WO2024211855A2 - Système approprié pour stocker et/ou transporter des matériaux sensibles à la température - Google Patents

Système approprié pour stocker et/ou transporter des matériaux sensibles à la température Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024211855A2
WO2024211855A2 PCT/US2024/023466 US2024023466W WO2024211855A2 WO 2024211855 A2 WO2024211855 A2 WO 2024211855A2 US 2024023466 W US2024023466 W US 2024023466W WO 2024211855 A2 WO2024211855 A2 WO 2024211855A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
passive temperature
refrigerant
container
temperature
insulated container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2024/023466
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2024211855A3 (fr
Inventor
James R. CHASTEEN
Connor Richard BOURGEOIS
Kyle Phalen
Donna Torres
Dawn E. Smith
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Cold Chain Technologies LLC
Original Assignee
Cold Chain Technologies LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cold Chain Technologies LLC filed Critical Cold Chain Technologies LLC
Priority to EP24785907.7A priority Critical patent/EP4689514A2/fr
Publication of WO2024211855A2 publication Critical patent/WO2024211855A2/fr
Publication of WO2024211855A3 publication Critical patent/WO2024211855A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D65/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D65/38—Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D65/46—Applications of disintegrable, dissolvable or edible materials
    • B65D65/466—Bio- or photodegradable packaging materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/0413—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton
    • B65D77/042—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton the inner container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • B65D81/3825—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container
    • B65D81/3834—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container the external tray being formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to systems suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials and relates more particularly to a novel system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials.
  • thermal shipping system As can be appreciated, once the thermal shipping system has been used to transport and/or to store its payload of temperature-sensitive materials, the thermal shipping system must be disposed of in some fashion. This may be after a single use if the thermal shipping system is a single-use item or may be after a plurality of uses if the thermal shipping system is a reusable item. Historically, many of the components of thermal shipping systems, whether single-use or resusable, cannot be curbside recycled or composted and must be disposed of in landfills. Clearly, such an outcome is undesirable from an environmental standpoint.
  • a thermal shipping system employing an insulated container of the aforementioned type is commercially available from Vericool, Inc. (Livermore, CA) as the VC PlusTM thermal shipping system.
  • Vericool, Inc. Livermore, CA
  • VC PlusTM thermal shipping system As another example, in the following patents and published patent applications, all of which are incorporated by reference, there is disclosed an insulated container that is made using a cellulose-based insulation encased within a cardboard container: U.S. Patent No. 11,731,826 B2, inventors Blezard et al., which issued August 22, 2023; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
  • packaged passive temperature-control members are not curbside recyclable or compostable.
  • packaged passive temperature-control members which are sometimes referred to as “ice packs,” “gel packs” or “refrigerant bricks,” typically include a freezable refrigerant material that is encased within a packaging material.
  • the freezable refrigerant material includes an organic substance or other additive that cannot be safely disposed of via a septic or sewer system.
  • the freezable refrigerant material includes a liquid that is absorbed into a phenolic foam block (or “brick”), which phenolic foam block is also not curbside recyclable or compostable.
  • the packaging material of the packaged passive temperaturecontrol member typically comprises a multilayer polymer film that cannot be curbside recycled or composted. Consequently, obsolete gel packs and refrigerant bricks are typically sent to landfill for disposal. Additionally, misleading marketing claims or lack of information can lead some consumers to think that the packaging material for packaged passive temperature-control members can be placed in a curbside recycling bin whereas, in practice, only #4 plastic film can be recycled and only at designated drop-off sites.
  • a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials comprising (a) an insulated container, the insulated container comprising a cavity; and (b) at least one passive temperature-control member removably disposed within the cavity of the insulated container, the at least one passive temperature-control member comprising a first passive temperaturecontrol member, the first passive temperature-control member comprising a refrigerant container and a freezable refrigerant, the freezable refrigerant being disposed within the refrigerant container; (c) wherein the refrigerant container is at least one of curbside recyclable and compostable and wherein the freezable refrigerant comprises water.
  • the system may further comprise a product box, the product box may be removably disposed within the cavity of the insulated container, and the product box may be dimensioned to removably receive the temperaturesensitive materials.
  • the product box may be at least one of curbside recyclable and compostable.
  • the product box may be made of corrugated cardboard.
  • the insulated container may be at least one of curbside recyclable and compostable.
  • the insulated container may comprise one or more thermal insulation members, and each of the one or more thermal insulation members may be made of natural wood fiber and/or plant fiber materials.
  • the one or more thermal insulation members may comprise a thermal insulation base, a thermal insulation sleeve, and a thermal insulation lid
  • the thermal insulation base may form a bottom of the insulated container and may comprise a thermal insulation base box made of corrugated cardboard and containing loose-fill cellulose
  • the thermal insulation sleeve may form four side walls of the insulated container and may comprise a thermal insulation sleeve box made of corrugated cardboard and containing cellulose batting
  • the thermal insulation lid may form a lid for the insulated container and may comprise a thermal insulation lid box made of corrugated cardboard and containing loose-fill cellulose.
  • the refrigerant container may be shaped to include an interior volume for receiving the freezable refrigerant, and the refrigerant container may be made of a refrigerant container material comprising a paper layer.
  • the refrigerant container may be shaped to include at least one gabled end.
  • the at least one gabled end is foldable.
  • the freezable refrigerant may consist of water.
  • the water may be potable water.
  • the freezable refrigerant may be at least partially frozen.
  • the freezable refrigerant may occupy about 85-90% of the interior volume of the refrigerant container, excluding the at least one gabled end.
  • the system may further comprise an outer retaining box, and the insulated container and the at least one passive temperaturecontrol member may be disposed within the outer retaining box.
  • the insulated container may be made exclusively of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of natural wood fiber and/or plant fiber materials.
  • the at least one passive temperature-control member may further comprise a second passive temperature-control member, and the second passive temperature-control member may be identical to the first passive temperature-control member.
  • the system may further comprise a first positioning device, and the first positioning device may comprise a first dividing bar positioned between the first passive temperature-control member and the second passive temperature-control member.
  • the first positioning device may be I-shaped and may further comprise a first transverse bar disposed at a first end of the first dividing bar and a second transverse bar disposed at a second end of the first dividing bar.
  • the first positioning device may be made of corrugated cardboard.
  • the system may further comprise a product box, the product box may be removably disposed within the cavity of the insulated container and may be dimensioned to removably receive the temperature- sensitive materials, the first and second passive temperature-control members and the first positioning device may be seated directly on top of the product box, and the product box, the first positioning device, and the first and second passive temperature-control members may be dimensioned so that a portion of each of the first and second passive temperature-control members may be positioned directly over opposing peripheral edges of the product box.
  • the at least one passive temperature-control member may further comprise third and fourth passive temperaturecontrol members, the third and fourth passive temperature-control members may be identical to the first passive temperature-control member, the system may further comprise a second positioning device, the second positioning device may be identical to the first positioning device, and the second positioning device may comprise a second dividing bar positioned between the third passive temperature-control member and the fourth passive temperaturecontrol member.
  • a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials comprising (a) an insulated container, the insulated container comprising a cavity; (b) a product box, the product box being removably disposed within the cavity of the insulated container, the product box being designed to hold the temperature- sensitive materials; (c) a plurality of passive temperature-control members removably disposed within the cavity of the insulated container, the plurality of passive temperature-control members being identical to one another and comprising a first passive temperature-control member and a second passive temperature-control member, wherein the first and second passive temperature-control members are seated directly on top of the product box; and (d) a positioning device removably disposed within the cavity of the insulated container, wherein the positioning device comprises a dividing bar positioned between the first passive temperature-control member and the second passive temperature-control.
  • the insulated container, the product box, and the positioning device may be made exclusively of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of natural wood fiber and/or plant fiber materials, and each of the passive temperature-control members may comprise a paper-based refrigerant container and a freezable refrigerant comprising water.
  • the freezable refrigerant may consist of water.
  • the water may be at least partially frozen.
  • the product box, the positioning device, and the first and second passive temperature-control members may be dimensioned so that a portion of each of the first and second passive temperature-control members may be positioned directly over opposing peripheral edges of the product box.
  • a method for storing and/or transporting a payload of temperature-sensitive materials comprising (a) providing a thermal shipping system, the thermal shipping system comprising (i) an insulated container, the insulated container comprising a cavity, and (ii) at least one passive temperature-control member removably disposed within the cavity of the insulated container, the at least one passive temperature-control member comprising a first passive temperature-control member, the first passive temperature-control member comprising a refrigerant container and a freezable refrigerant, the refrigerant container having an openable gabled end, the freezable refrigerant being disposed within the refrigerant container; (b) positioning a payload of temperature-sensitive materials within the insulated container; (c) storing and/or transporting the payload within the insulated container; (d) then, removing the payload from the insulated container; and (e) opening the openable gabled end of the refrigerant container
  • the freezable refrigerant may consist of water.
  • the freezable refrigerant may be at least partially frozen during steps (c) and (e).
  • the insulated container may be made exclusively of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of natural wood fiber and/or plant fiber materials, and the refrigerant container may be a paper-based refrigerant container.
  • FIG. 1 is a partly exploded simplified perspective view, broken away in part, of a first embodiment of a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperaturesensitive material, the system being constructed according to the present invention
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified front-rear and left-right longitudinal section views, respectively, of the system shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 1 , with the insulation members and the outer box not being shown to reveal components that would not otherwise be seen;
  • FIG. 4 is a right side view, broken away in part, of one of the passive temperature-control members shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are front perspective and left side views, respectively, of the passive temperature-control member shown in FIG. 4, with the top being shown in an unfolded state;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section view of one embodiment of a multilayer material that may be used to make the container of the passive temperature-control member shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 7 is a top view of one of the positioning devices shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B are front and side views, respectively, of the passive temperature-control member shown in FIG. 8, with the top being shown in an unfolded state;
  • FIGS. 9C and 9D are perspective and top views, respectively, of the passive temperature-control member shown in FIG. 8, with the top being shown flattened but not secured to the sides;
  • FIG. 10 is a partly exploded simplified perspective view of a second embodiment of a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive material, the system being constructed according to the present invention;
  • FIGS. 11A and 1 IB are simplified front-rear and left-right longitudinal section views, respectively, of the system shown in FIG. 10;
  • FIGS. 13A and 13B are simplified front-rear and left-right longitudinal section views, respectively, of the system shown in FIG. 12;
  • FIG. 14 is a partly exploded simplified perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive material, the system being constructed according to the present invention.
  • thermal shipping systems for temperature-sensitive materials typically comprise a number of components.
  • Such components often include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: an outer retaining box, insulation (often in the form of an insulated container), a product box, one or more passive temperature-control members, a liner, and dunnage.
  • an outer retaining box often includes, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: an outer retaining box, insulation (often in the form of an insulated container), a product box, one or more passive temperature-control members, a liner, and dunnage.
  • one objective of the present invention is to provide a packaged passive temperature-control member that may be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner, such as by one or more of curbside recycling, composting, and safe disposal via a septic or sewer system.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide a thermal shipping system for temperature- sensitive materials, wherein the thermal shipping system includes one or more components that may be disposed of by one or more of curbside recycling, composting, and disposal via a septic or sewer system, and preferably is constructed entirely out of components that may be disposed of by one or more of curbside recycling, composting, and disposal via a septic or sewer system.
  • curbside recycling is intended to refer to the collection of recyclable materials as a service provided by a local municipality.
  • the materials that are accepted as curbside recyclable may vary depending on the capability of the local materials recovery facility (MRF); nevertheless, “curbside recyclable” is generally understood to include glass bottles, tin cans, plastic bottles (particularly #1 polyethylene terephthalate, which has a high recycling rate compared to other plastics), newsprint, office paper, cardboard, and corrugated fiberboard.
  • MRF local materials recovery facility
  • curbside recyclable is generally understood to include glass bottles, tin cans, plastic bottles (particularly #1 polyethylene terephthalate, which has a high recycling rate compared to other plastics), newsprint, office paper, cardboard, and corrugated fiberboard.
  • commercial composting facilities are offering pick-up of compostable household waste to interested households, but this practice has yet to be adopted widely.
  • Drop-off facilities are also available: in rural areas without curbside recycling, the only option for residents may be to transport their recyclables to local facilities. Drop-off is also an option for specific materials that MRFs do not currently accept as curbside recyclable, like expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is accepted by many EPS manufacturers, and plastic bags that many grocery stores will accept on behalf of recyclers.
  • EPS expanded polystyrene
  • the inconvenience of travel and/or narrow drop-off time windows present a barrier to adoption that makes curbside recyclable materials more desirable and more likely to be recycled than materials requiring drop-off.
  • compost is intended to refer to the nutrient-rich material produced by decomposing plant and food waste, animal manure and other organic materials. When added to the soil, it improves fertility naturally, without the need for chemical fertilizers.
  • compostable has come to have a specific meaning when applied to waste materials.
  • a material that is biodegradable (capable of being broken down by microorganisms in nature) is not necessarily compostable.
  • a material is considered “industrially compostable” if it decomposes within a 180-day timeframe under the specific test conditions outlined in test method ASTM D6400 Standard Specification for the Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities.
  • Wastewater from homes and businesses without septic systems is processed at municipal wastewater treatment plants.
  • Systems of pipes and pumps that transport wastewater to waste water treatment plants are called sanitary sewers.
  • Water used in homes or industry is flushed through their pipes until it reaches local sewer mains owned and operated by municipal or regional sewer departments. Sewage is treated in a variety of physical, chemical and biological processes, leaving water that is safe for discharge into the environment.
  • Biosolids and biogas may be collected and utilized.
  • Municipalities are concerned about chemical disposal in sanitary sewers because of the potential for negative impact on the treatment processes at the wastewater treatment facility and the possible contamination of nutrient-rich “biosolids” for agricultural purposes. Chemicals that would contribute to the foregoing problems would not be considered drain safe.
  • FIGS. 1, 2 A, 2B, and 3 there are shown various views of a first embodiment of a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials, the system being constructed according to the present invention and being represented generally by reference numeral 1 1. Details of system 11 that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from one or more of FIGS. 1, 2 A, 2B and 3 and/or from the accompanying description herein or may be shown in one or more of FIGS. 1, 2 A, 2B and 3 and/or described herein in a simplified manner.
  • outer retaining box 13 may be equipped with one or more handles, which may be used to facilitate the carrying or other movement of outer retaining box 13, as well as any items disposed in cavity 15.
  • System 11 may further comprise one or more thermal insulation members, wherein some or all of such thermal insulation members are preferably made of curbside recyclable and/or compostable materials.
  • such one or more thermal insulation members may comprise a thermal insulation base 21, a thermal insulation sleeve 23, and a thermal insulation lid 25.
  • Thermal insulation base 21, thermal insulation sleeve 23, and thermal insulation lid 25 may collectively form a reversibly openable/closable 6-sided thermally insulated container that may be removably positioned within cavity 15 of outer retaining box 13.
  • Thermal insulation base 21 may comprise a box 31.
  • Box 31 may be a generally rectangular hollow member that may consist of or comprise, for example, a conventional corrugated cardboard container or a similarly suitable structure preferably made of curbside recyclable and/or compostable material.
  • Box 31 may be dimensioned to sit within cavity 15 of outer retaining box 13, preferably directly on top of bottom wall 18 of outer retaining box 13.
  • the outer surfaces of the four side walls of box 31 may snugly engage the inner surfaces of rectangular side walls 17-1 through 17-4 of outer retaining box 13; alternatively, as shown in the present embodiment, there may be a small space between the outer surfaces of the four side walls of box 31 and the inner surfaces of rectangular side walls 17-1 through 17-4.
  • thermal insulation material 33 consists of or comprises one or more curbside recyclable and/or compostable thermal insulation materials.
  • the one or more curbside recyclable and/or compostable thermal insulation materials may consist of or comprise one or more recyclable organic fiber materials, which may include any type of natural wood fiber and/or plant fiber materials, such as, but not limited to, cellulose fiber or other non-woven wood or paper fiber materials made of or derived from rice, hemp, flax, wool, etc.
  • such insulation may be portioned and packed in such a manner to provide an insulating value of between R2 and R6 per inch of thickness, and preferably between R4 and R5 per inch of thickness.
  • the density of such insulation may be in the range of about 2-6 pounds of cellulose per cubic foot, and more preferably in the range of about 3.5-5 pounds of cellulose insulating material per cubic foot. This packing density provides an insulating value very similar to that of expanded polystyrene.
  • the thickness of the insulating material may be about 1.0 inch to about 2.0 inch but may be as much as about 4-5 inches thick depending on the application.
  • the loose-fill cellulose material may, in some embodiments, further comprise one or more additives.
  • the loose-fill cellulose material may comprise a borate- treated loose-fill cellulose material, which is fire-resistant, mold-resistant, fungus-resistant, mildew-resistant, and insect-resistant.
  • Thermal insulation sleeve 23 may comprise a box 35.
  • Box 35 which may consist of or comprise, for example, a conventional corrugated cardboard container or a similarly suitable structure preferably made of curbside recyclable and/or compostable material, may be a generally rectangular frame-like member defining a central channel 37 bounded by four hollow side walls, an open bottom, and an open top. As shown in the present embodiment, one or more of the comers of box 35 may be beveled, but they need not be. Box 35 may be dimensioned to sit within cavity 15 of outer retaining box 13, preferably directly on top of thermal insulation base 21 so that thermal insulation base 21 may close the bottom end of central channel 37.
  • the outer surfaces of the four side walls of box 35 may snugly engage the inner surfaces of rectangular side walls 17-1 through 17-4 of outer retaining box 13, or there may be a small space between the outer surfaces of the four side walls of box 35 and the inner surfaces of rectangular side walls 17-1 through 17-4.
  • the hollow walls of box 35 may be partially or completely filled with a thermal insulation material 39, which may be similar or identical to thermal insulation material 33.
  • thermal insulation material 39 comprises a cellulose batting insulation.
  • Thermal insulation lid 25 may comprise a box 41.
  • Box 41 may be a generally rectangular hollow member that may consist of or comprise, for example, a conventional corrugated cardboard container or a similarly suitable structure preferably made of curbside recyclable and/or compostable material.
  • Box 41 may be dimensioned to sit within cavity 15 of outer retaining box 13, preferably directly on top of thermal insulation sleeve 23 so as to close the top end of central channel 37.
  • the outer surfaces of the four side walls of box 41 may snugly engage the inner surfaces of rectangular side walls 17-1 through 17-4 of outer retaining box 13; alternatively, as shown in the present embodiment, there may be a small space between the outer surfaces of the four side walls of box 41 and the inner surfaces of rectangular side walls 17-1 through 17-4.
  • System 11 may further comprise a product box (or payload box) 51.
  • Product box 51 may be a generally rectangular hollow member and may consist of or comprise, for example, a conventional corrugated cardboard container or a similarly suitable structure preferably made of curbside recyclable and/or compostable material.
  • Product box 51 may be appropriately dimensioned to be removably disposed within central channel 37. In the present embodiment, there may be a small space between the outer surfaces of the four side walls of product box 51 and the inner surfaces of thermal insulation sleeve 23, but this need not be the case.
  • System 11 may further comprise a plurality of passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8, which may be removably positioned within central channel 37 of thermal insulation sleeve 23.
  • passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-4 may be positioned above product box 51, and passive temperature-control members 61-5 through 61-8 may be positioned below product box 51.
  • passive temperature-control members 61-3 and 61-4 may be positioned directly above and in direct contact with the top surface of product box 51 ; passive temperature-control members 61-1 and 61-2 may be aligned with and positioned directly on top of and in direct contact with passive temperature-control members 61-3 and 61-4, respectively; passive temperature-control members 61-5 and 61-6 may be positioned directly below and in direct contact with the bottom surface of product box 51 ; and passive temperature-control members 61-7 and 61-8 may be aligned with and positioned directly below and in direct contact with passive temperature-control members 61-5 and 61-6, respectively, with the longitudinal axes of all of passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8 being oriented left to right.
  • system 11 may comprise eight passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8, the number and arrangement of such passive temperature-control members may be varied such that system 1 1 may comprise as few as one such passive temperature-control member or may comprise more than eight such passive temperature-control members or may comprise eight or another number of such passive-temperature-control members arranged in a different manner.
  • Passive temperature-control member 61-1 may comprise a container 65 and a freezable refrigerant 67, wherein freezable refrigerant 67 may be removably disposed within container 65.
  • Container 65 may be designed, and preferably is designed, to be physically robust enough to hold up to the stresses imposed on it from expansion of freezable refrigerant 67 upon freezing, as well as the effects of transportation (which effects may include, but are not limited to, the effects of impact, vibration, and stacking) while in a frozen state. Since most thermal shipping systems are designed for manufacture within narrow dimensional tolerances, container 65 may be designed, and preferably is designed, to maintain its shape without excessive bulging in any dimension when frozen. The material used to make container 65 may be resistant, and preferably is resistant, to tearing during freezing and transit because leakage of freezable refrigerant 67 could damage the product being transported within system 11 or other nearby product.
  • Container 65 may be designed, and preferably is designed, to be readily openable to allow the freezable refrigerant 67 disposed therein to be easily ejected or otherwise disposed of at the end of the lifetime of passive temperature-control member 61-1. (In the case of a single-use shipper, this may be after a single payload has reached its destination; alternatively, in the case of a reusable shipper, this may be after a plurality of uses.) Unlike beverage containers that only require enough of an opening to remove a liquid through a spout or straw, container 65 is likely to have refrigerant that is still frozen at the time that it is desired to eject or remove the refrigerant from container 65.
  • a refrigerant container with a cap would require its contents to be substantially completely in a liquid state before the contents could be emptied, thereby making a cap design less preferred for the present application.
  • a design that enables the refrigerant container to be fully opened is preferred since such a design would allow the contents of the container, whether solid or liquid, to be easily emptied from the container.
  • a gable-top design may be preferred as such a design allows for much easier ejection or removal of the contents, rather than having an end user wait for the refrigerant to melt entirely before disposal.
  • the refrigerant container of the present embodiment may be arranged within the shipper in any orientation, and its contents can be emptied at the end of its useful lifetime in any convenient way, including opening the face that would normally be considered the bottom.
  • Container 65 may be designed, and preferably is designed, so that the freezable refrigerant 67 disposed therein may provide coverage of the product load in a manner deemed most efficient for that particular system.
  • Uniformly rectangular refrigerant containers without caps or gables, packed tightly together without gaps, may provide the most complete thermal protection coverage in many instances.
  • a cap may take additional space, depending on where it is located on the container, and, therefore, may not be as desirable in certain instances.
  • Designing a refrigerant container to have gables that can be folded during use and then unfolded and opened at the time of disposal may allow for a reduction in overall shipper size.
  • Folding the gable top over may be desirable in some cases whereas, in other cases, the gable top may not need to be folded over and could serve a useful design purpose.
  • the shipper may be designed such that the gable top may fit into the shipper edges.
  • two gable-top containers may be placed sideways, with the bottom surfaces of both containers pushed or glued together and the gable tops oriented against opposite edges of the shipper.
  • the gable top may provide a way of securing the two refrigerant containers snugly together with the least amount of refrigerant in the sides and comers of the shipper and the densest packing of refrigerant in the center of the shipper side faces.
  • the refrigerant containers could be designed to have gable-type closures on opposite sides (e.g., the top and bottom of the carton).
  • the refrigerant containers may be placed sideways in the shipper, and the gabled ends may act as stand-offs from the interior corners of the shipping system.
  • passive temperature-control member 61-1 is shown in greater detail. Details of passive temperature-control member 61-1 that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from one or more of FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B and/or from the accompanying description herein or may be shown in one or more of FIGS. 4, 5 A, and 5B and/or described herein in a simplified manner.
  • container 65 may be a generally rectangular hollow member and may comprise a front 69, a rear 71, a top 73, a bottom 75, a left side 77, and a right side 79.
  • Top 73 may be gabled and may be capable of being folded over to minimize the space it occupies when positioned within central channel 37 of thermal insulation sleeve 23.
  • bottom 75 may have a construction similar to top 73.
  • Container 65 which may be made of a curbside recyclable material of the type commonly used in the packaging of beverages and liquid foods, may comprise a shelf-stable or aseptic carton made of a multilayer material.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown an enlarged fragmentary section view of one embodiment of a multilayer material suitable for use in making container 65 according to the present invention, the multilayer material being represented generally by reference numeral 81. Details of multilayer material 81 that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from FIG. 6 and/or from the accompanying description herein or may be shown in FIG. 6 and/or described herein in a simplified manner.
  • multilayer material 81 may be a curbside recyclable material and may comprise a paper layer 83, which may be, but is not limited to, paperboard. Paper layer 83 may serve as a principal structural material to provide carton stability. Multilayer material 81 may further comprise a first polyethylene layer 85, which may be positioned relative to paper layer 83 as an innermost layer, and a second polyethylene layer 87, which may be positioned relative to paper layer 83 as an outermost layer. Multilayer material 81 may further comprise an aluminum foil layer 89, which may be positioned between first polyethylene layer 85 and paper layer 83 as a barrier to water and gas permeation. The paper content of multilayer material 81 may be 70% or more by weight.
  • cartons made of a material like multilayer material 81 can be placed in the single-stream recycling stream, where they are sorted for recycling, either by separating the paper component as pulp for use in new paper products, or by utilizing the entire carton in specific recycling processes, e.g., creating building materials.
  • container 65 may be constructed using a thicker than typical polyethylene layer 85 and/or 87. If container 65 is insufficiently thick, there may be a greater percentage of containers 65 that experience tearing during the preconditioning (freezing) step, which, in turn, may lead to more shippers experiencing leakage during use. In addition to providing better protection during freezing, a thicker polyethylene layer may also provide additional robustness.
  • freezable refrigerant 67 may consist of water or may comprise water in combination with one or more other components.
  • freezable refrigerant 67 consists of water. To ensure a phase change temperature of about 0°C, the water used as freezable refrigerant 67 should be reasonably free of contaminants. Drinking water provided by most municipal water supplies should be reasonably free of contaminants without requiring further purification. Water used as freezable refrigerant 67 does not need to be potable since it is not intended for drinking; nevertheless, potable water could be used as freezable refrigerant 67.
  • freezable refrigerant 67 comprises water in combination with one or more other components
  • such one or more other components may comprise additives, such as, but not limited to, one or more salts for reducing the phase change temperature, one or more thickeners for aiding in the manufacture of the refrigerant or for mitigating the spread of the refrigerant if spilled, one or more preservatives for reducing or preventing mold growth, and/or one or more ice nucleating agents for reducing or preventing subcooling.
  • additives such as, but not limited to, one or more salts for reducing the phase change temperature, one or more thickeners for aiding in the manufacture of the refrigerant or for mitigating the spread of the refrigerant if spilled, one or more preservatives for reducing or preventing mold growth, and/or one or more ice nucleating agents for reducing or preventing subcooling. Since freezable refrigerant 67 is preferably safe for disposal via septic or sewer systems, any potential
  • freezable refrigerant 67 may lack added salts or thickeners so that a user may be more comfortable with disposal of freezable refrigerant 67 via a home septic system or municipal wastewater stream.
  • a nucleating agent if used, may be added at very low concentrations, for example, 0.5% or less, or preferably 0.2% or less, and may comprise a material compatible with septic systems and municipal wastewater streams.
  • kaolinite a naturally occurring silicate mineral, may be suitable as a nucleating agent since it is a particularly effective ice nucleating agent at concentrations as low as 0.1% to 0.2% and is a drain-safe additive.
  • nucleating agent If a nucleating agent is used, its effectiveness often depends upon its being delivered equally to each carton during the manufacturing process. In conventional refrigerant systems, such as gel-containing pouches, the use of a thickener may help to maintain the nucleating agent in suspension within the bulk gel and to enable its uniform delivery to each pouch using common types of pumping and dosing equipment. Nevertheless, since freezable refrigerant preferably lacks such a thickener, a nucleating agent may readily float or settle, depending upon its density relative to water. Silver iodide and kaolinite, with density values of 5.7 g/cm 3 and 2.7 g/cm 3 respectively, will typically settle quickly in water.
  • pentadecanol with a density of 0.84 g/cm 3 , will typically readily float. If the nucleating agent is added to a bulk tank of water, it would likely not remain dispersed unless subjected to vigorous continuous mixing, sonication or other means to ensure delivery of the same amount of nucleating agent to each container. Another preferred approach may be to dose each container with the desired amount of nucleating agent in a separate step from water addition; however, even after taking such steps to ensure that each carton contains the correct amount of nucleating agent, once inside the carton, the nucleating agent may settle or float under the effects of gravity.
  • a combination of two types of nucleating agent may be used, one of greater density than the bulk refrigerant and one of lower density than the bulk refrigerant.
  • the settling/floating characteristics of the nucleating agents may be somewhat counterbalanced. More specifically, when the refrigerant-containing cartons are preconditioned (frozen) prior to use in the shipping system, the nucleating agents may not all be concentrated in one region within the carton as might happen if only one type were used. Irrespective of carton orientation at the time of freezing, the tendency of one nucleating agent to settle while the other tends to float may result in a more efficient nucleation and, therefore, result in less subcooling than would otherwise occur.
  • the amount of freezable refrigerant 67 in liquid form that is present within container 65 is less than the entire usable volume of container 65 and may be, for example, only about 85-90% of the usable volume of container 65, wherein the usable volume of container 65 may not include the gabled top portion of the container 65.
  • the amount of freezable refrigerant 67 in container 65 is preferably less than the entire usable volume of container 65 because the density of liquid water is 998 kg/m 3 at 20°C and is 1000 kg/m 3 at 0°C whereas the density of ice is 917 kg/m 3 at 0°C.
  • system 11 may further comprise a plurality of positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2, which may be removably positioned within central channel 37 of thermal insulation sleeve 23.
  • positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2 may be dimensioned so that there may be a small space between the outer surfaces of positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2 and the inner surfaces of thermal insulation sleeve 23, but this need not be the case since, alternatively, positioning devices 91- 1 and 91-2 may fit snugly within thermal insulation sleeve 23.
  • positioning device 91-1 may be positioned above product box 51
  • positioning device 91-2 may be positioned below product box 51.
  • positioning device 91-1 may be positioned above and proximate to, or in direct contact with, the top surface of product box 51, and positioning device 91-2 may be positioned below and proximate to, or in direct contact with, the bottom surface of product box 51.
  • Positioning device 91-1 may be shaped to include a first cavity 92-1 , which may be dimensioned to removably receive passive temperature-control members 61-1 and 61-3, and may further be shaped to include a second cavity 92-2, which may be dimensioned to removably receive passive temperature-control members 61-2 and 61-4.
  • positioning device 91-2 may be shaped to include a first cavity 94-1, which may be dimensioned to removably receive passive temperature-control members 61-5 and 61-7, and may further be shaped to include a second cavity 94-2, which may be dimensioned to removably receive passive temperature-control members 61-6 and 61-8.
  • first cavities 92-1 and 94-1 and second cavities 92-2 and 94-2 may have heights that are slightly less than the collective heights of the respective passive temperature-control members received therein, this need not be the case since, alternatively, the heights of the respective cavities may be equal to or greater than the collective heights of the respective passive temperature -control members received therein.
  • positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2 may be identical in all respects including, but not limited to, size, shape, construction, and composition. Therefore, for simplicity, the discussion below of positioning device 91-1 should be understood to apply equally well to positioning device 91-2. Notwithstanding the above, it is to be understood that positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2 need not be identical to one another and may differ from one another in one or more respects. Moreover, it is to be understood that, although, in the present embodiment, system 11 may comprise two positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2, the number and arrangement of such positioning devices may be varied such that system 11 may comprise no such positioning devices or may comprise more than two such positioning devices or may comprise two or another number of such positioning devices arranged in a different manner.
  • Positioning device 91-1 which is also shown separately in FIG. 7, may be a unitary (i.e., one-piece) structure that may be made of a curbside recyclable or compostable material, such as corrugated cardboard.
  • Positioning device 91-1 may be generally I-shaped and may comprise a dividing bar 96, a first transverse bar 98-1, which may be disposed at a first end of dividing bar 96, and a second transverse bar 98-2, which may be disposed at a second end of dividing bar 96.
  • Dividing bar 96 may be used to space apart passive temperature-control members 61-1 and 61-3 from passive temperature-control members 61-2 and 61-4.
  • Such spacing apart of passive temperature-control members 61-1 and 61-3 from passive temperature-control members 61-2 and 61-4 may minimize damage that such passive temperature-control members may otherwise inflict upon each other through contact with one another during movement of system 11 , particularly when the refrigerant material within such passive temperature-control members is frozen.
  • such spacing apart of passive temperature-control members 61-1 and 61-3 from passive temperature-control members 61-2 and 61-4 may position the passive temperature-control members closer to opposing edges of product box 51 , which may be advantageous in limiting thermal loss of the payload through such opposing edges of product box 51.
  • positioning device 91-1 may be dimensioned relative to passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-4 and product box 51 so that a portion of each of passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-4 may be positioned directly over, or proximate to, a portion of the perimeter of product box 51. It is believed that such positioning of passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-4 relative to product box 51 may minimize thermal loss of the payload through the portion of the product box 51 that is covered, or nearly covered, by passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-4.
  • positioning device 91-1 may have the following dimensions: an outer length h of about 9.50 in; an inner length 1 2 of about 7.87 in; an overall width wi of about 8.50 in; a width w 2 of dividing bar 96 of about 1.25 in; and a height of about 2.5 in.
  • Container 65 may have approximate outer dimensions of 7.7 in x 4.1 in x 1.4 in and may have approximate inner dimensions of 7.5 in x 4.0 in x 1.25 in.
  • Product box 51 may have approximate outer dimensions of 9.25 in x 9.06 in x 2.88 in and may have approximate inner dimensions of 8.88 in x 8.88 in x 2.75 in.
  • Central channel 37 may have approximate inner dimensions of 10.0 in x 10.0 in x 9. 13 in.
  • system 11 all of its components may be made from materials that are curbside recyclable, compostable or disposable via a septic or sewer system.
  • Passive temperature-control member 101 may be similar in many respects to passive temperature-control member 61-1, the principal difference between the two passive temperature-control members being that, whereas passive temperature-control member 61-1 may comprise a container 65, passive temperature-control member 101 may instead comprise a container 103.
  • Container 103 may differ primarily from container 65 in that container 103 may comprise a top 105 that may include a pair of flaps 107-1 and 107-2 that may be secured to opposing sides 109-1 and 109-2, respectively, of container 103.
  • Top 105 may be gabled but preferably does not extend upwardly as high as top 73 of container 65.
  • FIGS. 9 A and 9B show temperature-control member 101, with top 105 in a completely unfolded state
  • FIGS. 9C and 9D show temperature-control member 101, with top 105 flattened but not secured to sides 109-1 and 109-2.
  • FIGS. 10, HA, and 1 IB there are shown various views of a second embodiment of a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials, the system being constructed according to the present invention and being represented generally by reference numeral 211. Details of system 211 that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from one or more of FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B and/or from the accompanying description herein or may be shown in one or more of FIGS. 10, 11 A, and 11B and/or described herein in a simplified manner.
  • System 211 may be similar in many respects to system 11 and, consequently, may comprise an outer retaining box 213, a thermal insulation base 221, a thermal insulation sleeve 223, a thermal insulation lid 225, and a pay load box 251.
  • Outer retaining box 213 may be generally similar to outer retaining box 13 of system 11
  • product box 251 may be generally similar to product box 51 of system 11 , the principal difference between the two sets of boxes being their respective dimensions.
  • thermal insulation base 221, thermal insulation sleeve 223, and thermal insulation lid 225 may be generally similar to thermal insulation base 21, thermal insulation sleeve 23, and thermal insulation lid 25, respectively, of system 11, the principal difference between the two sets of insulated container components being their respective dimensions.
  • System 211 may differ notably from system 11 in that, whereas system 11 may comprise positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2, system 211 may lack such a positioning device, and in that, whereas system 11 may comprise passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8, system 211 may instead comprise passive temperature-control members 261-1 through 261-4. Passive temperature-control members 261-1 through 261-4 may be generally similar to passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8 but may differ dimensionally with respect to their respective containers.
  • FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B there are shown various views of a third embodiment of a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials, the system being constructed according to the present invention and being represented generally by reference numeral 311. Details of system 311 that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from one or more of FIGS. 12, 13 A, and 13B and/or from the accompanying description herein or may be shown in one or more of FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B and/or described herein in a simplified manner.
  • System 311 may differ notably from system 11 in that, whereas system 11 may comprise positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2, system 311 may lack such a positioning device, and in that, whereas system 11 may comprise passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8, system 311 may instead comprise passive temperature-control members 361-1 through 361-5.
  • Passive temperature-control members 361-1 through 361-5 may be identical to passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8 but may be arranged such that passive temperature-control members 361-1 and 361-2 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the top of product box 351, passive temperature-control member 361-3 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the bottom of product box 351, passive temperature-control member 361-4 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the left side of product box 351, and passive temperature-control member 361-5 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the right side of product box 351, with passive temperature-control members 361-1 and 361-2 having a longitudinal axis oriented generally left to right and with passive temperature-control members 361-3 through 361-5 having a longitudinal axis oriented generally front to back. Notwithstanding the above, it is to be understood that the number of passive temperature-control members in system 311 and the arrangement of passive temperature-control members in 311 may be modified.
  • product box 351 may have approximate outer dimensions of 9.00 in x 4.69 in x 2.88 in and may have approximate inner dimensions of 8.63 in x 4.50 in x 2.75 in.
  • the central channel formed by the combination of thermal insulation base 221, thermal insulation sleeve 223, and thermal insulation lid 225 may have approximate inner dimensions of 9.50 in x 7.94 in x 6.00 in.
  • FIGS. 14, 15A, and 15B there are shown various views of a fourth embodiment of a system suitable for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials, the system being constructed according to the present invention and being represented generally by reference numeral 411. Details of system 411 that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from one or more of FIGS. 14, 15 A, and 15B and/or from the accompanying description herein or may be shown in one or more of FIGS. 14, 15A, and 15B and/or described herein in a simplified manner.
  • System 411 may be similar in many respects to system 11 and, consequently, may comprise an outer retaining box 413, a thermal insulation base 421, a thermal insulation sleeve 423, a thermal insulation lid 425, and a pay load box 451.
  • Outer retaining box 413 may be generally similar to outer retaining box 13 of system 11
  • product box 451 may be generally similar to product box 51 of system 11 , the principal difference between the two sets of boxes being their respective dimensions.
  • thermal insulation base 421, thermal insulation sleeve 423, and thermal insulation lid 425 may be generally similar to thermal insulation base 21, thermal insulation sleeve 23, and thermal insulation lid 25, respectively, of system 11, the principal difference between the two sets of insulated container components being their respective dimensions.
  • System 411 may differ notably from system 11 in that, whereas system 11 may comprise positioning devices 91-1 and 91-2, system 411 may lack such a positioning device, and in that, whereas system 11 may comprise passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8, system 411 may instead comprise passive temperature-control members 461-1 through 461-8.
  • Passive temperature-control members 461-1 through 461-8 may be identical to passive temperature-control members 61-1 through 61-8 but may be arranged such that passive temperature-control members 461-1 through 461-3 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the top of product box 451, passive temperature-control members 461-4 through 461-6 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the bottom of product box 451, passive temperature-control member 461-7 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the front of product box 451, and passive temperaturecontrol member 461-8 may be positioned proximate to, or directly against, the rear of product box 351, with the longitudinal axes of all of passive temperature-control members 461-1 through 461-8 being oriented generally left to right.
  • product box 451 may have approximate outer dimensions of 12.50 in x 6.81 in x 2.88 in and may have approximate inner dimensions of 12.13 in x 6.63 in x 2.75 in.
  • the central channel formed by the combination of thermal insulation base 221, thermal insulation sleeve 223, and thermal insulation lid 225 may have approximate inner dimensions of 15.75 in x 7.88 in x 6.00 in.
  • one or more passive temperature-control members may be positioned relative to a payload (either in a product box or otherwise) and/or to one another using a refrigerant sleeve.
  • a refrigerant sleeve may be made of a curbside recyclable material, such as corrugated cardboard or the like.
  • the refrigerant sleeve may have a plurality of pockets, wherein each pocket may be used to receive, removably or otherwise, an individual passive temperature-control member. Adjacent pockets of the refrigerant sleeve may be connected by a seam or by a strip of material. If desired, some of the pockets may be devoid of a passive temperature-control member.
  • the refrigerant sleeve may have asymmetric or non-equivalent spacing that accomplishes different coverage placement on the payload.
  • the pockets of the refrigerant sleeve may have a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, a top opening, a closed bottom and closed sides or an open top, an open bottom, and closed sides or open on one side and closed on the other side, as well as the top and bottom.
  • the pockets of the refrigerant sleeve may be dimensioned to provide substantially full coverage of the passive temperature-control members or only partial coverage and may be dimensioned to provide a loose fit or a snug fit of the passive temperature-control members.
  • a strip of material may also create a standoff, which may be used to offset the passive temperature-control members from adjacent components, which may be desirable. With such a standoff, the strip may be folded along a central crease and used to create conventional channels that allow for air circulation within the shipping system.
  • the height of the refrigerant sleeve may vary.
  • the sleeve height may be much less than the height of the passive temperature-control member, and it may be centrally positioned such that the refrigerant sleeve may appear more like a belt. In some cases, more than one such refrigerant sleeve may be used, giving the appearance of an upper belt and a lower belt.
  • the passive temperature-control members may be interconnected using a backing material.
  • the backing may be a curbside recyclable material, such as, but not limited to, paper, paperboard, or thin corrugate with creases to assist in folding.
  • the backing may be of the same height as the passive temperature-control members.
  • the passive temperature-control members may be attached to the backing using an adhesive that is compatible with paper recycling processes (e.g., a repulpable adhesive).
  • the passive temperature-control members may be spaced from one another on the backing by approximately 1.125 to 1.25 inches. Such spacing may allow for the passive temperature-control members to be wrapped in a pinwheel configuration around the payload, providing complete refrigerant coverage on four sides of the payload.
  • many of the components of the thermal shipping system may be curbside recyclable, compostable and/or disposable safely via a septic or sewer system.
  • the passive temperature-control members may use water, with or without additives, as the freezable refrigerant. If water, without any additives is used, such water may be potable and, thus, may be consumed after use of the thermal shipping system; nevertheless, such water need not be potable to be suitable as the freezable refrigerant. [00120] Designing the container for the passive temperature-control member to have gables that can be folded during use, and then unfolded and opened at the time of disposal, may allow for a reduction in overall shipper size and may maximize the possibility that both the empty freezable refrigerant container and the remaining packaging will be recycled.
  • the entire passive temperature-control member (refrigerant and container) is likely to be landfilled if a recipient is unable to eject the frozen contents and must wait hours before the task can be completed.
  • the use of the positioning device may help to minimize thermal loss along some of the edges of the product box and/or may help to keep at least some of the passive temperature-control members from banging into each other and/or to other objects in the shipper, potentially causing damage, during transportation of the shipper.
  • the same type of passive temperature-control members may be used in a plurality of differently sized thermal shipping system, thereby minimizing the number of different parts that may be used in connection with multiple types of shipping systems.

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Abstract

Système permettant de stocker et/ou de transporter des matériaux sensibles à la température. Dans un mode de réalisation, le système est constitué entièrement de matériaux durables et comprend une boîte de retenue externe, un récipient isolé, une boîte de produit, de multiples éléments de régulation de température passifs et de multiples dispositifs de positionnement. La boîte de retenue externe est constituée de carton ondulé. Le récipient isolé est reçu de manière amovible dans la boîte de retenue externe et est constitué de boîtes en carton ondulé contenant soit de la cellulose en vrac, soit de la ouate de cellulose. La boîte de produit est reçue de manière amovible dans le récipient isolé et est constituée de carton ondulé. Les éléments de régulation de température passifs sont reçus de manière amovible dans le récipient isolé au-dessus et au-dessous de la boîte de produit et sont constitués d'un récipient à base de papier contenant de l'eau. Les dispositifs de positionnement, qui sont constitués de carton ondulé, sont reçus de manière amovible dans le récipient isolé au-dessus et au-dessous de la boîte de produit et positionnent les éléments de régulation de température passifs les uns par rapport aux autres et à la boîte de produit.
PCT/US2024/023466 2023-04-06 2024-04-05 Système approprié pour stocker et/ou transporter des matériaux sensibles à la température Ceased WO2024211855A2 (fr)

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