Light Metals Predominate in New Refrigerator Van
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A New, Striking and Practicable Type of Refrigerator Van for Conveying Ice Cream, Incorporating Eutectic Cooling Units and Anozote Rubber Insulation
ASPECIAL refrigerating van has been built to the order of Midland Counties Dairies, of Corporation Street, Birmingham, by S. T. Abbotts and
Co., Hollyhedge Lane, Walsall. The vehicle is intended for the transit of ice cream from the dairy to the company's agents, keeping in mind the desire that the product should reach the consumer in exactly the same condition as it left the dairy.
It is estimated that the internal temperature of the body when it leaves the dairy is 14 degrees below zero (C.) 3.nd that, with an average of 60 door 3penings per journey, the internal :emperature will never exceed 5 degrees shove zero. The ice cream will be oaded into it overnight and the com)ressor left running until delivery :ommences next morning. The attachnent for the compressor is on the near ide and can be seen in an illustration. The body is mounted on a Bedford 2-ton chassis with heavy-duty tyres, whilst the cab is of composite construction on aluminium-alloy franiework. The gross weight being 3 tons. 8 cwt. 1 qr.
The capacity of the refrigerating unit is 215 cubic ft., and with the Eutectic pads in position 207 cubic ft. It is capable of carrying two tons of ice cream. The unit is built up with aluminium-alloy angle and T-section girders and sheet.
Owing to the desirability of dispensing with separate wheel-arches one arch supported by an Aerolumin bearer was carried transversely across the frame. The floor is composed of 1-in. deal carried on 9-in, transverse channels followed by a 6-in, thickness of Anozote rubber insulation, covered with 1-in, deal and 20-gauge softaluminium sheet effectively sealed at all the joints with Duralastic compound. " The roof is of especial interest, as not only is it a cavity type, but revolving extractors are mounted on the outside so as to create a partial vacuum inside. This roof is insulated with 5 ins. of Anozote. The inner and outer frames are constructed of aluminium alloy and include 5 ins. of Anozote. The doors are double gasketed with a soft rubber which is guaranteed to be frost proof. Eutectic refrigerating pads, of which there are two at the back, two at the front and four in the centre, are carried direct on the chassis and are all interconnected by pipe lines.
As the life of the refrigerating unit is estimated at over 10 years, provision is made for it to be lifted on to another chassis without making drastic structural alterations, It is believed to be the first all-metal-construction refrigerating unit of its type.