Insulating Rolltainer Liner

Abstract

According to one aspect, an apparatus for storing temperature-sensitive goods is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base and at least one side connected to the base. The base has a lower portion and an upper portion extending from the tower portion. The base and at least one side define a receptacle portion for receiving Temperature-sensitive goods, and the at least one side is configured to fold to substantially enclose the receptacle portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 594,994, filed Feb. 3, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the transportation of goods.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Material handling are used to manually transport a load of materials such as raw materials, finished products, or foodstuffs (generally referred to herein as “goods”) from one location to another. A rolling container referred to as a “container” is a material handling cart that includes swivel casters enabling a user to transport a load of materials by rolling the cart from one place to another. As used herein, rolltainers include rolling carts, wheeled carts, rolling containers, mesh carts, distribution carts, unassisted delivery carts, and rollcages.[0006]Rolltainers are usefu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about apparatuses and methods that can transport goods while keeping them at a good temperature. An insulating rolltainer liner is placed inside a rolltainer to act as an insulated barrier / cooler for temperature-sensitive goods. The goods are placed inside this liner, and then temperature regulation systems like cooled gel packs or heating packs are placed on top of an absorption barrier like a flexible plastic bag. This cools or heats the goods, depending on their needs, to maintain their optimal temperature and prevent spoilage during transport.

Problems solved by technology

These conventional transport systems are disadvantageous for many reasons.

Examples include that a liner inside a tote (i) necessitates excessive labor to prepare the numerous totes, (ii) requires numerous gel packs or large cooling systems due to the relatively small size of each of the totes, (iii) limits effective utilization of otherwise potentially useable volume due to the relatively small size of the totes, and (iv) presents high transportation costs due to the increased weight of numerous totes and the related attendant fuel usage.

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