CH719932A2 - TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED CONTAINER, SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING PERISHABLE GOODS, PARTICULARLY FOR LAND AND/OR SEA TRANSPORT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a temperature-controlled container for the transport of perishable goods, comprising: a monolithic box-like body (20) made of composite material comprising a core of expanded insulating material covered by an external layer; and a cooling thermal storage unit (50) coupled to an internal wall (24) of the box-like body (20) and connected in fluid communication with an inlet port (91) for the entry of a refrigerant fluid and a suction mouth (92) for its extraction; the thermal storage unit comprises an external casing (51) containing a thermal storage material in which a heat exchanger comprising at least one heat exchange duct capable of being crossed by the fluid is immersed. The thermal storage unit is provided with a heat shield fixed to the casing and positioned towards the inside of the container so as to at least partially cover the thermal storage unit. Furthermore, the invention concerns a system comprising a temperature-controlled container and a method for transporting and/or storing perishable goods.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The object of the present invention is a temperature-controlled container ("container" or "loading unit") for the transport of perishable goods (such as food or medicines), in particular, a container with volumes between 100 liters and 100 m<3>, even more particularly a container or swap body (or swap body) for land transport, both by truck and by rail, capable of being fixed integrally to a vehicle, for example on a fifth wheel or a truck bed or of a railway carriage, for example by twist lock.

State of the art

[0002] As is known, containers are used for loading various types of goods onto means of transport. The use of a container of this type allows you to load large quantities of goods with a single unit and also to load different products at different temperatures on the same vehicle, allowing optimization of the time, vehicles and personnel used for loading and the exhaust.

[0003] Containers and other refrigerated containers are normally used for the transport of goods that need to be kept within a certain temperature range so as not to perish, such as medicines and food.

[0004] In the prior art, the solutions used to create containers and other refrigerated containers can be grouped into three categories: active solutions, semi-passive solutions and passive solutions.

[0005] In active solutions, the container is provided with a refrigeration apparatus which must be continuously powered by an electrical network or by batteries or by a diesel power generator to power the refrigeration unit.

[0006] In semi-passive solutions, the container is kept refrigerated by dry ice which is loaded in large quantities before each journey and stored inside a special compartment in the container itself, which must be equipped with fans, powered by batteries, for temperature control.

[0007] In passive solutions, the refrigerated container usually contains, inside the walls or applied to them, a thermal accumulation material, such as a phase change material or PCM (Phase-change material), and the container itself must be stored in a cold room for a period of time sufficient to freeze the thermal storage material (typically at least 24 hours) before each journey. Alternatively, the thermal storage material can be contained, instead of in the walls, in removable thermal packs which are frozen separately in a cold room and then installed along the walls of the refrigerated container.

Summary of the invention

[0008] Active solutions of the known type have the disadvantage that the operation of the refrigerated container depends on the availability of an electrical network or its autonomy is limited by the batteries or the diesel tank. Batteries have the problems of insufficient power to power refrigeration units for periods exceeding 24 hours and the rapid decay of their ability to freeze at low temperatures and diesel fuel. Furthermore, the presence of a dedicated refrigeration apparatus makes these containers complex and expensive to create, maintain and certify. However, active systems have the advantage of being able to maintain different temperatures inside the containers.

[0009] The semi-passive solutions of the known type have the disadvantage of requiring a considerable logistical effort for the loading and mobilization of the dry ice, with also the related, known, safety problems and furthermore they do not cover the operation for the transport of fresh food products at low ambient temperatures.

[0010] Passive solutions have the disadvantage of requiring the use and availability of large cold rooms, as well as requiring a long preparatory time for freezing the thermal material and also a considerable logistical effort and a significant use of manpower for mobilization of the refrigerated container into and from the cold room (in the case of thermal storage material integrated into the walls) or for loading and installing the thermal packages.

[0011] Furthermore, disadvantageously, this type of procedure for freezing the thermal accumulation material in cold rooms is very expensive from an energy point of view.

[0012] Passive solutions do not cover operation in the presence of low ambient temperatures which are particularly critical for the transport of fresh food products and medicines. These solutions have the disadvantage of being able to maintain only one temperature depending on the state transition point of the PCM used and do not allow operation at different temperatures.

[0013] The main task of the present invention is to create a temperature-controlled container capable of solving the problems and overcoming the limitations of the prior art set out above.

[0014] Within the scope of this task, an object of the present invention is to create a temperature-controlled container which in use does not involve the logistical efforts, nor the safety problems described above, typical of passive and semi-passive solutions Note.

[0015] Another aim of the invention is to create a temperature-controlled container which is capable of maintaining the internal temperature for periods of up to over 30 days at values of 0/+4°C for fresh food products meeting the class A of the ATP regulation and +2/+8°C or +15/+25°C for pharmaceutical products or at temperatures < - 18°C for frozen products complying with Class C of the ATP regulation.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to create a temperature-controlled container that is more efficient from an energy point of view.

[0017] A further aim of the invention consists in creating a temperature-controlled container which has a better thermal autonomy, possibly up to 30 days both in the refrigeration phase in hot environments and in the heating phase in the presence of low temperatures up to - 50°C.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to create a temperature-controlled container that can operate independently of the availability of an electrical network during travel.

[0019] Not the least purpose of the invention is to create a temperature-controlled container that is easy to make and use as well as economically competitive.

[0020] The task described above, as well as the objects mentioned and others which will appear better below, are achieved by a temperature-controlled container according to claim 1.

[0021] This task and these and other objects are also achieved by a system according to claim 13 and also by a method according to claim 14.

Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Further characteristics and advantages will emerge more from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a temperature-controlled container, illustrated for indicative and non-limiting purposes with the aid of the attached drawings in which: – Figure 1 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a temperature-controlled container, according to the present invention, in which the walls of the container have been made transparent for greater clarity; – Figure 2 is a perspective view of the thermal storage unit of the container in Figure 1; – Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2, where part of the external casing of the thermal storage unit has been removed to show its contents; – Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the operation of a temperature-controlled container together with a thermal charging apparatus, according to the present invention; – Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 represent two thermal storage units arranged both on the wall and on the ceiling; – Figure 9 is a sectional view of a possible embodiment of a temperature-controlled container according to the present invention; – Figure 10 is a perspective view, from the outside, of a further possible embodiment of a temperature-controlled container according to the present invention; – Figure 11 is a section of the container in Figure 10.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0023] With reference to the cited Figures, the temperature-controlled container, indicated globally with the reference number 1, 1', 1'' in the preferred embodiments is included in a means of transport and distribution for road use and/or railway and/or maritime. In alternative embodiments, the container 1 can have a volume from 100 liters up to a volume of 100 m<3>typical of a 13.60 m swap body or a 45' HC container with the possibility of creations with intermediate dimensions such to cover the entire range of distribution and transport vehicles by truck, rail and sea.

[0024] The container is temperature-controlled in the sense that it is advantageously capable of maintaining the products in the temperature range suitable both for food products complying with Class A of the ATP regulation (0/+4°C) and for pharmaceutical products ( +2/+8°C), other products that require temperatures +9/+12°C or +15/+25°C, both in summer, with environmental conditions up to +50°C or at temperatures < -18° C for frozen products complying with class C of the ATP regulation.

[0025] According to the present invention, the temperature-controlled container 1 comprises a monolithic box-like body 20 which is made of composite material comprising an internal core of polymeric material (preferably of expanded insulating material such as expanded polyurethane) covered by an external layer preferably of resin (or other suitable material), and even more preferably made up of an internal core of expanded insulating material such as expanded polyurethane, an internal and an external coating preferably of special high-resistance resin or other equivalent material, with thicknesses ranging from 0, 5 and 6 mm, with, where required, incorporated reinforcements for impregnation of glass fiber and/or Kevlar and/or carbon located in the particularly critical points both structurally and in terms of impact resistance and high-strength steel components located in the points of fixing to the floor of the vehicles on which it must be fixed. This allows obtaining the appropriate structural and impact resistance characteristics in particularly stressed points. During the injection phase, steel plates are also inserted into the fixing points to the frame of the means of transport which allow for a completely integrated container to be obtained and to avoid the use of external frames.

[0026] The temperature-controlled container 1 then includes one or more thermal storage units for refrigeration 50, 30, 40 coupled to a respective internal wall 23 (where "wall" means both any side wall and the ceiling) of this box-like body 20.

[0027] Advantageously, the thermal storage units contain PCMs with different melting points depending on the internal temperatures that you want to obtain. These different PCMs can also be contained in the same thermal accumulator if they are immiscible with each other, have different specific weights and different expansions following the change of state. This allows the desired PCM to be frozen during the charging phase and therefore obtain the desired internal temperatures depending on the thermal charging procedure. For example <-18°C or 0/+4°C etc.

[0028] In practice, the container can be equipped with multiple thermal storage units which can either contain thermal storage liquids with different melting points, or contain different thermal storage liquids in the same thermal storage unit, which cannot be mixed together, in order to maintain different temperatures inside the container depending on the charging mode.

[0029] The expression, referring to each thermal storage unit, "coupled to the internal wall of the box-like body" means that a wall of the external casing of the thermal storage unit is fixed to the internal wall of the box-like body, i.e. leaning snugly against this internal wall or integrated into it.

[0030] A second suitably insulated thermal storage unit for heating can be installed in the preferred position both inside and outside if the climatic conditions require it and typically in all cases in which the ambient temperature is lower than the operating temperature. conservation of the products you intend to transport.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, the cooling heat storage unit 50 for refrigeration is fixed to the wall 23 by means of fixing brackets 58.

[0032] Advantageously, the monolithic box-like body 20 is made of expanded polyurethane and is made in a single injection (in a single mould), thus allowing production in a single phase rather than with multiple steps consisting in the production of individual wall panels, their assembly , welding and restoration of the insulating structure. In this way the box-like body 20, made up of a single monolithic piece of polyurethane, has no joints and has a better thermal insulation coefficient than traditional containers made of individual assembled wall panels (a K coefficient of approximately 10-30% is found lower than the aforementioned traditional containers).

[0033] The monolithic box-like body 20 can be coated with special resins so as to create a composite and/or with an external shell and/or with panels and/or with other cladding or reinforcing elements of a known type.

[0034] In the preferred embodiments for refrigeration only, there is a single thermal storage unit 50, 30, 40 preferably coupled to a vertical side wall of the box-like body 20. In other embodiments, the thermal storage unit 50 is coupled to an upper horizontal wall (i.e. to the ceiling) of the box-like body 20 or to the side walls and the ceiling with consequent installation of three thermal storage units in which PCMs with different state transition points can be inserted in such a way to allow the maintenance of different internal temperatures according to different thermal charging procedures. In general, according to the present invention, the thermal storage unit 30, 40 50 can be coupled to any wall of the box-like body 20 depending on the thermal autonomy requirements.

[0035] Embodiments are envisaged in which there are more than two thermal storage units 30, 40, 50, 250 of which at least one for refrigeration and, if required by environmental conditions, at least one for heating 250 (the heating storage unit 250 can take the place, in the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, of any of the units indicated with numbers 50, 30 and 40).

[0036] According to the present invention, the thermal storage unit for refrigeration 50, 30, 40 is connected in fluid communication with an inlet port 91 for the entry of a refrigerant fluid and with an outlet port 92 for the suction of the refrigerant fluid itself.

[0037] According to the present invention, the thermal storage unit 50, 30, 40 includes an external casing 31, 41, 51 (preferably made of aluminium) which contains a thermal storage material inside it (i.e. which defines inside it is an hermetic containment cavity in which the thermal accumulation material is contained) in which a heat exchanger 52 (evaporator) is immersed.

[0038] The refrigeration heat storage material referred to is preferably a phase change material (PCM).

[0039] The phase change material can consist of a mixture of different phase change materials. An advantageous feature of the present invention is to be able to maintain four different internal temperature ranges for the period of thermal autonomy defined according to the thermal charging mode by exploiting the characteristics of one or more PCMs combined with each other and suitably integrated into the structure and/or or even mixed together thus obtaining transition points such as to respond to all the temperatures required by the regulations for the transport of food and pharmaceutical products.

[0040] Conveniently, the thermal storage unit 50, 30, 40 for refrigeration includes a vent and loading valve for the thermal storage material 81 which allows the loading of this inside the external casing 51, 41, 31 .

[0041] Conveniently, the thermal storage unit 50 includes an expansion valve 85 connected to the heat exchanger 52 (evaporator). The expansion valve 52 is thermostatic and regulates the flow of liquid to the evaporator, to a volume equal to the evaporation of the liquid in the evaporator itself, maintaining a certain superheat value at the exit from the evaporator (suction line) which ensures that all the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator and only the refrigerant in gaseous form returns to the compressor.

[0042] The thermal storage material for heating referred to is preferably a high boiling material which allows the use of sensible heat with DTs relative to the internal temperature typically exceeding 100°C.

[0043] Optionally, there is also a heat storage unit for heating 250.

[0044] Conveniently, the thermal storage unit for heating 250 includes a vent and loading valve for the thermal storage material 281 which allows the loading of this inside the external casing 251 and the controlled variation of the volume due to the temperature variation.

[0045] Conveniently, the thermal storage unit for heating includes internal resistors for heating the high boiling liquid up to the required set point, a thermostat and external insulation to avoid overheating the compartment for transporting products at a controlled temperature .

[0046] The external casing 51, 41, 31 can have a parallelepiped shape, or a suitably shaped shape, and defines a parallelepiped cavity inside it. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the outer casing 51, 41, 31 has flat surfaces.

[0047] Even more preferably, the external casing 51, 41, 31 of the cooling thermal storage unit is made of aluminum having a thickness between 1 and 4 mm, while that of the heating thermal storage unit 250 which will be described later and is preferably made of stainless steel.

[0048] Preferably, the container body 20 is made up of an expanded polyurethane shell covered with special resins (or other material) applied directly on the polyurethane shell or directly on the mold before foaming ("spray in mold") thus allowing to obtain with a single production phase a monolithic product with high impact resistance, low thermal conductance, greatly reduced tare weight compared to conventional construction technologies and reduced production times having eliminated the assembly phases between the walls. The internal volume is between 100 and 100,000 liters in embodiments of the type of a container for land transport in which there are from one to three thermal storage units 30, 40, 50 for refrigeration and, if required by environmental climatic conditions , one or two thermal storage units for heating 250.

[0049] In the preferred embodiments, the thermal storage unit for refrigeration comprises profiled structural elements 55 with a preferably T-shaped section, preferably having dimensions between 10x10x2 and 50x50x5 mm, which are coupled (by welding) to the external casing 51 , 31, 41 in order to mechanically reinforce it and optimize the heat exchange surface suitable for maintaining a temperature differential between the surface of the thermal accumulator and the internal air such as to guarantee the maintenance of the internal temperature in the range required by the regulations. These profiled structural elements 55 also serve as spacer and support elements for an interface screen 57, 47, 37 (in practice a panel) fixed to the external casing 51, 41, 31 and facing the inside of the container 1. The interface thermal screen 57 is positioned towards the inside of the container 1 so as to at least partially cover the thermal storage unit 50 and thus be able to vary the internal temperature with respect to the (fixed) melting point of the thermal storage liquid, this screen it is equipped with dampers that can be adjusted according to the climatic conditions and the product to be transported, thus obtaining a variable temperature within the ranges required by law despite the fixed melting point. Alternatively, the same result can be obtained by stamping (drawing) the sheet metal or by using "comb-shaped" extrusions suitably welded together in order to create a container of the desired dimensions. The thermal storage unit will therefore have a finned surface placed preferably, but not necessarily, vertically towards the loading compartment and a flat surface towards the wall of the container. If, in the case of a horizontal arrangement of the fins, stiffening is necessary to avoid deformations due to hydrostatic pressure, a structural connection will be created between the finned wall facing the loading compartment and the flat one leaning against the insulated wall.

[0050] According to an optimal solution, the thermal storage unit 30, 40 50 can be provided with a thermal shield 37, 47, 57 preferably constituted by an HDPE sheet covering most or all of the visible surface of this thermal storage units 30, 40, 50. This heat shield of 57 has the function of increasing the ΔT between the temperature of the surface of the thermal accumulators and the internal air and so that the same container with the same PCM can be used for the transport of products at different temperatures including food products that require a temperature between 0/+4°C, both other food products, such as bananas and chocolate which require around 12°C, and pharmaceutical products that require a temperature between +2/+8°C while the surface of the thermal storage unit is typically at 0/+1°C.

[0051] According to an optional advantageous feature, the thermal storage unit 50 is equipped with a heat shield with a damper to be able to manually adjust, before shipping, the flow of natural convection and/or ventilation depending on winter use or summer and the temperatures you want to achieve inside.

[0052] The heat exchanger 52 includes a heat exchange duct (and more precisely an evaporator) 33, capable of being crossed by the refrigerant fluid in transit between the inlet mouth 91 and the suction mouth 92, so that passing through the heat exchange 33, the refrigerant fluid cools the thermal accumulation material, for example by causing it to change phase (solidifying it).

[0053] Preferably, the thermal storage units for refrigeration 30, 40, 50 each contain one or more thermal evaporators having the following characteristics: a) made with dimensions such as to be compatible with the construction capabilities of existing machinery and, therefore, possibly divided into a plurality of evaporating submodules of adequate dimensions; b) that said evaporating submodules inserted in each thermal storage unit 30, 40, 50 are preferably connected to each other in parallel; c) that the circuits for the distribution of the refrigerant fluid in these evaporating submodules are in turn connected to each other in parallel so as to obtain uniform distribution of the temperature along the entire thermal storage unit 50 itself; d) that the supply of the refrigerant fluid to said evaporating submodules is achieved via expansion valves which can supply one or more evaporating submodules in relation to the dimensions of the submodules themselves; e) that if the construction requirements involve a plurality of expansion valves each feeding one or more submodules of the thermal storage unit 50, they will be calibrated individually so as to obtain a uniform temperature between all the submodules of the same thermal storage unit 50 and, if there are multiple thermal storage units 30, 40, 50, the uniformity of the temperature between all the thermal storage units 30, 40, 50.

[0054] Preferably the heat exchanger 52 also includes a series of fins or blades 54 to facilitate the heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the thermal accumulation material. Conveniently, the fins or slats are arranged and constructed such as to obtain an exchange surface between the evaporator and the thermal storage liquid of between 3 and 20 litres/m<2>.

[0055] These fins or lamellas 54 have the double function of absorbing heat during the thermal charging phase so as to obtain the rapid and uniform change of state of the thermal accumulation liquid and, subsequently during the use phase, uniform absorption of the heat entering the walls by the product as it changes state.

[0056] According to an optimal solution, in the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the heat exchange duct 33 includes a series of side-by-side tubes arranged along parallel planes, each of which forms a coil arranged along a respective plane, in which each coil includes linear sections parallel to each other connected in parallel by a delivery manifold and an intake manifold and by curved connection sections (the curved connection sections are visible in Figure 3).

[0057] Advantageously, the fins 54 are each provided with a series of through holes through which the linear sections of the coils of the evaporating circuit pass, these fins being arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the planes on which the coils of the evaporating circuit develop .

[0058] In some alternative embodiments, the heat storage unit 50 comprises a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchange ducts positioned hydraulically in parallel, which pass through the through holes of the fins 54.

[0059] The heat exchanger 52 (evaporator) is preferably positioned in contact with a wall of the external casing 51, 41, 31 and more precisely with the wall facing the inside of the container.

[0060] The thermal storage material can be a phase change material, preferably in liquid form when at room temperature which solidifies following the cooling caused by the heat exchange with the refrigerant fluid.

[0061] Preferably, each thermal storage unit 30, 40, 50 for refrigeration using liquid in state transition comprises inside a compressible layer for absorbing the change in volume, interposed between at least part of the external casing 51, 41, 31 and the thermal storage material (i.e. which substantially covers one or more internal walls of the external casing 51, or one or more parts of such one or more walls). This compressible volume change absorption layer is configured to absorb an increase in volume of the thermal storage material due to its phase change upon cooling: in practice when the thermal storage material solidifies and increases in volume, the compressible layer of absorption of the change in volume is able to compress, compensating for this increase in volume and cushioning the consequent forces in order to avoid damage to the external casing 51, 31, 41 and deformations of the latter.

[0062] More in detail, the compressible volume change absorption layer comprises a plurality of cells suitable for being compressed and is preferably composed of high density expanded polyethylene (HDPE). Even more preferably, the compressible volume change absorption layer has a thickness/volume ratio of between 8% and 30% of the volume of phase change material.

[0063] In preferred embodiments, the compressible volume change absorption layer surrounds one face of the heat exchanger 52, 42, 32 covering one of the internal walls of the outer casing 51, 41, 31.

[0064] Optionally, the container 1 also comprising a heating thermal storage unit 250 comprising one or more electric heating resistors 249 immersed in thermal storage liquid preferably having high-boiling characteristics. Conveniently, this thermal storage liquid has high-boiling characteristics for the use of sensible heat with temperatures up to 350°C; alternatively, inert products with a high sensible heat can also be used. The heating thermal accumulation unit 250 preferably has external insulation to limit the direct exchange between said thermal accumulation unit and the internal environment of the container 1 to the sole operation of the fans which are for example activated by an electronic control system of the temperature powered by batteries housed in the container or by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the vehicle.

[0065] The thermal storage unit for heating 250 is heavily insulated so as not to influence the internal temperature of the container except when required by the temperature sensor which activates a ventilation or liquid circulation system capable of compensating for low temperatures external and bring the internal temperature back to the desired range.

[0066] In embodiments in which there are two thermal storage units, one of which is used for refrigeration and one used for heating, the heat exchange ducts of the thermal storage unit(s) for refrigeration are not connected to the Thermal storage unit for heating. The thermal storage unit for heating 250 includes one or more electric heating resistors 249.

[0067] The fans for mixing the air relating to the thermal container for refrigeration, when present, and the fans for the thermal container for heating also include a programmable electronic control system, which controls their operation during the period of thermal autonomy, for example to control its activation, for example as a function of the temperature detected by one or more temperature sensors and/or other parameters detected by appropriate sensors.

[0068] The electronic control system and the low-power fans are powered by batteries housed inside the means of transport which are charged during the thermal charging phase and/or are powered by photovoltaic panels placed on the roof of the vehicle. The batteries powered in this way guarantee an operating autonomy equivalent to the autonomy of the thermal storage system for both refrigeration and heating.

[0069] The electronic system for carrying out the thermal charging is included in the thermal charging apparatus 70 which will be described later.

[0070] According to a particularly advantageous combination of characteristics, the heating thermal storage unit 250 comprises a temperature sensor operatively connected to the electronic control system, which is configured to activate and deactivate the one or more electric heating resistors 249 depending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; in particular, the electronic control system is configured to deactivate the electrical resistors upon reaching a predetermined threshold temperature.

[0071] Preferably there are one or more temperature sensors connected to the electronic control system, even more preferably there are: a temperature sensor inside the thermal storage unit 30, 40, 50 and a temperature sensor 12 external to the Thermal storage unit to detect the ambient temperature and/or to detect the temperature inside the container 1.

[0072] Optionally, the thermal storage unit 50 for refrigeration includes a series of fans 113 configured to distribute the air at low speed inside the container 1, uniforming its temperature.

[0073] These fans 113 are configured to make the air flow on the surface of the thermal storage unit 50, so as to spread it inside the container 1. Advantageously, said fans are activated by an electronic temperature control system powered by batteries housed in the container or by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the vehicle or powered by the connection with the vehicle's generator.

[0074] The thermal storage unit for heating 250 includes a series of fans 213 configured to distribute the air at low speed inside the container 1, uniforming its temperature.

[0075] For this purpose, air passages communicating with the fans 113 are provided in the container 1, and in the monolithic body 20 thereof.

[0076] In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the thermal storage unit 50 includes a lower channeling element 12 through which the air can enter the container 1 and which also acts as a lower support and fixing to the floor of the container .

[0077] In the preferred embodiments, the inlet mouth 91 and the suction mouth 92 are configured to be connected to a thermal charging apparatus 70 suitable for supplying the refrigerant fluid by conveying it towards the heat exchange ducts 33 and extracting it from these, for example the aforementioned ports 91, 92 are provided with hydraulic connectors, such as for example quick coupling connectors of a known type.

[0078] In fact, during operation, and in particular in a preparation phase of the temperature-controlled container 1 in which the cooling of the thermal accumulation material is carried out, the container 1 is operationally connected to a thermal charging apparatus 70 which has the function of supplying and cooling the refrigerant fluid and making it circulate in the thermal accumulation unit 50, 250 (in particular in the heat exchange ducts 33) to cool and preferably solidify the thermal accumulation material.

[0079] A system comprising the temperature-controlled container 1 and such thermal charging apparatus 70 for carrying out cooling of the phase change material in the container 1 is also the subject of the present invention. The thermal charging apparatus 70 includes: – a delivery port for the injection of the refrigerant fluid into the inlet port 91, configured to be connected (preferably by means of a flexible hose and quick connection system) to this inlet port 91, for example by means of a hydraulic connector; – a suction mouth for extracting the refrigerant fluid from the outlet mouth 92, configured to be connected (preferably by means of a flexible hose and quick connection system) to this outlet mouth 92, for example by means of a hydraulic connector; and – a cooling circuit configured to cool the refrigerant fluid directed towards the delivery port and coming from the suction port.

[0080] Conveniently, the thermal charging apparatus 70 also includes: – an electrical connection for the power supply and temperature control during the thermal charging phase for the electrical resistors installed in the second thermal storage unit 50; – a connection with one or more temperature probes applied to both the thermal storage unit to control its temperature both during charging and thermal recharging; – a connection with one or more internal air temperature probes 12 to control said temperature during the thermal recharge phase with the products inside and prevent it from going outside the applicable range.

[0081] The cooling circuit can be created in such a way as to preferably include an energy supply unit, a compressor, a condenser and at least one air extraction fan.

[0082] In the preferred embodiments the cooling circuit also includes: – a multi-core cable with connector for the connection between the thermal charging unit and the probes contained in the loading unit so as to allow optimal charging execution thermal; – a solenoid valve on the delivery and one on the suction to electronically close the delivery duct and be able to carry out complete suction of the refrigerant fluid contained in the loading unit ("gas recall"); – a manual valve on the delivery and one on the suction to ensure complete sealing of the refrigerant.

[0083] The thermal charging apparatus allows the thermal charging of the thermal storage unit for refrigeration 50 and the thermal storage unit for heating 250 to be carried out in parallel by powering the resistors up to the defined temperature of the high-boiling liquid .

[0084] According to an optional and advantageous feature, the thermal charging apparatus 70 comprises an external containment structure, preferably comprising a protective shell.

[0085] Preferably, the thermal charging apparatus 70 comprises an electronic control system (PLC programmable logic controller) which can be operationally connected to the temperature sensors present in one or more thermal storage units 50 present in the container 1 and preferably also to the electric heating resistors 249 and even more preferably also to the hydraulic system (when present) to control them.

[0086] In the preferred embodiments, the electronic control system present in the thermal charging apparatus 70 is therefore configured to control (when connected to the container 1) the flow of the refrigerant fluid and preferably also the activation of the electric heating resistors 249 depending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 12 and possibly on the external environmental conditions.

[0087] For example, when the external ambient temperature is low, the container 1 can operate as follows: the container 1 is connected to the thermal charging apparatus 70 to perform the thermal charging step before travel; when the thermal charging apparatus 70 is activated, the refrigerant passes through the heat exchange duct 33 of the thermal storage unit 50, the temperature sensor installed in the thermal storage unit 50 for refrigeration transfers data to the electronic system control of the thermal charging apparatus 70, and when the predefined temperature value is reached the electronic control system automatically stops the flow of refrigerant; if the external temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the electrical heating resistors 249 of the heating thermal storage unit are activated to increase the temperature of the thermal storage material from the ambient value to the predefined temperature (typically 60-300°C) for use the heat accumulated in the material for balancing the heat flow through the walls, the temperature sensor installed in the heating thermal storage unit 250 transfers the data to the electronic control system which automatically turns off the electrical resistors 249 when the predetermined temperature is reached.

[0088] Optionally, slits can be provided in the heat shield installed in the thermal storage system for refrigeration which can be opened or closed according to the requirements of the transported load, where the food requires 0/+4°C or 10/12°C and pharmaceutical <-18°C, +2/+8°C, +15/+25°C.

[0089] The internal temperature of the container 1 is determined by the state transition temperatures of the PCMs used in the different thermal storage units or even in the same one when the different types of PCMs are not miscible with each other and is the result of the interaction between the heat transfer modulated by the interface screen 57 and by the operation of the relevant fans, where these are present, by the heat absorption of the thermal storage unit 50 or the heat released by the same thermal storage unit 250 and by the operation of the relevant fans , and the heat flow through the walls 23.

[0090] In essence, in its general features, the method for transporting and/or storing perishable goods in a temperature-controlled container 1, according to the present invention, comprising the steps of: – cooling a refrigerant fluid in an apparatus 70 external to the container 1 (in particular in the thermal charging apparatus 70 described); – pass this refrigerant fluid inside at least one heat exchange duct 33 included in a heat storage unit for refrigeration 50 of the container 1 so as to cool the heat storage material, preferably until it changes phase (solidifying it); – extract the refrigerant fluid from container 1; – transport and/or store perishable goods in container 1.

[0091] Optionally, in case of particularly low external temperatures, the step of heating the thermal storage material contained in the thermal storage unit for heating 250 is also performed to maintain the internal temperature at positive values even in the presence of strongly external temperatures negative.

[0092] Advantageously, the refrigerant fluid is completely extracted from the container 1 before the transport journey.

[0093] It has been found in practice that the temperature-controlled container according to the present invention fulfills the task as well as the intended purposes, as it simplifies logistics and avoids the safety problems typical of known active, passive and semi-passive solutions and allows with a single means of carrying out the transport of temperature-controlled products of both food and pharmaceutical products, covering the four temperature ranges required by the regulations despite the intrinsic rigidity of state-transition products which have only one melting temperature. This allows total operational flexibility of the distribution vehicles, making them able to standardize all distribution operations with a single vehicle.

[0094] Another advantage of the temperature-controlled container according to the present invention consists in the fact that it is significantly more efficient from an energy point of view.

[0095] A further advantage of the temperature-controlled container according to the present invention consists in the fact that it has a thermal accumulation capacity which allows both the direct refrigeration of hot products upon collection in the field without passing through the blast chilling cells, and a thermal autonomy that allows end-to-end/field-to-fork transport with transit time of up to 35 days without interruption of the cold chain and allows door openings for customs and health inspections even for prolonged periods (typically up to 1-2 hours) without deterioration of the overall thermal performance, in fact the increase in internal temperature is subsequently reabsorbed in a short time.

[0096] Another advantage of the temperature-controlled container according to the present invention consists in being able to operate independently of the availability of an electrical network during travel.

[0097] Furthermore, the temperature-controlled container according to the present invention is easy to make and use as well as economically competitive.

[0098] The temperature-controlled container thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the attached claims.

[0099] Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0100] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any depending on the needs and the state of the art.

Claims (15)

1. Temperature-controlled container (1) for the transport of perishable goods, in particular of the type of a refrigerated container for land and/or maritime transport, characterized by comprising: – a monolithic box-like body (20) which is made of composite material comprising an internal core of expanded insulating material, covered by an external layer; And – a cooling thermal storage unit (30, 40, 50) coupled to an internal wall (24) of said box-like body (20) and connected in fluid communication with an inlet mouth (91) for the entry of a refrigerant fluid and a suction mouth (92) for extracting said refrigerant fluid; wherein said cooling heat storage unit (30, 40 50) comprises an outer casing (31, 41, 51) containing a heat storage material consisting of a plurality of different heat storage liquids having different melting points, in in which a heat exchanger (52) is immersed which includes at least one heat exchange duct (33) capable of being crossed by the refrigerant fluid in transit between said inlet mouth (91) and said suction mouth (92) in which said cooling thermal accumulation (30, 40, 50) is provided with a thermal shield (37, 47, 57) fixed to said external casing (31, 41, 51), said thermal shield (37, 47, 57) being positioned towards the inside of the temperature-controlled container (1) so as to at least partially cover the thermal storage unit (30, 40, 50). The temperature-controlled container (1) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of cooling heat storage units (30, 40, 50) containing different heat storage liquids having different melting points. 3. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, also comprising a heating thermal storage unit (250) comprising one or more electrical heating resistors (249) immersed in a thermal storage liquid. 4. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to the previous claim, wherein at least said heating thermal storage unit (250) includes a temperature sensor operatively connected to an electronic control system, which electronic control system is configured to activating and deactivating said one or more electrical heating resistors (249), during a thermal charging phase, according to the temperature detected by said temperature sensor, deactivating said electrical resistors (249) upon reaching a predetermined threshold temperature. 5. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said cooling thermal storage unit (30, 40, 50, 250) comprises a compressible layer for absorbing the change in volume, interposed between said casing external (31, 41, 51) and said thermal storage material is configured to absorb an increase in volume of said thermal storage material due to phase change upon cooling, said compressible volume change absorption layer comprising a plurality of cells suitable to be compressed and preferably composed of high density polyethylene. 6. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said heat exchanger (52) also includes a series of fins or slats (54) each provided with a series of through holes; and by the fact that the at least one heat exchange duct (33) includes one or more tubes that pass through said through holes. 7. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the at least one heat exchange duct (33) comprises a plurality of side-by-side tubes arranged along parallel planes, each of which forms a coil arranged along a respective plane, in which each coil includes linear sections parallel to each other connected in parallel by a delivery manifold and an intake manifold and by curved connecting sections; said linear sections of the coils passing through said through holes of the fins or slats (54). 8. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the at least one heat exchange duct (33) includes a plurality of heat exchange ducts positioned hydraulically in parallel. 9. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the heat shield of (37, 47, 57) is attached to the outer casing (31, 41, 51) of the thermal storage unit ( 50) via spacer and support elements coupled to said external casing (31, 41, 51). Temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the heat shield (57) includes a damper for regulating the flow of natural convection and/or ventilation. Temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling heat storage unit (50) includes a series of fans (113) configured to distribute low velocity air within the container at controlled temperature (1). 12. Temperature-controlled container (1) for the transport of perishable goods, in particular of the type of a refrigerated container for land and/or maritime transport, characterized by comprising: – a monolithic box-like body (20) which is made of composite material comprising an internal core of expanded insulating material, covered by an external layer; And – a plurality of cooling thermal storage units (30, 40, 50) coupled to respective internal walls (24) of said box-like body (20) and connected in fluid communication with an inlet mouth (91) for inlet of a refrigerant fluid and a suction mouth (92) for extracting said refrigerant fluid; wherein each of said cooling thermal storage units (30, 40, 50) comprises a respective external casing (31, 41, 51) which contains a respective thermal storage material, in which a respective heat exchanger (32, 42, 52) which includes at least one heat exchange duct (33) capable of being crossed by the refrigerant fluid in transit between said inlet mouth (91) and said suction mouth (92), wherein each of said cooling heat storage units (30, 40, 50) is provided with a respective heat shield (37, 47, 57) fixed to said external casing (31, 41, 51), said heat shield (37 , 47, 57) being positioned towards the inside of the temperature-controlled container (1) so as to at least partially cover the thermal storage unit (30, 40 50), wherein said cooling heat storage units (30, 40, 50) contain different heat storage liquids having different melting points. 13. System comprising a temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of the previous claims and a thermal charging apparatus (70) for carrying out the cooling of the thermal storage material in said temperature-controlled container (1), said charging apparatus thermal charge (70) being able to supply said refrigerant fluid by conveying it towards at least one heat exchange duct (33) and extracting it from this, said system being characterized by the fact of comprising: – a delivery port for the injection of refrigerant fluid into said inlet port (91), configured to be connected to said inlet port (91); – a suction mouth for extracting the refrigerant fluid from said outlet mouth (92), configured to be connected to said outlet mouth (92); – a cooling circuit configured for the cooling of said refrigerant fluid directed towards said delivery port and coming from said extraction port. 14. Method for transporting and/or storing perishable goods in a temperature-controlled container (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized by comprising the steps of: – cool a refrigerant fluid in an apparatus (70) external to said temperature-controlled container (1); – pass said refrigerant fluid inside at least one heat exchange duct (33) included in a thermal accumulation unit (50) of the temperature-controlled container (1) so as to cool said thermal accumulation material; – extract said coolant from the temperature-controlled container (1); – transport and/or store perishable goods in the temperature-controlled container (1). The method according to the preceding claim, also comprising the step of heating the thermal storage material contained in a heating thermal storage unit (250) to maintain the internal temperature at positive values when in the presence of a negative external temperature.