Perishable food storage locker

Abstract

A storage container includes a frame body with insulated walls at least partially enclosing a cavity, a door member connected to the frame body to selectively cover an opening in the frame body to the cavity, a cooling system connected to the frame body to maintain a temperature in the cavity at or below a first temperature threshold, and a heating system connected to the frame body to maintain the temperature in the cavity at or above a second, lower temperature threshold. A method includes monitoring a temperature in the cavity, and in response to determining the temperature in the cavity is greater than a first temperature threshold or less than a second, lower temperature threshold, controlling the cooling system or the heating system to adjust the temperature in the cavity to reside between the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage container, comprising:
 a frame body comprising insulated walls at least partially enclosing a cavity;   a door member connected to the frame body to selectively cover an opening in the frame body to the cavity;   a cooling system connected to the frame body, the cooling system configured to maintain a temperature in the cavity at or below a first temperature threshold; and   a heating system connected to the frame body, the heating system configured to maintain the temperature in the cavity at or above a second, lower temperature threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , comprising a temperature control system configured to monitor the temperature in the cavity or the ambient temperature external to the frame body, and control at least one of the cooling system or the heating system based on the monitored cavity temperature or the ambient temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the second, lower temperature threshold comprises a freezing temperature of chicken eggs. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the second, lower temperature threshold is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container of  claim 1  wherein the first temperature threshold is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the heating system comprises a heater disposed internally within the cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system comprises a refrigeration unit mounted on the frame body. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container of  claim 1 , comprising a temperature gauge configured to measure the temperature within the cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The storage container of  claim 8 , wherein the temperature gauge comprises a solar-powered thermometer mounted on at least one of the frame body or the door member. 
     
     
         10 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the frame body comprises a drain aperture between the cavity and an exterior of the frame body, the drain aperture configured to drain contents in the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The storage container of  claim 1 , comprising floor legs attached to the frame body at a ground-facing surface of the frame body. 
     
     
         12 . The storage container of  claim 1 , comprising support passageways attached to the frame body at a ground-facing surface of the frame body, the support passageways configured to receive forklift forks. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 storing perishable food in a cavity of a storage container, the storage container comprising a frame body having insulated walls, a door member connected to the frame body to selectively cover an opening in the frame body to the cavity, a cooling system connected to the frame body, and a heating system connected to the frame body;   monitoring, with a temperature control system, a temperature in the cavity;   determining, with the temperature control system, that the temperature in the cavity is greater than a first, higher temperature threshold or less than a second, lower temperature threshold; and   in response to determining the temperature in the cavity is greater than the first, higher temperature threshold or less than the second, lower temperature threshold, controlling at least one of the cooling system or the heating system to adjust the temperature in the cavity to reside between the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second, lower temperature threshold comprises a freezing temperature of the perishable foods. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second, lower temperature threshold is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first temperature threshold is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising monitoring, with the temperature control system, an ambient temperature exterior to the storage container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein determining, with the temperature control system, that the temperature in the cavity is greater than a first temperature threshold or less than a second, lower temperature threshold comprises determining that the ambient temperature is greater than the first temperature threshold or less than the second, lower temperature threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising measuring, with a temperature gauge of the temperature control system, the temperature within the cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the temperature gauge comprises a solar-powered thermometer mounted on at least one of the frame body or the door member. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the perishable food comprises at least one of eggs, vegetables, meats, or cheese. 
     
     
         22 . A storage container, comprising:
 a frame body at least partially enclosing a cavity;   a cooling system connected to the frame body;   a heating system connected to the frame body; and   a temperature control system comprising a controller configured to perform operations comprising:
 monitoring a temperature in the cavity; 
 determining that the temperature in the cavity is greater than a first, higher temperature threshold or less than a second, lower temperature threshold; and 
 in response to determining the temperature in the cavity is greater than the first temperature threshold or less than the second temperature threshold, controlling at least one of the cooling system or the heating system to adjust the temperature in the cavity to reside between the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold. 
   
     
     
         23 . The storage container of  claim 22 , wherein the first temperature threshold is 43 degrees Fahrenheit and the second, lower temperature threshold is 34 degrees Fahrenheit.