Insulated Shipping Container

Abstract

Shipping containers, and more particularly insulated shipping containers, for holding temperature sensitive products and coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time. Containers of this type can be molded from rigid polyurethane foam or other materials for shipping or transporting products such as biological and similar products which need to be maintained at 2° to 8° Centigrade or frozen. Specific constructions are shown and described.

1 . A shipping container for holding temperature sensitive products and a coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time, comprising 
 a container having a base, four walls and a top, the base being capable of supporting a temperature sensitive product,    wherein the four walls interlock together, and further interlock with the base and top, and interior surfaces of the walls include vertical grooves to provide predesigned air flow therein around the product via thermal convection to minimize temperature gradient within the product load.    
   
   
       2 . A container as in  claim 1  wherein the walls, bottom and top interlock via a tongue and groove arrangement.  
   
   
       3 . A container as in  claim 1  including a removable coolant tray being disposable within the container above the product, and for receiving thereon coolant packages.  
   
   
       4 . A container as in  claim 3  wherein the coolant tray includes a central pre-molded conduction block and is configured for receiving coolant packages surrounding the conduction block.  
   
   
       5 . A container as in  claim 1  wherein the walls, bottom and top are molded from rigid polyurethane foam.  
   
   
       6 . A container as in  claim 1  further including four internal walls spaced within the container and surrounding the product for providing an air space between the container walls and these inner walls.  
   
   
       7 . A shipping container for holding temperature sensitive products and a coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time, comprising 
 a container having a base, four walls and a top, the base being capable of supporting a temperature sensitive product, and    wherein two or more interior surfaces of the walls include one or more vertical grooves to provide predesigned air flow therein around the product via thermal convection to minimize temperature gradient within the product load.    
   
   
       8 . A container as in  claim 7  wherein the four walls interlock together, and further interlock with the base and top.  
   
   
       9 . A container as in  claim 7  wherein the walls, bottom and top interlock via a tongue and groove arrangement.  
   
   
       10 . A container as in  claim 7  including a removable coolant tray being disposable within the container above the product, and for receiving thereon coolant packages.  
   
   
       11 . A container as in  claim 7  wherein the coolant tray includes a central pre-molded conduction block.  
   
   
       12 . A container as in  claim 7  wherein the walls, bottom and top are molded from rigid polyurethane foam.  
   
   
       13 . A container as in  claim 7  further including four internal walls spaced within the container and surrounding the product and providing an air space between the container walls and these inner walls.  
   
   
       14 . A shipping container for holding a temperature sensitive product and a coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time, comprising 
 a container having a base, four walls and a top, the base being capable of supporting a temperature sensitive product, and the four walls interlock together and interlock with the base and top    four internal walls spaced within the container for surrounding the product and providing an air space between the container walls and these internal walls, and    a pad surrounding the top of the product to minimize tipping thereof.    
   
   
       15 . A container as in  claim 14  wherein the walls, bottom and top interlock via a tongue and groove arrangement.  
   
   
       16 . A container as in  claim 14  wherein one or more interior surfaces include vertical grooves to provide a predesigned air flow therein around the product via thermal convection to minimize temperature gradient within the product load.  
   
   
       17 . A container as in  claim 14  including a coolant tray with a central pre-molded conduction block.  
   
   
       18 . A container as in  claim 14  wherein the walls, bottom and top are molded from rigid polyurethane foam.  
   
   
       19 . A shipping container for holding temperature sensitive products and a coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time, comprising 
 a container having a base, four walls and a top, the base being capable of supporting a temperature sensitive product, and    wherein one or more interior surfaces include grooves to provide predesigned air flow therein around the product via thermal convection to minimize temperature gradient within the product load    two opposing walls have an internal “V,” “U” or curved shape to facilitate thermal convection within the container and around the product, and    two other opposing walls having coolant cavities to receive coolant packages.    
   
   
       20 . A container as in  claim 19  wherein the four walls interlock together, and further interlock with the base and top.  
   
   
       21 . A shipping container for holding temperature sensitive products and a coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time, comprising 
 a container having a base, four walls and a top, the base being capable of supporting a temperature sensitive product, and    wherein one or more interior surfaces include grooves to provide predesigned air flow therein around the product via thermal convection to minimize temperature gradient within the product load,    two opposing walls having coolant cavities to receive coolant packages, wherein each of the coolant cavities includes vertical grooves on one or more opposing interior surfaces of the cavity.