US20170307278A1

US20170307278A1 - Segmented container with multiple temperature zones

Info

Publication number: US20170307278A1
Application number: US15/134,217
Authority: US
Inventors: Seneil Chandran; Ilangovan Poonjolai Thirumurugavel
Original assignee: Google LLC
Current assignee: Google LLC
Priority date: 2016-04-20
Filing date: 2016-04-20
Publication date: 2017-10-26

Abstract

Delivering items to users by a delivery organization comprises a delivery container suitable to deliver multiple items that require storage at different temperatures for the duration of the delivery. The delivery container may be a cube or a rectangular prism constructed of an insulating material. The delivery organization may position a central panel in the delivery container to separate two compartments of the delivery container, each compartment to be cooled to a different temperature than the other. The delivery organization determines an appropriate coolant for each compartment based on heat transfer requirements of the compartment and positions the coolant in the bottom of each respective compartment. A panel is placed over each coolant and the items are placed in the appropriate compartments of the delivery container. A top panel is positioned on the delivery container to seal the delivery container.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to improving the delivery of passively cooled products in segmented containers. The products in different segments of the container are maintained at different temperatures through the use of different coolants or amounts of coolant in each segment. The container will allow a shipper to deliver products that require different shipping temperatures to a user in a single container.

BACKGROUND

When shippers and other delivery companies ship products to users, the products often require cooling. For example, if a user orders dairy products from a grocery store for delivery, the products may require a container that maintains a temperature below a specified temperature to prevent spoilage. In some instances, certain products in an order require different amounts of cooling than other products. For example, an order from the grocery store may include dairy products that require a shipping temperature of 32-35 degrees F. and frozen items that require a shipping temperature of less than 32 degrees F., such as 0 degrees F.
Current applications for delivering products to a user do not allow differing cooled temperatures in the same delivery container.

SUMMARY

Techniques herein provide a delivery container for delivering items to users by a delivery organization. The delivery container is suitable to deliver multiple items that require storage at different temperatures for the duration of the delivery. The delivery container may be a cube, a rectangular prism, a cylinder, or other suitable shape constructed of an insulating material. The delivery organization may position a central panel in the delivery container to separate two segments of the delivery container, each segment to be cooled to a different temperature than the other segment. The delivery organization determines an appropriate coolant for each segment based on heat transfer requirements of the segment and positions the coolant in the bottom of each respective segment. A panel is placed over each coolant, and the items are placed in the appropriate segments of the delivery container. A top panel is positioned on the delivery container to seal the delivery container.
In certain other example aspects described herein, methods to prepare the container and select the coolants are provided.
These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the example embodiments will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a cross section of a side view of a delivery container with multiple cooled compartments, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting a top view of a delivery container with multiple cooled compartments with the top section removed, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a cross section of a side view of a delivery container with multiple cooled compartments and an uncooled/less-cooled compartment, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a cross section of a side view of a delivery container with multiple cooled compartments and multiple coolant compartments, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting a cross section of a side view of a delivery container with multiple cooled compartments and multiple coolant compartments and an uncooled/less-cooled compartment, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

The example embodiments described herein provide a segmented container wherein different segments of the container are maintained at different temperatures through the use of different coolants or amounts of coolant in each compartment.
In an example embodiment, a delivery organization receives an order to deliver one or more products to a user. In an example, the user has ordered products from a merchant to be delivered to the residence of the user. Alternatively, the delivery organization is the merchant and is delivering products sold by the delivery organization. Alternatively, the delivery organization receives products to ship from one user to a second user.
One or more of the products for delivery may require cooling or heating to prevent spoiling, to ensure product stability, to provide a better user experience, or for any suitable reason. In the example, products in the single delivery container require different temperatures. In many of the examples herein, the products require cooling below ambient temperatures for delivery. However, in alternate embodiments, the products may require heating above ambient temperatures. Instead of coolants, the shipper may employ heating devices that will raise the temperature in the delivery container.
In an example, one or more products require cooling to less than 40 degrees F. but above approximately 32 degrees F., and one or more products require cooling to less then 32 degrees F. and typically approximately 0 degrees F. The delivery organization configures a segmented container for shipping the amount of products at each temperature. For example, if a greater volume of products requires shipping at 0 degrees F., then the compartments for those products may be larger. The size of the compartments may be varied by moving the panels that divide the compartments. The panels may be affixed to the walls of the container by any suitable means. For example, the wall of the container may have inset grooves into which the panels may slide and thus be affixed to the walls of the container. The grooves may be set at regular intervals to allow the size of the compartments to be varied as needs arise. Alternatively, the wall of the container may have tabs, clips, or any other suitable connectors that may be used to affix the panel to the walls of the container.
The delivery organization determines the type and/or amount of coolant needed to maintain the temperature in each compartment. The coolant required may be based on factors such as the mass and the thermal conductivity of the product in the compartment, the ambient temperature, the amount of time that delivery is expected to take, thickness of the panels and the container walls, the material of the panels and the container, and any other suitable factors. Based on these factors, the delivery organization selects an appropriate coolant and a particular amount of coolant. A larger amount of coolant may cause a lower temperature to be maintained, a temperature to be maintained for a longer period of time, or both. Certain coolants may cause the temperature to be lower than other coolants. For example, dry ice may cause the temperature to be lower than the temperature caused by water ice.
After segmenting the container and selecting the appropriate amounts of coolant, the delivery organization places the coolant in the delivery container. In the example, one type of coolant is placed in compartment of the container, and a different coolant is placed in the other compartment of the container. Alternatively, different amounts of the same coolant may be placed in each compartment of the container. The delivery organization places a tray or panel over the coolant to support the items. The tray may have holes, vents, or other means of regulating air flow between the coolant and the products.
The products are placed on the tray in the appropriate compartment of the container. In an example, another tray is placed over one or both of the products. This tray may allow another layer of products or coolant to be placed in the compartment over the products. The top of the delivery container is then affixed to the container to seal the container.
The coolants cool the compartment to an equilibrium temperature. The equilibrium temperature may vary as the coolant melts, warms, evaporates, or otherwise loses its cooling effect. In the example, one compartment is cooled to less than 32 degrees F., such as 0 degrees F., and the other compartment is cooled to less than 40 degrees F., such as 32 degrees F., when reaching equilibrium temperature after packing of the container.
The container is delivered to the user in any suitable manner, such as by the delivery organization itself, a delivery service, a postal service, a courier, or any other suitable delivery organization or person. The user receives the delivery container and removes the items for use or storage.
By using and relying on the methods and systems described herein, the delivery organization enables the user to receive a single container that contains multiple products that are maintained at different temperatures. As such, the systems and methods described herein may reduce a number of containers required to ship a particular set of products. The systems and methods will reduce waste, container usage, shipping container volume, and the total number of containers the user will be required to sort. Further, the products in the containers will have reduced spoilage from overheating or overcooling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like (but not necessarily identical) elements throughout the figures, example embodiments of the present technology are described in detail.
FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a cross section side view of a delivery container 100 with multiple cooled compartments 122, 123, in accordance with certain example embodiments.
In an example, a delivery organization receives an order to deliver one or more products to a user. In an example, the user has ordered products from a merchant to be delivered to the residence of the user. Alternatively, the delivery organization is the merchant and is delivering products sold by the delivery organization. Alternatively, the delivery organization receives products to ship from one user to a second user. The products ordered are indicated in FIG. 1 as one or more items 113 and one or more items 114.
In the example, the items 113 require cooling to less than 40 degrees F. but above approximately 32 degrees F., and the items 114 require cooling to less then 32 degrees F. and typically approximately 0 degrees F. These temperatures are only examples of typical temperature requirements for different products. Any suitable temperature may be requested or utilized. In alternate examples, the items may require heating above ambient temperatures. Instead of coolants, the shipper may employ heating devices that will raise the temperature in the delivery container.
The delivery organization desires to deliver all the items 113, 114 in a single delivery container 100. In an example, the container 100 is a box that is substantially a cube. In another example, the container 100 is a rectangular prism. Any other suitably shaped container 100 may be used. The container wall 101 may be constructed of cardboard, foam, cellulose, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The container wall 101 may be constructed of a combination of materials, such as a plastic shell with a foam liner and foam panels. The materials may be selected based on the heat transfer properties of the materials. In an example, the container wall 101 is constructed of an insulating material, such as a foam material to reduce the heat flowing into the interior of the container 100. In an example, the materials are selected based on factors affecting the environmentally friendly nature of the material. For example, the materials may be selected because the materials are recyclable or are made from recycled materials.
The panels 116, 117, 119, 120 may be selected to reduce the heat flowing from one compartment of the container 100 to another compartments, such as from compartment 122 to compartment 123. The panels 116, 117, 119, 120 may be constructed of cardboard, foam, cellulose, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The panels 116, 117, 119, 120 may be constructed of a combination of materials, such as a plastic shell with a foam liner and foam panels. The materials may be selected based on the heat transfer properties of the materials.
In an example, the panels 116, 117, 119, 120 are constructed of an insulating material, such as a foam material. In other examples, the panels 116, 117, 119, 120 are not designed to be insulating. For example, panels 116, 117 may be constructed of a material with sufficient structural integrity to support the items 113, 114 above the coolants 111, 112, but with holes or vents to allow air to flow between the coolant and the compartments 122, 123, respectively. In another example, the panels 116, 117, 119, 120 and other components of the container 100 are constructed of recyclable material. For example, the components may be constructed of a cellulose material that is manufactured from recycled material and may itself be recycled. Other recyclable material, such as certain plastics, may be used to construct the components of the container 100.
The container 100 is sized to hold all of the items 113, 114 or a selected portion of the items 113, 114. Based on the items that are to be shipped at different temperatures, the delivery organization configures the panels of the container 100. In the example, two cooled temperatures are required so the delivery organization positions a central panel 119 in the container 100 to divide the container 100 into two compartments 122, 123. In FIG. 1, the compartments 122, 123 are shown as being substantially equal in size.
The panel 119 may be affixed to the walls 101 of the container 100 by any suitable means. For example, the wall 101 of the container 100 may have inset grooves (not shown in FIG. 1) into which the panel 119 may slide and thus be affixed to the walls 101. The grooves may be set at regular or irregular intervals to allow the size of the compartments to be varied as needs arise. The grooves for affixing central panel 119 will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 2. Alternatively, the wall of the container may have tabs, clips, or any other suitable connection that may be used to affix the panel to the walls of the container.
After placing the panel 119 and establishing the compartments 122, 123, the appropriate coolants 111, 112 for each compartment 122, 123 are placed into the container 100. The coolant 111, 112 required may be based on factors such as the mass and the thermal conductivity of the products 113, 114 in the compartments 122, 123, the ambient temperature, the amount of time that delivery is expected to take, the thickness of the panels 116, 117, 119 and the container 100, the material of the panels 116, 117, 119, and the container 100, and any other suitable factors. Based on these factors, the delivery organization selects an appropriate coolant 111, 112 and a particular amount of coolant 111, 112. A larger amount of coolant 111, 112 may cause a lower temperature to be maintained, the temperature to be maintained for a longer period of time, or both. Certain coolants 111, 112 may cause the temperature to be lower than other coolants 111, 112. For example, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) may cause the temperature in the compartments 122, 123 to be lower than the temperature caused by water ice.
In the example, compartment 122 is selected to store the one or more items 114 at approximately 0 degrees F. Based on the size of the items 114, the expected delivery time, the insulation properties of the container 100 and the panels 116, 117, 119, 120 the ambient temperature, and any other suitable factors, the coolant 112 selected for use is dry ice. Any other suitable coolant may be selected that will cool the compartment 122 to an appropriate temperature.
In the example, compartment 123 is selected to store the one or more items 113 at less than 40 degrees F. but above approximately 32 degrees F. Based on the size of the items 113, the expected delivery time, the insulation properties of the container 100 and the panels 116, 117, 119, the ambient temperature, and any other suitable factors, the coolant 113 selected for use is water ice. Any other suitable coolant may be selected that will cool the compartment 123 to an appropriate temperature.
The coolant 112, 113 is placed in the bottom of the container 100. Each coolant 112, 113 is placed on the appropriate side of the panel 119. Coolant 112 is placed on the side of panel 119 with the compartment 122, and coolant 111 is place on the side of panel 119 with the compartment 123. A panel 116, 117 is placed over each coolant 111, 112. For example, panel 116 may be a solid panel, a tray, a plastic cover, a section of fabric, or any other material or structure to protect the item 113 from contacting the coolant 111 directly. The panel 116 may have holes, vents, or other means of regulating air flow between the coolant 111 and the products 113 (as shown in FIG. 2).
The panel 116 may be affixed to the panel 119 and/or the container walls 101. For example, the container wall 101 may have inset grooves 124 into which the panels may slide and thus be affixed to the walls of the container. The grooves 124 may be set at regular intervals to allow the size of the compartments 123 to be varied as needs arise. Alternatively, the container wall 101 may have tabs, clips, or any other suitable connection that may be used to affix the panel 116 to the walls 101. The panel 116 is affixed in a position to allow for the size of the coolant 111. For example, if a greater volume of coolant 111 is required, then the panel 116 may be positioned higher up the container wall 101.
After affixing the panel 116, the items 113 may be placed in the compartments 122, 123. The items 113 may rest on the panel 116 that is over the coolant 111. The items 113 may be affixed inside the compartment 123 in any other suitable manner. For example, the items 113 may be affixed to the wall 101, wrapped in bubble wrap, placed in packing foam, or suspended in packing material.
The coolant 112 may be selected and placed in the container 100 in a similar manner to coolant 111. The panel 117 may be positioned over the coolant 112 in a similar manner to panel 116. The items 114 may be placed in the grooves 124 122 in a similar manner to items 113.
A top panel 120 is placed on the container 100 to close or seal the container 100. The top panel 120 may be any type of lid or top that can close the container 100 for shipping. The top panel 120 may be a separate panel that fits snuggly over the lip of the container wall 101. The top panel 120 may be a panel that is connected on one side to the container wall 101 and folds over to seal the container 100. The top panel 120 may be composed of multiple panels that are each connected to the container wall 101 and fold together to form a single top connected to the container wall 101. The top panel 120 may be a separate panel that fits snuggly inside the container wall 101, such as in a groove 124 in the container wall 101. Any type of top panel 120 may be used to close or seal the container 100. The container 100 may be sealed shut with tape, glue, or any other suitable sealing material. The container 100 is then delivered to the user.
FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting a top view of a delivery container 100 with multiple cooled compartments 122, 123 with the top panel 120 removed, in accordance with certain example embodiments. The configuration of the container 100 in FIG. 2 is substantially the same as the container in FIG. 1. In the example, the items 114 are maintained at less than 32 degrees F., such as 0 degrees F., and the items 113 are maintained at less than 40 degrees F., such as 32 degrees F. The container 100 is shown without the top panel 120.
The compartments are shown with items 113 and items 114 inside. The central panel 119 is shown dividing the container into the two compartments. The panel 119 is shown inserted into the groove 124. The groove 124 aligns the panel 119 and maintains the positioning of the panel 119. The container wall 101 may have grooves 124 regularly spaced along the wall 101 to allow the delivery organization to change the respective sizes of compartment 122 and compartment 123. Instead of grooves 124, the container 100 may utilize any other type of connection or tab to affix the panel 119 to the wall 101. In an alternate embodiment, the panel 119 is positioned between the items 113, 114 and supported by the items 113, 114. That is, the panel 119 is not affixed to the container wall 101, but is merely held in place by the items 113, 114 themselves.
A top view of panels 116, 117 are shown. The panels 116, 117 are resting on, or suspended above, the coolants 111, 112, respectively. The items 113, 114 are shown as resting on, or suspended above, the panels 116, 117. The panels 116, 117 are shown with vents 201. The vents 201 may be holes, vents, gaps, or other means of regulating air flow between the coolant 111 and the products 113 and the coolant 112 and products 114, respectively. The vents 201 may be circular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape.
The vents 201 allow air flow between the compartments 122, 123 and the coolants 111, 112. For example, the vents 201 may allow the temperature of the compartments 122, 123 to reach an equilibrium temperature with the coolants 111, 112. The size and number of vents 201 may be selected to allow air flow to be increased or decreased. For example, a greater number of vents 201 allows greater air flow and thus greater heat transfer between the coolants 111, 112 and the compartments 122, 123. With a greater heat transfer rate, the items 113, 114 reach an equilibrium temperature with the coolants 111, 112 more quickly than with a lower heat transfer rate, or the items 113, 114 reach an equilibrium temperature that is lower than with a lower heat transfer rate. The vents 201 may be sized and distributed specifically to create a target temperature in the compartments 122, 123. In an example, panel 116 has fewer or smaller vents 201 to reduce the heat transfer between the compartment 123 and the coolant 111. The delivery organization may prefer the reduced heat transfer to allow the compartment to remain at a higher temperature than if more vents 201 were used.
In an example, the container 100 may select the same coolants 111, 112 for the compartments 122, 123, but vary the vents 201 in panels 116, 117. That is, the vents 201 of one of the panels, such as panel 116, are larger and/or more numerous than the vents 201 in the other panel, such as panel 117. The panel 116 with larger and/or more numerous vents 201 may cool the associated compartment 123 more quickly or to a lower temperature than the panel 117 with smaller and/or fewer vents 201.
FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a cross section of a side view of a delivery container 101 with multiple cooled compartments 122, 123 and an uncooled compartment 321, in accordance with certain example embodiments. In this example, the panel 318 is affixed to the wall 101 and the central panel 119 to create an additional compartment 121. The panel 318 may be affixed via grooves 124 as described herein or in any other suitable manner.
The compartment 121 is not conjoined with any coolant and thus is not intentionally cooled to a particular temperature. The compartment 121, by virtue of being conjoined with compartments 122, 123, may experience some cooling effect, but is not intended to be used to transport items requiring cooling. In the example, item 115 is shown in compartment 121.
In an alternate example, the panel 318 may include vents 201 substantially similar to the vents 201 that are sized and spaced similar to the vents 201 as described with respect to the vents 201 on panels 116, 117 in FIG. 2. The vents 201 may allow the compartment 321 to be cooled to a desired temperature. In an example, the compartment 321 may be cooled to a temperature that is warmer than the compartment 123. That is, as compartment 321 is further removed from coolant 111, and any heat must flow through panels 116 and 318, then the compartment 321 may experience less cooling than compartment 123.
In an alternate example, the compartment 321 may contain an additional coolant for use in cooling compartment 123. For example, if a greater amount of coolant 111 is needed than will fit below compartment 323, then additional coolant may be placed in compartment 321. In the example, additional water ice is used. The additional coolant may be needed because of a greater number of items 113 are in compartment 123. The additional coolant may be needed because the transit time to deliver will be greater than the amount of time that the coolant 111 will be able to maintain the temperature. The additional coolant may be needed because of the ambient temperature is too high for the coolant 111 to be effective. Additional coolant may be needed for any other suitable reason.
FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a cross section of a side view of a delivery container 100 with multiple cooled compartments 122, 123 and multiple coolant compartments, in accordance with certain example embodiments.
The container 100 in FIG. 4 includes panels 416 and 417. Panels 416, 417 are substantially similar to panels 116, 117 described previously with respect in FIG. 1. The panels 416, 417 may be affixed to the panel 119 and/or the container walls 101. For example, the container wall 101 may have inset similar to grooves 124 into which the panels may slide and thus be affixed to the walls of the container. The grooves 124 may be set at regular intervals to allow the size of the compartments 122, 123 to be varied as needs arise. Alternatively, the container wall 101 may have tabs, clips, or any other suitable connection that may be used to affix the panels 416, 417 to the walls 101. The panels 416, 417 are affixed in a position to allow for the size of the coolants 411, 412. For example, if a greater volume of coolants 411, 412 is required, then the panels 416, 417 may be positioned lower on the container wall 101.
The panels 416, 417 may include vents 201 that are sized and spaced similarly to the vents 201 as described with respect to panels 116, 117 in FIG. 2.
The coolants 411, 412 are selected and sized to provide a specified amount of cooling to the compartments 122, 123 in a similar manner to the selection and sizing of coolants 111, 112. In an example, the cooling provided by coolant 111 and/or coolant 112 is not sufficient to maintain a desired temperature. In this instance, additional cooling may be required. The coolants 411 and/or 412 provide additional cooling to the compartments 122, 123 to cool the compartments 122, 123 more quickly, to a lower equilibrium temperature, or both. The selection and sizing of the coolants 111, 112 and the coolants 411, 412 may be performed in conjunction with one another to optimize the use of coolants.
FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting a cross section of a side view of a delivery container 500 with multiple cooled compartments 122, 123 and multiple coolant compartments and an uncooled/less-cooled compartment 521, in accordance with certain example embodiments.
In FIG. 5, the container 500 formed from container wall 501 creates an additional compartment 521 that is outside of the cooled environment. In an example, the container 100 formed from container wall 101 is placed into the container 500 leaving a space for the compartment 521. For example, the container wall 101 may form a foam container 100, as described previously in FIGS. 1-4, which is placed into a container 500 with container walls 501, such as a cardboard box. The container 100 does not completely fill the container 500 and the compartment 521 is available for placing additional items 315. In the example, the container 500 includes a top that may be closed in any suitable manner to seal the container 100 and the item 315 inside the container 500.
In this example, the item 315 is not intentionally temperature controlled. The cooling of the container 100 may be intentionally controlled, but the item 315 in compartment 521 is being shipped in the same container 500 without a required temperature.
In alternate embodiments, the compartments 122, 123, 321, 521 may be configured in any arrangement by positioning the panels in any manner. For example, the compartments 122, 123 are primarily shown in the drawings as substantially being arranged horizontally. The compartments 122, 123 may alternatively be configured to be stacked vertically. In another alternative example, the coolants 111, 112 may be positioned in compartments that are substantially arranged horizontally with respect to the compartments 122, 123. Any geometric arrangement of the panels and compartments may be used.
The example systems, methods, and acts described in the embodiments presented previously are illustrative, and, in alternative embodiments, certain acts can be performed in a different order, in parallel with one another, omitted entirely, and/or combined between different example embodiments, and/or certain additional acts can be performed, without departing from the scope and spirit of various embodiments. Accordingly, such alternative embodiments are included in the inventions described herein.
Although specific embodiments have been described above in detail, the description is merely for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated, therefore, that many aspects described above are not intended as required or essential elements unless explicitly stated otherwise. Modifications of, and equivalent components or acts corresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the example embodiments, in addition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments defined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container assembly to store items requiring cooling, comprising:

a container wall forming a bottom surface and four side walls;

a central panel dividing the interior of the container assembly into a first compartment and a second compartment;

a first coolant placed in the first compartment along the bottom surface, the first coolant having cooling characteristics to maintain a temperature of items in the first compartment at or below a first temperature;

a second coolant placed in the second compartment along the bottom surface of the container wall, the second coolant having cooling characteristics to maintain a temperature of items in the second compartment at or below a second temperature that is different from the first temperature; and

a top panel to enclose items in the container wall.

2. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first panel configured to cover the first coolant; and

a second panel configured to cover the second coolant.

3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the container wall forms a rectangular prism.

4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the central panel is offset from a center of the container assembly such that the first compartment and the second compartment are of different sizes.

5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the central panel is constructed of an insulating material.

6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first coolant is dry ice and the second coolant is water ice.

7. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first coolant and the second coolant are comprised of differing amounts of a same coolant.

8. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first coolant and the second coolant are selected based on an ambient temperature, the desired temperatures of the first and second compartments, and an expected time for maintaining temperatures at or below the desired temperatures.

9. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the container wall comprises vertical grooves therein, and wherein the central panel is placed into the vertical grooves in the container wall such that the central panel is affixed to the container wall.

10. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein the first panel separating the first compartment from the first coolant comprises vents to allow air to flow between a region around the first coolant and the first compartment.

11. The container assembly of claim 10, wherein the first coolant and the second coolant are substantially similar and the vents in the first panel are different from the vents in the second panel, the different vents causing the first temperature to be different from the second temperature.

12. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein a third panel is installed in the first compartment to create a third compartment, wherein a temperature of the third compartment is not intentionally cooled to a particular temperature by the first coolant or the second coolant.

13. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein materials of the container wall and the central panel are determined based on an ambient temperature, a desired temperature of the first and second compartments, and an expected time until delivery.

14. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein the materials of the container wall and the central panel are selected from plastic, cardboard, or foam.

15. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein the materials of the container wall and the central panel are recyclable.

16. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein the second panel separating the second compartment from the first coolant comprises vents to allow air to flow between a region around the second coolant and the second compartment.

17. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein the third panel separating the third compartment from the first coolant comprises vents to allow air to flow between the first compartment and the third compartment to achieve a temperature at or below a third temperature in the third compartment.

18. A method to assemble and pack a container assembly to store items requiring cooling, comprising:

receiving a plurality of items, the items requiring at least two different temperatures for storage;

selecting an appropriately sized container with an outer container wall forming a bottom surface and four side walls;

positioning a central panel inside the outer container wall dividing the interior of the container into a first grooves 124 and a second grooves 124;

determining a first coolant sufficient to maintain a temperature of items in the first grooves 124 at or below a first temperature for a period of time;

depositing the first coolant in the first grooves 124 along the bottom surface of the container wall;

determining a second coolant sufficient to maintain a temperature of items in the second grooves 124 at or below a second temperature for the period of time;

depositing the second coolant in the second grooves 124 along the bottom surface of the container wall;

depositing a first set of items in the first grooves 124, the first set of items being determined to be at or below the first temperature for the period of time;

depositing a second set of items for delivery in the second grooves 124, the second set of items being determined to be at or below the second temperature for the period of time; and

positioning a top panel to close the container.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning a first panel over the first coolant and a second panel over the second coolant, the first and second panels being sufficient to prevent contact between the coolant and the first and second sets of items.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the first coolant is dry ice and the second coolant is water ice.