Integrated thermal elements in a thermally controlled container

Abstract

A thermally controlled container includes one or more thermal elements configured to engage with at least one of a top, a bottom, or a plurality of walls of the thermally controlled container. The one or more thermal elements have at least one engagement feature that engages with a body of the thermally controlled container. At least one of the thermal elements forms a part of at least one of the top, a bottom, or a plurality of walls of the thermally controlled container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 120,225, filed Feb. 24, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Thermally controlled containers may be used to contain objects at or near a desired temperature. An example of a thermally controlled container is a cooler used to insulate the contents of the cooler from a higher ambient temperature. The cooler may limit a rate of increase in temperature of the contents, keeping the contents below the ambient temperature for a longer period of time. The contents may include a food or beverage, such as cheese or juice; a chemical, such as a chemical that is sensitive to temperature changes; organic matter, such as transplant organs; or any other object that may be more desirable and / or useful at a temperature below temperatures comfortable for people. In other examples, a thermally controlled contain...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a thermally controlled container with a removable thermal element that can be heated and cooled independently of the container. The container has one or more walls with an aperture therein that can receive the thermal element, which is selectively removable. The thermal element can transfer energy between an external source and the container's interior. The technical effect of this invention is the ability to control the temperature of a container with a high degree of precision and flexibility.

Problems solved by technology

The cooler may limit a rate of increase in temperature of the contents, keeping the contents below the ambient temperature for a longer period of time.

The thermal element may, however, consume valuable space within the container or may produce an environment that is, in at least one aspect, undesirable for the good.

In another aspect, the use of ice may not be acceptably sterile and / or controllable for use in medical applications, such as the transportation of organs or biological matter for transplant or graft.

While dry ice may limit the expose of the goods to liquid, the dry ice may also cause high temperature gradients that may hazardous to the goods.

For example, the dry ice may be below a desirable temperature and direct contact with the goods may damage the goods.

Direct contact with the heating element may damage the goods.

In addition to the goods and the heating element, therefore, the contents may include insulation between the heating element and the goods, further reducing the available volume of the container and / or increasing the exterior dimensions of the container.

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