EP3475633A1 - Système de commande à température passive pour conteneurs de transport et de stockage - Google Patents

Système de commande à température passive pour conteneurs de transport et de stockage

Info

Publication number
EP3475633A1
EP3475633A1 EP17754429.3A EP17754429A EP3475633A1 EP 3475633 A1 EP3475633 A1 EP 3475633A1 EP 17754429 A EP17754429 A EP 17754429A EP 3475633 A1 EP3475633 A1 EP 3475633A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
phase change
temperature
temperature control
change materials
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP17754429.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Darren WOOD
Arthur SMITH-FITCHETT
Ross Malcolm BEECH
James Nathan JARVIS
Gavin Hill
Timothy ASTLEY-COOPER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Softbox Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Softbox Systems Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Softbox Systems Ltd filed Critical Softbox Systems Ltd
Publication of EP3475633A1 publication Critical patent/EP3475633A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D81/3823—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 different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
    • F25D3/06—Movable containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
    • F25D3/06—Movable containers
    • F25D3/08—Movable containers portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2201/00—Insulation
    • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
    • F25D2201/12—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2201/00—Insulation
    • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
    • F25D2201/12—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material
    • F25D2201/128—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material of foil type
    • F25D2201/1282—Insulation with respect to heat using an insulating packing material of foil type with reflective foils
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/082—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid disposed in a cold storage element not forming part of a container for products to be cooled, e.g. ice pack or gel accumulator
    • F25D2303/0822—Details of the element
    • F25D2303/08222—Shape of the element
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/085—Compositions of cold storage materials

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of the transportation and storage of goods and to a passive temperature control system for such a transport and storage containers.
  • Multilayer insulation is the most common passive thermal control element used in transport. MLI seeks to prevent both heat losses to the environment and excessive heating from the environment. Low cost temperature control in the transport industry relies upon MLI to retain an inside temperature subject to the thermal path to a transported product from an outside the outside to maintain ideal operating temperature. MLI can simply comprise layers of plastics foam ; more complex MLI can consist of an outer cover layer, an interior layer, and an inner cover layer. Some common materials used to the outer layer are fiberglass woven cloth impregnated with PTFE Teflon, PVF reinforced with
  • interior layer l Nomex bonded with polyester adhesive, and FEP Teflon.
  • the general requirement for interior layer is that it needs to have a low emittance.
  • the most commonly used material for this layer is Mylar that is aluminized on both or one side.
  • the interiors layers can be thin compared to the outer layer to save weight.
  • Such an apparatus is effective to keep food wholesome or to keep beverages cool for a certain period of time at ambient temperatures which lie above the desired storage temperatures.
  • the use of cooling blocks filled with water cannot be considered for the storage of freeze- sensitive products, such as blood within tolerable temperature ranges, particularly in the case when the ambient temperature falls beneath a permitted storage temperature, since the latent heat of fusion of water on the formation of ice is not released until the temperature falls below 0°C, meaning that a product could be cooled below an ideal temperature.
  • Typical means for shipping temperature sensitive materials involves the use of an insulated box, with the necessary shipping and warning labels, along with some cooling agent.
  • These cooling agents have typically been, for example, a frozen gel, dry ice, or wet ice, placed within an insulator packing agent, such as cotton or, latterly, plastics materials such as expanded polystyrene foam, wherein heat is absorbed by such cooling agents.
  • Class B packaging Vaccines must be packed to ensure that the warmest temperature inside the insulated package does not rise above +30°C in continuous external ambient temperatures of +43°C for a period of at least 48 hours.
  • Class C packaging Vaccines must be packed to ensure that the warmest temperature inside the insulated package does not rise above +30°C in continuous external ambient temperatures of +43°C for a period of at least 48 hours and the coolest storage temperature of the vaccine does not fall below +2°C in continuous external temperatures of -5°C for a period of at least 48 hours. Many known methods and systems for shipping such products are not able to keep temperatures within the desired range.
  • PCM phase change material
  • Numerous insulated shipping containers have been developed over the years, with those deploying a phase change material (PCM) generally providing superior temperature control over extended periods.
  • Insulated shipping containers employing a PCM can be deployed for a wide range of thermally sensitive goods over a wide range of target temperatures by using different PCMs.
  • D20 melts at +4°C
  • H20 melts at 0°C
  • mineral oil melts at -30°C
  • a 50% ethylene glycol solution melts at - 37°C This permits use of insulated shipping containers for a broad range of thermally labile goods.
  • the shipper needs to purchase and inventory a sufficient number of PCM panels containing each of the different PCMs to meet the highest possible demand for that type of PCM panel.
  • a shipper typically has between about 800 and 1,200 passive thermally regulated shipping containers in transport on any given day, each of which employ six PCM panels and ail of which could require one of two different PGM panels containing different PGM.
  • This shipper would need to purchase ⁇ inventory, track and maintain 14,400 PGM panels ((1,200 containers)(6 PCM panels/container)(2 PCM panel types)).
  • the need to purchase, track arid maintain such a large number of PCM panels can become cost prohibitive.
  • PCM Phase Change Material
  • phase change materials are employed / these materials have been selected, temperature conditioned, stored and packed separately, in a correct, predetermined fashion to provide the optimal thermal protection. It has been known that the phase change materials have been confused and misplaced in a container upon loading of the container, giving rise to an incorrect temperature-time profile; equally, supervisory actions and checking operations become necessary, leading to increase in loading time i.e. provides an additional delay and incur further processing costs. Essentially, such known systems either cannot provide broad range of temperature thresholds or are complicated to set up and as a result are liable to failure.
  • the temperature control packs can be configured to provide a thermally stable atmosphere within the payload volume for a number of days as is typical for international travel, for example.
  • the present invention can, by the use of specially adapted thermal modelling software, be optimised for particular goods for specific transport and storage time with respect to a specific payload space. If the size and number of product cartons is known that need to be shipped, an analysis can be simply be performed whereby to provide users with graphical and statistical results to ensure cost effective use of the present invention in a packaging system. By maximising the available useful product volume, it will be appreciated that the overall package employed can be smaller than what otherwise have been used, with a concomitant benefit in a reduction of transport and storage charges. This has the advantage that a particular temperature sensitive consignment can be tailored for a particular transport scenario.
  • the insulating means for insulating said cavity could comprise one of or more of: a plastics foam; cellulose fibre (loose); cellulose fibre (compressed); Multilayer insulation (MLI) including plastics foam; fibreglass woven cloth; fibreglass woven cloth impregnated with PTFE Teflon, PVF reinforced with Norriex bonded with polyester adhesive, and FEP Teflon, Mylar that is aluminized on both or one side.
  • MMI Multilayer insulation
  • certain packaging systems comprise small cartons which such cartons are often transported together, it has been found that when grouped, en masse, this has had a negligible effect.
  • the present invention provides a packaging system, wherein the box has a number of sides and for each side of there is a phase change material temperature control pack. Notwithstanding this each phase change material temperature control pack is provided with dual / multiple phase change materials.
  • determining a temperature at which to condition a temperature control pack means with regard to the size of the container, the duration of transport/storage of the container; expected ambient conditions;
  • the present invention can thus provide a simple to use solution, conveniently using only one type of phase change material wallet for a particular container system, thereby reducing the chance of failure through the incorrect orientation / placement of one of two types of phase change material. Whilst possible, one could temperature condition the two types of phase change material separately; this would not ordinarily be beneficial - by correct selection of the two phase change materials, placement of the phase change material containers within the wallet provides a convenient and method simplifying a loading process. Additionally, the use of two phase change materials arranged in co-planar fashion as opposed to being arranged in a thicker, spaced apart in a parallel fashion can reduce wastage within a container, meaning that more goods for a given unit volume can be employed or a smaller box can be selected.
  • a substantial benefit is that all the temperature conditioning of the phase change materials occurs with respect to one fridge/cool room prior to placement within a container for transport / storage of temperature sensitive goods, where the sleeves are either highly insulating in themselves or benefit from further internal and or external thermally insulating media comprising panels, sleeves or other insulating materials. Additionally, in one embodiment, the invention also benefits from its ability to use the same size temperature control packs to be utilised in different containers; commonality of parts between ranges of product can provide more cost-effective construction and/or different functionality.
  • Figures la, lb illustrate sections through two known temperature control configurations from an inside wall of a container through to a payload
  • Figure 2a, 2b illustrate first and second perspective views of a "phase change cassette”
  • Figure 2c, 2d show two different orientations of phase change packets with a "phase change cassette”
  • Figure 3a shows a view of a container in accordance with the invention prior to placement of the insulating material cover and cassettes of phase change material with respect to a load;
  • Figure 3b shows an arrangement of phase change plastics bags within a phase change cassette
  • Figure 3c shows a sections through a temperature control configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the invention from an inside wall of a container through to a payload;
  • Figure 3d shows a plan view of a phase change cassette in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 3c;
  • Figures 5a and 5b show a first component in accordance with one aspect of the invention in perspective view and the temperature - phase characteristic of the two types of phase change material;
  • Figures 6a and 6b comprise graphs comparing temperature change over time in packaging in accordance with the inventions at with respect to typical external ambient temperatures, as encountered during travel;
  • Figures 6c and 6d comprise graphs detailing the temperature change over time in packaging in accordance with the inventions at constant specific external ambient temperatures
  • Figures 7a - 7c show how modular PCM strips can be configured
  • Figures 9a - 9c detail a still further embodiment of a PCM module; and, Figure 9d shows a still further embodiment of a PCM arrangement.
  • FIG. 2 an aspect of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention shall be described in a simple to use assembly
  • a cardboard wallet aka “cassette” / "envelope” / “sleeve” 20 in which a number of first 21 and second 22 plastics bags are placed containing, respectively, first and second phase change materials are placed.
  • the wallet may also be represented as a sleeve.
  • This embodiment of the invention utilises plastic bags 21, 22 filled with different phase change materials (PCM), to maintain the internal product temperature between +15° to +25°, which temperature is also known as the Control Room Temperature (CRT).
  • PCM phase change materials
  • FIG 2c shows the separate phase change materials placed in parallel spaced apart relationship; in Figure 2d, the phase change materials are spaced diagonally with respect to each other.
  • Such wallets are conveniently dimensioned to be placed with a suitably tight fit within a container 30 as shown in Figure 3a but a typical cassette will have dimensions of 300 x 250 x 25 mm.
  • Figure 3b shows an arrangement of first and second phase change materials as contained within plastics bags, as can conveniently be simply manufactured using standard bag filling techniques.
  • Figure 3c shows a similar cassette, save that the phase change materials are contained within plastics trays (as shall be discussed below), with the cassette being shown in cross-section vis-a-vis a load and wallet/cassette 20. This figure can be compared to the cross-sectional views shown in relation to the prior art in Figures la and lb.
  • the present invention may well have a first and second insulation layers, it can be readily understood, the a layer of phase change material has been removed, whereby to make the packing of shipping (or storage) containers simpler and, importantly, less liable to incorrect packing, by for example, a reversal of the order of the first and second coolant wallets 20.
  • a significant effect is that the effective payload area for a given volume is increased, given that the prior art perception of a requirement of separation of distinct phase control materials is not, in actual fact, required.
  • Figure 3d shows a plan view of a coolant wallet with the two different phase change materials, PCM1 & PCM2, having phase change temperatures as indicated (+17°C and +22°C).
  • a main advantage of the concept behind the present invention is that a single temperature control wallet is placed within a container having been temperature conditioned at a single temperature, the types of phase change materials, the respective amounts of the different phase change materials and the conditioning temperature being selected dependent upon the anticipated temperatures, the desired internal temperature and the nature of the filling, taking into account the nature of the packing container and associated insulation surrounding the temperature control wallets.
  • the thermally conductive layer can conveniently be positioned between the plastics bags of phase change material and the face of the cassette that would face the payload area.
  • Materials such as metallized film adhered to a carrier paper or a metallized film applied to a rigid plastics sheet and associated with corrugated board can be conveniently provided. Such a material could also form part of the wallet body.
  • the present invention enables phase change materials about a payload to absorb heat / release energy to resist cold by enabling a phase change material to react with respect to changes in external temperatures, where the phase change materials are selected to define a selected permissible range of temperatures within a payload area of the container.
  • the phase change materials will release energy due, at least in part, to a change in phase of a lower temperature rated phase change material.
  • the phase change materials will absorb energy due, at least in part, to a change in phase of a higher temperature rated phase change material.
  • each phase change material will change state from liquid to solid to release energy or will change state from solid to liquid, to absorb energy.
  • a material in a change of phase state, a material will remain at substantially the same temperature; i.e. the temperature of the material remains stable, as can be seen in the graph shown in Figure 4. It is important to realise that in a freezing phase, energy is released in an exothermic process; whilst in a melting phase, energy is absorbed by the phase change material in an endothermic reaction.
  • FIG. 5a and 5b there is shown an example of a temperature control wallet comprising two types of phase change material.
  • This dual PCM system allows for the two phase change materials to be stored at +20°C and achieve a composite of solid / liquid segments within the temperature control wallet.
  • the overall thermal effectiveness of the pack permits protection of the temperature sensitive goods to be achieved with a single conditioning temperature of, for example +20°C.
  • a combination of a +17°C PCM and a +22°C PCM when placed in a wallet can be simply considered at 20°C as comprising a first liquid phase change material (i.e.
  • the +17°C PCM offering maximum thermal protection against cold thermal stress on the system
  • a second solid phase change material i.e. the +22°C PCM
  • the overall temperature balancing effect can be retained, without the previously determined requirement to have separate containers in respect of the separate phase change materials. It has been found that the provision of a layer of material having a high thermal conductivity in contact with the phase change materials plastics bags to allow a homogenous temperature to be created on the contact face (lowermost face) of the assembly - where it would contact the payload space in the temperature controlled package.
  • phase change materials in the case of the use of a single phase change material, then this phase change materials is conditioned in an 'ideal' state depending on the likely thermal challenge to be presented to the temperature controlled package during shipment.
  • phase change packs must be warmed or cooled to just above or just below their determined phase change temperature, which can be difficult to achieve in normal industrial warehousing scenarios, as such ideal temperature ranges can be as narrow as (for hot shipping conditions) +15°C to +19°C and (for cold shipping conditions) +20°C to +24°C and; it is very hard to predict what conditions will be experienced by the temperature controlled package during transit.
  • phase change materials When two phase change materials are employed, the distinct phase change materials are contained/packaged/installed as two distinct components. It will be noted that these distinct components need to be selected, labelled, conditioned and placed in distinct these components have to be stored at the correct temperature and must be packed in the correct manner to provide the optimal thermal protection.
  • the present invention thus allows for a simple, single temperature preparation of the dual phase change containers/cassettes at standard Control Room Temperature (CRT) conditions.
  • CRT Control Room Temperature
  • the design requires little training to facilitate use which will safeguard quality of shipment.
  • the margin for error is significantly reduced.
  • the temperature of the phase change materials is calculated to enable the temperature to be centred about an ideal temperature depending on the thermal challenge to be presented to the temperature controlled package during shipment.
  • this is troublesome on two counts:
  • PCM1 has a Freeze/Thaw temperature at around +17°C, that at +20°C would be in a liquid state and would temperature stabilise at +17°C as it freezes if the TCP was exposed to temperatures less than +17°C.
  • This embodiment has the two phase change materials in separate plastics bags in-line with each other, packed into the same cardboard container or cassette. It has been found that the provision of a layer of material having a high thermal conductivity in contact with the phase change materials plastics bags to allow a homogenous temperature to be created on the contact face (lowermost face) of the assembly - where it would contact the payload space in the temperature controlled package.
  • Embodiment #2 - Adjacent - alternating [0038] This embodiment has the two phase change materials in separate plastics bags alternating with each other, packed into the cardboard container or cassette. This design is believed, in principle, to provide greater thermal stability than the first embodiment due to the better spread of the differing latent heat materials, but this might not be noticeable in practice. It has been found that the provision of a layer of material having a high thermal conductivity in contact with the phase change materials plastics bags to allow a homogenous temperature to be created on the contact face (lowermost face) of the assembly - where it would contact the payload space in the temperature controlled package.
  • phase change materials +17 and +22 PCM materials - which provided good cold protection as phase change occurs at +17°C
  • phase change materials in liquid form, can be placed in trays defined in multi-layer thermo-formed plastics films.
  • Plastics such as Acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylic can also be used to prove relatively rigid assemblies, which can be of benefit.
  • Pre-set phase change material ratios can be adapted for particular circumstances and are placed in respective trays, the material conveniently being placed whilst in a liquid state under low atmospheric pressure and sealed with a plastics film which is used to seal under the application of heat and/or an adhesive.
  • This plastics film could also be conductive, as discussed above.
  • phase change materials are being continuously developed and presently phase change materials are being developed which have putty-like formable handling characteristics at certain temperatures, whereby to enable particular shapes to be created. Such shapes can be encased in plastics films to provide phase change materials in something analogous to blister pack pockets.
  • Manufacturing methods for producing blister packs are well-developed.
  • the primary component of a blister pack is a cavity or pocket made from a formable web, usually a thermoformed plastic. This usually has a backing of paperboard or a lidding seal of aluminium foil or plastic.
  • Blister packs are useful for protecting products against external factors, such as humidity and contamination for extended periods of time. Opaque blisters also protect light-sensitive products against UV rays.
  • blister packs can be produced with a shape arranged such that only a percentage of cavities of a blister pack in a pattern being employed, with apertures present where unfilled blisters are present; by combining with another blister pack arrangement in respect of a second phase change material, a two dimensional array of two phase change materials could be prepared. Equally, not all the "blister centres in a pattern need be occupied. A third or further phase change material could be provided in the gaps that have remained unfilled. Given that a range of phase change materials exist, by the use of colour coding, visible, for example through a small aperture in a cassette or wallet enclosure, a make-up of a cassette can be determined and temperature conditioned prior to use in a simple fashion.
  • Microencapsulated phase change material sometimes referred to as microPCM - products are now becoming commonplace.
  • Microencapsulated phase change material products comprise very small dual- component entities consisting of a core material comprised of a phase change material PCM - and an outer shell or capsule wall.
  • the PCM substance can conveniently be provided as a wax - such as a paraffin-wax or a fatty acid ester operable to absorb and release energy in the form of heat in order to maintain a particular temperature.
  • the PCM In use, in a warm environment with an increasing temperature, the PCM would initially absorb the heat (the PCM melts inside the capsule wall) and store it until the temperature drops from the outside environment; at which time, the heat is released (the PCM re-solidifying within the capsule wall) releasing energy in the form of heat, which can assist in temperature control.
  • the capsule wall contains the PCM, so regardless of whether the actual PCM is in the liquid or solid state, the capsule itself remains as a solid particle containing the PCM.
  • the capsule wall can conveniently be provided as an inert, very stable polymer.
  • Such PCMs can be provide in a manner of slurry, where, for example a capsule size of 1 - 4pm is employed with 35-45% as solid in an aqueous slurry, a paste, where capsules of a size between 10 and 30pm are present as 70% solids with water or as a dry powder, the micro capsules of 10 - 30pm being processed such that they can be provided with polyurethane foams and the like. Larger beads or capsules, of the order of 2 - 5mm - sometimes referred to as macroPCM capsules can also be employed.
  • FIG. 8a a base multi-layer film is thermo-formed into 'trays'.
  • foam technology for example, a shape-stable foam is placed into the tray cavities - per Figure 8b.
  • First and second phase control materials are then introduced into the stabilising foam - per Figure 8c, followed by sealing of the cavities by the placement of a thermally conductive web used to seal the cavities closed.
  • the generally piano-rectangular shape of the container 91 can be shaped to provide indentations 95 to assist in manual handling of the container. It will be appreciated that the aperture need not be centrally arranged within the outer container 91. Equally, a further insert container (not shown) could be provided adjacent the first insert container, with the overall peripheral dimensions of the second 92 and further container corresponding with the internal dimensions of aperture 94. Equally, there could be provided first and second apertures 93.
  • This embodiment allows for simple, single temperature preparation of the Dual phase change material packs at standard Control Room Temperature (CRT) conditions.
  • CRT Control Room Temperature
  • a logistics company could fine tune the exact performance level required for a logistics company to overcome differing thermal challenges, coupled with the use of thermal simulation software whereby to allow logistics companies to make informed, safe and reliable decisions about how best to configure their modular phase change material shippers.
  • thermal simulation software whereby to allow logistics companies to make informed, safe and reliable decisions about how best to configure their modular phase change material shippers.
  • a 'tuned' performance of a particular package can be achieved by the simple expedient of controlling the ratio of PCM1 to PCM2.
  • phase change materials can easily replace dry ice or gel packs to reduce the size of shipping containers; they can increase the duration of a temperature control period during shipping. A reduction in transportation costs can simply be realised since less space is devoted to cooling systems, when phase change materials are employed. Phase change materials are reusable. Phase change materials assure predictable and stable temperature control. Phase change materials are available to cover a wide range of temperature ranges.

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

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine du transport et du stockage de produits et à un système de commande à température passive pour de tels conteneurs de transport et de stockage. La présente invention vise à fournir un système pouvant permettre aux produits d'être transportés et stockés de manière sécurisée et fiable pendant des périodes limitées dans des plages de températures spécifiées. Des produits pharmaceutiques, des protéines, des échantillons biologiques et d'autres produits sensibles à la température, y compris des produits alimentaires, sont régulièrement expédiés dans des conteneurs toute l'année et sont soumis à une vaste plage de températures. Bien qu'ils soient expédiés dans des conteneurs isolés et/ou des environnements à climat régulé, la stabilité de température des conteneurs d'expédition peut être considérablement améliorée en utilisant des matériaux à changement de phase appropriés (PCM 1, PCM 2) d'une manière ordonnée. La présente invention fournit une solution simple au maintien de profils de température pour le transport et le stockage de produits sensibles à la température.
EP17754429.3A 2016-06-24 2017-06-26 Système de commande à température passive pour conteneurs de transport et de stockage Withdrawn EP3475633A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1611031.4A GB201611031D0 (en) 2016-06-24 2016-06-24 A passive temperature control system for transport and storage containers
PCT/GB2017/000095 WO2017220953A1 (fr) 2016-06-24 2017-06-26 Système de commande à température passive pour conteneurs de transport et de stockage

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EP3475633A1 true EP3475633A1 (fr) 2019-05-01

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US (1) US20190226744A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3475633A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3028335A1 (fr)
GB (2) GB201611031D0 (fr)
SG (1) SG11201811525YA (fr)
WO (1) WO2017220953A1 (fr)

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WO2017220953A9 (fr) 2018-02-08
CA3028335A1 (fr) 2017-12-28
WO2017220953A1 (fr) 2017-12-28
GB2556358A (en) 2018-05-30
SG11201811525YA (en) 2019-01-30
GB201611031D0 (en) 2016-08-10
GB201710195D0 (en) 2017-08-09
US20190226744A1 (en) 2019-07-25

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