prioritise the transfer of heat transfer fluid to said first
compartment or the second compartment in response to the
compartment temperature differential between first temperature and
the first set point temperature and between the second temperature
and the second set point temperature.
[0584] E23. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features, comprising
i) a first compartment and a second compartment, said first
compartment has a first waiting time and said second compartment
has a second waiting time, and ii) a controller arranged to
prioritise the transfer of heat transfer fluid to said first
compartment or the second compartment in response to the waiting
time of the first compartment and the second compartment.
[0585] E24. A method of distributing heat transfer fluid to two or
more compartments of a lockable temperature controlled storage
apparatus, said lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprising; [0586] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; and [0587] b) at least one
common distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0588] said method comprising the step of distributing
the heat transfer fluid sequentially to each of said two or more
compartments.
[0589] E25. A method of distributing heat transfer fluid to two or
more compartments of a lockable temperature controlled storage
apparatus, said lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprising; [0590] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; and [0591] b) at least one
common distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0592] said method comprises the step of prioritising
the distribution of the heat transfer fluid to each of said two or
more compartments.
[0593] E26. The method of feature E25, wherein the step of
prioritising the distribution of the heat transfer fluid to each of
said one or more compartments comprises the step of;
i) placing each of said two or more compartments in a queue; ii)
determining the waiting time of each of said two or more
compartments in the queue; iii) prioritising the distribution of
the heat transfer fluid to each of said two or more compartments
based on their corresponding waiting times.
[0594] E27. The method of feature E25 or E26, wherein the step of
prioritising the distribution of the heat transfer fluid to each of
said two or more compartments comprises the step of; [0595] i)
placing each of said two or more compartments in a queue; [0596]
ii) determining the temperature of each of said two or more
compartments in the queue; [0597] iii) determining the set point
temperature of each of said two or more compartments in the queue;
[0598] iv) prioritising the distribution of the heat transfer fluid
to each of said two or more compartments based on their
corresponding temperature differential between the temperature of
the first compartment and the set point temperature of the first
compartment; and between the temperature of the second compartment
and the set point temperature of the second compartment.
[0599] E28. The method of any of the features E24 to E27, wherein
said lockable temperature controlled apparatus comprise at least
one valve for varying the quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at
least one compartment in each of the two or more storage spaces and
wherein the heat transfer fluid is distributed sequentially to said
compartments by actuating said valves sequentially.
[0600] E29. The method of any of the features E24 to E28, wherein
said refrigeration system has a cooling capacity for exchanging
heat with a predetermined number of compartments in a given
time.
[0601] E30. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprising; [0602] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; each of said compartments
comprising a first temperature sensing device and a second
temperature device; [0603] b) at least one common distribution
system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is arranged to be in
cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at least one common
distribution system distributing the heat transfer fluid at a
supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0604] c) a controller arranged to:-- [0605] i)
interrupt the flow of heat transfer fluid to at least one
compartment when the temperature from the second temperature device
reaches a lower limit and re-establish the flow of heat transfer
fluid to exchange heat with said at least one compartment when the
temperature from the second temperature device reaches an upper
limit; [0606] ii) repeat step (i) until the temperature from the
first temperature sensing device reaches a predetermined set point
temperature.
[0607] E31. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature E30, wherein the temperature measurement from the first
temperature sensing device is an indication of the air temperature
inside said at least one compartment.
[0608] E32. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature E30 or E31, wherein the first temperature sensing device
is fixed to at least one wall of the compartment.
[0609] E33. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of any of features E30 to E32, wherein said at least one
compartment comprises a heat exchanger or an evaporator in fluid
communication with the heat transfer and wherein the second
temperature sensing device is located adjacent the heat exchanger
or the evaporator.
[0610] E34. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of any of the features E30 to E33, comprising at least one valve
for varying the quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at least one
compartment in each of the two or more storage spaces and wherein
said controller is arranged to control the actuation of the valves
for interrupting and re-establishing the flow of the heat transfer
fluid between the lower limit and the upper limit of the
temperature from the second temperature sensing device respectively
to at least one compartment.
[0611] E35. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of any of the features E30 to E34, wherein said upper limit is
substantially -7.degree. C. and said lower limit is substantially
-10.degree. C.
[0612] E36. A method of controlling the temperature of at least one
compartment in a lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus,
said lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus comprising;
[0613] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces, wherein
each of two or more remotely lockable storage space comprises at
least one compartment; each of said compartments comprising a first
temperature sensing device and a second temperature device; [0614]
b) at least one common distribution system comprising a heat
transfer fluid that is arranged to be in cooperation with a
refrigeration system, said at least one common distribution system
distributing the heat transfer fluid at a supplied pressure to
exchange heat with the at least one compartment; comprising the
steps of; [0615] i) interrupting the flow of heat transfer fluid to
at least one compartment when the temperature from the second
temperature device reaches a lower limit and re-establishing the
flow of heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with said at least one
compartment when the temperature from the second temperature device
reaches an upper limit; [0616] ii) repeating step (i) until the
temperature from the first temperature sensing device reaches a
predetermined set point temperature.
[0617] E37. The method of feature E36, comprising at least one
valve for varying the quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at
least one compartment in each of the two or more storage spaces and
wherein said controller is arranged to control the actuation of the
valves for interrupting and re-establishing the flow of the heat
transfer fluid between a lower limit and an upper limit
respectively.
[0618] E38. A shelving unit for a lockable temperature controlled
storage apparatus as defined in any of the features 1 to 23 or
feature 30 to 35 comprising a moveable shelf supported by a
frame.
[0619] E39. The shelving unit of feature E38, wherein the frame is
a bent wire frame.
[0620] E40. The shelving unit of feature E38 or E39, wherein the
frame comprises at least two or more legs and wherein the shelf is
supported to the at least two or more legs by slideable fixing
points to permit the shelf to be move along the at least two or
more legs of the frame.
[0621] E41. The shelving unit of any of the features E38 to E40,
wherein the frame comprises an inward upper portion and an outward
lower portion, said inward upper portion and said outward lower
portion meet to define a resting point for the shelf.
[0622] E42. The shelving unit of feature E41, wherein the resting
point is a joggle.
[0623] E43. The shelving unit of feature E41 or E42, wherein the
lower portion is outwardly offset of the upper portion.
[0624] E44. The shelving unit of any of the features E41 to E42,
wherein the lower portion is sized to butt up against opposing
walls of a compartment.
[0625] E45. The shelving unit of any of the features E41 to E44,
wherein the shelf is moveable along the upper portion.
[0626] E46. The shelving unit of any of the features E38 to E45,
wherein the shelf and/or the frame comprises fixing points to
securing the shelf in a raised position.
[0627] E47. A compartment for a lockable temperature controlled
storage apparatus as defined in any of the features E1 to E23 or
feature E30 to E35 comprising a shelving unit as defined in any of
the features E38 to E48 secured to the compartment.
Feature F--Features Incorporated with Reference to Prior Patent
Application GB1416742.3
[0628] F1. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus,
comprising: [0629] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; [0630] b) at least one common
distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0631] characterised in that the heat transfer fluid
is distributed to said one or more compartments sequentially.
[0632] F2. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus,
comprising: [0633] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; [0634] b) at least one common
distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0635] c) a controller arranged to prioritise the
distribution of heat transfer fluid to each of the
compartments.
[0636] F3. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature F or F2, comprising at least one valve for varying the
quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at least one compartment in
each of the two or more storage spaces and wherein said valves are
arranged to distribute the heat transfer fluid to said compartments
sequentially.
[0637] F4. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
any of the preceding features, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a
refrigerant.
[0638] F5. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
any of the preceding features, wherein the heat transfer fluid is
distributed sequentially to each said two or more compartments for
a predetermined amount of time.
[0639] F6. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
any of the preceding features, wherein the refrigeration system has
a cooling capacity for exchanging heat with a predetermined number
of compartments in a given time.
[0640] F7. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus of
feature F6, wherein the predetermined number of compartments is two
compartments.
[0641] F8. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus as
defined in feature F7, wherein the lockable temperature controlled
storage apparatus is arranged to determine the status of the
cooling capacity of the refrigeration system and if the cooling
capacity has been exceeded determines the availability of one or
more compartments.
[0642] F9. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus as
defined in feature F8 and feature F3, wherein the lockable
temperature controlled storage apparatus is arranged to determine
the cooling capacity of the refrigeration system by determining the
status of said valves.
[0643] F10. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in feature F9, wherein the lockable temperature
controlled storage apparatus is arranged to determine the status of
said valves by determining whether one or more valves have been
actuated.
[0644] F11. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features, wherein said one or
more compartments are placed in a queue.
[0645] F12. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in Feature F 11, wherein said one or more compartments
are prioritised in the queue based on their waiting time and/or
their differential temperature.
[0646] F13. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature F12 and feature F3, comprising a timer for determining
the waiting time of each compartment in the queue and wherein
actuation of said valve to each of said one or more compartments is
prioritised based on their corresponding waiting time.
[0647] F14. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature F13, wherein said compartment having the longest waiting
time is prioritised in the queue.
[0648] F15. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the features F12 to F14, wherein actuation of
said valve to each of said one or more corresponding compartments
in the queue is prioritised to the compartment with the largest
temperature differential.
[0649] F16. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the features F3 to F15, comprising a
controller for controlling the actuation of said valves
sequentially.
[0650] F17. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in feature F16, wherein the controller places the
compartments in a queue and prioritises the compartments in the
queue.
[0651] F18. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features and feature F3, wherein
the controller is arranged to prioritise the one or more
compartments in the queue by prioritising actuation of their
corresponding valves.
[0652] F19. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the features F16 to F18, wherein the
controller is arranged to monitor the status of the valves.
[0653] F20. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in feature F19, wherein the controller is arranged to
place the one or more compartments in the queue in an event that a
predetermined number of valves are actuated.
[0654] F21. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features, comprising
[0655] i) a first compartment at a first temperature and a second
compartment at a second temperature, said first compartment is set
to a first set point temperature and said second compartment is set
to a second set point temperature, and
[0656] ii) a controller arranged to prioritise the transfer of heat
transfer fluid to said first compartment or the second compartment
in response to the compartment temperature differential between
first temperature and the first set point temperature and between
the second temperature and the second set point temperature.
[0657] F22. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
as defined in any of the preceding features, comprising [0658] i) a
first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment
has a first waiting time and said second compartment has a second
waiting time, and [0659] ii) a controller arranged to prioritise
the transfer of heat transfer fluid to said first compartment or
the second compartment in response to the waiting time of the first
compartment and the second compartment.
[0660] F23. A method of distributing heat transfer fluid to two or
more compartments of a lockable temperature controlled storage
apparatus, said lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprising; [0661] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; and [0662] b) at least one
common distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0663] said method comprising the step of distributing
the heat transfer fluid sequentially to each of said two or more
compartments.
[0664] F24. A method of distributing heat transfer fluid to two or
more compartments of a lockable temperature controlled storage
apparatus, said lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprising; [0665] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; and [0666] b) at least one
common distribution system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is
arranged to be in cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at
least one common distribution system distributing the heat transfer
fluid at a supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0667] said method comprises the step of prioritising
the distribution of the heat transfer fluid to each of said two or
more compartments.
[0668] F25. The method of feature F24, wherein the step of
prioritising the distribution of the heat transfer fluid to each of
said one or more compartments comprises the step of; [0669] i)
placing each of said two or more compartments in a queue; [0670]
ii) determining the waiting time of each of said two or more
compartments in the queue; [0671] ii) prioritising the distribution
of the heat transfer fluid to each of said two or more compartments
based on their corresponding waiting times.
[0672] F26. The method of feature F24 or F25, wherein the step of
prioritising the distribution of the heat transfer fluid to each of
said two or more compartments comprises the step of; [0673] i)
placing each of said two or more compartments in a queue; [0674]
ii) determining the temperature of each of said two or more
compartments in the queue; [0675] iii) determining the set point
temperature of each of said two or more compartments in the queue;
[0676] iv) prioritising the distribution of the heat transfer fluid
to each of said two or more compartments based on their
corresponding temperature differential between the temperature of
the first compartment and the set point temperature of the first
compartment; and between the temperature of the second compartment
and the set point temperature of the second compartment.
[0677] F27. The method of any of the features F23 to F26, wherein
said lockable temperature controlled apparatus comprise at least
one valve for varying the quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at
least one compartment in each of the two or more storage spaces and
wherein the heat transfer fluid is distributed sequentially to said
compartments by actuating said valves sequentially.
[0678] F28. The method of any of the features F23 to F27, wherein
said refrigeration system has a cooling capacity for exchanging
heat with a predetermined number of compartments in a given
time.
[0679] F29. A lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
comprising; [0680] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces,
wherein each of two or more remotely lockable storage space
comprises at least one compartment; each of said compartments
comprising a first temperature sensing device and a second
temperature device; [0681] b) at least one common distribution
system comprising a heat transfer fluid that is arranged to be in
cooperation with a refrigeration system, said at least one common
distribution system distributing the heat transfer fluid at a
supplied pressure to exchange heat with the at least one
compartment; [0682] c) a controller arranged to:-- [0683] i)
interrupt the flow of heat transfer fluid to at least one
compartment when the temperature from the second temperature device
reaches a lower limit and re-establish the flow of heat transfer
fluid to exchange heat with said at least one compartment when the
temperature from the second temperature device reaches an upper
limit; [0684] ii) repeat step (i) until the temperature from the
first temperature sensing device reaches a predetermined set point
temperature.
[0685] F30. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature F29, wherein the temperature measurement from the first
temperature sensing device is an indication of the air temperature
inside said at least one compartment.
[0686] F31. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of feature F29 or F30, wherein the first temperature sensing device
is fixed to at least one wall of the compartment.
[0687] F32. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of any of features F29 to F31, wherein said at least one
compartment comprises a heat exchanger or an evaporator in fluid
communication with the heat transfer and wherein the second
temperature sensing device is located adjacent the heat exchanger
or the evaporator.
[0688] F33. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of any of the features F29 to F32, comprising at least one valve
for varying the quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at least one
compartment in each of the two or more storage spaces and wherein
said controller is arranged to control the actuation of the valves
for interrupting and re-establishing the flow of the heat transfer
fluid between the lower limit and the upper limit of the
temperature from the second temperature sensing device respectively
to at least one compartment.
[0689] F34. The lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus
of any of the features F29 to F33, wherein said upper limit is
substantially -7.degree. C. and said lower limit is substantially
-10.degree. C.
[0690] F35. A method of controlling the temperature of at least one
compartment in a lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus,
said lockable temperature controlled storage apparatus comprising;
[0691] a) two or more remotely lockable storage spaces, wherein
each of two or more remotely lockable storage space comprises at
least one compartment; each of said compartments comprising a first
temperature sensing device and a second temperature device; [0692]
b) at least one common distribution system comprising a heat
transfer fluid that is arranged to be in cooperation with a
refrigeration system, said at least one common distribution system
distributing the heat transfer fluid at a supplied pressure to
exchange heat with the at least one compartment; comprising the
steps of; [0693] i) interrupting the flow of heat transfer fluid to
at least one compartment when the temperature from the second
temperature device reaches a lower limit and re-establishing the
flow of heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with said at least one
compartment when the temperature from the second temperature device
reaches an upper limit; [0694] ii) repeating step (i) until the
temperature from the first temperature sensing device reaches the
predetermined set point temperature.
[0695] F36. The method of feature F35, comprising at least one
valve for varying the quantity of heat transfer fluid to the at
least one compartment in each of the two or more storage spaces and
wherein said controller is arranged to control the actuation of the
valves for interrupting and re-establishing the flow of the heat
transfer fluid between a lower limit and an upper limit
respectively.
[0696] F37. A shelving unit for a lockable temperature controlled
storage apparatus as defined in any of the features F1 to F22 or
feature F29 to F34 comprising a moveable shelf supported by a
frame.
[0697] F38. The shelving unit of feature F37, wherein the frame is
a bent wire frame.
[0698] F39. The shelving unit of feature F37 or F38, wherein the
frame comprises at least two or more legs and wherein the shelf is
supported to the at least two or more legs by slideable fixing
points to permit the shelf to be move along the at least two or
more legs of the frame.
[0699] F40. The shelving unit of any of the features F37 to F39,
wherein the frame comprises an inward upper portion and an outward
lower portion, said inward upper portion and said outward lower
portion meet to define a resting point for the shelf.
[0700] F41. The shelving unit of feature F40, wherein the resting
point is a joggle.
[0701] F42. The shelving unit of feature F40 or F41, wherein the
lower portion is outwardly offset of the upper portion.
[0702] F43. The shelving unit of any of the claims F40 to F41,
wherein the lower portion is sized to butt up against opposing
walls of a compartment.
[0703] F44. The shelving unit of any of the features F40 to F3,
wherein the shelf is moveable along the upper portion.
[0704] F45. The shelving unit of any of the features F37 to F44,
wherein the shelf and/or the frame comprises fixing points to
securing the shelf in a raised position.
[0705] F46. A compartment for a lockable temperature controlled
storage apparatus as defined in any of the features F to F22 or
feature F29 to F34 comprising a shelving unit as defined in any of
the features 38 to 48 secured to the compartment.
Feature G--Features Incorporated with Reference to Prior Patent
Application GB1423158.3
[0706] G1. A canopy strut comprising; [0707] a) a top member;
[0708] b) a canopy strut body, said canopy strut body cooperates
with the top member to form a clamp for clamping sheet material;
[0709] wherein the clamp comprises a front end and a rear end and
wherein the clamp is adjustable at the front end of the clamp so as
to provide different clamping force between the top member and the
canopy strut body.
[0710] G2. The canopy strut of feature G1, wherein the front end of
the clamp comprises an adjustable tensioning buckle and the top
member is releasably fixed to the canopy strut body at the rear end
of the clamp.
[0711] G3. The canopy strut of feature G2, wherein one end of the
top member comprises a upwardly bent portion that cooperates with
an upwardly extending portion of the canopy strut body to form the
adjustable tensioning buckle.
[0712] G4. The canopy strut of feature G3, wherein the upwardly
bent portion of the top member is spaced apart from the upwardly
extending portion of the canopy strut body.
[0713] G5. The canopy strut of feature G4, wherein the clamping
force is varied by adjusting the spacing between the upwardly bent
portion of the top member and the upwardly extending portion of the
canopy strut body.
[0714] G6. The canopy strut of feature G5, wherein a screw
threadingly engages the upwardly bent portion of the member and the
upwardly extending portion of the canopy strut body so as to vary
the spacing there between.
[0715] G7. The canopy strut of any of the features G2 to G6,
wherein the top member is hooked to the canopy strut body at the
rear end of the clamp.
[0716] G8. The canopy strut of any of the preceding features,
wherein the canopy strut body comprises a downwardly extending
spacer.
[0717] G9. The canopy strut of feature G8, wherein the downwardly
extending spacer comprising a connector for connecting locker
modules together.
[0718] G10. The canopy strut of feature G8 or G9, wherein the
canopy strut body is fabricated as a single body.
[0719] G11. A canopy comprising sheet material extends between two
or more canopy struts as defined in any of the features G1 to
G10.
[0720] G12. The canopy of feature G11, wherein the sheet material
is a polycarbonate sheet material.
[0721] G13. A locker module comprising one or more lockable storage
spaces, each of the lockable storage spaces comprising one or more
compartments, wherein the locker module comprises a canopy as
defined in feature G11 or G12.
[0722] G14. The locker module of feature G13, wherein the canopy
covers a refrigeration system mounted above the one or more locker
modules.
[0723] G15. An assembly of locker modules, each of the locker
modules comprising one or more lockable storage spaces, the
assembly of locker modules comprises a canopy as defined in any of
the Features G1 to G12, wherein the canopy extends across multiple
locker modules.
[0724] G16. An assembly of locker modules, each of the locker
modules comprising one or more lockable storage spaces, and wherein
the locker modules are linked or connected to each other by the
canopy strut as defined in Feature G8 or G9.
[0725] G17. The assembly of locker modules of Feature G16, wherein
each of the locker modules in the assembly is removeably engageable
with the downwardly extending spacer.
[0726] G18. An evaporator plate for a refrigeration system,
comprising coolant channels which are arranged between two sheets
of metal wherein the evaporator plate comprises at least one
foldable portion delineated by a line of weakness.
[0727] G19. The evaporator plate of feature G18, wherein the
evaporator plate comprises a middle portion and foldable side
portions either side of the middle portion, said foldable side
portions are delineated from the middle portion by the line of
weakness.
[0728] G20. The evaporator of feature G19, wherein the line of
weakness is a cut out portion of the evaporator plate.
[0729] G21. The evaporator plate of feature G20, wherein the
evaporator plate comprises cut portion having a shape such that the
junction between the middle portion and the foldable side portions
is foldable to form a bend having a tapered or fluted shape across
the evaporator plate from a substantially 90.degree. bend at one
end of the evaporator plate to a relatively rounded bend at the
other end of the evaporator plate.
[0730] G22. The evaporator plate of feature G20 or G21, wherein the
cut out portion is substantially trapezoidal.
[0731] G23. The evaporator plate as defined in any of the features
G18 to G22, wherein the evaporator plate comprises heater
elements.
[0732] G24. The evaporator plate of feature G23, wherein at least
one wall of the evaporator plate comprises heater tracks to
accommodate the heater elements.
[0733] G25. The evaporator plate of any of the features G18 to G24,
wherein at least one wall of the evaporator plate comprises a layer
of adhesive suitable for fixing the evaporator plate onto a
compartment.
[0734] G26. A method of assembling an evaporator plate as defined
any of the features G18 to G25 onto a compartment comprising the
steps of; [0735] i) mounting the evaporator plate onto at least one
wall of the compartment; and [0736] ii) folding the at least one
foldable portion along the line of weakness onto an adjacent wall
of the compartment.
[0737] G27. The method of feature G26, wherein the evaporator plate
is mounted onto a top or bottom wall of the compartment and the at
least one foldable portion is folded along the line of weakness
onto a side wall of the compartment.
[0738] G28. The method of feature G27, wherein the evaporator plate
is adhered to the compartment.
[0739] G29. A shelving unit for a compartment, said shelving unit
comprising a shelf supported at one end by a support rod fixable to
at least one wall of the compartment and the other end of the shelf
is arranged to be supported on at least one dowel located to at
least one adjacent wall of the compartment, the support rod extends
through the shelf so as to permit the shelf to be moveable along
the support rod.
[0740] G30. The shelving unit of feature G29, wherein the shelf
comprises a retention member arranged to hold the shelf to a top
wall of the compartment.
[0741] G31. The shelving unit of feature G30, wherein the retention
member is a magnet.
[0742] G32. A compartment comprising a shelving unit as defined in
any of the Feature G29 to G31, wherein one end of the support rod
is fixed to a top wall of the compartment and the other end of the
support rod is fixed to an adjacent rear wall of the
compartment.
[0743] G33. The compartment of feature G32, wherein the shelving
unit comprises indexing means arranged to support the shelf at
different heights in the compartment.
[0744] G34. The compartment of G33, wherein the indexing means
comprises a toggle or a ratchet.
[0745] G35. The compartment of feature G34, wherein the shelf
comprises a toggle plate that cooperates with the support rod to
index the shelf along the support rod.
[0746] G36. The compartment of feature G35, wherein the shelf is
indexed along the support rod by frictional engagement.
[0747] G37. The compartment of feature G35 or G36, wherein the
support rod comprises serrations.
[0748] G38. A compartment for a temperature controlled apparatus,
comprising a cavity and a door pivotally connected to the
compartment for closing the cavity by a hinge mechanism, the hinge
mechanism comprises a torsion biasing mechanism comprising a
torsion element supported on a hinge pin and held within a support
bracket such that relative rotation of the hinge pin changes the
strain in the torsion element to bias the door in a closed
configuration.
[0749] G39. The compartment of feature 38, wherein the torsion
element is axially engageable with the hinge pin on assembly.
[0750] G40. The compartment of feature G38 or G39, wherein the
torsion element is a coiled spring.
[0751] G41. The compartment of feature G40, wherein the coiled
spring has a diametrical formation engageable with a diametrical
slot at one end of the hinge pin.
[0752] G42. A thermal break for a temperature controlled apparatus
comprising one or more compartments and a door for closing the one
or more compartments, the thermal break comprising; [0753] an
extrusion profile arranged for cooperating with the door to seal
the one or more compartments from each other and engaging with at
least one edge of the compartment, [0754] wherein the extrusion
profile is arranged to accommodate a heater element.
[0755] G43. The thermal break of feature G42, comprising [0756] a
sealing member having a front sealing face and a rear face; [0757]
at least one engaging portion at the rear face of the sealing
member for engaging with the least one edge of the compartment,
said engaging portion being resiliently pivotally connected to the
rear face of the sealing member.
[0758] G44. The thermal break of feature G43, comprising first and
second said engaging portions, said first and second engaging
portions being arranged to engage with at least one edge of the
compartment and the second engaging portion being arranged to
engage with at least one edge of a door divider.
[0759] G45. The thermal break of feature G44, wherein the first and
second engaging portions cooperate with the rear face of the
sealing member to provide a receiving portion of a connector for
connecting strips of said thermal break together and for locking
the first and/or second engaging portions into engagement with the
edge of the compartment and/or with the door divider.
[0760] G46. The thermal break of feature G44 or G45, wherein the
first engagement portion has a curled cross-sectional profile
defining an resiliently openable slit end for gripping onto an edge
of the door divider.
[0761] G47. The thermal break of any of features G44 to G46,
wherein the second engagement portion is pivotally connected to the
rear face of the sealing member to define a resiliently openable
slot for reception of the edge of the compartment.
[0762] G48. The thermal break of any of the feature G43 to G47,
wherein the at least one engagement profile cooperates with the
rear face of the sealing member to accommodate a heater
element.
[0763] G49. A compartment for a temperature controlled storage
apparatus, comprising an insulated lockable door closable to seal
the compartment; wherein the insulated lockable door is closable to
seal the compartment by a thermal break of any of the features G42
to G48.
[0764] G50. A temperature controlled apparatus comprising
a) one or more compartments of feature G49; b) a controller for
actuating the heater element when the temperature inside the
compartment or the temperature of the thermal break is less than
the dew point temperature of the air external of the temperature
controlled apparatus.
[0765] G51. The temperature controlled apparatus of feature G50,
wherein the dew point temperature is predetermined.
[0766] G52. A temperature controlled storage apparatus,
comprising:-- [0767] a) a plurality of insulated compartments;
[0768] b) a refrigeration system adapted to selectively cool said
compartments and having a defined maximum refrigeration capacity;
[0769] c) a controller receiving data indicating the temperature in
the compartments and adapted to:-- [0770] compare the temperature
in each compartment with a defined desired range of temperature for
that compartment; [0771] selectively allocate the available
refrigeration capacity to all or a sub-group of compartments as
appropriate on the basis of defined urgency criteria such that
those compartments in most need are prioritised and so that the
refrigeration system is not called upon to exceed its defined
maximum refrigeration capacity.
[0772] G53. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in Feature G52, in which the urgency criteria prioritise
compartments having a temperature outside said defined desired
range of temperature.
[0773] G54. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in Feature G52 or Feature G53, in which the urgency criteria
prioritise compartments having temperature excursions outside the
defined desired range of temperature for that compartment
[0774] G55. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in any of Features G52 to G54, in which the controller determines
for each compartment a required refrigeration capacity to maintain
or return the compartment to said defined desired range of
temperature and the urgency criteria include said required
refrigeration capacity.
[0775] G56. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in any of Features G52 to G55, in which the controller ranks the
compartments in an order of urgency and successively allocates
refrigeration capacity to the compartments in order of urgency.
[0776] G57. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in Feature G56, in which the controller ranks the compartments in
an order of urgency and allocates refrigeration capacity to a group
of compartments having a total required refrigeration capacity at
or below the defined maximum refrigeration capacity.
[0777] G58. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in any of Features G52 to G57, in which the defined desired range
for each compartment is remotely programmable.
[0778] G59. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in any of Features G52 to G58, in which the controller continuously
makes the temperature comparison and adapts the selective
allocation of available refrigeration capacity.
[0779] G60. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in any of Features G52 to G59, in which the controller periodically
makes the temperature comparison and adapts the selective
allocation of available refrigeration capacity.
[0780] G61. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in any of Features G52 to G60, in which the refrigeration system is
adapted to cool a sub-group of two compartments.
[0781] G62. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in any of Features G52 to G61, in which the controller relieves any
surplus refrigeration capacity.
[0782] G63. The temperature controlled storage apparatus as defined
in Feature G62, in which the controller bypasses surplus
refrigeration capacity away from the compartments.
* * * * *