Transport refrigeration specialist Klinge Corporation has released their new collapsible storage bins for the transport and storage of perishable items. The food storage bins (FSBs) are made of polypropylene and are extremely durable. The FSBs have passed a multitude of MIL-STD tests including salt and corrosion, water pressure, transit drop, CL2 high temperature low / humidity, vibration, thermal shock, and stacking and leakage.
With a footprint of 4ft (1.2m) by 3.3ft (1m) and an internal volume of 770l, six of the FSBs fit inside a 10ft insulated container and eighteen fit inside a 20ft insulated container. The FSB collapses to a height of 12in (309mm), allowing nearly three of the collapsed FSBs on a return trip to be transported in the space of one.
Sturdiness was not compromised by the collapsible design. The FSBs are so strong that six can be stacked fully loaded, yet each FSB only weighs 110lbs (50kgs).
Allan Klinge, project manager for Klinge says: “The collapsible FSB is lightweight, yet very resilient. Having passed a number of stringent military tests, the FSB is the ideal storage and transport solution of food and other perishables on long journeys or in harsh environments.”
“Another feature of the FSB is foldable flaps on each side. This enables easy access to food, and ergonomical loading and unloading of the FSBs,” adds Mr Klinge.
MIL-STD tested
The company based in York, Pennsylvania, will provide 1500 of the FSBs to the Australian Defense Force. The FSBs will be used to transport food Klinge refrigerated containers to field kitchens in the theatre. As required by Klinge’s multi-year contract, the FSBs passed several MIL-STD tests at a state-of-the-art test facility in Melbourne, Australia.
- Salt and corrosion – a sample of the polypropylene was placed inside a salt test chamber followed by storage in a climatic test chamber set to 40°C/104°F with 93% relative humidity. At the conclusion of the test, no visual changes were apparent
- Water pressure test – external and internal surfaces of the FSB were sprayed with a high pressure water cleaner at approximately 150 bar and 156 gallons (590l) per hour. Following the test, no sign of deformation was found
- Transit drop test – a FSB loaded with approximately 1653lbs (750kg) of bottled water was dropped from a height of 12in (30cm) and allowed to fall freely. After five drops, no damage was apparent and FSB was able to collapse and re-erect without issue
- CL2 high temperature – the FSB was subjected to three cycles of the Category A2 conditions. At the conclusion of the test, no visual or functional damage was noted
- M14 vibration test – the FSBs were loaded into Klinge’s refrigerated containers (operating temperature set to -18°C/0°F) and transported over cross-country terrain and rough course without incident
- Thermal shock – the FSB was first stabilized at a set temperature of -25°C/-13deg;F in an environmental test chamber and then placed in a secondary chamber set to 70°C/158°F. Five minutes later the FSB was moved back to the original test chamber set at -25°C/-13°F. After the alternating cycles were repeated five times, visual and functional checks were conducted and showed no damage
- Stacking and leakage test – the FSB was tested to ensure that the FSBs were easily stackable on top of one another, FSBs would withstand stacking for a long period of time, the FSB would not leak into any FSB underneath, and that the FSB would drain when upright