System and method for packaging and delivering a temperature-sensitive item

Abstract

A system and method for packaging and delivering a temperature-sensitive item includes an insulated package having a substantially rigid container for containing the item, and a vacuum-sealed outer shell surrounding said container, and an insulated drop box having a first transceiver, for storing the insulated package.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 299,727 which was filed on Jun. 22, 2001 by Grant Leung, and assigned to the present assignee, and which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a system and method for packaging and delivering an item, and in particular, a system and method for packaging and delivering a temperature-sensitive item. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Temperature-sensitive items, such as chilled and even frozen items, are typically stored, for example, by vendors at low temperatures. For example, a grocer may maintain a frozen food display at a temperature of about −20° C. When purchased by the purchaser, these temperature-sensitive items are typically placed in a plastic or paper bag by the vendor, and transported to the home of the purchaser. Of course, the items are not...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention includes an insulated package including a substantially rigid container for containing a temperature-sensitive item, and a vacuum-sealed outer shell surrounding the container. Further, a vacuum may be formed between the container and the outer shell to improve insulative qualities of the package. For example, the container may include a polystyrene box and the outer shell may include a polyethylene bag.

[0013] For instance, the insulated package may more than double a time it takes to increase a surface temperature of the item from −25° C. to −1° C. Specifically, the insulated package may prevent an increase in a surface temperature of said item from −25° C. to −1° C. for about 20 hours.

[0023] With its unique and novel aspects, the present invention provides a system and method for packaging and delivering a temperature-sensitive item which makes unattended home delivery possible at a very low cost. In addition, the present invention keeps warm items warm and cold items cold and eliminates the need for temperature-controlled (e.g., refrigerated) transport vehicles, and makes it possible to use a drop box at the consumer's home or office for unattended delivery. Further, it can be used by a vendor to prepare a temperature-sensitive item to be transported by a purchaser from the vendor's place of business to the home or office of the purchaser.

Problems solved by technology

Of course, the items are not in a temperature-controlled environment so that while the items are being transported home, the temperature of the items increases which can cause the quality of the items to deteriorate.

Indeed, in more temperate climates where temperatures are typically high, if the transport period is long the quality of the item can be seriously and irreversibly deteriorated.

In fact, if the frozen item is, for example, a frozen food, the thaw during the transport period may even pose a health risk to a consumer.

Again, if the transport period is long, the quality of the items can be seriously and irreversibly deteriorated.

Similar issues are encountered with respect to a delivery of temperature-sensitive items, for example, items purchased by mail order or via the Internet.

However, temperature-sensitive items sold by mail-order or via the Internet must be delivered to the purchaser via a delivery truck directly from a warehouse or via a courier.

In case of direct delivery, the transport vehicle (e.g., a delivery truck) must have some means of keeping the items within a desirable temperature range during a transport period (e.g., a refrigerated truck), which can severely increase the vendor's cost of the transport vehicle.

This coordination of the delivery also results in additional vendor expense and inconvenience to both the vendor and the purchaser.

However, this is very inconvenient and costly to the vendor.

Moreover, it does not address the needs of items needing to be maintained at a warm temperature.

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