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).

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

[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° to 110°. 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