Mobile refrigerator with reporting system

• US 6,929,061 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2001
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mermaid Manufacturing of Southwest Florida Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Marc Lajeunesse
• Inventors: Lajeunesse, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): CIRIC, LJILJANA V
• Application Number:
  US10/021,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20020053213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 165/202, 165/42, 165/41, 165/43, 622/39
• US Class Current: 165/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/00 Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/001 Vehicles provided with medical equipment to perform operations or examinations
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/165 Cooled holders, e.g. for medications, insulin, blood, plasma
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/20 Refrigerated goods vehicles air treatment of goods space B60H; air-conditioning means for freight cars, isothermic wagons B61D27/0027; superstructures for refrigerated goods vehicles B62D33/048
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/76 for use underground manholes, inspection openings, covers therefor B65D90/105; special vessels for collecting or storing rain-water for use in the household E03B3/03; cesspools E03F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/105 for underground containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/10 Arrangements for mounting in particular locations, e.g. for built-in type, for corner type
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/02 Sensors detecting door opening
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A self-contained, portable, computer operated, light weight, temperature controlled compartment for installation in emergency vehicles has insulated walls and a door. The compartment carries a mechanical refrigeration system having a small compressor for cooling the interior and electrical heating units providing radiant heat to the interior. The heating and cooling units are controlled by a microcomputer and temperature sensor to keep the interior within a desired range of temperature.

Claims

1. In a mobile vehicle including an electrical system of at least 12 volts capacity, said vehicle adapted to carry temperature sensitive components which require a certain range of temperatures, an integral temperature controlled compartment connected to said vehicle electrical system, said compartment having insulated walls with a mechanical refrigerating unit operated by an electrically powered compressor mounted on said compartment to provide a portion of said certain range of temperatures for said compartment, an electrical heating unit mounted on said compartment to provide a portion of said certain range of temperature for said compartment, said compartment having a temperature sensor, and a door mounted on a wall of said compartment to selectively gain access to the interior of said compartment.

2. In a mobile vehicle of claim 1 wherein said electrical heating unit includes resistance coils, said mechanical refrigerating unit and said electric heating unit are electronically controlled by computer connected to said vehicle electrical system, said computer programmed with said certain range of temperatures, said computer connected to said temperature sensor, said temperature sensor signaling said computer as to the temperature in said compartment, said computer activating said refrigerating unit or said electrical heating unit in response to said temperature sensor signal to maintain said compartment within said certain range of temperatures.

3. In a mobile vehicle of claim 2 wherein a certain temperature may be selected within said certain range and programmed into said computer, said vehicle electrical system includes a horn, said computer programmed to activate said horn when said temperature sensor reaches said certain temperature.

4. In a mobile vehicle of claim 2 wherein said door has a latch, said latch is connected to said computer, said computer recording the date, time and temperature in said compartment when said latch is operated, said computer recording the duration of time said door is ajar.

5. In a mobile vehicle of claim 1 wherein said door has a latch, said latch is connected to said computer, said computer is connected to an electronic printer, said printer making a written record of the date, time, and temperature in said compartment when said latch is operated, said printer recording the duration of time the door is ajar.

6. In a mobile vehicle of claim 5 where in said printer has an audible alarm, said alarm activated when the temperature in said compartment is outside said certain range of temperatures, said printer making a written record of the time, date and length of time said temperature is outside said certain range of temperatures.

7. In a mobile vehicle of claim 1 wherein an electronic printer is connected to said computer, said printer including an audible alarm, said alarm activated when the temperature in said compartment is outside said certain range of temperatures, said printer making a written record of the time, date and length of time said temperature is outside said certain range of temperatures.

8. In a mobile vehicle of claim 1 wherein said computer includes a soft start program for operating said refrigerating unit and said electrical heating unit without a power surge in said electrical system.

9. In a mobile vehicle of claim 1 wherein said interior of said compartment is from approximately two cubic feet to approximately four cubic feet and said mounting space in said vehicle is from approximately 18 inches in depth, 20 inches in height and 17.75 inches in width to approximately 26,625 inches in depth, 20.5 inches in height and 17.75 inches in width.

10. In a mobile vehicle of claim 1 wherein the electrical connection between said vehicle electrical system and said temperature controlled compartment includes an elongated power cord connected at one end to said compartment and at the other end to a removable adapter.