US008348O87B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Sawaki
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,348,087 B2
`Jan. 8, 2013
`
`(54) COLD BOX AND DELIVERY METHOD
`USING THE SAME
`
`(75) Inventor: Toshiya Sawaki, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: Inoac Corporation, Aichi (JP)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 330 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/726,936
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar 18, 2010
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2011 FO226783 A1
`Sep. 22, 2011
`• 1-1s
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B65D 25/4
`(2006.01)
`B65D 6/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................... 220/592.2: 220/4.28: 220/4.29:
`220/6; 220/23.86; 220/592.01; 220/592.03;
`220/592.09: 220/592.24; 220/666
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`220/4.28
`220/4.29, 6, 23.86, 23.97, 495.03, 592.01,
`220/592.03, 592.09, 592.2, 592.24, 666,
`220/752, 768,769, 23.91: 383/110
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,582,124 B2 *
`6/2003 Mogil ........................... 383,110
`2009/0220178 A1* 9/2009 AZamy ......................... 383,110
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2445,637 A * 7, 2008
`GB
`20 853-6 A 19.288
`E.
`2004-189242. A
`7, 2004
`JP
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Anthony Stashick
`Assistant Examiner — Madison L. Poos
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Sughrue Mion, PLLC
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A cold box is provided. The cold box includes an outer bag
`which is rectangular and has an upper opening, a lid which
`closes the upper opening of the outer bag, and a thermal
`insulator which is foldable and is detachably housed inside
`the outer bag. The thermal insulator is formed from a pouch
`covered thermal insulation material. The thermal insulator
`includes a bottom wall, a top wall, a front wall, a rearwall, and
`a pair of side walls. Each of the side walls has a fixed part
`disposed adjacent to the rear wall and a turning part disposed
`adjacent to the front wall. The fixed parts are fixed to side
`faces of the rear wall, respectively, and the turning parts are
`rotatably coupled to front faces of the fixed parts, respec
`tively. When the thermal insulator is folded, the front faces of
`the turning parts face each other.
`17 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 8, 2013
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`FIG. 1
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`45BS
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 8, 2013
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`FIG.2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 8, 2013
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`FIG. 3
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`45A
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`Saee!==
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`==No.
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 8, 2013
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`FIG. 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 8, 2013
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`FIG. 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 8, 2013
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`FIG. 7
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`45A
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`1.
`COLD BOXAND DELVERY METHOD
`USING THE SAME
`
`BACKGROUND
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`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a foldable cold box which
`can maintain low temperature for a certain period, and a
`delivery method using the cold box.
`2. Description of Related Art
`A thermally insulating cold box is used for storing and
`transporting goods such as frozen foods or refrigerated foods
`that are required to maintain its frozen or refrigerated State.
`As a related art cold box, an integrally molded foamed
`polystyrene box is generally known. Because this foamed
`polystyrene box is integrally molded, it provides excellent
`sealing property and thermal insulation. However, since the
`integrally molded foamed polystyrene box cannot be folded,
`it becomes bulky when it is empty.
`As another related art cold box, JP-A-2004-189242
`describes a foldable cold box. This cold box has a structure in
`which a plurality of thermal insulation boards are combined
`Such that, when there are no goods to be placed therein, the
`cold box is folded in a compact form so as to facilitate its
`handling. However, because a gap is created between the
`adjacent thermal insulation boards in order to obtain the fold
`able structure, a high thermal insulation cannot be expected.
`Further, in many cases, cold boxes are roughly handled.
`Therefore, high strength is required for repetitive use. How
`30
`ever, the foamed polystyrene boards may not have sufficient
`strength. As for the cold box described in JP-A-2004-189242,
`the strength is sacrificed due to the foldable structure.
`Further, when delivering goods using the cold box
`described in JP-A-2004-189242, a vehicle having a refriger
`ating function is essential in order to compensate for deterio
`rated thermal insulation performance resulting from its fold
`able structure. Moreover, in a delivery center, goods are
`generally placed inside the cold box on top of one another.
`However, a flap lid of the cold box described in JP-A-2004
`189242 is provided on a lateral side of the cold box, which
`may not fit for efficient packing work.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Illustrative aspects of the present invention provide a cold
`box which is foldable in a compact form and has high thermal
`insulation performance and strength, and an efficient delivery
`method using the cold box.
`According to an illustrative aspect of the present invention,
`a cold box is provided. The cold box includes an outer bag
`which is rectangular and has an upper opening, a lid which
`closes the upper opening of the outer bag, and a thermal
`insulator which is foldable and is detachably housed inside
`the outer bag. The thermal insulator is formed from a pouch
`covered thermal insulation material. The thermal insulator
`includes a rectangular bottom wall, a top wall attached to the
`lid, a front wall vertically extending from one longside of the
`rectangular bottom wall, a rear wall vertically extending from
`the other long side of the rectangular bottom wall, an inner
`face of the rear wall being opposed to an inner face of the front
`wall, and a pair of side walls vertically extending from a pair
`of short sides of the rectangular bottom wall, respectively.
`Each of the side walls has a fixed part disposed adjacent to the
`rearwall and a turning part disposed adjacent to the front wall.
`The fixed parts are fixed to side faces of the rear wall, respec
`tively, and the turning parts are rotatably coupled to front
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`faces of the fixed parts, respectively. When the thermal insu
`lator is folded, the front faces of the turning parts face each
`other.
`According to another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, the bottom wall is rotatably coupled to the rear
`wall. When the thermal insulator is folded, the bottom wall is
`disposed in a space defined by the rear wall, the fixed parts
`and the turning parts.
`According to yet another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, each of the side walls includes a pouch inside
`which the fixed part and the turning part are disposed. A
`portion of the pouch between the fixed part and the turning
`part is seamed to serve as a hinge.
`According to yet another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, each of the side walls includes a strap via which the
`fixed part is coupled to the turning part.
`According to yet another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, the bottom wall is rotatably coupled to the rear
`wall. Each of the side walls includes a pouch inside which the
`fixed part and the turning part are disposed. A portion of the
`pouch between the fixed part and the turning part is seamed to
`serve as a hinge.
`According to yet another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, the cold box further includes a strap via which the
`bottom wall is coupled to the rear wall.
`According to yet another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, each of the side wall further includes a reinforcing
`pad provided in a front end portion of the turning part.
`According to yet another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, the top wall fits into an opening defined by the front
`wall, the rear wall and the side walls, and the lid covers
`respective upper faces of the front wall, the rear wall and the
`side walls.
`According to yet another illustrative aspect of the present
`invention, the cold box further includes a handle attached to
`the inner face of the rear wall.
`According to a yet another illustrative of the present inven
`tion, a method for delivering goods is provided. The method
`includes assembling foldable cold boxes in a delivery center
`having a refrigerating facility, placing, in the delivery center,
`the goods inside the cold boxes for respective stores, stacking
`the cold boxes in a vehicle, delivering the goods to the respec
`tive stores together with the cold boxes, receiving empty cold
`boxes from the respective stores, and bringing back the empty
`cold boxes in a folded manner. Each of the cold boxes
`includes an outer bag which is rectangular and has an upper
`opening, a lid which closes the upper opening of the outer
`bag, and a thermal insulator which is foldable and is detach
`ably housed inside the outer bag. The thermal insulator is
`formed from a pouch-covered thermal insulation material.
`The thermal insulator includes a rectangular bottom wall, a
`top wall attached to the lid, a front wall vertically extending
`from one longside of the rectangular bottom wall, a rear wall
`Vertically extending from the other long side of the rectangu
`lar bottom wall, an inner face of the rear wall being opposed
`to an inner face of the front wall, and a pair of side walls
`Vertically extending from a pair of short sides of the rectan
`gular bottom wall, respectively. Each of the side walls has a
`fixed part disposed adjacent to the rear wall and a turning part
`disposed adjacent to the front wall. The fixed parts are fixed to
`side faces of the rear wall, respectively, and the turning parts
`are rotatably coupled to front faces of the fixed parts, respec
`tively. When the thermal insulator is folded, the front faces of
`the turning parts face each other.
`According to one or more illustrative aspects of the present
`invention, an internal space of the cold box is surrounded by
`the thermal insulator and the outer bag covering the thermal
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`US 8,348,087 B2
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`insulator. Therefore, the cold box having a high thermal insu
`lation performance can be provided.
`Further, the pair of side walls are fixed to the side faces of
`the rear wall, respectively, such that the sidewalls and the rear
`wall form a U-shaped structure. Therefore, the cold box has
`high resistance against a torsion load. Moreover, since the
`fixed parts of the side walls are secured to the side faces of the
`rear wall, an external force applied to the fixed parts presses
`the fixed parts against the rear wall. Thus, the side walls are
`resistant to coming off the rear wall. In addition, the fixed
`parts of the side walls and the rear wall are covered with the
`outer bag such that, when the external force is applied to the
`fixed parts, the fixed parts are held between the rear wall and
`the outer bag. Thus, the fixed parts are reliably prevented from
`coming off the rear wall. Accordingly, the cold box having a
`high strength can be provided.
`Furthermore, when the thermal insulator is folded, the
`front faces of the turning parts face each other such that the
`turning parts do not interfere with each other. Thus, the cold
`box can be folded in a compact form.
`Further, the lid of the cold box is provided as an upper face
`of the cold box. Therefore, when opening or closing the cold
`box, leakage of cold air inside the cold box to the outside of
`the cold box is suppressed. Because the cold box has an
`excellent thermal insulation performance, the goods can be
`transported from the delivery center to the respective stores
`without using a vehicle having a refrigerating function. Fur
`ther, since the lid is provided on the top of the cold box, in the
`delivery center, the goods can be placed inside the cold box
`from above. Thus, efficiency of packing work can be
`improved. Furthermore, the cold box has a high strength Such
`that the walls forming the four lateral sides of the box can
`respectively supporta load. Therefore, even a plurality of cold
`boxes can be stacked without damaging the cold boxes,
`thereby saving a space for transporting the cold boxes.
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`4
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`<Outer Bagd
`As shown in FIG. 1, the outer bag 2 is a rectangular bag
`having an upper opening. The outer bag 2 is made of a flexible
`material. The outer bag 2 improves thermal insulation prop
`erty of the cold box 1, and prevents liquid from leaking
`outside the cold box 1. Further, the outer bag 2 protects the
`thermal insulator 4 from being damaged. The outer bag 2 is
`formed from a woven cloth made of polyethylene or polyes
`ter, and an aluminum-deposited polyester sheet arranged on
`an outer side of the woven cloth for shielding a transfer of
`radiation heat. Further, since the aluminum-deposited poly
`ester sheet serves as an excellent gas barrier, the smell of food
`inside the cold box 1 can be prevented from leaking outside.
`<Lidd
`The lid 3 is a thermally insulating member formed from a
`woven cloth made of polyethylene or polyester and an alu
`minum deposited polyester film arranged on an outer side of
`the woven cloth. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 3 is provided
`along an upper edge of the outer bag 2 so as to close the upper
`opening of the outer bag 2. The lid 3 includes a rectangular
`cover part 31 which covers the upper opening of the outer bag
`2, and a flap part 32 extending from one long side of the cover
`part 31. The lid 3 can be bent at a part between the cover part
`31 and the flap part 32.
`<Thermal Insulators
`The thermal insulator 4 is a foldable member and forms a
`frame of the cold box 1. The thermal insulator 4 is placed
`inside the outer bag 2 as shown in FIG.1. The thermal insu
`lator 4 includes a bottom wall 41, a top wall 42, a front wall
`43, a rear wall 44, and a pair of side walls 45, whereby an
`internal storage space is formed therein. In FIG. 1, for the
`purpose of better illustrating the bottom wall 41 and the rear
`wall 44, the front wall 43 and one of the side walls 45 are
`shown by a dotted line.
`Each of the walls 41 to 45 of the thermal insulator 4 has a
`thermal insulation board made of thermal insulation material
`Such as a hard polyurethane foamed material having a suffi
`cient level of strength and thermal insulation property to
`function as a cold box, and a thermal insulation pouch. 7
`which covers the thermal insulation board (see FIG. 6). The
`pouch 7 is formed from a woven cloth made of polyethylene
`or polyester and an aluminum deposited polyester film
`arranged on an outer side of the woven cloth. Thermal insu
`lation inside the internal storage space defined by the thermal
`insulator 4 is ensured by the thermal insulator 4, and is further
`improved by the outer bag 2 that surrounds the thermal insu
`lator 4.
`Each of the walls 41 to 45 of the thermal insulator 4 will be
`described below in detail. The bottom wall 41 has a rectan
`gular shape, and is arranged on a bottom of the coldbox 1. The
`top wall 42 is attached to the cover part 31 of the lid 3, and is
`arranged so as to be opposed to the bottom wall 41. The front
`wall 43 extends vertically from one longside of the bottom
`wall 41, and has the largest area among the walls 41 to 45. The
`rear wall 44 extends vertically from the other long side of the
`bottom wall 41, and is arranged such that an inner face 44i
`(facing the internal storage space) of the rear wall 44 is
`opposed to an inner face 43i (see FIG. 4) of the front wall 43.
`The rear wall 44 is rotatably coupled to the bottom wall 41. A
`pair of side walls 45 extend vertically from a pair of short
`sides of the rectangular bottom wall 41, respectively, and are
`arranged between the front wall 43 and the rear wall 44. Each
`of the side walls 45 has a fixed part 45A disposed adjacent to
`the rear wall 44, and a turning part 45B disposed adjacent to
`the front wall 43. The turning part 45B is coupled to the fixed
`part 45A so as to be rotatable toward the internal space of the
`cold box 1.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cold box
`according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cold box in a folded
`State;
`FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the folded cold box;
`FIG. 4 is a top view of the cold box from which a cover part
`of a lid is removed;
`FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cold box taken along the
`line V-V of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a side wall of the
`cold box; and
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a thermal insulator of a cold
`box according to a modified example of the exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention will be described in detail with reference to the
`drawings.
`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cold box 1
`according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inven
`tion. The cold box 1 includes an outer bag 2, a lid 3, a
`rectangular thermal insulator 4 housed inside the outer bag 2.
`and handles 51, 52 and 53 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). In FIG. 1,
`the lid 3 of the cold box 1 is opened.
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`On an outer face 43o of the front wall 43 and an outerface
`of the side walls 45, hook-and-loop fasters is arranged (see
`FIG. 5) so that the front wall 43 and the side walls 45 are
`detachably attached to the counterpart hook-and-loop fasters
`2a and 2b which are horizontally arranged on upper and lower
`parts of inner face of the outer bag 2. The rear wall 44 is
`detachably attached to the outer bag 2 via a hook-and-loop
`fastener 32a arranged on the flap part 32 of the lid 3 and a
`hook-and-loop fastener 2b arranged on a lower part of the
`inner face of the outer bag 2. The bottom wall 41 and the top
`wall 42 may likewise be detachably attached to the outer bag
`2 by using hook-and-loop fasteners. A hard plastic plate may
`be disposed on an inner face of the bottom wall 41 to reinforce
`the bottom wall 41.
`When folding the cold box 1 having the configuration
`described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the turning parts 45B of
`the thermal insulator 4 are rotated in the horizontal direction
`such that vertical front faces 45Bs of the turning parts 45B
`face each other. The bottom wall 41 of the thermal insulator 4
`is upwardly rotated around a hinge part 7d Such that the inner
`face of the bottom wall 41 is opposed to the inner face 44i of
`the rear wall 44. Accordingly, the bottom wall 41 is vertically
`placed in a space defined by the rear wall 44, the fixed parts
`45A and the rotated turning parts 45B. In this way, the cold
`box 1 is folded in a compact form, thereby providing a struc
`ture that is convenient for transportation.
`A pocket 11 may be provided in an outer face of the cold
`box 1 to insert a slip therein so that the slip can easily be
`recognized from outside. According to the exemplary
`embodiment, the pocket 11 is provided is provided on a
`portion of the outerface 2c of the outer bag 2 that corresponds
`to the fixed part 45A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the cold
`box 1 is folded, the fixed part 45A forms one of the lateral
`sides of the rectangular cold box 1 that has the smallest area.
`Accordingly, when storing a plurality of the folded cold boxes
`1, it is advantageous to place the folded cold boxes side by
`side such that the outer faces formed by the respective fixed
`parts 45A face outside, thereby saving a storage space. More
`over, since the pocket 11 is provided on the portion of the
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`outerface 2c formed by the fixed part 45A, the slip inside the
`pocket 11 can easily be recognized when the cold box 1 is
`folded and stored in the manner described above.
`<Folding Method>
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cold box 1 in a folded
`state, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the folded cold box 1. In
`FIG. 3, in order to better illustrate the thermal insulator 4, a
`portion of the outer bag 2 is omitted. When folding the cold
`box 1, firstly, the lid 3 is opened. Then, a front side of the
`bottom wall 41 is rotated so as to be lifted upward. Subse
`quently, the pair of turning parts 45B are inwardly rotated
`such that that the vertical front faces 45Bs of the turning parts
`45B face each other. As a result, the bottom wall 41 is placed
`inside the space defined by the rear wall 44, the pair of fixed
`parts 45A and the pair of turning parts 45B. Further, the front
`wall 43 is moved to an open space created by the rotation of
`the turning parts 45B. Finally, a belt 10 is fastened to the cover
`part 31 of the lid 3 by means of a hook-and-loop fastener 3a
`provided on the coverpart 31 so as to maintain the folded state
`of the cold box 1. A hook-and-loop fastener 2d (see FIG. 3)
`may be provided on the outerface of the outer bag 2 adjacent
`to the rear wall 44 to secure the lid 3 so that the lid 3 does not
`rotate when the cold box 1 is folded.
`Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7, detailed struc
`tures of the cold box 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a top view
`of the cold box 1 in an assembled state with the lid 3 being
`closed. However, In order to better illustrate the top wall 42 of
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`the thermal insulator 4, the cover part 31 of the lid 3 is not
`shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view taken along
`the line V-V of FIG. 4.
`First, with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the lid 3 will be
`described. The lid 3 seals the cold box 1 to improve thermal
`insulation property. The flap part 32 of the lid 3 is arranged
`between the outer bag 2 and the rear wall 44 of the thermal
`insulator 4. A hook-and-loop fastener is horizontally pro
`vided on an upper part 44a of an outerface 44o of the rear wall
`44, and is fastened to the counterpart hook-and-loop fastener
`32a provided on the inner face of the flap part 32. Further,
`anotherhook-and-loop fastener (not shown) is provided on an
`outer face of the flap part 32, and is fastened to a counterpart
`hook-and-loop fastener (not shown) provided on the inner
`face of the outer bag 2. In this way, a hinge part of the lid 3 is
`firmly held between the outer bag 2 and the rear wall 44.
`As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the cover part 31 of the lid 3 is
`wider than the top wall 42 of the thermal insulator 4 such that,
`when the lid 3 is closed, an outer peripheral area of the inner
`face of the cover part 31 abuts on respective upper faces of the
`front wall 43, the rear wall 44 and the pair of side walls 45 of
`the thermal insulator 4. The thermal insulation of the internal
`space of the cold box 1 ensured by tight abutment between
`side faces of the top wall 42 and the inner faces of the front
`wall 43, the rear wall 44 and the pair of side walls 45. In
`addition to this structure, the cover part 31 abuts on the upper
`faces of the front wall 43, the rear wall 44 and the pair of side
`walls 45 so that the thermal insulation is further improved.
`Hook-and-loop fasteners may be provided on the upper faces
`of the walls 43 to 45 and the outer peripheral area of the inner
`face of the cover part 31 to make tight abutment between the
`lid 3 and the thermal insulator 4 so as to further improve the
`thermal insulation of the internal space.
`The lid 3 is provided to close the upper opening of the
`thermal insulator 4 and the entire thermal insulator 4 is cov
`ered with the outer bag 2. Thus, cold air, which is heavier than
`warm air, can be maintained inside the cold box 1. Accord
`ingly, the cold box 1 having an excellent thermal insulation
`performance can be provided.
`<Improvement of Strength by Bottom Wall and Top Walld
`Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom wall 41
`and the top wall 42 of the thermal insulator 4 will be
`described. The bottom wall 41 and the top wall 42 of the
`thermal insulator 4 are fitted in an opening defined by the
`front wall 43, the rear wall 44 and the pair of side walls 45
`from below and above, respectively. That is, the inner faces of
`the front wall 43, the rear wall 44 and the pair of side walls 45
`abut on the bottom wall 41 and the top wall 42, respectively.
`Therefore, even when an external force is exerted on one or
`more of the front wall 43, the rear wall 44 and the side walls
`45, the bottom wall 41 and the top wall 42 prevent the walls 43
`to 45 from being inwardly deformed or displaced. Accord
`ingly, the cold box 1 is highly resistant to a sideward force
`applied to the cold box 1.
`<Improvement of Strength by Rear Wall and Side Walld
`Next, the rear wall 44 and the side walls 45 of the thermal
`insulator 4 will be described. As shown in FIG.4, the rear wall
`44 and the pair of side walls 45 together form an angled
`U-shaped structure. Therefore, the cold box 1 is also highly
`resistant to a torsion force applied to the cold box 1. The fixed
`parts 45A of the side walls 45 may be fixed to vertical side
`faces 44s of the rear wall 44 by fixing means such as an
`adhesive agent so as to hold the rear wall 44 between the fixed
`parts 45A. Thus, even when the external force is applied to the
`side walls 45, the fixed parts 45A are pressed onto the rear
`wall 44, whereby the side walls 45 are prevented from coming
`off the rear wall 44.
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`When the thermal insulator 4 is folded as shown in FIG. 2,
`the inner faces of side walls 45 do not abut on the top wall 42.
`Thus, the prevention of the deformation and displacement of
`the side walls 45 by the bottom wall 41 and the top wall 42 as
`described above cannot be expected. However, the fixed parts
`45A of the thermal insulator 4 are fixed to the vertical side
`faces 44s of the rear wall 44 and the outer sides of the fixed
`parts 45A are covered with the outer bag 2. Further, the side
`faces of the bottom wall 41, which is upwardly rotated, are
`held between the inner faces of the fixed parts 45A. Therefore,
`even when the cold box 1 is folded, the cold box 1 is highly
`resistant to an external force is applied to the side walls 45.
`More specifically, when the external force is applied to a
`central portion of one of the side walls 45, the front side of the
`fixed part 45A biased to rotate inward and the rear side of the
`fixed part 45A is biased to rotate outward. However, the outer
`bag 2 covering the outer side of the fixed part 45A prevents the
`rear side of the fixed parts 45A from rotating outward. Fur
`ther, the bottom wall 41 between the fixed parts 45A absorbs
`the external force. Accordingly, the fixed part 45A is pre
`vented from coming off the vertical side face 44s of the rear
`wall 44. Therefore, the cold box 1 is prevented from being
`collapsed even when the external force is applied to the side
`walls 45 of the folded State.
`<Removable Structure of Thermal Insulation Board
`Now, with reference to FIG. 6, an internal structure of each
`of the walls 41 to 45 will be described in detail, referring to the
`side wall 45 as an example. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective
`view of the side wall 45. The side wall 45 includes thermal
`insulation boards 6A and 6B forming the fixed part 45A and
`the turning part 45B, and a pouch 7 which covers the thermal
`insulation boards 6A and 6B. The thermal insulation boards
`6A and 6B may be made from boards of rigid polyurethane
`foam.
`Two openings are provided in an upper part of the pouch 7.
`On a distal end of a protruding part 71 of the pouch 7 that
`upwardly protrudes from the openings, a hook-and-loop fas
`tener 7a is provided. The counterpart hook-and-loop fastener
`7b is provided on a portion below the openings. The thermal
`insulation boards 6A and 6B are inserted from the openings,
`respectively, and the protruding part 71 is folded to cover the
`openings such that the openings are closed by the hook-and
`loop fasteners 7a and 7b. Because the hook-and-loop fasten
`ers 7a and 7b are used, the thermal insulation boards 6A and
`6B can easily be inserted in and taken out. Thus, in the event
`that the thermal insulation boards 6A and 6B are broken, the
`thermal insulation boards 6A and 6B can easily be
`exchanged. While it is not explicitly illustrated in the draw
`ings, the bottom wall 41, the top wall 42, the front wall 43 and
`the rear wall 44 have similar structures in which thermal
`insulation boards can easily be inserted in and taken out like
`the side wall 45.
`Further, on a vertical front side (a right side in FIG. 6) of the
`thermal insulation board 6B forming the turning part 45B, a
`layer of reinforcing pad 8 is provided. The reinforcing pad 8
`is made of a material, e.g., formed styrene, which is softer
`than the material of the thermal insulation boards 6A and 6B,
`so that the reinforcing pad 8 is easily compressed and
`deformed. When folding or assembling the cold box 1, the
`vertical front faces 45Bs (see FIG. 4) of the turning parts 45B
`contact the front wall 43, which may damage corner portions
`of the thermal insulation boards 6B. Accordingly, in order to
`protect the corner portions of the thermal insulation boards
`6B, the reinforcing pads 8 are provided on the vertical front
`side of the thermal insulation boards 6B. For example, when
`assembling the cold box 1, the turning parts 45B are moved to
`their positions while the reinforcing pads 8 are being com
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`pressed. Therefore, the corner parts of the thermal insulation
`boards 6B can be prevented from being damaged. Further,
`gaps between the front wall 43 and the vertical front faces
`45Bs of the turning parts 45B are sealed by the compressible
`reinforcing pads 8. Thus, the thermal insulation property of
`the cold box 1 is further improved.
`<Hinge Structure>
`Next, a hinge structure 7c between the fixed part 45A and
`the turning part 45B (see FIG. 6) and a hinge structure 7d
`between the bottom wall 41 and the rear wall 44 (see FIG. 1)
`will be described below.
`As shown in FIG. 6, along a portion of the pouch 7 between
`the thermal insulation boards 6A and 6B, a seam 7c is formed
`by sewing an outer layer and an inner layer of the pouch. 7
`together, so that the turning part 45B is relatively rotatable
`around the seam 7c with respect to the fixed part 45A.
`Because the seam 7c is provided to function as a hinge, the
`cold box 1 can be provided more inexpensively than a cold
`box using a mechanical metal hinge or a hard resin hinge.
`Further, since the mechanical metal hinge and the hard resin
`hinge are not used, thermal insulation boards 6A and 6B made
`from boards of rigid polyurethane foam or the food inside the
`internal space are prevented from being damaged.
`Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom wall 41, the rear
`wall 44 and the side walls 45 of the thermal insulator 4 are
`formed integrally as a single unit. The bottom wall 41 and the
`rear wall 44 are covered with a single pouch and are joined
`together like the fixed part 45A and the turning part 45B
`described above. That is, the bottom wall 41 and the rear wall
`44 are contiguously connected by the pouch. Thus, the ther
`mal insulation property of the cold box 1 is further improved.
`To the side faces 44s of the rear wall 44, which is joined to
`the bottom wall 41, the fixed parts 45A, which is joined to the
`respective turning parts 45B, are secured by the adhesive
`agent, so that the walls 41, 44 and 45 are joined together, and
`the strength of the unit is improved. Further, in a boundary
`between the bottom wall 41 and the rear wall 44, a seam 7d
`(see FIG. 1) is formed in a similar manner as the seam 7c
`described above so that the bottom wall 41 is rotatably
`coupled to the rear wall 44.
`Means for connecting the turning part 45B to the fixed part
`45A or connecting the bottom wall 41 to the rear wall 44 is not
`limited to the seams 7c and 7d described above. For instance,
`according to a modified example shown in FIG. 7, a bottom
`wall 41, a rear wall 44, a fixed wall 45A and a rotating wall
`45B may be provided as separate components, and the turning
`part 45B may be connected to the fixed part 45A via straps 9A
`and the bottom wall 41 may be connected to the rear wa