Phase change material elements for use in a thermally insulated transportation container

Abstract

A set of phase change material (PCM) elements (10) that are arranged to fit together to form a hollow cuboid structure (12) for use in a thermally insulated transportation container (1). The hollow cu

Claims

1. A set of phase change material (PCM) elements for use in a thermally insulated transportation container that transports temperature sensitive goods, wherein the set of PCM elements is arranged to fit together to form a hollow cuboid structure, the hollow cuboid structure having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth sides defining an enclosed payload volume that is arranged to receive the temperature sensitive goods, wherein at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements in the set of PCM elements comprises a sealed or sealable receptacle having at least a first side, a second side and a third side, wherein the receptacle has an internal cavity that extends into each of the first side, second side and third side, and PCM is stored within the cavity in each of the first side, second side and third side.

2. The set of PCM elements of claim 1, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, the first side, second side, third side defines a structure having an open side and a recess, and, in a condition wherein the set of PCM elements are fitted together to form the hollow cuboid structure, the recesses and open sides are arranged to face inwards and define the payload volume.

3. The set of PCM elements of claim 1 or 2, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, one of the first side, second side and third side of has a different thickness from the other two of the first side, second side and third side.

4. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each PCM element in the set of PCM elements is identical.

5. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM elements are stackable.

6. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, the first side is orthogonal to the second side.

7. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, the first side, second side and third side meet at acommon corner.

8. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, the receptacle includes a plastics material, such as polyethylene.

9. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements is moulded, and preferably blow moulded.

10. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, each of the first side, second side and third side comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, the cavity is located between the inner and outer walls for each of the first, second and third sides, and the PCM material is stored in the cavity between the inner and outer walls for each of the first, second and third sides.

11. The set of PCM elements of claim 10, wherein the outer wall of each side of the PCM element is planar; and / or the inner wall of each side of the PCM element is planar.

12. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, the receptacle is rigid.

13. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, at least one of the first, second, and third sides are triangular in plan.

14. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of PCM elements comprises, or consists of, a first PCM element, a second PCM element, a third PCM element and a fourth PCM element.

15. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, a first edge of the first side is contiguous with a first edge of the second side, a second edge of the second side is contiguous with a first edge of the third side, and a second edge of the first side is contiguous with a second edge of the third side.

16. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements comprises a recessed pyramidal shape, which is open at one side.

17. The set of PCM elements of claim 16, wherein, in a condition wherein the PCM elements are fitted together to form the hollow cuboid structure, the first side of the first PCM element forms part of a first side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the first PCM element forms part of a second side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the first PCM element forms part of a third side of the hollow cuboid structure.

18. The set of PCM elements of claim 17, wherein, the first side of the second PCM element forms part of the fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the second PCM element forms part of a third side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the second PCM element forms part of a fifth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

19. The set of PCM elements of claim 18, wherein, the first side of the third PCM element forms part of the fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the third PCM element forms at of the second side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the third PCM element forms part of a sixth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

20. The set of PCM elements of claim 19, wherein, the first side of the fourth PCM element forms part of the first side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the fourth PCM element forms part of the sixth side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the fourth PCM element forms part of a fifth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

21. The set of PCM elements of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the set of PCM elements comprises, or consists of, a first PCM element and a second PCM element.

22. The set of PCM elements of claim 21, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, each of the first, second and third sides is rectangular in plan; a first edge of the first side is contiguous with a first edge of the second side, a second edge of the first side is contiguous with a first edge of the third side, a second edge of the second side is contiguous with a second edge of the third side; the first side of the is perpendicular to each of the second and third sides, the second side is perpendicular to the third side; a recess defined by the first, second and third sides.

23. The set of PCM elements of claim 21 or 22, wherein, in a condition wherein the PCM elements are fitted together to form the hollow cuboid structure, the first side of the first PCM element forms the first side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the first PCM element forms the second side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the first PCM element forms the third side of the hollow cuboid structure.

24. The set of PCM elements of claim 23, wherein, the first side of the second PCM element forms the fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the second PCM element forms the fifth side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the second PCM element forms the sixth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

25. The set of PCM elements of claim 21, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, the second and third sides are parallel with one another and the first side is perpendicular to each of the second and third sides.

26. The set of PCM elements of claim 21 or 22, wherein at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements has a substantially U-shaped structure.

27. The set of PCM elements of claim 25 or 26, wherein, in a condition wherein the PCM elements are fitted together to form the hollow cuboid structure, the first side of the first PCM element forms the first side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the first PCM element forms the second side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the first PCM element forms the third side of the hollow cuboid structure.

28. The set of PCM elements of claim 27, wherein, the first side of the second PCM element forms the fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the second PCM element forms the fifth side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the third side of the second PCM element forms the sixth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

29. The set of PCM elements of any of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements the receptacle includes a fourth side, wherein the internal cavity extends into the fourth side, and PCM is stored within the cavity in the fourth side.

30. The set of PCM elements of claim 29, wherein at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements comprises a recessed wedge shape.

31. The set of PCM elements of claim 29 or 30, wherein for at least one, and preferably each PCM, the first and second sides are rectangular in plan and the third and fourth sides are triangular in plan.

32. The set of PCM elements of any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the first and second PCM elements, the first side is perpendicular to the second side, the third side is perpendicular to the first and second sides, the fourth side is perpendicular to the first and second sides, and the third and fourth sides are parallel to one another.

33. The set of PCM elements of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements, a first edge of the first side is contiguous with a first edge of the second side, a first edge of the third side is contiguous with a second edge of the first side, a second edge of the third side is contiguous with a second edge of the second side, a third edge of the third side is located at an open side of the PCM element, a first edge of the fourth side is contiguous with a third edge of the first side, a second edge of the fourth side is contiguous with a third edge of the second side, a third edge of the fourth side is located at the open side of the PCM element, a recess is defined by the first, second, third and fourth sides of the PCM element.

34. The set of PCM elements of any one of claims 29 to 33, when dependent on claim 21, wherein, in a condition wherein the PCM elements are fitted together to form the hollow cuboid structure, the first side of the first PCM element forms the first side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the first PCM element forms the second side of the hollow cuboid structure, the third side of the first PCM element forms part of the third side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the fourth side of the first PCM element forms part of the fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

35. The set of PCM elements of claim 34, the first side of the second PCM element forms the fifth side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the second PCM element forms the sixth side of the hollow cuboid structure, the third side of the second PCM element forms part of the third side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the fourth side of the second PCM element forms part of the fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

36. The set of PCM elements of claim 29, wherein the receptacle for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements includes a fifth side, wherein the internal cavity extends into the fifth side, and PCM is stored within the cavity in the fifth side.

37. The set of PCM elements of claim 36, wherein at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements comprises a recessed cuboid structure, which is open at one side.

38. The set of PCM elements of claim 36 or 37, wherein for at least one, and preferably each, of the PCM elements the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sides are rectangular in plan, the first side is arranged perpendicularly to the second, third, fourth and fifth sides, the second side is parallel to the fourth side, the third side is parallel to the fifth side, the second side is perpendicular to the third side and the fifth side, and the fourth side is perpendicular to the third side and the fifth side.

39. The set of PCM elements of any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein, in a condition wherein the first and second PCM elements are fitted together to form the hollow cuboid structure, the first side of the first PCM element forms a first side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the first PCM element forms part of a second side of the hollow cuboid structure, the third side of the first PCM element forms part of a third side of the hollow cuboid structure, the fourth side of the first PCM element forms part of a fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the fifth side of the first PCM element forms part of a fifth side of the hollow cuboid structure; the first side of the second PCM element forms a sixth side of the hollow cuboid structure, the second side of the second PCM element forms part of the second side of the hollow cuboid structure, the third side of the second PCM element forms part of the third side of the hollow cuboid structure, the fourth side of the second PCM element forms part of the fourth side of the hollow cuboid structure, and the fifth side of the second PCM element forms part of the fifth side of the hollow cuboid structure.

40. The set of PCM elements of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PCM is arranged to maintain the temperature sensitive goods at a temperature in one of the following ranges: +2°C to +8°C; -25°C to -15°C; +15°C to +25°C.

41. A thermally insulated transportation container arranged to transport temperature sensitive goods, said container including: a rigid body having thermally insulated walls thatdefine a storage volume; means for accessing the storage volume; and a set of PCM elements according to any one of the preceding claims arranged to fit within the storage volume in a condition wherein the PCM elements are fitted together to form of the hollow cuboid structure.

42. The container according to claim 41, wherein at least one thermally insulated container wall comprises at least one part having a higher thermal insulation zone, such as a central part of container side walls, and at least one part having a lower thermal insulation zone, which is arranged in an elongate rectilinear manner, and the set of PCM elements are located within the storage volume such that rectilinear joints between the PCM elements each have a different orientation from the elongate rectilinear lower thermal insulation zone.

43. The container of claim 42, wherein the container includes a plurality of rectilinear lower thermal insulation zones, and the set of PCM elements are located within the storage volume such that rectilinear joints between the PCM elements each have a different orientation from the elongate rectilinear lower thermal insulation zones.

44. The container of claim 42 or 43, wherein the rectilinear lower thermal insulation zones include vertical edges of thermally insulated walls of the container.

45. The container of any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein the rectilinear lower thermal insulation zones include top edges of thermally insulated walls adjacent a lid of the container.

46. The container of any one of claims 37 to 42, wherein the insulation for the walls of the container comprises vacuum insulation panels.

47. The container of any one of claims 41 to 46, wherein the container comprises an outer shell.

48. The container of any one of claims 41 to 47, wherein the container comprises an inner liner.

49. A method for loading a set of PCM elements into a thermally insulated transportation container, the method including:providing a thermally insulated transportation container having a rigid body having thermally insulated walls that define a storage volume; means for accessing the storage volume; and a set of PCM elements according to any one of claims 1 to 40;mounting the set of PCM elements within the storage volume to form a hollow cuboid structure.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein at least one thermally insulated container wall comprises at least one part having a higher thermal insulation zone, such as a central part of container side walls, and at least one part having a lower thermal insulation zone, which is arranged in an elongate rectilinear manner, and locating the set of PCM elements within the storage volume such that rectilinear joints between the PCM elements each have a different orientation from the elongate rectilinear lower thermal insulation zones.

51. A PCM element for use in a thermally insulated transportation container to help maintain temperature sensitive goods within a selected temperature range, the PCM element comprising: a sealed or sealable moulded plastics receptacle having at least a first triangular side, a second triangular side and a third triangular side, wherein the first, second and third triangular sides form a recessed pyramid shape having an open side, and the receptacle has an internal cavity that extends into each of the first side, second side and third triangular sides, and PCM is stored within the cavity in each of the first, second and third triangular sides.

52. According to another aspect there is provided a PCM element for use in a thermally insulated transportation container to help maintain temperature sensitive goods within a selected temperature range, the PCM element comprising a recessed pyramid shape having an open side.

53. According to another aspect there is provided a PCM element for use in a thermally insulated transportation container to help maintain temperature sensitive goods within a selected temperature range, the PCM element comprising one half of a hollow cuboid shape.

54. A PCM element for use in a thermally insulated transportation container to maintain temperature sensitive goods within a selected temperature range, the PCM element comprising: a sealed or sealable moulded plastics receptacle having at least a first rectangular side, a second rectangular side and a third rectangular side, wherein the first, second and thirdrectangular sides form one half a hollow cuboid shape, wherein the first rectangular side is arranged perpendicularly to the second and third rectangular sides and the second rectangular side is arranged perpendicularly to the third rectangular side, a first edge of the first rectangular side is contiguous with a first edge of the second rectangular side, a second edge of the first rectangular side is contiguous with a first edge of the third rectangular side, a second edge of the second rectangular side is contiguous with a second edge of the third rectangular side, and the receptacle has an internal cavity that extends into each of the first, second and third rectangular sides, and PCM is stored within the cavity in each of the first, second and third rectangular sides.

55. A PCM element for use in a thermally insulated transportation container to maintain temperature sensitive goods within a selected temperature range, the PCM element comprising: a sealed or sealable moulded plastics receptacle having at least a first rectangular side, a second rectangular side and a third rectangular side, wherein the first, second and third rectangular sides form one half of a hollow cuboid shape, wherein the first rectangular side is arranged perpendicularly to the second and third rectangular sides and the second rectangular side is arranged parallel to the third rectangular side, a first edge of the first rectangular side is contiguous with a first edge of the second rectangular side and a second edge of the first rectangular side is contiguous with a first edge of the third rectangular side to provide a substantially U-shaped structure, and the receptacle has an internal cavity that extends into each of the first, second and third rectangular sides, and PCM is stored within the cavity in each of the first, second and third rectangular sides.

56. A PCM element for use in a thermally insulated transportation container to maintain temperature sensitive goods within a selected temperature range, the PCM element comprising: a sealed or sealable moulded plastics receptacle having at least a first rectangular side, a second rectangular side, a first triangular side and a second triangular side, wherein the first, second, third and fourth sides form one half of a hollow cuboid shape, the first rectangular side is arranged perpendicularly to the second rectangular side, the first triangular side is arranged perpendicular to the first and second rectangular sides, the second triangular side is arranged perpendicular to the first and second rectangular sides, the first triangular side is arranged parallel to the second triangular side, a first edge of the first rectangular side is contiguous with a first edge of the second rectangular side, a first edge of the first triangular side is contiguous with a second edge of the first rectangular side, a second edge ofthe first triangular side is contiguous with a second edge of the second rectangular side, a first edge of the second triangular side is contiguous with a third edge of the first rectangular side, a second edge of the second triangular side is contiguous with a third edge of the second rectangular side, thereby providing an open sided wedge-shaped structure having a recess, and the receptacle has an internal cavity that extends into each of the first, second, third and fourth sides, and PCM is stored within the cavity in each of the first, second, third and fourth sides.

57. A PCM element for use in a thermally insulated transportation container to maintain temperature sensitive goods within a selected temperature range, the PCM element comprising: a sealed or sealable moulded plastics receptacle having at least a first rectangular side, a second rectangular side, a third rectangular side, a fourth rectangular side and fifth rectangular side, wherein the first rectangular side is arranged perpendicularly to the second, third, fourth and fifth rectangular sides, the second rectangular side is arranged parallel to the fourth rectangular side, the third rectangular side is arranged parallel to the fifth rectangular side, the second rectangular side is arranged perpendicular to the third rectangular side and the fifth rectangular side, the fourth rectangular side is arranged perpendicular to the third rectangular side and the fifth rectangular side, the arrangement being such that the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rectangular sides form one half of a hollow cuboid shape in the form of an open sided box having a recess, and the receptacle has an internal cavity that extends into each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rectangular sides, and PCM is stored within the cavity in each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rectangular sides.

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