Insulated shipping container and method
An improved shock-absorbing, disposable, insulated shipping container including an insulated body having a cavity for holding contents to be shipped in the container. The container also includes an especially configured dual-function structure, which is shock-absorbing and provides for air circulation about the contents of the container. A fan package provides for fan-forced circulation of air within the container over the contents and a temperature control mass, so that the contents are maintained at a desired uniform temperature during shipment.
This is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/044,392, filed 26 Jan. 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. ______.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to shipping containers, and more particularly relates to an improved insulated shipping container and method. The improved insulated shipping container has particular utility for shipping fragile or high value contents, which may be destroyed or damaged either because fragile bottles of the contents can be broken by dropping or jarring the container during shipping, or which may be rendered unusable by temperature variations (either too high or too low a temperature) experienced during shipping. The improved insulated shipping container is configured and constructed to provide both shock absorption, and to provide temperature regulation for the contents of the container by promoting natural or fan-forced convection currents within the container in order to maintain a temperature controlled condition which may be neither freezing or too warm, and which is maintained for an extended period of time without significant temperature stratification during transport by common carrier. Most preferably, the insulated shipping container according to this invention is disposable, and is used for only one shipping of a high-value contents, although the invention is not so limited.
2. Related Technology
Traditionally, disposable containers for shipping temperature sensitive products have generally included conventional cardboard shipping containers having an insulating material therein. The insulating material may be simple loose-fill Styrofoam “peanuts,” for example, in which a chunk of dry ice is placed along with the material to be shipped. Another variety of conventional insulated shipping container utilized panels or containers made of an insulating material, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS). EPS is a relatively inexpensive insulating material, and it may be easily formed into a desired shape, has acceptable thermal insulating properties for many shipping needs, and may be encapsulated or faced with protective materials, such as plastic film or metal foil, or plastic film/metal foil laminates.
Containers including EPS are often provided in a modular form. That is, individual panels of EPS insulation, possibly wrapped in foil or the like, are preformed using conventional methods, typically with beveled or rabbeted edges. The panels are then inserted into a conventional cardboard box type of shipping container, one panel against each wall, to create an insulated cavity within the container. In this arrangement, the beveled or rabbeted edges of adjacent panels form seams at the corners of the container. A product is placed in the cavity and a plug, such as a thick polyether or polyester foam pad, is placed into the top of the cavity and over the top of the product before the container is closed and prepared for shipping. In many cases, a coolant, such as packaged ice, gel packs, or loose dry ice, is placed around the product in the cavity to refrigerate the product during shipping.
Alternatively, an insulated body may be injection molded from expanded polystyrene, forming a cavity therein and having an open top to access the cavity. A product is placed in the cavity, typically along with coolant, and a cover is placed over the open end, such as the foam plug described above or a cover also formed from EPS.
For shipping particularly sensitive products, such as certain medical or pharmaceutical products, expanded rigid polyurethane containers are often used, as expanded polyurethane has thermal properties generally superior to EPS. Typically, a cardboard container is provided having a box liner therein, defining a desired insulation space between the liner and the container. Polyurethane foam is injected into the insulation space, substantially filling the space and generally adhering to the container and the liner. The interior of the box liner provides a cavity into which a product and coolant may be placed. A foam plug may be placed over the product, or a lid may be formed from expanded polyurethane, typically having a flat or possibly an inverted top-hat shape.
For large size durable (i.e., expensive and not disposable) shipping containers, it is known to provide a dedicated refrigeration device (i.e., a mechanical refrigeration set using a refrigerant such as Freon, with a power supply, and a compressor, with heat exchangers, fans, and controls). However, such durable powered refrigerated containers are both large and expensive. They also require that the empty containers be shipped back (usually empty) to the place of origin for reuse. This return shipping adds significantly to the cost of using such large durable refrigerated containers. Such containers are also expensive initially, and require skilled service after every use to prepare them for their next use. They are subject to damage during shipping, and sometimes are stolen simply because of their intrinsic value. Thus, such larger durable refrigerated shipping containers have a very large initial cost, require service of the refrigeration package and its power supply after every use, have a high first cost, and a significant cost of use, incur large shipping costs (in part because of the empty return shipping), and are suitable only for shipments of large size. That is, such powered refrigerated containers are not suitable for shipments of smaller size (i.e., up to about 100 pounds).
For shipments of smaller size, containers using dry ice or frozen gel packs are commonly employed. With such conventional shipping containers, the fact that the product and coolant are typically placed together within a cavity in the container, may have several adverse effects. When shipping certain products, it may be desired to refrigerate but not freeze the product. Placing a coolant, such as loose blocks of dry ice, into the cavity against the product may inadvertently freeze and damage all or a portion of the product. Even if held away from the product, the coolant may shift in the cavity during shipping, especially as it melts and shrinks in size, inadvertently contacting the product. In addition, with gel packs, if they become perforated then melted coolant may leak from the pack, possibly creating a mess within the cavity or even contaminating the product being shipped.
Finally, polyurethane containers of the type using two cardboard boxes nested together with polyurethane injected into the space between these boxes (i.e., a composite container) may also create a disposal problem. When polyurethane is injected into such a container, it generally adheres substantially and strongly to the walls of both the inner and the outer cardboard box. Thus, the cardboard and insulation components of the container cannot be easily separated, and may have to be disposed of together, usually into a land fill, preventing recycling of the container. Some countries, states, and other jurisdictions have prohibited local disposal of such composite containers, requiring that the containers be shipped back to their place of origin for disposal or re-use.
Further, when temperature sensitive materials are shipped in winter time, there is a need to prevent low ambient temperatures from freezing the product being shipped.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved shipping container to both cushion contents and prevent shocks and jarring from damaging the shipped contents, and to maintain temperature sensitive materials in a temperature controlled condition which is not freezing or too warm during transport and over an extended period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed generally to an improved insulated shipping container and method. Particularly, the improved insulated shipping container provides for controlled energy absorption, so that shocks and jarring experienced during shipping (such as aboard a truck operated by a common carrier) do not damage fragile contents of the container. Further, the improved insulated shipping container provides for a temperature regulated condition, which is not frozen or too warm, for an extended period of time. That is, the improved container may be used to ship refrigerated contents during all seasons. Alternatively, the container may also be used in cold weather conditions to prevent an item being shipped from being frozen by low ambient temperatures. In the latter situation, gel packs with are warmed prior to shipping of the container are used, and the features of the container are employed to maintain a temperature controlled environment within the shipping container during shipment.
One aspect of the present invention provides a shock absorbing insulated shipping container for transporting a fragile product or contents comprising: an insulated body having a cavity defining an opening; the insulated body providing both thermal insulation to the contents of the container, isolating the contents form ambient conditions outside the container, a energy absorbing structure defining a controlled-crush structure extending about the contents and isolating the contents from shocks and jarring experienced by the container during shipping, and an air circulation space or channels extending about the contents of the cavity. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved shock absorbing insulated shipping container, said container comprising: a chambered foam polymer insulating body, said body including a base portion defining a chamber therein and an opening from said chamber, and a lid portion spanning and closing said opening; said container also including dual-function structure disposed within said chamber for receiving contents to be shipped in said container, and a temperature-control mass, said dual-function structure on the one hand providing a shock-absorbing structure spacing the contents away from inside surfaces of said chamber so as to maintain a surrounding cushion space of controlled crushability, and on the other hand, also providing an air circulation space surrounding the contents, whereby air currents are allowed to circulate about said contents and said temperature-control mass.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of isolating contents to be shipped both from shock and from ambient temperatures. This method includes steps of providing a chambered foam polymer insulating body, and configuring said body to include a base portion defining a chamber therein and an opening from said chamber, and a lid portion spanning and closing said opening. Included in the chamber of the body is a dual-function structure for receiving contents to be shipped in said container, and a temperature-control mass. Configuring said dual-function structure to on the one hand provide a shock-absorbing structure spacing the contents away from inside surfaces of said chamber so as to maintain a surrounding cushion space of controlled crushability, and to on the other hand also provide an air circulation space surrounding the contents, whereby air currents are allowed to circulate about said contents and said temperature-control mass.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Turning now to the drawings, considering
Disposed within the cavity 18 are the contents (generally referenced with the numeral 30) to be shipped in the container 10. In this case, the contents 30 includes plural relatively small boxes 32 (individually labeled 32a/32b/32c, etc.), each of which may contain, for example, a liquid material carried in a glass bottle or vial, although the invention is not so limited. By way of example only, the liquid contents of the boxes 32 may include human growth hormone, or a vaccine. Thus, it is to be understood that the contents of shipping container 10 may have a high value.
Considering the contents and arrangement of the cavity 18, it is seen that a cushion space or substantially void volume, generally referenced with the numeral 34 surrounds the contents 30. Below the contents 30 (as well as on the vertical side of the contents “toward” and away from the viewer of
Above the top end edges 36b of the channel members 36, and supported thereby, is a partition member or tray member 40, which similarly may define plural vertically extending holes or passages 40a therein, which preferably align with or communicate with the passages 38a. Finally, it is to be noted that disposed upon the tray member 40, is a temperature control or refrigerant mass 42. This temperature control or refrigerant mass 42 may include a block of dry ice, for example. Or, the temperature-control, or refrigerant mass 42 may include a refrigerated (or warmed) gel pack, for example. Alternatively, the mass 42 may include a quantity of chunked or cubed dry ice. Water ice may also be employed as temperature control mass 42, and is preferably contained within a plastic bag.
Considering now
As is best seen in
Further viewing
Further to the above, it is to be appreciated that in addition to providing air circulation space and channels about the contents 30, the channels 36, 36a provide a spacing structure of controlled crushability (energy absorption), spacing the contents 30 from the walls 14. That is, each channel 36, 36a includes a pair of spaced apart legs 56 providing the air passage 58. In the event that the container 10 is subjected to a shock or jarring of sufficient force and violence, some of the energy of the shock will be absorbed by the expanded foam polymer material from which the walls 14 or lid 16 is made. However, for fragile contents 30, the polymer foam from which the container 10 (i.e., body 12 and lid 16) is formed may nevertheless allow too much energy to be transmitted to the contents. So, the crushability of the channel members 36, 36a can be selected by variation of a combination of factors, including: the thickness of the cardboard from which these channel members 36, 36a are made, the weight of paper used for the face sheets of that cardboard, the weight of paper used for the corrugations of the cardboard, the length of the legs 56, and the width of the central portion 54. Also, the number and size of the perforations 36c can be varied. These perforations may be omitted, or may be large or small, as is needed to accomplish a desired degree of crushability for the channel members 36 and 36a. Similarly, the channel members 36 and 36a may be individually tailored to the requirements necessary to safeguard the contents 30, as the contents 30 may have a differing weight in a particular direction, as well as possibly having a greater or lesser strength in a particular direction. The result is that a structure defining an air circulation space (i.e., for convection currents), with this structure also providing a controlled crush space and energy absorption, is provided about the contents 30 within the cavity 18.
Turning now to
Snugly received into the portion 62a of the recess 62 is a base portion 64 of the fan package 60. This base portion 64 may house batteries and controls (not detailed in
In view of the above, it is seen that the insulated shipping container 110 will experience a vigorous fan-forced circulation air flow within the cavity 118 while the fan 68 is operating during shipping of the container 110. This fan-forced circulation air flow is especially important in the event that the container 110 is placed on its side or inverted. As will be easily understood from a consideration of the convection air flow within the first embodiment of insulated shipping container 10 described above, in the event that the refrigerated mass 42 (or 142) is not at the top of the cavity 18/118 (i.e., because the container is on its side or is inverted), then some of the contents may become unduly warm because the cold air from the mass 42/142 circulates downwardly by natural convection. Also, experience has shown that even when an insulated container is in the desired orientation, temperature stratification can occur within the cavity of the container. That is, natural convection currents are not sufficient to prevent some of the contents of the container from experiencing a higher than desired temperature (i.e., in the case of contents that require cooling), while other of the contents may experience a temperature that is too low. However, with the insulated shipping container 110 including fan package 60, so long as this fan package is running, the cool air from refrigerated mass 42 will be circulated about the contents 130 regardless of the orientation of the container 110. The container 110 provides the same advantages of providing a dual-function structure both spacing the contents of the package 110 away from the inside surfaces of the walls 114 with a controlled crushability (i.e., so as to isolate the contents against shock), and also providing a surrounding air flow space, as was the case with the first embodiment described above.
Turning now to
Alternatively,
Turning now to
Disposed within the cavity 218 are the contents, generally referenced with numeral 230, and individually as boxes 232 (seen in
Considering the contents and arrangement of structure within the cavity 218, it is seen that a cushion space or substantially void volume, generally referenced with the numeral 234 surrounds the contents 230. Below the contents 230, the void volume 234 is maintained by a plurality of protrusions 86, which may be configured, for example, as blocks, or ribs, or fins of the foam material of floor 214e, which protrusions 86 protrude upwardly into the cavity 218 all to substantially the same height, and so cooperatively provide an aggregate surface 86a (or aggregate support plane) upon which the wall structure 84 and the contents 230 rest. These blocks, ribs, or fins 86 provide an air channel space, and also have a selected cushion effect. That is, the number and size (i.e., in cross section) of the blocks or fins 86 of foam material is selected in view of the strength of the foam material in compression, so that these blocks or fins 86 have a determined crush or buckling strength. Toward the left, right, front and back sides of the contents 30 (again, as best viewed in
Further to the above, the void space 234 also provides air circulation space surrounding the contents 230. Importantly, the wall structure 84 is arranged in such a way as to provide on the one hand, vertically extending wells 84b for receiving the contents 230, and on the other hand to provide in addition to the surrounding void space 234, a centrally located (i.e., among the contents 230, but not necessarily central of the cavity 218) “chimney” 84c, which provides for very open or effective air circulation in the cavity 218. In this case, the chimney 84c is of cruciform configuration, with a central passage indicated by the arrowed numeral in
Turning now to
Considering now to
However, inspection of
Above and resting upon a circumferential ledge 344 defined about cavity 318 is a top panel 388 (best seen in
Attention now to
However, inspection of
Above and resting upon a circumferential ledge 344 defined about cavity 418 by the ribs 286b is a top panel 488 (best seen in
Finally, attention now to
Turning first to
Moreover, inspection of
Thus, within one of the cavity portions 518a or 518b, dependent upon the size and number of contents items to be shipped in the container 510, an interlocking wall structure 584 similar to wall structure 84 (recalling
Above and resting upon a circumferential ledge 544 defined about cavity 518 by the ribs 586b is a top panel 588 (seen in
In view of the above, it is seen that the container 510 is able to receive, transport, cushion, and circulate temperature controlling air about contents that would not completely fill the cavity 518. By utilizing only a controlled and partitioned portion of the cavity 518, the contents 530 are maintained in a compact mass (best seen in
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An improved shock absorbing insulated shipping container, said container comprising:
- a chambered insulating body, said body including a base portion defining a chamber therein and an opening from said chamber, and a lid portion spanning and closing said opening;
- said container also including dual-function structure disposed within said chamber for receiving contents to be shipped in said container, and a temperature-control mass, said dual-function structure on the one hand providing a shock-absorbing structure spacing the contents away from inside surfaces of said chamber so as to maintain a surrounding cushion space of controlled crushability, and on the other hand, also providing an air circulation space surrounding the contents, whereby air currents are allowed to circulate about said contents and said temperature-control mass.
2. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein said insulating body includes foamed polymer.
3. The shipping container of claim 1, further including an air circulation fan package communicating with said chamber.
4. The shipping container of claim 3 wherein said air circulation fan package is disposed within said chamber.
5. The shipping container of claim 3, wherein said air circulation fan package includes a battery, a motor, and a fan driven by said motor.
6. The shipping container of claim 3, further including a temperature responsive control device for effecting controlled fan-forced circulation of air within said chamber by operation of said fan in response to temperature within said chamber.
7. The shipping container of claim 6, wherein said temperature responsive control device includes a temperature responsive switch.
8. The shipping container of claim 3, further including a voltage control circuit element interposed in circuit with said battery and said motor and operating said motor at less than full battery voltage while said battery is fresh, while also extending the operating time for said motor, whereby, said voltage control element extends the operating interval for said motor.
9. The shipping container of claim 8, wherein said voltage control circuit element includes a zener diode.
10. The shipping container of claim 8, wherein said voltage control circuit element includes a transistor.
11. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein said dual-function structure disposed within said chamber for receiving contents to be shipped in said container, and a temperature-control mass, includes plural crushable channel members, each of said plural crushable channel members being respectively interposed between an inside surface of said chamber and said contents.
12. The shipping container of claim 11, wherein said crushable channel members include a pair of spaced apart legs extending from an inside surface of said chamber to a portion spanning between said pair of spaced apart legs, and said pair of spaced apart legs having a determined crushability.
13. The shipping container of claim 12, wherein said pair of spaced apart channel legs include features for modifying the crushability of said pair of spaced apart legs.
14. The shipping container of claim 13, wherein said features for modifying the crushability of said pair of legs are selected from the group consisting of: openings, holes, slots, and slits formed in said pair of spaced apart legs.
15. The shipping container of claim 11, wherein said base portion includes plural pairs of spaced apart grooves extending along an inside surface of said chamber, and said channel members each include a pair of spaced apart legs respectively received retainingly in said pairs of spaced apart grooves.
16. The shipping container of claim 15, wherein said base portion includes at least one pair of spaced apart grooves extending from adjacent said opening of said chamber along a side wall surface to a floor of said chamber, and along said floor to an opposite side wall, and along said opposite side wall to terminate adjacent said opening of said chamber, and said one pair of spaced apart grooves receiving a channel member which is U-shaped to extend along said one and said opposite side wall as well as across said floor of said chamber.
17. The shipping container of claim 15, wherein said base portion includes at least one pair of spaced apart grooves extending from adjacent said opening of said chamber along a side wall surface to terminate adjacent to a floor of said chamber, and said one pair of spaced apart grooves receiving a channel member which is substantially straight to extend along said side wall between said opening of said chamber and said floor.
18. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein a tray member is further received in said chamber and carries said thermal mass, said tray member defining air circulation openings communicating with said dual-function structure so as to allow air circulation about said thermal mass and about the contents to be shipped in said container.
19. The shipping container of claim 18, wherein said tray member carries said fan package, said fan package receiving air from said air circulation space of said dual-function structure to circulate this air over said thermal mass, and delivering fan-forced air circulation into said air circulation space.
20. The shipping container of claim 4, wherein said base portion defines a floor wall, and said floor wall defines a recess communicating with said chamber, said fan package being disposed in said recess to receive air from said air circulation space of said dual-function structure, and delivering fan-forced air into said air circulation space.
21. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein said dual-function structure includes plural interlocking wall members, said plural interlocking wall members defining at least one well for receiving the contents to be shipped in said container, and said plural interlocking wall members further including protruding crushable end portions extending outwardly of said at least one well and engaging inside surfaces of said chamber to both provide said cushion space and to also provide at least a part of said air circulation space.
22. The shipping container of claim 21, wherein said plural interlocking wall members cooperatively define plural wells for receiving the contents to be shipped in said container, and said plural interlocking wall members also defining a chimney passage among said wells and defining a portion of said air circulation space, whereby said air circulation space includes said cushion space surrounding the contents to be shipped in said container as well as said central chimney passage among the contents to be shipped in said container, so that the contents have air circulation space about these contents as well as among these contents.
23. The shipping container of claim 22, wherein said plural interlocking wall members define a chimney passage of cruciform configuration, so that a part of said cruciform passage is interposed between adjacent wells for receiving contents to be shipped in said container.
24. The shipping container of claim 22, wherein said chimney passage communicates directly with said fan of said fan package.
25. The shipping container of claim 2, wherein said dual-function structure includes plural integral spaced apart features protruding from an inside surface of said chamber; said protruding features being selected from the group including: columns, fins, ribs, and blocks, each formed integrally of the foamed polymer material of said container and having a determined crushability; and said spaced apart features providing a portion of said air circulation space therebetween.
26. The shipping container of claim 25, wherein said plural integral spaced apart features protruding from an inside surface of said chamber are selected to include pair of closely spaced apart ribs, and said pairs of closely spaced apart ribs extending along opposite side walls of said chamber, said pairs of closely spaced apart ribs receiving therebetween a partition member dividing said chamber into a first and a second portion, and an additional part of said dual-function structure as well as said contents to be shipped in said container being received into only one of said first and said second chamber portions, whereby said container has a variable-volume capacity within said chamber for receiving said additional part of said dual-function structure and said contents to be shipped in said container.
27. A method of isolating contents to be shipped in a container both from shock and from ambient temperatures, said method including steps of:
- providing a chambered insulating body;
- configuring said body to include a base portion defining a chamber therein and an opening from said chamber;
- providing a lid portion spanning and closing said opening;
- included in the chamber of the body a dual-function structure for receiving contents to be shipped in said container along with a temperature-control mass;
- configuring said dual-function structure to on the one hand provide a shock-absorbing structure spacing the contents away from inside surfaces of said chamber so as to maintain a surrounding cushion space of controlled crushability, and to on the other hand to also provide an air circulation space surrounding the contents;
- whereby air currents are allowed to circulate about said contents and said temperature-control mass.
28. The method of claim 27 further including the steps of:
- providing a fan communicating with said chamber, and utilizing said fan to effect fan-forced air circulation in said air circulation space surrounding the contents.
29. The method of claim 28 including steps of: providing said fan by providing a fan package including a battery providing electrical power, a motor receiving electrical power from said battery, and a fan driven by said motor.
30. The method of claim 29 further including the step of: effecting controlled fan-forced circulation of air within said chamber by operation of said fan in response to temperature within said chamber.
31. The method of claim 30 including the step of providing a temperature responsive control device in said fan package.
32. The method of claim 31 including the step of including a temperature responsive switch in said control device.
33. The method of claim 30 including the steps of including a voltage control circuit element interposed in circuit with said battery and said motor and operating said motor at less than full battery voltage while said battery is fresh, and utilizing said voltage control circuit element to extend the operating time for said motor, whereby, said voltage control element extends the operating interval for said motor before said battery is exhausted.
34. The method of claim 27 including step of disposing as a part of said dual-function structure within said chamber for receiving contents to be shipped in said container plural crushable channel members, and interposing each of said plural crushable channel members between an inside surface of said chamber and said contents.
35. The method of claim 34 including steps of
- providing for each of said crushable channel members a pair of spaced apart legs extending from an inside surface of said chamber to a portion spanning between said pair of spaced apart legs, and providing said pair of spaced apart legs with a determined crushability.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein said pair of spaced apart channel legs of said channel members are provided with a determined crushability by including features weakening the pair of spaced apart legs.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of including features for weakening said pair of spaced apart legs includes forming features selected from the group consisting of: openings, holes, slots, and slits formed in said pair of spaced apart legs.
38. The method of claim 34 wherein said base portion is formed to include plural pairs of spaced apart grooves extending along an inside surface of said chamber, and said channel members each include a pair of spaced apart legs respectively received retainingly in said pairs of spaced apart grooves.
39. The method of claim 27 further including in said chamber of said container a tray member, and carrying said thermal mass on said tray member; and defining air circulation openings in said tray member communicating with said dual-function structure so as to allow air circulation about said thermal mass and about the contents to be shipped in said container.
40. The method of claim 39 further including the steps of carrying said fan package on said tray member, and providing for said fan package to receive air from said air circulation space of said dual-function structure and to circulate this air over said thermal mass and to deliver fan-forced air currents into said air circulation space.
41. The method of claim 29 further including steps of:
- configuring said base portion to defines a floor wall, and in said floor wall providing a recess communicating with said chamber;
- disposing said fan package in said recess to receive air from said air circulation space of said dual-function structure; and
- delivering fan-forced air into said air circulation space by operation of said fan package.
42. The method of claim 27 further including steps of:
- including in said dual-function structure plural interlocking wall members;
- configuring said plural interlocking wall members to define at least one well for receiving the contents to be shipped in said container; and
- providing for said plural interlocking wall members to further include protruding crushable end portions extending outwardly of said at least one well to engage respective inside surfaces of said chamber;
- whereby said protruding crushable end portions both provide said cushion space and provide at least a part of said air circulation space.
43. The method of claim 42 further including steps of:
- providing for said plural interlocking wall members to cooperatively define plural wells for receiving the contents to be shipped in said container;
- utilizing said plural interlocking wall members to also define a chimney passage among said wells; and
- utilizing said chimney passage to define a portion of said air circulation space;
- whereby said air circulation space includes said cushion space surrounding the contents to be shipped in said container as well as said chimney passage among the contents to be shipped in said container, so that the contents have air circulation space about these contents as well as among these contents.
44. The method of claim 43 including the steps of:
- utilizing said plural interlocking wall members to define said chimney passage; and
- providing for said chimney passage to be part of a passage of cruciform configuration defined by said plural interlocking walls and separating said plural wells for receiving contents to be shipped in said container.
45. The method of claim 27 further including steps of:
- forming said insulating body to include foamed polymer;
- providing for said dual-function structure to include plural integral spaced apart features of foamed polymer protruding from an inside surface of said chamber;
- providing for said protruding features to be selected from the group including: columns, fins, ribs, and blocks;
- forming said protruding features each integrally from the foamed polymer material of said container and having a determined crushability according to the strength of said polymer material; and
- further providing for said protruding features to be sufficiently spaced apart such that they cooperatively define spaces therebetween which define at least a part of said air circulation space.
46. The method of claim 45 including steps of:
- selecting said plural integral spaced apart features to include a pair of closely spaced apart ribs, and
- extending one pair of closely spaced apart ribs along opposite side walls of said chamber;
- providing for said pairs of closely spaced apart ribs to receiving therebetween a partition member dividing said chamber into a first and a second portion;
- whereby said container has a variable-volume capacity within said chamber for receiving said dual-function structure and said contents to be shipped in said container.
47. An improved disposable, shock-absorbing insulated shipping container, said container comprising:
- a chambered foam polymer insulating body;
- said body including a base portion including a floor wall and at least one side wall cooperatively bounding a chamber therein and an opening from said chamber;
- said body including also a lid portion spanning and closing said opening;
- disposed within said chamber, said container also including a dual-function structure for receiving contents to be shipped in said container, and a temperature-control mass;
- said dual-function structure on the one hand providing a shock-absorbing structure spacing the contents away from inside surfaces of said chamber walls so as to maintain a surrounding cushion space of controlled crushability, and on the other hand, also providing an air circulation space surrounding the contents so that air currents are allowed to circulate about said contents and said temperature-control mass; and
- an air circulation fan package disposed within said chamber.
48. The shipping container of claim 47, wherein said disposable air circulation fan package includes a battery, a motor, and a fan driven by said motor.
49. The shipping container of claim 47, further including a temperature responsive control device for effecting controlled fan-forced circulation of air within said chamber by operation of said fan in response to temperature within said chamber.
50. The shipping container of claim 47, further including a voltage control circuit element interposed in circuit with said battery and said motor and operating said motor at less than full battery voltage while said battery is fresh, while also extending the operating time for said motor, whereby, said voltage control element extends the operating interval for said motor before said battery is exhausted.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 10, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 10, 2006
Inventor: Gary Lantz (Lake Forest, CA)
Application Number: 11/401,183
International Classification: F25D 3/08 (20060101); F25D 17/04 (20060101);