A passive temperature control system for transport and storage containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of the transportation and storage of goods and to a passive temperature control system for such a transport and storage containers. The present invention seeks to provide a system that can enable goods to be securely and reliably transported and stored for limited periods within specified temperature ranges. Pharmaceuticals, proteins, biological samples and other temperature sensitive products, including food items, are regularly shipped in containers year round and are subjected to a wide range of temperatures. Though they are shipped in insulated containers and / or climate controlled environments, the temperature stability of the shipping containers can be significantly improved by utilising suitable phase change materials in an ordered fashion. The present invention provides a simple solution to the maintenance of temperature profiles for the transport and storage of temperature sensitive products.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of the transportation and storage of goods and to a passive temperature control system for such a transport and storage containers.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]In the field of logistics, that is the field of movement and supply of produce and materials, there is a substantial requirement for the provision of a temperature control system to ensure that certain types of produce and materials do not pass through temperature thresholds. It is well known that, for example, vegetables when subject to extremes of temperature that they become flaccid, as the cell structure is broken down through the formation of icicles or through dehydration. Similarly, in the transport of drugs and vaccines and certain other chemicals, a solution may separate or become solid. It will also be appreciated that even relatively small amounts of pharmaceutical product can cost thousands of pounds or more; temperature deviations from an allo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a simple and easy-to-use system for controlling the temperature of a transport and storage container. The system uses phase change materials placed in sealed containers to reliably maintain the temperature of the goods within a particular range. The use of a single size panel simplifies inventory management. The temperature control panels can provide a stable atmosphere for a few days and are designed specifically for the needs of each goods carton. The panels can be arranged in a way that maximizes the available space in the container and reduces transport and storage charges. The use of two phase change materials reduces the chance of failure and allows for more goods to be transported or a smaller container to be used. The panels can be used in different containers, saving costs and enabling different functionality.

Problems solved by technology

It will also be appreciated that even relatively small amounts of pharmaceutical product can cost thousands of pounds or more; temperature deviations from an allowed temperature can become very expensive; such goods typically having journey temperature plotting indicators, whereby any temperature deviation means that product is discarded and destroyed, irrespective of the cost of the product.

Temperature control of thermally sensitive goods is particularly challenging when the thermally sensitive goods must be maintained within a narrow temperature range.

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

First, the polystyrene foam used for insulation does not degrade readily, leading to disposal problems.

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 is so dangerous to shipping personnel that hazard warnings must be posted and additional fees are required to be paid; furthermore, outright bans on dry ice are pending in several areas.

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

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

The need to purchase, track and maintain such a large number of PCM panels can become cost prohibitive.

However this is troublesome on two counts.

Firstly, the PCM packs must be warmed or cooled to just above or just below their Phase Change Point, this can be difficult to achieve in normal industrial warehousing scenarios, as such ideal temperature ranges can be as narrow as (for hot shipping conditions) +15° C. to +19° C. and (for cold shipping conditions) +20° C. to +24° C. Secondly, it is very hard to predict what conditions will be experienced by the TCP during transit.

(the mid-point of most pharmaceutical specification warehouses), but this is difficult to achieve with the use of just one PCM.

Whilst these systems are stated as working within limited temperature ranges, for periods of time they can be difficult to set up with different temperature profiles to be achieved.

It has been known that the phase change materials have been confused and misplaced in a container upon loading of the container, giving rise to an incorrect temperature-time profile; equally, supervisory actions and checking operations become necessary, leading to delay in often time-critical situations and incur further processing costs.

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