A temperature controlled container

Abstract

A temperature controlled container comprises exterior wall structure, interior wall structure positioned within the exterior wall structure, the interior wall structure at least partially defining an interior space configured to hold one or more products for shipping, and a chamber defined between the interior and exterior wall structure, the chamber configured to retain thermal storage medium to provide a thermally insulative layer at least partially protecting the interior space.

1 . A temperature controlled container, comprising:
 exterior wall structure;   interior wall structure positioned within the exterior wall structure, the interior wall structure at least partially defining an interior space configured to hold one or more products for shipping; and   a chamber defined between the interior and exterior wall structure, the chamber configured to retain thermal storage medium to provide a thermally insulative layer at least partially protecting the interior space.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  wherein the thermal storage medium is held in a confined space within the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 2  wherein the confined space at least partially extends throughout the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 2  wherein the confined space is a piping assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 2  wherein the confined space is one or more removable conductive structures, each of the removable conductive structures configured to retain thermal storage medium therein. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 5  wherein the one or more removable conductive structures at least partially define the interior wall structure. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  wherein the interior wall structure is made of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the interior and exterior wall structure comprises a plurality of collectors disposed thereon, the plurality of collectors configured to retain a portion of the thermal storage medium. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 8  wherein each of the plurality of collectors is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  comprising a draining member positioned at a bottom portion of the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 10  wherein the draining member comprises a basin for receiving a portion of the thermal storage medium. 
     
     
         12 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 11  further comprising a filter configured to permit a liquid portion of the thermal storage medium to pass into the basin and to prevent a solid portion of the thermal storage medium from passing into the basin. 
     
     
         13 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  wherein the thermal storage medium is a cooling medium. 
     
     
         14 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 13  wherein the cooling medium is ice slurry. 
     
     
         15 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  wherein the thermal storage medium is a heating medium. 
     
     
         16 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 15  wherein the heating medium is glycol. 
     
     
         17 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  further comprising an insulation layer positioned intermediate the exterior wall structure and the chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 17  wherein the insulation layer comprises at least one vacuum insulated panel. 
     
     
         19 . The temperature controlled container of  claim 1  further comprising a fan unit configured to circulate air throughout the container. 
     
     
         20 . A method of retro-fitting a conventional container having exterior wall structure, the method comprising:
 installing interior wall structure within the conventional container, the interior wall structure positioned such that at least a portion of the interior wall structure is in a generally parallel-spaced relationship with at least a portion of the exterior wall structure, thereby defining a chamber; and   at least partially filling the chamber with thermal storage medium.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 installing a piping system such that it extends at least partially throughout the chamber; and 
 filling the piping system with thermal storage medium, thereby at least partially filling the chamber with thermal storage medium.