EP3411310A1 - Temperature controlled pallet shipper - Google Patents
Temperature controlled pallet shipperInfo
- Publication number
- EP3411310A1 EP3411310A1 EP17747974.8A EP17747974A EP3411310A1 EP 3411310 A1 EP3411310 A1 EP 3411310A1 EP 17747974 A EP17747974 A EP 17747974A EP 3411310 A1 EP3411310 A1 EP 3411310A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- corner
- panel
- container
- structures
- edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 description 19
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 15
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000004794 expanded polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004795 extruded polystyrene foam Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001453 Arcel Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010836 blood and blood product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012467 final product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000000056 organ Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006327 polystyrene foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000006269 thermoset foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013585 weight reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
- B65D81/3813—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container
- B65D81/3816—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container formed of foam material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
- B65D11/20—Details of walls made of plastics material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/02—Internal fittings
- B65D25/10—Devices to locate articles in containers
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to a temperature controlled pallet shipper for shipping temperature sensitive payloads. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a temperature controlled pallet shipper that avoids the disadvantages of prior temperature controlled pallet shippers while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
- Temperature controlled shippers are used to ship perishable materials such as pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, transplant organs and food products which must be maintained within a certain temperature range.
- the shipping and transportation of various perishable materials frequently requires that such materials be maintained in a stable temperature range either higher or lower than the ambient temperatures to which the packaging will be exposed.
- a number of different types of thermally insulated containers have been developed for this purpose. They generally fall into two main categories, active shippers and passive shippers.
- Active shippers are those in which the internal temperature is controlled using a battery operated device or electrical power cord. These systems usually are expensive and quite bulky.
- Passive shippers are those in which the internal temperature is maintained without any battery or electrical support. Therefore passive pallet shippers typically are used for five to seven days of duration while battery and electric operated shippers maintain payload temperature as long as the power supply is active.
- Pallet shippers may be made of variety of materials, and choice of a material depends on manufacturer core competency, material insulation properties and choice of design features.
- the thermal conductivity (sometimes called "k value”) of a material plays a key role. Thermal conductivity is the ability of material to conduct heat, so the lower the k value the better insulation properties.
- Common materials for making the outer structure of a pallet shipper include polyurethane (PUR), extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) and molded plastic.
- the payload (such as pharmaceuticals) weight can range anywhere from 400 lbs. (181.44 kg) to 1600 lbs. (725.75 kg)
- the refrigerant weight can range from 200 lbs. (90.72 kg) to 1800 lbs. (816.47 kg) depending on the duration and temperature requirements.
- pallet shippers are typically made by molding one panel (wall) at a time.
- the box or outer structure typically is constructed by assembling six walls.
- Edge leaks in general occur when two adjoining walls of material are not completely in contact/flush with one and another and therefore create a visible gap, which creates a path for ambient air to leak into the container. This results in gain or loss of thermal energy by convection into or out of the pallet shipper. The R-value of the system is reduced significantly due to the presence of these leaks.
- Shipping pallet assembly requires manual labor, typically in the form of one or two people. It is important to keep the assembly process as simple as possible. Adding complexity into the process can create errors (defects) which can result in the loss of millions of dollars of pharmaceuticals.
- Some pallet shippers are specially designed to transport pharmaceuticals and other perishable payloads from one continent to other via air. These air cargo pallet shippers, also known as unit load devices (ULDs), generally fall into one of a number of specific categories, including PAG (quarter and half sizes) and PMC (quarter and half sizes).
- ULDs unit load devices
- the present disclosure is designed to address the problems described above, by describing a pallet shipper that is modular, easily assembled and has superior thermal properties.
- the present disclosure relates to an improved temperature controlled pallet shipper that avoids the disadvantages of prior pallet shippers while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
- the disclosure relates to a pallet shipper for shipping a temperature sensitive payload, the pallet shipper comprising a pallet shipper for shipping a temperature sensitive payload, the pallet shipper 10 comprising a base, two first corner structures and two second corner structures.
- the substantially rectangular base comprises a rectangular upper portion and a rectangular lower portion located adjacent to and located under the upper portion.
- the upper portion has a peripheral ledge extending outward beyond the lower portion.
- the ledge has an underside that slopes downward toward the lower portion. This slope helps create surface to surface contact between the walls and the base of the pallet shipper. This surface to surface contact creates a tortuous path for heat flow, thus improving the insulation properties of the pallet shipper.
- Each first corner structure comprises a grooved panel and a first flanged panel orthogonal to the grooved panel.
- the grooved panel and the first flanged panel are joined along a vertical corner.
- the grooved panel extends from the vertical corner to a distal grooved edge.
- the distal grooved edge defines a vertically oriented groove.
- the first flanged panel extends from the vertical corner to a distal flanged edge and has a first flange extending from the distal flanged edge in a direction away from the vertical corner.
- Each first corner structure further comprises an inwardly extending L- shaped footer near a bottom edge.
- Each second corner structure comprises a tongued panel and a second flanged panel orthogonal to the tongued panel. The tongued panel and the second flanged panel are joined along a vertical corner.
- the tongued panel extends from the vertical corner to a distal tongued edge.
- a tongue extends outwardly from the distal tongued edge in a direction away from the vertical corner.
- the second flanged panel extends from the vertical corner to a distal flanged edge and has a second flange extending from the distal flanged edge in a direction away from the vertical corner.
- Each second corner structure further comprises an L-shaped footer extending inwardly near the bottom edge.
- Each groove is configured to receive a tongue to form a tongue and groove seam.
- Each first flange is configured to mate with a corresponding second flange to form a convoluted seam.
- Each tongue and groove seam and each flanged seam creates a tortuous path which delays or minimizes any thermal transfer across the seam.
- the footers slide under the base, thus creating another tortuous path to minimize heat transfer.
- the pallet shipper has a modular design and can be enlarged from, say, a quarter PMC to a half PMC and from a quarter PAG to a half PAG just by adding a sidewall between the L-shaped corner structures on either side of the pallet shipper.
- a container comprising two substantially L-shaped, unitary first corner structures and two substantially L-shaped, unitary second corner structures to form the four vertical sides of the container.
- Each first corner structure comprises a first panel and a second panel joined along a vertical corner.
- the first and second panels are perpendicular to each other and form a single unitary L-shaped structure.
- the first panel extends from the vertical corner to a first distal edge, and the second panel extends from the vertical corner to a second distal edge.
- each second corner structure comprises a first panel and a second panel joined together along a vertical corner to form a single unitary L-shaped structure.
- the first panel extends from the vertical corner to a first distal edge
- the second panel extends from the vertical corner to a second distal edge.
- All four vertical corners are solid, continuous corners, meaning that they lack any seams, joints or other discontinuities.
- the first and second corner structures are joined to each other along convoluted seams located between the vertical corners. Making the seams convoluted and moving them to the middle of the container sides, away from the vertical corners, reduces heat transfer between the outside and the inner, payload compartment.
- the container may include a rectangular base joined to the first corner structures and the second corner structures to form the bottom of the container.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a quarter PMC pallet shipper according to the disclosure.
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure 1.
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a base used in the construction of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure 1.
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first corner structure used in the construction of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure 1.
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second corner structure used in the
- Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure 2.
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure 2.
- Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a portion of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure 1 with the lid removed.
- Figure 9 is a bottom perspective view of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of a half PMC pallet shipper according to the disclosure.
- Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the half PMC pallet shipper of Figure 10.
- Figure 12 is a perspective view of a side wall panel used in the construction of the half PMC pallet shipper of Figure 10.
- Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a pallet shipper including wire racking according to the disclosure.
- Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternative pallet shipper according to the disclosure.
- Figure 15 is a perspective view of the pallet shipper of Figure 14 shown with one corner structure and the lid removed for clarity.
- Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternative corner structure.
- Figure 17 is a perspective view of the corner structure of Figure 16 shown in a flat position.
- Figure 18 is a top view of another alternative pallet shipper.
- FIG. 1 a perspective view of a pallet shipper 10 (a quarter PMC pallet shipper) for shipping a temperature sensitive payload.
- Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the quarter PMC pallet shipper 10 of Figure 1.
- the pallet shipper 10 comprises a substantially rectangular base 12, a substantially rectangular lid 14, two substantially L-shaped, unitary, first corner structures 16, and two substantially L-shaped, unitary, second corner structures 18.
- the pallet shipper 10 may be made from foamed insulative materials using only four molding tools, one each for the base 12, lid 14, first corner structure 16 and second corner structure 18.
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the base 12 used in the construction of the quarter PMC pallet shipper of Figure 1.
- the base 12 comprises a rectangular upper portion 20 and a rectangular lower portion 22 located adjacent to and under the upper portion 20.
- the upper portion 20 extends from a first side edge 24 to an opposite first side edge 26 and from a first front edge 28 to an opposite first rear edge 30.
- the upper portion 20 has a first width defined by the first side edges 24, 26 and a first depth defined by the first front edge 28 and the first rear edge 30.
- the lower portion 22 extends from a second side edge 34 to an opposite second side edge 36 and from a second front edge 38 to an opposite second rear edge 40.
- the lower portion 22 has a second width defined by the second side edges 34, 36 and a second depth defined by the second front edge 38 and second rear edge 40.
- the lower portion width is less than the upper portion width and the lower portion depth is less than the upper portion depth, so the lower portion edges 34, 36, 38, and 40 are recessed with respect to the upper portion edges 24, 26, 28, 30.
- the peripheral portion of the upper portion 20 extending beyond the lower portion may be referred to as a ledge 31.
- the ledge 31 has an underside 32 that slopes downward toward the lower portion 22.
- the lid 14 is substantially rectangular and may be constructed similarly to the base 12. The lid fits over and may form a friction fit with corner structures 16, 18.
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first corner structure 16 used in the
- Each first corner structure 16 comprises a grooved panel 42 and a flanged panel 44 orthogonal to the grooved panel 42.
- the grooved panel 42 and the flanged panel 44 are joined along a vertical corner 46 to form a single unitary structure.
- Each first corner structure 16 extends from a bottom edge 48 to a top edge 50.
- the grooved panel 42 extends from the vertical corner 46 to a distal grooved edge 54.
- the distal grooved edge 54 defines a vertically oriented groove 56.
- the flanged panel 44 extends from the vertical corner 46 to a distal flanged edge 58.
- Each first corner structure 16 has an outer surface 57 (Fig. 2) facing away from the pay load and an inner surface 59 facing the payload.
- An inner flange 60 so called because it can be considered an extension of the inner surface 59, extends from the distal flanged edge 58 in a direction away from the vertical corner 46.
- the flange 60 helps define an outer notch 61 on the outer surface 59 of the flanged panel 44.
- Each first corner structure 16 also comprises an L-shaped footer 52 extending inwardly from the grooved panel 42 and the flanged panel 44 near the bottom edge 48 and terminating in an L-shaped distal edge 51.
- Each footer 52 has an L-shaped top surface 53 that slopes downwardly toward the distal edge 51.
- FIG 5 is a perspective view of a second corner structure 18 used in the construction of the quarter PMC pallet shipper 10 of Figure 1.
- two second corner structures 18 are used in the construction of the pallet shipper 10 and are located diagonally opposite each other.
- Each of the two substantially L-shaped, unitary, second corner structures 18 comprises a tongued panel 62 and a flanged panel 64 orthogonal to the tongued panel 62.
- the tongued panel 62 and the flanged panel 64 are joined along a vertical corner 66.
- each second corner structure 18 extends from a bottom edge 48 to a top edge 50.
- the tongued panel 62 extends from the vertical corner 66 to a distal tongued edge 74.
- a tongue 76 extends outwardly from the distal tongued edge 74 in a direction away from the vertical corner 66.
- the flanged panel 64 extends from the vertical corner 66 to a distal flanged edge 78.
- Each second corner structure 18 has an outer surface 77 (Fig. 2) and an inner surface 79 facing the payload.
- An outer flange 80 so called because it can be considered an extension of the outer surface 77, extends from the distal flanged edge 78 in a direction away from the vertical corner 66 and defines an inner notch 81 on the inner surface 79 of the flanged panel 64.
- each second corner structure 18 comprises an L-shaped footer 52 extending inwardly from the tongued panel 62 and the flanged panel 64 near the bottom edge 48 and terminating in a distal edge 51.
- Each footer 52 has an L-shaped top surface 53 that slopes downwardly toward the distal edge 51.
- Each footer 52 is configured to extend underneath the upper portion 20 of the base 12 and mate with the base 12 in "skin to skin” fashion as explained below with regard to Figure 7.
- Figure 6 is a perspective close up view of a portion of the pallet shipper 10 of Figure 1 illustrating the tongue and groove method of attaching adjoining corner structures 16, 18.
- the groove 56 in each first corner structure is configured to receive a tongue 76 in an adjacent second corner structure 18 to form a tongue and groove seam 47.
- Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the pallet shipper 10 of Figure 1, showing how the footers 52 mate with the base 12.
- the slope of the footers 52 is equal to the slope of the ledge 31 of the base 12 so that the top surface 53 of each footer 52 mates with (abuts) the underside 32 of the ledge.
- the length of the footers 52 may be equal to the depth of the ledge 31 so that the distal edge 51 of each footer 52 mates with one of the 34, 36, 38, 40 edges of the lower portion 22 of the base 12.
- Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the pallet shipper 10 of Figure 1 and Figure 9 is a bottom perspective view of the quarter PMC pallet shipper 10 of Figure 1, both illustrating the cooperating flange method of attaching adjoining corner structures 16, 18.
- the inner flange 60 of each first corner structure 16 is configured to mate with a corresponding outer flange 80 of an adjacent second corner structure 18, thereby forming a convoluted "cooperating flange" seam 49 which minimizes or eliminates edge leaks.
- the convoluted seam or junction presents a tortuous, non-linear path for heat to transfer through the pallet shipper wall.
- first corner structure 16 comprises an inner flange 60 and the second corner structure 18 comprises an outer flange 80.
- first corner structure 16 comprises an outer flange
- second corner structure 18 comprises an inner flange.
- the flanges 60, 80 cooperate (join together) to form a convoluted but air tight seal.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another, larger pallet shipper
- the pallet shipper 110 comprises a substantially rectangular base 112 ( Figure 11), a substantially rectangular lid 114, two substantially L-shaped, unitary, first corner structures 16 and two substantially L-shaped, unitary, second corner structures 18.
- the first corner structures 16 and the second corner structures 18 may be identical to that of the earlier embodiment.
- the base 112 may be a single unitary structure or may comprise two smaller bases 12 fitted together.
- the lid 114 may be a single unitary structure or may comprise two smaller lids 14 fitted together.
- each sidewall panel 120 comprises a main panel 122, a footer 124 and tongues 126.
- the main panel 122 extends from a bottom edge 48 to a top edge 50 and from one side edge 130 to an opposite side edge 130.
- a tongue 126 extends outward from each side edge 130.
- FIG 11 is an exploded perspective view of the large pallet shipper 110 of Figure 10.
- the large pallet shipper 110 may be made by adding a sidewall panel 120 between two adjacent corner structures 16, 118 on the tongue-in-groove sides of the small pallet shipper 10 (as opposed to the cooperating flange sides).
- the sidewall 120 has tongues 120 on either side, it is necessary in this embodiment to modify the pallet shipper 10 of Figures 1 - 9. Specifically, the second corner structure 18 must be modified so that its distal (tongued) edge 74 defines a groove
- the modified second corner structure 118 comprises a grooved panel 132 and a second flanged panel 134 orthogonal to the grooved panel 132 joined along a vertical corner 136.
- the second flanged panel 134 terminates in a second flange 138 at its distal end.
- the sidewall 120 may be formed with a tongued edge and a grooved edge, which would negate the necessity to modify the second corner structures 18.
- one sidewall tongue 126 is inserted into a groove 119 in an adjacent second corner structure 118 and the opposite tongue 126 is inserted into a groove 56 in a first corner structure 16.
- the short sides of the small pallet shipper 10 become the long sides of the large pallet shipper 110.
- each sidewall 120 is self-standing. Also, a sidewall 120 can be used on either side of the pallet shipper 110.
- the pallet shipper 110 may covered with a single large lid or, as shown in Figure 11, two smaller lids 14.
- Figure 13 is an exploded partial perspective view of a pallet shipper 10 with wire racks according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the pallet shipper 10 further comprises one or more self-standing bottom wire racks 82 having a payload bearing surface 84 located within the payload section.
- the pallet shipper 10 may further comprise refrigerants (not shown) located between the bottom wire rack 82 and the base 12.
- the pallet shipper 10 may also comprise a top wire rack 88 having a refrigerant bearing surface 90 located within the payload section. Refrigerants (not shown) may be placed between the top wire rack 88 and the lid 14.
- Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternative container 140 having solid corners and convoluted seams on all four sides.
- Figure 15 is a perspective view of the same container 140 shown with a corner structure 148 and the lid 141 removed for clarity.
- the container 140 comprises two substantially L-shaped first corner structures 146, two substantially L-shaped second corner structures 148, a base 150 having two pairs of diagonally opposing corners 151, and a lid 141.
- the container corner structures 146, 148 form a bottom edge 158 and a top edge 160.
- the container 140 may or may not be used in conjunction with a pallet.
- Each first corner structure 146 comprises first and second panels 152, 154 joined together along a vertical corner 142 to form a single unitary L-shaped structure. Each first corner structure 146 extends from the bottom edge 158 to the top edge 160.
- the first panel 152 extends from the vertical corner 142 to a flanged edge 153 having an outwardly extending flange 157.
- the second panel 154 extends from the vertical corner 142 to a notched edge 155 defining a vertically oriented notch 156.
- each second corner structure 148 comprises first and second panels 162, 164 joined together along a vertical corner 144 to form a single unitary L-shaped structure.
- Each second corner structure 148 extends from the bottom edge 158 to the top edge 160.
- the first panel 162 extends from the vertical corner 144 to a flanged edge 163 having an outwardly extending flange 167.
- the second panel 164 extends from the vertical corner 144 to a notched edge 165.
- the notched edge 165 defines a vertically oriented notch 166 (obscured in Figure 15).
- the vertical corners 142, 144 are solid corners, meaning they lack any seams or other discontinuities.
- the seams 169 are located on each vertical side of the container 140, away from the corners. Making the seams 169 convoluted and moving them away from the vertical corners 142, 144, for example, in the middle of the container sides, greatly reduces heat transfer between the outside and the inner (payload) compartment.
- each first corner structure 146 is configured to mate with a corresponding notched edge 165 of an adjacent second corner structure 148, thereby forming a convoluted seam 169.
- the flanged edge 163 of each second corner structure 148 is configured to mate with a corresponding notched edge 155 of an adjacent first corner structure 146, thereby forming another convoluted seam 169.
- the convoluted seams 169 present a tortuous, non-linear path for heat to transfer through the container wall.
- flange refers to any projecting structure, that is, a structure that projects outwardly from an edge of a panel, including a tongue or a tab.
- notch refers to any inwardly extending space, that is, a space the extends inwardly from an edge of a panel to accommodate a flange, including a groove or slot.
- volumeted seam includes any seam in which a flange of one corner structure mates with the notch of another corner structure to form a tortuous, non-planar, mating surface. Preferably there are no gaps in the seam between the two corner structures.
- a container 140 may include four convoluted seams 169, each comprising a flanged edge 153, 163 configured to mate with a notched edge 155, 165.
- the convoluted seams 169 minimize or eliminate edge leaks by presenting a tortuous, non-planar path for heat to transfer through the pallet shipper wall.
- the lid 141 may fit snugly onto the top rim 160 of the joined corner structures 146, 148.
- the base 150 has a perimeter that may nest within grooves 161 defined by and located near the bottom of each corner structure 146, 148.
- the first corner structures 146 and the second corner structures 148 may be identical. In making such a container 140, the same tool may be used to make all four corner structures 146, 148.
- a rack 88 for holding refrigerants such as the rack 88 shown in Figure 13, may be located within the payload section.
- the rack 88 may be placed at various heights.
- the rack may be placed on top of the inwardly extending ledge 180 or in a groove 182 located below the ledge 180.
- Figure 16 is a perspective view of a corner structure 170 comprising a first panel 172 joined to a second panel 174 along a vertical corner 176 to form a single unitary structure.
- the vertical corner 176 functions as a living hinge, enabling the corner structure 170 to move between the L-shaped configuration shown in Figure 16 and the flat configuration shown in Figure 17.
- Figure 18 is a top view of another alternative container 180 with the lid removed.
- the container 180 comprises two U-shaped structures 182, 184 that mate to form two convoluted seams 186 on opposite sides. If the container 180 has a square profile like that shown in Figure 18, the U-shaped structures 182, 184 may be identical.
- the vertical corners 188 may function as living hinges.
- the first U-shaped structure 182 and the second U-shaped structure may be joined to a base 190 in a fashion similar to that described above for the other embodiments.
- the thermally insulated pallet shipper may be used in any industry where temperature sensitive products are shipped, including but not limited to the
- the pallet shipper may be made in any suitable size, including the following industry recognized sizes:
- the pallet shipper may be any suitable height, but typically is 64" (162.56 cm) or less including all the outer accessories (skid, trays, plastic wrap etc.).
- the pallet shipper components may be made of any suitable materials, but preferably are made from polymeric foam materials, including Neopor, ARCEL, EPS, EPP, XPS, PUR and other thermoplastic and thermoset foam materials.
- the pallet shipper has no spit edges.
- the L shapes corner structures completely eliminate edges and therefore the pallet shipper has no edge leaks.
- the "split edges" in the present pallet shipper are moved towards center of each sidewall.
- the tongue and grove feature creates a tortuous path to reduce heat loss.
- the tongue and grove feature also creates a locking mechanism for the walls.
- the center of each wall may also be protected from the inside using refrigerants by lining up refrigerants against the interior walls.
- the pallet shipper is easy to assemble and has self-standing wall feature. All the walls are self-supporting which speeds up the assembly process. Due to the self-standing feature the entire shipper 10, 110 can be assembled by one person. Due to the self- standing wall features, there can be no mix up between the left walls and right walls, which can speed up shipper assembly, thus minimizing the time any refrigerants are exposed to room temperature
- the disclosed pallet shipper 10, 110 has L-shapes corner structures 16, 18 where the footer 52 of the wall slides under the base 12, thus creating another long tortuous path to minimize heat transfer.
- the pallet shipper 10, 110 has a modular design where a small pallet shipper 10 can be extended from, say, a quarter PMC to a half PMC and from a quarter PAG to a half PAG by just adding one extra sidewall 120 between 2 L-shaped corner structures 16, 18.
- This modular design has many advantages:
- the pallet shipper may achieve a 37% weight reduction when compared material to material:
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Pallets (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/012,930 US9938066B2 (en) | 2014-09-12 | 2016-02-02 | Temperature controlled pallet shipper |
PCT/US2017/015595 WO2017136267A1 (en) | 2016-02-02 | 2017-01-30 | Temperature controlled pallet shipper |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3411310A1 true EP3411310A1 (en) | 2018-12-12 |
EP3411310A4 EP3411310A4 (en) | 2019-11-06 |
EP3411310B1 EP3411310B1 (en) | 2020-04-15 |
Family
ID=59500009
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17747974.8A Active EP3411310B1 (en) | 2016-02-02 | 2017-01-30 | Temperature controlled pallet shipper |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3411310B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN108602606B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2017213715B2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2797911T3 (en) |
SG (2) | SG11201805169TA (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017136267A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102563120B1 (en) | 2020-06-11 | 2023-08-04 | 글로브라이드 가부시키가이샤 | Cooler bag and foldable cooler bag |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0520662Y2 (en) * | 1987-09-14 | 1993-05-28 | ||
JP2502753Y2 (en) * | 1989-12-07 | 1996-06-26 | 日鐵ドラム株式会社 | Square container |
JP3781364B2 (en) * | 2002-06-06 | 2006-05-31 | 株式会社ジェイエスピー | Board transfer box |
JP2004067234A (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2004-03-04 | Shirouma Science Co Ltd | Assembly container |
CN202201329U (en) * | 2011-07-12 | 2012-04-25 | 丁大奖 | Combined cold chain heat insulation box |
US8875934B2 (en) * | 2011-09-12 | 2014-11-04 | Donald Deka | Heavy duty cooler |
CN103964076B (en) * | 2014-02-10 | 2016-03-30 | 厦门绿链集成服务有限公司 | The adiabatic heat-insulation case of energy dismounting |
-
2017
- 2017-01-30 EP EP17747974.8A patent/EP3411310B1/en active Active
- 2017-01-30 CN CN201780008842.3A patent/CN108602606B/en active Active
- 2017-01-30 SG SG11201805169TA patent/SG11201805169TA/en unknown
- 2017-01-30 SG SG10201909849Y patent/SG10201909849YA/en unknown
- 2017-01-30 AU AU2017213715A patent/AU2017213715B2/en active Active
- 2017-01-30 ES ES17747974T patent/ES2797911T3/en active Active
- 2017-01-30 WO PCT/US2017/015595 patent/WO2017136267A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3411310B1 (en) | 2020-04-15 |
CN108602606A (en) | 2018-09-28 |
WO2017136267A1 (en) | 2017-08-10 |
ES2797911T3 (en) | 2020-12-04 |
AU2017213715A1 (en) | 2018-07-12 |
SG11201805169TA (en) | 2018-08-30 |
EP3411310A4 (en) | 2019-11-06 |
AU2017213715B2 (en) | 2022-06-02 |
CN108602606B (en) | 2020-07-07 |
SG10201909849YA (en) | 2019-11-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9938066B2 (en) | Temperature controlled pallet shipper | |
AU2015315517B2 (en) | Temperature controlled pallet shipper | |
US7866539B2 (en) | Container for transporting cooled goods | |
WO2006082433A1 (en) | Transport container | |
JP2020023359A (en) | Container apparatus | |
JP2008230677A (en) | Folding type cold-keeping box | |
US20180194532A1 (en) | Temperature Controlled Pallet Shipper | |
WO2014141839A1 (en) | Collapsible cold storage box | |
AU2017213715B2 (en) | Temperature controlled pallet shipper | |
WO2019177682A1 (en) | Temperature controlled pallet shipper with u-shaped components | |
US20210403224A1 (en) | Packaging system for transporting temperature-sensitive products | |
US11034483B2 (en) | Modular storage system | |
GB2534912A (en) | An insulation panel assembly | |
JPH10324332A (en) | Folding container | |
WO2017033731A1 (en) | Cool box | |
KR102160085B1 (en) | Packaging | |
JP2017088187A (en) | Cold/heat insulation box and conveyance box | |
JP2005126072A (en) | Foldable heat insulating container | |
KR101982638B1 (en) | Superchilling packaging system for fresh delivery | |
GB2534909A (en) | A cool pack arrangement | |
JP2002173139A (en) | Foldable delivery container for carrying perishable food or the like | |
JP6656849B2 (en) | Container with lid | |
GB2534908A (en) | A cool pack | |
JP2002128069A (en) | Double-structured corrugated carton | |
GB2535149A (en) | A thermally insulated container |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20180628 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20191007 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65D 19/02 20060101ALI20190930BHEP Ipc: B65D 81/18 20060101AFI20190930BHEP |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20200108 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: FP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602017014905 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1257025 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20200515 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: TRGR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200815 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200715 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200716 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200817 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1257025 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20200415 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200715 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2797911 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 Effective date: 20201204 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602017014905 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20210118 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210130 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210131 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210131 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20170130 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20240126 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Payment date: 20240129 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20240201 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200415 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240129 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20240129 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20240127 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20240122 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20240125 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20240129 Year of fee payment: 8 |