The subject invention is directed to product packaging, and more particularly, to a cold chain barrier wall packaging system for shipping and storing a payload such as pharmaceutical products at ultra-low temperatures.
Cold chain logistics using specialized refrigeration, transportation and storage resources is commonly employed in the food and beverage industry to meet demands for product freshness and to reduce loss and waste during transit.
The development of innovative cold chain solutions and distribution logistics to facilitate the supply and storage of pharmaceutical products such as vaccines is of increased importance. Indeed, some of the Covid-19 vaccines that are currently in large-scale clinical trials require ultra-cold storage and transport. At least one of these vaccines must be kept at or near minus 75 degrees Celsius during transport and while it is stored at an administration site or clinic for an extended period of time of up to 10 days or longer.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a cold chain packaging solution for shipping and storing pharmaceutical products and similar payloads that can meet such stringent logistical requirements.
The subject invention is directed to a new and useful cold chain packaging system for shipping and storing a payload at ultra-low temperatures, such as, for example, pharmaceutical products. The packing system includes a first enclosure constructed from a corrugated board material for receiving a payload. The first enclosure has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least the exterior surface of the first enclosure is lined with a radiant barrier material. The packaging system includes a second enclosure constructed from a corrugated board material for receiving the first enclosure.
The second enclosure has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the second enclosure are lined with a radiant barrier material. The packaging system includes a third enclosure constructed from a corrugated board material for receiving the second enclosure. The third enclosure has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the third enclosure are lined with a radiant barrier material.
The packaging system includes a fourth enclosure constructed from a corrugated board material for receiving a phase change material, such as, for example, dry ice in a pelletized or granulated form. The fourth enclosure has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least the interior surface of the fourth enclosure is lined with a radiant barrier material, and wherein the fourth enclosure is dimensioned and configured to be received within the second enclosure positioned above the first enclosure.
Preferably, the first enclosure is adapted and configured to create a moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure and the interior surface of the second enclosure for receiving a phase change material, and the packaging system further includes a plurality of spacer blocks for encapsulating the second enclosure within the third enclosure to create a void barrier or air gap between the exterior surface of the second enclosure and the interior surface of the third enclosure. The air gap mitigates heat transfer from the second enclosure.
The first enclosure is defined by a rectangular sleeve having an integral top closure panel and a separate bottom closure panel that is supported within the rectangular sleeve by a plurality of inwardly projecting integral corner tabs. The first enclosure also includes integral support flanges extending outwardly from a bottom end thereof to center the first enclosure within the second enclosure and to define the moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure and the interior surface of the second enclosure.
The second enclosure is defined by a rectangular sleeve that is secured between a top tray constructed from a corrugated board material and a bottom tray constructed from a corrugated board material. The top and bottom trays both have interior and exterior surfaces, wherein at least the exterior surfaces of the top and bottom trays are lined with a radiant barrier material. In addition, an interior surface of the top and bottom tray is lined with an insulating panel constructed from a foam core material. Preferably, each of the plurality of spacer blocks is adapted and configured to engage a respective corner of the top and bottom trays to create the void barrier or air gap between the exterior surface of the second enclosure and the interior surface of the third enclosure.
In another embodiment of the subject invention, the cold chain packaging system includes a first enclosure for receiving a payload, a second enclosure for receiving the first enclosure, wherein the first enclosure is adapted and configured to create a moat between an exterior surface of the first enclosure and an interior surface of the second enclosure for receiving a phase change material, a third enclosure for receiving the second enclosure, a plurality of spacer blocks for encapsulating the second enclosure within the third enclosure to create a void barrier or air gap between an exterior surface of the second enclosure and an interior surface of the third enclosure, and a fourth enclosure for receiving a phase change material, wherein the fourth enclosure is dimensioned and configured to be received within the second enclosure positioned above the first enclosure.
The first enclosure is constructed from a corrugated board material having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least the exterior surface of the first enclosure is lined with a radiant barrier material. The second enclosure is constructed from a corrugated board material having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the second enclosure are lined with a radiant barrier material. The third enclosure is constructed from a corrugated board material having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the third enclosure are lined with a radiant barrier material. The fourth enclosure is constructed from a corrugated board material having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least the interior surface of the fourth enclosure is lined with a radiant barrier material.
Preferably, the first enclosure is defined by a rectangular sleeve having an integral top closure panel and a separate bottom closure panel supported within the rectangular sleeve by a plurality of inwardly projecting integral corner tabs. The first enclosure preferably includes integral support flanges that extend outwardly from a bottom end thereof to define the moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure and the interior surface of the second enclosure.
Preferably, the second enclosure is defined by a rectangular sleeve that is secured between a top tray constructed from a corrugated board material and a bottom tray constructed from a corrugated board material. The top and bottom trays both have interior and exterior surfaces, wherein at least the exterior surfaces of the top and bottom trays are lined with a radiant barrier material.
Preferably, an interior surface of the top and bottom tray is lined with an insulating panel constructed from a foam core material, and each of the plurality of spacer blocks are adapted and configured to engage a respective corner of the top and bottom trays to create the void barrier between the exterior surface of the second enclosure and the interior surface of the third enclosure.
The subject invention is also directed to a cold chain packaging system that includes a first corrugated paper board blank for constructing a first enclosure for receiving a payload, a second corrugated board blank for constructing a second enclosure for receiving the first enclosure, wherein the first enclosure is adapted and configured to create a moat between an exterior surface of the first enclosure and an interior surface of the second enclosure for receiving a phase change material, a third corrugated board blank third for constructing a third enclosure for receiving the second enclosure, a plurality of spacer blocks for encapsulating the second enclosure within the third enclosure to create a void barrier or air gap between an exterior surface of the second enclosure and an interior surface of the third enclosure, and a fourth corrugated board blank for constructing a fourth enclosure for receiving a phase change material, wherein the fourth enclosure is dimensioned and configured to be received within the second enclosure positioned above the first enclosure.
Preferably, the first corrugated board blank has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least the exterior surface of the first blank is lined with a radiant barrier material, the second corrugated board blank has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the second blank are lined with a radiant barrier material, the third corrugated board blank has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the third blank are lined with a radiant barrier material, and the fourth corrugated board blank has an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein at least the interior surface of the fourth blank is lined with a radiant barrier material.
The first corrugated board blank is configured to form a rectangular sleeve having an integral top closure panel and a separate bottom closure panel supported within the rectangular sleeve by a plurality of inwardly projecting integral corner tabs formed in the first blank. The first corrugated board blank includes integral support flanges that extend from a bottom end thereof to define the moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure and the interior surface of the second enclosure.
The second corrugated board blank is configured to form a rectangular sleeve, and the system further includes a fifth corrugated board blank for constructing a top tray for securing a top portion of the second enclosure and a sixth corrugated board blank for constructing a bottom tray for securing a bottom portion of the second enclosure. The fifth and sixth corrugated board blanks both have interior and exterior surfaces, and wherein at least the exterior surfaces of the fifth and sixth blanks are lined with a radiant barrier material. The cold chain packaging system further includes an insulating panel constructed from a foam core material for lining an interior surface of each of the top and bottom trays.
The subject invention is also directed to a method of assembling a cold chain packaging system that includes the steps of constructing a first enclosure from a corrugated board blank for receiving a payload, and constructing a second enclosure from a corrugated board blank for receiving the first enclosure, wherein the first enclosure is adapted and configured to create a moat between an exterior surface of the first enclosure and an interior surface of the second enclosure for receiving a phase change material.
The method further includes the steps of constructing a third enclosure from a corrugated board blank for receiving the second enclosure, constructing a fourth enclosure from a corrugated board blank for receiving a phase change material, wherein the fourth enclosure is dimensioned and configured to be received within the second enclosure positioned above the first enclosure. The method also includes the steps of constructing a top tray from a corrugated board blank for securing a top portion of the second enclosure and constructing a bottom tray from a corrugated board blank for securing a bottom portion of the second enclosure.
The method further includes the steps of centering the first enclosure within the second enclosure, positioning the fourth enclosure above the first enclosure within the second enclosure, lining the top and bottom trays with a foam core insert, and then securing the top and bottom trays to the top and bottom portions of the second enclosure, respectively, by way of a friction fit. The method further includes the step of encapsulating the second enclosure within the third enclosure using a plurality of corner blocks to create a void barrier between an exterior surface of the second enclosure and an interior surface of the third enclosure.
The method also includes the steps of loading a payload into the first enclosure, storing a phase change material in the moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure and the interior surface of the second enclosure, and storing a phase change material in the fourth enclosure. The method can also include the steps of replenishing the phase change material in the moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure and the interior surface of the second enclosure after a period of time, and replenishing the phase change material in the fourth enclosure after a period of time.
These and other features of the cold chain packaging system of the subject invention as well as the method of assembling and using the system will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject invention appertains from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following brief description of the drawings.
So that those having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand how to make, assemble and use the cold chain packaging system subject invention without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to the figures wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or elements of the subject invention, there is illustrated in
The packing system 10 includes a first or innermost enclosure 12 constructed from a corrugated board material for receiving a payload of a vaccine or other pharmaceutical product. An exemplary pharmaceutical payload might include several stacked trays of vials, with each tray holding up to 195 multiple dose vials. The first enclosure 12 has an interior surface 14 and an exterior surface 16, wherein the exterior surface 14 of the first enclosure 12 is lined with a radiant barrier material, as best seen in
A used herein, the term “corrugated board” for use in the packaging system 10 of the subject invention shall be understood to refer to and include corrugated packaging material that is made from corrugated containerboard, paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard or the like. As used herein, a suitable “radiant barrier material” for use in the packaging system 10 of the subject invention is manufactured by WestRock and is marketed under the tradename InsulShield™ system, which uses fiber-based corrugated board for strength and durability and added Met-PET (metalized polyester) laminated liners and inserts to provide steady temperature maintenance.
The packaging system 10 further includes a second or intermediate enclosure 22 constructed from a corrugated board material for receiving the first enclosure 12. The second enclosure 22 is designed to be sift resistant and it has an interior surface 24 and an exterior surface 26, wherein the interior and exterior surfaces of the second enclosure 22 are both lined with a radiant barrier material, as best seen in
The packaging system 10 includes a fourth enclosure 42 constructed from a corrugated board material for receiving a phase change material, such as, for example, dry ice in a pelletized or granulated form. It is envisioned that the fourth enclosure 42 would be dimensioned and configured to store approximately 10 kg of pelletized or granulated dry ice.
As best seen in
Preferably, the first enclosure 12 is adapted and configured to create a moat between the exterior surface 16 of the first enclosure 12 and the interior surface 24 of the second enclosure 22 for receiving a phase change material, such as, for example, pelletized or granulated dry ice, as described in more detail below. The packaging system 10 further includes a plurality of plastic spacer blocks 50 for encapsulating the second enclosure 22 within the third enclosure 32 to create a void barrier or insulating air gap between the exterior surface 26 of the second enclosure 22 and the interior surface 34 of the third enclosure 32. The void barrier or air gap functions to advantageously mitigate heat transfer from the second enclosure 22 to the ambient environment. It is envisioned that the spaced blocks 50 could be constructed from a different structural material, such as a foam core material or the like.
As best seen in
As noted above, the moat is deigned to receive a phase change material, such as, for example, pelletized or granulated dry ice. In this regard, approximately 1 kg of pelletized dry ice can be stored in the moat, and in the cavity created within the first enclosure 12 beneath the separable bottom panel 17. The radiant barrier material that delimits the moat between the exterior surface 16 of the first enclosure 12 and the interior surface 24 of the second enclosure 22 serves to advantageously retard the rate at which the dry ice stored therein will sublimate.
As best seen in
In addition, an interior surfaces 62, 72 of the top and bottom trays 60, 70 are each lined with an insulating panel 80 constructed from a foam core material, such as for example, styrene or a similar material, as best seen in
Preferably, each of the plurality of spacer blocks 50, which are best seen in
Referring now to
A plurality of inwardly projecting integral corner tabs 18a-18c are formed in the first blank 112, between adjoining side panels to support the bottom closure panel 17 within the rectangular sleeve 13. The first blank 112 further includes plurality of integral support flanges 19a-19d that extend outwardly from a bottom end thereof to center the first enclosure 12 within the second enclosure 22 and to define the moat between the exterior surface 16 of the first enclosure 12 and the interior surface 24 of the second enclosure 22.
Referring to
Referring to
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Referring now to
To assemble cold chain packaging system 10 of the subject invention, the first enclosure 12 is constructed from the corrugated board blank 122, the second enclosure 22 is constructed from the corrugated board blank 222, third enclosure 32 is constructed from the corrugated board blank 322 and the fourth enclosure 42 is constructed from the corrugated board blank 422. Then the top and bottom trays 60 and 70 are constructed from two corrugated board blank 522.
Thereafter, the first enclosure 12 is centered within the second enclosure 22, the fourth enclosure 42 is positioned above the first enclosure 12 within the second enclosure 22, the top and bottom trays 60 and 70 are both lined with foam core inserts 80, and then the top and bottom trays 60 and 70 are secured to the top and bottom portions of the second enclosure 22 by a friction fit. At such a time, the second enclosure 22 is encapsulated within the third enclosure 32 using a plurality of corner blocks 50 to create a void barrier between an exterior surface of the second enclosure 22 and an interior surface of the third enclosure 32.
The method also includes the steps of loading a payload into the first enclosure 12, storing a phase change material in the moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure 12 and the interior surface of the second enclosure 22, and storing a phase change material in the fourth enclosure 42. The method can also include the steps of replenishing the phase change material in the moat between the exterior surface of the first enclosure 12 and the interior surface of the second enclosure 22 after a period of time, and replenishing the phase change material in the fourth enclosure 42 after a period of time.
While the cold chain packaging system of the subject disclosure has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63115238 | Nov 2020 | US |