AU2016331029B2

AU2016331029B2 - Portable shipping container contents heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2016331029B2
Application number: AU2016331029A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas Mark SELF
Original assignee: Genera Ltd
Current assignee: Genera Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-28
Filing date: 2016-09-28
Publication date: 2021-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-28
Also published as: AU2016331029A1; WO2017058031A1

Abstract

: In one aspect the invention provides a portable shipping container contents heating apparatus. This apparatus includes a heating assembly arranged to produce heated air, and a false door configured to removably engage with and close at least a portion of the entrance to a shipping container. The false door defines at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the container, and at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the container. The apparatus also includes at least one hot air conduit arranged to transport heated air from the heating assembly to said at least one inlet port.

Description

PORTABLE SHIPPING CONTAINER CONTENTS HEATING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a portable heating apparatus configured to heat the contents of a shipping container. The invention may be moved into proximity to a shipping container and used to heat the container contents without needing the container to be devanned.

Background of the Invention

Shipping containers transport a wide variety of goods across the world. Local biosecurity concerns are a significant issue, with containerised products needing to be sterilised or fumigated prior to release at their destination. In addition to the cargoes themselves, wooden products are used extensively as packaging within shipping containers cargos. Care must also be taken to ensure that wooden packaging materials are not capable of transporting unwanted organisms.

One approach to resolving these biosecurity problems is to fumigate shipping container cargos. However fumigant compounds need to be used carefully as they present a health and safety risk. A number of fumigant compounds are also environmental pollutants, and care need to be taken in the scavenging and collection of fumigant gases after use.

An alternative to the use of fumigants is the application of a heat treatment process which can be highly effective for certain types of cargoes. In particular, wooden materials can be effectively sterilised to acceptable phytosanitary standards by being held to above 56 0 C for over 30 minutes in accordance with FAO standard ISPM15. Heat treatments systems can also be used effectively to dry out water saturated or flooded cargoes.

One existing type of heat treatment system is disclosed in US patent application number US20090211148. This document describes a self contained mobile heat treatment assembly consisting of a dedicated heating chamber located adjacent to a heater sub-chamber. Cargo to be sterilised is unloaded from an original shipping container and sealed inside the heating chamber prior to the activation of a heater located in the sub-chamber.

Although this type of heat treatment system can perform effectively to sterilise cargoes, these cargoes must still be unloaded from their original containers, sealed into the mobile heating assembly, and then loaded back into their original containers after heat treatment. The multiple handling the steps involved with the use of this system make it slow to use and expensive in terms of labour costs. These additional handling steps also introduce an additional bio-security risk with the potential for unwanted organisms to be released into the local environment during handling.

It would therefore be of advantage to have improvements over the prior art which addressed the above issues or at least provided the public with an alternative choice. In particular, it would be of advantage to have a portable shipping container contents heating apparatus which allowed heat treatments to be completed without needing to remove a cargo from inside an original shipping container. An improved apparatus which could also be used to monitor the performance and effectiveness of the heat treatment being applied to shipping container cargoes would also be of advantage. A heating apparatus with a portable character which could be engaged in situ with a shipping container without needing the container to be moved would also be of advantage.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable shipping container contents heating apparatus which includes a heating assembly arranged to produce heated air, and a false door configured to removably engage with and close at least a portion of the entrance to a shipping container, the false door defining at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the container, and at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the container, and at least one hot air conduit arranged to transport heated air from the heating assembly to said at least one inlet port.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a heating apparatus substantially as described above which includes at least one baffle associated with an interior side of the false door, said baffle or baffles being arranged to prevent air flowing along the interior surface of the false door between an inlet and an outlet port of the false door.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a heating apparatus substantially as described above which includes at least one control sensor arranged to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature, and a controller associated with the heating assembly, the controller being configured to receive the output signal of the control sensor and to modify the operation of the heating assembly in accordance with the air temperature indicated by the control sensor signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a heating apparatus substantially as described above which includes a plurality of performance sensors, each performance sensor being configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature within a shipping container, and a timer element connected to said plurality of performance sensors, the timer element being activated when an output signal provided by at least one of the temperature sensors reaches a target value.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a heating apparatus substantially as described above which includes a treatment liquid dispenser arranged to spray a treatment liquid into a hot air conduit or an inlet port of the false door.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a heating apparatus which includes a heating assembly arranged to produce heated air, the heating assembly incorporating a heat exchange system which separates the heat source used from the air to be heated, and a false door configured to removably engage with and close at least a portion of the entrance to a shipping container, the false door defining at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the container, and at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the container, and an inlet baffle deployed in contact with the false door immediately below an inlet port, and an outlet baffle is deployed in contact with the false door immediately above an outlet port, and at least one hot air conduit arranged to transport heated air from the heating assembly to said at least one inlet port, and a plurality of performance sensors, each performance sensor being configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature within a shipping container, and a timer element connected to said plurality of performance sensors, the timer element being activated when an output signal provided by at least one of the temperature sensors reaches a target temperature value wherein the timer element resets its operation and/or triggers the activation of an alarm indicator if one or more of the performance sensors indicates a drop in temperature below the target temperature value.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided to a method of heating the contents a shipping container characterised by the steps of: i. at least partially opening one or more doors of a shipping container, and ii. installing a false door into the entrance of the shipping container to close said entrance, and iii. connecting at least one hot air conduit to an inlet port of the false door, said hot air conduit being engaged with a heating assembly, and iv. activating the heating assembly to transport heated air through the hot air conduit and false door inlet port into the interior of the shipping container.

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for heating the contents of a shipping container. Various aspects of the invention encompass a shipping container contents heating apparatus, as well as a method of installing and using such an apparatus to deliver heated air into a shipping container.

Reference will primarily be made throughout this specification to the invention providing a shipping container contents heating apparatus. However those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention encompasses further aspects and reference the above in isolation should in no way be seen as limiting.

The apparatus provided by the invention has a portable character to allow for the heat treatment of container cargoes without needing these cargoes to be removed from their shipping container. The various elements and components of the invention can be moved into place and engaged with a shipping container without the need for repositioning or movement of the container.

The invention includes a heating assembly arranged to produce the heated air to be delivered into the interior of a shipping container. In a preferred embodiment this heating assembly may have a power or heating capacity of approximately 100 kW. This characteristic of the heating assembly provides the invention with flexibility and the ability to heat treat cargos contained within a range of shipping container sizes.

In a preferred embodiment a heating assembly may be formed or defined by an indirect heating system, separating the heat source used from the air to be heated by a heat exchange system. In such embodiments various forms of heat sources may be provided to supply heat to a transfer fluid running through one side of a heat exchange system. The opposite side of the heat exchange system can circulate air to be delivered to the interior of the container, thereby separating the heat source and air being circulated.

In a preferred embodiment a heating assembly may be formed by a hydrocarbon combustion or burning system such as - for example - a diesel or propane gas burner.

Reference in general throughout this specification will also be made to the invention incorporating a diesel burning indirect heating system. However those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of alternative forms of heating assemblies may also be used in conjunction with the present invention. For example, in some alternative embodiments direct heating systems and/or electrically powered heater elements may all be used in conjunction with the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment a heating assembly may include an air drive mechanism such as a fan or impeller. This drive mechanism can be used to urge heated air into the interior of a container and also to draw cooler air from the interior of the container. In a further preferred embodiment a high power fan assembly may be used, such as for example a 2 kW power capacity fan. Using an air drive fan with this power rating improves circulation of heated air within the interior of the container, particularly with large containers.

In a preferred embodiment the invention may also incorporate at least one control sensor configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature. This output signal can be provided to an additional controller connected to or associated with the heating assembly to allow the controller to determine if it should modify the performance or operation of the heating assembly.

2o For example, one preferred embodiment a control sensor may be deployed within a hot air conduit used to deliver air heated by the heating assembly. This control sensor can be used to ensure that the air to be delivered into the interior of the shipping container is sufficiently hot while also preventing the delivery of overheated air which could damage a shipping containers cargo.

The invention provides a false door which is used in practice to replace one or more of the existing doors of the shipping container. In a preferred embodiment the form or dimensions of the false door provided may replace one of the two standard doors normally used to close the entrance of a shipping container. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a false door as referenced herein can be used to replace an existing container door, being attached in the same way as an existing doorwithout any modification being required to a shipping container and without compromising the integrity of the container. This may be contrasted with prior art technology which may require the existing door seals of a container to be compromised to allow a separate interface system to be used.

Reference in general throughout this specification will also be made to the false door used by the invention closing or replacing one existing door of a shipping container. Those skilled in the art will however appreciate that alternative arrangements of the invention are also envisioned.

In use the invention's false door may be removably engaged with a shipping container by one of the container doors being opened wide and the false door being deployed in the opening formed. The false door may then be locked in place - preferably using spring bars - with a rubber or similar seal being deployed around the perimeter of the door to seal the container closed again.

A false door provided by the invention includes at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the shipping container. In a preferred embodiment the false door may include a single inlet port only, while in other alternative embodiments a number of inlet ports may be provided.

In a preferred embodiment an inlet port may be defined at the top or upper region of a false door. This arrangement allows the upper region of the container interior to be filled with lighter lower density heated air, driving heavier higher density cold air downwards to the bottom of the container.

In a preferred embodiment an inlet port may form or define a nozzle to shape and control air flows into the interior of the container. For example, in one preferred embodiment where a single inlet port is defined at the top of the false door, this port may define a wide fan nozzle to direct the volume of hot air forced into the container along the ceiling of the container.

A false door provided by the invention includes at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the shipping container. In a preferred embodiment the false door may include a single outlet port only, while in other alternative embodiments a number of outlet ports may be provided.

In a preferred embodiment an outlet port may be defined at the bottom or lower regions of a false door. This arrangement allows higher density cold air driven to the bottom of the container to be exhausted directly from the bottom of the container.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention incorporating a false door with one or more inlet ports located at the top of the door and one or more outlet ports located at the bottom region of the door. Those skilled in the art will however appreciate that other arrangements and placements for these ports are also within the scope of the invention and reference to the above isolation should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the invention may include a single hot air conduit only when the false door defines single inlet port. This single hot air conduit can be engaged at one end with the heating assembly and at its opposite end to the inlet port to deliver heated air into the interior of a shipping container.

2o A hot air conduit provided with the invention may be formed from a length of flexible ducting, preferably which extends to a length of several metres. The use of such flexible ducting contributes to the portable character of the invention, providing a linking element between the heating assembly and a shipping container which delivers heated air into the interior of the container without needing to move or unload the container. The heating assembly may be positioned as close as practical to a shipping container with the hot air conduit run between the heating assembly and shipping container to affect a heat treatment process.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may also include at least one exhaust conduit. An exhaust conduit can be engaged at one end with an outlet port formed in the false door, and at its opposite end to an air intake of the heating assembly. This arrangement of the invention allows air heated to above ambient temperature to be scavenged from the container, increasing the energy efficiency of the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment the invention includes at least one baffle associated with an interior side of the false door. The interior side of the false door will face towards the interior of the container and the cargo to be heat treated. Such a baffle may preferably extend horizontally or perpendicular to the interior surface of the false door to create a barrier to air flowing directly between the inlet and outlet ports of the false door.

In a preferred embodiment a baffle may be formed by a relatively thin panel like structure with a width approximately equal to the width of the interior of a shipping container. The length or extent of the baffle may in various embodiments be approximately half a metre, allowing the baffle to extend to contact cargo stored near the entrance to the container.

In a preferred embodiment a baffle may be connected at one end to the false door, and its opposite end may be supported by cargo stacked near the entrance to the shipping container. This arrangement of a baffle will therefore present a barrier to heated air attempting to flow directly down the interior surface of the false door.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may include two baffles, defined as an inlet baffle and an outlet baffle. The inlet baffle may be deployed in contact with the false door immediately below an inlet port, while the outlet baffle may be deployed in contact with the false door immediately above an outlet port. This arrangement of paired sets of inlet and outlet baffles promotes saturation of the container atmosphere with heated air and the thorough circulation of heated air throughout the entire interior volume of the container.

In a preferred embodiment the invention may include a plurality of performance sensors linked to a timer element. These performance sensors may be arranged to each provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature as measured inside the container interior. Preferably these performance sensors can be deployed within the interior of the container at a variety of locations or regions where it may be difficult to circulate or direct heated air. These performance sensors can therefore indicate if and when the entire interior atmosphere of the container has reached a minimum threshold or target temperature value.

The timer element associated with these performance sensors may be triggered or operated on receipt of one or more performance sensor signals indicating that this target temperature value has been reached at various regions inside the container. In a further preferred embodiment the timer element may only be triggered if temperature indication signals received from all performance sensors show that the target temperature value has been detected by all performance sensors.

Activation of the timer element may be used to measure a treatment time over which the contents of the shipping container has been exposed to a minimum air temperature value. These components of the invention can therefore be used to ensure that the contents of a shipping container are treated in accordance with FAO standard ISPM 15. In particular these components may be used to ensure that the entire contents of the container is heated to 56°C for a 30 minute time period.

In a further preferred embodiment the timer element may reset its operation or trigger the activation of an alarm indicator if one or more of the performance sensors subsequently measures a drop in temperature below the minimum threshold temperature referenced above. In such embodiments this drop in measured performance may require operator intervention or a repetition of the heat treatment process.

For example, in some embodiments the timer element may be configured to terminate the supply of heated air to the container after a fixed treatment time period has elapsed. The timer element may measure the start of this treatment time from when all performance sensors indicate that the target air temperature value has been met inside the container. If any performance sensors indicate an air temperature below the target temperature the timer element will reset its measurement, and start to measure a fresh treatment time period again once the air temperatures inside the container exceed the target temperature again.

In yet other embodiments the detection of a fall in internal container air temperature below the target temperature may trigger the timer element to activate an alarm, alerting an operator of the invention to these circumstances. The operator may then manually reset the timer, or reduce the overall treatment time period depending on the time elapsed from when the interior of the container was at the target temperature.

In a preferred embodiment the invention may incorporate a treatment liquid dispenser arranged to spray liquid into an inlet port, a hot air conduit, or both of these components. In a further preferred embodiment the invention may incorporate a treatment liquid dispenser arranged to spray water into any hot air conduit provided in accordance with the invention. In such embodiments water may be dispensed in combination with heated air to control or modify the humidity of the air circulating within the container interior.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the invention employing or providing a treatment liquid dispenser which sprays water. However those skilled in the art will also appreciate that such dispensers may be used to spray or deploy other forms of treatment liquid and reference to the above should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may also include a mobile support platform. This platform may be used to mount and support the various components of the invention and in particular preferred embodiments may support a heating assembly. In a further preferred embodiment a mobile support platform may be supported by set of wheels and preferably include a towing linkage to allow the apparatus to be towed by a vehicle to a new location.

The present invention may provide many potential advantages over prior art shipping container content heating systems. The invention may be used to heat treat the contents of a shipping container without any need for the container to be unloaded, as is the case with the prior art.

At least one of the doors of the shipping container can be opened to allow for the installation of the false door in the entrance of the container and to in turn close off and seal the container again. A heating assembly can also be positioned as close as practical to the container which is to have its contents heat treated.

A hot air conduit can then be connected to an inlet port formed in the false door, with the opposite end of the conduit being engaged with the heating assembly. This heating assembly can be activated to transport heated air through the conduit and false door into the interior of the shipping container.

In preferred embodiments the invention may also incorporate an exhaust conduit linked to an outlet port of the same false door. This exhaust conduit can be used to recycle exhaust air removed from the interior the container to transport same to an air intake of the heating assembly. For example, in a further preferred embodiment where the heating assembly includes a heat exchange system this arrangement of the exhaust conduit can be used to feed still warm exhaust air into the air intake of the heat exchanger, reducing the energy requirements of the heating assembly.

The operation or performance of this heating assembly may be controlled through the use of one or more control sensors and associated controller to ensure that heated air delivered to the interior of the container is maintained within a preferred range of temperature values.

The performance of the invention may also be monitored using an array of performance sensors deployed within the interior of the container. These performance sensors can be linked to a timer element, where this timer element is activated or triggered after the performance sensors indicate that the interior air temperature of the container is above a minimum threshold value. The timer element can therefore be used to track the exposure time of the container cargo to the heated air and to ensure that the cargo is heat treated for a minimum period of time.

Furthermore in a variety of embodiments the invention may also be used in combination with other types of treatment apparatus. For example, in some instances the invention may be used to heat air use to distribute fumigant gases throughout the interior of a shipping container.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional and further aspects of the present invention will be apparent to the reader from the following description of embodiments, given in by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a side cross-section view of a shipping container contents heating apparatus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is given by way of example only of particular embodiments.

Best modes for carrying out the invention

Figure 1 shows a side cross-section view of a shipping container contents heating apparatus 1 as provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

2o The apparatus includes a heating assembly 2 arranged to produce heated air. The heating assembly 2 includes a 95kW diesel burner and tank 3 connected to an exhaust line 4. The exhaust line forms a portion of a heat exchange mixer assembly 5 which delivers heat energy to air running through a re-circulation line 6. A drive mechanism fan 7 is also located within this recirculation line adjacent to an intake port 8 of the heating unit 2. The opposite end of the recirculation line 6 defines an output port 9 which emits air heated indirectly via the action of the diesel burner unit 2 and heat exchange mixer assembly 5.

The heating assembly also includes a pair of control sensors 10a, 10b which provide output signals indicating the air temperature at the output port 9 and intake port 8 respectively. These two control signals are supplied to a microprocessor controller (not shown) configured to control the operation of the diesel burner 3 and to ensure the heated air produced sits between an acceptable minimum and maximum temperature range.

The apparatus 1 includes a hot air conduit 11 connected at one end to the output port 9 of the heater unit, and at its opposite end to an inlet port 13 of a false door 12. An exhaust conduit 14 is also provided, connected at one end to the intake port 8 of the heater unit, and at its opposite end to an outlet port 15 of the false door 12.

The false door 12 is removably engaged with the entrance of a shipping container 16 and acts to close half of the entrance to the shipping container and to seal the contents 17 of the container into its interior. The inlet port 13 defined by the false door allows heated air delivered by the hot air conduit to be introduced into the upper region of the container interior. The outlet port 15 allows air to be removed from the lower region of the container interior and delivered to the recirculation line 6 of the heating unit 2.

The apparatus 1 also includes an inlet baffle 18a and an outlet baffle 18b which are connected to the interior side of the false door. These baffles 18 extend horizontally towards the container contents 17, with the ends of the baffles opposite the false door resting on and being supported by the container contents. Both baffles extend across the width of the container to prevent air flowing along the interior surface of the false door 12 between an inlet port 13 and an outlet port 15 of the false door.

The apparatus also includes an array of performance sensors 19 which provide output signals indicating the air temperature at their locations with the shipping container interior. In the embodiment shown the performance sensors communicate their output signals wirelessly to a timer element implemented by the heating unit microprocessor controller.

In the preceding description and the following claims the word "comprise" or equivalent variations thereof is used in an inclusive sense to specify the presence of the stated feature or features. This term does not preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and further and additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled reader from the examples illustrated with reference to the drawings. In particular, the invention may reside in any combination of features described herein, or may reside in alternative embodiments or combinations of these features with known equivalents to given features. Modifications and variations of the example embodiments of the invention discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departure of the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus which includes a heating assembly arranged to produce heated air, and a false door configured to removably engage with and close at least a portion of the entrance to a shipping container, the false door defining at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the container, and at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the container, and at least one hot air conduit arranged to transport heated air from the heating assembly to said at least one inlet port, and a plurality of performance sensors, each performance sensor being configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature within a shipping container.

2. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes at least one baffle associated with an interior side of the false door, said baffle or baffles being arranged to prevent air flowing 2o along the interior surface of the false door between an inlet and an outlet port of the false door.

3. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said at least one baffle extends perpendicular to the interior surface of the false door.

4. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 which includes include an inlet baffle and an outlet baffle, the inlet baffle being deployed in contact with the false door immediately below an inlet port, and the outlet baffle is deployed in contact with the false door immediately above an outlet port.

5. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes at least one control sensor arranged to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature, and a controller associated with the heating assembly, the controller being configured to receive the output signal of the control sensor and to modify the operation of the heating assembly in accordance with the air temperature indicated by the control sensor signal.

6. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the control sensor is deployed within the hot air conduit.

7. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a timer element connected to said plurality of performance sensors, the timer element being activated when an output signal provided by at least one of the temperature sensors reaches a target temperature value.

8. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the timer element resets its operation and/or triggers the activation of an alarm indicator if one or more of the performance sensors indicates a drop in temperature below the target temperature value.

9. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a heating assembly incorporating a heat exchange system which separates the heat source used from the air to be heated.

10. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating assembly includes a hydrocarbon combustion system.

11. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating assembly includes an air drive fan.

12. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes an inlet port defined at the top region of the false door.

13. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the inlet port defines a fan nozzle configured to direct the volume of hot air forced into the container along the ceiling of the container.

14. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes an outlet port defined at the bottom region of the false door.

15. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes include at least one exhaust conduit engaged at one end with an outlet port formed in the false door, and at its opposite end to an air intake of the heating assembly.

16. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a treatment liquid dispenser arranged to spray a treatment liquid into a hot air conduit or an inlet port of the false door.

17. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 16 which includes a treatment liquid dispenser which sprays water.

18. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a mobile support platform supported by set of wheels.

19. A method of heating the contents a shipping container characterised by the steps of: i. at least partially opening one or more doors of a shipping container, and ii. installing a false door into the entrance of the shipping container to close said entrance, and iii. installing a plurality of performance sensors within the interior of the shipping container, each performance sensor being configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature within the shipping container, and iv. connecting at least one hot air conduit to an inlet port of the false door, said hot air conduit being engaged with a heating assembly, and v. activating the heating assembly to transport heated air through the hot air conduit and false door inlet port into the interior of the shipping container.

20. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus which includes a heating assembly arranged to produce heated air, the heating assembly incorporating a heat exchange system which separates the heat source used from the air to be heated, and a false door configured to removably engage with and close at least a portion of the entrance to a shipping container, the false door defining at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the container, and at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the container, and an inlet baffle deployed in contact with the false door immediately below an inlet port, and an outlet baffle is deployed in contact with the false door immediately above an outlet port, and at least one hot air conduit arranged to transport heated air from the heating assembly to said at least one inlet port, and a plurality of performance sensors, each performance sensor being configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature within a shipping container, and a timer element connected to said plurality of performance sensors, the timer element being activated when an output signal provided by at least one of the temperature sensors reaches a target temperature value wherein the timer element resets its operation and/or triggers the activation of an alarm indicator if one or more of the performance sensors indicates a drop in temperature below the target temperature value.

Claims

What we claim is:

1. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus which includes

a heating assembly arranged to produce heated air, and

a false door configured to removably engage with and close at least a portion of the entrance to a shipping container, the false door defining at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the container, and at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the container, and

at least one hot air conduit arranged to transport heated air from the heating assembly to said at least one inlet port.

2. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes at least one baffle associated with an interior side of the false door, said baffle or baffles being arranged to prevent air flowing along the interior surface of the false door between an inlet and an outlet port of the false door.

5. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes at least one control sensor arranged to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature, and

a controller associated with the heating assembly, the controller being configured to receive the output signal of the control sensor and to modify the operation of the heating assembly in accordance with the air

temperature indicated by the control sensor signal.

7. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a plurality of performance sensors, each performance sensor being configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature within a shipping container, and a timer element connected to said plurality of performance sensors, the timer element being activated when an output signal provided by at least one of the temperature sensors reaches a target temperature value.

19. A method of heating the contents a shipping container characterised by the steps of:

i. at least partially opening one or more doors of a shipping container, and

ii. installing a false door into the entrance of the shipping container to close said entrance, and

iii. connecting at least one hot air conduit to an inlet port of the false

door, said hot air conduit being engaged with a heating assembly, and iv. activating the heating assembly to transport heated air through the hot air conduit and false door inlet port into the interior of the shipping container.

20. A portable shipping container contents heating apparatus which includes a heating assembly arranged to produce heated air, the heating assembly incorporating a heat exchange system which separates the heat source used from the air to be heated, and a false door configured to removably engage with and close at least a portion of the entrance to a shipping container, the false door defining at least one inlet port arranged to deliver heated air into the interior of the container, and at least one outlet port arranged to exhaust air from the interior of the container, and

an inlet baffle deployed in contact with the false door immediately below an inlet port, and

an outlet baffle is deployed in contact with the false door immediately above an outlet port, and

at least one hot air conduit arranged to transport heated air from the heating assembly to said at least one inlet port, and

a plurality of performance sensors, each performance sensor being

configured to provide an output signal indicative of an air temperature within a shipping container, and a timer element connected to said plurality of performance sensors, the timer element being activated when an output signal provided by at least one of the temperature sensors reaches a target temperature value wherein the timer element resets its operation and/or triggers the activation of an alarm indicator if one or more of the

performance sensors indicates a drop in temperature below the target temperature value.