JP7576458B2 - Cooling container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cold storage container.

Some transported items require temperature control, and it is necessary or desirable to transport them while maintaining their temperature in a low temperature range, such as -60°C or below. Examples of such temperature-controlled items include pharmaceuticals, cells, specimens, organs, chemical substances, and food. More specific examples of temperature-controlled items include biopharmaceuticals such as antibodies, cells, regenerative cells, vaccines, specimens, and gene therapy vectors.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an insulated transport container that transports an object to be temperature-controlled while maintaining the temperature of the object in a low-temperature range, such as below 0°C. In the insulated transport container described in Patent Document 1, a coolant is placed inside the insulated transport container to maintain the temperature of the object to be temperature-controlled in a low-temperature range, such as below 0°C.

An example of a coolant is dry ice. A latent heat type coolant such as dry ice absorbs the heat transferred to the object under temperature control as it melts or sublimes, thereby preventing the temperature of the object under temperature control from rising, and keeping the temperature of the object under temperature control in a low temperature range. For example, granular dry ice with a diameter of 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less has a relatively high cooling effect and rapid cooling effect.

However, when multiple latent heat type coolants are stored in a cooler container, the moisture in the air may freeze due to the cold air, causing the multiple latent heat type coolants to stick together. For example, when multiple pieces of dry ice are stored in a cooler container together with an object under temperature control, the moisture in the air may freeze due to the cold air generated when the dry ice sublimes due to heat entering the cooler container from the outside, causing the multiple pieces of dry ice to stick together. When this happens, users of the cooler container cannot easily remove the coolants from the cooler container, and it may become difficult to remove the object under temperature control from the cooler container.

JP 2019-156458 A

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a cooler container that allows the temperature of the object to be controlled to be easily removed while the temperature of the object is maintained in a low temperature range by a coolant.

The above problem is solved by a cold storage container comprising: a container body having a first storage section for storing an object under temperature control, and a second storage section arranged above the first storage section for storing a coolant; a partition plate separating the first storage section and the second storage section and having an air vent for passing cold air of the coolant; and a heat insulating member arranged inside the container body and covering the first storage section and the second storage section, wherein an insertion opening is formed in a vertical direction at an upper part of the second storage section, and an inner container for storing the coolant is configured to be inserted and removed from the second storage section through the insertion opening, the air vent for passing cold air of the coolant is formed in a bottom of the inner container and the bottom is placed on the partition plate, the container body has an opening connecting the first storage section to the outside of the container body, and the object under temperature control is configured to be inserted and removed horizontally from the first storage section through the opening.

According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the container body has a first storage section that stores an object to be temperature controlled, and a second storage section that is disposed above the first storage section and stores a coolant. The partition section separates the first storage section from the second storage section. The partition section also has an air hole that allows the cold air of the coolant stored in the second storage section to pass through. The insulating member is disposed inside the container body and covers the first storage section and the second storage section.

The coolant stored in the second storage section melts or sublimates due to heat penetrating from the outside to the inside of the container body, producing cold air. The cold air produced by the coolant then passes through the ventilation holes in the partition and reaches the object under temperature control stored in the first storage section. This allows the coolant to prevent the temperature of the object under temperature control from rising, and to maintain the temperature of the object under temperature control in a low temperature range.

As described above, the partition separates the first storage section from the second storage section. Therefore, even if, for example, multiple coolants stored in the second storage section are stuck together due to the moisture in the air freezing, users of the cooler container according to the present invention can easily remove the object under temperature control stored in the first storage section, which is separated by the partition from the second storage section containing the coolants, from the container body. This allows users of the cooler container according to the present invention to easily remove the object under temperature control from the container body while the temperature of the object under temperature control is maintained in the low temperature range by the coolant.

According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the partition is a partition plate installed inside the container body. This allows the partition to separate the first storage section and the second storage section with a simpler structure. In addition, since the partition plate as the partition is installed inside the container body, users of the cold storage container of the present invention can easily store the coolant in the second storage section of the container body formed by the partition plate as it is without using any other member. Users of the cold storage container of the present invention can easily remove the object to be temperature controlled stored in the first storage section from the container body, for example, through an opening provided at a position different from the coolant insertion port for the second storage section. In addition, when the partition plate has a predetermined strength, it can support the coolant stored in the second storage section and prevent the coolant from directly contacting the object to be temperature controlled stored in the first storage section.

According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the cold storage container further includes an inner container. The inner container stores a coolant and is provided so as to be removable from the second storage section. The bottom of the inner container separates the first storage section from the second storage section and functions as a partition having an air hole that allows the cool air of the coolant to pass through. Therefore, even if a partition for separating the first storage section from the second storage section is not provided inside the container body, the bottom of the inner container can function as a partition separating the first storage section from the second storage section. This allows the interior of the container body to have a simpler structure.

As described above, the inner container stores a coolant and is provided so as to be removable from the second storage section. Therefore, the inner container is placed in or removed from the second storage section while still storing the coolant. This allows users of the cold storage container according to the present invention to easily remove the object under temperature control stored in the first storage section from the container body by removing the inner container, with the coolant still stored therein, from the second storage section.
In addition, users of the cold storage container of the present invention can easily store a coolant in the inner container before placing the inner container in the second storage section, and can easily discard the coolant by removing the inner container with the coolant still stored in it from the second storage section.
According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the container body has an opening that communicates the first storage section with the outside of the container body. The opening allows the object to be subjected to temperature control to be taken in and out of the first storage section in the horizontal direction through the opening itself. In other words, the opening functions as an entrance and exit that allows the object to be subjected to temperature control to be taken in and out of the first storage section in the horizontal direction. Therefore, a user of the cold storage container of the present invention can take out the object to be subjected to temperature control from the first storage section or place the object to be subjected to temperature control in the first storage section without taking out the coolant stored in the second storage section above the first storage section from the second storage section by taking out and putting in the object to be subjected to temperature control in the horizontal direction through the opening. This allows a user of the cold storage container of the present invention to easily take out the object to be subjected to temperature control from the container body while the temperature of the object to be subjected to temperature control is maintained in the low temperature range by the coolant.

According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the partition plate installed inside the container body and the bottom of the inner container function as a partition that separates the first storage section and the second storage section and has a vent hole that allows the cool air of the coolant to pass through. When the partition plate has a predetermined strength, it can prevent the bottom of the inner container from bending due to the weight of the coolant and prevent the coolant stored in the inner container from directly contacting the temperature management target stored in the first storage section. In addition, the inner container stores the coolant and is provided so as to be removable from the second storage section. Therefore, the inner container is placed in the second storage section or removed from the second storage section while the coolant is still stored therein. This allows users of the cold storage container of the present invention to easily store the coolant in the inner container before placing the inner container in the second storage section, or to easily discard the coolant by removing the inner container from the second storage section while the coolant is still stored therein. Furthermore, users of the cooler container of the present invention can easily remove the temperature controlled item stored in the first storage section from the container body, for example through an opening provided in a position different from the insertion port of the inner container into the second storage section.
In addition, the cold storage container according to the present invention is characterized in that the air vent at the bottom of the inner container is made of mesh.
Furthermore, according to the cold storage container of the present invention, the container body has a lid portion that can open and close the opening, the lid portion has a part of the insulating member that can fit into the opening, the lid portion has a hook-and-loop fastener, the bottom of the container body has an extension portion equipped with a hook-and-loop fastener, and the hook-and-loop fastener of the lid portion and the hook-and-loop fastener of the extension portion are connected to each other, thereby making the lid portion detachable from the container body.
According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the lid of the container body can open and close the opening that functions as an entrance and exit for the object to be temperature controlled. The lid has a part of the heat insulating member that can fit into the opening. Therefore, even if an opening is provided that connects the first storage section to the outside of the container body, the container body can prevent heat from the outside of the container body from entering the inside of the container body through the opening, thereby ensuring heat insulation.
Furthermore, according to the cold storage container of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gap between the lid, which can open and close the opening, and the container body having the opening, so that the insulating member provided on the lid can easily fit into the opening.

In the cold storage container according to the present invention, the inner container is preferably characterized by having a detachable flange on the upper surface of the insulating member that covers the periphery of the second storage section.

According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the flange of the inner container is detachable from the top surface of the insulating member that surrounds the second storage section. This makes it possible to prevent the coolant from entering the gap between the inner container and the insulating member that surrounds the second storage section, for example, even when the coolant is stored in the inner container while the inner container is placed in the second storage section, and to ensure that the coolant is stored in the inner container.

In the cold storage container according to the present invention, preferably, the container body has an opening that connects the first storage section to the outside of the container body, and the opening allows the object to be subjected to temperature control to be inserted and removed from the first storage section in a horizontal direction through the opening.

The cold storage container according to the present invention preferably further comprises a tray that is installed in the first storage section and on which the object to be temperature controlled is placed, and the opening is characterized in that the tray with the object to be temperature controlled placed thereon in the horizontal direction can be inserted into and removed from the first storage section through the opening.

According to the cold storage container of the present invention, the opening allows the tray with the object to be controlled to be placed horizontally through the opening itself and removed from the first storage section. In other words, the opening functions as an entrance/exit that allows the tray with the object to be controlled to be placed horizontally through the opening and removed from the first storage section. Therefore, by placing and removing the tray with the object to be controlled horizontally through the opening, users of the cold storage container of the present invention can more easily remove the object to be controlled from the first storage section and more easily store the object to be controlled in the first storage section without having to remove the coolant stored in the second storage section above the first storage section from the second storage section.

The cold storage container according to the present invention is characterized in that a stopper is formed at an end of the tray so as to protrude outward from the placing surface of the object to be temperature controlled.
In addition, the cold storage container of the present invention is characterized in that a locking mechanism is provided on the lid portion and the container body, and a detection sensor is provided that transmits a signal regarding unlocking when the locking mechanism is unlocked.
Furthermore, the cold storage container according to the present invention is characterized in that a temperature logger is formed in the first storage section.

The present invention provides a cold storage container that allows the temperature of the object to be temperature controlled to be easily removed while the temperature of the object is maintained in a low temperature range by the coolant.

1 is a perspective view showing a cold storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cold storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cold storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cold storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 in FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a cold storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A3-A3 in FIG. 7.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are applied to them, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited to them. In addition, in each drawing, similar components are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

1 to 3 are perspective views showing a cold storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 shown in FIG.
Fig. 1 shows a state in which the top lid 35 is open and the side lid 37 is closed. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the top lid 35 and the side lid 37 are open. Fig. 3 shows a state in which the top lid 35 and the side lid 37 are open and an object under temperature control is placed on a tray and pulled out from the first storage section 301 through the opening 306.

The cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment transports the temperature-controlled object 81 while maintaining the temperature of the object 81 in a low-temperature region, such as -60°C or lower. Examples of such temperature-controlled object 81 include medicines, cells, specimens, organs, chemical substances, and food. More specific examples of the temperature-controlled object 81 include biopharmaceuticals such as antibodies, cells, regenerative cells, vaccines, specimens, and gene therapy vectors. The cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment can store the object 81 for a long period of time, such as one to two weeks, while maintaining the temperature of the object 81 in a low-temperature region, such as -60°C or lower, at the facility to which the object 81 is transported. In other words, the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment can be used not only for transporting the object 81 but also for storing the object 81.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment includes a container body 3, a partition plate 6, and insulating members 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47. The partition plate 6 according to this embodiment is an example of the "partition portion" of the present invention.

The container body 3 has a first side portion 31, a second side portion 32, a third side portion 33, a fourth side portion 34, a top lid 35, a bottom portion 36, and a side lid 37. The "side lid 37" of this embodiment is an example of the "lid portion" of the present invention. When the top lid 35 and the side lid 37 are closed, the container body 3 is approximately rectangular. The length of each side of the approximately rectangular container body 3 is approximately 300 mm. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a grip portion 341 is attached to the outer surface of the fourth side portion 34. In addition, a grip portion (not shown) similar to the grip portion 341 is attached to the outer surface of the third side portion 33. A user of the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment can carry the cold storage container 2 by gripping the grip portion 341 and the grip portion (not shown) attached to the outer surface of the third side portion 33. In other words, the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment is a portable cold storage container.

As shown in FIG. 4, the container body 3 has a first storage section 301 and a second storage section 302 inside. In other words, the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302 are formed inside the container body 3. The first storage section 301 is a space that stores the object to be temperature controlled 81. The second storage section 302 is located above the first storage section 301 and is a space that stores the coolant 82.

The coolant 82 is a latent heat type coolant such as dry ice, and the cool air generated when the coolant melts or sublimes due to heat entering the inside of the container body 3 from the outside prevents the temperature of the object to be temperature controlled 81 from rising, and the temperature of the object to be temperature controlled 81 can be maintained in a low temperature range. An example of the coolant 82 is granular dry ice with a diameter of 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less. However, the coolant 82 is not limited to this. The coolant 82 may be, for example, square or plate-shaped dry ice, or a coolant other than dry ice.

It is preferable that the material of the outer surface of the container body 3 is mainly resin from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of condensation due to the coolant 82. Examples of materials for the outer surface of the container body 3 include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, nylon, and polyester.
Examples of materials for the inner surface of the container body 3 include highly expanded polyolefin sheet materials such as highly expanded polyethylene sheets to which metal foil has been attached by means such as vapor deposition, and highly expanded resin sheet materials with gas barrier properties such as highly expanded polyethylene terephthalate sheet materials.
However, the materials of the outer and inner surfaces of the container body 3 are not limited to the materials exemplified above.

As shown by arrow A11 in FIG. 1, the top cover 35 is supported so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the second side portion 32. This allows the top cover 35 to open and close the insertion opening 305 formed by the first side portion 31, the second side portion 32, the third side portion 33, and the fourth side portion 34. A user of the cooler container 2 can insert the coolant 82 into the second storage portion 302 or remove the coolant 82 from the second storage portion 302 through the insertion opening 305. In other words, the insertion opening 305 functions as an entrance and exit that allows the coolant 82 to be inserted and removed from the second storage portion 302.

A hook-and-loop fastener 311 is attached to the outer surface of the upper portion of the first side portion 31. A hook-and-loop fastener 351 is attached to the inner surface of the end of the top lid 35 opposite the end connected to the second side portion 32. When the top lid 35 closes the insertion opening 305, the hook-and-loop fastener 351 of the top lid 35 can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener 311 of the first side portion 31. By connecting the hook-and-loop fastener 351 of the top lid 35 to the hook-and-loop fastener 311 of the first side portion 31, it is possible to prevent the top lid 35 from opening unexpectedly.

A first locking portion 332 is provided on the outer surface of the lower portion of the third side portion 33. As shown by arrow A12 in FIG. 2, the first locking portion 332 is supported rotatably relative to the third side portion 33. A hook-and-loop fastener 333 is attached to the surface of the first locking portion 332 facing the side cover 37 (i.e., the inner surface). When the inner surface of the first locking portion 332 faces the outer surface of the side cover 37, the hook-and-loop fastener 333 of the first locking portion 332 can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener 372 (see FIG. 1) attached to the outer surface of the side cover 37. By connecting the hook-and-loop fastener 333 of the first locking portion 332 to the hook-and-loop fastener 372 of the side cover 37, it is possible to prevent the side cover 37 from opening unexpectedly.

A second locking portion 342 is provided on the outer surface of the lower portion of the fourth side portion 34. As shown by arrow A13 in FIG. 2, the second locking portion 342 is supported rotatably relative to the fourth side portion 34. A hook-and-loop fastener 343 is attached to the surface of the second locking portion 342 that faces the side cover 37 (i.e., the inner surface). When the inner surface of the second locking portion 342 faces the outer surface of the side cover 37, the hook-and-loop fastener 343 of the second locking portion 342 can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener 374 (see FIG. 1) attached to the outer surface of the side cover 37. By connecting the hook-and-loop fastener 343 of the second locking portion 342 to the hook-and-loop fastener 373 of the side cover 37, it is possible to prevent the side cover 37 from opening unexpectedly.

As shown by the arrow A14 in FIG. 3, the side cover 37 is supported so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the bottom 36. That is, when the hook-and-loop fastener 333 of the first locking portion 332 is disconnected from the hook-and-loop fastener 372 of the side cover 37, and when the hook-and-loop fastener 343 of the second locking portion 342 is disconnected from the hook-and-loop fastener 373 of the side cover 37, the side cover 37 can be rotated as shown by the arrow A14 in FIG. 3. This allows the side cover 37 to open and close the opening 306 formed in the lower part of the first side portion 31. As shown in FIG. 1, a grip portion 371 is attached to the outer surface of the side cover 37. A user of the cooler container 2 can easily rotate the side cover 37 with respect to the bottom 36 by gripping the grip portion 371.

A hook-and-loop fastener 375 is attached to the inner surface of the end of the side lid 37. A hook-and-loop fastener 312 is attached to the outer surface of the lower part of the first side portion 31. When the side lid 37 closes the opening 306, the hook-and-loop fastener 375 of the side lid 37 can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener 312 of the first side portion 31. By connecting the hook-and-loop fastener 375 of the side lid 37 to the hook-and-loop fastener 312 of the first side portion 31, it is possible to prevent the side lid 37 from opening unexpectedly.

As shown in FIG. 1, a locking mechanism 379 is provided on the upper part of the side cover 37. A locking mechanism 319 is provided on the lower part of the first side portion 31. The locking mechanisms 379, 319 can, for example, by locking the side cover 37 to prevent it from rotating, thereby preventing the theft of the object under temperature control 81. The locking mechanisms 379, 319 may also have a detection sensor that emits or transmits an "unlocking signal" when the locking mechanisms 379, 319 are unlocked.

The opening 306 connects the first storage section 301 to the outside of the container body 3. As shown by arrow A15 in FIG. 3, a user of the cooler container 2 can store an object to be temperature controlled 81 in the first storage section 301 or remove the object to be temperature controlled 81 from the first storage section 301 through the opening 306. In other words, the opening 306 functions as an entrance/exit that allows the object to be temperature controlled 81 to be inserted or removed horizontally from the first storage section 301.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment, the object to be temperature controlled 81 is stored in the first storage section 301 while being placed on the tray 5. The user of the cold storage container 2 can take out the object to be temperature controlled 81 from the first storage section 301 or store the object to be temperature controlled 81 in the first storage section 301 by inserting and removing the tray 5 with the object to be temperature controlled 81 placed thereon horizontally through the opening 306. A stopper 51 is provided at the end of the tray 5. The stopper 51 protrudes outward from the placement surface of the object to be temperature controlled 81. The stopper 51 can prevent the object to be temperature controlled 81 from remaining in the first storage section 301 when the user of the cold storage container 2 pulls out the tray 5 through the opening 306, with only the tray 5 being pulled out.

The side cover 37 is connected to the bottom 36 at the lower part. Specifically, the side cover 37 has a hook-and-loop fastener 374 (see FIG. 1) on the outer surface of the lower part, i.e., the part that connects to the bottom 36. The bottom 36 also has an extension that extends from the bottom of the container body 3 toward the first side 31. A hook-and-loop fastener 361 (see FIG. 1) is provided on the inner surface of the extension of the bottom 36. The hook-and-loop fastener 374 of the side cover 37 connects to the hook-and-loop fastener 361 of the bottom 36, so that the side cover 37 is connected to the bottom 36 and is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the bottom 36 as indicated by the arrow A14 in FIG. 3. On the other hand, when the hook-and-loop fastener 374 of the side cover 37 and the hook-and-loop fastener 361 of the bottom 36 are released from the connection, the side cover 37 can be removed from the bottom 36. In this way, the side lid 37 can be attached and detached to the bottom 36 of the container body 3.

The insulating member 42 is attached to the inner surface of the second side portion 32. The insulating member 43 is attached to the inner surface of the third side portion 33. The insulating member 44 is attached to the inner surface of the fourth side portion 34. The insulating member 45 is attached to the inner surface of the top cover 35. The insulating member 46 is attached to the inner surface of the bottom portion 36. The insulating member 47 is attached to the inner surface of the side cover 37. Note that an insulating member (not shown) similar to the insulating member 42 attached to the inner surface of the second side portion 32 is attached to the inner surface of the first side portion 31. When the top cover 35 and the side cover 37 are closed, the insulating members 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 cover the first storage portion 301 and the second storage portion 302. The insulating members 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 have the same structure as each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the insulating members 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 will be explained using the insulating member 42 as an example.

The insulating member 42 has an insulating material that has a thermal conductivity lower than that of air. Examples of insulating materials that have a thermal conductivity lower than that of air include vacuum insulating materials and foamed resins.

Vacuum insulation materials are formed by wrapping a powdered, fibrous, or porous core material with a thin plate, film, or glass, and drawing a vacuum in the sealed space formed by the thin plate, film, or glass. Examples of core materials include silica powder, thin metal wires, glass wool (glass fiber), and urethane foam. Note that vacuum insulation materials do not necessarily have to have a core material. A getter material may be provided in the sealed space to improve or maintain the vacuum environment inside the sealed space. Vacuum insulation materials have the advantages of having very high insulation properties, ensuring a relatively long temperature retention time, and preventing condensation.

The thin plate that encases the core material may be, for example, a metal plate made of stainless steel or aluminum. The film material that encases the core material may be, for example, a film with low gas permeability. Specifically, for example, a plastic film or a porous film that has been subjected to deposition treatment of aluminum and/or silica may be used. The sealed space may be provided with a getter material inside to improve the vacuum environment inside the sealed space or to maintain the vacuum environment.

Examples of the foamed resin include foamed polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, AS resin, ABS resin, etc. Foamed resin has the advantages of being lightweight and inexpensive, and capable of preventing condensation.
The heat insulating materials contained in the heat insulating members 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 are not limited to the heat insulating materials described above.

When the top lid 35 is closed, the insulating member 45 attached to the inner surface of the top lid 35 fits into the insertion opening 305. When the side lid 37 is closed, the insulating member 47 attached to the inner surface of the side lid 37 fits into the opening 306. This ensures that the cooler container 2 according to this embodiment has good thermal insulation and can achieve a higher cooling effect.

As shown in FIG. 4, the partition plate 6 is installed inside the container body 3 and separates the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302. The partition plate 6 has a support portion 61, a first leg portion 62, and a second leg portion 63, and is placed on the surface of the insulating member 46. The first leg portion 62 and the second leg portion 63 are connected to the support portion 61 and support the coolant 82 via the support portion 61. The support portion 61 supports the coolant 82. That is, the coolant 82 inserted into the second storage section 302 from the insertion port 305 is placed on the support portion 61 of the partition plate 6 and is approximately filled in the second storage section 302.

The support portion 61 has a vent hole 611 that allows the cold air of the coolant 82 to pass through. As shown by arrow A16 in FIG. 4, the cold air generated from the coolant 82 passes through the vent hole 611 and moves from the second storage portion 302 toward the first storage portion 301. Note that the vent hole 611 may be provided not only in the support portion 61 but also in at least one of the first leg portion 62 and the second leg portion 63.

The material of the partition plate 6 can be, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. For example, the partition plate 6 is a punched metal formed from a metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum. However, the material of the partition plate 6 is not limited to metal, and may be resin as long as it can support the coolant 82 and has cold resistance.

As shown in FIG. 4, when multiple coolants 82 are stored in the cooler container 2, the moisture in the air may freeze due to the cold air, causing the multiple coolants 82 to stick together. For example, when multiple granular dry ice are stored in the cooler container 2 together with the object to be temperature controlled 81, the multiple granular dry ice may stick together due to the moisture in the air freezing due to the cold air generated when the dry ice sublimes due to heat entering the inside of the container body 3 from the outside. When this happens, the user of the cooler container 2 cannot easily remove the coolant 82 from the cooler container 2, and it may become difficult to remove the object to be temperature controlled 81 from the cooler container 2.

In contrast, in the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment, the partition plate 6 separates the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302. Therefore, even if the multiple coolants 82 stored in the second storage section 302 are melted or sublimated by heat entering the inside of the container body 3 from the outside, the cold air generated when the coolants 82 are frozen and the moisture in the air freezes and sticks to each other, the user of the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment can easily remove the temperature-controlled object 81 stored in the first storage section 301, which is separated by the partition plate 6 from the second storage section 302 that stores the coolants 82, from the container body 3. As a result, the user of the cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment can easily remove the temperature-controlled object 81 from the container body 3 while the temperature of the temperature-controlled object 81 is maintained in the low-temperature region by the coolants 82.

The partition plate 6, which functions as a "partition section", is installed inside the container body 3. As a result, the partition plate 6 can separate the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302 with a simpler structure. In addition, since the partition plate 6 is installed inside the container body 3, the user of the cold storage container 2 can easily store the coolant 82 in the second storage section 302 of the container body 3 formed by the partition plate 6 without using any other member. Then, the user of the cold storage container 2 can easily take out the temperature management object 81 stored in the first storage section 301 from the container body 3 through the opening 306 provided at a position different from the insertion port 305 of the coolant 82 into the second storage section 302. In addition, when the partition plate 6 has a predetermined strength, it can support the coolant 82 stored in the second storage section 302 and prevent the coolant 82 from directly contacting the temperature management object 81 stored in the first storage section 301.

As described above, the opening 306 allows the temperature-managed object 81 to be taken in and out of the first storage section 301 in the horizontal direction through the opening 306 itself. In other words, the opening 306 functions as an entrance and exit that allows the temperature-managed object 81 to be taken in and out of the first storage section 301 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the user of the cold storage container 2 can take out the temperature-managed object 81 from the first storage section 301 or store the temperature-managed object 81 in the first storage section 301 without taking out the coolant 82 stored in the second storage section 302 above the first storage section 301 from the second storage section 302 by taking out and putting in the temperature-managed object 81 in and out of the first storage section 301 in the horizontal direction through the opening 306. This allows the user of the cold storage container 2 to easily take out the temperature-managed object 81 from the container body 3 while the temperature of the temperature-managed object 81 is maintained in the low-temperature region by the coolant 82.

As described above, the opening 306 allows the tray 5 with the temperature-managed object 81 placed thereon to be inserted and removed from the first storage section 301 in the horizontal direction through the opening 306 itself. In other words, the opening 306 functions as an entrance and exit that allows the tray 5 with the temperature-managed object 81 placed thereon to be inserted and removed horizontally from the first storage section 301. Therefore, by inserting and removing the tray 5 with the temperature-managed object 81 placed thereon in the horizontal direction through the opening 306, the user of the cold storage container 2 can more easily remove the temperature-managed object 81 from the first storage section 301 or more easily store the temperature-managed object 81 in the first storage section 301 without having to remove the coolant 82 stored in the second storage section 302 above the first storage section 301 from the second storage section 302.

Furthermore, as described above, when the side cover 37 is closed, the heat insulating member 47 attached to the inner surface of the side cover 37 fits into the opening 306. As a result, even if an opening 306 is provided that connects the first storage section 301 to the outside of the container body 3, the container body 3 can prevent heat from the outside of the container body 3 from entering the inside of the container body 3 through the opening 306, thereby ensuring heat insulation. In addition, since the side cover 37 is detachable from the bottom 36 of the container body 3, play can be provided between the side cover 37 that can open and close the opening 306 and the first side part 31 of the container body 3 that has the opening 306. Therefore, the heat insulating member 47 provided on the side cover 37 can be easily fitted into the opening 306.

The cold storage container 2 according to this embodiment may further include a temperature logger. With this, the temperature logger can measure the temperature of the object 81 to be subjected to temperature management stored in the first storage section 301 at any time and record or store the temperature data.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In addition, in cases where the components of the cool storage container 2A according to the second embodiment are similar to the components of the cool storage container 2 according to the first embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4, duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate, and the following explanation will focus on the differences.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cooler container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , a cold storage container 2A according to this embodiment includes a container body 3A, an inner container 7, and heat insulating members 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47.
1 to 4 has a side cover 37, whereas the container body 3A of this embodiment does not have a side cover 37. Also, while the container body 3 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 has an opening 306 formed in the lower part of the first side portion 31, the container body 3A of this embodiment does not have an opening 306. In this respect, the container body 3A of the embodiment differs from the container body 3 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The other structure of the container body 3A is similar to the structure of the container body 3 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The insulating member 42 attached to the second side portion 32 has a hook-and-loop fastener 421 on its upper surface. The insulating member 43 attached to the third side portion 33 has a hook-and-loop fastener 431 on its upper surface. The insulating member 44 attached to the fourth side portion 34 has a hook-and-loop fastener 441 on its upper surface. The insulating member (not shown) attached to the first side portion 31 has a hook-and-loop fastener on its upper surface similar to the hook-and-loop fastener 421 of the insulating member 42. The other structures of the insulating members 42, 43, and 44 are similar to the structures of the insulating members 42, 43, and 44 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The insulating members 46 and 47 are as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner container 7 has a first side portion 71, a second side portion 72, a third side portion 73, a fourth side portion 74, and a bottom portion 75. The bottom portion 75 of this embodiment is an example of a "partition portion" of the present invention. The first side portion 71 has a first flange portion 711. The first flange portion 711 is connected to the upper end portion of the first side portion 71 and extends outward from the upper end portion of the first side portion 71. The second side portion 72 has a second flange portion 721. The second flange portion 721 is connected to the upper end portion of the second side portion 72 and extends outward from the upper end portion of the second side portion 72. The third side portion 73 has a third flange portion 731. The third flange portion 731 is connected to the upper end portion of the third side portion 73 and extends outward from the upper end portion of the third side portion 73. The fourth side portion 74 has a fourth flange portion 741. The fourth flange portion 741 is connected to the upper end portion of the fourth side portion 74 and extends outward from the upper end portion of the fourth side portion 74.

The first flange 711 has a hook-and-loop fastener 712 provided on its underside facing the upper surface of the insulating member 44. The second flange 721 has a hook-and-loop fastener 722 provided on its underside facing the upper surface of the insulating member (not shown) attached to the first side portion 31. The third flange 731 has a hook-and-loop fastener 732 provided on its underside facing the upper surface of the insulating member 43. The fourth flange 741 has a hook-and-loop fastener 742 provided on its underside facing the upper surface of the insulating member 42.

As indicated by arrow A21 in FIG. 5, the inner container 7 can be inserted into and removed from the second storage section 302 (see FIG. 6) formed inside the container body 3A. An insertion port 701 formed by a first side section 71, a second side section 72, a third side section 73, and a fourth side section 74 is provided at the top of the inner container 7. A user of the cold storage container 2A can insert a coolant 82 into the inner container 7 or remove the coolant 82 from the inner container 7 through the insertion port 701. In other words, the insertion port 701 functions as an entrance/exit that allows the coolant 82 to be inserted into and removed from the inner container 7.

As shown in FIG. 6, the user of the cooler container 2A can store the coolant 82 in the second storage section 302 by storing the coolant 82 inside the inner container 7 placed in the second storage section 302. Alternatively, the user of the cooler container 2A can store the coolant 82 in the second storage section 302 by placing the inner container 7 with the coolant 82 stored therein in the second storage section 302. In this manner, in this specification, the form in which the second storage section 302 stores the coolant 82 includes both a form in which the second storage section 302 directly stores the coolant 82 without using a member, and a form in which the second storage section 302 indirectly stores the coolant 82 via a member such as the inner container 7.

When the inner container 7 is inserted into the container body 3A, the hook-and-loop fastener 712 of the first flange 711 can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener 441 of the insulating member 44. When the inner container 7 is inserted into the container body 3A, the hook-and-loop fastener 722 of the second flange 721 can be connected to a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the insulating member (not shown) attached to the inner surface of the first side portion 31. The hook-and-loop fastener 732 of the third flange 731 can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener 431 of the insulating member 43. The hook-and-loop fastener 742 of the fourth flange 741 can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener 421 of the insulating member 42.

The hook and loop fastener 712 of the first flange 711 is connected to the hook and loop fastener 441 of the insulating member 44, the hook and loop fastener 722 of the second flange 721 is connected to a hook and loop fastener (not shown) of the insulating member (not shown) attached to the inner surface of the first side portion 31, the hook and loop fastener 732 of the third flange 731 is connected to the hook and loop fastener 431 of the insulating member 43, and the hook and loop fastener 742 of the fourth flange 741 is connected to the hook and loop fastener 421 of the insulating member 42, thereby holding the inner container 7 in the container body 3A. In addition, for example, even when the coolant 82 is stored inside the inner container 7 with the inner container 7 installed in the second storage section 302, the coolant 82 is prevented from entering the gap between the inner container 7 and the insulating members 42, 43, and 44 that surround the periphery of the second storage section 302, and the coolant 82 can be reliably stored in the inner container 7.

The bottom 75 is connected to the lower ends of the first side 71, the second side 72, the third side 73, and the fourth side 74, and supports the coolant 82 stored inside the inner container 7. That is, the coolant 82 inserted into the inner container 7 from the insertion port 701 is placed on the bottom 75, and the inside of the inner container 7 is substantially filled. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when the inner container 7 is placed in the second storage section 302, it separates the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom 75 has a vent hole 751 that allows the cool air of the coolant 82 to pass through. As shown by the arrow A22 in FIG. 6, the cool air generated from the coolant 82 passes through the vent hole 751 and moves from the inside of the inner container 7 arranged in the second storage section 302 toward the first storage section 301. Examples of the material of the bottom 75 include metals such as stainless steel or aluminum. For example, the bottom 75 is a punched metal formed from a metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum. Alternatively, the bottom 75 may be a mesh formed from a metal. Alternatively, the material of the bottom 75 is not limited to metal, and may be resin as long as it can support the coolant 82 and has cold resistance. For example, the bottom 75 may be a mesh formed from a resin.

As shown in Fig. 6, the legs 48 are provided around the first storage section 301. The legs 48 are placed on the insulating member 46 of the container body 3A and are attached to the insulating members 42, 43, and 44 of the container body 3A, and support the coolant 82 via the bottom 75 of the inner container 7. The legs 48 may be provided outside the bottom 75 of the inner container 7, not on the container body 3A. The legs 48 have an insulating material such as a vacuum insulating material and a foamed resin, as described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Alternatively, the material of the legs 48 may be metal or resin as long as it can support the coolant 82 and has cold resistance.
Other structures of the cold storage container 2A are similar to those of the cold storage container 2 described above with reference to FIGS.

As shown by the arrow A21 in FIG. 5, the user of the cold storage container 2A can insert the object 81 to be temperature-controlled into the container body 3A through the insertion port 305 of the container body 3A, and can remove the object 81 to be temperature-controlled from the container body 3A. As shown in FIG. 6, the user of the cold storage container 2A can store the object 81 to be temperature-controlled in the first storage section 301 through the insertion port 305 of the container body 3A. The user of the cold storage container 2A can also place the inner container 7 in the second storage section 302 through the insertion port 305 of the container body 3A, and store the coolant 82 inside the inner container 7, thereby storing the coolant 82 in the second storage section 302. As a result, the temperature of the object 81 to be temperature-controlled is maintained in the low-temperature range by the coolant 82.

According to the cold storage container 2A of this embodiment, the bottom 75 of the inner container 7 separates the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302. Therefore, even if the plurality of coolants 82 stored in the second storage section 302 are stuck to each other due to the moisture in the air freezing due to the cold air generated when the coolants 82 melt or sublimate due to the heat entering the inside of the container body 3A from the outside, the user of the cold storage container 2A of this embodiment can easily remove the temperature-controlled object 81 stored in the first storage section 301, which is separated from the second storage section 302 storing the coolants 82, from the container body 3A by the bottom 75 of the inner container 7. That is, the user of the cold storage container 2A of this embodiment can easily remove the temperature-controlled object 81 stored in the first storage section 301 from the container body 3A through the insertion port 305 of the container body 3A by removing the inner container 7 with the coolants 82 still stored therein from the second storage section 302. This allows users of the cold storage container 2A according to this embodiment to easily remove the object to be temperature controlled 81 from the container body 3A while the temperature of the object to be temperature controlled 81 is maintained in the low temperature range by the coolant 82. Also, users of the cold storage container 2A according to this embodiment can easily remove the inner container 7 with the coolant 82 still stored therein from the second storage section 302 and discard the coolant 82.

Furthermore, in the cooler container 2A according to this embodiment, even if a partition for isolating the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302 is not installed inside the container body 3A, the bottom 75 of the inner container 7 functions as a partition for isolating the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302. This allows the interior of the container body 3A to have a simpler structure.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In addition, in cases where the components of the cold storage container 2B of the third embodiment are similar to the components of the cold storage container 2 of the first embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and the cold storage container 2A of the second embodiment described above with reference to Figures 5 to 6, duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate, and the following explanation will focus on the differences.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cold storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A3-A3 shown in FIG.

The cold storage container 2B according to this embodiment has a structure that combines the cold storage container 2 described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 and the cold storage container 2A described above with reference to Figs. 5 to 6. That is, the cold storage container 2B according to this embodiment includes a container body 3B, a partition plate 6, an inner container 7, and insulating members 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47. As described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the partition plate 6 of this embodiment is an example of the "partition portion" of the present invention. Also, as described above with reference to Figs. 5 to 6, the bottom portion 75 of this embodiment is an example of the "partition portion" of the present invention. That is, in the cold storage container 2B according to this embodiment, the "partition portion" of the present invention includes the partition plate 6 installed inside the container body 3B and the bottom portion 75 of the inner container 7.

The container body 3B of this embodiment further includes the hook-and-loop fasteners 421, 431, and 441 described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6 in addition to the container body 3 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6, the heat insulating member (not shown) attached to the first side portion 31 has a hook-and-loop fastener on the upper surface similar to the hook-and-loop fastener 421 of the heat insulating member 42. As shown by the arrow A31 in FIG. 7, the inner container 7 can be inserted into and removed from the second storage section 302 (see FIG. 8) formed inside the container body 3B. As shown by the arrow A32 in FIG. 7, the user of the cold storage container 2B can take out the object to be temperature controlled 81 from the first storage section 301 or store the object to be temperature controlled 81 in the first storage section 301 by inserting and removing the tray 5 with the object to be temperature controlled 81 placed thereon in the horizontal direction through the opening 306.
The other structure of the container body 3B is similar to the structure of the container body 3 described above with reference to FIGS.

The inner container 7 is as described above with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. As shown in Fig. 8, when the inner container 7 is placed in the second storage section 302, the bottom 75 of the inner container 7 is placed on and supported by the support section 61 of the partition plate 6. Therefore, if the partition plate 6 has a predetermined strength, the bottom 75 of the inner container 7 may be a mesh made of metal or resin. As shown by the arrow A33 in Fig. 8, the cold air generated from the coolant 82 passes through the ventilation hole 751 or mesh openings (gaps) of the bottom 75 of the inner container 7, passes further through the ventilation hole 611 of the partition plate 6, and moves from the inside of the inner container 7 placed in the second storage section 302 toward the first storage section 301.

According to the cold storage container 2B of this embodiment, the partition plate 6 installed inside the container body 3B and the bottom 75 of the inner container 7 function as a partition that separates the first storage section 301 and the second storage section 302 and has a vent hole that allows the cold air of the coolant 82 to pass through. When the partition plate 6 has a predetermined strength, it can prevent the bottom 75 of the inner container 7 from bending due to the weight of the coolant 82 and prevent the coolant 82 stored in the inner container 7 from directly contacting the object under temperature control 81 stored in the first storage section 301.

The opening 306 provided in the first side portion 31 allows the temperature management object 81 to be inserted and removed from the first storage portion 301 in the horizontal direction through the opening 306 itself. In other words, the opening 306 functions as an entrance and exit that allows the temperature management object 81 to be inserted and removed from the first storage portion 301 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the user of the cold storage container 2B can take out the temperature management object 81 from the first storage portion 301 or store the temperature management object 81 in the first storage portion 301 without taking out the inner container 7 containing the coolant 82 from the second storage portion 302 or taking out the coolant 82 stored inside the inner container 7 from the inside of the inner container 7 by taking out and inserting the temperature management object 81 in the horizontal direction through the opening 306. This allows the user of the cold storage container 2B to easily take out the temperature management object 81 from the container body 3 with the temperature of the temperature management object 81 maintained in the low temperature range by the coolant 82. In addition, other effects are similar to those described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

According to an example of the results of an experiment conducted by the inventor, the cold storage containers 2, 2A, and 2B according to this embodiment were able to maintain the temperature of the object 81 to be subjected to temperature control in a low temperature range of -60°C or less for four days or more in an environment where the average outside air temperature was 19.7°C and granular dry ice (approximately 14 kg) with a diameter of 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less was stored in the second storage section 302. In this way, the cold storage containers 2, 2A, and 2B according to this embodiment can be used not only for transporting the object 81 to be subjected to temperature control, but also for storing the object 81 to be subjected to temperature control.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The configurations of the above embodiment can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined in a different way than described above.

[0033] 2, 2A, 2B: cold storage container, 3, 3A, 3B: container body, 5: tray, 6: partition plate, 7: inner container, 31: first side, 32: second side, 33: third side, 34: fourth side, 35: top cover, 36: bottom, 37: side cover, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47: heat insulating member, 48: legs, 51: stopper, 61: support, 62: first leg, 63: second leg, 71: first side, 72: second side, 73: third side, 74: fourth side, 75: bottom, 81: object to be subjected to temperature control, 82: coolant, 301: first storage section, 302: second storage section, 305: insertion port, 306: opening, 311, 312: hook and loop fastener, 319: locking mechanism, 332: first locking portion, 333: hook and loop fastener, 341: gripping portion, 342: second locking portion, 343, 351, 361: hook and loop fastener, 371: gripping portion, 372, 373, 374, 375: hook and loop fastener, 379: locking mechanism, 421, 431, 441: hook and loop fastener, 611: ventilation hole, 701: insertion port, 711: first flange, 712: hook and loop fastener, 721: second flange, 722: hook and loop fastener, 731: third flange, 732: hook and loop fastener, 741: fourth flange, 742: hook-and-loop fastener, 751: ventilation hole

Claims (8)

a container body having a first storage section for storing an object to be temperature controlled, and a second storage section disposed above the first storage section for storing a coolant;
a partition plate separating the first storage section from the second storage section and having a vent hole through which the cool air of the coolant passes;
a heat insulating member disposed inside the container body and covering the first storage section and the second storage section;
Equipped with
An insertion opening is formed vertically at an upper portion of the second storage section,
The inner container for storing the coolant is configured to be inserted into and removed from the second storage section through the insertion opening,
The inner container has a bottom portion formed with the vent hole for passing the cold air of the coolant , and the bottom portion is placed on the partition plate;
the container body has an opening that communicates the first storage section with the outside of the container body,
The cold storage container is characterized in that the object to be controlled by temperature can be inserted and removed horizontally from the first storage section through the opening. 2. The cooler container according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation hole at the bottom of the inner container is formed with a mesh. The container body has a lid portion capable of opening and closing the opening,
the cover portion has a part of the heat insulating member that can be fitted into the opening,
The cold storage container according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the lid portion has a hook-and-loop fastener, the bottom of the container body has an extension portion equipped with a hook-and-loop fastener, and the hook-and-loop fastener of the lid portion and the hook-and-loop fastener of the extension portion are connected to each other, thereby making the lid portion detachable from the container body. The cold storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner container has a detachable flange on the upper surface of the insulating member that covers the periphery of the second storage section. a tray that is installed in the first storage section and on which the object to be temperature controlled is placed,
5. The cold storage container according to claim 1, wherein the opening allows the tray, on which the object to be controlled by temperature control is placed in the horizontal direction, to be inserted into and removed from the first storage section through the opening. The cold storage container according to claim 5, characterized in that a stopper is formed at the end of the tray, protruding outward from the surface on which the object to be temperature controlled is placed. The lid and the container body are provided with a locking mechanism,
4. The cooler container according to claim 3, further comprising a detection sensor that transmits a signal related to unlocking when the locking mechanism is unlocked. The cold storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a temperature logger is formed in the first storage section.

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