Patent EP-0890525-A1 (EP)
Inventor: CARLI DAVID RANDY
IPC: B65D85/50
Filed: 1998-07-07
Abstract: The multi-component shipping container system for the transportation of organic
matter with water pumping system, variable payload, active thermal regulator, is an
invention representing a revolutionary new method to transport all kind products requiring
a thermal factor for its transportation and preservation. The invention not only is a novelty,
but it also provides the special feature of improving the preservation conditions of the
products by allowing that even after extensive exposure to adverse external temperature
conditions during transportation, the product is not damaged; likewise, it guarantees a
significant cost reduction of the final product due to the savings originated by using more
economic and developed means to be able to reach the consumer more effectively and
cheaper. 
     How did the invention come about? Very simple, nowadays, the Tropical Flower
industry faces the problem of an extremely expensive transportation system that does not
allow direct transportation of the product to the wholesaler, thus preventing the expansion
of the market and increasing its final costs, this is because of the special needs of the
product, particularly the need of a temperature higher than 8.9°C for its adequate
preservation. The transportation system of the Tropical Flowers has not developed by
function of its needs mainly because the market is rather small and does not represent a
"grosso modo" an important group of economic interest in order to develop container
trucks that would transport the refrigerated product. To the contrary, the Tropical Flower
Industry enjoys a technologically advanced transport infrastructure causing its market to
expand at very convenient prices. The problem solved with this invention is the use of the
Transporting Industry developed depending on the needs of the Traditional Flower Industry
in favor of the Tropical Flower Industry. From now on, a product (Tropical Flowers) can
be transported in refrigerated trucks without damaging its quality, but to the contrary,
improving its preservation because of the adequate conditions provided by the system. 
     This multi-component shipping container system for the transportation of organic
matter, with water pumping system, variable payload, active thermal regulator, consists of
using a group of three basic elements, which are: insulated chassis, water storage
reservoir tanks and the water pumping unit. The mentioned system maintains the
temperature of the payload inside the chassis within a maximum temperature range when 
exposed to changing temperatures; as a thermal agent, it uses either hot or cold water
pumped by the pumping unit towards the storage tanks specially designed to adapt to the
requirements of the volume, space and type of payload contained in the chassis. The
chassis groups consists, for the time being, of four different chassis and its payload support
groups with different sizes and features. Each individual chassis integrates the thermal
tanks, the payload support group, and the corresponding top cover for each one. The top
covers of the chassis are the covers matching the four types of chassis. Each cover
matches the corresponding chassis, thus locking up the upper part. The thermal tank
group matches inside the different chassis. When the thermal tanks are loaded with any
of the different liquids, they perform as a thermal battery for the system. Depending on
the kind, shape or payload demand, one or several kinds of tanks can be used
interchangeably in any of the chassis. The payload support group keeps the products in
position and secure inside the chassis. An internal structure combined with the chassis
offers payload support. The payload support group is formed by three different kinds of
components. The last one is the water pumping unit which depending on a specific
application heats up the incoming water at the desired temperature and injects the liquid
into the thermal tank group. We must bear in mind that this invention will be primarily used
for the transportation of Tropical Flowers, however, the system is adequate to preserve any
kind of organic matter, such as foliage, protein, lipids, carbohydrate compounds, etc. 
     The invention includes standardization and compatibility characteristics that make
all the components of the systems compatible and interchangeable with one another,
allowing for several combinations between tanks and chassis, depending on the
characteristics and needs of the payload. 
     In order to manufacture the multi-component, shipping container system for the
transportation of organic matter, with water pumping system, variable payload, active
thermal regulator, it is necessary to cast wooden molds for the chassis and the top covers
which must strictly abide by the specifications shown in the schematics attached hereto.
Once the molds are ready they are used to make the ceramics ones, which at the same
time will serve as basis for the definite aluminum ones. Once the aluminum ones are
ready, the insulating material is poured into them. The chassis and the top covers must
be free of cracks, otherwise the thermal factor would escape, which is why this a very
delicate procedure. The storage tanks basically follow the same manufacturing pattern,
however, in order for the tanks to get their final shape, they are prepared using the blown
method inside the mold and not the dripping method as the chassis.  
     The last thing is the water pump which in spite of being a completely new unit, only
requires for its manufacturing the assembling of the parts that form it, as previously
illustrated.