Compostable insert for shipping container

Abstract

In one aspect, a shipping container includes a plurality of thermally insulating pads positioned in a cavity in a box. Each pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of extruded milled sorghum, the panel providing a rectangular plate, and a compostable water-proof film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel is loose within the pocket. At least one of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a multi-section panel including a score across its width in at least one location. The score extends partially but not entirely through the thickness of the multi-section panel. The multi-section panel is folded at a right angle at the score such that the panel provides a plurality of rectangular plates dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the plurality of plates is adjacent.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item, comprising:
 a thermally insulating pad that is recyclable or compostable and that is shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container to be adjacent to and cover one or more of a floor, four side walls and cover of the container while leaving an interior space to receive the item, wherein the thermally insulating pad includes
 a solid panel formed primarily of plant material, the panel holding together without a liner as a single unit, the panel providing a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent, and 
 a water-proof film sandwiching the panel, the water-proof film including a first sheet on a first side of the panel and a second sheet on a second side of the panel, and wherein the panel consists of a single layer of substantially homogenous composition between a first face in contact with the first sheet of the water-proof film and an opposite second face in contact with the second sheet of the water-proof film. 
   
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the solid compostable panel has a thickness between about ¼ and 1 inch. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the solid compostable panel has a density of about 0.6 to 3.5 g/cm3. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein a surface of the solid compostable panel is basically flat. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the solid panel and water-proof film are compostable. 
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the plant material of the solid panel is a starch. 
     
     
         22 . The article of  claim 21 , wherein the starch comprises corn starch, wheat starch or milled sorghum. 
     
     
         23 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the compostable water-proof film includes the first sheet and the second sheet heat sealed along opposing edges of the panel. 
     
     
         24 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the water-proof film completely covers the panel on the interior surface of the pad. 
     
     
         25 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the compostable water-proof film comprises a bioplastic film. 
     
     
         26 . The article of  claim 25 , wherein the compostable water-proof film comprises one or more polymers based on one or more of polylactic acid (PLA), poly(beta-amino) esters (PBAE), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polycapralactones (PCL), polybutyrate adipate terephthalate (PBAT) polyvinylalcohol (PVA), or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). 
     
     
         27 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein edges of the interior surface of the pad are beveled. 
     
     
         28 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein panel is foldable at a right angle to provide a plurality of rectangular plates dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the plurality of plates is adjacent. 
     
     
         29 . The article of  claim 28 , wherein the panel includes a score extending partially but not entirely through the thickness of the panel such that the panel is foldable at a right angle at the score. 
     
     
         30 . The article of  claim 29 , wherein the score is a compression score. 
     
     
         31 . The article of  claim 29 , wherein the score extends across a width of the panel.