Insulating packaging material is wrapped or otherwise positioned around the typically
temperature sensitive product, with the packing material including, alternatively, 1 ply (FIG. 22; metallized
plastic film), 2 ply (FIGS. 23 & 24) and 3 ply (FIG. 25) material, in which some of the 2 ply & 3 ply embodiments include a layer of
bubble wrap material having its bubble side placed or laminated against the flat side of the adjacent ply, which adjacent ply can be, for example, a mettalized
plastic film or a foam layer or both
layers can be included. With such a bubble side arrangement, multitudinous air pockets are formed between the bubbles of the
bubble wrap and the other ply's typically flat
interfacing surface. A separate layer of
bubble wrap also preferably is placed about the interior of the box with its bubble side placed against the interior flat surfaces of the box, with the bubbles forming air pockets with the flat sides, further enhancing the insulating properties of the packaging for the goods. An exemplary
system for delivering perishable groceries (120 / 120'), including a corrugated
cardboard or other type box (100); a source of cold (or heat as needed) maintaining the temperature inside the box within a desired temperature range for hours or days, using an all encompassing pouch of packet material (110 / 10), used individually (FIGS. 2 & 3) or collectively (FIGS. 5 & 6), with each packet (17) containing a super-absorbent
polymer (14, FIG. 12) which is hydrated (14', FIG. 12A) and then either frozen (e.g., in a freezer) or heated (e.g., in a
microwave), without producing
moisture as the
polymer returns to its
natural state; a protective cover (130) protecting the box and its contents from heat
radiation (e.g.,
sunlight).