TOTE LINER BASKET USED IN ACTIVELY COOLED TOTES

Abstract

A tote liner basket used in actively cooled totes is provided. In some embodiments, a tote liner used in actively cooled totes includes: a bottom of the tote liner; two or more sides of the tote liner; and two or more openings for increased airflow. In this way, the use of the tote is made easier while maintaining or improving the airflow in the tote.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to temperature-controlled environments.

BACKGROUND

Cold chain transport for food, drug or any products that need temperature control for delivery currently is done with tri temperature or refer trucks and vans upfitted with compressor based systems that cool or freeze the entire sectioned area of a truck and must be run constantly to maintain temperature inside the truck. Whether the truck has one gallon of milk or a pint of ice cream, the entire space must be cooled or frozen. Compressor based refer trucks and tri temp trucks or vans must be penetrated from the outside to get the cooling platform of a compressor-based system inside the truck or van, which voids the warranty of the van or truck. In addition, to run tri temperature trucks, dividers must exist between the temperature zones to maintain temperature. The separation of space requires separation of orders that have goods in two or more zones. Compressor based systems pull too much power for the system to be placed in or on a fully electric vehicle without degrading the range of the vehicle significantly. Improved systems and methods for thermal management are needed.

SUMMARY

A tote liner basket used in actively cooled totes is provided. In some embodiments, a tote liner used in actively cooled totes includes: a bottom of the tote liner; two or more sides of the tote liner; and two or more openings for increased airflow. In this way, the use of the tote is made easier while maintaining or improving the airflow in the tote.

In some embodiments, at least one opening of the two or more openings enables air exhaust from heat exchanger.

In some embodiments, at least one opening of the two or more openings enables air inlet for heat exchanger.

In some embodiments, the tote liner also includes one or more handles comprising a flexible material attached to the tote liner. In some embodiments, the flexible material comprises a strong fabric.

In some embodiments, the tote liner is molded from a plastic that retains flexibility at low temperature.

In some embodiments, the tote liner is built from a folded corrugated plastic material. In some embodiments, the tote liner also includes: one or more reinforcements and/or handles included inside the folded corrugated plastic material.

In some embodiments, the tote liner is built from a flexible foam.

In some embodiments, the tote liner is designed to be stackable when rotated approximately ninety degrees.

In some embodiments, the tote liner also includes one or more lugs molded into a side of the tote liner.

In some embodiments, two or more sides comprise a length that is adjustable.

In some embodiments, the tote liner also includes a temperature sensor cover.

In some embodiments, the tote liner also includes a notch for interfacing with a condensation tray of a tote.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 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.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate utilization of a portable, self-contained, refrigeration or freezing system, coupled with integrated automated controls and monitoring;

FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example embodiment of an active cooler in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system including an active cooler in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a tote as discussed herein;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate that different versions of the totes could be used in refrigerator or freezer versions, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the tote that includes a thermoelectric unit as discussed herein;

FIG. 8 shows the standard tri-temperature truck that is used for deliveries;

FIG. 9 illustrates a delivery truck which does not need refrigeration systems or needs less refrigeration, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a Plastic Liner with riveted plastic handles, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a Plastic Liner with Molded Lugs, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a Corrugated Plastic with Metal Handles, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a Foam with Plastic Handles in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates an Adjustable Liner with Separators in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a Liner Design Elements, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a Liner Design Elements, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a Liner Wall Thickness, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

Last mile delivery of food requires temperature-controlled transport of perishable food items using transit vans or similar vehicles. For temperature control, refrigerated or freezer totes can be used which are installed in the van (e.g., a cargo van) or a box truck.

These totes use an active heat pump to pull heat from an enclosed chamber and reject it to surrounding ambient. The hot air must be removed from the van to ensure optimum operation of the totes.

These totes require power while in transit maintain food safety requirements for perishable consumption. The electrical system needs to reach (and/or maintain) the correct temperature must be met for operation of the totes.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate utilization of a portable, self-contained, refrigeration or freezing system, coupled with integrated automated controls and monitoring.

FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example embodiment of an active cooler in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system including an active cooler in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

For more details, the interested reader is directed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/953,771, entitled THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATED/FROZEN PRODUCT STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION COOLER; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/135,420, entitled THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATED/FROZEN PRODUCT STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION COOLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0199353 A1; and International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/067172, entitled THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATED/FROZEN PRODUCT STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION COOLER, now International Patent Publication No. WO 2021/134068. These applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a tote as discussed herein. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate that different versions of the totes could be used in refrigerator or freezer versions. FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the tote that includes a thermoelectric unit as discussed herein.

FIG. 8 shows the standard tri-temperature truck that is used for deliveries. This might include several different cooling systems that must be carried around regardless of whether they are currently needed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a delivery truck which does not need refrigeration systems or needs less. In this embodiment, the totes provide the proper temperatures for the various goods. This can make the trucks more efficient in many ways. This also adds configurability. If an entire truck is needed for a specific temperature, this can be easily accomplished as opposed to the standard truck. These trucks might include charging capabilities or other amenities.

Retail order picking applications for the actively cooled tote may require a liner to be placed inside the tote as an alternative to typical plastic grocery bags for holding and/or dividing items. The liner can be removed for transporting goods to customer vehicles.

Since the liner will be located inside of the actively cooled tote, it must have provisions in the design to allow airflow into and out of the heat exchanger. It also must allow the temperature sensor access to the inside of the liner for temperature monitoring of the actively cooled tote. The liner will be subjected to temperatures from −18° C. to 50° C. during normal usage. The liner will be subjected to loads up to 13.6 kg (30 lbs.).

FIG. 10 illustrates a Plastic Liner with riveted plastic handles. In some embodiments, a liner is molded from hard plastic and includes a riveted-on fabric handle. The plastic material should be strong enough to support the weight of customer goods. The material is suitable for retaining its integrity at low temperatures. Materials are suitable for regular washing and disinfecting without degradation. The liner walls are thin to minimize reduction of internal volume of the actively cooled tote. In some embodiments, liner wall construction uses a hole pattern to enable airflow inside the tote to ensure temperature uniformity. Liner is nestable into another liner for storage and transport. Liners can be stacked by rotating upper liner by 90 degrees relative to the orientation of the lower liner. Liner handles are secured on inside of liner wall and can lay flat to save space.

FIG. 11 illustrates a Plastic Liner with Molded Lugs. In some embodiments, there is an addition of lugs on the long side walls of the liner. The lugs allow for the liner to be easily nestable if lugs are aligned on both the upper and lower liner. Liners can be stacked if lugs pattern is rotated 180 degrees relative to the liner below it.

FIG. 12 illustrates a Corrugated Plastic with Metal Handles. In some embodiments, the material has been changed to corrugated plastic and the handle material has been changed to metal. The metal handle is captured within the fold of the corrugated plastic material and provides stiffness to the liner body for structural support. The liner can still be nested for storage. The liners can also be stacked if upper liner is rotated 90 degrees from the orientation of the liner below it.

FIG. 13 illustrates a Foam with Plastic Handles. In some embodiments, the liner material has been changed to scuff resistant flexible foam and the handle material is molded plastic. The liners can be stacked on top of one another when the handles are folded down on the lower liner.

FIG. 14 illustrates an Adjustable Liner with Separators. In some embodiments, the liner is adjustable in size to fit the actively cooled tote. Liner may also divide the tote into sections to separate items. Material is lightweight for carrying. Material is suitable for regular washing and disinfecting without degradation. Liner walls are thin to minimize reduction of internal volume of the actively cooled tote. Construction of liner with mesh or holes enables airflow inside the tote to ensure temperature uniformity. Liner is collapsible when not in use to minimize required storage space. Handles are built-in to the liner for carrying when filled with items.

FIG. 15 illustrates a Liner Design Elements. FIG. 16 illustrates a Liner Design Elements. FIG. 17 illustrates a Liner Wall Thickness.

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.

Claims

1. A tote liner used in actively cooled totes, comprising: a bottom of the tote liner;two or more sides of the tote liner; andtwo or more openings for increased airflow.

2. The tote liner of claim 1 wherein at least one opening of the two or more openings enables air exhaust from heat exchanger.

3. The tote liner of claim 1 wherein at least one opening of the two or more openings enables air inlet for heat exchanger.

4. The tote liner of claim 1 further comprising one or more handles comprising a flexible material attached to the tote liner.

5. The tote liner of claim 4 wherein the flexible material comprises a strong fabric.

6. The tote liner of claim 1 wherein the tote liner is molded from a plastic that retains flexibility at low temperature.

7. The tote liner of claim 1 wherein the tote liner is built from a folded corrugated plastic material.

8. The tote liner of claim 7 further comprising: one or more reinforcements and/or handles included inside the folded corrugated plastic material.

9. The tote liner of claim 1 wherein the tote liner is built from a flexible foam.

10. The tote liner of claim 1 wherein the tote liner is designed to be stackable when rotated approximately ninety degrees.

11. The tote liner of claim 1 further comprising one or more lugs molded into a side of the tote liner.

12. The tote liner of claim 1 wherein two or more sides comprise a length that is adjustable.

13. The tote liner of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor cover.

14. The tote liner of claim 1 further comprising a notch for interfacing with a condensation tray of a tote.