Temperature-stabilized storage containers with directed access

Info

Publication number: 20120168448
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 31, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2012
Applicant:
Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde (Redmond, WA), Edward K.Y. Jung (Bellevue, WA), Nathan P. Myhrvold (Medina, WA), Clarence T. Tegreene (Bellevue, WA), William H. Gates, III (Redmond, WA), Charles Whitmer (North Bend, WA), Lowell L. Wood, JR. (Bellevue, WA)
Application Number: 13/385,088

Abstract

Systems include one or more storage containers. A container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, and an access region, including at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a discrete quantity of material from the at least one storage region.

Description

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)).

Related Applications

- For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/001,757, entitled TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED STORAGE CONTAINERS; naming Roderick A. Hyde; Edward K. Y. Jung; Nathan P. Myhrvold; Clarence T. Tegreene; William H. Gates, III; Charles Whitmer; and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed Dec. 11, 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.
- For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application No. [To Be Assigned], entitled TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED STORAGE SYSTEMS, naming Roderick A. Hyde; Edward K. Y. Jung; Nathan P. Myhrvold; Clarence T. Tegreene; William H. Gates, III; Charles Whitmer; and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed Dec. 27, 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to the application(s)from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present application as a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s).

All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

SUMMARY

Some aspects include at least one substantially thermally sealed storage container, including one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, and an access region, including at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Some aspects include at least one substantially thermally sealed storage container, including a storage structure, including one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, and an access structure, including at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced to allow for a transient insertion of at least one egress structure to provide for a controlled egress of a discrete quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Some aspects include a substantially thermally sealed storage container, including one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region, at least one perforation unit external to the container, wherein said at least one perforation unit may move to pierce through the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, at least one perforation unit internal to the container, wherein said at least one perforation unit may move to pierce through the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, and a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism may create an interlock between the at least one perforation unit internal to the container and the at least one perforation unit external to the container, thereby creating an egress mechanism for material from the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic of some aspects of an ultra efficient insulation material.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of some aspects of a container.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of some aspects of a container.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of some aspects of an access structure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of some aspects of a container.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of some aspects of a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Some embodiments include at least one container, which may include one or more sections of an ultra efficient insulation material. The term “ultra efficient insulation material,” as used herein, may include one or more type of insulation material with extremely low heat conductance and extremely low heat radiation transfer between the surfaces of the insulation material. The ultra efficient insulation material may include, for example, one or more layers of thermally reflective film, high vacuum, aerogel, low thermal conductivity bead-like units, disordered layered crystals, low density solids, or low density foam. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes one or more low density solids such as aerogels, such as those described in, for example: Fricke and Emmerling, Aerogels—preparation, properties, applications, Structure and Bonding 77: 37-87 (1992); and Pekala, Organic aerogels from the polycondensation of resorcinol with formaldehyde, Journal of Materials Science 24: 3221-3227 (1989), which are each herein incorporated by reference. As used herein, “low density” may include materials with density from about 0.01 g/cm³to about 0.10 g/cm³, and materials with density from about 0.005 g/cm³to about 0.05 g/cm³. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes one or more layers of disordered layered crystals, such as those described in, for example: Chiritescu et al., Ultralow thermal conductivity in disordered, layered WSe₂crystals, Science 315: 351-353 (2007), which is herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflective film separated, for example, by at least one of: high vacuum, low thermal conductivity spacer units, low thermal conductivity bead like units, or low density foam. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material may include at least two layers of thermal reflective material and at least one spacer unit between the layers of thermal reflective material. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one multiple layer insulating composite such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,805 to Smith et al., titled “Multilayer insulation composite,” which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one metallic sheet insulation system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,283 to Reed et al., titled “Metallic sheet insulation system,” which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one thermal insulation system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,051 to Augustynowicz et al., titled “Thermal insulation systems,” which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,656 to Maignan et al., titled “Rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation,” which is herein incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, an ultra efficient insulation material includes at least one material described above and at least one superinsulation material. As used herein, a “superinsulation material” may include structures wherein at least two floating thermal radiation shields exist in an evacuated double-wall annulus, closely spaced but thermally separated by at least one poor-conducting fiber-like material.

In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension. The layers of thermal reflective material may be separated, for example, by magnetic suspension methods including magnetic induction suspension or ferromagnetic suspension. For more information regarding magnetic suspension systems, see Thompson, Eddy current magnetic levitation models and experiments, IEEE Potentials, February/March 2000, 40-44, and Post, Maglev: a new approach, Scientific American, January 2000, 82-87, which are each incorporated herein by reference. Ferromagnetic suspension may include, for example, the use of magnets with a Halbach field distribution. For more information regarding Halbach machine topologies and related applications, see Zhu and Howe, Halbach permanent magnet machines and applications: a review, IEE Proc.-Electr. Power Appl. 148: 299-308 (2001), which is herein incorporated by reference.

In reference now to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, an ultra efficient insulation material may include at least one multilayer insulation material. For example, an ultra efficient insulation material may include multilayer insulation material such as that used in space program launch vehicles, including by NASA. See, e.g., Daryabeigi, Thermal analysis and design optimization of multilayer insulation for reentry aerodynamic heating, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 39: 509-514 (2002), which is herein incorporated by reference. Some embodiments may include one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material comprising at least one layer of thermal reflective material and at least one spacer unit adjacent to the at least one layer of thermal reflective material. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an ultra efficient insulation material may include at least two layers of thermal reflective film 120, 130 separated by low thermal conductivity spacer units 140. In some embodiments, one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material may include at least one layer of thermal reflective material and at least one spacer unit adjacent to the at least one layer of thermal reflective material. The low thermal conductivity spacer units may include, for example, low thermal conductivity bead-like structures, aerogel particles, folds or inserts of thermal reflective film. Although two layers of thermal reflective film are shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments there may be one layer of thermal reflective film or more than two layers of thermal reflective film. Similarly, there may be greater or fewer numbers of low thermal conductivity spacer units (e.g. 140) depending on the embodiment. In some embodiments there may be one or more additional layers within or in addition to the ultra efficient insulation material, such as, for example, an outer structural layer 100 or an inner structural layer 110. An inner or an outer structural layer may be made of any material appropriate to the embodiment, for example an inner or an outer structural layer may include: plastic, metal, alloy, composite, or glass. In some embodiments, there may be one or more layers of high vacuum between layers of thermal reflective film.

Some embodiments include a substantially thermally sealed storage container that does not include one or more active cooling units. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, a substantially thermally sealed storage container may include no active cooling units. The term “active cooling unit”, as used herein, includes conductive and radiative cooling mechanisms that require electricity from an external source to operate. For example, active cooling units may include one or more of: actively powered fans, actively pumped refrigerant systems, thermoelectric systems, active heat pump systems, active vapor-compression refrigeration systems and active heat exchanger systems. The external energy required to operate such mechanisms may originate, for example, from municipal electrical power supplies or electric batteries.

Some embodiments may include a substantially thermally sealed storage container that does not include one or more heat sink units. In some embodiments, the container may include no heat sink units within the interior. In some embodiments a substantially thermally sealed storage container may include one or more heat sink units thermally connected to one or more of the at least one storage region. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in some embodiments the container may include one or more heat sink units 290 thermally connected to one or more of the at least one storage region 200. The term “heat sink unit”, as used herein, includes one or more units that absorb thermal energy. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,734 to Voorhes et al., titled “Heat Sink,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,101 to Ruka et al., titled “Heat Sink,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,426 to Best et al., titled “Heat or Thermal Energy Storage Structure,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,308 to Faghri titled “Thermal Energy Storage Heat Exchanger,” which are each incorporated herein by reference. Heat sink units may include, for example: units containing frozen water or other types of ice; units including frozen material that is generally gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure, such as frozen carbon dioxide (CO₂); units including liquid material that is generally gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure, such as liquid nitrogen; units including artificial gels or composites with heat sink properties; units including phase change materials; and units including refrigerants. See, for example: U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,241 to Kitahara et al., titled “Refrigerant,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,403 to Bivens et al., titled “Halocarbon Blends for Refrigerant Use,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,854 to Enjo et al., titled “Absorption Refrigerant Compositions for Use in Absorption Refrigeration Systems,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,465 to Gray, titled “Hydrocarbon-Halocarbon Refrigerant Blends,” which are each herein incorporated by reference.

FIG. 2 depicts some aspects of a substantially thermally sealed storage container. Embodiments may include a container including one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, and an access region, including at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material may include low thermal conductivity bead-like units. In some embodiments, the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material may include at least one superinsulation material. In some embodiments, the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material may include at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension. In some embodiments, the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material may include at least one layer of thermal reflective material, and at least one spacer unit adjacent to the at least one layer of thermal reflective material.

Although, for example, FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 depict a container with a single storage region, in some embodiments there may be a plurality of storage regions. For example, there may be a container wherein the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material define a plurality of substantially temperature-stabilized storage regions.

A substantially thermally sealed container may include at least one thermally sealable cover external to the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein the at least one thermally sealable cover includes a sealing portion positioned for mating to the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. For example, a thermally sealable cover may include a sealing portion of a similar size and shape as the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. For example, a thermally sealable cover may include a sealing portion that encompasses the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. In some embodiments, the thermally sealable cover includes a second ultra efficient insulation material. A first ultra efficient insulation material may be predominately the same as a second ultra efficient insulation material. Some embodiments may include at least one thermally sealable supplemental segment shaped to substantially replace the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein the at least one supplemental segment includes a third ultra efficient insulation material. For example, at least one supplemental segment may be of a similar size and shape as the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. A first ultra efficient insulation material and a third ultra efficient insulation material may be predominately the same.

As shown in FIG. 2, an access region may include multiple regions 250, 260, of one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. Some embodiments may include a container with at least one exterior wall and at least one interior wall wherein one or more of the at least one exterior wall and one or more of the at least one interior wall are movable relative to each other. For example, FIG. 2 depicts an exterior wall 230 and an interior wall 240 which are movable relative to each other. In some embodiments, the relative movement of the at least one exterior wall and the at least one interior wall may facilitate access to the at least one storage region. For example, in FIG. 2, the relative movement of an exterior wall 230 and an interior wall 240 may allow the alignment of an access region, including at least one region of one or more segments of ultra-efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device.

In some embodiments, the multiple regions of at least one region of one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device may be movable relative to each other to provide for alignment of the multiple regions to form an access region. In reference now to FIG. 5, a container 500 may have a rotatable axis 510 which may move to align the regions of ultra efficient insulation material 520, 530, 540 configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. For example, the multiple regions of ultra efficient insulation material may be aligned via mechanical rotation of the container, gravitational-field induced movement of the multiple regions (e.g. when some portions of the multiple regions are at a different mass then other portions of the container so that the regions tend to align in a particular manner relative to the earth's gravitational field), magnetic-field induced movement of the multiple regions, or other forces.

For example as depicted in FIG. 6, a container including one or more segments of an ultra efficient insulation material 670 shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 600 may include a rotatable portion 650 which may move to align regions of ultra efficient insulation material 645, 635 configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, where one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a discrete quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. A rotatable portion 650 may rotate through the mechanical action of rotation-assisting elements 660. The alignment of regions of ultra efficient insulation material 645, 635 configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device may allow for access to an intermediate region of the container 610. As depicted in FIG. 6, in some embodiments a controlled egress structure 625 may be positioned to restrict movement of stored material from storage region 600 to an intermediate region 610. A controlled egress structure 625 may include, for example, a valve, externally-operable closure, flap or other closure structure.

Some embodiments may include one or more markings on an exterior of the container identifying one or more of the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. For example, one or more markings may include paint, adhesive-backed paper or plastic, thermally sensitive markings, or other identifying marks. Some embodiments may include a framework attached to an exterior of the container identifying one or more of the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. For example, a framework may include a support or alignment structure that facilitates the perforation of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device at a desired angle, alignment or orientation.

Some embodiments may include at least one movable perforation unit stored within a storage structure, wherein the at least one perforation unit may move to pierce through the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a movable perforation device 270 located within storage region 200. Some embodiments may include at least one movable piercing unit stored external to the storage structure, wherein the at least one piercing unit may move to pierce through the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material which is more easily pierced. For example, FIG. 2 depicts movable perforation unit 280 external to the container. There may be a plurality of movable perforation units stored within the storage structure. At least one perforation unit may be replaceable.

Some embodiments may include a container including: a storage structure, including one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region; and an access structure, including at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced to allow for a transient insertion of at least one egress structure to provide for the controlled egress of a discrete quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. For example, FIG. 3 depicts a segment of ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 300. The ultra efficient insulation material depicted in FIG. 3 includes multiple layers, 350, 360, 370, 380. As depicted in FIG. 3, each layer may include at least one region 300, 310, 320, 330 which may be displaced to allow for the transient insertion of at least one egress structure 340. It may be desirable in some embodiments for the egress structure to be at a particular angle or alignment, for example the angle of egress structure 340 relative to regions that may be displaced 300, 310, 320, 330 depicted in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the at least one egress structure is a hollow tube-like structure. In some embodiments, the at least one egress structure is configured to include an elongated thermal pathway. For example, the egress structure may have a high aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced is replaceable.

Some embodiments may include at least one egress structure within the at least one storage region which may be transiently inserted from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container to provide for the controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. The at least one egress structure within the at least one storage region may be configured to include an elongated thermal pathway for the controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. For example, the at least one egress structure within the at least one storage region may be configured to include a high aspect ratio. Some embodiments may include at least one egress structure external to the container which may be transiently inserted from an exterior of the container to an interior of the container to provide for the controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. The at least one egress structure external to the container may be configured to include an elongated thermal pathway for the controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region. For example, the at least one egress structure external to the container may be configured to include a high aspect ratio.

Some embodiments may include at least one thermally-insulated cover including a sealing portion that includes a second ultra efficient insulation material, wherein the sealing portion is positioned for mating to the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced. Some embodiments may include at least one marking on the exterior of the container indicating at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced. For example, one or more markings may include paint, adhesive-backed paper or plastic, thermally sensitive markings, or other identifying marks. Some embodiments may include a framework attached to the exterior of the container indicating the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced. For example, a framework may include a support or alignment structure that facilitates the perforation of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device at a desired angle, alignment or orientation.

Some embodiments may include a container including an exterior wall, and an interior wall, wherein the interior wall and the exterior wall are movable relative to each other, and the relative movement of the exterior wall to the interior wall alters the accessibility of one or more of the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced. For example, FIG. 5 depicts a container 500 with a radius of rotation 510 which allows for the relative movement of an exterior wall 520 and an interior wall 540.

Some embodiments may include a substantially thermally sealed storage container, including one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region, at least one perforation unit external to the container, wherein said at least one perforation unit may move to pierce through the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, at least one perforation unit internal to the container, wherein said at least one perforation unit may move to pierce through the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, and a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism may create an interlock between the at least one perforation unit internal to the container and the at least one perforation unit external to the container, thereby creating an egress mechanism for material from the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region.

For example, FIGS. 2 and 4 depict a region of ultra efficient insulation material including layers 230, 240, 250, and 260. As depicted in FIG. 4, a perforation unit originally external to the container 400 and a piercing unit originally internal to the container 410 may combine between layers 440, 450 to create an interlock structure including a coupling mechanism 420. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism may be located within the ultra efficient insulation material as depicted in FIG. 4, while in other embodiments the coupling mechanism may be otherwise located internal to the container or external to the container. In some embodiments, there may be components of the coupling mechanism located within the layers of ultra efficient insulation material, while in other embodiments the perforation units may create the coupling mechanism without additional components. For example, some embodiments may include perforation units that are shaped or sized to fit together and thereby create an interlock or an access device.

Some embodiments may include one or more interlocks. As used herein, an “interlock” includes at least one connection between regions, such as a connection that limits the movement of stored material from at least one storage region. For example, an interlock may restrict egress of a discrete quantity of a material from at least one storage region. For example, an interlock may act to restrict the egress of a stored unit from a storage region until another previously-stored unit egresses from the container. For example, an interlock may act to allow the egress of only a fixed quantity of stored material or storage units from a storage region during a period of time. Interlocks may be mechanically operable interlocks. For example, mechanically operable interlocks may include at least one of: electrically actuated mechanically operable interlocks, electromagnetically operable interlocks, magnetically operable interlocks, mechanically actuated interlocks, ballistically actuated interlocks, dynamically actuated interlocks, centrifugally actuated interlocks, optically actuated interlocks, orientationally actuated interlocks, thermally actuated interlocks, or gravitationally actuated interlocks. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more interlocks may operate independently of an electrical power source. An electrical power source may originate, for example, from municipal electrical power supplies, an electrical generator device, or electric batteries. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more interlocks includes at least one magnet. For example, portions of an interlock may come together and remain in a desired orientation due to magnetic force from magnets located on more than one region or component of the interlock. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more interlocks is gravity controlled, such as, for example, where mass differences in the interlock components control the opening and closing of the interlock depending on the orientation of the interlock in the earth's gravitational field.

In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism may include a mechanical coupling unit. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism may include a magnetic coupling unit. For example, a magnetic coupling unit may include magnets on each of the perforation units, so that the piercing units are attracted to each other. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism may uncouple. For example, the perforation units may be retractable so that the coupling mechanism may uncouple and the interlock may be transitory. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism may control egress of a discrete quantity of material from one or more of the at least one storage region. For example, the coupling mechanism may include structure that restricts the egress of units from one or more of the at least one storage region. For example, the coupling mechanism may include structure such as a valve that restricts the flow rate of liquid from one or more storage region. For example, the coupling mechanism may include structure that restricts the transfer rate of discrete units of material from one or more storage region, such as a flap, compression region, selective aperture, turnstile or other structure. In some embodiments, the at least one perforation unit external to the container is shaped to include an elongated thermal pathway for the controlled egress of material from the at least one storage region. For example the at least one perforation unit external to the container may include a high aspect ratio. In some embodiments, the at least one perforation unit internal to the container is shaped to include an elongated thermal pathway for the controlled egress of material from the at least one storage region. For example the at least one perforation unit internal to the container may include a high aspect ratio.

In reference now to FIG. 5, a container 500 may have a rotatable axis 510 which may move to align at least one region of ultra efficient insulation material 530 which may be perforated by a perforation device with regions of an external wall 520 and an internal wall 540 which may be perforated. For example, the regions may be aligned through gravitational force, magnetic force, mechanical force, or other mechanisms. In some embodiments, some of the regions may be inherently aligned, and only some of the regions aligned as required for piercing and access to one or more storage region. For example, regions 530, 540 may be already in alignment and region 520 may be rotated to fully align the regions. In some embodiments, the container may be rotated back to a non-aligned configuration by the same or a different means than the rotation into alignment.

In reference now to FIG. 6, a container with a storage region 600 may include a relatively rotatable portion 650 which may move to align regions of ultra efficient insulation material 645, 635 that may be pierced. Note that the regions that may be pierced 645, 635 may include the same or different material from each other. The relatively rotatable portion 650 may be connected to the relatively fixed portion of the container via thermally insulated rotation regions 660. For example, the thermally insulated rotation regions may include low thermal conductivity bead-like units or low thermal conductivity solids in a structure that allows rotation. The thermally insulated rotation regions may provide virtually zero heat conductance and virtually zero heat radiation transfer between substantially thermally sealed storage regions. The thermally insulated rotation regions may include any material appropriate to the embodiment, for example: glues; adhesives; fasteners; welds; at least one layer of an ultra efficient insulation material; or at least one layer of a superinsulation material. In some embodiments, one or more regions of thermally insulated rotation regions may include physical structure to encourage at least one rotatable connection between one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material and one or more segments of second ultra insulator material, for example ridges, notches, strips, tongues, ribs, grooves or indentations on the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material which mate with ridges, notches, strips, tongues, ribs, grooves or indentations on the one or more segments of second ultra insulation material to form at least one rotatable connection. In some embodiments, the rotation of the container to align regions that may be pierced 645, 635 may allow access to an intermediate portion of the container 610. An intermediate portion of the container 610 may have an access opening 620 to one or more storage regions 600. In some embodiments, the access opening 620 may be closed through an interlock or closing mechanism 625.

In some embodiments, a container includes at least one layer of nontoxic material on an interior surface of one or more of the at least one storage region. Nontoxic material may include, for example, material that does not produce residue that may be toxic to the contents of the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, or material that does not produce residue that may be toxic to the future users of contents of the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region. Nontoxic material may include material that maintains the chemical structure of the contents of the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, for example nontoxic material may include chemically inert or non-reactive materials. Nontoxic material may include material that has been developed for use in, for example, medical, pharmaceutical or food storage applications. Nontoxic material may include material that may be cleaned or sterilized, for example material that may be irradiated, autoclaved, or disinfected. Nontoxic material may include material that contains one or more antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, or antipathogen agents. For example, nontoxic material may include aldehydes, hypochlorites, oxidizing agents, phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds, or silver. Nontoxic material may include material that is structurally stable in the presence of one or more cleaning or sterilizing compounds or radiation, such as plastic that retains its structural integrity after irradiation, or metal that does not oxidize in the presence of one or more cleaning or sterilizing compounds. Nontoxic material may include material that consists of multiple layers, with layers removable for cleaning or sterilization, such as for reuse of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. Nontoxic material may include, for example, material including metals, composites, fabrics, papers or plastics.

In some embodiments, a container includes at least one layer including at least one metal on an interior surface of one or more of the at least one storage region. For example, the at least one metal may include gold, aluminum, copper, or silver. The at least one metal may include at least one metal composite or alloy, for example steel, stainless steel, metal matrix composites, gold alloy, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, or silver alloy. In some embodiments, the at least one metal includes metal foil, such as titanium foil, aluminum foil, silver foil, or gold foil. A metal foil may be a component of a composite, such as, for example, in association with polyester film, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester film. The at least one layer including at least one metal on the interior surface of at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region may include at least one metal that may be sterilizable or disinfected. For example, the at least one metal may be sterilizable or disinfected using plasmons. For example, the at least one metal may be sterilizable or disinfected using autoclaving, thermal means, or chemical means. Depending on the embodiment, the at least one layer including at least one metal on the interior surface of at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region may include at least one metal that has specific heat transfer properties, such as thermal radiative properties.

In some embodiments, the container includes one or more removable inserts within the interior of one or more of the at least one storage region. The removable inserts may be made of any material appropriate for the embodiment, including nontoxic materials, metal, alloy, composite, or plastic. The one or more removable inserts may include inserts that may be reused or reconditioned. The one or more removable inserts may include inserts that may be cleaned, sterilized, or disinfected as appropriate to the embodiment.

In some embodiments, there may be a storage container including a plurality of storage regions within the container. Some or all of the storage regions may be substantially temperature-stabilized storage regions. The plurality of storage regions may be, for example, of comparable size and shape or they may be of differing sizes and shapes as appropriate to the embodiment. Different storage regions may include, for example, various removable inserts, at least one layer including at least one metal on the interior surface of a storage region, or at least one layer of nontoxic material on the interior surface, in any combination or grouping.

Some embodiments may include a container including at least one temperature indicator. For example, at least one temperature indicator may be located within one or more of the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, at least one temperature indicator may be located exterior to the container, or at least one temperature indicator may be located within the structure of the container. In some embodiments, multiple temperature indicators may be located in multiple positions. Temperature indicators may include temperature indicating labels, which may be reversible or irreversible. See, for example, the Environmental Indicators sold by ShockWatch Company, with headquarters in Dallas Tex., the Temperature Indicators sold by Cole-Palmer Company of Vernon Hills Ill. and the Time Temperature Indicators sold by 3M Company, with corporate headquarters in St. Paul Minn., the brochures for which are each hereby incorporated by reference. Temperature indicators may include time-temperature indicators, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,709,472 and 6,042,264 to Prusik et al., titled “Time-temperature indicator device and method of manufacture” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,029 to Seiter, titled “Time-temperature indicator,” which are each herein incorporated by reference. Temperature indicators may include, for example, chemically-based indicators, temperature gauges, thermometers, bimetallic strips, or thermocouples.

In some embodiments, the container may include one or more sensors. At least one sensor may be located within one or more of the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, at least one sensor may be located exterior to the container, or at least one sensor may be located within the structure of the container. In some embodiments, multiple sensors may be located in multiple positions. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors includes at least one sensor of a gaseous pressure within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a stored volume within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a temperature within one or more of the at least one storage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, at least one sensor may include a temperature sensor, such as, for example, chemical sensors, thermometers, bimetallic strips, or thermocouples. A container may include one or more sensors such as a physical sensor component such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,749 to Petrovic et al., titled “Physical sensor component”, which is herein incorporated by reference. A container may include one or more sensors such as a pressure sensor such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,554 to Baba et al., titled “Pressure sensor”, which is herein incorporated by reference. A container may include one or more sensors such as a vertically integrated sensor structure such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,071 to Sooriakumar et al., titled “Vertically integrated sensor structure and method”, which is herein incorporated by reference. A container may include one or more sensors such as a system for determining a quantity of liquid or fluid within a container, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,559 to Kuehl et al., titled “System and method for measuring liquid mass quantity”, U.S. Pat. No. 6.050,598 to Upton, titled “Apparatus for and method of monitoring the mass quantity and density of a fluid in a closed container, and a vehicular air bag system incorporating such apparatus”, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,869 to Clarke et al., titled “High accuracy mass sensor for monitoring fluid quantity in storage tanks”, which are each herein incorporated by reference. A container may include one or more sensors of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags to identify material within the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. RFID tags are well known in the art, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,223 to Blama, titled “Radio frequency identification tag and method”, which is herein incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, a container may include one or more communications devices. The one or more communications devices, may include, for example, one or more recording devices, one or more transmission devices, one or more display devices, or one or more receivers. Some embodiments may include communications devices on the exterior of the container, including devices attached to the exterior of the container, devices adjacent to the exterior of the container, or devices located at a distance from the exterior of the container. Some embodiments may include communications devices located within the structure of the container. Some embodiments may include communications devices located within at least one of the one or more substantially temperature-stabilized storage regions. Some embodiments may include at least one display device located at a distance from the container, for example a display located at a distance operably linked to at least one sensor. Some embodiments may include more than one type of communications device, and in some embodiments the devices may be operably linked. For example, some embodiments may contain both a receiver and an operably linked transmission device, so that a signal may be received by the receiver which then causes a transmission to be made from the transmission device. Some embodiments may include more than one type of communications device that are not operably linked. For example, some embodiments may include a transmission device and a display device, wherein the transmission device is not linked to the display device.

In some embodiments, there may be at least one region within the interior of a container that is at a higher gaseous pressure than the atmospheric pressure external to the container. In some embodiments, there may be at least one compartment within one or more of the at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, wherein the at least one compartment is at a higher gaseous pressure than the exterior atmospheric pressure of the container. For example, in reference to FIG. 2, the gaseous pressure in a substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 200, may be at a higher gaseous pressure than the atmospheric pressure external to the container. For example, a region of higher gaseous pressure may include a sealed region with inherently higher gaseous pressure. For example, a region of higher gaseous pressure may include at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 200 including positive gaseous pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure external to the container. For example, a region of higher gaseous pressure may include at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 200 including one or more sealed storage units with interior positive gaseous pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure external to the container. In some embodiments, there may be at least one region within the interior of the container that is at a lower atmospheric pressure than the atmospheric pressure external to the container. For example, in reference to FIG. 2, the gaseous pressure in a substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 200 may be at a lower gaseous pressure than the atmospheric pressure external to the container. For example, a region of lower gaseous pressure may include at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 200 including negative gaseous pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure external to the container. For example, a region of lower gaseous pressure may include at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region 200 including one or more sealed storage units with interior negative gaseous pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure external to the container.

In some embodiments, a storage container includes at least one authentication device. An authentication device may be operably coupled to one or more communications devices, sensors, or access mechanisms. For example, an authentication device may include a device which may be authenticated with a key, or a device that may be authenticated with a code, such as a password or a combination. For example, an authentication device may include a device that may be authenticated using biometric parameters, such as fingerprints, retinal scans, hand spacing, voice recognition or biofluid composition (e.g. blood, sweat, or saliva).

In some embodiments, a container includes at least one logging device. A logging device may be operably coupled to one or more communications devices, sensors, perforation devices or access mechanisms. For example, a logging device may include a record of authentication via the authentication device, such as a record of times of authentication, operation of authentication or individuals making the authentication. For example, a logging device may record that an authentication device was authenticated with a specific code which identifies a specific individual at one or more specific times. For example, a logging device may record egress of a quantity of a material from one or more of at least one storage region, such as recording that some quantity or units of material egressed at a specific time. For example, a logging device may record information from one or more sensors, one or more temperature indicators, or one or more communications devices. One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are within the skill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific example herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired. Furthermore, the use of particular shapes within a Figure herein is not intended to connote a shape of any particular element. For example, the use of a triangle shape for element 290 in FIG. 2 should not be interpreted as meaning that the element 290 in practice should be triangle-shaped.

All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification or listed in any Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

EXAMPLES Example 1

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain a liquid or beverage at a specific temperature. A liquid or beverage might include water or flavored water, dairy product or fruit juice, carbonated soda, wine, beer or distilled spirits, for example. A specific temperature may be that at which the liquid or beverage is best stored, for example, for long term aging. For example, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to store wine at an optimal storage temperature range of 50 to 55° F. (10-12° C.). Similarly, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to store beer at a storage temperature range of 45-65° F. Alternatively, a specific temperature may be that at which a liquid or beverage is preferably served. For example, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may store a beverage in a temperature range of 37-40° F. (3-4.5° C.), comparable to a standard refrigerator. Alternatively, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may store a beverage such as beer, for example, at a temperature appropriate for serving depending upon the type of beer, ranging for example from 37 to 53° F. (3-12° C.). A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may also be used to maintain an optimal temperature for other perishable liquids including, for example, cooking oil, syrup, vinegar, salad dressing, and other condiments. As such, the liquid or beverage may be directly packaged into the temperature stabilized storage container. Controlled egress of fluid from the container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material is managed by an internal or external piercing unit, or a combination, as described herein.

Example 2

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain water at or just below boiling temperature of 212° F./100° C. In some settings, the water may be sterilized. Boiling water may be used for heating and cooking a variety of ready to eat items such as, for example, beverages including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cider, and foods including dehydrated foods and instant soup, noodles, and oatmeal. As such, the container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may dispense water through a thermally insulated piercing unit, for example, at or near boiling in an emergency situation or remote setting, for example, where the capacity to heat water by other means is unavailable or limited.

Example 3

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain small, granular food items at an optimal temperature and humidity. Granular food items might include, for example, sugar, flour and other milled grains, salt, spices, rice, oats and other grains. As such, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used in a warm and/or humid environment such as, for example, the tropics to optimally store small granular food items.

Example 4

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be also be used to maintain small, granular food items below the freeze point (generally 0° C./32° F.). For example, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to increase the shelf life, for example, of fresh food items. In this instance, a fresh food item might include vegetables, such as peas or corn kernels, and fruits, such as blueberries or other small berries. Alternatively, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain the temperature of a frozen dessert such as, for example, small frozen ice cream or yogurt pellets. As such, the container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may hold one or more single serving units of the food item. The container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may contain one or more communications or sensor devices such as internal thermometers or thermostats that indicate whether or not the contents maintain proper temperature during the course of storage.

Example 5

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to keep fluids intended for intravenous administration at or slightly above body temperature. In the medical or surgical setting, for example, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to hold artificial plasma or other blood product at appropriate temperature for immediate use. For example, plasma substitutes such as hydroxylethyl starch (HES) are often administered rapidly to patients with hypovolemia and for hemodilutional autotransfusion (HAT) during surgery and anesthesia (Yamakage et al. Safety and beneficial effect on body core temperature of prewarmed plasma substitute hydroxyethyl startch during anesthesia, Anesthesiology (2004) 101:A1285, which is herein incorporated by reference). Addition of these agents at room temperature may result in a drop in the patient's core temperature and as such are best administered at or slightly above body temperature. HES has been shown to be stable at 40° C. for at least 3 months. As such, a blood product such as HES, for example, may be stored at 40° C. in a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material in sterile 500 ml units, for example, until needed in a medical or surgical setting.

Example 6

Alternatively, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain units of intravenous (IV) solution at or slightly above body temperature (generally 98.6° F./37° C.). For example, a temperature stabilized storage container may hold one or more units of IV solution containing dextrose or saline for use, for example, in treating dehydration associated with hypothermia. As the core temperature of a hypothermic individual is already below normal, addition of intravenous fluids should optimally be performed at body temperature to prevent further cooling (Department of Health & Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold Injuries Guidelines Revised version 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference). As such, container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material containing 250 to 500 ml units of a prewarmed rehydration solution may be used, for example, by first responders in the field such as a paramedic, an emergency medical technician, search and rescue, coast guard, or military personnel. In some embodiments, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material containing IV solution may include connections to join directly to an IV apparatus for infusion into an individual in need thereof

Example 7

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material under pressure may be used to maintain humidified air or oxygen in the range of 43-45° C. (107-122° F.), for example. In a hypothermic individual, loss of heat during respiration may account for 10% to 30% of the body's heat loss, particularly under conditions in which the ambient air temperature is cold. As such, inhalation of warm, water-saturated air is a non-invasive treatment suitable for active core rewarming in the field and donates heat directly to the head, neck, and thoracic core, warming the hypothalamus, the temperature regulation center, the respiratory center, and the cardiac center at the base of the brainstem. (Department of Health & Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold Injuries Guidelines Revised version 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference). In many cases, this rewarming of the central nervous system at the brainstem reverses the cold-induced depression of the respiratory centers and improves the level of consciousness. Alternatively, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may contain water ranging in temperature, for example, from 99 to 212° F. (37-100° C.) that may be used in conjunction with a face mask to provide prewarmed, humidified air to a hypothermic individual. For example, inhaled ambient air may be passed over steaming, prewarmed water prior to entering an individual's lungs. As such, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may dispense prewarmed water to an external vessel attached to the breathing apparatus. Alternatively, the piercing unit itself may be connected to a breathing apparatus.

Example 8

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain water, for example, at a temperature appropriate for bathing or cleaning dishes, clothes, and/or equipment in the field. For example, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may contain water at a temperature range of 80 to 100° F. for a “field shower” for use by military, forest service, or first responders, for example, in an emergency following exposure to a hazardous chemical or agent.

Example 9

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain a non-edible liquid at a specific temperature to facilitate immediate use. For example, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may contain ready to use hot mix asphalt maintained within an optimal spreading temperature range of 280 to 300° F. Hot mix asphalt is routinely used for large paving projects and is manufactured at a local hot mix asphalt facility and delivered to the paving site already warm and ready to be used. As such, hot mix asphalt maintained at temperature in a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used in those situations in which a local hot mix asphalt facility is not available, for example after damage to a road or an airfield in a remote location, disaster area and/or war zone. Alternatively, hot mix asphalt maintained at temperature in a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used for a patching project or projects requiring immediate attention by a road or airstrip crew. Optionally, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain new formulations of asphalt such as, for example, warm mix asphalt at temperature ranges of 160-180° F. (Suttmeier, Warm mix asphalt: a cooler alternative (2006) Material Matters, Spring:21-22, which is herein incorporated by reference).

Example 10

A container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be used to maintain a solution of deicing material, such as, for example, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, salt solutions, urea solutions, or a combination thereof at a temperature appropriate to facilitate removal of ice, snow and/or frost. Propylene glycol is capable of lowering the freezing point of water to about −60° C. and is a common component of solutions used to deice airplanes, for example. Propylene glycol in combination with water and additional salts and/or urea is usually sprayed on hot, in a temperature range of 150 to 180° F., and at high pressure. A small amount of deicing material, for example 25-50 gallons, may be used on an otherwise dry, cold day to warm fuel tanks. Alternatively, a much as 1700 gallons of deicing material have been reportedly used per plane during heavy snow fall. As such, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may contain and dispense 25-50 gallons, for example, of prewarmed deicing material for minimal deicing of a plane. Alternatively, a container with an access region and constructed with ultra efficient insulation material may be configured to dispense a large volume or multiple small volume units of deicing material, as appropriate for the conditions.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, wherein the first ultra-efficient insulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflective film separated by vacuum; and

an access region, including at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region

wherein the substantially thermally sealed storage container does not include one or more heat sink units.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the container does not include one or more active cooling units.

3. (canceled)

4. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one thermally sealable cover external to the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein the at least one thermally sealable cover includes a sealing portion positioned for mating to the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device.

5.-6. (canceled)

7. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one thermally sealable supplemental segment shaped to substantially replace the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein the at least one supplemental segment includes a third ultra efficient insulation material.

8. (canceled)

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material include low thermal conductivity bead-like units.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material include at least one superinsulation material.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material include at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material include:

at least one layer of thermal reflective material; and

at least one spacer unit adjacent to the at least one layer of thermal reflective material.

13. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one exterior wall; and

at least one interior wall, wherein one or more of the at least one exterior wall and one or more of the at least one interior wall are movable relative to each other and wherein the relative movement of the at least one exterior wall and the at least one interior wall facilitates access to the at least one storage region.

14. (canceled)

15. The container of claim 1, comprising:

one or more markings on an exterior of the container identifying one or more of the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device.

16. The container of claim 1, comprising:

a framework attached to an exterior of the container identifying one or more of the at least one region of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device.

17. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one movable perforation unit stored within a storage structure, wherein the at least one perforation unit may move to pierce through the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device.

18. (canceled)

19. The at least one perforation unit of claim 17, wherein the at least one movable perforation unit is replaceable.

20. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one movable perforation unit stored external to a storage structure, wherein the perforation unit may move to pierce through the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device.

21. (canceled)

22. The at least one perforation unit of claim 20, wherein the at least one perforation unit is replaceable.

23. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one temperature indicator.

24. The container of claim 1, comprising:

one or more sensors.

25. (canceled)

26. The container of claim 1, comprising:

one or more communications devices.

27. (canceled)

28. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one layer of nontoxic material on an interior surface of one or more of the at least one storage region.

29. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one layer including at least one metal on an interior surface of one or more of the at least one storage region, wherein the at least one metal includes silver.

30. (canceled)

31. The container of claim 1, wherein the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material define a plurality of substantially temperature-stabilized storage regions.

32. The container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one region within an interior of the container that is at a higher gaseous pressure than the atmospheric pressure exterior to the container.

33. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

a storage structure, including:

one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, wherein the ultra-efficient insulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflective film separated by vacuum; and

an access structure, including:

at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced to allow for a transient insertion of at least one egress structure to provide for a controlled egress of a discrete quantity of a material from the at least one storage region;

wherein the substantially thermally sealed storage container does not include one or more heat sink units.

34. The container of claim 33, wherein the container does not include one or more active cooling units.

35. (canceled)

36. The container of claim 33, wherein one or more of the at least one egress structure is a hollow tube-like structure.

37. The container of claim 33, wherein one or more of the at least one egress structure is configured to include an elongated thermal pathway.

38. (canceled)

39. The container of claim 33, wherein the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material include at least one superinsulation material.

40. The container of claim 33, wherein the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material include at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension.

41. The container of claim 33, wherein the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material include:

at least one layer of thermal reflective material; and

at least one spacer unit adjacent to the at least one layer of thermal reflective material.

42. (canceled)

43. The container of claim 33, comprising:

at least one egress structure within the at least one storage region which may be transiently inserted from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container to provide for the controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region.

44. (canceled)

45. The container of claim 33, comprising:

at least one egress structure external to the container which may be transiently inserted from the exterior of the container to an interior of an container to provide for the controlled egress of a quantity of a material from the at least one storage region.

46. (canceled)

47. The container of claim 33, comprising:

a thermally-insulated cover including a sealing portion that includes a second ultra efficient insulation material, wherein the sealing portion is positioned for mating to the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced.

48. The container of claim 33, comprising:

one or more markings on an exterior of the container identifying the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced.

49. The container of claim 33, comprising:

a framework attached to an exterior of the container identifying the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced.

50. The container of claim 33, comprising:

an exterior wall; and

an interior wall, wherein the interior wall and the exterior wall are movable relative to each other, and the relative movement of the exterior wall to the interior wall alters the accessability of one or more of the at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material which may be displaced.

51. The container of claim 33, comprising:

at least one temperature indicator.

52. The container of claim 33, comprising:

one or more sensors.

53. (canceled)

54. The container of claim 33, comprising:

one or more communications devices.

55. (canceled)

56. The container of claim 33, comprising:

at least one layer of nontoxic material on an interior surface of one or more of the at least one storage region.

57. The container of claim 33, comprising:

at least one layer including at least one metal on an interior surface of one or more of the at least one storage region.

58. (canceled)

59. The container of claim 33, wherein the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material define a plurality of substantially temperature-stabilized storage regions.

60. The container of claim 33, comprising:

at least one region within an interior of the container that is at a higher gaseous pressure than the atmospheric pressure exterior to the container.

61.-83. (canceled)