Systems and methods for delivering perishable items

Abstract

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering and maintaining perishable items within a certain temperature range during delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for transporting merchandise including: a container for transporting merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in a delivery vehicle along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location, the container including: a merchandise storage area receiving merchandise and a coolant; an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; a temperature sensor measuring the temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport; and a control circuit configured to receive the temperature measurements from the temperature sensor during transport and to modify the insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for transporting merchandise using aerial drones comprising:
 an aerial drone configured to fly along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location and to transport a container therewith;   a container configured to store and maintain merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in the aerial drone as the drone flies along the delivery route, the container comprising:
 a merchandise storage area configured to receive merchandise and a coolant; 
 an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; 
   a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location;   a vacuum pump configured to adjust a partial vacuum in the insulation compartment;   a control circuit configured to:
 receive the temperature measurements from the first temperature sensor during transport; and 
 actuate the vacuum pump to modify the partial vacuum to modify the insulation characteristics of the insulation compartment during transport in response to the first temperature sensor temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature outside of the container at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control circuit is configured to:
 receive temperature measurements from the second temperature sensor during transport;   compare temperature measurements of the first temperature sensor with temperature measurements of the second temperature sensor; and   actuate the vacuum pump to modify the partial vacuum to modify the insulation characteristics of the insulation compartment during transport in response to both the first and second temperature sensor temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control circuit is configured to:
 receive a predetermined number of simultaneous temperature measurements from the first and second temperature sensors; and   modify the insulation characteristics of the container by actuating the vacuum pump to modify the partial vacuum if each temperature measurement of the second temperature sensor exceeds the corresponding temperature measurement of the first temperature sensor.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one valve operable during transport between an open position allowing air to flow from outside the container to inside the container and a closed position in which air flow from outside the container through the at least valve is blocked.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one valve comprises:
 a uni-directional intake valve that is arranged to permit air flow into the container; and   a uni-directional exhaust valve that is arranged to permit air flow out of the container;   the control circuit configured to actuate the valves to modify the partial vacuum in the container.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the uni-directional intake valve is disposed on a first surface oriented facing a direction of travel to facilitate the intake of air through the intake valve; and   the uni-directional exhaust valve is disposed on a second surface oriented opposite the direction of travel to facilitate the exhaust of air through the exhaust valve.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a command and control center remote from the container and communicatively coupled to the control circuit;   the control circuit configured to receive the first temperature sensor measurements and transmit them to the command and control center during transport; and   the command and control center configured to receive the first temperature sensor measurements from the control circuit, to make a determination regarding modification of the insulation characteristics, and to transmit the modification of the insulation characteristics to the control circuit.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to measure environmental conditions outside the container during transport;   a command and control center remote from the container and communicatively coupled to the control circuit;   the control circuit configured to receive sensor measurements from the at least one sensor and transmit them to the command and control center during transport; and   the command and control center configured to receive the sensor measurements from the control circuit, to make a determination regarding modification of the insulation characteristics, and to transmit the modification of the insulation characteristics to the control circuit.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the environmental conditions comprise at least one of wind chill, heat index, amount of sunlight, elevation of route, humidity, and wind speed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the container comprises: an outer bag with an interior divided into the merchandise storage area and the insulation compartment; an inner bag disposed within the interior of the outer bag and defining the merchandise storage area; and the outer bag and the inner bag define the insulation compartment therebetween; and   wherein the coolant comprises dry ice.   
     
     
         12 . A method for transporting merchandise using aerial drones comprising:
 providing an aerial drone configured to fly along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location and to transport a container therewith;   providing a container configured to store and maintain merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in the aerial drone as the drone flies along the delivery route, the container comprising:
 a merchandise storage area configured to receive merchandise and a coolant; 
 an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; 
   transporting the container in the aerial drone along the delivery route from the source location to the destination location;   by a first temperature sensor, measuring a temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location;   by a vacuum pump, adjusting a partial vacuum in the insulation compartment;   by a control circuit:
 receiving temperature measurements from the first temperature sensor during transport; and 
 actuating the vacuum pump to modify the partial vacuum to modify the insulation characteristics of the insulation compartment during transport in response to the first temperature sensor temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 by a second temperature sensor, measuring a temperature outside of the container at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, by the control circuit:
 receiving temperature measurements from the second temperature sensor during transport;   comparing temperature measurements of the first temperature sensor with temperature measurements of the second temperature sensor; and   actuating the vacuum pump to modify the partial vacuum to modify the insulation characteristics of the insulation compartment during transport in response to both the first and second temperature sensor temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising, by the control circuit:
 receiving a predetermined number of simultaneous temperature measurements from the first and second temperature sensors; and   modifying the insulation characteristics of the container by actuating the vacuum pump to modify the partial vacuum if each temperature measurement of the second temperature sensor exceeds the corresponding temperature measurement of the first temperature sensor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 by a valve, switching during transport between an open position allowing air to flow from outside the container to inside the container and a closed position in which air flow from outside the container through the valve is blocked.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 by the control circuit, receiving the first temperature sensor measurements and transmitting them to a command and control center during transport; and   by the command and control center, receiving the first temperature sensor measurements from the control circuit, making a determination regarding modification of the insulation characteristics, and transmitting the modification of the insulation characteristics to the control circuit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 by at least one sensor, measuring environmental conditions outside the container during transport;   by the control circuit, receiving sensor measurements from the at least one sensor and transmitting them to a command and control center during transport; and   by the command and control center, receiving the sensor measurements from the control circuit, making a determination regarding modification of the insulation characteristics, and transmitting the modification of the insulation characteristics to the control circuit.   
     
     
         19 . A system for transporting merchandise using aerial drones comprising:
 an aerial drone configured to fly along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location and to transport a container therewith;   a container configured to store and maintain merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in the aerial drone as the drone flies along the delivery route, the container comprising:
 a merchandise storage area configured to receive merchandise and a coolant; 
 an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; 
   a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location;   a control circuit configured to:
 receive the temperature measurements from the first temperature sensor during transport; and 
 modify the insulation characteristics of the insulation compartment during transport in response to the first temperature sensor temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the insulation compartment is configured to retain a variable amount of insulation.