US20170198959A1 - Temperature Controlled Packaging and Transportation Method - Google Patents

Temperature Controlled Packaging and Transportation Method Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170198959A1
US20170198959A1 US15/401,548 US201715401548A US2017198959A1 US 20170198959 A1 US20170198959 A1 US 20170198959A1 US 201715401548 A US201715401548 A US 201715401548A US 2017198959 A1 US2017198959 A1 US 2017198959A1
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Prior art keywords
container
pcm
product
pdc
wool
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Abandoned
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US15/401,548
Inventor
Angela Frances Morris
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WOOL PACKAGING Co Ltd
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WOOL PACKAGING Co Ltd
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Assigned to THE WOOL PACKAGING COMPANY LIMITED reassignment THE WOOL PACKAGING COMPANY LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Morris, Angela Frances
Publication of US20170198959A1 publication Critical patent/US20170198959A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
    • F25D3/06—Movable containers
    • F25D3/08—Movable containers portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
    • 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
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/266—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants
    • 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
    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/12—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow
    • F25D3/14—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2201/00—Insulation
    • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
    • F25D2201/12—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2201/00—Insulation
    • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
    • F25D2201/12—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material
    • F25D2201/124—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material of fibrous type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/082—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid disposed in a cold storage element not forming part of a container for products to be cooled, e.g. ice pack or gel accumulator
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/083—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid using cold storage material disposed in closed wall forming part of a container for products to be cooled
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/084—Position of the cold storage material in relationship to a product to be cooled
    • F25D2303/0844—Position of the cold storage material in relationship to a product to be cooled above the product
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/04—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments
    • F25D2317/041—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification
    • F25D2317/0411—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification by dehumidification

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the transport of temperature-sensitive products, such as vaccines where it is desirable or even essential for the product to arrive at its destination without having experienced extremes of temperature.
  • sheep's wool is a useful hygroscopic material that can be used within packaging such as corrugated cardboard boxes to provide a local temperature climate within the box by which products being transported, such as heat sensitive vaccines, can be kept within a required temperature range, such as between 2° C. and 8° C., without any artificial means for controlling temperature within the box.
  • a required temperature range such as between 2° C. and 8° C.
  • PCMs phase change materials
  • ice which gradually melt or otherwise change phase during transport, thereby absorbing heat without unduly increasing the temperature of the immediately surrounding environment.
  • live vaccines and living organs can be killed or irreparably damaged by the presence of PCMs in such containers and the present invention is derived from the realisation that there is a need to resolve this problem in a user-friendly manner without resorting to powered refrigeration techniques.
  • a thermally insulated product delivery container including therewithin a rigid shell defining a hollow tube containing wool, first and second tube-end closure boxes containing wool to thereby collectively define an inner void for receiving at least one phase change material container for providing a temperature controlled condition within the void in the presence of a phase change material (PCM), and at least one thermal baffle positionable between the or each phase change material container and a product to be carried within the compartment.
  • PDC thermally insulated product delivery container
  • the PDC may take the form of a corrugated cardboard container within which may be inserted a foldable corrugated tubular cardboard shell containing wool between its inner and outer walls, and a pair of tube closure boxes, one for each end of the tube, each also containing wool to therefore collectively define a product receiving void which acts to hygroscopically control the temperature gradient between the outside of the container and the inside of the container.
  • One or more PCM containers may therefore be introduced into the interior of the container as a means of establishing a desired temperature range for the atmosphere within the container and, in order to ensure that a product to be transported within the container does not become too cold or too hot during transport a thermal baffle is provided between the product and the or each PCM container.
  • the thermal baffle comprises one or more layers of corrugated cardboard serving to control the flow of heat to or from the product, thereby to prevent or inhibit thermal shock to the product.
  • the PDC is modular, being cuboid or cylindrical, in which the hollow wool-containing shell is a sliding fit within the container, the or each PCM container is a sliding fit within the wool-containing shell, a thermal baffle is a sliding fit over the or each PCM container e.g. a medical product in its original primary packaging fitted over or between the or each thermal baffle so that when the container is closed it assumes a generally rigid structure whereby to minimise mechanical damage to the contents during transport.
  • the or each PCM container includes apertures with which to exchange temperature differences within the PDC.
  • first and second tube closure boxes are each separated into two compartments one for receiving wool and the other for receiving a PCM for controlling the temperature within the interior of the PCD.
  • the invention in a second aspect also provides a method of transporting temperature-sensitive products by the use of a container in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method including the steps of identifying for the product to be delivered a required minimum and maximum temperature range for the duration of transport, identifying a suitable PCM and identifying a suitable thickness or composition of thermal baffle acting between the PCM and the product being transported so as to prevent or inhibit thermal damage thereto.
  • the PDC 1 comprises a cuboid corrugated cardboard box 2 insertable within which is a correspondingly shaped and sized hollow tubular shell 3 having therewithin a continuous batt of wool to, in use, act as a hygroscopic thermal insulant.
  • the inner wall 4 of the hollow shell 3 is of shape and size corresponding to the external dimensions of, respectively, a first tube closure box 5 having a lower chamber 5 a containing wool (not shown) and an upper chamber 5 b into which may be placed a PCM such as plastics-covered ice cubes which may thermally interact with the area of the interior of the PCD via a series of ventilation apertures 6 .
  • thermal baffles 7 , 8 Between the apertures are a pair of thermal baffles 7 , 8 between which may be placed a product to be transported (not shown) such as a pre-packaged temperature sensitive vaccine. Above the thermal baffle 8 is a dedicated PCM container 9 having various apertures (not shown) for permitting thermal interaction with a PCM and the inside of the container 1 , above which is a second tube closure box 10 which, as with the first tube closure box 5 includes an outer compartment 10 a containing wool and an inner compartment 10 b for containing further PCM.
  • the hollow wool-insulated tube 3 is placed within the cardboard box 2 and the first tube closure box 5 is pushed down to the lower end of tube 3 after a PCM has been inserted within the upper compartment 5 b.
  • the thermal baffle 7 is then placed on top immediately below a product to be carried (not shown) whereafter the second baffle 8 is placed thereover followed by PCM container 9 and finally the second tube closure box 10 after the PCM container 10 b has been filled with a PCM.
  • the size and shape of the PDC may vary to suit the type of product being transported but in each case the general principle in accordance with the invention is that the product is surrounded by an outer layer of hygroscopic thermal insulation in the form of wool and the product itself is protected from any adverse thermal shock from the PCM by the presence of thermal baffles 7 , 8 , the thickness of which may be adjusted to suit the requirements of the product being transported.
  • thermal baffles 7 , 8 the thickness of which may be adjusted to suit the requirements of the product being transported.
  • a further feature of the invention is that all of the components (other than the thermal insulation and PCM) can be made from sheet material such as corrugated cardboard, which lends itself to recycling along with the wool or even re-use of the product delivery container in the event that there has been little or no damage to it during transport. This has the added benefit in permitting PDC to be flat-packed for storage and transport to end-users for subsequent self-assembly.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A thermally insulated product delivery container (PDC), including therewithin a rigid shell defining a hollow tube containing wool, first and second tube-end closure boxes containing wool to thereby collectively define an inner void for receiving at least one phase change material container for providing a temperature controlled condition within the void in the presence of a phase change material (PCM), and at least one thermal baffle positionable between the or each phase change material.

Description

  • This application claims the benefit of British Patent Application Ser. No. 1600308.9, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
    • TECHNICAL FIELD
  • This invention relates to the transport of temperature-sensitive products, such as vaccines where it is desirable or even essential for the product to arrive at its destination without having experienced extremes of temperature.
    • BACKGROUND
  • It is well known that sheep's wool is a useful hygroscopic material that can be used within packaging such as corrugated cardboard boxes to provide a local temperature climate within the box by which products being transported, such as heat sensitive vaccines, can be kept within a required temperature range, such as between 2° C. and 8° C., without any artificial means for controlling temperature within the box. This is particularly useful in circumstances whereby power is unavailable for artificially controlling the temperature of the box and it is now even possible to transport fragile items such as vaccines and donor organs to remote places over a period of at least 72 hours without any substantial degradation in the required temperature range. This concept can be assisted by the use of phase change materials (PCMs) such as ice, which gradually melt or otherwise change phase during transport, thereby absorbing heat without unduly increasing the temperature of the immediately surrounding environment. However, it is also known that live vaccines and living organs can be killed or irreparably damaged by the presence of PCMs in such containers and the present invention is derived from the realisation that there is a need to resolve this problem in a user-friendly manner without resorting to powered refrigeration techniques.
    • SUMMARY
  • According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a thermally insulated product delivery container (PDC), including therewithin a rigid shell defining a hollow tube containing wool, first and second tube-end closure boxes containing wool to thereby collectively define an inner void for receiving at least one phase change material container for providing a temperature controlled condition within the void in the presence of a phase change material (PCM), and at least one thermal baffle positionable between the or each phase change material container and a product to be carried within the compartment.
  • With this arrangement, the PDC may take the form of a corrugated cardboard container within which may be inserted a foldable corrugated tubular cardboard shell containing wool between its inner and outer walls, and a pair of tube closure boxes, one for each end of the tube, each also containing wool to therefore collectively define a product receiving void which acts to hygroscopically control the temperature gradient between the outside of the container and the inside of the container. One or more PCM containers may therefore be introduced into the interior of the container as a means of establishing a desired temperature range for the atmosphere within the container and, in order to ensure that a product to be transported within the container does not become too cold or too hot during transport a thermal baffle is provided between the product and the or each PCM container.
  • Conveniently, the thermal baffle comprises one or more layers of corrugated cardboard serving to control the flow of heat to or from the product, thereby to prevent or inhibit thermal shock to the product.
  • Preferably, the PDC is modular, being cuboid or cylindrical, in which the hollow wool-containing shell is a sliding fit within the container, the or each PCM container is a sliding fit within the wool-containing shell, a thermal baffle is a sliding fit over the or each PCM container e.g. a medical product in its original primary packaging fitted over or between the or each thermal baffle so that when the container is closed it assumes a generally rigid structure whereby to minimise mechanical damage to the contents during transport. Conveniently, the or each PCM container includes apertures with which to exchange temperature differences within the PDC.
  • Conveniently, the first and second tube closure boxes are each separated into two compartments one for receiving wool and the other for receiving a PCM for controlling the temperature within the interior of the PCD.
  • The invention in a second aspect also provides a method of transporting temperature-sensitive products by the use of a container in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method including the steps of identifying for the product to be delivered a required minimum and maximum temperature range for the duration of transport, identifying a suitable PCM and identifying a suitable thickness or composition of thermal baffle acting between the PCM and the product being transported so as to prevent or inhibit thermal damage thereto.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE
  • The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows an exploded view of a product delivery container (PDC) 1 according to the first aspect of the invention.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The PDC 1 comprises a cuboid corrugated cardboard box 2 insertable within which is a correspondingly shaped and sized hollow tubular shell 3 having therewithin a continuous batt of wool to, in use, act as a hygroscopic thermal insulant. The inner wall 4 of the hollow shell 3 is of shape and size corresponding to the external dimensions of, respectively, a first tube closure box 5 having a lower chamber 5 a containing wool (not shown) and an upper chamber 5 b into which may be placed a PCM such as plastics-covered ice cubes which may thermally interact with the area of the interior of the PCD via a series of ventilation apertures 6. Above the apertures are a pair of thermal baffles 7, 8 between which may be placed a product to be transported (not shown) such as a pre-packaged temperature sensitive vaccine. Above the thermal baffle 8 is a dedicated PCM container 9 having various apertures (not shown) for permitting thermal interaction with a PCM and the inside of the container 1, above which is a second tube closure box 10 which, as with the first tube closure box 5 includes an outer compartment 10 a containing wool and an inner compartment 10 b for containing further PCM.
  • In use, the hollow wool-insulated tube 3 is placed within the cardboard box 2 and the first tube closure box 5 is pushed down to the lower end of tube 3 after a PCM has been inserted within the upper compartment 5 b. The thermal baffle 7 is then placed on top immediately below a product to be carried (not shown) whereafter the second baffle 8 is placed thereover followed by PCM container 9 and finally the second tube closure box 10 after the PCM container 10 b has been filled with a PCM.
  • As will be apparent, the size and shape of the PDC may vary to suit the type of product being transported but in each case the general principle in accordance with the invention is that the product is surrounded by an outer layer of hygroscopic thermal insulation in the form of wool and the product itself is protected from any adverse thermal shock from the PCM by the presence of thermal baffles 7, 8, the thickness of which may be adjusted to suit the requirements of the product being transported. Thus, it has been found through trial and error that a thermal barrier containing folded layers of corrugated cardboard is sufficient to protect live and other vaccines from cold damage by the PCM.
  • A further feature of the invention is that all of the components (other than the thermal insulation and PCM) can be made from sheet material such as corrugated cardboard, which lends itself to recycling along with the wool or even re-use of the product delivery container in the event that there has been little or no damage to it during transport. This has the added benefit in permitting PDC to be flat-packed for storage and transport to end-users for subsequent self-assembly.

Claims (9)

1. A thermally insulated product delivery container (PDC), including therewithin a rigid shell defining a hollow tube containing wool, first and second tube-end closure boxes containing wool to thereby collectively define an inner void for receiving at least one phase change material container for providing a temperature controlled condition within the void in the presence of a phase change material (PCM), and at least one thermal baffle positionable between the or each phase change material container and a product to be carried within the compartment.
2. The PDC of claim 1 further including a corrugated cardboard container within which may be inserted a foldable corrugated tubular cardboard shell containing wool between its inner and outer walls, and a pair of tube closure boxes, one for each end of the tube, each also containing wool to therefore collectively define a product receiving void which acts to hygroscopically control the temperature gradient between the outside of the container and the inside of the container.
3. The PDC of claim 1 in which one or more PCM containers may therefore be introduced into the interior of the container as a means of establishing a desired temperature range for the atmosphere within the container
4. A PDC according to claim 1 further including a thermal baffle between the product and the or each PCM container in order to ensure that a product to be transported within the container does not become too cold or too hot during transport.
5. The PDC of claim 4 in which the thermal baffle comprises one or more layers of corrugated cardboard serving to control the flow of heat to or from the product, thereby to prevent or inhibit thermal shock to the product.
6. A PDC according to claim 1 of modular form, being cuboid or cylindrical, in which the hollow wool-containing shell is a sliding fit within the container, the or each PCM container is a sliding fit within the wool-containing shell, a thermal baffle is a sliding fit over the or each PCM container e.g. a medical product in its original primary packaging fitted over or between the or each thermal baffle so that when the container is closed it assumes a generally rigid structure whereby to minimise mechanical damage to the contents during transport.
7. A PDC according to claim 1 in which the or each PCM container includes apertures with which to exchange temperature differences within the PDC.
8. A PDC according to claim 1 in which the first and second tube closure boxes are each separated into two compartments one for receiving wool and the other for receiving a PCM for controlling the temperature within the interior of the PCD.
9. A method of transporting temperature-sensitive products by the use of a container, the method including the steps of identifying for the product to be delivered a required minimum and maximum temperature range for the duration of transport, identifying a suitable PCM and identifying a suitable thickness or composition of thermal baffle acting between the PCM and the product being transported so as to prevent or inhibit thermal damage thereto.
US15/401,548 2016-01-08 2017-01-09 Temperature Controlled Packaging and Transportation Method Abandoned US20170198959A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1600308.9 2016-01-08
GB1600308.9A GB2546257A (en) 2016-01-08 2016-01-08 Temperature controlled packaging and transportation method

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US20170198959A1 true US20170198959A1 (en) 2017-07-13

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EP (1) EP3190361B8 (en)
AU (1) AU2017200136B2 (en)
GB (1) GB2546257A (en)

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US20170056290A1 (en) * 2015-08-27 2017-03-02 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Pharmaceutical Cold Box with Central Ice or Cold Pack Chamber
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EP3190361B1 (en) 2019-01-30
AU2017200136B2 (en) 2020-08-27
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GB201600308D0 (en) 2016-02-24
EP3190361B8 (en) 2019-03-27
AU2017200136A1 (en) 2017-07-27
GB2546257A (en) 2017-07-19
NZ728140A (en) 2021-02-26

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