Thermopanel, insulated container with thermopanel, and method of using same

Abstract

A thermopanel is provided for use in a container for the storage or transport of goods, the thermopanel includes an insulated outer perimeter that provides greater insulation than a center area within the insulated outer perimeter; and an insulated insert that is removably placeable in the center area; wherein when the insulated insert is in place in the center area, the thermopanel provides greater insulation than when the insulated insert is not in place in the center area.

1 . A thermopanel for use in a container for the storage or transport of goods, the thermopanel comprising: 
 an insulated outer perimeter that provides greater insulation than a center area within the insulated outer perimeter; and    an insulated insert that is removably placeable in the center area;    wherein when the insulated insert is in place in the center area, the thermopanel provides greater insulation than when the insulated insert is not in place in the center area.    
   
   
       2 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the thermopanel is substantially planar.  
   
   
       3 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated insert is hinged to the thermopanel so that the insulated inset can be pivoted from a first position wherein the insulated insert is in the center area to a second position wherein the insulated insert is not in the center area.  
   
   
       4 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the thermopanel provides a floor for supporting a refrigerant or sublimating agent.  
   
   
       5 . The thermopanel of  claim 3 , wherein the thermopanel provides a floor for supporting a refrigerant or-sublimating agent.  
   
   
       6 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated outer perimeter is on an underside of the thermopanel.  
   
   
       7 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the thermopanel comprises fiberglass molded construction.  
   
   
       8 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the thermopanel is polyethylene rotational molded with solid skin on top.  
   
   
       9 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated outer perimeter comprises foam.  
   
   
       10 . The thermopanel of  claim 8 , wherein the insulated panel is on the underside of the thermopanel.  
   
   
       11 . The thermopanel of  claim 3 , wherein the insulated insert is hinged to the thermopanel with VELCRO®.  
   
   
       12 . The thermopanel of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated insert comprises flexible construction that allows the insulated panel to be moved from a first position within the center area to a second position not within the center area.  
   
   
       13 . The thermopanel of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one handle on the insulated insert to facilitate moving the insulated insert from the first position to the second position.  
   
   
       14 . A container for the storage or transport of goods in a frozen and/or chilled state, the container comprising: 
 an insulated cabinet;    a thermopanel that comprises an insulated outer perimeter that provides greater insulation than a center area within the insulated outer perimeter, wherein the thermopanel is arranged in the insulated cabinet so as to divide the container into two sections; and    an insulated insert that is removably placeable in the center area, wherein when the insulated insert is in place in the center area, the thermopanel provides greater insulation than when the insulated insert is not in place in the center area;    wherein a refrigerant or sublimating agent is placable in one section and the other section provides a space for the goods to be stored or transported.    
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the insulated insert is in place when temperatures in the range of about 33 to about 42° F. are desired.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the insulated insert is in place when temperatures in the range of about −20 to about 0° F. are desired.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the thermopanel is substantially planar.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the thermopanel provides a floor for supporting the refrigerant or sublimating agent.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the insulated outer perimeter is on an underside of the thermopanel.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the thermopanel comprises fiberglass molded construction.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the thermopanel is polyethylene rotational molded with solid skin on top.  
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the insulated insert is hinged to the thermopanel with VELCRO®.  
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the insulated insert comprises flexible construction that allows the insulated panel to be moved from a first position within the center area to a second position not within the center area.  
   
   
       24 . A method of controlling a temperature in an insulated container for the storage or transport of goods in a frozen and/or chilled state, the insulated container comprising a thermopanel that comprises an insulated outer perimeter that provides greater insulation than a center area within the insulated outer perimeter, wherein the thermopanel is arranged in the insulated container so as to divide the container into first and second sections; and an insulated insert that is removably placeable in the center area, the method comprising: 
 placing a refrigerant or sublimating agent in the first section;    maintaining the insulated insert in place in the center area when refrigerated conditions in the second section are desired; and    maintaining the center area without the insulated insert in place when frozen conditions in the second section are desired.