Refrigeration – Automatic control – Refrigeration producer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-14
2001-09-18
Tapolcai, William E. (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Automatic control
Refrigeration producer
C062S239000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289684
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a refrigeration system which includes a refrigerated, industrial size container which is self-contained and easily transported from one location to another and easily moveable on and off, for example, a trailer truck, as well as to associated methodology for using the transportable, self-contained, refrigerated container to deliver food or other temperature sensitive materials to, for example, offshore platforms or for use in emergencies and disasters, war zones, including, for example, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, “war” zones, and the like, etc. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a door latch lock that can be disengaged from the inside for use, for example, when someone is locked into the refrigerated compartment of the container, allowing the occupant(s) to get out of the container. The container forms a rigid, strong, protective enclosure, in which all of the working equipment [refrigeration compressor, motor(s), fuel tank, control panel, etc.], are compactly, protectively housed at one end of the container] completely behind closed walls, with the tank being isolated from the electrical components.
BACKGROUND ART
Large, industrial size, metal containers have been around for many years and have been long used in transporting goods, an example being those used on container vessels or trailer trucks. Likewise, refrigerated compartments incorporated into, for example, truck trailers, and the like, have also been around for long periods of time in the field of transportation.
However, until the present invention, no one has, it is believed, provided an easily transportable and easily moveable, self-contained, refrigerated container, particularly one having the innovative features of the present invention, which features allow, for example, the use of the container in the way used with respect to the methodologies of the present invention, as part of the system of the present invention. Additionally, with respect to the container itself, prior art systems expose at least substantial parts of its operating equipment to damage by merely hanging the equipment off of the sides of the container body and failing to isolate the fuel supply from electrical components, which can cause the fuel to be ignited by electrical sparks. Many other innovative structural features and add-ons are provided in the present invention.
Exemplary methodologies of the “prior art,” the problems of which the present invention solves, include the following.
Distribution of Food to Oil Platforms
At present, in the “prior art,” frozen food products are packaged into boxes and packed with dry ice. The iced boxes are then loaded into a refrigerated truck and delivered to the designated port. At the dock the boxes are loaded into a non-refrigerated metal box or container where it often will sit for approximately two to twenty-four (2-24) hours, waiting for a supply vessel to arrive and then to be loaded on the supply vessel.
After it's placed on the vessel it may be another approximately two to twenty-four (2-24) hours before actually reaching the designated offshore platform. Additionally, oil companies currently are drilling in deeper and deeper waters now which are further and further offshore, adding to the dock-to-platform delivery time.
When the vessel finally reaches the platform, the boxes are taken out of the unrefrigerated metal box and placed into the platform's freezer.
As time goes on during this process, the thermal properties of the dry ice begin to break down, resulting in adverse changes in rising food temperatures. The federal agency OSHA has a number of reported cases of food poisoning related to this problem. Also, when the food delivery is delayed for a long period of time, such as currently occurs relatively often, it has to be and is thrown away, resulting in substantial financial loss and deprivation to the platform personnel with respect to what is available to them for eating.
Additionally and coincidentally, one of the co-inventors hereof happened just recently to observe a grocery order being delivered in cardboard boxes packed in dry ice, loaded on a pallet, and left there all day in the sun next to oil drums to await transportation to an offshore rig. The packed food was still there well into the night and possibly much longer. Such long-term, direct exposure to the sun, particularly in the hot environs of south Louisiana, from which most offshore platforms are supplied, clearly creates a great risk of food spoilage.
In addition to food stuffs, the temperature protection of medical supplies while they are being shipped or stored is very important.
The system of the present invention solves these long-standing, great-need, problems of the prior art.
“FEMA” Type Emergency/Disaster Operations
When, for example, a disaster strikes, such as, for example, in the after-effects caused by hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and the like, the only means of containing cold products in the “prior art” typically has been with a generator pack. This requires having to run the generator twenty-four (24) hours a day burning fuel. Additionally, such generator packs are very limited in their use, even though they are significantly expensive.
Bombed out areas and war zones provide other examples of “emergency” type situations in which the system of the present invention is applicable. The foregoing examples are, of course, not exhaustive of such applications, with many more known to those of ordinary skill.
The system of the present invention also solves these long-standing, great-need, problems of the prior art.
General Summary Discussion of Invention
As noted above, the present invention is directed to a refrigeration system which includes, in its preferred embodiments, a refrigerated, industrial size container which is self-contained and easily transported from one location to another and easily moveable on and off, for example, a trailer truck. The present invention is also diected, as well, to associated methodology for using the transportable, self-contained, refrigerated container to deliver relatively large quantities of food or other temperature sensitive materials or items to, for example, offshore platforms, or for use in emergencies and disasters, including, for example, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, bombed out zones, war zones, and the like, etc.
Additionally, the present invention is directed to a door latch lock that can be disengaged from the inside for use, for example, when someone is locked into the refrigerated compartment of the container, allowing the occupant(s) to get out of the container.
The preferred, exemplary embodiments of the invention are each directed to an extended, box-like, metal, industrial size, insulated container including a rigid, structural framework for safely and reliably transporting and/or storing relatively large quantities of temperature sensitive items (food, medical supplies, ice, human corpses, etc.) over a long distance (e.g., from an on-shore food distribution center to an offshore platform a substantial distance off-shore) and/or for a substantial period of time (about, for example, 7+days), useful for such delivery/storage to such a far removed site, and for on-site use in emergencies, disasters, etc. The container includes at its ends a structurally protected, enclosed equipment section, which includes all operating machinery (e.g. compressor, motor, fuel tank, control mechanisms, etc., in isolated sub-compartments) and associated equipment, and a freezer/cooler section for the temperature sensitive items.
The second embodiment includes two, separate, freezer and cooler sections with separate, side doors. An escape structure on the lock latch is included on the access door(s) for escape of an occupant who becomes locked in. Many other, innovative safety features are disclosed and discussed below, along with innovative use methodologies are also discussed in detail below.
The container forms a rigid, strong, protectiv
Guidry, II John L.
Morales Kevin L.
Ali Mohammad M.
Pugh C. Emmett
Pugin/Associates Patent & Trademark Attys
Tapolcai William E.
LandOfFree
Transportable, self-contained, refrigeration system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Transportable, self-contained, refrigeration system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Transportable, self-contained, refrigeration system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2467433