This disclosure relates to thermal regulating devices, e.g., for shipping thermally sensitive items.
Packages can be used to transport items that require thermal control within the package. For cool items, traditionally gel packs are used for ambient range goods (e.g., chocolate). For colder items, dry ice can be directly dropped in the shipping package. A heating element can also be utilized in the package to keep hot items that are shipped warm.
Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved thermal control devices. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.
A thermal regulating device can include an insulated envelope configured to contain a thermal element therein to reduce thermal transfer between the thermal element and the atmosphere. The insulated envelope can include an outer liner and an insulating material disposed within the outer liner. An amount of the insulating material can be selected to control temperature of the outer liner and/or rate of heat transfer to the thermal element.
In certain embodiments, the liner can include natural and/or synthetic materials, e.g., at least one of paper, a board, a plastic, or nylon. For example, the liner can be a flexible paper liner (e.g., kraft liner). Any other suitable material is contemplated herein.
In certain embodiments, the insulating material can be natural and/or synthetic materials, e.g. cellulose insulation, recycled cellulose insulation, plastic, PET, Styrofoam, etc. For example, the insulating material can be fluff pulp. Any other suitable insulating material is contemplated herein.
In certain embodiments, the thermal regulating device can include the thermal element. For example, the thermal element can be dry ice (e.g., a brick of dry ice disposed within the envelope). Any other suitable thermal element is contemplated herein. In certain embodiments, the envelope can be configured to control a location of where sublimated gas escapes.
The envelope can be configured such that a time to about 31 degrees C. internal temperature of a shipping container containing the envelope having two pounds of dry ice disposed in the envelope when the shipping package is consistently exposed to about 40.6 degrees C. is greater than 18 hours. The shipping container can include thermal insulation and/or an inner thermal reflective layer, in which case the time to about 31 degrees C. can be greater than 24 hours (e.g., 28 hours or more). In certain embodiments, the package can include the shipping container having the envelope disposed therein.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a package can include a first volume for storing an item to be shipped, and a second volume divided from the first volume by at least one wall, the second volume configured to retain a thermal element to reduce an amount of dead space surrounding the thermal element. The package can include the thermal element (e.g., as disclosed above). In certain embodiments, the second volume is configured to reduce sublimation of the dry ice brick.
A method can include insulating a thermal element within an insulated package, placing the insulated package within a shipping container to regulate a temperature within the shipping container for at least a predetermined amount of time. The thermal element can be dry ice, for example. Placing the insulated package can include placing the insulated package at a bottom of the shipping container. The method can include any other suitable method(s) and/or portions thereof.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a thermal regulating device can be configured such that a time to about 31 degrees C. internal temperature of a shipping container containing the envelope having two pounds of dry ice disposed in the envelope when the shipping package is consistently exposed to about 40.6 degrees C. is greater than 18 hours.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a thermal regulating device can be configured to contain a thermal element, the thermal regulating device comprising an R factor of greater than about 0.001 ft2·° F.·h/BTU and less than about 10 ft2·° F.·h/BTU. For example, the thermal element can be at least one of dry ice, a gel pack, or a heat source.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a thermal regulating device can be configured to contain a thermal element, the device having a substantially linear gravimetric slope of greater than about −0.19 lbs-dry-ice/hour at an atmospheric temperature of 73 degrees F. In certain embodiments, the gravimetric slope can be about −0.085 lbs-dry-ice/hour at an atmospheric temperature of 73 degrees F. The gravimetric slope in a cooler exposed to 73 degrees F. is about −0.067 lbs-dry-ice/hour.
These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a package in accordance with the disclosure is shown in
Referring to
The liner 105 can include any suitable natural and/or synthetic materials. For example, in certain embodiments, the liner 105 can include at least one of paper (e.g., kraft), a board (e.g., paperboard, corrugate), a plastic (a flexible plastic, corrugate), or nylon. For example, the liner 105 can be a flexible paper liner (e.g., kraft liner) or any other thin sheet material. Any other suitable material is contemplated herein. A thickness of the liner 105 can be selected to control heat transfer to produce a certain loss of thermal power of the thermal element, for example.
In certain embodiments, the insulating material 107 can be natural and/or synthetic materials, e.g. cellulose insulation, recycled cellulose insulation, plastic, PET, Styrofoam, etc. For example, the insulating material 107 can be fluff pulp (e.g., nonwoven cellulose fibers), e.g., as shown in
In certain embodiments, the envelope 101a can have a pouch shape, e.g., as shown. In certain embodiments, the envelope 101a can have individually sized components (e.g., tearable pouches to select a number of thermal packages to use in a given shipping package to control a temperature of the shipping package).
In certain embodiments, the thermal regulating device 101 can include the thermal element 303. For example, the thermal element 303 can be dry ice (e.g., a brick of dry ice disposed within the envelope 101a). Any other suitable thermal element 303 is contemplated herein (e.g., a cold pack, a chemical heater). It is contemplated that each envelope 101a and/or each portion thereof can be sold including a fixed amount of dry ice (e.g., in a freezer) and/or can include a metric printed thereon for a user to determine how many envelopes 101a or portions thereof to use to achieve a desired cooling effect (temperature and/or length of cooling time below a certain temperature) for a standardized volume of packaging.
In certain embodiments, the envelope 101a can be configured to control a location of where sublimated gas escapes (e.g., one or more holes on the bottom of the envelope 101a). As shown, the envelope 101a can form at least one opening at an end thereof. The at least one opening can be enclosed using any suitable tape, adhesive, or any other suitable enclosure.
The envelope 101a can be configured such that a time to about 31 degrees C./87.8° F. internal temperature of a shipping container 109, 209 (e.g., a corrugate box, an insulated box) containing the envelope 101a having two pounds of dry ice disposed in the envelope when the shipping package (e.g, when enclosing the envelope 101a) is consistently exposed to about 40.6 degrees C./105° F. is greater than 18 hours. This is an unexpectedly longer time to failure than traditional packages. As shown in
In certain embodiments, the thermal control device 101a can include an R value greater than about 0.001 ft2·° F.·h/BTU and less than about 10 ft2·° F.·h/BTU. Any suitable R value to allow a controlled thermal transfer from the thermal control device 101a to a package (e.g., to hold the package at a desired temperature), for example, is contemplated herein. For example, an R value above that of basic plastic sheet packaging (of negligible R value of about 0) for dry ice, and below the R value of a vacuum flask.
As described above, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
A method can include insulating a thermal element within an insulated package, placing the insulated package within a shipping container to regulate a temperature within the shipping container for at least a predetermined amount of time. The thermal element can be dry ice, for example. Placing the insulated package can include placing the insulated package at a bottom of the shipping container. The method can include any other suitable method(s) and/or portions thereof.
As described above, embodiments can provide a target temperature based on amount of insulation and/or other thermal properties of material surrounding the thermal element. Embodiments control the flow of heat to/from the coolant/heater to the surrounding package volume. The thermal packaging for a thermal element can be selected (e.g., more or less insulation, thickness of liner, holes in liner and/or insulation) to provide a predetermined heat transfer between the thermal element and the package volume to produce a predetermined temperature range or value in the package volume. Embodiments can reduce heat transfer to the thermal element and greatly extend the life of the thermal element to cool or heat a shipping package volume to the desired temperature range or value.
Referring to
As shown in
In view of this disclosure, one having ordinary skill in the art can determine, without undue experimentation, how to select a thermal element (e.g., type and amount), thermal packaging characteristics, and shipping packaging characteristics to achieve a predetermined temperature control (e.g., temperature range, rate of cooling or heating) inside the shipping package for a predetermined period of time (e.g., time until failure temperature is reached).
Referring to
As shown in
Configurations that did not include encasing the dry ice with an insulative layer had much steeper slopes than those incorporating an insulative layer. After measurements were taken, a linear regression was found to predict time to complete sublimation (0 lbs of dry ice). Results are shown in
Extended the linear regression trendlines predict the time when dry ice is completely sublimated. Dry ice alone is predicted to last up to 4.3 hours, dry ice in plastic wrap is predicted to last up to 6.5 hours and dry ice encased in an insulated envelope is predicted to last up to 24.5 hours, unexpectedly. Predicted time to complete sublimation was found first by adjusting linear regression equations to start at the same weight (y-intercept=2 lbs). Finally, predicted time to complete sublimation was found by holding y=0 for the adjusted equations and converting from minutes to hours.
By incorporating an insulative layer encasing the dry ice, predicted time to complete sublimation was 5.4 times greater than dry ice alone and 3 times greater than dry ice encased in plastic wrap, respectively. The predicted time for complete sublimation for dry ice encased in an envelope inside a 1″ thick cooler was 2.8 times greater than dry ice alone in a 1″ thick cooler. Comparing 14″×11.5″12.5″ cooler (EPS 1″ thick) vs. 12″×10″×3″ insulated envelope (1″ thick), the dry ice encased in an insulated envelope lasted 2.2 time longer than dry ice placed inside the cooler.
It can be concluded that there is a significant improvement in reducing the rate of sublimation by encasing dry ice in an insulative layer. This improvement was seen in configurations with and without an insulative cooler. Additionally, when comparing performance between dry ice inside a 1″ thick cooler with substantial dead space vs. a 1″ thick insulated envelope with minimal dead space performance is significantly improved when dead space is minimized. These results show that insulating dry ice in a configuration with minimal dead space decreases the rate of sublimation thereby increasing the lifetime of cooling during temperature-controlled scenarios.
Embodiments can include an insulated envelope structure with a coolant that can keep a mass cool for a duration of time. Embodiments can include an insulated envelope structure with a heat emitter that can keep a mass warm for a duration of time. Embodiments can include any suitable structure to achieve any desired cooling/heating effect for any desired longevity. Embodiments of a thermal packaging (e.g., an envelope 101a) can be placed in any suitable location in a shipping container. For example, an envelope can be on top of the product (e.g., as shown in
Embodiments of thermal packaging can have a tight seal or a loose seal, or can have one or more openings that allow more cooling/heating quicker. Multiple envelopes can be used, and envelope thermal characteristics and/or seals can be the same or can vary, e.g., one or more for quick cooling and one or more for longer, slower cooling. Embodiments of an envelope can be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid, can include any suitable outer material(s) (e.g., corrugated, plastic, plant-based, synthetic, or non-synthetic), can include any suitable insulation materials (e.g., nonwoven fiber cellulose, corrugated, plastic, plant-based, synthetic or non-synthetic), and can have any suitable sealing (e.g., one or more same or different glues and/or adhesives, one or more folding and locking mechanisms that don't require glue, one or more specific sealing mechanisms to keep a user from hurting themselves but also to allow for adhering to the packaging).
Embodiments of an envelope can be placed in shipper/container that can be non-fiber based or fiber based, that can have a reflective layer or no reflective layer that can have an insulative layer. Embodiments can be placed in a shipper/container alone with product or with insulation as well. In certain embodiments, an envelope can be built into the shipper and/or insulation. In certain embodiments, the envelope can be separate from shipper and/or insulation and be configured to drop into the shipper during packout. Embodiments of an envelope can be placed in shipper either contacting product or something holding it above a product (e.g., food), for example. Embodiments can be recyclable and/or compostable.
Embodiments can be applied to control cooling, e.g., to provide a range of temperatures including ambient, refrigerated, and frozen. Embodiments can be applied to control heating, e.g., a range of temperatures including warm and hot. Embodiments can be used in system that recirculates cooling/heating air through shipper. For example, certain embodiments can be corrugated on bottom for thermal circulation, and can incorporate an envelope with a separate structure (e.g., corrugated material) on the bottom of shipper that allows airflow to circulate cooling back to the top of the shipper. Cooling will sink as heat rises, so this would be a system that circulates cooling back to the top. Embodiments can incorporate condensation control with superabsorbent polymers (SAP's) which can help control the performance of the insulation and maintain quality of product being shipped. Embodiments can extend a lifetime of package allowing for longer transit times during shipping and/or can stabilize a temperature curve to control profiles within specific narrowed temperature ranges.
Embodiments of an envelope can be produced by a machine that makes an outer layer into an envelope and then places insulation inside, for example. The process can include machine gluing insulation to an outer layer and then forming the envelope. The process can include a machine to blow/place insulation in between layers and then form envelope, for example. A process for incorporating envelopes into shipper can include using a machine to fill the envelope and to place it into a shipper
Certain embodiments can control cooling from dry ice, which extends the lifetime of dry ice as well as providing safety features from extreme temperatures. This packaging solution can be utilized in shipping temperature sensitive items to keep contents below a target temperature for expected ship times, maintain product integrity, and improve sustainability.
Embodiments can utilize an envelope configuration that holds dry ice during shipment of temperature-sensitive goods. The envelope structure decreases the amount of dead space surrounding dry ice, which decreases the rate of sublimation. Embodiments can also reduce the rate of melting of an ice pack, gel pack, and/or other phase change materials, and can reduce the rate of heat exchange generally (e.g., for loss of heat of a heating element). Embodiments allow the dry ice or other thermal elements to last longer and form a barrier between extreme cooling/heating and the product being shipped, for example.
In accordance with the above disclosure, embodiment can include a liner, e.g., fiber-based, sandwiching a layer of fluff pulp or other fibrous materials that is arranged similar to an envelope or bag. This envelope-like structure can surround dry ice and be placed in a shipper to act as a cooling agent. This structure decreases the amount of dead space surrounding dry ice, which decreases the rate of sublimation (extending the lifetime of the dry ice as well as the product being shipped). The insulative properties of the structure reduce the effects of conduction, which may allow the dry ice to cool the product without freezing at extreme low temperatures. Additionally, it may provide cooling from the dry ice to the product being shipped through a porous structure that allows airflow. The outer liner can be flexible, such as kraft, plastic or nylon materials, or it can be rigid to semi-rigid depending on the requirements for shipment (e.g. firmly fixed to the shipper or flexible drop in solution). The outer liner can either be porous which allows airflow from the dry ice to the product being shipped or thinner caliper to allow cooling by contact. The inner layer (sandwiched layer) may be composed of natural fibers, such as fluff pulp or shredded recycled paper, as well as synthetic fibrous materials. These materials can provide insulative properties that isolate the dry ice from the product as well as provide channels for airflow to cool the product in a controlled manner. Additionally, the sandwiched layer can be an air gap that isolates the dry ice from the product. Instead of cooling by airflow, this air-gap arrangement cools by conduction, for example.
Preliminary testing has shown significant improvements in extending the lifetime of the product through shipment (e.g., extended by 75% or more). Along with improvements in performance, results show that this structure provides the capability of controlling a temperature hold for a duration of time. This can be applied as a safety feature for isolating the dry ice from the product and consumer (e.g. tamper-resistant seal etc) as well as a safety feature for the product that may require a specific temperature range (not above or below a threshold). It's expected that the temperature hold can be modified based on the materials used and thickness, which allows for more or less airflow and/or more or less conduction.
Embodiments can be utilized in shipment and storage of temperature sensitive items and construction of other temporary thermal structures. Embodiments can be applied to a variety of shipments including, e.g., consumables, electronics and pharmaceuticals. Embodiments can provide cooling at controlled temperatures, decrease the rate of sublimation for extended lifetime, can allow temperature holds to be tailored based on the design and type of material and amount used, and padding from the fiberized pad and other design components (e.g. snugness, positioning, etc.) can protect the dry ice block from breaking into smaller pieces which may sublimate faster due to surface area increase.
Embodiments are safe to handle, can lower a mass of dry ice and still result in similar performance of a larger amount of dry ice without the envelope (e.g. reaching more than 24 hours of use without doubling or tripling the amount of dry ice). Using a lower mass of dry ice can also lead to reduced shipping costs by reducing the weight of a shipment being shipped related to weight and volume of dry ice. This allows the coolant to be utilized more efficiently, thus the coolant could last longer and keep the shipment cool longer. Additionally, if less dry ice can be used, the cost of dry ice would be reduced. Embodiments perform better than gel packs and dry ice alone, can be made of recyclable material, and can remove the burden of returning or storing extra gel packs from e-commerce shipments. Any other suitable uses and/or advantages are contemplated herein.
Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numerical values disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within a range. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “approximately”, “around”) used in this disclosure can mean the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range can be within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within 2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges).
The articles “a”, “an”, and “the” as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”
Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
The embodiments of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which they pertain. While the subject disclosure includes reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.