FI121171B - Cool container - Google Patents

Description

Cool container

The present invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1.

5 In the storage and distribution of food and drink in aircraft, aluminum trolleys (wheeled trolleys) are often used. Trolleys are sized to international standards and are well known in size.

Cooling of food and beverage portions inside Trolleys is most commonly done with chi-10 fatty acid ice cubes / plates. As a refrigerant, carbonated ice is a very effective but uneven and environmentally friendly substance.

Carbonic ice or "dry ice" emits 530 L / kg of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is one of the most significant waste products of mankind. The intensification of the greenhouse effect is very much influenced by carbon dioxide.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the problems associated with the cooling of food products, such as food and beverages, such as uneven cooling, and to minimize the utilization of carbonated ice as a refrigerant.

20

The invention relates to a container for storing aircraft food and beverages to be placed inside Trolley.

More specifically, the container according to the invention is characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The use of the container according to the invention, in turn, is characterized by what is claimed in claims 17 and 18.

The invention provides means for cold-storing food and beverage products that maintain a constant temperature in the storage space without burden on the environment. Since the refrigeration devices of the invention are re-coolable, they also do not generate a significant amount of waste.

2

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to illustrate but not limit the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a container according to the invention and 5 parts thereof.

Figure 2 illustrates the container body pieces, in Figure 2a the positioning of the pieces relative to each other and in Figure 2b a more detailed view of the shelf.

Figure 3 illustrates the positions in which the container body, lid body and shelves are preferably secured to one another.

10

The container according to embodiments of the invention preferably comprises the following components (as in the figures): 1, 2 body piece 3 tongue and groove 15 4 lid body 5 recess 6 hinge and counter body 7 interior wall grooves 8 shelf 20 9 cooling bag 10, 11, 12, 13 temperature measuring system 10 for 12 immersion temperature sensor 25 13 temperature sensor 14 temperature monitoring means 15 communication medium

The container according to the invention thus consists of at least two separate thermally insulating body members 1, 2 which comprise means for performing a tight connection and a lid body 4 with which the container can be closed. Preferably, the body members 1,2 are provided with groove and projection fittings for implementing the tongue and groove joint.

3

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interior of the container is divisible by perforated plate shelves 8 into at least two sections, at least one of which is applicable to storing food and beverage products and at least one of which is applicable to storing a cooling product.

5

Preferably, a temperature measuring system 10, 11, 12, 13 is connected to the cover body 4 by immersion or attachment for monitoring the temperature. Correspondingly, the cover body 4 comprises means for monitoring the temperature 14 and attaching the communication means 15 to the cover body 4. For securing the cover piece 4 to the body, a hinge piece 6a is secured to a second Kap-10 bellows 2 of the body, preferably to the lower part of the piece 2, and a cover piece 6b corresponding to the hinge piece 6a is attached to the cover piece 4, respectively. Preferably, a small recess 5 is grooved in the upper part of the lid body 4 to facilitate opening.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge 6 is made of plastic and is easily removable from both the body and the cover during cleaning. By means of the hinges 6, the cover piece (door) 4 is mounted to be opened either upwards or downwards depending on the application.

Since the body members 1, 2 are connected to each other by a tongue and groove connection 3, they too are easily attached to one another and also easily opened for cleaning or maintenance, for example. Correspondingly, they are easily attached to each other. The dishwasher safe.

Preferably, said cooling product comprises at least one (cold gel cooling bag 9), preferably containing a gel to be re-cooled.

25

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container body halves 1, 2 are manufactured by industrial compression of EPP cellular polypropylene.

The inner walls of the container body members 1, 2 have grooves 7a, b, c, preferably at three points, for mounting space dividers 8, such as shelves 8. The shelves are preferably made of metal, particularly preferably aluminum. Preferably, they are torn to promote temperature equalization.

Depending on the need for cooling, 1 or 2 cooling bags 9 are placed on top of each other, preferably 35 on a shelf 8 mounted in either groove 7a or 7b. Since the gel in cooling bag 9 expands 5-20%, preferably about 10%, at room temperature 7a, b, by means of which the shelf 8 of the gel bags can be mounted at the desired location in the container, are dimensioned so that the cooling bag (s) 9 fit snugly between the shelf 8 and the top of the body. In this case, the supply of cold air only takes place downwardly through preferably perforated shelves and thus the cooling time is extended. If one cooling bag 9 is sufficient to provide the required cooling time and power, shelf 8 is mounted in groove 7a, and if longer cooling time and / or higher cooling power is required, two gel bags are superimposed so that shelf 8 is mounted in groove 7b.

10

The lowest groove 7c is reserved for the product shelf 8, for example, during the operation of the container, food or beverage products requiring refrigeration are placed. Products can thus be distributed evenly inside the container, both on the shelf 8 mounted in the groove 7c and on the bottom of the container without slipping into each other.

15

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cooling bag 9 is used for cooling food and beverage products which has an effective and long-lasting cooling capacity. More preferably, the cooling bag 9 is custom-made and, after temperature control, such as freezing, is -3 degrees. The cooling bag 9 is comprised of a food-approved cover 20 containing three small gel bags.

In order to monitor the serviceability of the products to be cooled, the internal temperature of the vessel is measured and controlled. This is done by a measuring device 10, either permanently or temporarily attached to or immersed in the container lid body 4. The measuring device 10 is preferably positioned in the middle of the lid body 4 with a small hole 5 to 7 mm in diameter for the measuring device 10. wherein the temperature sensor 13 of the measuring device 10 is placed. The temperature sensor 13 measures the inside temperature of the vessel either at desired intervals or continuously.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor 13 is permanently mounted on the cover body 4. According to this embodiment, the entire cover body 4 is preferably removed from the housing for cleaning and, if necessary, for maintenance.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature monitoring means 14 attached to the outside of the lid body 4 during measurement 35 indicate the adequacy of the temperature inside the container 5 by flashing lights of different colors, such as green or red. The parameters of the measuring device 10 can be set at desired intervals and / or times. For example, it may be determined that the interior must remain below + 8 ° C throughout storage, such as flight and / or return flight, while the products inside the container are still hygienic and serviceable.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment, communication means 15, preferably a USB cable 15, is provided in the measuring device hole 11, which is obtained by combining statistics on the temperature inside the vessel and temperature variations. Both the color-10 light measurement and the data transmission means 15 can be measured without opening the lid body 4, whereby the temperature inside the container does not change.

Instead of the USB cable 15, of course, other means of communication, such as wireless technology, can be used.

15

In accordance with the above, the invention relates to a particularly preferred embodiment of a cold storage container referred to as an Inflight Cooler comprising two body pieces 1 and 2 made of EPP cellular polypropylene, joined by tongue-and-groove attachment, and a cover piece 4 and aluminum for work and space.

According to this embodiment, the invention relates in particular to a temperature measuring system 10, 11, 12, 13 embedded in or attached to an Inflight Cooler hatch 4 for temperature measurement, a separate monitoring device 14 for a temperature measurement separately in hatch 4 and a USB data cable 15 for communication. as well as specially made and washable cooling bags up to -3 ° C (cold temperature) 9.

The size of the container is suitable for the KSSU standard trolley or trolley cabinets used by most airlines and the KSSU storage cabinets. The dimensions of the container are designed, for example, for airplanes or trolleys, so that the containers can fit snugly on the serving trolley (1-2 trolleys), depending on the application. There is no excess space between the inside of the carriage and the outer wall of the container according to the invention, so that the container can withstand even heavy movement and possible turbulence. Alternatively, it is possible to place the container tightly inside the 35 KSSU cabinets in the airplane 's kitchen. This storage cabinet holds 1 set of 6 containers according to the invention. Tight storage extends the life of the container by preventing it from moving inside the trolley or cabinet. Maximizing the storage space is also accomplished in this way.

The amount of oxygen between the outside of the container and the inside of the trolley is minimal. This contributes, among other things, to fire safety. With the trolley doors closed, the aluminum / steel walls of the trolley protect the container of the invention from impact.

The purpose of the container is, among other things, to extend the transportation and cooling time of cold-stored food and beverages. The temperature of such foods should be below + 8 ° C at the time of the ice cream 10.

The cooling properties of the vessel are based on a dense structure and an insulating material. Only in the case of lid 4 when it is opened is it possible for air to enter the container, unlike in non-tight trolleys. Preferably, the projections 15 on the edge of the lid body 4 fasten it securely to the trolley body and door during transport.

By the combined effect of the gel bags used for cooling and the shelved shelves used in the invention, the cooling and distribution of cold air inside the container is uniform, controlled and pit-20.

Claims (19)

Container for storing aircraft food and beverages for insertion into Trolley, characterized in that it consists of: 5. at least two interconnected, separate, heat-insulating body members (1,2) comprising means for performing a tight connection, and (4) with which the container can be closed. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the body members (1, 2) are provided with groove and projection fittings for implementing a tongue and groove connection. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that its interior can be provided with space dividers (8), such as shelves (8), in which the interior can be divided into at least two sections, at least one of which is suitable for storing food and beverage products. is applicable to the storage of the cooling product. Container according to Claim 3, characterized in that the shelves (8), which are preferably tear-off, can be mounted in the grooves (7a, b, c) grooved on the inner walls of the body members (1,2), preferably at three points. 20 Container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the shelves (8) are made of metal, preferably aluminum. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the container can be provided with a cooling product comprising at least one cold gel cooling bag (9), preferably 1 or 2 bags (9). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gel temperature of the cold gel cooling bag (9) is adjustable, preferably to-3 ° C, whereby the gel expands 5-20%, preferably 10%, at room temperature when frozen. . Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a temperature measuring system (10, 11, 12, 13) for measuring the temperature is connected to the cover piece (4) by immersion or attachment. Container according to Claim 8, characterized in that the temperature measuring system (10, 11, 12, 13) comprises a measuring device (10) for attaching or submerging in a cover piece (4), a measuring device (10) having a diameter of 5-7 mm. for insertion (12) inside the lid body (4), and a temperature sensor (13) for insertion (12). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid body (4) comprises means for monitoring the temperature (14) and attaching the communication means (15) to the lid body (4). 15 Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that communication means (15), preferably a USB cable (15), are attached to the measuring device hole (11). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one hinge piece (6a) is attached to the second piece (2) of the body 20 and at least one counter piece (6b) corresponding to the hinge piece (6a) (4) for fixing to the frame. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the hinges (6) are made of plastic. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a small recess (5) is grooved in the lid body (4) to facilitate opening. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body members (1, 2) are manufactured by industrially pressing EPP cellular polypropylene. Use of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 15 for cooling or storing food products at a desired temperature. Use of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 15 in a serving trolley or storage cabinet dimensioned by the KSSU dimension standard 5 for cooling their contents to a desired temperature or for storing at a desired temperature. Use according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the desired temperature is below 8 ° C. Use according to claim 17, wherein 1-2 containers of containers according to any one of claims 1 to 15 are placed inside Trolley or wherein containers of 1 to 15 are placed in a storage cabinet.