BR112021008464A2 - shipping system for storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials - Google Patents

Abstract

DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR STORAGE AND/OR TRANSPORTATION OF TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE MATERIALS. present invention relates to the shipping system for storing anchor that transports temperature sensitive materials. In one modality, the system includes an outer box having four side walls, flaps. lower closure, and upper closure flaps. a panel vacuum insulated (VIP) is detachably attached to one of the top closures and is detachably covered by a cover. An isolation unit is detachably positioned within the outer box, the isolation unit including a plurality of VIPs arranged to define a cavity connected by a bottom wall and four side walls. A disposable liner is mounted so removable in the isolation unit. The lining can be a sheet thermoformed and can cover the inner and upper surfaces of the unit. of insulation. A plurality of temperature control members and a product box can be detachably positioned on the liner. Preferably, the lining is formed so that the control members temperature comfortably fit around all sides of the product box.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Patent of Invention for "SHIPPING SYSTEM FOR STORAGE AND/OR TRANSPORTATION OF TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE MATERIALS". Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to transport systems for storage and/or transport of materials sensitive to temperature and more particularly relates to a new transport system.

[0002] It is often desirable to store and/or transport temperature sensitive materials, examples of such materials including, but not limited to, pharmaceuticals, biological samples, foods and beverages. As a result, several types of shipping systems for storing and/or transporting such materials have been devised, some of these shipping systems being package-size shipping systems and some of these shipping systems being full-size shipping systems. of pallets. Typically, such package-size shipping systems include an insulated container having a cavity to receive a temperature-sensitive material. Often, the temperature-sensitive material is housed within a payload product or container, the payload product or container (with the temperature-sensitive material disposed therein) being placed in the cavity of the insulated container. Such shipping systems often also include a phase change material disposed within the insulated container to keep the temperature-sensitive material within a desired temperature range. In many cases, such as when the desired temperature range for the temperature-sensitive material is below the ambient temperature outside the insulated container, the phase change material is refrigerated or frozen before being placed in the iso container. - side so that the phase change the material can act as a refrigerant.

ling.

[0003] An example of a package size shipping system of the type described above is illustrated by U.S. Patent No. 6,868,982, inventor Gordon, issued March 22, 2005, and which is incorporated herein by reference. According to this patent, an insulated shipping container and a method for doing the same are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the insulated shipping container comprises an outer box, an insulated insert, an inner box and a closure element. The outer box, which is preferably made of corrugated cardboard, comprises a rectangular prismatic cavity bounded by a plurality of rectangular side walls, a closed lower end and upper closing flaps. The insulated insert is comfortably but detachably disposed within the outer casing and is molded to define a rectangular prismatic cavity bounded by a bottom wall and a plurality of rectangular side walls, the insulated insert having one end. open top.

[0004] Another example of a package-sized shipping system of the type described above is illustrated by U.S. Patent No. 9,045,278, inventors Mustafa et al., issued June 2, 2015, and which is incorporated herein by reference. According to this patent, an insulated shipping container and a method of doing the same are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned shipping container includes an outer box, an insulated insert, an insulated lid, a payload container and a plurality of refrigerant members. The insulated insert is snugly but detachably disposed within the outer casing and is molded to include a plurality of sides and a top. The top includes a raised peripheral edge and a recessed shelf. A large rectangular prismatic cavity surrounded by a plurality.

ity of smaller cavities extends downward from the lowered shelf. The large insulated insert cavity is adapted to receive a payload container. Each of the smaller cavities of the insulated insert is adapted to receive a cooling member, the smaller cavities having a "top hat" shape when viewed from above which includes a crown portion and a flap portion.

[0005] Other documents of interest may include the following, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 5,897,017, inventor Lantz, issued April 27, 1999; U.S. Patent No. 6,257,764, inventor Lantz, issued July 10, 2001; U.S. Patent No. 5,924,302, inventor Derifield, issued July 20, 1999; U.S. Patent No. 6,044,650, inventors Cook et al., Issued April 4, 2000; U.S. Patent No. 5,709,307, inventors Rosado et al., Issued January 20, 1998; U.S. Patent No. 5,450,977, inventor Moe, issued September 19, 1995; U.S. Patent No. 5,501,338, inventor Preston, issued March 26, 1996; US Patent No.

6,244,458, inventors Frysinger et al., Issued June 12, 2001; U.S. Patent No. 6,192,703, inventors Salyer et al., Issued February 27, 2001; US Patent No.

7,950,246, inventors Mayer et al., Issued May 31, 2011; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0224501 A1, inventors Folkert et al., Published October 13, 2005; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0102317 A1, inventor Gordon, published June 5, 2003. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new shipping system for storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a shipping system for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system comprising (a) an isolation unit, the isolation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, four side walls, and an open top portion; (b) a liner, the liner being removably mounted to the insulation unit, the liner being formed to include a cavity, the cavity of the liner extending into the cavity of the insulation unit; (c) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the liner; and (d) at least one temperature control member, at least one temperature control member being removably disposed within the cavity of the liner.

[0008] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the insulating unit may comprise a plurality of vacuum insulated panels.

[0009] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the plurality of vacuum insulated panels can comprise a lower vacuum insulated panel and four side vacuum insulated panels, and the four side vacuum insulated panels can be positioned on top of the lower vacuum insulated panel.

[0010] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the insulating unit may have the top edge, and the liner may be formed to cover the upper edge of the insulating unit.

[0011] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the insulating unit may have a top margin, the liner may be further formed to include a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and a flange, and the flange it can cover the entire top edge of the isolating unit.

[0012] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the liner may be further formed to include an external extension extending below the flange.

[0013] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the liner may be a one-piece construction made of a rigid material.

[0014] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the liner may comprise a thermoformed member.

[0015] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the lining may comprise corrugated board.

[0016] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the lining may comprise a polymer coated corrugated board.

[0017] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the liner may comprise a spray-coated corrugated board with a polymer liner.

[0018] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the lining can comprise at least one of polyester paper, expanded polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and corrugated plastic panels.

[0019] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the liner may be a multi-piece construction comprising a corrugated plastic member defining one or more of the side walls and a thermoformed plastic member defining the flange.

[0020] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the lining can be liquid impermeable.

[0021] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the liner can be made of a material that can be cleaned with a cleaning solvent.

[0022] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the side walls of the lining may comprise an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion, the lower portion may be spaced inward with respect to the upper portion, and the portion in-

thermowell can form a shelf between the upper and lower portions.

[0023] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the cavity of the liner may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion may have a larger footprint than the lower portion.

[0024] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one temperature control member may comprise a plurality of temperature control members, and one of the plurality of temperature control members may have at least one comfortably disposed portion. inside the lower portion of the liner cavity.

[0025] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one temperature control member can comprise a plurality of temperature control members, and the plurality of temperature control members can be comfortably positioned on all sides of the product box.

[0026] In a more detailed feature of the invention, each of the plurality of temperature control members can comprise at least one pouch, and a layer of exactly one pouch can be positioned on all sides of the product box.

[0027] In a more detailed feature of the invention, each of the plurality of temperature control members can comprise at least one pouch, and a layer with more than one pouch can be positioned on at least one side of the box. product.

[0028] In a more detailed feature of the invention, each of the plurality of temperature control members can comprise at least one pouch, a layer with more than one pouch can be positioned on at least one side of the product box. -

duct, and a layer of exactly one bag can be positioned on at least one side of the product box.

[0029] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one temperature control member may comprise a plurality of temperature control members, each of the temperature control members may comprise a phase change material, and the material of phase change of all temperature control members can be identical.

[0030] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one temperature control member may comprise a plurality of temperature control members, each of the temperature control members may comprise a phase change material, and some of the Phase change materials of temperature control members may be different.

[0031] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one temperature control member may comprise a plurality of temperature control members, each of the temperature control members may comprise a plurality of pockets, each pocket may contain a phase change material, and at least one pouch can contain different phase change materials than another pouch.

[0032] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one temperature control member may comprise at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member, both at least one control member of internal temperature and at least one external temperature control member can be positioned in the cavity of the liner, at least one internal temperature control member can be closer to the product box, and at least one temperature control member external may be more distal to the product box.

[0033] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one internal temperature control member may comprise a first type of phase change material, at least one external temperature control member may comprise a second type of material of phase change material, and the first type of phase change material and the second type of phase change material may be different. Furthermore, at least one indoor temperature control member and at least one outdoor temperature control member can be preconditioned at different temperatures or at the same temperature.

[0034] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member may comprise an identical phase change material. Furthermore, at least one indoor temperature control member and at least one outdoor temperature control member can be preconditioned at different temperatures or at the same temperature.

[0035] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one of at least one internal temperature control member and at least one of at least one external temperature control member may be mechanically coupled together, like, but not limited to, by the use of a glove, retractable packaging, Velcro fasteners, glue, tape and the like.

[0036] In a more detailed feature of the invention, at least one temperature control member may comprise a first temperature control member, the first temperature control member may comprise a plurality of pockets, at least some of the pockets of the first temperature control member may comprise a first type of muting material.

In phase dance, at least some of the pockets of the first temperature control member may comprise a second type of phase change material, and the first and second types of phase change material may be different.

[0037] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the system may further comprise a cover, and the cover may be detachably mounted on the isolation unit to close the cavity of the isolation unit.

[0038] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the cover may comprise a vacuum insulated panel.

[0039] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the system can further comprise an external box, and the insulation unit, the liner, the product box and at least one temperature control member can be detachably mounted inside the outer casing.

[0040] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the outer box may comprise an upper closure flap, and the shipping system may further comprise an insulated cover coupled to the upper closure flap so that the flap closure closing stop position the insulated cover over the cavity of the isolation unit.

[0041] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the insulated cover can be detachably mounted on the upper closing flap.

[0042] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the system can further comprise a cover, and the cover can be mounted on the insulated cover.

[0043] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the insulated cover can be detachably mounted on the upper closing flap, and the cover can be detachably mounted on the insulated cover.

[0044] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the system can further comprise an environmental data logger to measure and store at least one environmental parameter, and the environmental data logger can be arranged in the outer box outside the isolation unit. - to.

[0045] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the environmental data logger can measure and store ambient temperature data.

[0046] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the system can further comprise a temperature indicator, and the temperature indicator can be positioned in contact with the product box and can be configured to provide a time indication real on whether or not the product box is within a desired temperature range.

[0047] In a more detailed feature of the invention, the system can be well suited for reconditioning and/or reuse.

[0048] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for assembling a shipping system suitable for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the kit comprising (a) an isolation unit, the insulation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, four side walls, and an open top; (b) a liner, the liner being removably mounted to the insulation unit, the liner being formed to include a cavity, the cavity of the liner extending into the cavity of the insulation unit; (c) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the liner, the product box being designed to support a payload; (d) an insulated cover, the insulated cover covering the cavity of the isolation unit; and (e) a plurality of alternate steps of temperature control members, each alternate set of temperature control members being releasably disposed within the cavity of the liner and being designed to maintain the payload within a range of different temperature.

[0049] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for assembling at least one shipping system suitable for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the kit comprising (a) a first shipper , the first shipper comprising (i) a first insulating unit, the first insulating unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and an open top, the plurality of collective side walls - by defining an upper margin, (ii) a first insulated cover, the first removable insulated cover mounted on the first insulating unit to close the cavity of the first insulating unit, (iii) a first lining, the first lining being detachably mounted to the first insulating unit, the first lining being formed to include a cavity and a flange, wherein the cavity of the first lining is dimensioned to extend into the cavity of the first insulation unit and wherein the flange of the first liner is sized to extend over the top edge of the first insulation unit, (iv) a first product box, the first product box being detachably positioned within the cavity of the first liner, the first product box being designed to support a payload; (b) a second dispatcher, the second dispatcher comprising (i) a second insulation unit, the second insulation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and an open top, the plurality of sidewalls collectively defining an upper margin, (ii) a second insulated cover, the second detachably insulated cover mounted over the second insulating unit to close the cavity of the second insulating unit, ( iii) a second liner, the second liner being detachably mounted to the second insulation unit, the second liner being formed to include a cavity and a flange, wherein the cavity of the second liner is sized to extend to the cavity of the second insulation unit and where the flange of the second liner is sized to extend over the upper edge of the second insulation unit, (iv) a second product box, the second product box. pipeline being detachably positioned within the cavity of the second liner, the second product box being designed to support a payload, wherein the second product box is sized to support a payload differently sized than the first box of product; and (c) a set of temperature control members, the set of temperature control members being sized for alternative implantation in the cavity of the first liner, snugly fitting around the first product box, or the cavity of the second lining, snugly fitting around the second product box.

[0050] According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided, the method comprising (a) providing a shipping system for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system comprising (i) ) an insulating unit, the insulating unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, four side walls, and an open top; (ii) a liner, the liner being detachably mounted to the insulation unit, the liner being formed to enclose.

a cavity, wherein the cavity of the liner extends into the cavity of the insulation unit; (iii) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the liner; and (iv) at least one temperature control member, at least one temperature control member being removably disposed within the cavity of the liner; (b) use the shipping system to transport a first payload; (c) then clean or replace the lining; and (d) then use the shipping system to transport a second payload.

[0051] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a shipping system for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system comprising (a) an isolation unit, the isolation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, four side walls, and an open top, the insulation unit comprising a set of vacuum insulated panels encapsulated within a spray coating of a polyurea; (b) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the isolation unit; and (c) at least one temperature control member, at least one temperature control member being removably disposed within the cavity of the insulation unit.

[0052] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a shipping system for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system comprising (a) an isolation unit, the isolation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, four side walls, and an open top, the insulation unit consisting of a set of vacuum insulated panels lying together with a spray coating of a polyurea; (b) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the isolation unit; and (c) at least one temperature control member, at least one temperature control member being removably disposed within the cavity of the insulation unit.

[0053] For the purposes of this specification and claims, various relational terms such as "superior", "inferior", "proximal", "distal", "superior", "inferior", "front" and "posterior" may be used to describe the present invention when said invention is positioned or viewed from a given orientation. It should be understood that, when changing the orientation of the invention, certain relational terms may need to be adjusted accordingly.

[0054] Additional objects, as well as aspects, features and advantages, of the present invention will be presented in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form part thereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments for the practice of the invention. Embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description, therefore, should not be taken in a limiting sense. Brief description of the drawings

[0055] The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated and constitute a part of this descriptive report, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain components may be undersized and/or oversized for explanation purposes. In the drawings, in which like reference numbers represent like parts:

[0056] Figure 1 is a partially enlarged view of a first modality of a shipping system suitable for use in storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 2 is a side view of the shipping system shown in Figure 1, with the top flaps of the outer container being shown in an open state;

[0058] Figure 3 is a partially enlarged view of the shipping system shown in Figure 1, with the payload container, temperature indicator, and temperature control members not being shown;

[0059] Figure 4 is a top view of a plate used to make the outer box shown in Figure 1;

[0060] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the data logger board shown in Figure 3;

[0061] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the isolation unit shown in Figure 3;

[0062] Figure 7 is a rear view, showing the isolation unit of Figure 6 in an assembled state;

[0063] Figure 8 is an enlarged top view of the bracket shown in Figure 3, the bracket being shown in a folded state;

[0064] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are enlarged perspective views and enlarged side views, respectively, of one of the corner plates shown in Figure 3;

[0065] Figures 10(a) and 10(b) are perspective and top views, respectively, of the lining shown in Figure 1;

[0066] Figures 10(c) and 10(d) are sectional views taken along lines 1-1 and 2-2, respectively, of Figure 10(b);

[0067] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cover shown in Figure 3;

[0068] Figure 12 is a partially enlarged view of a second modality of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed according to the teachings. of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 13 is a partially enlarged view of a third modality of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

[0070] Figure 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the system of Figure 13, showing in more detail the insulating unit, liner, and other components not visible in Figure 13;

[0071] Figure 15 is a partially enlarged view of a fourth embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0072] Figure 16 is a partially enlarged view of a fifth modality of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 17 is a sheet used to make the liner shown in Figure 16;

[0074] Figure 18 is a partially enlarged view of a sixth modality of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed in accordance with the teachings. - all of the present invention;

[0075] Figures 19(a) and 19(b) are sectional and top views, respectively, of the shipping system of Figure 18, with only the liner, product box, and temperature control members being shown ;

[0076] Figure 20 is a partially enlarged view of a seventh modality of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed according to the teachings. of the present invention; and

[0077] Figures 21(a) and 21(b) are side section views, broken in part and simplified, respectively, of the isolation unit of the shipping system shown in Figure 20. Detailed description of the invention

[0078] Now with reference to Figures 1 to 3, several views of a first embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials are shown, the shipping system being constructed accordingly. with the present invention and being represented generally by reference numeral 11. For clarity and/or ease of illustration, certain details of the shipping system 11 which are discussed elsewhere in this application or which are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from one or more of Figures 1 to 3 or may be shown here in simplified form.

[0079] System 11 can be used to maintain a payload within a desired temperature range for an extended period.

of. For illustrative purposes only and not to be limited, system 11 can be configured to maintain a package-sized payload within a temperature range of +2°C to +8°C for a period of up to 96 hours or longer or, alternatively, it can be configured to maintain a payload sized per pack within a temperature range of +15°C to +25°C for a period of up to 96 hours or longer, or alternatively, it can be configured to maintain a load useful sized per pack within a temperature range of -15°C to -25°C for a period of up to 96 hours or longer.

[0080] The system 11 can comprise an outer box 13. To the outer box 13, which can be, for example, a conventional corrugated box or cardboard box, it can comprise a rectangular prismatic cavity 15 connected by a plurality of walls. rectangular side panels 17-1 through 17-4, a plurality of lower closing flaps (not shown), and a plurality of upper closing flaps 19-1 through 19-4. Adhesive strips of tape or other closure means (not shown) may be used to retain, in a closed condition, the lower closure tabs and the upper closure tabs 19-1 to 19-4.

[0081] A guide 21 can be fastened, for example, by adhesive or similar means, to an inner face 22 of upper closing flap 19-1, and guide 21 can be situated on the inner face 22 to thus be seated. extend by a free margin 23 of the upper closing flap 19-1. In this way, a user can swing the upper closure flap 19-1 from a closed state by generally pulling up on the guide 21. The guide 21 can be made of a sheet of polymeric material, such as a polyvinyl chloride material or the like. Rather than being attached to closure tab 19-1, guide 21 can be attached to an insulated cap assembly mounted to closure tab 19-1.

[0082] A plurality of fasteners 25-1 to 25-4 can be secured, for example, by adhesive or similar means to the inner face 22 of the upper closure tab 19-1. As will be further discussed below, fasteners 25-1 through 25-4 can be used to detachably attach a vacuum insulated panel (VIP) to the top closure tab 19-1. In the present embodiment, fasteners 25-1 to 25-4 may be hook (or loop) fasteners, with complementary loop (or hook) fasteners being secured, for example, by adhesive or similar means to the vacuum insulated panel; however, it should be understood that other types of fasteners, such as adhesive fasteners applied to one or both of the vacuum insulated panel and top closure flap 19-1, may still be used. Furthermore, although four fasteners 25-1 through 25-4 are shown in the present embodiment, it is to be understood that a greater number or lesser number of fasteners 25-1 through 25-4 can be used without departing from the present invention.

[0083] Now with reference to Figure 4, there is shown a plate 27, which can be used to form outer box 13. The plate 27, which can be a unitary structure made of corrugated cardboard or a similar material, can be cut. and marked to define a plurality of center panels 29-1 through 29-5, a plurality of top panels 31-1 through 31-4, and a plurality of bottom panels 33-1 through 33-4. Center panels 29-1 to 29-4 can be folded over rows 34-1 to 34-3 to become sidewalls 17-1 to 17-4 of outer box 13, and center panel 29-5 can be used to secure center panel 29-1 to center panel 29-4 using a sticker (not shown) or the like. Top panels 31-1 to 31-4 can be folded over rows 35-1 to 35-4, respectively, to become top flaps 19-1 to 19-44, respectively, of outer box 13. Bottom panels 33-1 to 33-4 can be folded over rows 37-1 to 37-4, respectively.

to become the lower flaps of the outer box 13.

[0084] Now referring to Figure 3, the system 11 can further comprise an environmental data logger 41. Environmental data logger 41 can be, for example, a conventional temperature data logger that can be configured to measure and to store the ambient temperature in which the system 11 is exposed over an extended period. Additionally or alternatively, environmental data logger 41 can be configured to measure or detect and, optionally, to store one or more of shock/motion, global position, humidity, or some other environmental parameter.

[0085] The system 11 may further comprise a plate 43, which is also shown separately in Figure 5. The plate 43, which may be, for example, a piece of corrugated cardboard in the shape of a honeycomb, may be molded to include a transverse opening 45. The opening 45 can be suitably sized to receive the data logger 41. In particular, the opening 45 can be sized to have a length and a width to comfortably receive the data logger 41. Preferably, plate 43 has a thickness that is approximately equal to or slightly greater than that of data logger 41. Therefore, in the present embodiment, data logger 41 may have a thickness of approximately 0.4 inches and plate 43 it can be approximately 0.5 inches thick. Furthermore, plate 43 preferably has a length and a width that are slightly smaller than those of the prismatic cavity 15 of the outer casing 13 to allow the plate 43 to be placed horizontally within the prismatic cavity 15 of the outer casing 13.

[0086] Although not shown in the present embodiment, the system 11 may also include a foam pad, which may be made of a polyurethane or the like, positioned between the plate 43 and the closing flaps of the bottom of the outer casing 13. Such a pad Foam can serve to keep the components that are contained within the outer box 13 from pushing up and down, despite tolerances, and can also provide some shock absorption to protect the contents disposed within the outer box 13.

[0087] The system 11 may further comprise an insulation unit 51. The insulation unit 51, which is further shown separately in Figures 6 and 7, may comprise a plurality of vacuum insulated panels 53-1 to 53 -5, which can be identical to each other. Vacuum insulated panels 53-1 through 53-5, which may be conventional vacuum insulated panels, can be arranged with vacuum insulated panels 53-2 through 53-5 positioned perpendicular to and fitting directly onto the top of the vacuum insulated panel 53-1 to thus define a generally prismatic cavity connected by a bottom wall and four side walls. The four sidewalls can be positioned relative to one another in a "pinwheel" arrangement where one end of each vacuum insulated panel abuts the main inner surface of its adjacent vacuum insulated panel. Alternatively, the four sidewalls can be positioned relative to one another such that one end of each of the two parallel vacuum insulated panels abuts the main inner surface of each of the remaining two parallel vacuum insulated panels .

[0088] The isolation unit 51 may additionally comprise a bracket 61, which is further shown separately in Figure 8 in a folded state. Support 61, which may be made of corrugated board or the like, may be a unitary box-like structure configured to include a central portion 63 and four side portions 65-1 to 65-4. The central portion 63 may be rectangular, and each of the four side portions 65-1 to 65-4 may extend a different way.

flush on all four sides of central portion 63. Bracket 61 can be folded along edges 67-1 to 67-4 and may be suitably sized so that central portion 63 of bracket 61 can be positioned under the vacuum insulated panel 53-1 and so that the side portions 65-1 to 65-4 of the bracket 61 can be positioned along the outer faces of the vacuum insulated panels 53-2 to 53-5, as well as along the peripheral edges of the panel vacuum isolated 53-1. As will be discussed later, bracket 61 can be used, in conjunction with other structural members, to help hold vacuum insulation panels 53-1 through 53-5 together. In addition, bracket 61 can also provide some additional thermal insulation for insulation unit 51.

[0089] The insulation unit 51 may further comprise a plurality of plastic connecting strips 69-1 to 69-3. Strips 69-1 through 69-3, which may be conventional bonding strips, can be wrapped around all four sides of bracket 61 and can be used to help retain vacuum insulated panels 53-1 through 53- 5 in a mounted state.

[0090] The isolation unit 51 may further comprise a plurality of corner plates 71-1 to 71-4. Corner plates 71-1 through 71-4 may be identical to each other (corner plates 71-1 being shown separately in Figures 9 (a) and 9 (b)). Corner plates 71-1 through 71-4 can be made of Kraft paper and can have a thickness, for example, from 0.06 to 0.08 inches. Corner plates 71-1 through 71-4 can be positioned vertically on the four outer corners of bracket 61 and can help increase the thermal life of insulation unit 51 by keeping panels 53-1 through 53-5 together and tighter. for a longer period of time and protecting bracket 61 and panels 53-1 to 53-5 from physical damage that can be caused by strips 69-1 to 69-3, particularly at the four corners of isolation unit 51. 71-1 through 71-4 corner plates can also help extend the amount of time that strips 69-1 through 69-3 are able to maintain the minimum tension needed in a reuse application.

[0091] The isolation unit 51 can be mounted as follows: first, the bracket 61 can be folded and then placed in an accessory (not shown), whereby the side portions 65-1 to 65- 4 can be held in an orientation generally perpendicular to the central portion 63. Panel 53-1 can then be positioned with its lower main surface leveled on top of the central portion 63. Then panels 53. -2 to 53-5 can be positioned on top of panel 53-1 in a “pinwheel” arrangement. (Preferably, the seams of panels 53-1 to 53-5 are facing outward towards the bracket 61.) Corner plates 71-1 to 71-4 can then be placed around the four outer corners of the bracket 61. The strips 69-1 to 69-3 can then be wrapped around bracket 61 and corner plates 71-1 to 71-4. (Preferably, straps 69-1 through 69-3 each provide a tension of at least 10 psi.) The resulting structure is a five-sided unit that defines a cavity limited by a bottom and four sides and having one open top. As can be appreciated, in the absence of the combination of bracket 61, strips 69-1 through 69-3 and corner plates 71-1 through 71-4, there is nothing to keep panels 53-1 through 53-5 in a state assembly.

[0092] Returning now to Figures 1 and 3, the system 11 may further comprise a protective liner (or shell or insert) 81, which is also shown separately in Figures 10 (a) to 10 (d). The liner 81, which is suitably sized to be removably mounted to the isolation unit 51, may be a rigid, one-piece or multi-piece structure comprising or consisting of materials,

as a thermoformed plastic (eg high density polyethylene approximately 0.1 inch thick), a corrugated cardboard or plastic, polyester paper, expanded polypropylene (EPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), corrugated plastic panels or some combination thereof. In addition, as will be discussed below, liner 81 may comprise or consist of a polymer coated corrugated board, such as a polyurea coated corrugated board or a polyurethane coated corrugated board. In the present embodiment, liner 81 may be a one-piece thermoformed element to include a cavity 83 delimited by a bottom wall 85 and four side walls 87-1 to 87-4. Each of the side walls 87-1 to 87-4 may include a lower portion 89, an intermediate portion 91 and an upper portion.

93. The lower portion 89 and the upper portion 93 may extend generally vertically (although there may be a rake angle where the liner 81 is made by thermoforming), with the lower portion 89 being spaced inward relative to the upper portion. 93 and with the intermediate portion 91 extending generally horizontally. In this way, cavity 83 can be considered to have a relatively smaller footprint lower portion 83-1 and a relatively larger footprint upper portion 83-2 83-2, with the intermediate portion 91 forming a shelf in the portion. lower portion of the upper portion 83 -2. The liner 81 is preferably sized so that the bottom wall 85 and side walls 87-1 to 87-4 can be inserted into the cavity of the insulation unit 51, with the bottom wall 85 being positioned over the top of the insulated panel. vacuum insulated 53-1 and with side walls 87-1 to 87-4 being positioned along the inner faces of vacuum insulated panels 53-2 to 53-5. A flange 96 may extend peripherally outwardly from the open top of the liner 81 and may be sized to fit the top and cover the tops of vacuum insulated panels 53-2 through 53-5. In this way, the liner 81 can cover the exposed inner and upper faces of the vacuum insulated panels 53-2 to 53-5. The liner 81 can be dimensioned so that the bottom wall 85 of the liner 81 is spaced from the vacuum insulated bottom panel 53-1, for example, by approximately 8-4 of an inch, whereby an air gap is provided between the bottom of the lining 81 and the panel 53 -1. This can be done to allow for liner tolerances 81.

[0093] The system 11 may further comprise a plurality of foam pads 97-1 to 97-4. The pillows 97-1 through 97-4, which may be identical to each other, may be made of a cell urethane material or similar. Pads 97-1 to 97-4 can be fixedly mounted, for example, with an adhesive (not shown), on the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 87-1 to 87-4, respectively, of liner 81, preferably in the portion. top 93 of the sidewalls 87-1 to 87-4. The pads 97-1 to 97-4 can serve to keep the liner 81 from moving laterally with respect to the remainder of the isolation unit 51. In this way data to the outer box 13 per flange 96 can be reduced. Pads 97-1 through 97-4 can still provide some nominal thermal insulation.

[0094] The system 11 may further comprise a product box 99, in which temperature-sensitive materials (not shown) may be disposed. Product box 99, which may be a conventional corrugated box, may be suitably sized to be received within cavity 83 of liner 81. In the present embodiment, product box 99 may be sized to support a payload volume of approximately 6L.

[0095] The system 11 may further comprise a plurality of temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3. The temperature control member 101-1 to 101-3, which can be identical to each other,

can be suitably sized to be received, along with product box 99, within cavity 83 of liner 81. Materials suitable for use as temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 are exemplified by, but not limited to, a, conventional ice packs, conventional gel bags, or soda packs of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,598,622 B2, inventors Format et al., issued March 21, 2017, and Publication of U.S. Patent Application No. US 2018/0093816 AJ1, inventors Longley et al., published April 5, 2018, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0096] According to an embodiment, temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 may be in the form of flexible mats with a plurality of discrete sealed pouches, each pouch containing a quantity of a material of phase change (PCM). The phase change material can be any phase change material, including any organic or water-based phase change material. For example, if the phase change material is water-based, the phase change material can be water, a mixture of water and a thickener (eg a polysaccharide thickener) to produce a mixture of gelled water or a water/salt solution with an optional thickener.

[0097] Alternatively, if the phase change material is an organic phase change material, the phase change material may be a gelled organic phase change material, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,598,622 B2 and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0093816 A1. More specifically, a suitable gelled organic phase change material may comprise one or more n-alkanes, such as n-tetradecane (C14), n-pentadecane (C15), n-hexadecane (C16), n-heptadecane ( C17), n-octadecane (C18), or combinations thereof.

together with a gelling agent in the form of a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymer and/or a styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene triblock copolymer. For illustration purposes only, where, for example, system 11 is designed to maintain a payload within a temperature range of +2°C to +8°C, the gelled phase change material may comprise a mixture of n- tetradecane (C14) and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) KRATONTY G1654. Alternatively, where, for example, system 11 is designed to maintain a payload within a temperature range of +15°C to +25°C, the gelled phase change material may comprise a mixture of n-hexadecane (C16) and KRATONTY G1654 styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS). Each pouch of temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3 may contain suitable masses of phase change material and gelling agent for the particular application in which system 11 is placed. For example, for the particular applications described above, each pouch may contain approximately 150-200 g of the n-alkane(s) and approximately 12-18 g of the gelling agent.

[0098] In the present embodiment, there are three temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3, and each of the temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3 has four generally rectangular trough-shaped pockets 102 ; however, it should be understood that the number of temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 and the number and shape of pouches 102 in temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 are for illustrative purposes only. Consequently, the number of temperature control members 101, as well as the number and shape of pouches 102 therein, can be varied while still within the scope of the present invention. In addition, although, in this modality, each scholarship 102 of the con-

101-1 to 101-3 temperature trolley contains the same amount and type of phase change material, this need not be so as some of the 101-1 to 101-3 temperature control members may contain different phase change materials. phase change than other temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 and/or different pouches of the same temperature control member may contain different types of phase change materials.

[0099] The temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3 and the product box 99 can be suitably sized and arranged inside the liner 81 as follows: First, the temperature control member 101-1 can be arranged inside the liner 81 so that two of these four pockets are positioned within the lower portion 83-1 of the cavity 83 and so that two of these four pockets are positioned in the upper portion 83-2 of the cavity 83 at the top of the intermediate portion 91 and along sidewall 87-3 of liner 81. The two pouches fitting within lower portion 83-1 of cavity 83 can be sized to fit comfortably within them. The product box 99 may then be positioned on top of the two temperature control member pouches 101-1 positioned within the lower portion 83-1 of the cavity, with the lower portion of the product box 99 substantially in line with the portion. upper portion 83-2 of cavity 83. Temperature control member 101-2 can then be positioned between liner 81 and product box 99 so that two of these four pockets are positioned on top of the intermediate portion. 91 of sidewall 87-1 and such that two of these four pockets are positioned on top of intermediate portion 91 of sidewall 87-4. The temperature control member 101-3 can then be positioned within the liner 81 so that two of these four pouches are positioned on top of the intermediate sidewall portion 87-2 and so that two of these pouches are positioned on top of the intermediate sidewall portion 87-2.

These four pouches are positioned on top of the product box 99. Preferably, the liner 81, the product box 99, and the temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 are sized so that the temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3 fit snugly around product box 99 within liner 81. As can be seen, the method described above is exemplary; consequently, the order in which temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 are placed around product box 99 and the placement of temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 with respect the product box 99 and the liner 81 can be varied without departing from the present invention.

[00100] The system 11 may further comprise a vacuum insulated panel 111. The vacuum insulated panel 111 may be similar in construction to the vacuum insulated panels 53-1 to 53-5. A plurality of fasteners (not shown) which may be complementary to fasteners 25-1 to 25-4 may be secured, for example, by adhesive or similar means to vacuum insulated panel 111 and may be disposed on vacuum insulated panel 111 to thus allow detachable coupling with fasteners 25-1 to 25-4. In this way, the vacuum insulated panel 111 can be detachable attached to the upper closing flap 19-1 of the outer box 13.

[00101] The system 11 may further comprise a cover 121. The cover 121, which is further shown separately in Figure 11, may be made of the same material as the liner 81 or may be made of a material similar thereto. Cover 121 may be formed to include a base 123, a plurality of sides 124-1 to 124-4, and an open top. Cover 121 can be suitably sized to cover the bottom and sides of the vacuum insulated panel.

111. A plurality of fasteners 125-1 to 125-4 may be secured, for example, by an adhesive or similar means to the inner faces of sides 124-1 through 124-4 of cover 121, and complementary fasteners (not shown) may be secured, for example, by an adhesive means or the like to the peripheral edges of the vacuum insulated panel 111 at locations which permit detachable engagement with fasteners 125-1 to 125-4. In this way, the vacuum insulated panel 111 can be detachably fastened to cover 121. In the present embodiment, fasteners 125-1 to 125-4 may be hook (or loop) fasteners, with complementary loop (or hook) fasteners being secured to the vacuum insulated panel 111; however, it should be understood that other types of fasteners, such as adhesive fasteners applied to one or both of the vacuum insulated panel 111 and cover 121, may still be used. Furthermore, although four fasteners 125-1 through 125-4 are shown in the present embodiment, it should be understood that a greater number or lesser number of fasteners 125-1 through 125-4 can be used without departing from the present invention.

[00102] The vacuum insulated panel 111 is preferably positioned on the upper closing flap 19-1 and the cover 121 is preferably positioned on the vacuum insulated panel 111 so that the liner 81 can be closed simply by the flap closure of upper closure 19-1. In this regard, the cover 121 and the vacuum insulated panel 111 may collectively be referred to as a set of covers 122 for the insulation unit 51.

[00103] The system 11 may further comprise a temperature indicator 127. The temperature indicator 127, which may be a conventional temperature indicator, can be positioned on top of the product box 99 below the two upper bags of the element. 101-3 temperature control and can be used to provide a real-time indication of whether or not the 99 product box is within a desired temperature range. For example, temperature indicator 127 can indicate a positive condition (eg, displaying a specific color or symbol) if the temperature is within the desired temperature range, and it can indicate a negative condition (eg, displaying a color or specific symbol) if the temperature is outside the desired temperature range. Alternatively, temperature indicator 127 can provide a real-time temperature reading. As can be readily appreciated, the temperature indicator 127 may be replaced with or may additionally have the ability to measure or detect shock/motion, global position, humidity/humidity or other environmental parameter.

[00104] System 11 minus temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3 may be referred to in this document as an ex-orderer.

[00105] “The system 11 can be assembled as follows: first, the outer box 13 can be formed from the structure 27 and the lower closing flaps of the outer box 13 can be closed and, preferably, fenced. Then the data logger 41 can be inserted into the opening 45 of the plate 43 and the combination of the data logger 41 and the plate 43 can be placed in the lower part of the outer case 13. Then the liner 81 (with pads 97 -1 to 97-4 fixed thereto) can be placed in isolation unit 51 and the combination of isolation unit 51 and liner 81 can be placed in outer box 13 on top of plate 43. Then cover 121 can be attached to vacuum insulated panel 111 and the combination of cover 121 and vacuum insulated panel 111 can be attached to closure tab 19-1. (The flap 21 can be attached to the closing tab 19-1 before attaching the cover 121 and vacuum insulated panel 111 to the closing tab 19-1.)

[00106] Next, temperature control member 101-1 can be placed in liner 81, with two pouches 102 of temperature control member 101-1 overlaying liner bottom 81 and with

the 101-1 temperature control member pouches lining one of the liner sidewalls 81. Product box 99 (with temperature sensitive materials loaded here and temperature indicator 127 positioned on top of product box 99) can then two pockets 102 of temperature control member 101-1 are placed in the liner 81 on top of the base. Temperature control members 101-2 and 101-3 can then be placed on the insert 81 around the remaining exposed faces of the product box.

99. Thereafter, the top closure tabs 19-1 to 19-4 can be closed, the top closure tab closure 19-1 causing the cap assembly 122 to swing down on the liner top 81 and the unit of insulation 51.

[00107] Product loading and temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 can be preconditioned to appropriate temperatures before being loaded into insert 81 and can be loaded into system 11 to a particular temperature. For example, to keep temperature-sensitive materials within a temperature range of +2°C to +8°C, the product charge can be preconditioned at +5°C + 3°C, temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 can contain a phase change material with a phase change temperature of +5°C and can be preconditioned at + 3°C + 3°C, and the steps described above to assemble system 11 can be carried out at +5°C + 3°C . Alternatively, to keep temperature-sensitive materials within a temperature range of +15°C to +25°C, the product charge can be preconditioned at +20°C + 5°C, temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 po - to contain a phase change material with a phase change temperature of +17°C and can be preconditioned at +20°C + 5°C, and the steps described above to assemble system 11 can be carried out at +20°C + 5°C. Also, as discussed above, in other embodiments, it may be desirable to have different pouches of the same temperature control member or different temperature control members containing different types of phase change materials.

For example, according to an embodiment, some of the temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 may contain a first type of phase change material, for example, a phase change material having a change temperature of +17°C phase, and some of the temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 may instead contain a second type of phase change material, eg a phase change material having a +24°C phase change temperature.

Alternatively, according to another modality, one, some or all of the temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 may have some 102 pockets (eg two out of four 102 pockets of a given member of temperature control) containing a first type of phase change material, eg a phase change material having a phase change temperature of +17°C and may have some 102 bags (eg the other two of four bags 102 of the same temperature control member) containing a second type of phase change material, eg a phase change material having a phase change temperature of +24°C.

Where two different types of phase change material are each present in two of the four 102 pouches, the two different types of phase change material may or may not be present in an alternating sequence of 102 pouches (for example , A/B/A/B). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, if the same phase change materials or different phase change materials are used, it may be desirable in certain cases to pre-condition all temperature control members at the same pre-conditioning temperature. and, in other cases, to precondition some temperature control members at a first temperature and precondition other temperature control members at a second (i.e., different) temperature. For example, where some temperature control members contain a first type of phase change material having a first phase change temperature and where some temperature control members contain a second type of phase change material having a different phase change temperature, it may be desirable, in certain cases, to precondition the two types of temperature control members at different preconditioning temperatures.

[00108] According to another aspect of the invention, the system 11 can be used as follows: first, the system 11 can be assembled by a first party in the manner indicated above, except that the temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 can be omitted from the assembly of system 11. (In addition, product box 99 may be devoid of product.) So, system 11 - minus temperature control members 101-1 to 101- 3 - can be sent from the first part to a second part. Simultaneously with shipping system 11 - minus temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 (either before or after), temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 can also be shipped from the first part to the second part. Then, the second part can precondition temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3. Then, while in a temperature-controlled environment, the second party can open system 11, insert preconditioned temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 into insert 81 of system 11, then close again. the system 11. Thereafter, the second party may transport the system 11 to a third party, the transport being preferably carried out using a refrigerated vehicle. The third party can then use the system 11 immediately-

you can keep it refrigerated until the third one is ready for use. When ready for use, the third party can open system 11 and can check temperature indicator 127 to see if the current temperature of product box 99 is in the desired range. If temperature indicator 127 indicates that the current temperature is not within the desired range, system 11 is returned to the second party for reconditioning and no product is shipped to it. If temperature indicator 127 indicates that the current temperature is within the desired range, the third party can remove temperature indicator 127 from system 11 and can pack a product in product box 99. (Removed temperature indicator 127 can then be sent back to the first party or the second party.) The third party can then send the system 11, minus the temperature indicator 127, but with the product, to a fourth party. The fourth party can then remove the product from the product box 99 and then return the system 11 to the first party for cleaning, renewal and reuse.

[00109] Alternatively, in another modality, the functions of the second and third parts described above may be performed by a single part, and the function of the fourth part may be eliminated. More specifically, system 11 - minus temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 - can be shipped from a first party to a second party. Concurrently with shipping system 11 - minus temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3 (either before or after), temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3 can also be shipped from the first part to the second part. When the second party wants to ship a product, the second party can precondition, if necessary, temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3. Then the second party can load the payload into payload box 99, then can open system 11 and insert temperature control members 101-1 through 101-B3 and payload box 99 into insert 81 of system 11 and then can close system 11 again. Then the second party can transport system 11 thus loaded to a third party. The third party can then remove product from product box 99 and then return system 11 to the first or second supplier for cleaning, renewal and reuse.

[00110] Cleaning and/or renewing system 11 for reuse may comprise the following (or any part thereof): Removal of temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 from ceiling 81, inspection of temperature control members temperature 101-1 to 101 -3 for damage and replacement of any damaged temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3; removal of cover set 122 from outer box 13, separation of vacuum insulated panel 111 from cover 121, inspection of cover 121 and vacuum insulated panel 111 for damage and replacement of any damaged parts; removal of liner 81 and isolation unit 51 from outer casing 13, separation of liner 81 from isolation unit 51, inspection of liner 81 and individual components of isolation unit 51 for damage (and check the tension of the strips 69-1 to 69-3 is acceptable) and replacement of any damaged parts; removing plate 43 from outer case 13, inspecting plate 43 for damage, and replacing plate 43 if damaged; and replacement of outer case 13. If one or more of the liner 81, cover 121 and temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 are dirty but not otherwise damaged, these items can be cleaned (by eg cleaned with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution) and reused. Cleaning and reusing these items can occur even if there is no noticeable dirt on these items. Load box 99 can also be replaced if it is dirty or damaged.

[00111] System 11 has several advantageous features. One of these advantageous features is that the liner 81 can protect the vacuum insulated panels 53-1 to 53-5 from being soiled, such as by items that are placed inside the cavity 83 (e.g. product box 99 and its contents, members temperature control 101 - 1 to 101-3) or otherwise. This is particularly the case when the liner 81 is made of a liquid impervious material and does not contain any seams, as may be the case, for example, when the liner 81 is made by thermoforming a single plastic sheet.

[00112] Another advantageous feature of system 11 is that the liner 81 can be detachably mounted to the insulation unit

51. In this way, after system 11 has been used, the liner 81 can be removed from the isolation unit 51 and can be cleaned (assuming that the liner 81 is made of a material that lends itself to being cleaned) or replaced. , with a clean or replacement liner 81 then mounted on the isolation unit 51 for subsequent use. In this way, problems such as cross contamination, resulting from multiple uses, can be minimized.

[00113] Yet another advantageous feature of system 11 is that the liner 81 can protect the vacuum insulated panels 53-1 to 53-5 from damage, as can occur due to contact with the product box 99 and/or members temperature control range 101-1 to 101-3 Likewise, the cover 121 can protect the vacuum insulated panel 111 from damage.

[00114] Yet another advantageous feature of system 11 is that liner 81 can be sized and formed with respect to product box 99 and temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 so that the temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 can be comfortably and correctly positioned around the 99 product box, with little volume available for the control members.

101-1 to 101-3 temperature trolley move during transport. This characteristic is attributable, at least in part, to the shape of the ceiling 81, whose lower cavity 83-1 is smaller in footprint than its upper cavity 83-2. As a result of this form, a shelf is formed on which the side pockets 102 can be seated. This shelf keeps the side pouches 102 in line with the sides of the payload box 99 and prevents some of the side pouches 102 from sliding down relative to the payload box 99 (which could occur with a section area cavity. crosswise across its height).

[00115] Yet another advantageous feature of system 11 is that the set of lids 122, which includes the vacuum insulated panel 111, can be coupled to one of the upper flaps of the outer box 13. As a result of this integrated construction, the flap closure top 19-1 of outer box 13 automatically results in the correct placement of vacuum insulated panel 111 on top of liner 81 and isolation unit 15, thus creating a closed volume to contain product box 99 and control members of temperature 101-1 to 101-

3. In addition, because the vacuum insulated panel 111 is detachably attached to both the top flap 19-1 and the cover 121, the vacuum insulated panel 111 can be inspected periodically (eg, after each use) and replaced if damaged.

[00116] Yet another advantageous feature of system 11 is that system 11 may include data loggers 41 and/or temperature indicator

127. Data loggers 41 can be used to provide environmental data, such as ambient temperature, which is encountered by system 11 during its use to transport temperature-sensitive materials. In contrast, temperature indicator 127 can be used to provide an indication to a shipper as to whether the temperature inside product box 99 is at an appropriate temperature at the time of packaging.

[00117] Yet another advantageous feature of system 11 is that system 11 can be readily refurbished and/or reused. As noted above, components such as liner 81 and cap 121 can be made from cleanable and/or disposable materials. In addition, the detachable mounting of components such as liner 81, cover 121 and vacuum insulated panel 111 facilitates inspection of the system 11.

[00118] Yet, even another advantageous feature of system 11 is that system 11 can be adapted to maintain different payloads in different temperature range simply by using different temperature control members. For example, system 11 can be used, in a first job, to maintain a payload at +2°C to +8°C using a first set of temperature control members, eg temperature control members containing temperature change material. phase having a phase change temperature of +5°C and then can be used, in one second or alternate work, to maintain a different payload at +15°C to +25°C using a second set of temperature control members , for example, temperature control members containing phase change material having a phase change temperature of +17°C. In this way, a carrier having an array of different types of temperature control members can simply select an appropriate type of temperature control member for a particular job.

[00119] Yet another advantageous feature of system 11 is that, where temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 employ a +5°C phase change material of the type described in the U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0093816, the system can sleep under refrigeration for up to 5 days without reducing its ability to provide protection for 96 hours.

[00120] With reference now to Figure 12, there is shown a partially enlarged view of a second embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed accordingly. with the present invention and being represented generally by the reference numeral 151. For clarity and/or ease of illustration, certain details of the shipping system 151 that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from Figure 12 or may be shown here in simplified form.

[00121] System 151 may be similar in many respects to system 11. A difference between the two systems may be that, while system 11 may comprise temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 , wherein each of said temperature control members may have four pockets, system 151 may comprise temperature control members 153-1 to 153-4, wherein each said temperature control member may have two pockets 155. Notwithstanding the above, temperature control members 153-1 to 153-4 may have a different number of pouches than shown and may include, for example, four pouches.

[00122] Another difference between the two systems may be that while system 11 may have the same number of pouches disposed on all six sides of product box 99 (ie, one pouch), system 151 may have different numbers of pouches on different sides of the product box 99. For example, in the present embodiment, three pouches 155, in a stacked configuration, can be positioned over the product box 99 (i.e., the two pouches of the product member. temperature control 153-4 and one of the temperature control member pouches 153-3), and a pouch can be positioned on the other five sides of product box 99. The contents of the various pouches 155 of the control members 153-1 to 153-4 temperature may be the same, or some bags may contain different phase change materials or may have contents with a different phase change temperature than the contents of other bags. Furthermore, regardless of the contents of the pouches, the various temperature control members or even the various pouches of the same temperature control member can be preconditioned at the same or different temperatures.

[00123] According to a modality, the system 151 can be used to maintain a payload at a temperature of -15°C to -25°C for up to 4 days or longer, and each of the 155 bags of the control members temperature 153-1 to 153-4 may contain a salt/water solution having a phase change temperature of -23°C. An example of a material suitable for use as temperature control members 153-1 through 153-4 is a KOOLITO series 500-ST gel pack or saddlebag from Cold Chain Technologies, Inc. (Franklin, MA). In this case, the product load can be preconditioned to -20°C + 5°C, temperature control members 153-1 to 153-4 can be preconditioned to -30°C + 3°C, and system 151 can be assembled at a temperature of +20°C + 3°C.

[00124] Further, although not shown, it should be understood that one or more layers of insulating material may be interposed between the product box 99 and an adjacent temperature control member and/or may be interposed between two layers of pouches adjacent (a single, folded temperature control member or two discrete temperature control members) along a common side of product box 99.

[00125] Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown a partially enlarged view of a third embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed accordingly. with the present invention and being generally represented by the reference numeral 201. For clarity and/or ease of illustration, certain details of the 201 shipping system that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from Figure 13 or may be shown here in simplified form.

[00126] System 201 may be similar in many respects to system 11. One difference between the two systems may be that while system 11 can be designed for a payload of approximately G6L, system 201 can be designed for a payload of approximately 15L. Consequently, the system 201 may comprise an outer box 203, a plate 207, an isolation unit 209, a liner 211, a product box 213, and a set of lids 215, all of which may be similar in construction to those with - corresponding components of system 11, but can simply be larger by at least one dimension.

[00127] The outer box 201 may comprise a cavity 217 connected by a plurality of side walls 218-1 to 218-4, a plurality of upper closing flaps 219-1 to 219-4, and a plurality of lower closing flaps (not shown). The board 207 may comprise an opening 221 to comfortably receive an environmental data logger 223, which may be similar to the environmental data logger 41 of the system 11.

[00128] Referring now to Figure 14, the insulation unit 209 may comprise a plurality of vacuum insulated panels 225-1 to 225-5, a bracket 227, and a plurality of strips 229-1 to 229-3. Although not shown, the isolation unit 209 preferably still includes a plurality of corner plates, which may be similar to the corner plates 71-1 to 71-4 of system 11. The liner 211,

which may be similar to liner 81, but may have a more elongated rectangular shape as opposed to a more square shape, may be molded to include a cavity 231, limited by a bottom wall 233 and four side walls 235-1 to 235 -4. A flange 237 may extend peripherally outward from the top of liner 211 and may be sized to cover the tops of vacuum insulated panels 225-2 through 225-5. A plurality of pads 239-1 to 239-4, which may be similar in composition and function to pads 97-1 to 97-4 of system 11, can be attached to the outer surfaces of walls 235-1 to 235-4.

[00129] — Now with reference to Figure 13, it should be noted that although the set of covers 215 is not shown in Figure 12 as being coupled to a top flap of the outer box 203, set of covers 215 preferably is of form. detachable coupled to tab 219-2 or 219-4 in an analogous fashion that is discussed above for cover set 122 of system 11. It should further be noted that vacuum insulated panel 240 and cover 242 of cover set 215 are preferably detachably coupled together by fasteners similar to those discussed above for detachably coupling vacuum insulated panel 111 to cover 121. It should additionally be noted that system 201 is shown comprising a pad 243 disposed under plate 207. The pad 243 can be used to prevent components that are contained within the outer casing 203 from pushing up and down, despite tolerances, and it can also provide some shock absorption p To protect the contents disposed within the outer box 13. Notwithstanding the above, in some embodiments, the pad 243 may be omitted.

[00130] The system 201 may further comprise a plurality of temperature control members 251-1 to 251-5. Temperature control members 251-1 through 251-5 can be identical to each other and temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3, the only difference being that system 201 can include five conference members. temperature trolley while system 11 may include three temperature control members. Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that the number of temperature control members 251-1 to 251-5 and the number and shape of pouches 252 in temperature control members 251-1 to 251-5 are merely illustrative. Consequently, the number of temperature control members 251 as well as the number and shape of pouches 252 here can be varied while still within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, while, in the present modality, each pouch 252 of the temperature control members 251-1 to 251-5 contains the same amount and type of phase change material, this need not be the same as some of the members. Control Panels 251-1 to 251-5 may contain different phase change materials than other temperature control members 251-1 to 251-5 and/or different pouches 252 of the same temperature control member 251 may contain different phase change materials. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, if the same phase change materials or different phase change materials are used, it may be desirable to pre-condition some temperature control members at a first temperature and pre-condition other temperature control members. temperature control at a second (ie different) temperature.

[00131] The temperature control members 251-1 through 251-5 can be sized with respect to the product box 213 and the liner 211 so that the temperature control member 251-1 can fit comfortably in the lower portion of cavity 231, with product box 213 fitting therein and temperature control members 251-2 to 251-5 snugly fitting around the sides and top of product box 213.

[00132] The system 201 may further comprise a temperature indicator 261, which may be similar in composition and function to the temperature indicator 127.

[00133] System 201 can be used similarly to system 11.

[00134] Referring now to Figure 15, there is shown a partially enlarged view of a fourth embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed accordingly. with the present invention and being represented generally by the reference numeral 271. For clarity and/or ease of illustration, certain details of the 271 shipping system which are discussed elsewhere in this application or which are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from Figure 15 or may be shown here in simplified form.

[00135] System 271 may be similar in many respects to system 201. One difference between the two systems may be that while system 201 may comprise temperature control members 251-1 to 251-5, in whereas each of said temperature control members may have four pockets, system 271 may comprise temperature control members 273-1 to 273-6, wherein each said temperature control member may have two pockets 277. Notwithstanding the above, temperature control members 273-1 to 273-6 may have a different number of pouches than shown and may include, for example, four pouches.

[00136] Another difference between the two systems may be that while system 201 may have the same number of layers of bags disposed on all six sides of product box 213 (ie, one layer) , system 271 may have different numbers of layers of pouches on different sides of product box 213. For example, in the present embodiment, two layers of pouches 277 may be positioned over product box 213 (i.e., the two pouches of temperature control member 273-2 and one of the pouches of each of temperature control members 273-3 and 273-4), and a layer can be positioned on the other five sides of the product box. 213. The contents of the various pouches 277 of temperature control members 273-1 to 273-6 may be the same, or some pouches may contain different phase change materials or may have contents with a different phase change temperature. phase than the content of other grants. Furthermore, regardless of the contents of the pouches, multiple temperature control members or even multiple pouches of the same temperature control member can be preconditioned at the same or different temperatures.

[00137] According to a modality, the 271 system can be used to maintain a payload at a temperature of -15°C to -25°C for up to 4 days or longer, and each of the 277 bags of the control members temperature 273-1 to 273-6 may contain a salt/water solution having a phase change temperature of -23°C. An example of a material suitable for use as temperature control members 153-1 through 153-4 is a KOOLITO series 500-ST gel pack or saddlebag from Cold Chain Technologies, Inc. (Franklin, MA). In this case, the product load can be preconditioned at -20°C+5°C, temperature control members 273-1 to 273-6 can be preconditioned at -30°C+3°C, and the 271 system can be assembled at a temperature of +20°C+3"C.

[00138] Further, although not shown, it should be understood that one or more layers of insulating material may be interposed between the product box 213 and an adjacent temperature control member and/or may be interposed between two layers of pouches adja-

(either one of a single, folded temperature control member or two discrete temperature control members) along a common side of the product box 213.

[00139] Referring now to Figure 16, there is shown a partially enlarged view of a fifth embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed accordingly. with the present invention and being represented generally by the reference numeral 301. For clarity and/or ease of illustration, certain details of the 301 shipping system that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from Figure 16 or may be shown here in simplified form. For example, Figure 16 does not show four strips that are used as part of the isolation unit, such strips being similar to strips 69-1 to 69-3 of system 11.

[00140] System 301 may be similar in some respects to system 11. One difference between the two systems may be that while system 11 can be designed for a payload of approximately G6L, system 301 can be designed for a payload of approximately 59L. Consequently, system 301 may comprise an outer box 303, a plate 307, an isolation unit 309, and a product box 313, all of which may be similar in construction to the corresponding components of system 11, but may simply be larger in pile. minus one dimension.

[00141] The outer casing 301 may comprise a cavity 317 connected by a plurality of side walls 318-1 to 318-4, a plurality of upper closure flaps 319-1 to 319-4, and a plurality of lower closing flaps (not shown). A guide 321, which may be similar in composition and function to guide 21, can be attached to tab 319-4. A plurality of fasteners 325-1 through 325-4, which may be similar in composition and function to fasteners 25-1 through 25-4, may further be secured to tab 319-4. Fasteners 325-1 through 325-4 can be used to detachably attach to complementary fasteners (not shown) to attach to a cover or casing 327. The casing 327, which can be made of corrugated cardboard or a A similar material can be used to completely enclose a vacuum insulated panel 329. Accordingly, vacuum insulated panel 329 can be coupled to and integrated with tab 319-4.

[00142] The board 307 may comprise an opening 331 to comfortably receive an environmental data logger 333, which may be similar to the environmental data logger 41 of the system 11.

[00143] The insulation unit 309 may comprise a plurality of vacuum insulated panels 341-1 to 341-5, a bracket 343, a plurality of corner plates 345-1 to 345-4, and a plurality of strips (not shown), the combination that can be assembled analogously to that described above for the isolation unit 51.

[00144] The system 301 may further comprise a protective liner (or hull or insert) 351. The liner 351, which is suitably sized to be detachably mounted to the isolation unit 309, may be a rigid structure, of one or more pieces, comprising or consisting of materials such as corrugated cardboard or plastic, polyester paper, expanded polypropylene (EPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), corrugated plastic panels or some combination thereof. In addition, as will be discussed further below, liner 351 may comprise or consist of a polymer coated corrugated board, such as a polyurea coated corrugated board or a polyurethane coated corrugated board. In the present embodiment, liner 351 may be a single piece of corrugated cardboard or molded plastics member to include a cavity 353 delimited by a bottom wall 355 and four side walls 357-1 to 357-4. Each of the sidewalls 357-1 through 357-4 may extend peripherally outward at its top end to form a flange 359 and then may extend down a short distance to form an outer wall or extension 361 .

[00145] — Referring now to Figure 17, there is shown a sheet 370 that can be used to make liner 351. As can be seen, sheet 370 can include a center panel 372, a first plurality of intermediate panels 374-1a 374-4, a second plurality of intermediate panels 376-1 to 376-4, and a plurality of end panels 378-1 to 378-4. A first plurality of fold lines 380-1 through 380-4 are provided at the interface of center panel 372 with each of intermediate panels 374-1 through 374-4, respectively. Folding sheet 370 about fold lines 380-1 through 380-4 can be used to define bottom wall 355 and side walls 357-1 through 357-4. A second plurality of fold lines 382-1 to 382-4 are provided at the interface of intermediate panels 374-1 to 374-4 with intermediate panels 376-1 to 376-4, respectively. Folding sheet 370 about fold lines 382-1 to 382-4 can be used to define flanges 359. A third plurality of fold lines 384-1 to 384-4 is provided at the interface of intermediate panels 376 - 1 to 376-4 with end panels 378-1 to 378-4, respectively. Folding sheet 370 about fold lines 384-1 through 384-4 can be used to define exterior walls 361.

The liner 351 is preferably sized so that the bottom wall 355 and the side walls 357-1 to 357-4 can be inserted into the cavity of the insulation unit 309, with the bottom wall 355 being positioned over the top of the vacuum insulated panel 341-1 and with the side walls 357-1 to 357-4 being positioned along the inner faces of the vacuum insulated panels 341-2 to 341-

5. Flanges 359 can be sized to sit on top and/or cover the tops of vacuum insulated panels 341-2 to 341-5, and outer walls 361 can extend down along the outer faces of the bracket 343. In this way, the liner 351 can cover the exposed inner and upper faces of the vacuum insulated panels 341-2 to 341-5.

[00147] Liner 351 can be kept in a folded state by isolation unit 309. In other words, if liner 351 is removed from isolation unit 309, there is nothing to maintain sidewalls 357-1 to 357 -4 perpendicular to bottom wall 355. Alternatively, in another embodiment, liner 351 can be held in a folded state independently of insulation unit 309, using one or more strips of tape (not shown) or using a polymer coating. of the type described above (not shown), either of which can be used to secure adjacent sidewalls 357-1 through 357-4 together. Alternatively, in yet another embodiment, the liner 351 can be maintained in a folded state, independently of the insulation unit 209, by providing the sheet 370 with suitable mating tabs and slots (not shown). Other ways to keep the 351 liner in a folded state will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[00148] Although, in the present embodiment, the lining 351 may be a one-piece structure, it should be understood that the lining 351 need not be a one-piece structure and can be formed by assembling two or more pieces. For example, liner 351 may be formed by joining a first structure defining the walls of liner 351 with a second structure defining the flanges and, optionally, the outer walls of liner 351. The structure defining the walls of the liner 351 may be one or more pieces made of corrugated plastic and such second structure defining the flanges and, optionally, the outer walls of the liner 351 may be one or more pieces made of thermoformed plastic.

[00149] Furthermore, as noted above, liner 351 may comprise or consist of a polymer coated corrugated board, such as a polyurea coated corrugated board or a polyurethane coated corrugated board. More specifically, for example, sheet 370 (Figure 17), which may be made of corrugated cardboard or a similarly suitable material, may be bent in the manner discussed above, and one or more strips of adhesive tape may be used to secure the side adjacent walls 357-1 to 357-4 to each other. (Instead of clamping adjacent sidewalls 357-1 through 357-4 together in the above manner, folded sheet 370 can simply be placed in a suitable frame to keep sheet 370 in the desired folded state.) Then , a polymer coating can be applied to one or more exposed surfaces of the liner. For example, the polymer coating can be a conventional sprayable two-part polyurea system where one feed is an isocyanate and the other feed is an amine. An example of such a polyurea system is commercially available from Ultimate Linings (Houston, TX) as a UL XT 66 two-component modified polyurea protective coating. Other types of chemicals may also be used. For example, instead of a polyurea system, a polyurethane system can be used, in which one feed is isocyanate and the other feed is polyol. As noted above, the polymer coating can be applied to one or more exposed surfaces of the liner. For example, the polymer coating can be applied to some or all of the exposed surfaces of bottom wall 355 and/or side walls 357-1 to 357-4 including flanges 359 and extensions 361. Particular thickness for the polymer coating, the polymer coating may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.

[00150] As can readily be seen, instead of applying the polymer coating described above after sheet 370 is bent, the polymer coating could be applied before bending sheet 370.

[00151] A benefit of applying a polymer coating of the aforementioned type to the corrugated board of the 351 liner is that, as a result of such a coating, the 351 liner can be made more water resistant or even waterproof. Consequently, the 351 liner can become less susceptible to water damage and can be more easily scrubbed or cleaned between uses. In addition, the polymer coating can even make the 351 liner more structurally durable, eg more crush resistant and/or more scratch resistant. Where liner 351 comprises or consists of a polymer-coated corrugated board of the type described above (or perhaps even independently of it), the wrapper 327 may, but need not, similarly comprise or consist of a polymer-coated corrugated board. .

The system 301 may further comprise a first plurality of spacers 381-1 to 381-4 and a second plurality of spacers 383-1 to 383-4. Spacers 381-1 through 381-4 and Spacers 383-1 through 383-4 may function similarly to system 11 pads 97-1 through 97-4 and can be made of corrugated cardboard or similar material. Spacers 381-1 through 381-4 can be attached to the outer surfaces of ceiling tile 351, and spacers 383-1 through 383-4 can be attached to the outer surfaces of spacers 381-1 through 381-4, respectively.

[00153] The system 301 may further comprise a plurality of temperature control members 391-1 to 391-12. Temperature control members 391-1 through 391-12 may be identical to each other and temperature control members 101-1 through 101-3, the only difference being that the 301 system may include 12 temperature control members. temperature while system 11 may include three temperature control members. Notwithstanding the above, it is to be understood that the number of temperature control members 391-1 to 391-12 and the number and shape of pouches 393 in temperature control members 391-1 to 391-12 are for illustrative purposes only. . Consequently, the number of temperature control members 391, as well as the number and shape of pouches 393 here, can be varied while still within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, while, in the present embodiment, each 393 pouch of temperature control members 391-1 to 391-12 contains the same amount and type of phase change material, this need not be like some of the temperature control members 391-1 to 391-12 may contain different phase change materials than other temperature control members 391-1 to 391-12 and/or different bags 393 of the same temperature control member 391 may contain different phase change materials. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, if the same phase change materials or different phase change materials are used, it may be desirable to precondition some temperature control members to a first temperature and pre- Condition other temperature control members to a second (ie, different) temperature.

[00154] Temperature control members 391-1 through 391-12 can be sized with respect to product box 313 and liner 351 so that temperature control member 391-1 through 391-12 can comfortably fit the around the product box

315.

[00155] The system 301 may further comprise a temperature indicator 395, which may be similar in composition and function to the temperature indicator 127.

[00156] System 301 can be used similarly to system 11.

[00157] Many of the systems described in this document can use identical types of temperature control members to maintain payloads within a particular temperature range. For example, the temperature control members used by systems 11, 201 and 301 to maintain a payload within a temperature range of, for example, + 2°C to + 8°C, may be identical, the only difference being the number of such temperature control members used by these systems and the disposition of such temperature control members within the respective systems. As a result, a party may maintain inventories of various types of temperature control members designed to maintain payloads within specific temperature ranges, and then may use these temperature control members, as needed, within the various systems. This is advantageous as it reduces the number of different types of temperature control members that may be needed for a part using different sized systems.

[00158] With reference now to Figures 18, 19(a) and 19(b), there is shown a partially enlarged view of a sixth embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of sensitive materials. temperature, the shipping system being constructed in accordance with the present invention and being generally represented by the reference numeral 411. For clarity and/or ease of illustration, certain details of the shipping system 411 which are discussed in elsewhere in this application or which are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from one or more of Figures 18, 19(a) and 19(b) or may be shown here in simplified form.

[00159] System 411 may be similar in many respects to system 11. Consequently, system 411 may comprise an outer case 413, which may be similar to outer case 13 of system 11, a board 415, which may be similar to board 43 of system 11, an environmental data logger 417, which may be similar to the environmental data logger 41 of system 11, an isolation unit 419, which may be similar to isolation unit 51 of system 11, a protective lining 421, which may be similar to system 11's protective liner 81, a product box 423, which may be similar to system 11's product box 99 but can be reduced in size, and a set of lids. pas 425, which may be similar to system cover set 122

11. Although not shown in Figure 18, cover assembly 425 may be detachably coupled to an outer box top flap 413 in a manner analogous to that discussed above for cover assembly 122 of system 11.

[00160] System 411 may be different from system 11 in that system 411 may additionally comprise a pillow 427, which may be made of foam or a similarly suitable material, disposed in outer casing 413 under plate 415. pillow 427 may be used to keep components that are contained within outer case 413 from pushing up and down despite tolerances, and may also provide some shock absorption to protect contents disposed within outer case 413. No obs - Regarding the above, in some embodiments the pad 427 may be omitted.

[00161] System 411 may further differ from system 11 in that, while system 11 may comprise three temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3, system 411 may comprise six temperature control members, viz. three internal temperature control members 431-1 through 431-3 and three external temperature control members 433-1 through 433-3. In the present embodiment, each of the indoor temperature control members 431-1 through 431-3 may have four generally rectangular, trough-shaped pockets 432, and each of the outdoor temperature control members 433-1 through 433-3 may have four generally rectangular pouches 434-shaped. Inner temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 can be arranged around product box 423 so that two pouches 432 of inner temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 can face each side of product box 423. Outdoor temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 can be similarly arranged around indoor temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3. Preferably, the indoor temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and the outdoor temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 are sized to comfortably fit between the product box 423 and the protective liner. 421. Notwithstanding the above, it should be understood that the number and/or dimensions of internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3, as well as the number of pouches 432 and 434 here, can be varied without departing from the present invention.

[00162] Indoor temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and outdoor temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 may be similar to temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 in terms of size, shape, and general construction. However, as can be seen, the types and/or amounts of phase change materials used in internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and external temperature control members 433-1 to 433- 3 may or may not be the same as temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 and may differ from them, for example, by one or more of phase change temperature, specific heat, chemical composition, and quantity.

In fact, the types and/or amounts of phase change material in internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 can be under me. - given to a specific application.

For example, one, some, or all of the internal temperature control members 431-1 through 431-3 and/or one, some, or all of the temperature control members 433-1 through 433-3 may contain a different type and/or a different amount of phase change material than is contained in temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3. (In fact, the type and/or amount of phase change material may still differ between different bags of the same temperature control member.) Also, the preconditioning temperatures used for the internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and for external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 may or may not be the same as for temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3 and may be under tailored to a specific application.

For example, one, some, or all of the internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and/or one, some, or all of the temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 may be pre- -conditioned at one or more different temperatures than those used to precondition temperature control members 101-1 to 101-3. Notwithstanding the above, in certain applications it may be desirable for the indoor temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and the outdoor temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 to contain the same type of change material. of phase and/or be pre-conditioned at the same temperature.

This may be desirable, for example, where the phase change material that is needed exceeds.

of what is contained in a single temperature control member.

[00163] Where, for example, the 411 system can be used to maintain a payload at a temperature of +15°C to +25°C for an extended period, such as 4 days or longer, each of the 432 pockets of control members. internal temperature 431-1 to 431-3 and each of the pouches 434 of external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 may contain an equal amount of a phase change material having a phase change temperature +17°C, with indoor temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 being preconditioned to +20°C and with outdoor temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 being preconditioned to +5°C. A +17°C phase change material suitable for use in pouches 432 of inner temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and in pouches 434 of outer temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 may be, for example, a gelled n-hexadecane of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 9,598,622 B2 and/or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0093816 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[00164] Alternatively, pockets 432 of internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 may contain a +17°C phase change material (which may be a gelled n-hexadecane of the type described above ), and pouches 434 of external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 may contain a +24°C phase change material (which may be, for example, an n-hexadecane/n- gelled octadene of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 9,598,622 B2 and/or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0093816 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference), with control members. internal temperature 431-1 to 431-3 being pre-conditioned at +20°C and with mem-

external temperature control bros 433-1 to 433-3 still being preconditioned at +20°C. Alternatively, the contents of internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 can be exchanged, with internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 containing a +24°C phase change material preconditioned to 20°C and with external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 containing a +17°C phase change material preconditioned to 20°C .

[00165] “Although not shown, to facilitate the assembly of the 411 system, one or more of the internal temperature control members 431-1 to 431-3 and the external temperature control members 433-1 to 433-3 may be detachably or permanently housed in a glove or container (for example, a glove or corrugated container). For example, indoor temperature control member 431-1 and outdoor temperature control member 433-1 can be housed within a first sleeve or container, indoor temperature control member 431-2, and control member outer temperature controls 433-2 can be housed inside a second sleeve or container, and the 431-3 inner temperature control member and 433-3 outer temperature control member can be housed inside a third sleeve or container. In particular, where the inner and outer temperature control members are preconditioned to the same temperature, such preconditioning can occur with the inner and outer temperature control members housed inside their sleeve or their corresponding container. Instead of using a glove or container, one or more internal temperature control members and one or more external temperature control members can be coupled together by other techniques such as, but not limited to, retractable packaging, Velcro, duct tape, glue, and simi-

homes.

[00166] As can be readily appreciated, a protective liner of the type exemplified by protective liners 81, 211 and 421 may be replaced by a protective liner of the type exemplified by protective liner 351 and vice versa. In other words, for example, the protective liner 81, the protective liner 211 or the protective liner 421 may have a similar overall shape to the protective liner 351 and/or may comprise or consist of the materials used to make the protective liner 351 such such as polymer coated corrugated board and the protective liner 351 may have a general shape similar to the protective liners 81, 211 or 421 and/or may comprise or consist of the materials used to make the protective liners 81, 211 or 421.

[00167] With reference now to Figure 20, there is shown a partially enlarged view of a seventh embodiment of a shipping system suitable for use in the storage and/or transport of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system being constructed accordingly. with the present invention and being represented generally by the reference numeral 511. For clarity and/or ease of illustration, certain details of the 511 shipping system that are discussed elsewhere in this application or that are not critical to an understanding of the invention may be omitted from Figure 20 or may be shown here in simplified form.

[00168] System 511 may be similar in many respects to system 301. Consequently, system 511 may comprise an outer case 513, which may be similar to outer case 303 of system 301, a board 515, which may be similar to the 307 system board 307, a 517 environmental data logger, which may be similar to the system 301 environmental data logger 333, a 521 temperature gauge, which may be similar to the 395 temperature gauge of system 301, a 523 product box , which may be similar to product box 313 of system 301, and temperature control members 525-1 to 525-12, which may be similar to temperature control members 391-1 to 391-12, respectively, of system 301.

System 511 may differ from system 301 in that, while system 301 may comprise isolation unit 309, system 511 may instead comprise an isolation unit 531. is further shown in Figures 21(a) and 21(b), may be similar in many respects to insulating unit 309 of system 301. Accordingly, insulating unit 531 may comprise a plurality of vacuum insulated panels 533- 1 to 533-5, which may be similar to the vacuum insulated panels 341-1 to 341-5, respectively, of system 301, a bracket 535, which may be similar to bracket 343 of system 301, a plurality of plates corner plates 537-1 to 537-4, which may be similar to corner plates 345-1 to 345-4 of system 301, and a plurality of strips 539-1 to 539-3, which may be similar to strips 69- 1 to 69-3 of system 11. However, isolation unit 531 may differ from isolation unit 309 in that isolation unit 531 may still comprises a liner 541. Liner 541, which may be a polymer liner similar to the polymer liner that can be applied to liner 351 of system 301, can be used to partially or completely encapsulate the assembly of insulated panels to vacuum 533-1 through 533-5, bracket 535, corner plates 537-1 and 537-4, and strips 539-1 through 539-3. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the coating 541 can be formed by spraying or otherwise applying a conventional two-part polyurea or polyurethane spray system over the aforementioned set of components. Preferably, coating 541 is applied over at least all of the exposed portions of vacuum insulated panels 533-1 to 533-5; however, coating 541 can be applied to only some of the exposed portions of vacuum insulated panels 533-1 to 533-5 (for example, the inner surfaces forming the floor and sides of insulating unit 531).

[00170] A benefit of the 531 isolation unit, particularly where the 541 cladding at least encapsulates the exposed portions of the vacuum insulated panels 533-1 through 533-5, is that the 511 system does not need to include a liner. In other words, product box 523 and temperature control members 525-1 through 525-12 can be positioned directly inside isolation unit 531. This can be beneficial in reducing the cost and complexity of the 511 system and can also allow a larger product box to be used.

[00171] Although isolation unit 531 is described above as being made by assembling vacuum insulated panels 533-1 to 533-5, bracket 535, corner plates 537-1 and 537-4 and strips 539-1 to 539 - 3 and then coating 541 to the assembly, you can apply the coating to the individual vacuum insulated panels 533-1 to 533-5 and then assemble the various components.

[00172] In addition, where vacuum insulated panels 533-1 to 533-5 are assembled with bracket 535 and then coating 541 is applied to the assembly, it may be possible to omit corner plates 537-1 to 537-4 and/or strips 539-1 to 539-3. In fact, by applying cladding 541 directly to a set of vacuum insulated panels 533-1 to 533-5, it may still be possible to omit bracket 535, so that the resulting insulation unit may only consist of insulated panels to vacuum 533-1 through 533 -5 and liner 541, with vacuum insulated panels 533-1 through 533-5 being held together by liner 541.

[00173] The system 511 may further comprise a vacuum insulated panel 551 and an enclosure 553. The enclosure 553 may be similar to the enclosure 327 of the system 301, but may additionally be partially or completely encapsulated within a similar coating. to cladding 541. Alternatively, enclosure 553 may be omitted, and vacuum insulated panel 551 may be partially or completely encapsulated within such cladding.

[00174] Encapsulation of 533-1 to 533-5 vacuum insulated panels and/or 551 vacuum insulated panel with a coating similar to 541 can result in improved thermal properties for the 511 system. create a seal between vacuum insulated panels 533-1 to 533-5 and vacuum insulated panel 551, for example when outer box 513 is closed.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous variations and modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (49)

1. Shipping system for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an insulation unit, the insulation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall , four side walls, and an open top; (b) a liner, the liner being removably mounted to the insulating unit, the liner being formed to include a cavity, wherein the cavity of the liner extends into the cavity of the insulating unit; (c) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the liner; and (d) at least one temperature control member, at least one temperature control member being removably disposed within the cavity of the liner. 2. Delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulation unit comprises a plurality of vacuum insulated panels. 3. Delivery system according to claim 2, characterized in that the plurality of vacuum insulated panels comprises a lower vacuum insulated panel and four lateral vacuum insulated panels, the four lateral vacuum insulated panels being positioned on top of the lower vacuum insulated panel. 4. Delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulation unit has a top edge and in that the lining is formed to cover the upper edge of the insulation unit. 5. Delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the isolation unit has a mar- and wherein the liner is further formed to include a lower wall, a plurality of side walls, and a flange, the flange covering the entire top edge of the insulation unit. 6. Delivery system according to claim 5, characterized in that the liner is further formed to include an external extension extending below the flange. 7. Shipping system according to claim 5, characterized in that the liner is a one-piece construction made of a rigid material. 8. Delivery system according to claim 5, characterized in that the lining comprises a thermoformed member. 9. Delivery system, according to claim 5, characterized in that the lining comprises corrugated cardboard. 10. Delivery system, according to claim 5, characterized in that the lining comprises a polymer-coated corrugated cardboard. 11. Delivery system according to claim 5, characterized in that the lining comprises a spray-coated corrugated cardboard with a polymer coating. 12. Delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lining comprises at least one of polyester paper, expanded polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and corrugated plastic panels. 13. The delivery system of claim 5, characterized in that the liner is a multi-piece construction comprising a corrugated plastic member defining one or more of the side walls and a thermoformed plastic member defining the flange . 14. Shipping system according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the lining is impermeable to liquid. 15. Delivery system according to claim 5, characterized in that the lining is made of a material that can be cleaned with a cleaning solvent. 16. Delivery system according to claim 5, characterized in that the side walls of the lining comprise an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion, wherein the lower portion is spaced inwards with in relation to the upper portion, and wherein the intermediate portion forms a shelf between the upper portion and the lower portion. 17. Delivery system according to claim 5, characterized in that the liner cavity comprises an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the upper portion has a larger footprint than the lower portion. 18. The delivery system of claim 17, characterized in that at least one temperature control member comprises a plurality of temperature control members, with one of the plurality of temperature control members having at least one minus one portion comfortably disposed within the lower portion of the liner cavity. 19. The delivery system of claim 1, characterized in that at least one temperature control member comprises a plurality of temperature control members, the plurality of temperature control members being comfortably positioned at all sides of the product box. 20. Delivery system according to claim 19, characterized in that each of the plurality of temperature control members comprises at least one pouch and wherein one layer of exactly one pouch is positioned on all sides of the box. of product. 21. The delivery system of claim 19, characterized in that each of the plurality of temperature control members comprises at least one pouch and wherein a layer with more than one pouch is positioned in at least one pouch. us one side of the product box. 22. The delivery system of claim 19, characterized in that each of the plurality of temperature control members comprises at least one pouch and wherein a layer with more than one pouch is positioned in at least one pouch. us one side of the product box and a layer of exactly one bag is positioned on at least one side of the product box. 23. The delivery system of claim 1, characterized in that at least one temperature control member comprises a plurality of temperature control members, wherein each of the temperature control members comprises a phase change material, and wherein the phase change material of all temperature control members is identical. 24. The delivery system of claim 1, characterized in that at least one temperature control member comprises a plurality of temperature control members, wherein each of the temperature control members comprises a phase change material, and where some of the phase change materials of the temperature control members are different. 25. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein at least one temperature control member comprises a plurality of temperature control members, wherein each of the temperature control members. ra comprises a plurality of pouches, wherein each pouch contains a phase change material, and wherein at least one pouch contains a different phase change material than another pouch. 26. Delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one temperature control member comprises at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member, both at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member being positioned in the ceiling cavity, with at least one internal temperature control member being closest to the product box and with at least one external temperature control member being more distal to the product box. 27. The delivery system of claim 26, characterized in that at least one internal temperature control member comprises a first type of phase change material and wherein at least one temperature control member - external temperature comprises a second type of phase change material, the first type of phase change material and the second type of phase change material being different. 28. Delivery system according to claim 27, characterized in that at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member are preconditioned at the same temperature. 29. Delivery system according to claim 27, characterized in that at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member are preconditioned at different temperatures. 30. Delivery system according to claim 26, characterized in that at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member comprise an identical phase change material. 31. Delivery system according to claim 30, characterized in that at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member are preconditioned at different temperatures. 32. Delivery system according to claim 30, characterized in that at least one internal temperature control member and at least one external temperature control member are preconditioned at the same temperature. 33. Delivery system according to claim 26, characterized in that at least one of at least one internal temperature control member and at least one of at least one external temperature control member are mechanically coupled each other. 34. The delivery system of claim 1, characterized in that at least one temperature control member comprises a first temperature control member, the first temperature control member comprising a plurality of pockets, at least some of the pockets of the first temperature control member comprising a first type of phase change material and at least some of the pockets of the first temperature control member comprising a second type of phase change material, the first and the second type of phase change material being different. 35. The delivery system of claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a cover, the cover being detachably mounted on the insulation unit to close the cavity of the insulation unit. The delivery system of claim 35. characterized by the fact that the cover comprises a vacuum insulated panel. 37. Delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an external box, in which the insulation unit, the liner, the product box and at least one temperature control member are mounted with Removable form inside the outer case. 38. Delivery system according to claim 37, characterized in that the outer box comprises an upper closing flap and wherein the shipping system further comprises an insulated cover coupled to the upper closing flap so that closing the top closure flap positions the insulated cover over the cavity of the isolation unit. 39. Delivery system according to claim 38, characterized in that the insulated cover is detachably mounted on the upper closing flap. 40. Delivery system according to claim 38, characterized in that it further comprises a cover, the cover mounted on the insulated cover. 41. Delivery system according to claim 40, characterized in that the insulated cover is detachably mounted on the top closing flap and wherein the cover is detachably mounted on the insulated cover. 42. Shipping system according to claim 37, characterized in that it further comprises an environmental data logger to measure and store at least one environmental parameter, the environmental data logger being disposed in the outer box outside the uni - insulating properties. 43. Shipping system according to claim 42, characterized in that the environmental data logger measures and stores ambient temperature data. 44. Delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a temperature indicator, the temperature indicator being positioned in contact with the product box and being configured to provide an indication of real time on whether or not the product box is within a desired temperature range. 45. Kit for assembling a shipping system suitable for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an isolation unit, the isolation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, four side walls, and an open top; (b) a liner, the liner being removably mounted to the insulation unit, the liner being formed to include a cavity, wherein the cavity of the liner extends into the cavity of the insulation unit; (c) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the liner, the product box being designed to support a payload; (d) an insulated cover, the insulated cover covering the cavity of the isolation unit; and (e) a plurality of alternate steps of temperature control members, each alternate set of temperature control members being releasably disposed within the cavity of the liner and being designed to maintain the payload within a different temperature range. . 46. Kit for assembling at least one shipping system suitable for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, characterized by the fact that it comprises: (a) a first shipper, the first shipper comprising (i)º a first isolation unit, the first isolation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and an open top, the plurality of side walls collectively defining a top margin , (ii) a first insulated cover, the first removable insulated cover mounted on the first insulation unit to close the cavity of the first insulation unit, (iii) a first liner, the first liner being detachably mounted to the first insulating unit, the first liner being formed to include a cavity and a flange, wherein the cavity of the first liner is sized to extend into the cavity. of the first insulation unit and where the flange of the first liner is sized to extend over the upper edge of the first insulation unit, (iv) a first product box, the first product box being detachably positioned within the cavity of the first liner, the first product box being designed to support a payload; (b) a second shipper, the second shipper comprising (i) a second insulation unit, the second insulation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and an open top, the plurality of side walls collectively defining a top margin , (ii) a second insulated cover, the second insulated cover detachably mounted on the second insulated unit. ment to close the cavity of the second insulation unit, (iii) a second liner, the second liner being detachably mounted to the second insulation unit, the second liner being formed to include a cavity and a flange, wherein the the second liner cavity is sized to extend into the cavity of the second insulation unit and wherein the second liner flange is sized to extend over the upper edge of the second insulation unit, (iv) a second product box, the second product box being detachably positioned within the cavity of the second liner, the second product box being designed to support a payload, wherein the second product box is sized to support a differently sized payload than the first product box; and (c) a set of temperature control members, the set of temperature control members being sized for alternative implantation in the cavity of the first liner, snugly fitting around the first product box, or the cavity of the second lining, snugly fitting around the second product box. 47. Method, characterized in that it comprises: (a) providing a shipping system for use in the transport and/or storage of temperature-sensitive materials, the shipping system comprising: (i)º a unit of insulation, the insulation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall, four side walls, and an open top; (ii) a liner, the liner being detachably mounted to the insulation unit, the liner being formed to include a cavity, wherein the liner cavity extends into the cavity of the fitting. insulation capacity; (li) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the liner; and (iv) at least one temperature control member, at least one temperature control member being releasably disposed within the cavity of the liner; (b) use the shipping system to transport a first payload; (c) then clean or replace the lining; and (d) then use the shipping system to transport a second payload. 48. Delivery system for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an insulation unit, the insulation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall , four side walls, and an open top, the insulation unit comprising a set of vacuum insulated panels encapsulated within a spray coating of a polyurea; (b) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the isolation unit; and (c) at least one temperature control member, the at least one temperature control member being detachably disposed within the cavity of the insulation unit. 49. Delivery system for use in transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an insulation unit, the insulation unit formed to include a cavity connected by a bottom wall , four side walls, and an open top, the insulation unit. ment consisting of a set of vacuum insulated panels held together with a spray coating of a polyurea; (b) a product box, the product box being detachably disposed within the cavity of the isolation unit; and at least one temperature control member, at least one temperature control member being detachably disposed within the cavity of the insulation unit.