Abstract: In one aspect, food transport systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system comprises an interior compartment defined by a floor, one or more side walls, and optionally a lid. The lid has open and closed configurations. The lid, or a bottom surface thereof, is in facing opposition to the floor when the lid is in the closed configuration. The side walls comprise fold lines or seams substantially parallel to the floor. Further, the side walls have reduced thickness or rigidity or self-supporting ability at the fold lines. The interior compartment has an extended configuration and a folded configuration. When the interior compartment is in the extended configuration, the side walls are substantially orthogonal to the floor. When the interior compartment is in the folded configuration, the side walls are folded or collapsed onto themselves along the fold lines, in a direction orthogonal to the floor.

Abstract: In one aspect, a food delivery temperature charging system, temperature charging cradle systems and food transportation system are described herein. In some embodiments, the food delivery temperature charging system contains a temperature charging cradle system including a base unit including a first temperature adjustment unit generating hot or cold air, a backing affixed to the base unit, and a channel duct affixed to the backing, wherein the first temperature adjustment unit is connected to the channel duct so that the channel duct permits free flow of the first temperature medium to a charging station. The food delivery temperature charging system further includes a charging station containing a horizontal shelf for holding a food storage system including a shelf temperature medium portal, which is connected to a channel duct so that the first temperature medium is conveyed from the fully enclosed channel duct to the temperature medium portal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cargo area with a heat exchanger; a thermal battery system having a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM; fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger; and a pump creating a fluid flow through the fluid conduits between the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM; and fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, and cargo area heat exchanger form part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the cargo area and the thermal battery system. The second PCM-embedded heat exchanger and external ports do not part of the first closed-loop circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cargo area with a heat exchanger; a thermal battery system having a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM; fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger; and a pump creating a fluid flow through the fluid conduits between the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM; and fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, and cargo area heat exchanger form part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the cargo area and the thermal battery system. The second PCM-embedded heat exchanger and external ports do not part of the first closed-loop circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cargo area with a heat exchanger; a thermal battery system having a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM; fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger; and a pump creating a fluid flow through the fluid conduits between the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM; and fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, and cargo area heat exchanger form part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the cargo area and the thermal battery system. The second PCM-embedded heat exchanger and external ports do not part of the first closed-loop circuit.

Abstract: A thermal retention apparatus includes a tank and a phase change thermal energy storage unit contained within the tank that, in turn, includes a phase change material and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly includes a phase change material (PCM) charging circuit for charging the phase change material, and a PCM discharging circuit for discharging the phase change material. The heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of heat exchanger modules immersed within the phase change material, and the PCM charging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in parallel. The PCM discharging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in series.

Abstract: A thermal battery assembly includes a modules configured to be stacked vertically on top of each other. The modules includes an electronics module; a first tank module; and a second tank module. A base defines a bottom of the stack and is configured to receive thereon the lowermost module of the stack for supporting the stack on a floor. Each tank module includes a phase change material (PCM); a heat exchanger assembly with heat exchangers immersed in the phase change material, a first set thereof defining a PCM charging circuit, and a second set defining a PCM discharging circuit; a first exterior connection port configured for fluid communication with an inflow of the PCM discharging circuit and a second exterior connection port configured for fluid communication with an outflow of the PCM discharging circuit. Heating or cooling capacity can be increased by adding another tank module to the stack.

Abstract: In one aspect, composite construction materials are described herein. In some embodiments, a composite construction panel comprises a substrate layer, a cover layer separated from the substrate layer by one or more spacers, and at least one mat disposed between the substrate layer and the cover layer, wherein the mat comprises at least one phase change material disposed in at least one phase change region.

Abstract: In one aspect, a food delivery temperature charging system, temperature charging cradle systems and food transportation system are described herein. In some embodiments, the food delivery temperature charging system contains a temperature charging cradle system including a base unit including a first temperature adjustment unit generating hot or cold air, a backing affixed to the base unit, and a channel duct affixed to the backing, wherein the first temperature adjustment unit is connected to the channel duct so that the channel duct permits free flow of the first temperature medium to a charging station. The food delivery temperature charging system further includes a charging station containing a horizontal shelf for holding a food storage system including a shelf temperature medium portal, which is connected to a channel duct so that the first temperature medium is conveyed from the fully enclosed channel duct to the temperature medium portal.

Abstract: In one aspect, food transport systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system comprises an interior compartment defined by a floor, one or more side walls, and optionally a lid. The lid has open and closed configurations. The lid, or a bottom surface thereof, is in facing opposition to the floor when the lid is in the closed configuration. The side walls comprise fold lines or seams substantially parallel to the floor. Further, the side walls have reduced thickness or rigidity or self-supporting ability at the fold lines. The interior compartment has an extended configuration and a folded configuration. When the interior compartment is in the extended configuration, the side walls are substantially orthogonal to the floor. When the interior compartment is in the folded configuration, the side walls are folded or collapsed onto themselves along the fold lines, in a direction orthogonal to the floor.

Abstract: In one aspect, composite construction materials are described herein. In some embodiments, a composite construction panel comprises a substrate layer, a cover layer separated from the substrate layer by one or more spacers, and at least one mat disposed between the substrate layer and the cover layer, wherein the mat comprises at least one phase change material disposed in at least one phase change region.

Abstract: In one aspect, composite construction materials are described herein. In some embodiments, a composite construction panel comprises a substrate layer, a cover layer separated from the substrate layer by one or more spacers, and at least one mat disposed between the substrate layer and the cover layer, wherein the mat comprises at least one phase change material disposed in at least one phase change region.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater, and an enunciating device for displaying temperature conditions within the container. The container includes a plurality of walls forming an interior area and an opening, wherein the opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article and the heater from outside the container to within the interior area of the container. The container includes a flap for selectively covering and uncovering the opening to allow access to the interior area of the container. The heater is constructed and arranged for placement within the interior area of the container and is provided for heating the article. The enunciating device includes a temperature sensor for sensing temperature within the container, a temperature display for displaying temperature conditions within the container, and a power source for operating the enunciating device.