Insulated cargo containers

Abstract

The prevention discloses an insulated cargo container. In one implementation, the insulated cargo container includes at least one insulating panel applied on an exterior surface of the side walls, end walls, roof, or doors of the cargo container. In another implementation, the floor of the cargo container is also modified to improve the thermal efficiency of the cargo container.

1 . A cargo container comprising: 
 an underframe having a top and bottom surface;    a floor connected to the top surface of the underframe;    first and second side walls having exterior surfaces;    first and second end walls having exterior surfaces,    a roof having an exterior surface, the underframe, floor, first and second side walls; first and second end walls, and roof being connect to form an enclosure; and    at least one insulating panel comprising an insulating layer and at least one outer skin located on at least one face of the insulating layer, the at least one insulating panel located on the exterior surface of at least one of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, or roof.    
   
   
       2 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises fiber-reinforced plastics and wherein the insulating layer comprises urethane foam.  
   
   
       3 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises metal and wherein the insulating layer comprises urethane foam.  
   
   
       4 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises fiber-reinforced plastics and wherein the insulating layer comprises a vacuum insulated panel.  
   
   
       5 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises metal and wherein the insulating layer comprises a vacuum insulated panel.  
   
   
       6 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insulating panel substantially covers the exterior surface of the side wall, end wall, or roof to which it is applied.  
   
   
       7 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one corner piece joining the at least one insulating panel located on the exterior surface of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, or roof to a second insulating panel located on the exterior surface of an adjacent generally perpendicularly disposed side wall, end wall, or roof.    
   
   
       8 . The cargo container of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one insulating panel and the at least one corner piece substantially cover the exterior surfaces of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, and roof.  
   
   
       9 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , 
 wherein at least two insulating panels are located on the exterior surfaces of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, and roof; and wherein    each insulating panel is connected to at least one other insulating panel located on the same exterior surface.    
   
   
       10 . The cargo container of  claim 9 , wherein each insulating panel comprises a latch designed to engage a catch on another insulating panel and a catch to be engaged by a latch on another insulating panel.  
   
   
       11 . The cargo container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one insulating member located between the underframe and the floor.    
   
   
       12 . A cargo container comprising: 
 an underframe having a top and bottom surface;    a liner having a top surface and located on the top surface of the underframe;    a floor located on the top surface of the liner;    first and second side walls having exterior surfaces;    first and second end walls having exterior surfaces,    a roof having an exterior surface, the underframe, floor, first and second side walls; first and second end walls, and roof being connected to form an enclosure; and    at least one insulating panel comprising an insulating layer and at least one outer skin located on at least one face of the insulating layer, the at least one insulating panel being located on the exterior surface of at least one of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, or roof.    
   
   
       13 . The cargo container of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 at least one insulating member located between the liner and the floor.    
   
   
       14 . The cargo container of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 at least two insulating members located between the liner and the floor; and    a layer of insulation on the liner in an area between the at least two insulating members.    
   
   
       15 . The cargo container of  claim 13 , wherein the floor is constructed of a nailable material.  
   
   
       16 . The cargo container of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises fiber-reinforced plastics and wherein the insulating layer comprises urethane foam.  
   
   
       17 . The cargo container of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises metal and wherein the insulating layer comprises urethane foam.  
   
   
       18 . The cargo container of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises fiber-reinforced plastics and wherein the insulating layer comprises a vacuum insulated panel.  
   
   
       19 . The cargo container of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one outer skin of the at least one insulating panel comprises metal and wherein the insulating layer comprises a vacuum insulated panel.  
   
   
       20 . A cargo container comprising: 
 an underframe having a top and bottom surface;    a liner having a top surface and located on the top surface of the underframe;    at least one insulating member on the top surface of the liner;    a floor located on the at least one insulating member;    first and second side walls having exterior surfaces;    first and second end walls having exterior surfaces,    a roof having an exterior surface, the underframe, floor, first and second side walls; first and second end walls, and roof being connected to form an enclosure; and    at least two insulating panels comprising an insulating layer and at least one outer skin located on at least one face of the insulating layer, the at least two insulating panels being located on the exterior surface of at least one of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, or roof;    wherein each insulating panel is connected to at least one other insulating panel located on the same exterior surface.