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 sidewalls;   insulating means for insulating said cavity comprised of a lining disposed adjacent to the inner walls of said carton to define an insulated cavity;   a plurality of temperature control packs for placement within the insulated cavity, adjacent to the means for lining said inner walls to define a payload volume;   wherein the temperature control packs include at least first and second phase change materials, wherein the phase change materials are arranged as generally planar packages, each planar package having spaced apart first and second major planes, each type of phase change material providing distinct thermal characteristics, the first major faces of the packages being arranged in a co-planar fashion.   
     
     
         2 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature. control packs include first and second phase change materials, are contained in sealed containers/packages, the containers being defined by one of a flexible plastics bag or blister pack, a sheet cellulose package, and a molded sealed polymer enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control packs comprise an envelope/sleeve comprising a generally rectangular box shape, made from an insulating sheet material, which envelope can assist in maintenance of a relative position of the phase change materials therein. 
     
     
         4 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control packs comprise one of a single unit with two or more containers for the containment of phase change materials or a composite unit of at least two interconnecting containers for the containment of phase change materials. 
     
     
         5 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control packs include at least one further phase change material. 
     
     
         6 . A temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature control packs include each group of phase change materials in equal numbers. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first phase change materials have a phase change temperature in the range of +25° C. to −20° c. 
     
     
         8 . 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, whether present as a pre-mixed combination of first and second phase change materials or where the first and second phase change materials are maintained in distinct containers placed adjacent to one another. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the phase change materials are presented in a container such as a cardboard box or a plastics pre-form. 
     
     
         10 . A packaging system according to  claim 9 , wherein the phase change materials are thermally connected with each other via a thermally conductive layer of material. 
     
     
         11 . A packaging system according to  claim 9 , wherein the box has a number of sides to a box and for each side of there is a single phase change material temperature control pack. 
     
     
         12 . A packaging system according to  claim 9 , wherein the phase change materials are thermally connected with each other via a thermally conductive layer of material applied to the container. 
     
     
         13 . A packaging system according to  claim 12 , wherein the thermally conductive layer of material comprises a reflective coating such as an aluminized coating. 
     
     
         14 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is manufactured form a cardboard, plastics sheeting, corrugated cardboard and corrugated plastics. 
     
     
         15 . 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.   
     
     
         16 . A packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for insulating the cavity further comprises a reflective coating such as an aluminized coating. 
     
     
         17 . A temperature control pack for use in a temperature controlled transport/storage container according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . 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 packs for placement within the insulated cavity, wherein the temperature control packs include at least first and second phase change materials arranged as generally planar packages, 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 provides distinct thermal characteristics, wherein the at least two types of phase change material packages are arranged in a coplanar orientation with respect to each other; 
   d. determining a temperature at which to condition a temperature control pack means with regard to the size of the container, the duration of transport/storage of the container and expected ambient conditions;   e. placing the temperature control pack at the determined temperature in a temperature conditioning apparatus, whereby to ensure the temperature control pack is brought to the set temperature;   f. placing the temperature control packs having been brought to the set temperature in the container whereby to define a payload volume;   g. placing a payload within the payload volume;   h. placing a temperature control pack upon the payload and other temperature control means; and   i. closing and sealing the container.