US3351223A - Insulated enclosure - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 7, 1967 W, MQRRlSON 3,351,223

INSULATED ENCLOSURE Filed Dec. 50, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l 30 :c FQ 34 INVENTQR L Morrzson Nov. 7, 1967 w. L MORRISON Filed Dec. 30, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 amg,

| l 4 l f l GZ n wim @figs United States Patent O 3,351,223 INSULATED ENCLOSURE Willard L. Morrison, Lake Forest, Ill., assignor to Union Stock Yard and Transit Company of Chicago, The Union Stock Yards, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 334,498 2 Claims. (Cl. 220-12) This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants copending application Ser. No. 15,869, led Mar. 18, 1960, now Patent No. 3,115,982, issued Dec. 31, 1963.

This invention relates to an insulated enclosure for use in the storage and/ or transportation of goods. The invention is particularly concerned with an enclosure which is capable of retaining goods in a refrigerated state over long periods of time without the aid of continuously applied refrigeration.

In the above noted copending application, there was described an insulated container which was particularly suitable for use in the transportation of refrigerated goods. The structure described therein was designed for use as a freight car of the type `commonly used by railroads for transporting frozen foods and the like over long distances. During transportation, the refrigerator freight cars are subjected to various environmental conditions including high temperatures when transportation occurs in the warm weather or in more temperate climates. Instead of employing conventional refrigeration of the freight cars, the structure described in the previous application was such that initial refrigeration could be maintained for at least the duration of the transportation. Thu-s, frozen goods could `be inserted in the insulated freight car and could be kept therein for several days without experiencing a detrimental rise in temperature. This was accomplished without the necessity for externally applied refrigeration.

It is an object of this invention to provide a refrigerated enclosure which is also capable of maintaining a high 'state of refrigeration over long periods of time.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a refrigerated enclosure'which can be easily constructed for use as a portable or stationary structure for maintaining refrigeration over extended periods of time.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specic embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of an insulated enclosure characterized by the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insulated enclosure taken about the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative form of an insulated enclosure;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of an additional alternative form of insulated enclosure;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative supporting structure;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a supporting structure of the type shown in FIG- URE 4; and

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 comprise detail sectional views illustrating panel interlocking alternatives.

The construction of this invention comprises a plurality of individual insulating panels which are situated in edgeto-edge relationship. The panels are arranged to completely enclose the insulated space which is intended to confine refrigerated articles. A specific type of supporting structure is provided for the insulated panels whereby the adjacent edges thereof will be pressed together. Accordingly, the enclosure is adapted to completely seal oit the interior space from the outside atmosphere.

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The accompanying drawings illustrate various constructions which are suitable for achieving the objects of this invention. In FIGURES 1 and 2, a plurality of panels 10 are arranged whereby the adjoining edges 12 of respective panels are in abutting relationship. In the illustrated embodiment, the panels form a bottom wall 14, a top wall 16 and side walls 18. It will be understood, however, that some of the walls, especially the bottom wall, may be formed of constructions other than an assembly of insulating panels. Thus, a concrete oor or the like could make up the bottom wall and a suitable insulated enclosure could still be achieved. It must be kept in mind, however, that any associated elements which have a relatively high heat conductivity are to be avoided.

The supporting structure for the arrangement illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 comprises a plurality of upright posts. The posts 20 are arranged whereby the side walls of the construction are directly supported by the posts. Other posts 22 have resilient means 24 associated therewith. Bearing plates 26 are attached to the ends of the resilient means, and these bearing plates force the panel assemblies against the posts 20. In every case, one end of a particular wall is supported by a post 20 while the opposite end of that wall is engaged by a bearing plate. It will `be noted that in the case of the lower right-hand corner of the enclosure, an angle bar 28 is employed as the bearing plate. Since the post 22. associated therewith is disposed on a diagonal of the enclosure, the plate 28 imparts forces to two walls simultaneously.

The panels 14 forming the side walls of the enclosure rest on top of the panels 10 forming the bottom wall. Similarly, the panels forming the top wall rest on the side panels. Additional resilient means 30 and bearing plates 32 may be associated with the-topwall to seal off these edges. However, in some cases, such additional pressure applying means may be dispensed with.

It will be noted that the bearing plate 26 shown in FIGURE -2 is divided into three sections including the upper section 34 and the lower section 36, The division of this pressure plate in this manner accommodates any possibility of differential expansion which may occur between the top, bottom and side walls. Thus, each section of the pressure plate can act independently to maintain a sealing relationship between abutting edges of the panels.

In the construction shown in FIGURE 3, four posts 38 are arranged in each of the corners of the enclosure. The panels 1l) which make up the outermost panels in each side wall are mitered as shown at 40 to facilitate the achievement of the desired sealing relationship. At the upper left-hand corner, an angle bar 42 provides a stationary bearing plate for the assembly. At the other three corners, resilient means 44 are engaged with bearing plates 45. Each of these pressure applying assemblies operates to produce a sealing relationship between each of the panels forming the side walls. The angle bars can be employed as pressure plates for the bottom and top walls and additional pressure can be vertically imparted to the top wall. v

FIGURE 4 illustrates a still further embodiment wherein pressure applying bands 48 encompass the slabs 10 forming the side walls of the structure. Each of the bands includes a tension spring 50 which operates to urge the respective insulating slabs into sealing engagement. The bands also press against the slabs forming the top and bottom walls. In addition to the bands shown, others can be run in the opposite direction to thereby cross the top and bottom of the assembly.

FIGURE 5 illustrates an arrangement wherein the slabs 10 are tted into tracks which serve to retain the slabs in a desired relationship, The track members can be interconnected so that a portable frame for the structure can be achieved. Vertical connecting means 52 are illustrated for this purpose. It will be understood that connecting means of various designs can be employed.

The upper tracks or channel guides 54 are wider than the panels 10 to permit removal of the panels for replace ment or for access to the interior of the enclosure where necessary. Also for this purpose, the lower tracks are formed in two sections 56 and 58. The outer section 56 can be separated from the assembly to permit removal of the associated slab 10.

It willalso be noted that the tracks 58 are divided as shown at 60 so that removal of the slabs can be simplied. Thus, two adjacent sections 58 can be separated in order to permit removal of a single panel. Various known insulating slabs or panels can be employed in the formation of structures characterized by the features of this invention. However, a panel of the design illustrated in FIGURE 7 is preferred. In this panel, outer protecting members 62 which may be formed of plywood or other durable material enclose insulating material 64. The member 62 extends short of the junction 66 of the panels so that the portions 64 of these panels are free to engage each other. Expanded polystyrene, such as that employed in Dylite panels, manufactured by Koppers Co., Inc., comprises a suitable material for the interior of the panels. Panels 10 of this design will form an excellent seal since the pressure applied to the panels will cause compression of the portions 64 in the interface to the extent that an essentially continuous wall will be provided by the several panels.

The discussion relative to FIGURE 7 is pertinent with regard to one of the most important features of this invention. In prior art constructions, means are usually associated with adjacent insulating panels in order to secure them together. irrespective of the materials which are employed as the securing means, it has been found that substantial heat loss will result. With the arrangement of this invention, there are no foreign elements at the interface between any two panels. Accordingly, the insulation at the joints of the panels can be as effective as the insulation elsewhere. In this connection, it is contemplated that the facing 62 be removed from any panels where this facing would interfere with a proper joint.

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate designs for interlocking of adjacent slabs 10. It is appreciated that other panel constructions employ similar interlocking means; however, these means have been illustrated in order to emphasize the importance of achieving joints without the inclusion of other materials. The interlocking illustrated can be achieved in panels without the provision of special connecting devices. Even where wooden materials are employed in forming the connecting means, a substantial difference in heat transfer characteristics has been recognized.

It will be noted that in each of the embodiments disclosed herein, relative movement between the panels and their supporting structure is allowed. Any expansion or contraction in the panels which occurs during changes in temperature is permitted without the danger of breaking the sealing relationship between the panels. The resilient means employed in these constructions Vare effective to press the adjacent panels together from all directions.

It will also be noted that the embodiments illustrated permit the formation of structures which can be maintained in a stationary location or which are portable in nature. Where the post members illustrated are employed, these members can be embedded in the ground or in concrete casings. On the other hand, such members may be assembled into a unitary frame. Such a frame or a frame including tracks as shown in FIGURE can be easily transported. Reference is also made to the aforementioned copending application for suggestions regarding suitable frames. l

In most assemblies of the type described, it is desirable to provide a door for access to the assembly. Such a door is illustrated at 68 in FIGURE l. Suitable hinge means 70 can be associated therewith. It will be understood, however, that assemblies without a door which are constructed for temporary use are also contemplated.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the constructions describe-d which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. .A self-contained insulated, rectangular parallelepipedi-c shaped enclosure comprising a plurality of individual flat insulating panels, said panels defining at least tne side walls and the top wall of said enclosure, each of said walls including a plurality of panels positioned in edge to edge relationship with the panels forming the top wall resting on the top edges of the panels yforming the side walls, stationary vertical postspositioned to engage both of the exterior faces making up a corner portion betwen adjacent side walls, other vertical posts fixed in position to engage the other corner portions of the same side walls, posts fixed in position in spaced relation to the corner portions of the other Itwo side walls and resilient means between said spaced posts and said adjacent corner portions of the other two side walls acting in a plane perpendicular to the first posts constantly to urge the side walls in the di-rection towards the fixed posts engaging the first side walls.

2. A self-contained insulated enclosure of rectangular parellelepipedic shape comprising a plurality of individual insulating panels, said panels defining at least the side walls and top wall of said enclosure, each of said walls including a plurality of panels positioned in edge to edge relationship, te panels forming the top wall resting on the top edges of the panels forming the side walls, a bottom wall on which the panels Iforming the side walls rest, a lband extending longitudinally about the side walls intermediate their upper and lower edges including a resilient portion whereby the band resiliently engages the side walls for urging t-hem together in the assembled relation, other longitudinally extending resilient bands straddling the adjacent meeting edge portions between the side walls and the top wall and between the side walls and the `bottom wall to hold the panels together while securing the top wall and the bottom wall to the `side wall panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 149,933 4/1874 Hogeland 217-92 758,734 5/ 1904 Blickle 220-12 1,673,324 6/ 1928 Garder 21.7-12 2,3 85,146 9/ 1945 MacDonald. 2,688,420 9/1954 Bishop et al. 220--12` 2,729,355 6/ 1956 Gaston 217-65 2,876,275 3/1959 Schulz. 2,896,271 7/1959 Kloote et al. 220-9 3,014,611 12/1961 Marshall 220-9 3,029,967 4/1962 Morrison 220--9 3,044,161 7/1962 Morrison 220-15 `XR 3,093,259 6/1963 Morrison 220-9 3,115,982 12/1963 Morrison 22'0-12 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 487,375 10/ 1952 Canada.

72,005 12/ 1950 Denmark.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

JAMES R. GARRETT, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A SELF-CONTAINED INSULATED, RECTANGULAR PARALLELEPIPEDIC SHAPED ENCLOSURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL FLAT INSULATING PANELS, SAID PANELS DEFINING AT LEAST THE SIDE WALLS AND THE TOP WALL OF SAID ENCLOSURE, EACH OF SAID WALLS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PANELS POSITIONED IN EDGE TO EDGE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PANELS FORMING THE TOP WALL RESTING ON THE TOP EDGES OF THE PANELS FORMING THE SIDE WALLS, STATIONARY VERTICAL POSTS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE BOTH OF THE EXTERIOR FACES MAKING UP A CORNER PORTION BETWEEN ADJACENT SIDE WALLS, OTHER VERTICAL POSTS FIXED

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