The present disclosure relates to systems and methods related to actively cooled containers.
Current methods for refrigerated/frozen product storage & transportation in grocery, supply chain, delivery, and other perishable cold chain applications are: Phase-change material (i.e. “ice” packs: Paraffin, water-ice, glycol, Dry-ice, etc.); Refrigerated Trucks/Containers used in shipping and over-the-road applications; Large scale cooling of warehouse location using conventional HVAC to cold chain compliant temperatures. Improved systems and methods for cooled product storage are needed.
Systems and methods for modular power and access control for actively cooled containers are provided. In some embodiments, a mobile and/or stationary, modular, power system/dock for perishable storage/transport containers with active cooling functionality is provided to maintain a controlled internal temperature for extended periods. In some embodiments, this active cooling can include: thermoelectric (TEC), Stirling-cooler; and/or vapor compression. This can be in support of refrigerated or frozen cargos in (but not limited to) Cold chain, grocery (food), Pharma, Medical applications, or specialized customer requirements. The power system is useable with either mains, locally generated, and/or battery power. In some embodiments, the system includes a proximity sensor and/or switching system to control timing of power application and power removal to the food storage cooler to eliminate risk of arcing or shock.
In some embodiments, the dock has access control locking features that secure the actively cooled storage/transport device from unauthorized removal. In some embodiments, this enables remote utilization and unattended delivery drop-off and pickup while maintaining the unit in a fully powered condition to preserve the integrity of perishable goods.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
The present disclosure relates to an insulated container that features an active cooling system i.e. (thermoelectric, vapor-compression, Stirling, etc.) installed directly into the cooler in a removable or built-in module).
Additional details regarding the use of these insulated containers can be found in Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/244,518, filed Sep. 15, 2021.
Direct or filtered AC or DC power applied through Power System with minimal internal losses is discussed below.
Potential sources are (but not limited to): Mains power (typically 90-240V at 50 Hz or 60 Hz); Photovoltaic (PV); Vehicle power bus (Typically 12-48 VDC); Battery system; Micro-turbine (wind).
Power transfer implementation includes but is not limited to: Magnetic coupling; Direct contact.
Wireless Transmission
These embodiments could potentially be used in (but not limited to): Robotic warehouse/racking systems where manual plug/unplug of the container is not feasible and/or desirable; Manual systems where minimum employee interaction time is needed; Mobile delivery platforms to extend safe delivery ranges; Remote deployment dock/racks.
Some embodiments feature optional security functions to enable remote, unattended, drop-off and/or pickup.
Current methods for refrigerated/frozen product storage & transportation in grocery, supply chain, delivery, and other perishable cold chain applications are:
Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.
Embodiment 1: An actively cooled container comprising one or more of: modular power; active cooling; and an access control system.
Embodiment 2: Embodiment 1 wherein the active cooling comprises thermoelectric (TEC), Stirling-cooler; and/or vapor compression.
Embodiment 3: Any of Embodiments 1-2 wherein power system is useable with either mains, locally generated, and/or battery power.
Embodiment 4: Any of Embodiments 1-3 further comprising: a proximity sensor and/or switching system to control timing of power application and power removal.
Embodiment 5: Any of Embodiments 1-4 further comprising: access control locking features that secure the actively cooled container from unauthorized removal.
Embodiment 6: Any of Embodiments 1-5 wherein remote utilization and unattended delivery drop-off and pickup is enabled while maintaining the actively cooled container in a fully powered condition to preserve the integrity of perishable goods.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/090,432, filed Oct. 12, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63090432 | Oct 2020 | US |