AU2013100723A4 - A transportation receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

A transportation receptacle (10) for securely holding a temperature-sensitive product and inhibiting movement of the product during transit comprises a receptacle body (12), a lid (14), an insert (28), base, lid and one or more side cooling members (38,40,46) for cooling the product, and base and lid diffusers (48,50). The receptacle body (12) has a base (18) and at least one side wall (20,22,24,26). The receptacle body (12) and the lid (14), during use, define a chamber (16) for the product. The insert (28) is shaped to be retained within chamber (16), and has one or more recesses or cavities for holding the product. The base cooling member (38) Is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body (12) between the base (18) and the insert (28). The lid cooling member (14) is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body (18) between the insert (28) and the lid (14). The or each side cooling member (46) Is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body (18) between the insert (12) and the side wall(s) (20,22,24,26). The base diffuser (48) is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body (18) between the base cooling member (38) and the insert (28). The lid diffuser (14) is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body (18) between the insert (28) and the lid cooling member (14). ~-%-~-50 46 J> 46 -- 48 1 -38

Description

-1 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL \ame of Applicant: DEUTSCHE POST AG Actual Inventors: Andrew Szakos \ddress for service AJ PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT n Australia: 2601, Australia nvention Title: A transportation receptacle ~he following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us. 283578_1 2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This present invention relates to a transportation receptacle for transporting a temperature-sensitive product that is configured to maintain the product in a refrigerated condition during transit. BACKGROUND Couriers commonly need to transport temperature-sensitive products, such as biological, medical or pharmaceutical products. During transit, such these products need to be maintained In a refrigerated condition, typically in a temperature range of about 2 0 C 8 0 C, for an extended period of time. Previously proposed transportation receptacles or containers for transporting temperature-sensitive products generally define an enclosed cooling chamber for holding the product. A coolant, such as ice and gel-packs are used in the chamber to cool the product during transit. Previously proposed containers have been found to suffer from several problems. One problem is when the container includes variable airspaces about the product, which result in variable temperature gradients forming within the chamber that may accelerate the warming of the coolant and/or the product. This accelerated and uncontrolled cooling can reduce safe transit times and result in damage to the product. The problem is made worse when the coolant and the product can be packed into the container in variable arrangements. Couriers are unable to accurately determine how long temperature-sensitive products can be safely kept in the containers without being damaged. Another problem of existing containers is the coolant and/or the product are often able to move within the chamber during transit. This movement can lead to the product being damaged, particularly if the coolant comes into direct contact with the product. In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, In any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

3 A preferred embodiment of the present invention seeks to provide receptacle container for transporting a temperature-sensitive product that securely holds the product such that the transportation receptacle retains substantially the same configuration surrounding the product during transit, and/or at least seeks to provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a transportation receptacle for securely holding a temperature-sensitive product and inhibiting movement of the product during transit, the transportation receptacle comprising: a receptacle body having a base and at least one side wall and a lid that, during use, define a chamber for the product; an insert shaped to be retained within chamber, the insert having one or more recesses or cavities for holding the product; a base cooling member for cooling the product, the base cooling member being shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base and the insert; a lid cooling member for cooling the product, the lid cooling member being shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the lid; one or more side cooling members for cooling the product, the or each side cooling member shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the side wall(s); a base diffuser shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base cooling member and the insert; and a lid diffuser shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the lid cooling member. The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner. The base may comprises a recess; and the base cooling member may be shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base and the insert, and within the recess in the base to substantially inhibit movement of the base cooling member. The transportation receptacle may comprise four side cooling members; the receptacle body may comprise four side walls; the receptacle body may comprise a corner 4 protrusion formed at each corner region where intersecting pairs of the side walls meet; and each side cooling member may be shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and one of the side walls, and between an adjacent pair of the corner protrusions to substantially inhibit movement of the side cooling member. The receptacle body may comprise four side walls, the four side walls comprising first and second side walls that are opposed to one another; the receptacle body may comprise a first base protrusion formed at a region where the intersecting base and first side wall meet, and a second base protrusion formed at a region where the intersecting base and second side wall meet; and the base cooling member may be shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base and the insert, and between the opposed base protrusions to substantially inhibit movement of the base cooling member. The receptacle body may comprise four side walls, the four side walls comprising first and second side walls that are opposed to one another; the lid may comprise spaced apart first and second lid protrusions that, during use, extend into the receptacle body adjacent the first and second walls; and the lid cooling member may be shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the lid, and between the lid protrusions to substantially inhibit movement of the lid cooling member. The four side walls may comprise third and fourth side walls that are opposed to one another; and the lid protrusions may substantially extend between the third and fourth side walls. Alternatively, the four side walls may comprise third and fourth side walls that are opposed to one another; and each of the lid protrusions may include spaced-apart first and second lid protruding parts that, during use, extend into the receptacle body adjacent the third and fourth walls respectively. The receptacle body may comprise four side walls, the four side walls comprising first and second side walls that are opposed to one another and third and fourth side walls that are opposed to one another; the lid may comprises a centrally located lid protrusion that, during use, extends into the receptacle body and substantially extends between the first and second side walls; and the lid cooling member may comprise first and second lid cooling components shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the lid, and between the lid protrusion and the third and fourth side walls respectively to substantially inhibit movement of the first and second lid cooling members.

5 A transportation receptacle according to a preferred embodiment of the Invention provides a reusable packaging and transport solution for temperature-sensitive products, such as pharmaceutical products that may need to be kept in a refrigerated condition. Advantageously, the transportation receptacle is capable of retaining products in the receptacle at a temperature range of about 2 0 C - 8 *C for an extended period of time, such as during transit Preferably the receptacle body and lid are moulded, such as from polyurethane. The shape and relative orientation of the moulded features advantageously provide an inter locking logic allowing for substantially 'one-way' positioning of all packaging components, including the packaged product, Insert, cooling members and diffusers, within the receptacle body. The inter-locking logic ensures that the allocated product space always has the same configuration surrounding the product, and the moulded features advantageously establish an air-flow around the product and insert, air-locks and energy release within the transportation receptacle that results in a stable 2 0 C - 8 0 C environment surrounding the product during transit. The transportation receptacle may be manufactured In a range of different shapes, designs and sizes to meet different packaging and transportation requirements. For example, various arrangements of the cooling members and diffusers are possible. It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also Incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

6 As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun. As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both. The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only. In the description in this specification reference may be made to subject matter which is not within the scope of the appended claims. That subject matter should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist in putting into practice the Invention as defined in the presently appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings In which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a transportation receptacle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is front perspective view of the transportation receptacle shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is top perspective view of the receptacle body shown in figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of the lid shown in figure 1; Figure 5 is an underside view of the lid shown in figure 1; Figure 6 is a section view of the lid along line AA in figure 5; Figure 7 is a section view of the lid along line XX in figure 5; Figure 8 is a top view of the receptacle body shown in figure 1; Figure 9 is a section view of the receptacle body along line XX in figure 8; Figure 10 is a section view of the receptacle body along line AA in figure 8; Figure 11 is an exploded view of a transportation receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is front perspective view of.the transportation receptacle shown in figure 11; Figure 13 is top perspective view of the receptacle body and underside perspective view of the lid shown In figure 11; Figure 14 Is a top view of the lid shown in figure 11 Figure 15 is an underside view of the lid shown in figure 11; 7 Figure 16 is a section view of the lid along line AA in figure 15; Figure 17 is a section view of the lid along line X)( in figure 15; Figure 18 Is a top view of the receptacle body shown In figure 11; Figure 19 is a section view of the receptacle body along line XX in figure 18; Figure 20 is a section view of the receptacle body along line AA in figure 18; Figure 21 is an exploded view of a transportation receptacle according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 22 is front perspective view of the transportation receptacle shown in figure 21; Figure 23 Is top perspective view of the receptacle body and underside perspective view of the lid shown in figure 21; Figure 24 is a top view of the lid shown in figure 21; Figure 25 is an underside view of the lid shown in figure 21; Figure 26 is a section view of the lid along line AA in figure 25; Figure 27 is a section view of the lid along line XX in figure 25; Figure 28 is a top view of the receptacle body shown in figure 21; Figure 29 is a section view of the receptacle body along line XX in figure 28; Figure 30 is a section view of the receptacle body along line AA in figure 28; Figure 31 is an exploded view of a transportation receptacle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 32 is front perspective view of the transportation receptacle shown in figure 31; Figure 33 is top perspective view of the receptacle body and underside perspective view of the lid shown in figure 31; Figure 34 is a top view of the lid shown in figure 31; Figure 35 is an underside view of the lid shown in figure 31; Figure 36 is a section view of the lid along line AA in figure 35; Figure 37 Is a section view of the lid along line XX In figure 35; Figure 38 is a top view of the receptacle body shown in figure 31; Figure 39 is a section view of the receptacle body along line XX in figure 38; Figure 40 is a section view of the receptacle body along line AA in figure 38; Figure 41 is a series of views that showing the transportation receptacle of figure 1 being assembled to transport a temperature-sensitive product; Figure 42 is a graph of temperature verses time showing the performance of a transportation receptacle according to the fourth embodiment in simulated winter conditions (about SC - 25 0 C); and 8 Figure 43 is a graph of temperature verses time showing the performance of a transportation receptacle according to the fourth embodiment in simulated summer conditions (about 20 0 C - 35 0 C). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT First embodiment A transportation receptacle 10 (or 'thermal shipper') according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 1-10. The transportation receptacle 10 is configured to securely hold a temperature-sensitive product (not shown) and inhibit movement of the product, while maintaining the product in a refrigerated condition for an extended period of time such as during transit. The transportation receptacle 10 comprises a receptacle body 12 and a lid 14 that, during use, define a chamber 16 or load space for the product. The receptacle body 12 and the lid 14 are formed as separate parts and the lid 14 can be removed from the receptacle body 12 to provide access to the chamber 16. The receptacle body 12 and lid 14 are both moulded from polyurethane, although it will be understood the body 12 and lid 14 may be formed from other suitable, preferably thermally-insulating, materials and the body 12 and lid 14 do not need to be formed from the same material. The receptacle body 12 has a base 18 and four side walls 20,22,24,26 that form a rectangular box. The side walls comprise first and second side walls 20,22 that are opposed to one another, and third and fourth side walls 24,26 that are also opposed to one another. The transportation receptacle 10 further comprises an insert 28 in the form of a carton that is shaped to be securely retained within the chamber 16. The insert 28 has a rectangular box shape and has one or more recesses or cavities (not shown) for securely holding the product during transit. The insert 28 may be formed as a unitary part, or alternatively from several parts that couple to one another during use to define the recesses or cavities. The insert 28 may have dimensions of about 142 x 142 x 116 mm. The receptacle body 12 comprises a corner protrusion 30 formed at each corner where intersecting pairs of the side walls 20,22,24,26 meet. Between the corner protrusions 30, the base 18 comprises a recess 32.

9 The lid 14 has a step-portion 15 sized to cooperate with the receptacle body so that the lid 14 substantially closes the receptacle body 12. The lid 14 also comprises spaced apart first and second lid protrusions 34,36 that, during use, extend into the receptacle body 12 adjacent the first and second walls 20,22 respectively. The lid protrusions 34,36 substantially extend between the third and fourth side walls 24,26. The transportation receptacle 10 further comprises generally rectangular box-shaped base and lid cooling members 38,40 for cooling the product. The base cooling member 38 is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body 12 between the base 18 and the insert 28, and within the recess 32 in the base 18 to substantially Inhibit movement of the base cooling member 38. The base cooling member 38 may be a gel pack that weighs about 750 grams and has dimensions of about 190 x 150 x 35 mm. The base cooling member 38 may initially be cooled to about 5 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 12. The lid cooling member 40 is similarly shaped to be retained within the receptacle body 12 between the insert 28 and the lid 14, and between the lid protrusions 34,36 to substantially inhibit movement of the lid cooling member 40. The lid cooling member 40 comprises first and second lid cooling components 42,44 that, in use are stacked one on top of the other. The first, lower lid cooling component 42 may be an ice pack that weighs about 850 grams and has dimensions of about 190 x 150 x 35 mm. The first lid cooling component 42 may initially be cooled to about 5 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 12. The second, upper lid cooling component 44 may be an ice pack that weighs about 750 grams and has dimensions of about 190 x 150 x 35 mm. The second lid cooling component 44 may initially be cooled to about -20 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 12. The transportation receptacle 10 further comprises four generally rectangular box shaped side cooling members 46 for cooling the product. Each side cooling member 46 is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body 12 between the insert 28 and a respective one of the side walls 20,22,24,26, and to be retained between an adjacent pair of the corner protrusions 30 to substantially inhibit movement of the side cooling member 46. Each side cooling member 46 may be a gel pack that weighs about 850 grams and has dimensions of about 190 x 150 x 35 mm. Each side cooling member 46 may initially be cooled to about 5 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 12. The transportation receptacle 10 further comprises generally rectangular box-shaped base and lid diffusers 48,50. The base diffuser 48, is shaped to be retained within the 10 receptacle body 12 between the base cooling member 38 and the Insert 28, and may have dimensions of about 165 x 165 x 25 mm. The lid diffuser 50 is similarly shaped to be retained within the receptacle body 12 between the insert 28 and the lid cooling member 40, and may have dimensions of about 155 x 155 x 25 mm. The assembly of the transportation receptacle 10 to transport a temperature-sensitive product will now be described with reference to figure 41. At a first or initial stage indicated by the reference number 52, the unloaded receptacle body 12 is shown. At a second stage indicated by the reference number 54, the base cooling member 38 is loaded into the receptacle body 12. The base cooling member Is preferably cooled to about 5*C before being located in the recess 32 In the base 18. At a third stage indicated by the reference number 56, the base diffuser 48 is loaded into the receptacle body 12. The base diffuser 48 sits on top of the base cooling member 38. At a fourth stage indicated by the reference number 58, the insert 28 holding a temperature-sensitive product (not shown) is placed in chamber 16 defined by the receptacle body 12. The side cooling members 46 are placed into the receptacle body 12 between the insert 28 and the side walls 20,22,24,26 between adjacent pairs of the corner protrusions 30. Preferably the side cooling members 46 are cooled to about 5oC before being loaded into the receptacle body 12. At a fifth stage indicated by the reference number 60, the lid diffuser 50 is loaded into the receptacle body 12, on top of the insert 28. At a sixth stage indicated by the reference number 62, the lid cooling member 40 is loaded into the receptacle body 12. Preferably the lower lid cooling component 42 is co-oled to about 5 0 C and the upper lid cooling component 44 is cooled to about -20"C before the lid cooling components 42,44 are placed in the receptacle body 12 on top of the lid diffuser 50. The lid 14 is then fitted to the top of the receptacle body 12 to close off the chamber 16 and receptacle body 12, such that the cooling member 40 is at least partly retained between lid protrusions 34,36. The inter-locking logic of the transportation receptacle 10 substantially allows for 'one way' positioning of all parts of the transportation receptacle 10, advantageously ensuring 11 that the product space within the receptacle body 12, and orientation of the parts of transportation receptacle 10, always have substantially the same configuration. Second embodiment A transportation receptacle 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 11-20. The transportation receptacle 110 again has a receptacle body 112 having a base 114 and four side walls 116,118,120,122 that form a rectangular box, a lid 124 having a step-portion 125, and an insert 126 for holding the product that is shaped to be securely retained within a chamber 128 defined by the receptacle body 112 and the lid 124. The insert 126 may have dimensions of about 247 x 167 x 132 mm. The base 114 comprises a centrally located base protrusion 128 that substantially extends between the opposed first and second side walls 116,118. The lid 124 similarly comprises a centrally located lid protrusion 130 that, during use, extends into the receptacle body 112 and substantially extends between the first and second side walls 116,118. The transportation receptacle 110 further comprises base and lid cooling members 132,134 for cooling the product. The base cooling member 132 comprises first and second base cooling components 136,138. The first and second base cooling components 136,138 are shaped to be retained within the receptacle body 112 between the base 114 and the insert, and between the base protrusion 128 and the third and fourth side walls 120,122 respectively to substantially inhibit movement of the first and second base cooling components 136,138. The base cooling components 136,138 may each be an ice pack that weighs about 1000 grams and has dimensions of about 255 x 150 x 35 mm. The base cooling components 136,138 may initially be cooled to about -20 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 112. The lid cooling member 134 similarly comprises first and second lid cooling components 140,142. The first and second lid cooling components 140,142 are shaped to be retained within the receptacle body 112 between the insert 126 and the lid 124, and between the lid protrusion 130 and the third and fourth side walls respectively 120,122 to substantially inhibit movement of the first and second lid cooling components 140,142. The lid cooling components 140,142 may each be an ice pack that weighs about 1000 grams and has dimensions of about 190 x 150 x 35 mm. The lid cooling 12 components 140,142 may initially be cooled to about -20 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 112. The transportation receptacle 110 further comprises four side cooling members 144 for cooling the product, and base and lid diffusers 146,148. Each side cooling member 144 may be a gel pack that weighs about 1100 grams and has dimensions of about 255 x 150 x 35 mm. Each side cooling member 144 may initially be cooled to about 5 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 112. The base diffuser 146 may have dimensions of about 325 x 255 x 41 mm, and the lid diffuser 148 may have dimensions of about 340 x 265 x 41 mm. Third embodiment A transportation receptacle 210 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 21-30. The transportation receptacle again has a receptacle body 212 having a base 214 and four side walls 216,218,220,222 that form a rectangular box, a lid 224 having a step portion 225, and an insert 226 for holding the product. The insert 226 may have dimensions of about 445 x 290 x 235 mm. The receptacle body 212 has a corner protrusion 228 formed at each corner where intersecting pairs of the side walls 216,218,220,222 meet. The lid 224 comprises spaced-apart first and second lid protrusions 230,232 that, during use, extend into the receptacle body 212 adjacent the first and second walls 216,218. Each of the lid protrusions 230,232 includes spaced-apart first and second lid protruding parts 234,236 that extend into the receptacle body adjacent the third and fourth walls 220,222 respectively. The transportation receptacle 210 further comprises base and lid cooling members 238,240 for cooling the product. The base cooling member 238 comprises four cooling components 242 shaped to be arranged in a side-by-side relationship. The base cooling components 242 may each be an ice pack that weighs about 750 grams and has dimensions of about 190 x 150 x 35 mm. The base cooling components 242 may initially be cooled to about -20 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 212.

13 The lid cooling member 240 comprises six cooling components 242. A lower four of the lid cooling components 242 are shaped to be arranged in a side-by-side relationship. An upper two of the lid cooling components 242 are shaped to be similarly arranged in a side-by-side relationship, on top of the lower four lid cooling components 242. The lid cooling components 242 may each be an ice pack that weighs about 750 grams and has dimensions of about 190 x 150 x 35 mm. The lid cooling components 242 may initially be cooled to about -20 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 212. The transportation receptacle 210 further comprises four side cooling members 244 for cooling the product, and base and lid diffusers 246,248. Each side cooling member 246 comprises two side cooling components 250 configured to be arranged In a side-by-side relationship. Each side cooling component 250 may be a gel pack that weighs about 1100 grams and has dimensions of about 255 x 150 x 35 mm. Each side cooling component 250 may initially be cooled to about 5 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 212. The base diffuser 246 may have dimensions of about 310 x 310 x 41 mm, and the lid diffuser 248 may have dimensions of about 390 x 390 x 41 mm. Fourth embodiment A transportation receptacle 310 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 31-40. The transportation receptacle 310 again has a receptacle body 312 having a base 314 and four side walls 316,318,320,322 that form a rectangular box, a lid 324 having a step-portion 325, and an insert 326 for holding the product. The insert 326 may have dimensions of about 445 x 290 x 235 mm. A corner protrusion 328 is formed at each corner where intersecting pairs of the side walls meet 316,318,320,322. The receptacle body 212 may further comprise a first base protrusion 330 formed at a region where the intersecting base 314 and first side wall meet 316, and a second base protrusion 332 formed at a region where the intersecting base 314 and second side wall meet 318. The lid 324 comprises spaced-apart first and second lid protrusions 334,336 that, during use, extend into the receptacle body 312 adjacent the first and second walls 316,318. Each of the lid protrusions 334,336 includes spaced-apart first and second lid protruding parts 338,340 that extend into the receptacle body 312 adjacent the third and fourth walls 320,322 respectively.

14 The transportation receptacle 310 further comprises base and lid cooling members 342,344 for cooling the product. The base cooling member 342 is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base 314 and the insert 326, and between the opposed base protrusions 330,332 to substantially inhibit movement of the base cooling Member 342. The base cooling member comprises six base cooling components 346,348 shaped to be arranged in a side-by-side relationship. Two of the base cooling components 346, configured to be located between the other four base cooling components 348, may each be an ice pack that weighs about 750 grams and initially be cooled to about -201C before being loaded in the receptacle body 312. The other four base cooling components 348, configured to be located two on each side of the two central base cooling components 346, may each be a gel pack that weighs about 850 grams and initially be cooled to about 5 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 312. The lid cooling member 344 comprises six lid cooling components 350,352 shaped to be arranged in a side-by-side relationship. Two of the lid cooling components 350, configured to be located between the other four lid cooling components 352, may each be a gel pack that weighs about 850 grams and initially be cooled to about 5 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 312. The other four lid cooling components 352, configured to be located two on each side of the two central lid cooling components 350, may each be an ice pack that weighs about 750 grams and initially be cooled to about 20 0 C before being loaded in the receptacle body 312. The transportation receptacle 310 further comprises four side cooling members 354 for cooling the product, and base and lid diffusers 356,358. The four side cooling members comprise ten side cooling components 360 shaped to be arranged in a side-by-side (two sides of three components 360, and two sides of two components 360) relationship to surround the sides of the insert 326. Each side cooling component 360 may be a gel pack that weighs about 1100 grams and initially be cooled to about 5*C before being loaded in the receptacle body 312. The base diffuser 356 may have dimensions of about 535 x 370 x 41 mm, the lid diffuser 358 may have dimensions of about 520 x 375 x 41 mm. Example The transportation receptacle 310 was tested in simulated winter conditions and summer conditions.

15 The receptacle body 312 and lid 324 were both formed from moulded polyurethane. The transportation receptacle 310 had a density of about 65.5 kg/iM 3 , a 'K' factor for thermal conductivity = 0.023 W/mK, and an 'R' value for thermal resistance of about 2.452 mzK/W (measured at 25.05 0 C). Figures 42 and 43 are graphs of temperature verses time showing the performance of the transportation receptacle 310 when subjected to simulated winter (about 5 0 C 25 0 C) and summer (about 20 0 C - 35 0 C) conditions respectively. In a first test that simulated winter conditions (Figure 42), the transportation receptacle 310 loaded with a temperature-sensitive product was left in a chamber in which the ambient temperature was kept at about 5 0 C - 25 0 C. During the test, the temperature of the insert 326 was measured at four locations: the centre of the bottom of insert (P14), the centre of insert (P15), the centre of a side of the insert (P16), and the centre of the top of the insert (P17). For the purposes of the test, the performance of the transportation receptacle 310 was considered acceptable while there were no excursions outside the 2 0 C (Low Limit) - 8"C (High Limit) temperature range around the product. The temperature as measured at all four locations stayed within the range of 2 0 C - 8 0 C for at least 100 hours and 54 minutes. In a second test that simulated summer conditions shown (Figure 43), the transportation receptacle was left in a chamber in which the ambient temperature was kept at about 20 0 C - 35 0 C. The temperature was again measured at four locations: the centre of the bottom of insert (P5), the centre of insert (P6), the centre of a side of the insert (P7), and the centre of the top of the insert (P8). The temperature as measured at all four locations stayed within the range of 2 0 C - 8"C for at least 64 hours and 13 minutes. The results indicate that the configuration of the transportation receptacle 310 advantageously promoted an air-flow around the product and insert, air-locks and energy release that under typical operating conditions resulted in a stable 2-8 0 c environment suitable for transporting pharmaceutical and similar products. Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the receptacle body and the lid of the transportation receptacle have been described as separate parts, the lid may be permanently connected to the receptacle body, such as with a hinge (not shown). Further, the receptacle body, 16 lid, insert, cooling members and diffusers may not be a generally rectangular or square shape. It is contemplated the various parts of the transportation receptacle may have other shapes while still realising the advantages of the invention. For example, the receptacle body may be generally cylindrical and have a single side wall and the transportation receptacle may have a single side cooling member that substantially extends around the insert. Further, the description and some of the figures include example dimensions and materials. A person skilled in the art will recognise that the example dimensions (indicated in millimetres in the figures) and materials have been included in the description and the figures to assist a person skilled in the art in putting into practice exemplary embodiments of the invention, and not as a limitation on the invention as defined in the presently appended claims.

Claims (5)

1. A transportation receptacle for securely holding a temperature-sensitive product and inhibiting movement of the product during transit, the transportation receptacle comprising: a receptacle body having a base and at least one side wall and a lid that, during use, define a chamber for the product; an insert shaped to be retained within chamber, the insert having one or more recesses or cavities for holding the product; a base cooling member for cooling the product, the base cooling member being shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base and the insert; a lid cooling member for cooling the product, the lid cooling member being shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the lid; one or more side cooling members for cooling the product, the or each side cooling member shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the side wall(s); a base diffuser shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base cooling member and the insert; and a lid diffuser shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the lid cooling member.

2. A transportation receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the base comprises a recess; and the base cooling member is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base and the insert, and within the recess in the base to substantially inhibit movement of the base cooling member.

3. A transportation receptacle as claimed In claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the transportation receptacle comprises four side cooling members; the receptacle body comprises four side walls; the receptacle body comprises a corner protrusion formed at each corner region where intersecting pairs of the side walls meet; and each side cooling member is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and one of the side walls, and between an adjacent pair of the corner protrusions to substantially inhibit movement of the side cooling member.

4. A transportation receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein; 18 the receptacle body comprises four side walls, the four side walls comprising first and second side walls that are opposed to one another; the receptacle body comprises a first base protrusion formed at a region where the intersecting base and first side wall meet, and a second base protrusion formed at a region where the intersecting base and second side wall meet; and the base cooling member is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the base and the insert, and between the opposed base protrusions to substantially inhibit movement of the base cooling member.

5. A transportation receptacle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the receptacle body comprises four side walls, the four side walls comprising first and second side walls that are opposed to one another; the lid comprises spaced-apart first and second lid protrusions that, during use, extend into the receptacle body adjacent the first and second walls; and the lid cooling member is shaped to be retained within the receptacle body between the insert and the lid, and between the lid protrusions to substantially inhibit movement of the lid cooling member.