Refrigeration – With vehicle feature
Patent
1997-05-05
1998-10-13
Capossela, Ronald C.
Refrigeration
With vehicle feature
62384, B60H 132
Patent
active
058195505
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable controlled-temperature (such as frozen and/or refrigerated) containers having self-contained cooling systems.
2. General Background
Many truck lines use refrigerated trucks to carry food products over long distances. The present invention is an economical substitute for refrigerated trucks when less than a full truckload of refrigerated or frozen cargo is to be transported. For more background on this invention, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,237.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention solves the problems and shortcomings of the prior art in a simple straightforward manner by providing an improved portable transportable refrigeration system for use on common carrier type truck lines, airplanes, and boats, for example.
The apparatus disclosed herein comprises a self-supporting container having an interior for carrying refrigerated or frozen or other controlled-temperature cargo and adapted to be lifted by a forklift or a crane means, or both. Thus, the container of the present invention is a versatile container which can be used on trucks, airplanes, and boats, enabling a shipper of frozen or refrigerated cargo to use the same container whether it is shipping via ground, air, or sea, or some combination of one or more of these methods.
The present specification discusses a strap lifting system which allows the container to be easily lifted with a crane. For detailed information about the functioning of the refrigeration system of the present invention, please see the prior Saia and Saia et al. patents and patent applications which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention comprises apparatus for shipping controlled-temperature cargo in an unrefrigerated cargo area of a substantially larger transport vehicle, vessel, or aircraft. The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises a container having an interior area with a volume to be loaded with frozen and/or refrigerated and/or other controlled-temperature cargo with an access opening that can be opened and closed, self-contained temperature-control means in the container for maintaining a desired preselected preset refrigerated or frozen temperature range within the container interior, and lifting means attached to the container for allowing the container to be picked up by a crane means by attaching the crane means to the lifting means.
The lifting means is preferably attached to the container in such a manner as to balance the container when the crane means is attached at a single point to the lifting means. Preferably, the container has a base plate having two spaced apart, parallel slots adapted to be engaged by a forklift lifting device.
The container preferably includes a top, side walls, and a bottom, and the lifting means preferably includes lifting eyes attached to the bottom of the container, strap means attached to the lifting eyes and extending above the top of the container when the container is upright, and spreader bars attached to the top of the container for substantially preventing contact between the side walls of the container and the strap means, the strap means contacting the spreader bars. Preferably, the strap means are joined together at a point above the top of the container to enable the container to be picked up by a crane means attached to the lifting means at the point. Also, the spreader bars preferably have inner and outer ends and include rollers adjacent the outer ends, providing a low-friction connection between the strap means and the spreader bars.
The lifting means is preferably certified for a maximum weight capacity of double the weight of the container when it is fully loaded with product.
The method of the present invention comprises a method of shipping refrigerated or frozen perishable goods in an unrefrigerated area of a vessel having a cargo holding area. The method preferably comprises the steps of placing the perishable goods into a structural container that can be placed in
REFERENCES:
patent: 909222 (1909-01-01), Reynolds
patent: 2235719 (1941-03-01), Matarese
patent: 3385073 (1968-05-01), Snelling
patent: 3519302 (1970-07-01), Orenstein
patent: 4066287 (1978-01-01), Rowley
patent: 4467612 (1984-08-01), Wensel, Jr.
patent: 4825666 (1989-05-01), Saia, III
patent: 5337579 (1994-08-01), Saia, III et al.
Andrews Russell
Saia, III Louis P.
Capossela Ronald C.
Saia, III Louis P.
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