Dry ice delivery method that controls the temperature of cooling compartment(s)

Abstract

A cooler/container with a dry ice sublimation regulating system having an insulated dry ice module that encloses dry ice so that the module's outside surface is not hazardous to touch. Insulation, breathable material, or a combination of insulating and breathable materials, allows dry ice sublimation at a sufficiently slow rate within the attached dry ice module to control the ambient temperature in the cooler/container. Dry ice module attachment is done in a location that maximizes dry ice cooling properties, typically at or near the top of the cooler/container or its lid. Since sublimated dry ice is carbon dioxide and heavier than normal air, it falls to the bottom of the cooler and builds up. The venting placement in the dry ice module is based upon the make up of the dry ice module and the breathable materials inside of it.

1 . A device for maintaining a narrowly controlled range of temperature for extended periods of time comprising: 
 (a) first and second cooling compartments, each of said compartments having an upper end, an inside stowage area, a lid, and an outer surface, and wherein a divider separates the first and second compartments;    (b) first and second dry ice modules for containing a quantity of dry ice that undergoes sublimation and release of cooling gas, each of said modules having at least one sublimation slowing layer; and    c) venting means between said cooling compartments and said first and second dry ice modules, wherein the first dry ice module communicates with the first compartment and the second dry ice module communicates with the second dry ice module, and said venting means and said at least one sublimation slowing layer for each of said first and second dry ice modules is selected and adapted for release of said sublimated gas from said dry ice modules into said cooling compartments at a rate appropriate for maintaining a targeted temperature range for items stored within said cooling compartments, whereby different temperatures can be maintained in said first and second cooling compartments.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said venting means comprises venting holes in said outer surface of said at least one dry ice module.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cooling compartment means is selected from a group consisting of cooling compartments having rigid outer structure, cooling compartments having a resilient outer structure, portable cooling compartments, and non-portable cooling compartments.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said venting means is configured according to the size of said at least one dry ice module in relation to said inside stowage area of said cooling compartment means.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one dry ice module is located so that venting of said sublimated gas from said at least one dry ice module is achieved at said upper end of said cooling compartment means.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one dry ice module is selected from a group consisting of dry ice modules that are a permanent part of said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are a non permanent part of said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are removable from said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are temporarily attached to the underside of said cooler lid, dry ice modules that are permanently attached to the underside of said cooler lid, dry ice modules that are a part of said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are adapted for achieving temperatures below freezing in said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are made at least in part from rigid insulating materials, dry ice modules that are made at least in part from non-rigid/flexible insulating materials, dry ice modules that are made from a combination of rigid and non-rigid insulating materials, dry ice modules made at least in part from at least one breathable layer of material, dry ice modules mounted inside said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are integral with said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are retrofitted to existing ones of said cooling compartments means, dry ice modules that are adapted for achieving and maintaining a predetermined temperature within said cooling compartment means for extended periods of time.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said venting means is selected from a group consisting of venting means positioned so that venting of said sublimated gas from said at least one dry ice module is achieved at said upper end of said cooling compartment means and venting means configured for manual adjustment, dry ice modules that are a permanent part of said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules that are removable from said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules adapted for achieving temperatures above and below freezing in said cooling compartment means, dry ice modules adapted for achieving and maintaining a predetermined temperature within said cooling compartment means for extended periods of time.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said lid configured to seal said upper end of said cooling compartment means is a two-part lid and wherein said at least one dry ice module is located within said two-part lid.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising said at least one dry ice module being associated with said lid.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said dry ice module is configured with a rigid removable outer layer and is placed within said cooling compartment means.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said dry ice module's reclosable opening further comprises a detachable dry ice module lid.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said dry ice module is configured as a non-rigid removable bag placed within said cooling compartment means.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  farther comprising an anti-freeze bag configured for preventing contents stored therein from becoming frozen when temperatures within said cooling compartment means are near to and below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein said anti-freeze bag is made from materials selected from a group consisting of breathable and non-breathable materials.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said anti-freeze bag is also configured with an innermost layer of non-woven breathable fabric for storage of dry ice.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said dry ice module is configured for use with dry ice in any form.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sublimation slowing layer for each of said first and second dry ice modules is selected from a group consisting of insulating materials, insulating/breathable materials, non-woven breathable materials, and non-woven insulating/breathable materials.