(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`
`WO 2013/144621 A2
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind ofnational protection available): AL’, AG, AL, AM,
`AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY,
`BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM,
`DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
`HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP,
`KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD,
`ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU,
`RWY, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ,
`TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA,
`ZM, ZVV.
`
`(84)
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ,
`UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ,
`TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK,
`EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
`MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, Sll, SI, SK, SM,
`TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
`ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`Published:
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`without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt of that report (Rule 48.2(g))
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`(19) World Intellectual Property
`
`Organization
`
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`3 October 2013 (03.10.2013)
`
`(51)
`
`International Patent Classification:
`H651) 19/00 (2006.01)
`
`(2 1)
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`International Application Number:
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`E
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`~ _
`
`é
`5/)\
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`WIPOI PCT
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`(81)
`
`PCT/GB2013/050801
`
`(22)
`
`International Filing Date:
`
`27 March 2013 (27.03.2013)
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`(25)
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`(26)
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`(30)
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`(71)
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`(72)
`
`Filing Language:
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`Publication Language:
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`English
`
`English
`
`Priority Data:
`12054946
`
`28 March 2012 (28.03.2012)
`
`GB
`
`Applicant: DS SMITH CORRUGATED PACKAGING
`LIMITED [GB/GB]; Beech House Whitebrook Park, 68
`Lower Cookham Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 SXY
`(GB).
`
`157 Cotefield Drive,
`Inventors: WOOD, Richard;
`Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7
`3DN (GB).
`ADAMS, Karen;
`17 Grasmere, Bedgrove, Aylesbury,
`Buckinghamshire, HP21 9TU (GB),
`
`(74)
`
`Agent: LECKEY, David; St Bride's House, 10 Salisbury
`Square, London, EC4Y 8JD (GB).
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`(54) Title: INSULATED CONTAINERS
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`
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`PGR2021-00085
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`(57) Abstract: An insulated container (2) comprises at least one base panel (4), a plurality of wall panels (8, 10) which can be as—
`sembled to the at least one base panel (4), and at least one top panel (12). The wall panels (8,
`0) each comprise an insulating layer
`(32) comprising one or more grooves, channels or sleeves for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a backing layer (34) attached
`0 to the insulating layer (32). The backing layer (34) extends vertically downwardly beyond the insulating layer (32) so as in use to at
`W least partially overlap an edge of the base panel (4).
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`Insulated Containers
`
`The present invention relates to insulated containers, and in particular, but not
`
`exclusively, to palletised insulated containers.
`
`It is frequently necessary to transport temperature sensitive goods by road, rail or
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`air. Typically such goods are packed within an insulated container which contains
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`coolant, typically in the form of coolant packs, which are arranged around the goods
`
`to maintain the goods at a desired temperature. The packs may be housed in
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`sleeves which are attached to the inner wall of the container, for example as shown
`
`in GB-A—2459392.
`
`in other arrangements the packs may be housed in grooves
`
`formed on the inner wall of the container, for example as shown in WO
`
`2009/035661.
`
`in yet further arrangements, the coolant packs may be housed in
`
`closed channels, for example as shown in US-A—5 924 302.
`
`The present invention seeks to provide an improved insulated container which is
`
`easy to manufacture and assemble.
`
`From a first aspect, the invention provides an insulated container comprising at
`
`least one base panel, a plurality of wall panels which can be assembled to said at
`
`least one base panel, and at least one top panel, wherein said wall panels each
`
`comprise an insulating layer comprising one or more grooves, channels or sleeves
`
`for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a backing layer attached to said
`
`insulating layer, said backing layer extending vertically downwardly beyond said
`
`insulating layer so as in use to at least partially overlap an edge of said base panel.
`
`The invention also extends to a wall panel for an insulating container comprising an
`
`insulating layer comprising one or more grooves, channels or sleeves for receiving
`
`one or more coolant packs, and a backing layer attached to said insulating layer,
`
`said backing layer extending vertically downwardly beyond said insulating layer.
`
`Thus in accordance with this aspect of the invention, an insulating wall panel
`
`comprises a layer of insulating material, and a separate backing layer suitably
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`attached to the insulating layer. The backing layer is arranged to project below the
`
`insulating layer so as to overlap the base panel, thereby locating the wall panel
`
`relative to the base panel. This not only facilitates assembly of the container, but
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`also means that materials best suited to the respective tasks of insulation and
`
`location of the wall panels may be used.
`
`It also provides additional strength to the
`
`insulating layer.
`
`The backing layer also preferably extends upwardly beyond the insulating layer so
`
`as to provide a location for the top panel of the container.
`
`The insulating layer may be formed from an insulating plastics material such as
`
`expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane, or Neopor® (expanded
`
`polystyrene with graphite) or can be formed for example from an insulating panel
`
`for example vacuum insulated panel. The backing layer is preferably made from a
`
`board material, preferably corrugated cardboard. Of course other backing materials
`
`could be used, for example a corrugated plastics material.
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`Preferably, the insulating layer comprises enclosed channels for receiving coolant
`
`packs. However, the invention is also applicable to insulating layers which have
`
`open faced grooves for receiving coolant packs.
`
`The insulating layer may be fabricated in a single piece, for example as a moulding
`
`or extrusion, but to facilitate manufacture, the insulating layer may be fabricated in
`
`more than one part. For example, the insulating layer may comprise a base
`
`component and a facing component suitably attached, e.g. bonded thereto, to form
`
`the channel or channels. Thus in one embodiment, the base component may
`
`provide a substantially planar surface and the facing component comprise a base
`
`and one or more ribs or formations extending therefrom for cooperating with the
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`planar surface of the base component to form the coolant receiving channels
`therebetween,
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`This construction is believed to be novel and advantageous in its own right, so from
`
`a further aspect the invention provides a wall panel for an insulating container, and
`
`comprising a base component of insulating material and a facing component of
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`insulating material, said facing component comprising a base and one or more ribs
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`or stand offs projecting therefrom for engaging said base component to form
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`channel between the base component and the facing component.
`
`A potential problem with forming enclosed channels in the wall panels of the
`
`container is that the wall thickness between the channels and the interior space of
`
`the container may be relatively small, meaning that the wall is potentially
`
`susceptible to damage during assembly and use. To obviate or mitigate this
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`problem, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a reinforcing layer is attached,
`
`e.g. bonded or otherwise secured, to the inwardly facing surface of the insulating
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`layer.
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`This arrangement is believed to be novel and advantageous in its own right, so from
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`a further aspect the invention provides a wall panel for an insulating container, said
`
`wall panel comprising an insulating layer comprising one or more closed channels
`
`formed therein for receiving one or more coolant packs, and a reinforcing layer
`
`secured to the inwardly facing surface of the insulating layer. The invention also
`
`extends to a container comprising one or more such panels.
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`The reinforcing layer may, like the backing layer, be made from a board material,
`
`especially a corrugated board material. Other sheet materials such as corrugated
`
`plastics materials may also be used.
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`The thickness of the reinforcing layer may be chosen to give an appropriate level of
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`reinforcement, but typically it will be thinner than the backing layer, for example
`about half the thickness.
`
`It will be appreciated that after the wall panels and top panel have been assembled
`
`to the base panel around the product, the container will be secured closed by
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`suitable means. Typically such means comprise netting or strapping placed around
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`the container. However, it would be desirable to provide some means by which the
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`wall panels may be at least temporarily secured together during assembly to
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`prevent them falling over or disengaging from the base panel.
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`In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the wall panels are provided with fasteners
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`for fastening to adjacent wall panels during assembly of the container.
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`This feature is believed to be advantageous and novel in its own right, so from a
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`further aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall panel for assembly with
`
`other wall panels into an insulating container, said wall panel comprising an
`
`insulating layer and a fastener for at least temporarily fastening the panel to an
`
`adjacent wall panel during assembly of the container. The invention also extends to
`
`a container comprising one or more such wall panels.
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`Preferably the fastener is releasable so that the wall panels can be easily
`
`dismantled from one another after use, for example for storage or repatriation.
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`In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a hook or loop
`fastener.
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`Respective adjacent wall panels may be provided with cooperating fasteners. For
`
`example one panel may be provided with one or more hook or loop fasteners and
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`the other panel provided with corresponding loop or hook fasteners. Alternatively, a
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`separate member may be provided with fasteners which cooperate with the
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`fasteners provided on the adjacent wall panels.
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`in the construction discussed above which uses a backing layer, the fastener may
`
`be provided on the backing layer.
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`In a particularly preferred arrangement, the fastener may be provided on a flap or
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`tab which projects over the adjacent wall panel for cooperation therewith. For
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`example flaps or tabs may be provided at one or both ends of a wall panel for
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`engagement with an adjacent wall panels.
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`Any desired number of fasteners may be provided, but in a preferred arrangement,
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`fasteners are provided at the upper and lower ends of the wall panel.
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`The container of the invention is preferably constructed from more than one type of
`
`wall panel. For example in one embodiment, the container comprises opposed first
`
`wall panels and opposed second wall panels.
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`The respective panels are preferably constructed so that they may be assembled in
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`different configurations. For example the respective first and second wall panels
`
`are preferably constructed such that they may be assembled either to an adjacent
`
`first wall panel or an adjacent second wall panel. For example when assembled to
`
`an adjacent panel of the same type, the panels may form a butt—type joint and when
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`assembled to an adjacent panel of the other type, the panels form an overlapping
`
`eg. a ship lap or tongue and groove joint.
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`This feature is believed to be advantageous and novel in its own right, so from a
`
`further aspect the invention provides a kit for producing an insulated container, said
`
`kit comprising a plurality of first wall panels and a plurality of second wall panels,
`
`the wall panels of the same type being assemblable to each other with a butt joint
`
`and the wall panels being assemblable to panels of the other type with an
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`overlapping joint.
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`The container of the invention is provided with one or more top panels which are
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`assembled over the wall panels to close the top of the container.
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`It will be
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`appreciated that as the container may be quite large (for example 1.5m x 1.5m in
`
`cross section, or even larger), the top panels may be relatively heavy.
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`In order to
`
`facilitate the positioning of the top and therefore, in a preferred embodiment the top
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`panel is formed with one or more handles.
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`This arrangement is believed to be advantageous in its own right, so from a further
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`aspect the invention provides a panel for use in an insulated container, said panel
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`comprising a layer of insulating material and plurality of handles to facilitate
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`handling of the panel. The invention also extends to a container comprising one or
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`more such panels.
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`Preferably the handles are hingedly attached to the panel so that they may be
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`easily moved from an operative position (in which it functions as a handle) to a non-
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`operative position (in which it does not).
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`Most preferably, the handles are configured such that when in the non-operative
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`condition, a portion thereof extends around a top edge of the panel. This is
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`advantageous when it comes to the final securing of the container. As mentioned
`
`earlier, after assembly a container is typically secured closed by one or more straps
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`which are passed around the container.
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`In order to prevent these straps digging
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`into and possibly damaging the walls of the container, it is usual to provide so—
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`called 'V' boards along the edges of the container. The straps then engage the 'V'
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`boards rather than the panels themselves. However by having the handles
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`configured to extend over the edges of the top panel, the need to provide a
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`separate 'V' board along the top edges of the container is avoided, thereby leading
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`to a cost reduction. The assembly of the straps is also facilitated since the handles
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`are attached to the top panel, as opposed to the 'V' boards which are not and which
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`may therefore fall off during assembly.
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`The handles may be made from a foldable sheet material such as corrugated
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`board. This facilitates manufacture and also the folding of the handles between
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`operative an non-operative positions.
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`The top panel may be formed in a similar manner to the wall panels of the container
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`and have a backing layer of corrugated board or the like. in this event, the handle
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`may be suitably retained between the backing layer and the insulating layer.
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`Of course this feature may also advantageously be applied to other panels of the
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`container, for example the side wall panels.
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`Some preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference
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`to the following drawings in which:
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`Figure 1 is a perspective view of a insulated container in accordance with the
`
`invention;
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`Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1;
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`Figure 3 is a vertical section along the line 3—3 of Figure 1;
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`Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first wall panel of the container of Figure 1;
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`Figure 5 is an exploded view of the wall panel of Figure 4;
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`Figure 6 is a side view of the wall panel of Figure 5;
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`Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second wall panel of the container of Figure 1;
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`Figure 8 is an exploded view of the wall panel of the container of Figure 7;
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`Figure 9 shows the container of Figure 1 during the course of assembly;
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`Figure 10 also shows the container of Figure 1 during the course of assembly;
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`Figure 11 shows a detail of a handle of the top panel of the container of Figure 1 in
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`a first configuration;
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`Figure 12 shows the handle of Figure 11 is a second configuration; and
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`Figure 13A, 138 and 130 show various configurations of container in accordance
`with the invention.
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`With reference firstly to Figures 1 and 2, an insulated container 2 in accordance
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`with the invention comprises a base panel 4, which rests upon a pallet 6. The
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`container further comprises an opposed pair of first wall panels 8 and an opposed
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`pair of second wall panels 10. The container further comprises a top panel 12 and
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`a top board 14 arranged under the top panel 12. The top panel 12 comprises 8
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`handles 16 spaced around its periphery, with straps 18 passing over and around
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`the container and under the upper surface of the pallet 6 in order to retain the
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`container 2 on the pallet 6.
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`With reference to Figure 3, the base panel 4 comprises one or more panels 20 of a
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`thermally insulating material such as expanded polystyrene, faced on their upper
`
`and lower faces by sheets of corrugated cardboard 22, 24. Typically the insulating
`
`material 20 is approximately 18 mm thick with the layers 22, 24 of corrugated
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`material being 3 to 4 mm in thickness each. The corrugated material 22, 24 is
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`bonded by a suitable adhesive to the insulating material 20.
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`The top layer 12 is formed in a similar manner comprising two panels 26 of
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`insulating material such as expanded polystyrene faced on upper and lower
`
`surfaces with sheets of corrugated board material 28, 30. Similarly to the base 4,
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`the insulating material may be approximately 18 mm in depth and the layers 28, 30
`
`of corrugated material will be approximately 3 to 4 mm each. While illustrated as
`
`having two panels of insulating material, the base and top panels 4, 12 may be
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`formed from a single sheet of material or more than two sheets, depending on the
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`size of container 2. The base and/or top of the container 2 may also be
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`constructed made from a plurality of panels rather than unitary panels as shown.
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`With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the first side walls 8 comprise an insulating layer
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`32, a backing layer 34 and a reinforcing face layer 36.
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`The insulating layer 32 is of an insulating material such as expanded polystyrene
`
`and is approximately 145 mm to 150 mm thick.
`
`As can be seen most clearly from Figure 5, the insulating layer 32 comprises a
`
`base component 38 which presents a generally planar front surface 40 and a pair of
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`side rails 42 and a channel-forming facing component 44 which comprises a rib 46.
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`The rib 46 engages the surface 40 so as to define a pair of coolant-receiving
`
`channels 48 between the two components 38, 44. The channels 48 are sized to
`
`receive a suitable coolant pack.
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`The rails 42 of the base component 40 and the upper surface of the rib 46 form a
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`shoulder 60 in the upper part of the container as shown in Figure 6.
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`The base component 38 also comprises a portion 50 which extends above the
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`channel-forming facing component 44. This may be formed from a separate
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`component, suitably adhered to the base component 38, or be made in one piece
`therewith.
`
`The backing layer 34 is formed from a board material, for example corrugated
`
`cardboard, although other materials such as corrugated plastics may be used. As
`
`can be seen from Figure 6, for example, the backing layer 34 comprises a first
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`portion 52 which extends below the lower surface 54 of the insulating layer 32 and
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`a second portion 56 which extends above the upper surface 58 of the insulating
`
`layer 32. Typically, the backing layer will be 7 to 8 mm thick. When a corrugated
`
`material is used (e.g. cardboard or plastics) the flute direction in the backing layer
`
`34 is vertical to provide strength to the first portion 52.
`
`The reinforcing facing layer 36 is also formed from a board material, for example
`
`corrugated cardboard although other materials such as corrugated plastics may be
`
`used.
`
`In this embodiment, the reinforcing board layer 36 has a thickness of
`
`approximate 3 to 4 mm. The flute direction on the facing layer 36 may be either
`vertical or horizontal.
`
`As can be seen from Figure 9, the corners of the backing layer 34 are provided with
`hook fasteners 64.
`
`The second wall panels 10 are constructed slightly differently from the first pair of
`
`wall panels 8. Each wall panel 10 comprises an insulating layer 70, a backing layer
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`72 and a facing layer 74.
`
`The insulating layer 70 is formed in a similar manner to the insulating layer 32 of the
`
`first wall panels 8, being formed of an insulating material such as expanded
`
`polystyrene and is approximately 145 mm to 150 mm thick. The insulating layer 70
`
`also comprises a base component 76 formed with side rails 78 and a channel-
`
`forming facing component 80 formed with a rib 82 which engages a fon/vardly facing
`
`surface 84 of the base component 76. This defines two coolant pack receiving
`
`channels 86 between the two components.
`
`Similarly to the first wall panels 8, the base component 76 has a portion 88 which
`
`projects above the channels 86, and which as illustrated may be a separate
`
`component suitably bonded to the remainder of the component 76 or formed
`
`integrally therewith.
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`The upper ends of the rails 78 and the rib 82 form a shoulder 90 which is, when the
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`container 2 is assembled, coplanar with the shoulder 60 formed in the first wall
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`panels 8.
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`Again in a similar manner to the first wall panels 8, the side rails 78 of the base
`
`component 76 are formed with grooves 92. As can be seen, for example from
`
`Figure 2, the grooves 62, 92 engage upon assembly of the container 2.
`
`The facing layer 74 is of a similar construction to that of the wall panel 8.
`
`It is,
`
`therefore, typically a corrugated board component typically having a thickness of 3
`
`to 4 mm. However, the backing layer 72 is rather different from that of the first wall
`
`panel 8.
`
`In this embodiment, the backing layer 72 is also formed from a corrugated
`
`cardboard material, again typically being 7 to 8 mm thick.
`
`It also is provided with a
`
`first portion 94 which extends below the lower surface 96 of the insulating layer 70
`
`and a second portion 98 which extends above the upper surface 100 of the
`
`insulating layer 70. However, whereas in the first wall panel construction, the
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`lateral edges of the backing layer 34 terminate at the edges of the insulating layer
`
`32, in the wall panels 10, the backing layer 72 is formed with flaps 102 which are
`
`attached to the remainder of the backing layer 72 by a fold in the backing layer 72.
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`Each flap 102 is divided into two sub—panels 104, 106, with a distal sub-panel 104
`
`being attached to a proximal base flap panel 106 about a hinge line 108. The
`
`proximal sub—panel 106 may be bonded to the lateral edges 110 of the base
`
`component 76 of the insulating layer 70, although the distal flaps 104 remain
`
`unattached, as is clearly shown in Figure 7.
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`As can be seen, for example in Figure 7, each distal flap sub—panel 104 is provided
`
`with a tab of loop fastener 112 in the projecting portions 94, 98 of the backing layer
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`72. As can be seen from Figure 9, these fasteners 112 are arranged so as to
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`cooperate with the hook fasteners 64 provided on the external surfaces of the other
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`wall panels 8.
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`As shown in Figure 8, the backing layer 72 may be provided with V boards 116.
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`These V boards may be secured in position, eg. by adhesive, or simply positioned
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`during assembly.
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`Turning now to Figures 10, 11 and 12, the construction of the top panel 12 will be
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`described in further detail, particularly with regard to the handles 16.
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`As can be seen from Figure 12, each handle 16 is formed from a blank of foldable
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`sheet material, for example a corrugated board material. Each handle 16
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`comprises an anchor panel 120, a first handle-forming panel 122 with a first hand
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`hole 124 formed therein hingedly attached to the anchor panel 120 about a first fold
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`line 126 and a second handle—forming panel 128 with a second handle opening 130
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`formed therein, hingedly attached to the first handle—forming panel 122 about a
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`second fold line 132. A flap 134 is hingedly attached to the second handle—forming
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`panel 128 about a third fold line 136. The handle openings 124, 130 are aligned as
`shown.
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`The anchor panel 120 is sandwiched between the insulating material 26 and the
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`upper cardboard layer 28 of the top panel 12 so as to be firmly anchored to the top
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`panel 12.
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`As can be seen in Figures 10 and 12, the handle-forming panels 122, 128 are
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`foldable from a generally flat, non-operative configuration shown in Figure 11 in
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`which the handle forming panels 122, 128 lie against the top of the top panel 12
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`and an extended, operative configuration shown in Figure 12 in which the handle
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`forming panels 122, 128 stand up from the top panel 12. With the handle 16 In the
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`operative configuration, a user is able to lift the top panel 12 into position using the
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`handles 16. After locating the top panel 12, the handle panels 122, 128 are folded
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`down to the configuration shown in Figure 11 such that the flap 134 extends over
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`the backing layer of the adjacent wall panel 8.
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`In this way, a strap 18 can engage
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`the handle 16 rather than an edge of the wall panel 8 or the top panel 12.
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`Assembly of a container in accordance with the invention will now be described.
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`As a first step, the base panel 4 is positioned on a pallet 6. A payload is then
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`positioned on the base panel 4 in the desired position which will typically be such
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`that there is an air space arranged around the payload.
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`Once the payload is in position, the wall panels 8, 10 can be assembled. The
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`panels 8, 10 are assembled to the base panel 4 such that the lower edges 54, 96 of
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`the respective wall panels 8, 10 rest on the upper surface of the base panel 4 with
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`the downwardly projecting portions 52, 94 of the wall panels 8, 10, overlapping the
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`edges of the base panel 4. The adjacent wall panels 8, 10 are inter—engaged such
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`that the grooves 62, 92 formed therein inter-engage to locate the walls 8, 10 one
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`relative to the other. To assist in assembly, it will be seen that the flaps 104 on the
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`wall panels 10 overlap the edges of the wall panels 8 and these may be temporarily
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`secured to one another using the hook and loop fasteners 112, 64 provided on the
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`respective wall panels 8, 10. Once all four wall panels 8, 10 have been assembled
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`to the base panel, suitable coolant packs may be inserted into the channels 48, 86
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`formed in the wall panels 8, 10. Once the coolant packs have been inserted, a top
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`board 14, which is typically of a corrugated board construction is placed over the
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`payload such that it engages the shoulders 60, 90 formed in the respective wall
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`panels 8, 10.
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`If desired, further coolant packs may then be positioned on top of the
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`board 14. Finally, the top panel 12 is installed in position. To facilitate this, the user
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`extends the handles 16 to the operative configuration shown in Figure 12
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`whereupon the top panel 12 may more easily be lifted into position. The top panel
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`12, when installed in position sits inside the upwardly projecting portions 56, 98 of
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`the respective wall panels 8, 10 so as to lie generally flush with the upper edges
`thereof.
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`Once the top panel 12 is positioned, the handles 16 may be folded down to the
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`configuration shown in Figure 11 such that the flaps 134 thereof lie outside the
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`respective wall panels 8, 10. Thereafter, straps 18 are wrapped vertically around
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`the container 2 and under the pallet 6 to secure the container 2. Also, one or more
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`horizontal straps may be passed around the container 2, engaging with the V
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`boards 116 provided on the end wall panels 10 so as not to cut into the wall panels
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`8, 10.
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`in this condition, the container 2 may be moved by a fork lift truck which engages
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`the pallet 6 in a known manner.
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`In order to unpack the container 2, the reverse sequence is followed namely, cutting
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`the straps, folding up the handle 16 to facilitate lifting of the top panel 12, removing
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`of top board 14, and disengagement of the wall panel 8, 10 in order to provide
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`access to the payload. After disassembly, the individual panels may be stored or
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`transported in
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`Turning now to Figures 13a to 130, these Figures illustrates the versatility of the
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`container of the present invention. The arrangement shown in Figure 13a
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`corresponds to the configuration shown in Figures 1 to 12, namely with respective
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`opposed pairs of first wall panels 8 and second wall panels 10.
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`In the arrangement
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`of Figure 13b, however, rather than having a generally square container as shown
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`in Figure 13a, by using two sets of panels 10 on each side of the container 2, a
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`rectangular container configuration can be achieved.
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`It will be seen in this
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`configuration, that the panels 8, 10 inter-engage in an overlapping manner as in the
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`earlier embodiment, but that the similar panels to engage together in a butt joint.
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`Figure 130 illustrates a further generally square container in which respective pairs
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`of first panels 8 and second panels 10 are provided on opposed walls of the
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`container. Again, similar panels 8 and similar panels 10 will abut one another whilst
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`dissimilar panels 8, 10 will engage with one another in an overlapping relationship
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`as in the embodiment of Figure 1.
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`it will therefore be seen that by providing a kit of
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`multiple wall parts 8, 10 a plurality of container configurations can be produced. For
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`example, in another arrangement not shown, a further rectangular container may be
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`produced by using two pairs of opposed wall panels 8 and a single pair of opposed
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`wall panels 10.
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`It will be understood that the above description is of one or more presently preferred
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`embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made to the specific
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`embodiments disclosed without departing from the scope of the invention.
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`For example, the materials for the respective insulating layers, backing layers and
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`facing layers of the respective wall panels may be different from those disclosed.
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`Thus, for example, the insulating layer may be provided from any insulating
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`material, although an insulating plastics material such as a foam plastic material
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`such as foam polystyrene is preferred. Similarly, the backing layer and facing layer
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`are preferably made from corrugated board material for reasons of economy,
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`although other sheet materials may be used if appropriate, for example plastics
`materials.
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`Also, it will be understood that various features of the invention may be used
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`independently of the other. Thus for example, the general wall constructions may
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`be applied to other types of container from those specifically disclosed.
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`Also, whilst the use of a hook and loop fastener is disclosed for temporarily joining
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`the wall panels together, other forms of fastener may be used and indeed a
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`separate fastener member may be used to join the panels.
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`Claims
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`1.
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`An insulated container comprising at leas