U.S. patent application number 17/269481 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-07 for transport container.
The applicant listed for this patent is VA-Q-TEC AG. Invention is credited to Fabian ESCHENBACH, Roland GFELLER, Kristina KLETZEL.
Application Number | 20210309442 17/269481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005697209 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210309442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KLETZEL; Kristina ; et
al. |
October 7, 2021 |
TRANSPORT CONTAINER
Abstract
The invention relates to a transport container, in particular
for the passive chilled transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or
foodstuffs, having an external container (3) which has an external
container base (31) and an external container wall (32); having an
internal container (2) which is able to be inserted into the
external container (3) and retrieved from the external container
(3) and which has an internal container base (21) and an internal
container wall (22); wherein the internal container (2) for cargo
(10) forms an internal container space (23) which is open toward
the top; wherein a spacing (7) on the external container wall (32)
and on the external container base (31) is present between the
internal container (2) and the external container (3); wherein at
least one thermal insulation element (4), in particular a vacuum
insulation panel, is disposed between the internal container (2)
and the external container (3), in particular the external
container wall (32); wherein at least one retrievable PCM element
(5) is disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal
container (2) and the external container (3), in particular the
thermal insulation element (4).
Inventors: |
KLETZEL; Kristina;
(Wurzburg, DE) ; ESCHENBACH; Fabian; (Rottendorf,
DE) ; GFELLER; Roland; (Emmenbrucke, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VA-Q-TEC AG |
Wurzburg |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005697209 |
Appl. No.: |
17/269481 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
August 20, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2019/072260 |
371 Date: |
February 18, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/0213 20130101;
F25D 3/08 20130101; B65D 81/3823 20130101; B65D 81/3825
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38; B65D 21/02 20060101 B65D021/02; F25D 3/08 20060101
F25D003/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 21, 2018 |
DE |
20 2018 104 807.4 |
Claims
1. A transport container, in particular for the passive chilled
transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, having an
external container which has an external container base and an
external container wall; having an internal container which is able
to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the
external container and which has an internal container base and an
internal container wall; wherein the internal container forms an
internal container space for cargo which is open toward the top;
wherein on the external container wall and on the external
container base a spacing is present between the internal container
and the external container; wherein at least one thermal insulation
element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed
between the internal container and the external container, in
particular the external container wall; wherein at least one
retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed
between the internal container and the external container, in
particular the thermal insulation element.
2. A transport container, in particular for the passive chilled
transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, having an
external container which has an external container base and an
external container wall; having an internal container which is able
to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the
external container and which has an internal container base and an
internal container wall; wherein the internal container forms an
internal container space for cargo which is open toward the top;
wherein on the external container wall and on the external
container base a spacing is present between the internal container
and the external container; wherein the external container is or
forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element; wherein at least
one retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed
between the internal container and the external container.
3. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least
one thermal insulation element is disposed on the internal side of
the external container base and/or on the internal side of the
external container wall.
4. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
retrievable PCM element is disposed and/or able to be disposed
between the internal container base and the external container
base.
5. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least
two, preferably four, retrievable PCM elements are disposed and/or
able to be disposed between the internal container wall and the
external container wall.
6. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein exactly
one thermal insulation element, in particular exactly one vacuum
insulation panel, which extends between the internal container wall
and the external container wall as well as between the internal
container base and the external container base and is folded and/or
bent, is disposed between the internal container and the external
container.
7. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
internal container on an upper periphery has an encircling collar
that reaches outward beyond the internal container wall, and
wherein the transport container has an internal container support
on which the collar of the internal container bears in the inserted
state.
8. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
internal container support supports the internal container in the
inserted state.
9. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
internal container support in the inserted state is disposed on the
thermal insulation element/elements and/or the PCM element/elements
and/or on the external container wall.
10. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
internal container support is fixedly connected to the collar of
the internal container.
11. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
internal container support at least in portions has a stepped cross
section.
12. The transport container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
internal container support encircles the external container wall on
the inside.
13. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
preferably retrievable positioning installation for the PCM
element/elements is disposed between the external container and the
internal container, in particular between the thermal insulation
element/elements and the internal container base.
14. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
transport container has a lid for closing the transport container,
in particular exactly one lid for closing the external container
and the internal container.
15. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lid
in the closed state of the transport container bears on the
internal container support and/or the collar of the internal
container.
16. The transport container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lid
has a closure installation that complements the internal container
support.
17. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein at
least one thermal insulation element, in particular a vacuum
insulation panel, is disposed on the lid.
18. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lid
is or forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element.
19. The transport container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lid
can be sealed to the internal container.
20. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
positioning installation and/or the internal container support
and/or the lid and/or the closure installation of the lid comprises
or is composed of expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded
polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), or polyurethane
(PUR).
21. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
internal container for sub-dividing the internal container space
into two separate chambers has a retrievable divider.
22. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
transport container has a further internal container which is able
to be inserted into the external container and retrieved from the
external container; the further internal container forms a further
internal container space for cargo which is open toward the top;
and on the external container wall and on the external container
base a spacing is present between the further internal container
and the external container.
23. The transport container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
transport container has a measuring installation for measuring the
temperature in the internal container space.
24. A method for transporting a cargo, in particular
pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, by means of a plurality of
transport containers, wherein each transport container has: an
external container which has an external container base and an
external container wall; an internal container which is able to be
inserted into the external container and retrieved from the
external container and which has an internal container base and an
internal container wall; wherein the internal container forms an
internal container space for the cargo which is open toward the
top; wherein on the external container wall and on the external
container base a spacing is present between the internal container
and the external container; wherein at least one thermal insulation
element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed
between the internal container and the external container; wherein
at least one PCM element is disposed between the internal container
and the external container, in particular the thermal insulation
element; wherein the cargo is initially disposed in the internal
container space of an internal container; wherein said internal
container is optionally closed with a lid of the internal
container; wherein said internal container is optionally sealed
with the lid; wherein said internal container is optionally
transported with the cargo; wherein said internal container is
inserted into one of the external containers; wherein the transport
container is transported with said internal container, said
external container and the cargo; wherein said internal container
including the cargo is retrieved from said external container; and
wherein said internal container including the cargo is inserted
into another external container.
25. (canceled)
26. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the transport
containers differ in terms of the number of PCM elements and/or the
phase change material of the PCM elements.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a transport container, in
particular for the passive chilled transportation of
pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs. The present invention
furthermore relates to a method for transporting a cargo by means
of a plurality of transport containers. The cargo may be formed by
pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs.
[0002] Transport containers of the type discussed are known in many
variations from the prior art. Said transport containers serve for
organizing the transportation of pharmaceutical goods in the goods
distribution cycle of the pharmaceutical industry, for example.
Such a transport system in the jargon of the sector is referred to
as "Returnable Domestic Shipper" (RDS; RDS box). The fundamental
component of a transport container of this type is ultimately a
container which has a base, a case, and a lid. Such a container can
be embodied so as to be cuboid or box-shaped. The case in this case
has longitudinal walls and transverse walls. The container can also
be embodied so as to be cylindrical or tubular. The case in this
embodiment in turn has a cylindrical shape. The case can be
embodied so as to be integral to the base. The lid is configured
such that the internal space of the container is accessible from
the outside.
[0003] Transport containers of the type discussed are thermally
insulated containers. The following two embodiments are, inter
alia, known herein. On the one hand, the container can be
integrally configured and composed of a thermally insulated
material, or have thermally insulated walls. On the other hand, at
least one thermal insulation element can be disposed in the
container.
[0004] Temperature-sensitive goods can be transported with
transport containers of this type. These are understood to be goods
which are sensitive in relation to fluctuations of the temperature
in the internal space of the container. Such goods include
pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, biotechnology products, testing
apparatuses, and specimens for and from clinical studies,
transplantation goods, and blood supplies. In this field of
application the optimum transport and storage temperature to be
absolutely adhered to is between 2.degree. C. and 8.degree. C., for
example.
[0005] These cargoes are often, if at all, stable only in a very
tight temperature range. These cargoes therefore have to be
mandatorily transported and stored in a temperature range of this
type. Moreover, such products which are highly sensitive in terms
of the transport temperature must in particular not freeze under
any circumstances. Temperatures below 0.degree. C. have to be
reliably avoided in this instance.
[0006] A transport container which has an external container from a
stiff resilient material and which is composed of a trough-shaped
lower part that has a base and a case, and a lid that closes the
lower part on the open side, is known from EP 2 700 891 A2. The
external container and the lid thereof can be composed of a thermal
plastic or thermosetting plastics material, for example, or else of
metal or composite materials. The lid can be able to be placed
loosely on the lower part or else, by way of corresponding hinge
elements, be articulated on one side and optionally able to be
closed in one way or another on the opposite side.
[0007] It is furthermore known that a trough-shaped internal
container which has an internal base and an internal case, or an
internal wall, respectively, and is inserted into the lower part of
the external container is provided in the external container. The
internal container forms a receptacle space which for cargo is open
toward the top. This internal container, which can also be referred
to as an "inliner", can per se be composed of rigid resilient
material, thus of a material similar to that of the external
container. Said internal container is preferably composed of a
thermally insulating material.
[0008] In order to be inserted into the external container, the
internal container of the known transport container in terms of the
dimensions thereof has to be embodied smaller than the lower part
of the external container such that a spacing on the case and also
on the base is present between the internal container and the
external container. Vacuum insulation panels of suitable dimensions
are disposed in this spacing on the base as well as on the walls of
the case, between the internal container and the external
container. The internal container at the upper periphery has an
encircling collar which reaches outward beyond the internal case
and on account of which the spacing between the internal container
and the external container is covered such that no foreign matter
can enter from above.
[0009] A plate-shaped latent heat accumulator element is disposed
on the internal base in the receptacle space of the internal
container, the external dimensions of said latent heat accumulator
element potentially corresponding to the internal dimensions of the
internal base in the receptacle space, thus the available length of
said internal base and the available width of said internal
base.
[0010] A latent heat accumulator element contains a latent heat
accumulator material. A latent heat accumulator material has the
advantage that comparatively large quantities of heat can be
accumulated in a small temperature range therein. Since the phase
change takes place at a substantially constant temperature over a
specific duration, there is the possibility for compensating
temperature fluctuations and avoiding temperature peaks. Latent
heat accumulator materials are known in various forms. These
materials are also referred to as phase change material or PCM. For
phase change materials one typically does not define the phase
change temperature range but a phase change temperature within the
phase change temperature range. The phase change temperature
usually represents a target temperature to which the phase change
material is to be temperature controlled, thus the operating point,
so to speak. At a target temperature of approximately 0.degree. C.,
water having various additives can thus be used as a latent heat
accumulator material. Suitably prepared saline solutions are used
for accumulating cold below 0.degree. C., for example. Other
materials, for example such based on paraffin, are better suited in
the range just above 0.degree. C.
[0011] In the assembly of the latent heat accumulator element, also
referred to as PCM element, known from the prior art it is provided
that said PCM element is adapted so as to exactly fit the internal
space of the internal container and simultaneously also to be
removable from the internal space.
[0012] The known transport container explained above is of a
comparatively complex design. The complex design is also a result
of different latent heat accumulator elements which differ from one
another in terms of their geometric shape and are mutually adapted
for an exact fit being inserted into the internal container.
Different shapes and sizes of latent heat accumulator elements thus
have to be kept ready and in each case be inserted individually
into the internal container so as to be mutually modified and/or
adapted. A system of this type is comparatively complex and
expensive for the cycle of goods geared towards ideally high
efficiency, for example in the pharmaceutical products sector or
else in the foodstuffs transportation sector.
[0013] It is furthermore disadvantageous in the known embodiment of
the container that the latent heat accumulator elements can be
relatively easily damaged. The latent heat accumulator elements are
exposed to high stress each time the cargo is removed from the
container. Moreover, when retrieving the cargo from the transport
container attention has at all times to be paid to the latent heat
accumulator increments not being damaged, on the one hand. On the
other hand, it has to be taken into account that the PCM elements
are securely held or fixed, respectively, in position.
[0014] The teaching of the present invention is therefore based on
the object of designing and refining the transport container of the
type discussed such that said transport container can be more
flexibly adapted to the intended use, wherein the ease of handling
of the transport container is to be improved.
[0015] Accordingly, the teaching of the present invention is also
based on the object of specifying a correspondingly improved method
for transporting cargo by means of a plurality of transport
containers.
[0016] The present invention achieves the object stated above in a
transport container of the aforementioned type with the features of
claim 1 or claim 2. Preferred design embodiments and refinements
are the subject matter of the dependent claims relating to the
transport container.
[0017] Provided according to a first embodiment according to claim
1, is a transport container, in particular for the passive chilled
transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, which has an
external container and an internal container which is able to be
inserted into the external container and retrieved from the
external container. The external container has an external
container base and an external container wall. The internal
container in turn has an internal container base and internal
container wall. The internal container for cargo forms an internal
container space which is open toward the top. A spacing on the
external container wall and on the external container base is
provided between the internal container and the external container.
Furthermore, at least one thermal insulation element, in particular
a vacuum insulation panel, is disposed between the internal
container and the external container, in particular the external
container wall. At least one retrievable PCM element is disposed
and/or able to be disposed between the internal container and the
external container.
[0018] The property "retrievable" in the context of the present
invention is to be understood such that the corresponding component
can be retrieved and re-inserted without said component per se or
other components being damaged.
[0019] In terms of vacuum insulation panels in the context of the
present invention, reference may be made to the prior art from EP 2
700 891 A2 and DE 20 2014 004 515 U1. Examples for the design of
vacuum insulation panels are provided therein. Further information
pertaining to vacuum insulation panels is also derived from WO
2004/104498 A2.
[0020] According to the invention, the PCM element can also be
referred to as a latent heat accumulator element. These
descriptions are in particular used synonymously hereunder.
[0021] A latent heat accumulator element, or a PCM element,
respectively, according to the present invention is a latent heat
accumulator material in a casing which is optionally also provided
with a pressure compensation valve. Said latent heat accumulator
material is preferably a macro-encapsulated latent heat accumulator
material. However, micro-encapsulated latent heat accumulator
materials can also be used. The casing is often from a plastics
material. The fundamental construction is known, for example, from
so-called "cold packs".
[0022] Latent heat accumulator elements, or PCM elements,
respectively, of this type can be considered individually or else
as a plurality of latent heat accumulator elements which are
installed in a corresponding container, for example.
[0023] PCM elements of the type discussed have in the meantime
become available for a raft of target temperatures. In particular,
latent heat accumulator elements or PCM elements, respectively, can
be used for target temperatures of 37.degree. C., 22.degree. C.
18.degree. C., 5.degree. C., 0.degree. C., -19.degree. C.,
-21.degree. C., -26.degree. C., and -37.degree. C.
[0024] Passive chilled transportation in the context of the present
invention is to be understood as transportation of cargo in which
no "active" cooling is provided. The cooling of the cargo according
to the invention takes place "passively" by the transport container
to which no external, in particular electrical, auxiliary power is
supplied during the transportation. The cooling, or the thermal
insulation, respectively, is ultimately provided by the design and
the materials of the transport container.
[0025] In a second embodiment according to claim 2 a transport
container having the features of claim 2 is moreover provided.
[0026] The second embodiment of the present invention relates to a
transport container, in particular for the passive chilled
transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs, which has an
external container and an internal container which is able to be
inserted into the external container and retrieved from the
internal container. The external container has an external
container base and an external container wall. The internal
container in turn has an internal container base and an internal
container wall. The internal container for the cargo forms an
internal container space which is open toward the top. A spacing on
the external container wall and on the external container base is
present between the internal container and the external container.
The external container is, or forms, respectively, a thermal
insulation element. At least one retrievable PCM element is
disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container
and the external container.
[0027] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment of
the invention in particular in that the thermal insulation element
is formed by the external container. This is not "mandatorily"
provided in the first embodiment in which at least one thermal
insulation element is disposed between the internal container and
the external container. The configuration of the external container
as a thermal insulation element enables a separate thermal
insulation element to be dispensed with. The transport container in
terms of construction is thus significantly simplified. Material
can be saved, on the one hand, and the construction can be designed
so as to be more user-friendly, on the other hand.
[0028] In both embodiments the external container is preferably
composed of a stiff, resilient material.
[0029] It is relevant to the invention in the case of the first as
well as the second embodiment that the retrievable PCM element is
disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container
and the external container. This disposal enables the PCM element
to be protected, and a flexible use of the entire transport
container that is highly modular and individually adaptable to the
respective transport route.
[0030] It has been established according to the invention that the
entire procedure of the transportation of cargo can be simplified
by a corresponding disposal of the latent heat accumulator element,
or of the PCM element, respectively. A number of advantages which
will be discussed hereunder emerge in combination with the
transport container according to the invention.
[0031] It is particularly advantageous in the design embodiment
according to the invention that a raft of potential variations are
present, wherein the thermal requirements which are set for the
transport container can be met at all times as a function of the
respective intended deployment or use, respectively.
[0032] It is thus particularly advantageous that the internal
container can be retrieved conjointly, in particular solely, with
the cargo in order for the cargo to be retrieved. In particular, no
thermal insulation elements and/or PCM elements are disposed in the
internal container. In particular, the internal container is not
connected to thermal insulation elements and/or PCM elements. The
consignor or consignee of the cargo can consequently readily
transport the cargo in and with the internal container. When
transporting the cargo, it can consequently also be guaranteed that
the cargo is not exposed, in particular at least not directly, to
external influences when said cargo has been retrieved from the
external container, in particular wherein the internal container
space is closed.
[0033] For example, the pharmaceutical and/or the foodstuff (cargo)
in the internal container can be hooked up to a separate cooling
circuit which may also be designed as an active cooling circuit. In
particular, the cargo in the internal container can be transported
under active cooling to the external container.
[0034] The internal container can be inserted into an external
container any number of times in order for the performance, in
particular transportation range, to be increased.
[0035] Upon retrieving the internal container from the external
container, the external container conjointly with the PCM
element/elements and in particular the thermal insulation
element/elements can be transported onward and/or returned to the
consignor. This is advantageous with a view to the consignee being
able to be handed over the cargo with the internal container
without a transfer of the particularly expensive PCM elements
having to take place.
[0036] Moreover, a multiplicity of different internal containers
can be (successively) disposed in an external container so as to
form "new" transport containers. This significantly simplifies the
transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo.
[0037] Moreover, the invention is advantageously distinguished in
that the PCM element is protected against wear and mechanical
stress, on the one hand, and by being spaced apart by way of the
internal container does not have any direct contact with the cargo.
This simplifies in particular the aspect of hygiene or sanitizing,
respectively, of the internal container space, respectively.
[0038] Furthermore, contact between the cargo and the material of
the PCM element can be avoided in the case of any leakage of the
latter, or vice versa. This significantly increases the safety and
the protection of the cargo when the cargo is transported.
[0039] On account of the use of the PCM element according to the
invention the most efficient form of a heat accumulator element is
in particular utilized. In addition, the use of further heat
accumulator elements is also conceivable, for example a heat
accumulator element which is based on sensitive heat such as a cool
pack and/or even a heat accumulator block of great mass (for
example of stone or fireclay).
[0040] The costs of the transport container according to the
invention can be significantly reduced in comparison to transport
containers known from the prior art. The transport container can be
used for a significantly longer time, on the one hand, in
particular by virtue of the disposal of the PCM elements protected
against wear. On the other hand, the costs can be reduced in that
the entire construction of the transport container can be
simplified and is in particular of modular construction.
[0041] The preferred embodiments described hereunder relate
according to the invention to the first embodiment as well as to
the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] The internal container is preferably designed so as to be
washable and/or suitable for foodstuffs.
[0043] In one particularly preferred embodiment, at least one
thermal insulation element is disposed on the internal side of the
external container base and/or on the internal side of the external
container wall. It can preferably be provided that the at least one
thermal insulation element bears on the internal side of the
external container base, or the external container wall,
respectively, and/or interacts in a form-fitting manner with the
respective internal side. The thermal insulation element most
particularly preferably has a shape of such type that said thermal
insulation element bears at least substantially over the full area
on the internal side of the external container wall and/or of the
external container base. For example, it can be provided that the
thermal insulation element, preferably the vacuum insulation panel,
is disposed so as to be able to be retrieved on the internal side
of the external container base and/or of the external container
wall. Alternatively, the thermal insulation element can be fixedly
connected to the internal side of the external container wall, or
the internal side of the external container base, respectively.
[0044] Furthermore preferably, a retrievable PCM element can be
disposed and/or able to be disposed between the internal container
base and the external container base. Alternatively or
additionally, at least two, preferably four, retrievable PCM
elements can be disposed and/or able to be disposed between the
internal container wall and the external container wall. The
aforementioned disposal of the PCM elements enables the PCM
elements to be replaced in a simple manner. This is advantageous in
particular when the transport container is to be adapted to
different transport purposes, or to the different target
temperatures, respectively. A replacement of damaged PCM elements
is thus also enabled in a comparatively simple manner.
[0045] It is in particular provided that a PCM element faces the
external container base, wherein the further PCM elements or the
further PCM element can face the external container wall. The
design embodiment and the disposal of the PCM elements on the
respective wall can be selected as a function of the intended use
and in particular of the target temperature, in a manner
corresponding to the cargo.
[0046] The PCM elements are preferably not readily accessible from
the outside, that is to say proceeding from the internal container
space. For example, it can be provided that the internal container
including the internal container wall has to firstly be removed
from the transport container in order to "reach" the PCM elements.
On account thereof, any manipulation of and/or damage to the PCM
elements in the inserted state of the transport container is at
least substantially reliably avoided.
[0047] The plurality of the PCM elements and/or of the thermal
insulation elements, to the extent that said elements differ in
mechanical terms, advantageously have at least almost identical
properties (in particular thermal properties).
[0048] In the afore described transport container it can be
provided in a further preferred embodiment that exactly one thermal
insulation element, in particular exactly one vacuum insulation
panel, is disposed between the internal container and the external
container. The exactly one thermal insulation element can extend
between the internal container wall and the external container wall
as well as between the internal container base and the external
container base, wherein the exactly one thermal insulation element
is folded and/or bent.
[0049] It is preferable for the thermal insulation element to have
at least substantially the shape of the external container and/or
to be configured so as to correspond to the shape of the external
container and/or of the internal container. The internal container
herein can be configured in such a manner that said internal
container is able to be inserted through the opening formed by the
thermal insulation element. The thermal insulation element can in
turn be able to be inserted into the external container. The
insulation of the transport container can in particular be improved
by a "contiguous" configuration of the thermal insulation element.
Gaps or crannies by way of which a minor temperature exchange would
otherwise be enabled are thus in particular avoided. A large face
provided on account of the substantially integral thermal
insulation element also enables a positive thermal insulation of
the transport container. A modular "dismantlable" transport
container is likewise provided in particular in the case of an
integral configuration of the thermal insulation element, and/or a
retrieval of the thermal insulation element can be carried out in a
particularly simple manner without the risk of any damage to the
thermal insulation element/elements.
[0050] The size of the internal container base area preferably is
at least 70% of the size of the external container base area. By
virtue of the outstanding insulating properties of vacuum
insulation panels it is possible for the space between the internal
container base area and the external container base area to be kept
small such that an internal container base area which in terms of
size is similar to that of the external container base area is
provided.
[0051] In one further preferred design embodiment of the transport
container it can be provided that the internal container at an
upper periphery has an encircling collar that reaches outward
beyond the internal container wall, and that the transport
container has an internal container support on which the collar of
the internal container bears in the inserted state. A configuration
of this type can be provided in such a manner that the collar has a
shape which corresponds to the shape of the internal container
support. This enables the collar and the internal container support
to latch into one another and/or engage in one another.
[0052] It is preferably provided that the internal container
support supports the internal container in the inserted state.
[0053] It is preferable for the internal container support in the
inserted state to be disposed on the thermal insulation
element/elements and/or the PCM element/elements and/or on the
external container wall.
[0054] It is furthermore preferable for the internal container
support to be fixedly connected to the collar of the internal
container. The internal container support in this instance is
configured as a component which is releasable from the external
container. The internal container support can in particular be
connected in a materially integral and/or form-fitting manner to
the collar, and/or in a materially integral and/or form-fitting
manner to the internal container wall of the internal
container.
[0055] The material of the internal container support can differ
from the material of the collar, of the internal container base,
and/or of the internal container wall.
[0056] The shape of the internal container support, and the shape
of the collar of the internal container, at least that portion that
faces the internal container support in the inserted state, are in
particular configured so as to correspond to one another. A
connection between the collar and the internal container wall is in
particular configured in such a manner that the internal container
space is aligned in the closed state of the transport container. It
is understood herein that not the entire collar has to mandatorily
be adjacent to the internal container support. It is ultimately
sufficient for the collar to have a contact portion for disposing
the internal container support. This contact portion of the collar
can in particular have a shape which corresponds to and/or
complements that of the internal container support.
[0057] It is particularly preferable for the internal container
support, at least in portions, preferably on the contact portion
that faces the collar and/or is to be disposed on the collar, to
have a stepped cross section.
[0058] The internal container support can encircle the external
container wall on the inside.
[0059] In the case of the external container wall encircling the
inside it can be provided that the internal container support in an
encircling manner can be adjacent to and/or bear on the internal
side of the external container wall that faces the internal
container and/or on an upper periphery of the external container
wall. A preferably encircling protrusion and/or projecting collar
can be provided on the internal side of the external container wall
for the internal container support to bear on. The available
spacing between the internal container and the external container
can in particular be bridged by way of the internal container
support such that the internal container, preferably the collar of
the internal container, by way of the internal container support is
connected indirectly to the external container, in particular the
internal side of the external container wall and/or the protrusion
and/or the projecting collar of the external container.
[0060] It can be achieved by the stepped cross section, for
example, that the sealing function in the inserted state, and in
particular in the closed state, of the transport container can be
improved. It has been demonstrated that the at least substantially
tight connection to the collar of the internal container support in
the inserted state can be improved by way of the internal container
support which at least in portions has a stepped cross section. A
preferably form-fitting disposal of the internal container on the
external container can also be simplified by way of being adapted
to a substantially exact fit on the stepped cross section of the
internal container support.
[0061] In one further preferred embodiment it can furthermore be
provided that a positioning installation for the PCM element or
elements, respectively, is disposed between the external container
and the internal container. The positioning installation can in
particular be disposed between the thermal insulation
element/elements and the internal container base. In terms of
handling it is particularly advantageous for the positioning
installation to be configured so as to be retrievable. The
positioning installation serves for positioning and mounting the
PCM elements and enables the latent heat accumulator elements to be
readily inserted into the external container, or on the internal
side of the external container wall that faces the internal
container, respectively. The positioning installation moreover
contributes toward stabilizing the PCM elements and reducing
thermal bridges.
[0062] The positioning installation can be configured such that
said positioning installation also contributes toward positioning
and/or protecting the thermal insulation element/elements.
[0063] The positioning installation can be configured, for example,
as a plate-shaped space holder which is able to be placed onto the
external container base, in particular wherein the positioning
installation has a plate-shaped baseplate. The positioning
installation can furthermore have a preferably encircling,
projecting leg, in particular wherein the leg projects from the
baseplate and/or the spacing between the outer periphery of the
baseplate and the leg can correspond at least substantially to the
thickness, or the width, respectively, of the PCM element. The
basic shape of the positioning installation, in particular of the
baseplate, can in particular correspond to the shape of the
external container base.
[0064] In one further preferred embodiment of the concept of the
invention it can moreover be provided that the transport container
has a lid for closing the transport container.
[0065] Exactly one lid for closing the external container and the
internal container is preferably provided. It can be ensured by the
exactly one lid that the internal container as well as the external
container can be sealed in the inserted state such that the
transport container can provide the required thermal insulation
properties. By disposing the lid on, or on top of, respectively,
the internal container as well as on, or on top of, respectively,
the external container it can be guaranteed that the internal
container as well as the external container can simultaneously be
closed in an at least substantially reliable manner by the lid.
[0066] Alternatively, in the sense of a "lid system", the lid can
have an internal container lid for closing the internal container
and a separate external container lid for closing the external
container, wherein for closing the transport container the internal
container lid is initially disposed on the internal container, in
particular the collar of the internal container and/or the internal
container support, thus closing the internal container. The
external container lid is subsequently disposed on the external
container, in particular the upper periphery of the external
container, and can thus close the latter. The internal container
lid and the external container lid in the closed state of the
transport container can be mutually adjacent and/or be disposed
next to one another. The internal container lid and the external
container lid herein can preferably engage in one another in a
form-fitting manner and/or latch into one another.
[0067] The lid, in particular the internal container lid, in the
closed state of the transport container preferably bears on the
internal container support and/or the collar of the internal
container. It is preferable herein for the lid, in particular the
internal container lid, to have a closure installation which
complements the internal container support. It is in particular
provided that the closure installation is also disposed on the
collar of the internal container and closes and/or seals the latter
in the inserted state and in the closed state of the transport
container. The closure installation can be provided on the
periphery of the lid so as to at least substantially encircle the
latter. It can be provided herein that the closure installation has
a shape which corresponds to and/or complements the cross section,
in particular the stepped cross section, of the internal container
support.
[0068] The lid, in particular the internal container lid and/or the
external container lid, can be configured so as to be integral or
in multiple parts.
[0069] In one further preferred embodiment it can be provided that
at least one thermal insulation element, preferably a vacuum
insulation panel, is disposed and/or bordered on the lid, in
particular in the internal container lid. The thermal insulation
element can be bordered and/or enclosed in a main body of the
internal container lid and/or of the external container lid. The
thermal insulation element herein can be connected in a
form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to the main body of the
internal container lid and/or of the external container lid.
[0070] According to one further preferred embodiment, at least one
latching means which is configured for interacting in a
form-fitting manner with a further latching means on the external
side of the external container wall that faces away from the
internal container can be provided on the external container lid.
The lid can thus be disposed in a reliable and in particular
form-fitting manner on the external container. The latching means
and the further latching means can be configured so as to
correspond to one another and/or complement one another. For
example, the latching means can be configured as an opening, and
the further latching means can be configured as a protrusion for
engaging in the opening of the latching means, or vice versa.
[0071] The lid can furthermore be sealable to the internal
container. Sealing the lid to the internal container is
particularly advantageous for transporting the cargo in that the
cargo can be protected. Any manipulation of the cargo during
transport can thus be at least detected or identified,
respectively. If a seal were to be broken it is unequivocally
obvious to the person retrieving the cargo that the internal
container has been opened. It can thus be checked whether the cargo
has been accessed during the transportation.
[0072] Expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS),
extruded polystyrene (XPS), and/or polyurethane (PUR) can be
provided as the material for the positioning installation and/or
the internal container support and/or the lid, in particular the
internal container lid and/or the external container lid and/or the
closure installation of the lid. The aforementioned installations
can be composed of this material or comprise this material. The
material is in particular distinguished by a positive thermal
insulation effect which improves the entire thermal insulation of
the transport container.
[0073] It can furthermore be provided that the internal container
has a retrievable divide for sub-dividing the internal container
space into two separate chambers. It can be enabled by the divide
that the internal container space can be subdivided into two
portions for receiving cargo. This proves particularly advantageous
when two types of cargo are to be transported which must not come
in contact with one another, or must not bear on one another,
respectively. For example, when two different pharmaceuticals are
being transported, one pharmaceutical can in each case be placed in
one chamber of the internal container space.
[0074] The transport container preferably has a further internal
container which is able to be inserted into the external container
and retrieved from the external container. The further internal
container for cargo forms a further internal container space which
is open toward the top. A spacing on the external container wall
and on the external container base is present between the further
internal container and the external container. At least one
retrievable PCM element can in particular be disposed in this
spacing between the further internal container and the external
container.
[0075] It is understood that the described preferred design
embodiments of the internal container according to the invention
can also be provided in an analogous manner for the further
internal container.
[0076] It is not precluded according to the invention that a
plurality of further internal containers which can be inserted into
the external container are provided. The internal container can
ultimately also be configured in multiple parts. Separate chambers
which in turn can serve for receiving, in particular different
types of, cargo can be provided by a plurality of (further)
internal containers.
[0077] The transport container can have a measuring installation
for checking and/or measuring the temperature in the internal
container space. In particular, the measuring installation has a
temperature sensor. The measuring installation can be coupled
and/or connected to a display installation in such a manner that
the temperature in the internal container space can be displayed
at, or on, respectively, the display installation, for example. The
display installation can be disposed on the external side on the
transport container, for example, such that the temperature in the
internal container space in the closed state of the transport
container can be displayed to third parties on the external side
without the transport container having to be opened.
[0078] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates
to a method for transporting cargo. Pharmaceuticals and/or
foodstuffs are in particular envisaged as a cargo. Preferred design
embodiments and refinements of the method according to the
invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims relating
to the method.
[0079] In the method according to the invention, the cargo is
transported by a plurality of transport containers. Each transport
container has an external container which has an external container
base and an external container wall. Likewise provided is an
internal container of the transport container that is able to be
inserted into the external container and retrieved from the
external container. The internal container has an internal
container base and an internal container wall. The internal
container for the cargo forms an internal container space which is
open toward the top. A spacing on the external container wall and
on the external container base is present between the internal
container and the external container. At least one thermal
insulation element, in particular a vacuum insulation panel, is
disposed between the internal container and the external container.
At least one PCM element is disposed between the internal container
and the external container, in particular the thermal insulation
element.
[0080] In the method according to the invention only transport
containers of the type described above are most particularly
preferably used. It is understood that the advantages and
particular embodiments of the transport container according to the
invention discussed above apply in analogous manner also to the
transport method according to the invention. In order to avoid
unnecessary repetitions, reference may be made to the preceding
explanations.
[0081] In the method according to the invention it is provided that
the cargo is initially disposed in the internal container space of
an internal container.
[0082] Said internal container can be closed with a lid. Said
internal container can subsequently be sealed to the lid. Moreover,
said internal container can be transported with the cargo. The
cargo herein can be actively cooled.
[0083] After the cargo has been disposed in said internal
container, and optionally after one or a plurality of the optional
steps described above, said internal container is inserted into an
external container. Thereafter, the transport container is
transported with said internal container, said external container,
and the cargo.
[0084] Said internal container including the cargo is retrieved
from said external container in particular after transportation.
Said internal container including the cargo is later inserted into
another external container. Thereafter, the transport container can
be transported with said internal container, the other external
container, and the cargo.
[0085] The high potential for variation of the method according to
the invention and of the transport container according to the
invention is demonstrated by means of the procedure discussed
above. Above all, the fact that an internal container can be
successively inserted into a plurality of external containers so as
to form a transport container contributes to the high degree of
flexibility, this proving advantageous in the logistics flow, or
for the transportation of the cargo, respectively.
[0086] The transport containers which are used in the method
according to the invention can differ in terms of the number of PCM
elements and/or the phase change material of the PCM elements. For
example, the different transport containers can have different
thermal properties which are designed as a function of the
respective transport route.
[0087] It is particularly preferably provided according to the
invention that the transport container and/or the transport
container used in the method is configured as a stackable
container. A potential for stacking the transport container proves
advantageous in terms of the transportation in that a plurality of
transport containers can be disposed on top of one another and
herein in particular bear on one another, or are adjacent to one
another, respectively, so as to be at least substantially secured
against slipping.
[0088] Further features, advantages, and fields of application of
the present invention are derived from the description of exemplary
embodiments hereunder by means of the drawing and the drawing per
se. All described and/or visualized features herein form the
subject matter of the present invention individually or in any
combination, independently of the combination and back-references
of said features in the claims.
[0089] The invention will now be explained in more detail hereunder
by means of a drawing which merely illustrates a preferred
exemplary embodiment. In the drawing:
[0090] FIG. 1 in a perspective view schematically shows a preferred
embodiment of a transport container according to the invention;
[0091] FIG. 2 in a perspective view schematically shows the
transport container from FIG. 1 in an opened state;
[0092] FIG. 3 in an exploded view schematically shows the transport
container from FIG. 1;
[0093] FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-section along the line
IV-IV of the transport container from FIG. 1;
[0094] FIG. 5 schematically shows a cross-section along the line
V-V of the transport container from FIG. 1; and
[0095] FIG. 6 in a perspective view schematically shows the
transport container from FIG. 2 with a cargo.
[0096] FIG. 1 in a perspective view schematically shows a preferred
embodiment of a transport container 1 according to the invention,
which is provided in particular for the passive chilled
transportation of pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs which can form
a cargo 10.
[0097] FIGS. 2 to 5 show further views of the transport container
1. FIG. 2 in a perspective view thus schematically shows the
transport container 1 in an opened state (without a lid 6). FIG. 3
in an exploded view schematically shows the transport container 1.
FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-section along the line IV-IV of
the transport container 1. FIG. 5 schematically shows a
cross-section along the line V-V of the transport container 1.
[0098] A transport container 1 filled with a schematically
indicated cargo 10 is illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0099] FIGS. 1 to 6 show that the transport container 1 has an
external container 3. The external container 3 has an external
container base 31 and an external container wall 32.
[0100] The transport container 1 furthermore has an internal
container 2 which is able to be inserted into the external
container 3 and retrieved from the external container 3. The
internal container 2 has an internal container base 21 and an
internal container wall 22. The internal container 2 is configured
in such a manner that said internal container 2 for cargo 10 forms
an internal container space 23 which is open toward the top.
[0101] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6 it is provided
that the cargo 10 is disposed in the internal container space
23.
[0102] It can be seen from FIG. 4 that a spacing 7 on the external
container wall 32 and on the external container base 31 is present
between the internal container 2 and the external container 3. The
spacing 7 in the preferred exemplary embodiment illustrated here
indicates the available spacing between the external container 3
and the internal container 2. The spacing 7 herein proceeds from
the internal side of the external container wall 32 that faces the
internal container 2 and terminates at the external side of the
internal container wall 22 that faces the external container 3. The
spacing 7 ultimately results in the "assembled" state of the
transport container 1 in which the internal container 2 is inserted
into the external container 3.
[0103] The spacing 7 is likewise shown in FIG. 5. The internal
container 2 in the inserted state does not bear directly on the
external container wall 32.
[0104] It is furthermore illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 that at least
one thermal insulation element 4 is disposed between the internal
container 2 and the external container 3. In the preferred
exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the thermal
insulation element 4 is disposed between the internal container 2,
more specifically, or in particular, respectively, between the
external side of the internal container wall 22 that faces the
external container 3 and the internal side of the external
container wall 32, as well as the external side of the internal
container base 21 that faces the external container 3 and the
internal side of the external container base 32.
[0105] The variant in which at least one thermal insulation element
4 is disposed either on the internal side of the external container
base 31 or on the internal side of the external container wall 32
is not illustrated.
[0106] In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the
thermal insulation element 4 is configured as a vacuum insulation
panel.
[0107] The sectional illustrations according to FIGS. 4 and 5
moreover show that at least one retrievable PCM element 5 is
disposed and able to be disposed between the internal container 2
and the external container 3. The PCM element 5 can in particular
be disposed between the internal container 2 and the thermal
insulation element 4, as is also shown in the preferred exemplary
embodiment according to the sectional illustrations of FIGS. 4 and
5.
[0108] In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, it is
provided that a plurality of PCM elements 5 are present. In
particular, the PCM elements have an at least substantially
identical phase change material.
[0109] In a further preferred embodiment not illustrated it is
provided that the external container 3 in the transport container 1
is, or forms, respectively, a thermal insulation element 4. In
comparison to the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment,
the thermal insulation element 4 disposed between the internal
container 2 and the external container 3 can be dispensed with in
the further preferred embodiment.
[0110] The features set forth hereunder relate in particular to the
first-described, illustrated and preferred embodiment of the
transport container 1. It is however understood that these features
can be applied, or transferred, respectively, in the same manner
also to the not-illustrated and further preferred embodiment of the
transport container 1, in which the external container 3 is, or
forms, respectively, the thermal insulation element 4.
[0111] Exactly one retrievable PCM element 5 is disposed between
the internal container base 21 and the external container base 31
in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment.
[0112] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at
least two retrievable PCM elements 5 are disposed and/or able to be
disposed between the internal container wall 22 and the external
container wall 32. In the schematic exploded view of the components
of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 it is illustrated
that six retrievable PCM elements 5 are disposed between the
internal container wall 22 and the external container wall 32 in
the "inserted state". It is however particularly preferable for
exactly four retrievable PCM elements 5 to be disposed between the
internal container wall 22 and the external container wall 32 in
the "inserted state".
[0113] FIG. 3 schematically furthermore shows that exactly one
thermal insulation element 4 is disposed between the internal
container 2 and the external container 3. The thermal insulation
element 4 in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3 is configured as a vacuum insulation
panel.
[0114] It is particularly provided herein that the exactly one
vacuum insulation panel 4 extends between the internal container
wall 22 and the external container wall 32, and between the
internal container base 21 and the external container base 31,
wherein the vacuum insulation panel 4 is folded or bent,
respectively, in the transition region from the external container
base 31 to the external container wall 32.
[0115] The exactly one thermal insulation element 4 in terms of the
shape thereof herein corresponds at least substantially to the
shape of the external container 3, or of the internal container 2,
respectively, such that the external container 3 is ultimately
spaced apart from the internal container 2 by way of the thermal
insulation element 4, wherein the thermal insulation element 4 is
able to be inserted into the external container 3, in particular
able to be retrieved from the external container 3.
[0116] The thermal insulation element 4 most particularly
preferably is at least substantially directly adjacent to the
external container wall 32 and/or the external container base
31.
[0117] In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment it is
provided that the thermal insulation element 4 has an at least
substantially U-shaped cross section.
[0118] It is derived from FIGS. 2 to 6 that the internal container
2 in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment has an
upper periphery 25 which is adjacent to a collar 26. The collar 26
reaches outward beyond the internal container wall 22 and thus
projects beyond the internal container wall 22. The collar 26 is
configured so as to be angled in relation to the internal container
wall 22 and conjointly with the internal container wall 22 encloses
an angle between 70.degree. to 110.degree.. The collar 26 encircles
the internal container wall 22.
[0119] The transport container 1 furthermore comprises an internal
container support 8 which is illustrated in FIG. 3, for example.
The collar 26 of the internal container 2 in the inserted state can
bear on the internal container support 8. The internal container
support 8 can in particular be configured as a separate component
which can be releasably and/or fixedly connected to the internal
container 2 and/or the collar 26.
[0120] The internal container support 8 in the inserted state of
the internal container 2 in the external container 3 can at least
in portions bear on the external container 3 and/or be adjacent to
the external container 3, as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A
preferably encircling protrusion and/or a collar can be disposed on
the external container wall 32 in order for the internal container
support 8 to bear thereon at least in portions.
[0121] The internal container support 8 is particularly preferably
configured in an encircling manner and is in particular disposed so
as to encircle the collar 26 of the internal container 2.
[0122] In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the
internal container 2 in the inserted state is supported by the
internal container support 8.
[0123] It is derived from FIGS. 4 and 5 that the internal container
support 8 in the inserted state is disposed on PCM elements 5 and
on as well as on top of the external container wall 32.
[0124] It is not illustrated that the internal container support 8
in the inserted state can be disposed on the thermal insulation
element 4.
[0125] It can be seen from the sectional illustrations of FIGS. 4
and 5 that the internal container support 8 at least in portions
has a stepped cross section and encircles the external container
wall 32 on the inside. An "encirclement" of the external container
wall 32 is derived from FIG. 2, for example.
[0126] A positioning installation 9 for the PCM elements 5 is
present in the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment. The
positioning installation 9 here has an at least substantially
rectangular baseplate, the shape of the latter corresponding at
least substantially to the shape of the external container base 31.
The positioning installation 9 here furthermore has an encircling
leg which projects from the baseplate and which is spaced apart
from the external periphery of the baseplate. This leg can serve
for contacting the PCM elements 5.
[0127] FIG. 3 shows that the transport container 1 in the
illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment has a lid 6 for
closing the transport container 1. The lid 6 in the illustrated
exemplary embodiment is configured as a system, or from various
component parts, respectively. The lid 6 here thus has an external
container lid 34 for closing the external container 3, and an
internal container lid 24 for closing the internal container 2.
[0128] In the illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment, the
lid 6, in particular the internal container lid 24, in the closed
state of the transport container 1 bears on the internal container
support 8 and the collar 26 of the internal container 2. In
particular, the lid 6, most particularly the internal container lid
24, has a closure installation 61 which is complementary to the
internal container support 8. The closure installation 61 has a
shape that corresponds to the internal container support 8,
specifically in such a manner that the closure installation 61 at
least in regions can be disposed in an exact fit and/or a
form-fitting manner on the internal container support 8.
[0129] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5,
the external container lid 34 at least in regions bears on the
external container wall 32.
[0130] In the exploded view according to FIG. 3 it is shown that
mutually corresponding latching means can be provided for closing
the external container lid 34 on the external container wall 32.
The latching means can in particular be designed so as to
complement one another. For example, at least one protrusion which
is configured for latching in a corresponding opening on the in
external container lid 34 can be provided on the external container
wall 32. In the closed state of the transport container 1, the
latching means that is configured as a protrusion on the external
container wall 32 can latch and/or engage in an at least
substantially form-fitting manner in a further latching means that
is configured as an opening on the external container lid 34.
[0131] The latched, or closed, respectively, state of the external
container lid 34 is moreover also derived from FIG. 1, wherein the
external container lid 34 at least in portions is connected in a
form-fitting manner to the external container wall 32.
[0132] It is furthermore derived from the exploded view according
to FIG. 3 that at least one thermal insulation element 4, in the
illustrated and preferred exemplary embodiment a vacuum insulation
panel 4, is disposed on the lid 6. The vacuum insulation panel 4 in
the illustrated exemplary embodiment is a component part of the
internal container lid 24, as can also be seen from FIG. 4.
[0133] It is illustrated in FIG. 3 that a covering 241 of the
internal container lid 24 is provided for covering the vacuum
insulation panels 4, as can also be seen from FIG. 4 and from FIG.
5. The covering 241 can be fixedly connected, in particular in a
form-fitting and/or materially integral manner, to the main body of
the internal container 24. The covering 241 can furthermore be
provided for disposal on the internal container 2, in particular on
the collar 26 and/or on the internal container support 8. FIG. 4
shows that the covering 241 at least in portions bears on the
collar 26 of the internal container 2.
[0134] It is not illustrated that it can be provided in a further
embodiment that the lid 6 is or forms, respectively, a thermal
insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel
4.
[0135] It is furthermore not illustrated that the lid 6, in
particular the internal container lid 24, can be sealed to the
internal container 2.
[0136] In a further preferred exemplary embodiment not illustrated,
exactly one lid 6 is provided for closing the external container 3
and the internal container 2. This lid 6 herein can in particular
close in a sealing manner simultaneously the external container 3
and the internal container 2.
[0137] In a further and preferred exemplary embodiment which
however is not illustrated it is moreover provided that the
internal container 2 for sub-dividing the internal container space
23 into two separate chambers has a retrievable divider. The
divider can in particular be connected in a form-fitting manner to
the internal side of the internal container wall 22 that faces the
internal container space 23.
[0138] It is furthermore not illustrated that the transport
container 1 in a further preferred embodiment has a further
internal container which is able to be inserted into the external
container 3 and retrieved from the external container 3. In
particular, the further internal container can be inserted
conjointly with the internal container 2 into the external
container 3. The further internal container preferably is disposed
on the internal container 2 such that both internal containers 2 at
least substantially fill the external container space 33.
[0139] The further internal container can in particular form a
further internal container space which is open toward the top. A
spacing on the external container wall 32 and on the external
container base 31 can be provided or present, respectively, between
the further internal container and the external container 3, said
spacing potentially corresponding in particular to the available
space 7 between the internal container 2 and the external container
3.
[0140] It is moreover not illustrated that the transport container
1 preferably has a measuring installation for measuring the
temperature in the internal container space 23.
[0141] Not illustrated is moreover a method for transporting cargo
10, wherein the method is carried out by means of a plurality of
transport containers 1. The method can be used for transporting
pharmaceuticals and/or foodstuffs which can form the cargo 10.
[0142] Each transport container 1 used in the method has an
external container 3 which has an external container base 31 and an
external container wall 32. An internal container 2 which is able
to be inserted into the external container 3 and retrieved from the
external container 3 has an internal container base 21 and an
internal container wall 22. The internal container 2 for the cargo
10 forms an internal container space 23 which is open toward the
top. A spacing 7 on the external container wall 32 and on the
external container base 31 is present between the internal
container 2 and the external container 3. At least one thermal
insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is
disposed between the internal container 2 and the external
container 3. Furthermore, at least one PCM element 5 which can in
particular be adjacent to the thermal insulation element 4, is
disposed between the internal container 2 and the external
container 3.
[0143] It is particularly preferable for each transport container 1
used in the method to be configured according to the preferred
exemplary embodiment described above.
[0144] It is provided in the method that the cargo 10 at a starting
location is initially disposed or placed in, respectively, the
internal container space 23 of an internal container 2.
[0145] In one preferred embodiment of the method, said internal
container 2 is closed with a lid 6, 24 of the internal container 2.
Thereafter said internal container 2 in the closed state is
transported with the cargo 10 to an unloading location. The cargo
can be actively cooled herein.
[0146] Said internal container 2 at an unloading location is
inserted into an external container 3. At least one thermal
insulation element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is
disposed herein between said internal container 2 and said external
container 3. Furthermore, at least one PCM element 5 is disposed
between said internal container 2 and said external container 3.
The thus created transport container 1 with said internal container
2, said external container 3, and the cargo 10, is thereafter
transported to an intermediate stop.
[0147] Said internal container 2 including the cargo 10 is
retrieved from said external container 3 at the intermediate stop.
Said internal container 2 including the cargo 10 is later inserted
into another external container 3. At least one thermal insulation
element 4, in particular a vacuum insulation panel 4, is disposed
herein between said internal container 2 and the other external
container 3. At least one PCM element 5 is furthermore disposed
between said internal container 2 and the other external container
3. The thus created transport container 1 with said internal
container 2, the other external container 3, and the cargo 10 is
thereafter transported to a destination.
[0148] A plurality of external containers 3 are ultimately used in
the method, since a plurality of transport containers 1 are also
utilized in the method. The same internal container 2 herein can be
disposed in different external containers 3, wherein the cargo 10
is disposed, or remains disposed, respectively, in the internal
container space 23 of this internal container 2.
[0149] In the context of the method it is furthermore preferable
for the transport containers 1 which are used within the method, to
differ in terms of the number of PCM elements 5 and/or the phase
change material of the PCM elements 5. In particular, temperature
controlling, or cooling, respectively, of the cargo 10 can take
place as a function of the transport route and/or of the transport
stage, since the cargo 10 by way of the internal container 2 can at
all times be disposed in a transport container 1 of the type that
has the thermal properties which are required for cooling, or
temperature controlling, respectively, the cargo 10.
[0150] The method not illustrated ultimately makes it possible that
the cargo 10 by way of the modular configuration of the internal
containers and external containers can be disposed in different
external containers 3 of a transport container 1. A high degree of
flexibility of the method is achieved on account thereof, wherein
the transportation of the cargo 10 can be individually adapted to
environmental temperatures, stages of the route and/or transport
routes.
[0151] In a first transport stage, a first target temperature can
be predefined for the cargo 10, wherein a second target temperature
can be predefined in a second transport stage. Furthermore, in
principle both target temperatures in both external containers 3,
or in both transport containers 1, respectively, can also at least
be substantially identical such that cooling, or temperature
controlling, respectively, is made possible in particular over a
comparatively long period of time.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0152] 1 Transport container [0153] 2 Internal container of 1
[0154] 21 Internal container base [0155] 22 Internal container wall
[0156] 23 Internal container space [0157] 24 Internal container lid
[0158] 241 Cover [0159] 25 Upper periphery [0160] 26 Collar [0161]
3 External container of 1 [0162] 31 External container base [0163]
32 External container wall [0164] 33 External container space
[0165] 34 External container lid [0166] 4 Thermal insulation
element of 1 [0167] 5 PCM element of 1 [0168] 6 Lid of 1 [0169] 61
Closure installation [0170] 7 Spacing between 2 and 3 [0171] 8
Internal container support [0172] 9 Positioning installation [0173]
10 Cargo
* * * * *