WO1990012991A1

WO1990012991A1 - Portable self-contained cooler/freezer apparatus for use on common carrier type unrefrigerated truck lines and the like

Info

Publication number: WO1990012991A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/002222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis P. Saia, Iii
Original assignee: Saia Louis P Iii
Priority date: 1989-04-24
Filing date: 1990-04-24
Publication date: 1990-11-01
Also published as: CA1322664C; AU5564890A

Abstract

A transportable container (10) for carrying products at frozen or refrigerated temperatures includes a structural container (12) having an insulated outer shell (14, 15, 16, 17) with an access doorway (21). The upper portion of the container (10) includes a transverse perforated baffle (25) and positioned above the baffle (25) are a pair of spaced apart canisters (27, 28) containing liquid refrigerant. A gas or liquid feeder tube (32) penetrates each bottle and commmunicates with an on/off valve (30, 31). A feeder tube (32) can draw liquid to dispense for cooling, or it can release gas and pressure within the canister (27, 28) to boil the CO2. When CO2 reaches its boiling point, the canister (27, 28), its bracket, and the cold plate (25) reach very cold temperatures to cool the cargo area (24). The gas is released through copper tubing over the cold plate (25).

Description

INVENTION: PORTABLE SELF-CONTAINED COOLER/FREEZER

APPARATUS FOR USE ON COMMON CARRIER TYPE UNREFRIGERATED TRUCK LINES AND THE LIKE

SPECIFICATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to refrigerate containers having self-contained refrigeration systems. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a improved portable self-contained cooler/freezer apparatu wherein either an external bulk supply or self-containe carbon dioxide canister dispense C0₂ or like liquid coolan through a manifold and plate like diffuse system to regulat temperature within the container, and wherein a temperatur controlled solenoid valve dispenses C0₂ or like coolant a needed into the container interior. The plate like diffuse allows use of the shipping container walls to cool.

2. General Background

Many truck lines use refrigerated trucks to carry foo products over long distances. Typically, such a truck i designed to carry either frozen foods or foods that must b maintained in higher, but still refrigerated temperatures such as, for example, 40°F. These trucks typically carr either refrigerated or frozen food only and differ from th typical common carrier truck which is unrefrigerated an which carries any of a number of bulk, unrefrigerate commodities, such as palletized loads of any genera merchandise, product, or equipment. Presently, there doe not exist a means for carrying refrigerated and/or froze food products over long distances of several hundred or eve thousands of miles via common carrier, namely, with truck that are not refrigerated but which have space for holdin any number of general commodities. Several devices have been patented which have attempted to provide portable refrigeration devices. An example is U.S. Patent No. 3,633,381, entitled "Open-Cycle Portable Refrigerator." In that patent there is disclosed a portable refrigerator employing an open cycle system. A stored compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide is passed from the storage container through an evaporator which comprises a serpentine passageway for the gas in a surrounding medium, such as water, an aqueous solution, which is maintained frozen due to the passage of the expanding compressed gas through the coiled passageway. The temperature of the evaporated medium is lower than the ambient temperature of the interior or the container comprising the storage portion of the refrigerator which is cooled thereby. The gas passing through the evaporator may be exhausted into the interior of the container whereby the cooler air which is next to the evaporator medium is circulated throughout the interior of the container.

A portable ice chest having a refrigeration unit is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,959,982. A substantially

, closed refrigeration receptacle in fluid communication with the putlet side of the primary evaporator receives the refrigerant which may not have completely evaporated, and separates the phases by venting the evaporated gas phase to the atmosphere while directing the unevaporated liquid refrigerant into a second evaporated coil wherein it is completely evaporated. The thermostatically controlled valve regulates the flow of refrigerant to the primary evaporator as a function of temperature within the chest. Several systems have been patented which use liquid

. carbon dioxide as part of a refrigeration system. Notice for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,399,658, entitled

"Refrigeration System With Carbon Dioxide Injector," issued to Nielsen; U.S. Patent No. 4,459,825, entitled "Apparatus For Controlled Reduction In Temperature and Preservation Of Embryos In A Cryogenic State," issued to Crouch; and U.S. Patent No. 4,580,411, entitled "Liquid Nitrogen Freezer," issued to James Orfitelli. Several patents have been issued which relate to shipping containers that have, in some cases, self-contained refrigeration systems. Examples of these shipping containers include U.S. Patent No. 3,961,925, issued to Rhoad; U.S. Patent No. 4,502,293, issued to Franklin; U.S. Patent No. 4,576,017, issued to Combs et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 4,606,195, issued to Winkler.

The Rhoad U.S. Patent No. 3,961,925 provides a portable self-contained refrigerated storage and transportation container for preserving perishable commodities and includes an insulated storage chamber for perishable commodities. A recirculating liquid cooling system is provided within the container and includes conduit and nozzle means disposed within the storage chamber adapted to spray a liquid coolant, such as chilled brine directly onto the perishable commodities to maintain them in a uniform cooled temperature. The sprayed liquid coolant is collected in the bottom portion of the storage chamber. A closed refrigeration system is also provided within the container and includes in part heat exchange means disposed within the bottom portion of the storage chamber for cooling the sprayed liquid coolant which has collected there.

The Franklin U.S. Patent 4,502,293, entitled "Container CO_ Cooling System," provides a generally rectangular container that includes an insulated top, bottom, opposite sides and opposite end walls. An upstanding transverse insulated hollow housing is mounted within the container adjacent one end thereof and a CO- snow cabinet constructed of good heat transfer material is disposed within the housing with opposing wall portions of the cabinet and housing passing exteriorly about the cabinet. A heat insulative horizontal baffle is mounted within the container spaced below the top wall and extends between the sidewalls thereof. The baffle defines a cooled air passage beneath the top wall extending lengthwise of the container. The airflow passage includes an outlet end adjacent and in at least reasonably closed communication with the end of the cooled air passage adjacent the aforementioned one container end wall and an inlet end opening outwardly of the housin into the interior of the container below the baffle. Th end of the cooled air passage adjacent the other container end wall opens into the interior of the container and thermostatically controllable air pump structure is provided to effect airflow inwardly of the inlet of the airflow passage, through the airflow passage and into the cooled air passage. Further, structure is provided for spray discharging of liquid C0₂ into the interior of the upper portion of the cabinet and into the airflow passage at points spaced therealong in order to form CO_ snow therein.

The Combs U.S. Patent No. 4,576,017, discloses a container for maintaining its contents at a desired temperature for an extended period of time, such as for use in shipping contents in a frozen condition. The container includes an outer shell which is substantially air tight and which has an inner surface, a pass of heat exchange medium, a support structure for the heat exchange medium, and means for maintaining an air space between the contents of the container and substantially the entire inner surface of the outer shell of the container and between the contents of the container and the support structure for the heat exchange medium for allowing convection current to develop in the inner space which circulates past the heat exchange medium and maintains a substantially uniform temperature around the contents of the container.

In the Winkler U.S. Patent No. 4,606,195, entitled "Hypobarric Container," there is provided a storage device having a walled inner and outer container and a compressed gas supply contained within the device. A conduit is provided from the gas supply to the inner container and a control valve for the conduit responsive to pressures above and below a super atmospheric pressure value are provided for closing and opening the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems an shortcomings of the prior art in a simple straightforwar manner by providing an improved portable transportable refrigeration system for use on common carrier type truc lines, for example. The apparatus contains self-supporting container having an interior for carryin refrigerated or frozen cargo and adapted to be lifted by forklift, for example. A canister for containing a liqui refrigerant under pressure is positioned in the upper en portion of the container interior. A pivotally movabl perforated baffle plate extends transversely across th container interior at the upper end portion thereof and is positioned directly under the canister. The baffle plat can optionally contain the canisters and manifold with "floor" to hold frost, ice, and coolness against th canisters and manifold when the device is preliminaril charged with coolant from an external "bulk" source. temperature control communicates with the canister fo controlling temperature within the interior and includes manifold header for discharging liquid refrigerant from th canister. The manifold header includes a preferabl externally extending inlet opening receptive of a source o bulk C0₂ for quick charging the unit interior with CO- s that the canisters need only maintain coolness. Further, the manifold can be used to charge the canisters when empt with liquid C0₂ from any bulk external supply source o liquid CO- or like refrigerant. A pressure control valv controls the pressure of fluid discharged from the canister and a temperature valve is positioned in the heade downstream of the pressure control valve which thus control temperature within the interior and over a wide temperatur span of, for example, -20°F to 70°F. Henceforth ver accurate temperatures can be maintained. Canisters hav bent tubes that can be positioned to vent either gas o liquid. For liquid, the tubes point down and for gas th tubes point up. In the preferred embodiment, the container includes base plate having two spaced apart parallel slots adapted t be engaged by a forklift lifting device. The apparatus i the preferred embodiment includes an array of perforation extending over a substantial portion of the hinged baffle plate.

In the preferred embodiment, the canister, the pressure control valve, and the temperature control valve, as well as the header, are positioned above the baffle plate.

In the preferred embodiment, the manifold header is in the elongated tube having an external inlet that allows the manifold to be connected to an external CO- "bulk" supply for either charging the canisters when empty, or for quick cooling the container interior before a shipment.

In the preferred embodiment, the container includes a vertical access doorway that extends substantially the full height of the container, terminating below the hinged baffle plate in its hinged position. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a valve which communicates with internal vent tubes that can optionally remove either gas or liquid from the canister.

In the preferred embodiment, the valve includes bent tubes or ducts extending internally and to the side inner wall of the canister from the valve structure, and positioned to dispense either liquid or gas respectively when the canisters are in their usual horizontal position.

In the preferred embodiment, there are a pair of canisters and the manifold header is positioned above the baffle plate and generally between the canisters.

Use of the hinged transverse plate with perforations allows the canister, the pressure control valve, the temperature control valve and the header to be "quick frozen" by an external source of liquid refrigerant via the manifold header before the entire apparatus is shipped. The perforations thus define with the sides of the overall container a smaller interior space that closely surrounds the canister, and the header, so that when liquid refrigerant from an external source is added to the smaller interior area above the baffle, the smaller interior area of the baffle, the smaller interior space is filled with solid C0₂ and snow and at very low temperatures without affecting the components of the refrigeration system used to ship at temperatures above 0°F. "Blasting" the container with the hinged perforated baffle plate down is used when quick chilling is desired to commence loading the container for product which requires accurate temperatures in the range of -10°F to 70°F. This feature and process very much extends the period of time during which materials can be kept refrigerated.

"Quick chilling" prior to use and prior to shipping prevents the canisters from losing supply by bringing a "hot" box to a lower desired temperature, so that the canisters may not, for example, begin the operation of dispensing cooling CO- for several hours after the goods are shipped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention can be had when the detailed description of a preferred embodiment set forth below is considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the presen invention;

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the preferre embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventio illustrating an optional header system;

Figure 3 is a second embodiment of the apparatus of th present invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the preferre embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventio illustrating the preferred valved construction for the dua valve portion thereof; and

Figure 5 is a side fragmentary view illustrating th dual on/off valve portion of the apparatus of the presen invention. Figure 6 shows a sectional elevational view of th preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the presen invention illustrating a piping arrangement used fo charging the container and/or filling the canisters. DE^&ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figures 1 - 3 show generally the preferred embodimen of the apparatus of the present invention designate generally by the numeral 10. In Figure 1, there can be seen an enlarged rectangula transportable box-like container 12 having an upper surfac 13 and a plurality of side walls 14, 15, 16, 17 forming a enclosure with a bottom 18 portion of the container. Th bottom 18 includes a pair of spaced apart recesses 19, 20 for example, which can be used to form a connection with th times of a fork lift so that the container 10 can be easil moved and transported about, such as during unloading o loading of trucks. The apparatus 10 can include an acces doorway 21 that would preferably be vertically oriented an pivotally attached, having closure latches 22, 23 thu allowing access through door 21 into the interior 24 o container 12. Container 12 would be manufactured, fo example, of welded stainless or welded aluminu construction. The bottom section of container 12 defines reservoir to hold any water that accumulates during use. valved drain 5 can be used to remove water during or afte use from the reservoir.

A hinged transverse perforated baffle 25 extends acros the upper portion of container 12 defining an uppermos interior compartment 26 that contains canisters 27, 28 Baffle plate 25 would be hingedly connected to containe rear wall 16 along edge 25A so that the baffle plate 25 ca swing down into a generally vertical position adjacent rea wall 16 (when the apparatus is to be used for shippin product in a cooled but not frozen condition) , the baffl plate 25 waved swing into a horizontal position as shown i Figure 1, creating the confined compartment area 26 abou canisters 27, 28 when the apparatus is to be used fo shipping product in a frozen condition. Plate 25 would b held in the upper horizontal position using a latch (no shown) or removable thumb screws or such like means.

Canisters 27, 28 are preferably canisters containin liquid refrigerant, preferably carbon dioxide or a lik refrigerant and the canisters are positioned upon their sides in a horizontal position, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The plate 25 preferably includes a plurality of perforations therethrough designated as 29 in Figure 1. The canisters 27, 28 are each equipped with exit valves 30, 31 which communicate with header 32 that connects with manifold header 33 positioned generally between canisters 27, 28 and generally parallel thereto, as shown in Figure 1. Manifold 33 has an externally extended end portion 33A that is an inlet fitting which allows a "bulk" external source of liquid refrigerant such as CO- to be transmitted to the manifold header 33 for two purposes as selectively desired. Firstly, the manifold header can "quick cool" the interior 24 with CO- from the bulk source before a shipment. Normally, if frozen foods are being shipped, the baffle plate is put in the upper position (Figure 1) and CO- is blasted into the confined compartment 26 covering the canisters 27, 18 and header with ice and generally filling the area 26 with ice and snow. Secondly, the marifold can be used to fill the tanks 27, 28 when they are empty.

A valve interfacing manifold 33 and header 32 controls flow from manifold fitting 33A to either tanks 27, 28 (for filling) or to header 33. The container 12 would preferabl be equipped with an externally mounted temperature gauge 34 so that a user can view the internal temperature 24 b viewing the thermometer 34, even when the door 21 wa closed.

Pressure gauge 35 could also extend externally o container 12 so that the pressure within header 32 could b viewed externally of the apparatus 10. In the embodiment o Figure 1, the valves 30 and/or 31 would be opened allowin carbon dioxide to flow through header 32 and into perforate tube 33 so that CO- would enter the internal portion 26 o box 12 above perforated plate 25 causing cold air t refrigerate that portion of the box 12 interior 24.

The use of transverse plate 25 allows the interior 2 of box 12 above plate 25 to be preliminarily frozen using for example, a blast of C0₂ from an external source, source other than canisters 27, 28 before the box is to b shipped. This allows a frozen condition above plate 25 which supplements the amount of cooling that would otherwis be required to keep the entire container 12 at a particula refrigerated temperature. Thus, before shipment, the commo carrier would simply blast the container for a specifie period of time and quickly lower the temperature of the container to reduce the work load on the canisters. This allows the boxes to be shipped over much longer distances than ordinarily would be possible if only cooling fro canisters 27, 28 are used.

The embodiment of Figure 2 is alternate construction for the arrangement of canisters 27, 28 and the header an valves. In the embodiment of Figure 2, designated generall by the numeral 40, there can be seen a pair of canisters 27, 28 having positioned therebetween an elongated header 41 which is a gas exhaust header and includes tube sections 42-46 which are generally parallel and a plurality of elbo tubes 47-50 connecting the tube sections, as shown in th drawings end to end, to form an elongated header for gas exhaust.

A pair of dual on/off exhaust valves, (See Figures 4 and .5) 51, 52 each provide a gas feeder tube 53, 54 and liquid feeder tube 55, 56 respectively. A transverse flo line 59 connects valves 51, 52 while a lowermost transvers flowline 67 also connects the lower end portion of valve 51, 52. Pressure regulator 57 regulates the pressure of ga leaving canisters 27, 28 through transverse header 59. Discharge flowline 60 communicates with pressure regulato 57 and with dual temperature regulator valve 62.

A temperature probe 61 senses temperature within th container 24 below baffle 25 so that the temperature prob dictates when gaseous CO- is discharged through valve 6 through discharge line 63 which communicates with ga exhaust header 41. Transverse flowline 67 receives liqui CO- from valves 51, 52 as the lines 55, 56 typically collec liquid CO- from canisters 27, 28. Liquid CO- thus enter liquid carrying heat exchanger coil 65 through flowline 68. The liquid carrying heat exchange coil 65 can be provided as shown in the drawing with a plurality of transverse fin 70 for efficiency purposes in heat transverse. In hea transfer between the air within container 12 interior an the liquid carrying coil 65. Line 66 would be connecte back to dual temperature regulator valve 62 so that as th liquid 66 could become gaseous at valve 62, it also could b discharged through outlet 63 into gas exhaust header 41. Header 72 is preferably an elongated cylindrical tube havin a plurality of openings spaced along the length thereof, with an inlet 72A extending externally of the container 1 so that a bulk CO- source can be used to preliminaril charge and cool container 12. The header 72 could be pipe

(and appropriately valved) to canisters 27, 28 so that th canisters 27, 28 could be charged when empty from a bulk C0 source via header inlet 72A. It should be understood tha the elongated header tube 72 is in communication with ga exhaust header 41 so that the gas contained within header 4 eventually can be discharged through openings in header tub 72.

The embodiment of Figure 3 shows another embodiment o the invention wherein a transverse pan 75 is use immediately under the gas exhaust header tubes. The pan 7 can wrap around the canisters 27, 28 as shown to form a tra that holds ice and snow.

Figures 4 and 5 show more particularly the constructio of dual on/off valves 51, 52 each comprising a valves bod 80 that communicates with a pair of internal passageways 81 82. The passageway 81 communicates with tubes 53, 54 whil the passageway 82 communicates with tubes 55, 56 Transverse passageways 88, 89 communicate respectively wit externally extending transverse ports 86, 87 which in th preferred embodiment form connections with transvers headers 59, 67. Thus, header 59 connects to the uppermos port 86 of valves 51, 52 while the lowermost port 8 connects with header 67. An opening of each valve b rotating the spigots 83, 84 open the ports 88, 89 so tha flow can proceed respectively via tubes 53, 54 an passageway 81 (with respect to the opening 88 and spigot 83 or via tubes 55, 56 through passageway 82 and opening 89 Thus using the dual valve of Figures 4 and 5, either gas o liquid or both, could be removed from canisters 27, 28. in Figure 6 there can be seen a piping detail whic specifies a piping arrangement that can be used to eithe charge the canisters 27, 28 when they are empty, or blas liquid or gas C0₂ directly into the container interior. Th inlet header 33 is equipped with an external fitting 33 tha extends beyond the container wall 14. The header 3 connects with a tee 90 which carries a pressure indicator A second downstream tee 91 communicates with an elbow 9 that is equipped with a valve 93. The valve 93 controls th flow of fluid from tee 91 through elbow 92 and downstream t header 94 which is equipped with a series of preferations o ports 95. When valve 93 is open, and a source of bulk C0 attached at fitting 33, a large volume of liquid or gas C0 can be immediately charged into the container interior vi the header 94 and more particularly through the series o ports 95.

When valve 93 is closed, the header 33 can be used t either fill canisters 27, 28 through cross 95 which contain a pair of lateral lines 96, 97 which would communicat through appropriate piping with valves 30, 32 so that whe valve 93 is closed, bulk CO- added through fitting 33A ca fill canisters 27, 28. Downstream of cross 95 is a pip section 98 which communicates with temperature responsiv control valve 99 that communicates with downstream affluen header 100 and more particularly with the orifice fittin 101 portion thereof. This would be a relatively smal orifice opening 101. During use, the valve 93 would firs be opened to charge the container 12 with a blast of CO- t lower the temperature. After this initial blast from a bul CO- source, the valve 93 would be closed. Thereafter, th temperature responsive valve 99 would only open when neede to supply C0₂ from canisters 27, 28 into the containe interior by discharging the CO- into the cross fitting 95 s that it could flow through the valve 99 to the orifice 101 Thus, with the present invention a bulk CO- source could b initially used to greatly lower the temperature of the carg and thereafter the canisters would only be needed t maintain that temperature. Thus, the bulk source could b used to supply much of the cooling that was needed to lowe the temperature with the canisters 27, 28 only being neede on a maintenance basis after the shipment was sent.

In view of the numerous modifications which could b made to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein withou departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention, the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative an not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:

Claims

1. A portable transportable refrigeration system for use on unrefrigerated dry type truck lines and the like, comprising: a. a self-supporting container having an interior for carrying refrigerated or frozen cargo and adapted to be lifted; b. a canister for containing liquid refrigerant under pressure, positioned in the upper end portion of the container interior; c. a movable perforated baffle plate extending across the container interior at the upper end portion thereof and positioned directly under the canister; d. temperature control means, communicating with the canister for controlling temperature within the interior, and including:

(i) manifold header means for discharging liquid refrigerant from the canister and including means for preliminarily charging the container interior with refrigerant from an external bulk source;

(ii) a pressure control valve for controlling the pressure of fluid discharged from the canister;

(iii) a temperature control valve positioned in the header downstream of the pressure control valve for controlling temperature within the interior.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the container includes a base plate having two spaced apart, parallel slots adapted to be engaged by a forklift lifting device.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the baffle plate has an array of perforations extending over a substantial portion of the baffle plate.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the baffle plate is hingedly connected to the container along one side of the baffle plate so that the baffle plate can move between a horizontal position and a vertical position.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the canister an header are positioned above the baffle plate.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the canister pressure control valve and temperature control valve an header are positioned above the baffle plate.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the header is a elongated tube comprising multiple generally parallel tub sections connected by elbow tube turns.

8. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the containe includes a vertical access doorway.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising mean for optionally removing gas or liquid from the canister.

10. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the removin means comprises in part a pair of ducts extending internall of the canister.

11. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein there are a least a pair of canisters and the header is positioned abov the baffle plate and generally between the canisters.

12. The apparatus of Claim 10 wherein the ducts ar bent in opposite directions.

13. A shipping container for shipping frozen and/o refrigerated cargo comprising: a) a container having an interior with an acces doorway that can be opened/closed; b) one or more refrigerant tanks mounted in t container for containing refrigerant under pressure to dispensed during use for cooling the container interior; c) header means for piping refrigerant in t tanks to the container interior; and d) temperature responsive controller means for periodically dispensing refrigerant from the tanks to the header in order to maintain a desired preselected preset refrigerated or frozen temperature range within the container interior.

14. The apparatus of Claim 13, further comprising a lower pedestal base supporting the container, the base including horizontal slots receptive of fork lift tires.

15. The apparatus of Claim 13, further comprising means for filling the tanks with refrigerant without removal of the tanks from the container.

16. The apparatus of Claim 13, further comprising switch means for deactivating the control means when the door is in an open position.

.

17. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein the canisters are positioned within the container interior so that the canisters can assume the refrigerated temperature of the container interior.

18. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein the temperature range has a variability of ten degrees or less, during shipments lasting several hours or more.

19. The apparatus of Claim 13, further comprising reservoir means for collecting liquid such as water when ice within the container melts.

20. The apparatus of Claim 18, wherein the opening is positioned vertically above the bottom of the reservoir, defining a sill below the opening.

21. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein the controller means comprises a battery powered solenoid actuated valve.

22. The apparatus of Claim 21, wherein the controlle includes a thermostat, a solenoid operated valve and battery power source for activating at least the solenoi operated valve.

23. A portable transportable refrigeration system fo use on unrefrigerated dry type truck lines and the like wherein a forklift type lifting mechanism and ca comprising: a) a self-supporting container having an interio for carrying refrigerated or frozen cargo and adapted to b lifted; b) a lifting frame positioned at the bottom of th container and including load transfer means for forming connection between a forklift type lifting mechanism and th lower end portion of container so that the container can b transferred into and out of an unrefrigerated truck using forklift type lifting mechanism; c) a canister for containing liquid refrigeran under pressure, positioned in the upper end portion of th container interior; d) temperature control means, communicating wit the canister for controlling temperature within th interior; e) manifold means for transmitting refrigeran from the canister to the container interior; f) a pressure control valve for controlling th pressure of fluid discharged from the canister to th manifold means; and g) temperature control valve means positioned a least partially within the container for controllin temperature within the container interior by activating th canister to release refrigerant from the canister into th container via the manifold means.

24. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the containe lifting frame includes a base plate having two spaced apart parallel slots adapted to be engaged by a forklift liftin device.

25. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the canister an header are positioned in the top portion of the containe interior.

26. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the canister, pressure control valve and temperature control means an manifold are positioned in the top portion of the containe interior.

27. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the manifold means elongated tube comprising multiple generally paralle tube sections connected by elbow tube turns.

28. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the containe includes a vertical access doorway.

29. The apparatus of Claim 23, further comprising means for optionally removing gas or liquid from the canister.

30. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the removin means comprises in part a pair of ducts extending internall of the canister.

31. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein there are a least a pair of canisters and the header means is positione generally between the canisters.

32. The apparatus of Claim 23, further comprising mean carried by the container and communicating with the heade means for preliminarily charging the container interior wit refrigerant from an external bulk source.

33. The apparatus of Claim 23, further comprising mean carried by the container and communicating with the heade means for charging the canister with refrigerant from a external bulk source.

34. A method of transporting refrigerated products on dry, unrefrigerated truck comprising the steps of: a) housing the products in an insulated container smaller than the truck interior; b) transferring the container to and from th container using a forklift type lifting mechanism; c) cooling the container interior with a liqui refrigerant that is dispersed from a canister containe within the container; d) regulating the pressure of refrigerant withi the canister; e) controlling temperature within the containe interior by dispensing refrigerant from the container a intervals; and f) preliminarily charging the container from bulk source to lower the interior temperature prior t shipment.

35. A method of shipping refrigerated perishable good in an unrefrigerated cargo transport vehicle having a larg cargo holding area comprising the steps of: a) placing the perishable goods into one or mor structural containers that can be placed into the cargo are of the transport vehicle; b) cooling the perishable goods by dispensing refrigerant from pressurized canisters that are transporte with the containers; c) using a valve to dispense coolant from th canisters.