Thermal Containment System Providing Temperature Maintaining Shipping Package with Segmented Flexible PCM Panels

Abstract

A packaging system having an outer container and a segment panel defining a plurality of phase change material (PCM) segments, with said segments being aligned with sides of the outer container interior upon wrapping around a payload and insertion into the outer container. The segmented panels may include edge tapers which facilitate the wrapping process with adjacent edge tapers being brought together during the wrapping process. A method of packaging using PCM-containing segments which are wrapped around a portion of a payload is also disclosed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to pending U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 177,998, filed May 13, 2009, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention is directed to a thermal containment system providing a package for a temperature sensitive product and a method of use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a package and method of use for shipping temperature sensitive materials via common carriers, such as United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, FedEx, etc.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The conventional means of shipping temperature sensitive materials such as blood and medical products involves the use of an insulated box along with some cooling agent. These cooling agents are typically a frozen gel, dry ice, or glistening (wet) ice.[0004]There are, however, several problems with the conventional approach. First, the insulation material often does not degrade readily, leading to disposal pro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention relates to a package and method of encasing a payload with phase change materials and an outer container, wherein the PCM material is provided in segmented panels. In one embodiment, a payload is surrounded with phase change material contained within segmented PCM panels that are wrapped around a payload. A package in accordance with the present invention may include multiple segmented panels of phase change material with each segment including a generally rigid insert for lightweight, structural stability.

Problems solved by technology

There are, however, several problems with the conventional approach.

First, the insulation material often does not degrade readily, leading to disposal problems.

These problems are so severe that many countries ban the use of styrofoam, thus severely restricting international shipments of biological materials.

Second, the cooling agents also present numerous practical problems in field use.

Specifically, gel systems are often too expensive for routine use and disposal.

As for dry ice, the carbon dioxide gas evolved during shipment may be dangerous to shipping personnel.

Wet ice poses handling problems in packing, as well as leakage and product soaking problems.

Many previously existing shipping systems also suffer the disadvantage that they are not capable of maintaining the shipped product or payload within a target temperature range.

Many known methods and systems for shipping such products are not able to keep temperatures within the desired range.

The result of this practice is excessive cooling, frequently resulting in damage to the product.

Previously known methods and systems which are capable of maintaining a payload within a specified temperature range have been found to be unsuited to certain applications, unduly complex in practice, and / or prohibitively expensive.

For example, refrigerated containers require associated compressors, coils, crystals, or other equipment, which adds to the apparatus' expense, weight and size.

Sufficient ventilation for the proper operation of these devices is generally unavailable in the closely-packed cargo compartments of common carrier transport vehicles.

Refrigerated transport vehicles exist, but are substantially more expensive than unrefrigerated transport, and are not as readily available.

Another problem often observed with conventional systems is failure to maintain the proper temperature over time, due to inadequate insulation and / or inadequate cooling pack capacity.

Again, the end result is product damage.

The consequence of these observed shortcomings of conventional shipping systems is damage to the material being transported.

For biomedical materials such as blood, blood products, pharmaceuticals, etc., loss of these products due to heat damage is critical because of the intrinsic financial value of these items and because of the potential health hazards that the use of compromised materials presents.

Likewise, heat damage to various foods also presents both financial and health consequences.

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