Insulated panels and shipping container incorporating said panels

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulation panel for use in thermally insulated shipping containers, the panel comprising a rigid core of an insulation material, the core being wholly encompassed within a polyethylene foam envelope. A container made from the panels and a shipping carton is also described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to insulated panels for use in shipping containers. The invention also relates to a shipping container intended for use in shipping and storing temperature-sensitive products, such as frozen tissues and other perishable products at critical temperature or range of temperatures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A wide range of containers has been used or proposed for use in storing and transporting temperature sensitive products. Containers can include a cardboard shipping carton lined with insulating material such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane or other foam material. The insulating material may be provided in modular panels placed together to provide a central insulated cavity. A plug or lid incorporating insulated material is generally used to seal the cavity before the carton is closed and prepared for shipping. [0003] Alternatively, the insulated material can be provided by injection moulding techniques so as to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002] A wide range of containers has been used or proposed for use in storing and transporting temperature sensitive products. Containers can include a cardboard shipping carton lined with insulating material such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane or other foam material. The insulating material may be provided in modular panels placed together to provide a central insulated cavity. A plug or lid incorporating insulated material is generally used to seal the cavity before the carton is closed and prepared for shipping.

Problems solved by technology

There are benefits and disadvantages with the two general types of containers, particularly when they are used for the shipping of large quantities of goods.

Injection moulded containers can be costly to manufacture due to the tooling costs and the need to use blowing agents with EPS.

However, polyurethane tends to adhere to the wall surfaces creating disposing problems as both the outer container, polyurethane and inner liner must be disposed together.

There are also significant storage and transportation costs in respect of empty containers formed from EPS or polyurethane.

However, the effectiveness of the insulation in a modular shipping container can be less than that of an equivalent integral container due to the additional seams through which air may enter and thereby warm the contents of the container.

Whilst the insulation properties can be improved by increasing the width of the panels, this will reduce the internal storage capacity in the shipping carton for the same size shipping carton and increase transportation costs.

However, whilst VIP provides great thermal insulation, the panels can be easily damaged.

This limits the use and reuse of VIPs.

As a consequence VIPs are not considered suitable for long life use.

None of the above containers are entirely satisfactory so that there is a need to provide a shipping container for shipping and storing varying products at low temperatures for extended periods of time, while minimising manufacturing, use, storage and transportation costs of the container and its components.

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