A passive temperature control system for transport and storage containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of the transportation and storage of goods and to a passive temperature control system for such a transport and storage containers. The present invention seeks to provide a system that can enable goods to be securely and reliably transported and stored for limited periods within specified temperature ranges. Pharmaceuticals, proteins, biological samples and other temperature sensitive products, including food items, are regularly shipped in containers year round and are subjected to a wide range of temperatures. Though they are shipped in insulated containers and/or climate controlled environments, the temperature stability of the shipping containers can be significantly improved by utilising suitable phase change materials in an ordered fashion. The present invention provides a simple solution to the maintenance of temperature profiles for the transport and storage of temperature sensitive products.

1 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container for transporting/storing temperature sensitive materials comprising:
 an outer insulating container having a top inner wall, a bottom inner wall and inner side walls;   insulating means for insulating the cavity comprised of a lining disposed adjacent to the inner walls of the carton to define an insulated cavity; and   a plurality of first and second temperature control panels for placement within the insulated cavity, adjacent to the means for lining the inner walls to define a payload volume;   wherein the first and second temperature control panels include, respectively, first and second phase change materials, wherein the first and second temperature control panels have a major planar face, which major planar face is directed toward the payload volume.   
     
     
         2 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control panels are contained in sealed containers, the sealed containers being defined by one of a plastic bag, a blister pack, a sheet cellulose package, and a sealed polymer enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control panels include at least one further phase change material. 
     
     
         4 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 - 3 , wherein the first phase change material has a phase change temperature in the range of +25° C. to −20° C. 
     
     
         5 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the phase change materials are presented in the form of one or more of: plastic bags; polymer bags; blister packs; putty; and foam encapsulation particles. 
     
     
         6 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the phase change materials are presented in a container such as a cardboard box or a plastic pre-form. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging system according to  claim 6 , wherein the phase change materials are thermally connected via a thermally conductive layer of material. 
     
     
         8 . A packaging system according to  claim 6 , wherein for each side of the container there is a single temperature control panel, which retains a single phase change material. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging system according to  claim 6 , wherein the phase change materials are thermally connected with each other via a thermally conductive layer of material applied to the container. 
     
     
         10 . A packaging system according to  claim 9 , wherein the thermally conductive layer of material comprises a reflective coating. 
     
     
         11 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is manufactured from one of: cardboard, plastic sheeting, corrugated cardboard, and corrugated plastic. 
     
     
         12 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for insulating the cavity comprises one of or more of:
 a plastic foam;   loose cellulose fiber;   compressed cellulose fiber;   multilayer insulation;   fiberglass woven cloth; and   fiberglass woven cloth impregnated with PTFE Teflon, PVF reinforced with Nomex bonded with polyester adhesive, and FEP Teflon, Mylar that is aluminized on both or one side.   
     
     
         13 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for insulating the cavity further comprises a reflective coating. 
     
     
         14 . A method of packing a container for shipment comprising the steps of:
 a. obtaining a container;   b. lining the entire interior surface of the container with insulator material;   c. selecting a plurality of temperature control panels for placement within the insulated cavity, wherein the temperature control panels include generally planar packages one phase change materials arranged as, each planar package having spaced apart first and second major planes with edge faces connecting the first and second major planes;   wherein the phase change materials provide distinct thermal characteristics;   d. determining a temperature at which to condition a temperature control panel means with regard to the size of the container, the duration of transport/storage of the container, or the expected ambient conditions;   e. placing the temperature control panel at the determined temperature in a temperature conditioning apparatus, whereby to ensure the temperature control panel is brought to the set temperature;   f. placing the temperature control panels having been brought to the set temperature in the container whereby to define a payload volume wherein the at least two types of phase change material packages are arranged such that the load cavity is equidistantly separated with respect to each type of temperature control panel;   g. placing a payload within the payload volume;   h. placing a temperature control panel upon the payload and other temperature control means; and   i. closing and sealing the container.