Container assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a container assembly. The container assembly includes an intermodal container and an insulating structure. The insulating structure includes an aerogel. The insulating structure is removably secured to an interior of the intermodal container, and the insulating structure includes an interior for receiving goods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container assembly comprising:
 an intermodal container; and   an insulating structure comprising an aerogel, wherein the insulating structure is removably secured to an interior of the intermodal container, and wherein the insulating structure comprises an interior for receiving goods.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating structure comprises a plurality of layers and at least one of the layers comprises the aerogel. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein multiple layers of the plurality of layers comprise the aerogel. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating structure comprises two layers of steel and the aerogel is disposed between the two layers of steel. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating structure comprises an inner surface defining the interior of the insulating structure, and the inner surface comprises a groove to direct a fluid flow through the interior. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating structure substantially fills the interior of the intermodal container. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the insulating structure comprises a ceiling portion, a floor portion and at least two opposing wall portions, wherein a thickness of the roof portion is different to a thickness of the floor portion and/or the wall portions. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the insulating structure comprises a support assembly to support the ceiling portion. 
     
     
         9 . The container assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the intermodal container comprises a recessed floor to accommodate the floor portion of the insulating structure. 
     
     
         10 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating structure is removably secured to the intermodal container by a securing arrangement comprising a securing member which extends through a hole in the insulating structure and is received by an engagement portion of the intermodal container. 
     
     
         11 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermodal container comprises a refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermodal container comprises a shipping container. 
     
     
         13 . An intermodal container insulating assembly comprising:
 a plurality of walls defining an internal volume, the plurality of walls comprising an insulating material;   a securing arrangement for removably securing the insulating assembly to an interior of an intermodal container; and   a connector to connect to a refrigeration unit such that the internal volume is in fluid communication with the refrigeration unit.   
     
     
         14 . The intermodal container insulating assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the insulating material comprises an aerogel. 
     
     
         15 . The intermodal container insulating assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of walls comprises a plurality of layers and at least one of the layers comprises the aerogel. 
     
     
         16 . The intermodal container insulating assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein multiple layers of the plurality of layers comprise the aerogel. 
     
     
         17 . The intermodal container insulating assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein an inner surface of the plurality of walls comprises a groove to direct a fluid flow through the internal volume. 
     
     
         18 . The intermodal container insulating assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the inner surface comprises a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         19 . The intermodal container insulating assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of walls have different thicknesses. 
     
     
         20 . An intermodal container comprising insulation removably attached to an interior of the intermodal container, wherein the insulation comprises an aerogel.