Reusable portable shipping container

Abstract

To provide a reusable portable container for transportation.SOLUTION: The reusable shipping container has a container body having a payload chamber for holding items and a lid operable for access to the payload chamber. The reusable shipping container also has one or more sensors in the payload chamber for sensing a parameter of the payload chamber or the item. The reusable shipping container also has a display screen of a tablet removably coupled to the container body in communication with the sensor in the payload chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5D

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Incorporation by reference of priority applications Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet filed with this application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to portable shipping containers, and more particularly to reusable portable shipping containers. [Background technology]

[0003] Portable coolers are used to store products (e.g., liquids, beverages, medicines, organs, food, etc.) in a refrigerated state. Some portable coolers are Styrofoam containers that are often filled with ice to keep the product cool. However, the ice eventually melts, soaking the product and requiring the liquid to be drained. Such coolers are also susceptible to leaks during transport, which is undesirable. Furthermore, such coolers are not suitable for transporting goods over long distances because they cannot keep the product cool and the ice may melt and / or liquid may leak from the cooler. Therefore, such coolers are undesirable for use with temperature-sensitive products (e.g., vaccines, medicines, bodily fluid samples, tissue samples, organ transplants, etc.). This can render the product in the cooler unusable. For example, if a medicine (e.g., a vaccine) loses its potency, it cannot be restored, rendering the medicine ineffective and / or unusable. Another drawback of existing containers is that they are single-use containers (e.g., cardboard, Styrofoam) that end up in landfills after a single use, resulting in significant waste. Yet another drawback of existing containers is that even when they are reusable, returning the reusable containers can be difficult to accomplish due to user inaction or improper labeling. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Thus, there is a need for an improved portable shipping container design (e.g., for transporting pharmaceuticals such as vaccines, insulin, epinephrine, etc., vials, cartridges, syringe pens, organ transplants, laboratory samples such as blood, urine, stool samples, tissue, etc.) that can maintain the contents of the cooler at a desired temperature or temperature range. Additionally, there is a need for a reusable portable shipping container that can monitor payload temperature and has modular electronics to allow the use of the same electronics (e.g., electronic display screen) with a variety of different sized containers that accommodate different sized payloads. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container. The reusable, portable shipping container includes a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, an insulated lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber, one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or parameters of the items, and a tablet removably coupled to the container body. The tablet includes an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber and store sensor data transmitted by the one or more sensors in the payload chamber. The container body includes a lock that is biased for engagement with the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body and maintains the tablet's attachment to the container body. The lock is recessed in the container body so that it is not visible when the tablet is attached to the container body and the lid is in the open position. The lock is movable to a retracted position to facilitate at least partial separation of the tablet from the container body when the lid is in the open position, thereby releasing the coupling between the container body and the tablet and facilitating removal of the tablet.

[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container. The reusable, portable shipping container includes a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, an insulated lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber, one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or parameters of the items, and a tablet removably coupled to the container body. The tablet includes an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry configured to communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber. The container body includes a lock that is biased for engagement with the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body and maintains the tablet's attachment to the container body. The lock is recessed in the container body so as not to be visible when the tablet is attached to the container body and the lid is in the open position. The lock is movable to a retracted position when the lid is in the open position to facilitate at least partial separation of the tablet from the container body and to decouple the tablet from the container body to facilitate removal of the tablet.

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container. The reusable, portable shipping container includes a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, an insulated lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber, one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or parameters of the items, and a tablet removably coupled to the container body. The tablet includes an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber. The container body includes a lock that engages with the tablet to maintain attachment of the tablet to the container body when the tablet is attached to the container body. The lock is configured to be movable to a retracted position to facilitate at least partial separation of the tablet from the container body and to decouple the tablet from the container body to facilitate removal of the tablet.

[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container that includes a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, an insulated lid pivotably, slidably, or removably coupled to the container body and operable to allow access to the payload chamber, one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or parameters of the items, and a tablet removably coupled to the container body, the tablet including an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber and store sensor data transmitted from the one or more sensors in the payload chamber.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container system. The portable shipping container system includes a plurality of portable shipping containers. Each of the portable shipping containers includes a different-sized container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense one or both of the temperature and humidity of the payload chamber or the items, an insulated lid pivotably, slidably, or removably coupled to the container body and operable to allow access to the payload chamber, and a tablet removably coupled to the different-sized container body in each of the plurality of reusable, portable shipping containers. The tablet includes an electronic display screen, one or more buttons operable to operate functions of the tablet's display screen, one or more power storage devices, one or more sensors, and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber and store sensed temperature and humidity data transmitted from the one or more sensors in the payload chamber.

[0010] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container. The portable shipping container includes a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulated lid pivotably, slidably, or removably coupled to the container body and operable to allow access to the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or the items; and a tablet removably coupled to the container body. The tablet includes a first side having a first printed label thereon, a second side opposite the first side having a second printed label thereon, and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber and store environmental data transmitted from the one or more sensors in the payload chamber. The tablet is coupled to the container body in a first orientation so that the second side faces the container body and displays the first printed label, and in a second orientation so that the first side faces the container body and displays the second printed label.

[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container. The reusable, portable shipping container includes a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, an insulated lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber, one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or parameters of the items, and a tablet removably coupled to the container body. The tablet includes an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry for wireless communication with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber. The electronic display screen is configured to display an electronic shipping label.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a reusable, portable shipping container that includes a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, an insulated lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber, one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or parameters of the items, and a tablet removably coupled to the container body, the tablet including an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry for wireless communication with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber and for wireless communication with a remote computer server, via which data from the one or more sensors can be accessed through a dashboard display. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portable shipping container. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic partial view of the portable shipping container of FIG. 1 with the lid closed. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic partial view of the portable shipping container of FIG. 1 with the lid open. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the contents within the payload chamber of the portable shipping container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5A] 2 is a schematic perspective view of the portable shipping container of FIG. 1 with a tablet attached to the container body. [Figure 5B] 1 is a schematic side view of a portable shipping container with a tablet attached to the container body. FIG. [Figure 5C] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a portable shipping container with a tablet separated from the container body. FIG. [Figure 5D] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a portable shipping container showing a lid detection circuit. [Figure 5E] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a portable shipping container showing a schematic of a payload chamber and contents therein. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows a charging unit for a tablet. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 shows a tablet with different screen views. [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 shows a tablet with different screen views. [Figure 7C] FIG. 1 shows a tablet with different screen views. [Figure 7D] FIG. 1 shows a tablet with different screen views. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the tablet. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows a plurality of portable shipping containers stacked on a pallet. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating pairing of a tablet with a container body for a portable shipping container. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a sensor tag. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates a process for using a portable shipping container. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 illustrates a process for using a portable shipping container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] 1-5E illustrate a portable shipping container 100 (or shipping container). The shipping container 100 includes a container body 10 having a payload chamber 18, a lid 20, and a tablet 200 (e.g., a tablet display screen). The shipping container 100 is advantageously reusable for delivering items. In one example, the items are temperature-sensitive items. In one example, the temperature-sensitive items are temperature-sensitive medical items (e.g., pharmaceuticals such as vaccines, insulin, epinephrine, etc.; vials, cartridges, syringe pens; organ transplants; laboratory samples such as blood, urine, stool samples, tissue, etc.). The reusability of the shipping container 100 advantageously reduces waste (e.g., compared to traditional cardboard and Styrofoam containers that end up in landfills after a single use).

[0015] In one example, the lid 20 is pivotally coupled to the container body 10 (e.g., via a living hinge or one or more hinges). In another example, the lid 20 is completely separable from the container body 10 for access to the payload chamber 18 of the container body 10. In another example, the lid 20 may be slidable relative to the container body 10 and pivotable to open and close relative to the container body 10 for access to the payload chamber 18. In one example, the lid 20 is flush with the side of the container body 10 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The lid 20 is formed of or includes an insulating and resilient material, such as a foam material. In one example, the lid 20 is made of or includes expanded polypropylene foam. The lid 20 includes an insulating panel 22 (e.g., a vacuum insulation panel as shown in FIG. 5B ) to enhance (e.g., improve, increase, maintain) insulation of the contents within the container body 10, as described further below.

[0016] The lid 20 includes a latch assembly 30 recessed therein. The latch assembly 30 includes a latch handle 32 operable to unlock the lid 20 relative to the container body 10. In one example, the latch handle 32 is flush or coplanar with the top surface of the lid 20, allowing the shipping containers 100 to be stacked (as shown in FIG. 9 ) without the latch handle 32 interfering with the stacking or unstacking process. The latch assembly 30 also includes an opening, or slot 34, in the latch handle 32 and a bar 36 spaced from the latch handle 32. Advantageously, the latch handle 32 is locked by passing a cable tie or strapping member through the slot 34 and attaching it to the bar 36. This inhibits (e.g., prevents) actuation (e.g., inadvertent actuation) of the latch handle 32 that would unlock the lid 20 and move the lid 20 to an open position relative to the container body 10 until the cable tie or strapping member is removed (e.g., cut). In another implementation, the bar 36 is replaced by a flange portion of the latch assembly 30 spaced from the latch handle 32. The flange portion of the latch assembly 30 has a slot through which a cable tie or strap extends to lock the latch handle 32 and inhibit (e.g., prevent) the lid 20 from opening relative to the container body 10. In another example, the lid 20 additionally or alternatively locks when in the closed position relative to the container body 10. For example, the lid 20 includes a magnet, and the container body 10 includes an electromagnet that operates to apply an attractive magnetic force to the magnet of the lid 20 to inhibit (e.g., prevent) the lid 20 from opening relative to the container body 10. For example, deactivating the electromagnet of the container body 10 to remove the attractive magnetic force between the container body 10 and the lid 20 selectively unlocks the lid 20 relative to the container body 10 and allows the lid 20 to be opened. In one example, the lid 20 is automatically unlocked (e.g., the magnetic attraction between the container body 10 and the lid 20 is removed) when the shipping container 100 arrives at the recipient's address (e.g., as confirmed by one or more GPS sensors in the tablet 200).

[0017] In one example, the container body 10 and the lid 20 (when in the closed position) define a shipping container 100 having a generally cubic shape. In one example, the shipping container 100 has a length, width, and height each of approximately one foot. The container body 10 is formed of or includes an insulating and resilient material, such as a foam material. In one example, the container body 10 is formed of or includes expanded polypropylene foam. The container body 10 has concave surfaces 12 and cutouts 14, which advantageously reduce the overall weight of the shipping container 100 and reduce its manufacturing costs. In one example, two sides (e.g., the front side and the opposite rear side in FIG. 1 ) have concave surfaces 12, and the other three sides (e.g., the left side, right side, and base) have cutouts 14. In another example, one side (e.g., the front side in FIG. 1 ) has concave surfaces 12, and the other four sides (e.g., the left side, right side, rear, and base) have cutouts 14. The container body 10 includes a recess 16 within the cutout, which may be formed of a hard plastic or other impact-resistant material. In one example, the recess 16 is part of or defines a container V. The container is formed of or includes a hard plastic or other impact-resistant material that is at least partially embedded in or surrounded by an insulating and resilient material (e.g., a foam material). The container defines a payload chamber 18 (see FIG. 3).

[0018] The container body 10 has an opening 11 through which a payload chamber 18 (e.g., an open or hollow cavity) in the container body 10 is accessible. The lid 20 has a protruding portion 24 (e.g., a stepped portion) that extends into the opening 11 to seal the payload chamber 18 when the lid 20 is in a closed position relative to the container body 10. In one example, the insulating panel 22 is disposed (e.g., recessed) in the protruding portion 24. The latch handle 32 is connected to one or more hooks 32A, 32B. The one or more hooks 32A, 32B are operable to engage (e.g., hook onto, couple to) one or more slots or openings 13A, 13B in the container body 10 (e.g., in a wall of the container body 10) to couple the lid 20 to the container body 10. When the latch handle 32 is actuated (e.g., pulled), one or more hooks 32A, 32B disengage from the slots or openings 13A, 13B, allowing the lid 20 to be opened relative to the container body 10 (e.g., to access the payload chamber 18).

[0019] In one example, the payload chamber 18 has a length, width, and height of approximately 6 inches by 8 inches by 7.5 inches. However, the payload chamber 18 may have other suitable dimensions smaller or larger than these dimensions. The payload chamber 18 is sized to receive one or more (e.g., multiple) articles G, such as temperature-sensitive medical articles, one or more packs P (e.g., gel packs) of thermal mass or phase change material (PCM), and one or more cushioning pads B (e.g., pieces of cardboard) that may (optionally) be interposed between the article G (e.g., temperature-sensitive medical article) and the one or more packs P. In one example shown in FIG. 4 , packs P are disposed below and above the article (e.g., temperature-sensitive medical article) G, with cushioning pads B disposed therebetween. However, in other examples, only the pack P above the article (e.g., temperature-sensitive medical article) G is used (with or without cushioning pads B therebetween). 5B , the payload chamber 18 is defined or surrounded by insulation panels 19 (e.g., vacuum insulation panels) on all sides (e.g., five sides) of the payload chamber 18 to enhance (e.g., improve, increase, maintain) insulation of the items (e.g., temperature-sensitive medical items) G in the payload chamber 18 within the container body 10. In one example, the insulation panels 19 are separate planar panels that are assembled (e.g., taped together, glued together) into a unitary unit. In another example, the insulation panels 19 are part of a monolithic, seamless, insulated container that defines or surrounds the payload chamber 18.

[0020] 5A-5E, the tablet 200 is separable from (e.g., removably connectable to) the container body 10, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example. This provides various advantages to the shipping container 100, as will be further described below. When connected to the container body 10, the tablet 200 is flush with the concave surface 12 (as shown in FIGS. 1-2), and the body of the tablet 200 extends into the recess 15 (see FIG. 5A). One or more supports S in the recess 15 are removably or releasably connected to (e.g., releasably engaged with) the tablet 200 to support it, and one or more locks L extending into the recess 15 lock (e.g., connect) the tablet 200 when it is in the recess 15. Thus, the one or more supports S and the one or more locks L retain the tablet 200 within the recess 15 when the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10 and inhibit (e.g., prevent) the tablet 200 from being unintentionally uncoupled or removed from the container body 10.

[0021] 5B-5C, in one example, the tablet 200 has one or more slots 210 at its bottom end that receive one or more supports S. In one example, the one or more slots 210 are female slots, and the one or more supports S are male members. In one example, the one or more supports S provide both an electrical connection and a mechanical connection between the container body 10 and the tablet 200 (e.g., both the one or more supports S and the one or more slots 210 are formed of or include a conductive material, such as a metal). In another example, the one or more supports S provide only a mechanical connection between the container body 10 and the tablet 200, and the tablet 200 has electrical contacts (not shown) that contact electrical contacts of the container body 10 (e.g., in the recess 15). The tablet 200 also has one or more slots 220 at its top end (e.g., the end opposite the one or more slots 210). The one or more slots 220 are female slots that receive one or more locks L therein. The one or more locks L are spring-biased (or biased) toward a locked position (shown in FIG. 5B ) in which the one or more locks L extend into the one or more slots 220. The one or more locks L can be magnetically actuated or moved using a tool T (see FIG. 5C ) to move to a retracted position (e.g., move the one or more locks L out of the one or more slots 220), thereby at least partially decoupling the tablet 200 from the container body 10 and allowing it to move away from the recess 15. In one example, the one or more locks L are magnets or made of a magnetic material. The tool can be, or include, a magnetic material, or be a magnet, respectively. Thus, when the tool T is placed in proximity to one or more locks L, the magnetic attraction between the two causes the one or more locks L to move to a retracted position and out of one or more slots 220, thereby releasing the tablet 200 from the container body 10.Thus, advantageously, the one or more locks L are hidden from view (e.g., not visible) to prevent unintentional release of the tablet 200 from the container body 10 (e.g., by a user, by a third party) and to discourage (e.g., prevent) the tablet 200 from being separated from the container body 10 and stolen. In another example, the lock L is or includes an electronic solenoid (e.g., a solenoid actuator, a solenoid motor) that is operable to move a locking member (e.g., a plunger, piston, or rod) into engagement with the tablet 200 when the tablet 200 is attached to the container body 10 to maintain the attachment of the tablet 200 to the container body 10. When the lid 20 is in the open position, the lock L (e.g., the plunger, piston, or rod of the lock L) is operable or movable via an electronic solenoid to move to a retracted position so as to at least partially separate the tablet 200 from the container body 10, thereby releasing the tablet 200 from engagement with the container body 10 and facilitating removal of the tablet 200. When the lid 20 is in the closed position and the tablet 200 is disposed within the recess 15 adjacent the container body 10, the lock L (e.g., the plunger, piston, or rod of the lock L) is operable to move to an extended position so as to hold or maintain the tablet 200 in a coupled or attached position relative to the container body 10.

[0022] In one example, one or more springs SP are optionally disposed within the recess 15 and are compressed when the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10 and disposed within the recess 15. When the one or more locks L retract (to move out of the one or more slots 220), the one or more springs SP facilitate (e.g., assist, assist) decoupling the tablet 200 from the container body 10 by pushing the tablet 200 out of the recess 15. In another example, the one or more springs SP are omitted. Advantageously, the one or more supports S remain engaged with the one or more slots 210 (as shown in FIG. 5C ) and inhibit (e.g., prevent) the tablet 200 from completely falling out of the recess 15. This inhibits (prevents) damage to the tablet 200 that could occur if the tablet were to fall out of the recess 15 unhindered. This allows the user to very easily pick up the tablet 200 (after it has been unlocked from the recess 15 by retracting one or more locks L from one or more slots 220) and remove it from one or more supports S.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5D , the shipping container 100 has a lid detection system for detecting when the lid 20 is opened. For ease of illustration, the insulating panel 22 in the lid 20 is omitted from FIG. 5D . The lid 20 includes a magnet M (e.g., embedded in the lid) proximate to a surface of the lid 20 that contacts the container body 10 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. A metal rod MP (e.g., made of steel) is embedded in the container body 10 (e.g., within the vessel V) and extends, for example, from a proximal end at or proximate to the opening 11 of the container body 10 to a distal end within the container body 10. In the illustrated example, the metal rod MP extends from a proximal end facing (e.g., aligned with) the magnet M when the lid 20 is closed to the distal end of the metal rod MP within the container body 10. The tablet 200 optionally includes a sensor H (e.g., a Hall effect sensor). The sensor H senses a magnetic signal from the metal rod MP. The metal rod transmits a magnetic signal when the lid 20 is closed such that the magnet M is proximate to the end of the metal rod MP. The tablet 200 uses the signal generated via the Hall effect sensor to determine when the lid 20 has been opened (e.g., when a user accesses an item G, such as a temperature-sensitive medical item, that has been delivered to the user using the shipping container 100). The container body 10 optionally has a magnet M2. The magnet M2 is provided on or embedded in the container body 10 at or proximate the recess 15 so as to face the tablet 200 when the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10 (e.g., when the tablet 200 is inserted into the recess 15). The tablet 200 has a sensor S. In one example, the sensor S is a Hall effect sensor that senses the magnet M2 when the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10 and sends a signal to the circuit 240 of the tablet 200 indicating that the tablet 200 is connected to the container body 10. In another example, the magnet M2 is omitted, and the sensor S senses when the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10 (e.g., when the tablet 200 is inserted into the recess 15) and sends a signal to the circuit 240 indicating that the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10. In one example, the sensor S is a proximity sensor.In another example, the sensor S is an infrared sensor. In another example, the sensor S is an ultraviolet sensor. In another example, the sensor S is an ambient light sensor. In another example, the sensor S is an accelerometer that detects a specific movement associated with coupling (e.g., latching) of the tablet 200 to the container body 10.

[0024] 5E, the shipping container 100 has one or more sensor tags 300 (e.g., temporary tags) attached (e.g., removably attached) to the surface of the payload chamber 18. As described further below, the one or more sensor tags 300 sense one or more environmental conditions or parameters within the payload chamber 18, such as the temperature and / or humidity within the payload chamber 18, in real time, and wirelessly communicate the sensed payload environmental conditions or parameters (e.g., temperature and / or humidity) with electronics within the tablet 200. In one example, the sensor tag 300 is decoupled from the surface of the payload chamber 18 and, optionally, replaced by another sensor tag 300 (e.g., when it malfunctions, its battery power runs out, etc.). Optionally, one or more sensor tags 300′ (e.g., temporary tags) are included in the payload chamber 18, e.g., in a package or bag P that holds an item such as a temperature-sensitive medical item G (e.g., a medicine, a laboratory sample, a biological sample, a body fluid sample, a human or animal tissue, a human or animal organ) within the payload chamber 18. The one or more sensor tags 300′ can sense one or more environmental conditions or parameters within the package or bag P, such as sensing the temperature and / or humidity within the package or bag P (e.g., as a measure of the temperature and / or humidity of the item such as the temperature-sensitive medical item G), and wirelessly transmit the sensed environmental conditions or parameters (e.g., temperature and / or humidity) within the package or bag P to the electronics of the tablet 200. In one example, the shipping container 100 includes both one or more sensor tags 300 and one or more sensor tags 300′. In another example, the shipping container 100 includes one or more sensor tags 300 but excludes the sensor tags 300′. In another example, shipping container 100 includes one or more sensor tags 300' but excludes sensor tag 300.The sensor tag 300, 300' can communicate wirelessly with the electronics in the tablet 200 via one or more of WiFi, short-range wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth (registered trademark)), a radio antenna, an LTE antenna, a cellular antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, an infrared (IR) transmitter, and a long-range wireless technology.

[0025] 6-8 , tablet 200 includes a case 202, one or more power storage devices 230 (e.g., batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, capacitors such as supercapacitors), circuitry 240 (e.g., including one or more computer processors, one or more memories, one or more antennas such as a short-range wireless antenna, a wireless antenna, an LTE antenna, an RF receiver or transceiver, and an IR receiver or transceiver, one or more electrical inputs and one or more electrical outputs, sensors such as a Hall effect sensor, a GPS sensor, a motion sensor, etc.), a display screen 250 (e.g., an electronic ink or electronic paper or electrophoretic display), a cover 260, and an actuatable (e.g., depressible) button 270. The one or more memories may be a computer-readable storage medium such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a solid-state drive, flash storage, magnetic storage). In other examples, the one or more computer processors, one or more memories, one or more antennas, one or more electrical inputs, and one or more electrical outputs are disposed on separate electronic components (e.g., not on the same circuit). Button 270 is actuated (e.g., touched, pressed, depressed) to provide input to circuit 240 (e.g., via one or more electrical inputs of circuit 240). For example, button 270 is actuated to switch (e.g., toggle) between different display screens (see examples in FIGS. 7A-7D ). In one example, actuation of button 270 automatically switches sender and recipient address information on the display of tablet 200 and automatically notifies a shipping carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx, DHL) that the portable shipping container 100 is ready for pickup so that the shipping carrier can pick up the portable shipping container 100. In another example, tablet 200 can omit button 270.Instead, the shipping carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx, DHL) is notified (e.g., automatically notified wirelessly by circuitry in tablet 200) to pick up the portable shipping container 100 based on, for example, an indication that the lid 20 has been opened and / or another indication (e.g., a GPS location or geofence of the portable shipping container 100 indicating that the portable shipping container 100 is at the recipient's address).

[0026] In another example, tablet 200 has a first side that receives a first printed label (e.g., a shipping label with sender and recipient address information) and a second side opposite the first side that receives a second printed label (e.g., a shipping label with sender and recipient address information, e.g., a shipping label with different sender and / or recipient address information than that of the first printed label). Tablet 200 is removably coupled to container body 10 in a first orientation so that the second side faces container body 10 and displays the first printed label, and portable shipping container 100 is picked up by a shipping carrier and shipped to the address on the first printed label. When the portable shipping container 100 arrives at the delivery location, the tablet 200 is removed, the second printed label is rotated so that it faces away from the container body 10, the tablet 200 is reattached to the container body 10 in a second orientation displaying the second printed label with the first side facing the container body 10, and the shipping carrier is notified to pick up the portable shipping container 100 (e.g., upon receiving and notifying a signal that the portable shipping container 100 is ready for pickup, as described above, based on an indication that the lid 20 has been opened and GPS / geofencing information, etc.).

[0027] 7A , display screen 250 can display an electronic shipping label (e.g., having sender mailing address information such as street address information, recipient mailing address information such as street address information, and / or one or more machine-readable codes such as a barcode and QR code). Display screen 250 can display temperature and / or humidity information (e.g., sensed temperature and / or humidity information that circuitry 240 receives wirelessly from one or more sensor tags 300 and / or 300′). Shipping label information (e.g., sender and recipient mailing address information, machine-readable codes) is stored in one or more memories of tablet 200 and displayed on display screen 250. In one example, shipping label information is transmitted to tablet 200 (e.g., to circuitry 240) wirelessly (e.g., from a user, from a remote electronic device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile phone, remote server, etc.).

[0028] The circuitry 240 can optionally automatically switch the sender and recipient address information on the electronic shipping label when the shipping container 100 is ready to be returned to the sender (e.g., after the recipient receives the shipping container 100 and opens the lid 20, this is transmitted to the circuitry 240 via the Hall effect sensor described above, indicating that the item (e.g., temperature-sensitive medical item) G has been received by the recipient), and automatically and simultaneously wirelessly contact a shipping carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx, DHL) (by switching the sender and recipient address information) to notify the shipping carrier that the shipping container 100 is ready for pickup (e.g., a new shipping label has been "printed"). In one example, the automatic switching of the sender and recipient address information and the automatic contact of the shipping carrier occur automatically when the lid 20 is opened (e.g., triggering a signal to the circuitry 240 via the metal rod MP). In another example, the automatic switching of the sender and recipient address information occurs automatically when the lid 20 is opened (e.g., triggering a signal to the circuitry 240 via the metal rod MP), but the automatic contact of the shipping carrier does not occur until the user activates (e.g., touches, presses, depresses) the button 270. In another example, the automatic switching of the sender and recipient address information does not occur until the user activates (e.g., touches, presses, depresses) the button 270, and immediately upon activation of the button 270 (if the lid 20 is open), the circuitry 240 automatically contacts the shipping carrier to notify them that the shipping container 100 is ready for pickup.

[0029] 7B, display screen 250 optionally displays packout instructions (e.g., one or more steps for packing shipping container 100, a machine-readable code such as a barcode or QR code). A user can read the steps on display screen 250 and / or scan the machine-readable code (e.g., with a code scanner, with a camera on the user's tablet computer or smartphone) to perform the steps for packing shipping container 100 before shipping it to a recipient. Display screen 250 can display the packout instructions, for example, upon multiple presses of button 270 to switch between different display screen types (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D).

[0030] 7C , display screen 250 can optionally display return instructions to the recipient (e.g., a patient), such as listing one or more steps the recipient will take to return shipping container 100 once the recipient receives shipping container 100 and opens lid 20 (triggering a signal to circuitry 240 via metal rod MP). In one example, display screen 250 automatically displays return instructions after circuitry 240 indicates (via a GPS sensor) that shipping container 100 has reached the recipient's address, and once the opening of lid 20 is sensed (e.g., via metal rod MP, as described above). In another example, pressing button 270 multiple times to toggle through various display screen types (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D ) can cause return instructions to be displayed on display screen 250.

[0031] 7D , display screen 250 optionally displays a maintenance status, for example, if there is a malfunction of tablet 200 (e.g., sensed by one or more sensors in communication with circuitry 240). The maintenance status display is automatically displayed on display screen 250 (e.g., with an error message and / or error code) when a non-normal operation is detected for tablet 200. Optionally, the maintenance status screen is optionally removed from being displayed on display screen 250 by activating button 270 (e.g., by a user touching, pressing, or depressing button 270). In another example, the maintenance status screen is not removed from display screen 250 until the error in tablet 200 is resolved.

[0032] 6, the charging unit 600 has a body 610 with one or more (e.g., a plurality of 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, etc.) slots 620, each sized to receive one tablet 200 therein. In one example, each of the one or more slots 620 has electrical contacts that make electrical contact with electrical contacts of the tablet 200 inserted into the slot 620, thereby electrically connecting the tablet 200 to the charging unit 600, which charges one or more power storage devices 230 in the tablet 200 via the electrical contacts. The charging unit 600 can receive power from, for example, a wall outlet via a power cord 630 attached to a plug (not shown). In another example, the charging unit 600 has one or more (e.g., multiple) wireless power transmitters, such as an inductive power transmitter (e.g., one inductive power transmitter associated with each of the slots 620), enabling the charging unit 600 to charge one or more power storage devices 230 of the tablet 200 via inductive coupling or wireless power transmission.

[0033] Allowing the tablets 200 to be separated from the container body 10 of the shipping container 100 provides various advantages. One advantage is that multiple tablets 200 can be charged simultaneously via a charging unit 600, as shown in FIG. 6 . This allows tablets 200 on a shipping container 100 that has been used multiple times to ship items (e.g., temperature-sensitive medical items) G and is running low on power to be easily replaced with tablets 200 having one or more fully charged power storage devices 230, eliminating the need to take the shipping container 100 off-cycle to charge the tablets 200 (which can take several hours), and allowing the shipping container 100 to be returned to its shipping location (e.g., a shipper's address, a warehouse) and return to its shipping location substantially immediately. Another advantage is that the same tablets 200 can be used for different sized container bodies 10 in different sized shipping containers 100, reducing the need to provide dedicated tablets 200 for each shipping container 100 (including larger sized shipping containers 100 that may not be used as frequently as smaller sized shipping containers 100). Therefore, a shipping company may have a certain number of shipping containers 100 of different sizes, but only need to provide the same number of tablets 200 (e.g., half the number, three-quarters the number), thereby reducing the overall cost of owning the shipping containers 100.

[0034] FIG. 10 shows an example of how a tablet 200 may be paired with the container body 10 of the shipping container 100. In one example, optionally, a magnet M2 is attached to or embedded in the container body 10 (e.g., a wall of the container body 10, such as a wall of the recess 15). The container body 10 also has a passive near field communication (NFC) tag NT having identification information about the container body 10. The tablet 200 (e.g., electronics within the tablet) can detect or read the NFC tag NT when the tablet is coupled to the container body 10, and the tablet 200 (e.g., electronics within the tablet 200, circuitry 240 of the tablet 200) is operable to read the NFC tag NT and pair the tablet 200 with the container body 10. In one example, when the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10 (e.g., as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A-5E), the magnet M2 may trigger a Hall effect sensor in or on the tablet 200. The Hall effect sensor can send such a trigger signal to the circuit 240, which then causes the electronics in the tablet 200 to read the NFC tag to obtain identification information about the container body 10. In another example, the magnet M2 is omitted, and the electronics in the tablet 200 read the NFC tag and send a signal to the circuit 240 indicating that the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10. In another example, the tablet 200 has one or more sensors S (see FIG. 5D ) that detect when the tablet 200 is coupled to the container body 10 and send a signal to the circuit 240, and the tablet 200 (e.g., the electronics in the tablet 200, the circuitry of the tablet 200) is operable to read the NFC tag NT and pair the tablet 200 with the container body 10 when the circuit 240 receives the signal. The one or more sensors S are or include an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, or an accelerometer that detects a specific movement associated with coupling (e.g., latching) of the tablet 200 to the container body 10.In another example, to pair the container body 10 with the tablet 200, a machine-readable code (e.g., a barcode, a QR code) on the container body 10 is read (e.g., using a scanner, using a camera of a tablet computer or a smartphone), and a machine-readable code (e.g., a barcode, a QR code) on the tablet 200 (e.g., a machine-readable code displayed on the display screen 250) is read (e.g., using a scanner, using a camera of a tablet computer or a smartphone). Once the tablet 200 is paired with the container body 10, the tablet 200 (e.g., the circuitry 240) communicates wirelessly with one or more sensor tags 300 in the payload chamber 18. In another example, one or more sensor tags 300′ have a machine-readable code (e.g., a barcode, a QR code) that is scanned (e.g., using a scanner, using a camera of a tablet computer or a smartphone) to pair them with the tablet 200 and enable the sensor tags 300′ to communicate (wirelessly) with the tablet 200 (e.g., with the circuitry 240), as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0035] The sensor tags 300, 300′ wirelessly transmit sensed temperature and / or sensed humidity information to the tablet 200 (e.g., to the circuitry 240, to one or more memories). In one example, the sensed temperature and / or humidity data sensed by the sensor tags 300 and / or 300′ is stored in one or more memories of the tablet 200 during transport of the shipping container 100 from the sender to the recipient. In one example, the data is also wirelessly transmitted by the tablet 200 to a cloud-based data storage server (remote computer server) and accessed therefrom (via a dashboard display) using an app via a tablet computer, smartphone, laptop computer, or desktop computer. The dashboard is accessed by one or more users (e.g., the shipper, recipient, and / or sender of an item (e.g., a temperature-sensitive medical item, G) to track the temperature and / or humidity history of the payload chamber 18 and / or the item (e.g., a temperature-sensitive medical item) G and / or the ambient temperature during transport of the shipping container 100 from the sender to the recipient. In another example, the data remains stored on the tablet 200 until the tablet 200 is separated from the container body 10 and coupled to the charging unit 600, which also has a data transfer connection for downloading the stored data from the coupled tablet 200 and transmitting it to a local or remote data storage server.

[0036] 11 shows a system block diagram of a sensor tag 300, 300′. The sensor tag 300, 300′ includes a power management module 310 (e.g., electronics or circuitry) that communicates with one or more power storage devices 320 (e.g., batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, capacitors, such as supercapacitors) of the sensor tag 300, 300′. The sensor tag 300, 300′ also includes one or more processors 330 that include one or more wireless antennas or modems that communicate with the power management module 310. In one example, the sensor tag 300, 300′ includes a near-field wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth®) antenna. The sensor tag 300, 300′ also includes one or more temperature and / or humidity sensors 340 that communicate with the one or more computer processors 330 and one or more wireless antennas or modems. The one or more power storage devices 320 provide power to the power management module 310, one or more computer processors, one or more wireless antennas or modems, and / or one or more temperature and / or humidity sensors 340. In one example, the sensor tag 300, 300' may also store and transfer data in a manner that reduces power consumption, for example, through the use of an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or other storage medium. This data may be collected over a period of time (e.g., a configurable time period) and batch-transmitted to the tablet 200 at one or more (configurable) intervals to advantageously optimize power consumption.

[0037] 12 shows a process 400 for using the shipping container 100 (e.g., to ship an item, such as a temperature-sensitive medical item, from a sender to a recipient). The process 400 includes a step 410 of scanning a code (e.g., a machine-readable code, such as a barcode or QR code) on the display screen 250 of the tablet 200. The process 400 also includes an optional step 420 of scanning a code (e.g., a machine-readable code, such as a barcode or QR code) on the container body 10 of the shipping container 100. The process 400 also includes a step 430 of placing an item (e.g., a temperature-sensitive medical item G) in the payload chamber 18 of the container body 10 of the shipping container 100. The process 400 also includes a step 440 of closing the lid 20 of the shipping container 100.

[0038] FIG. 13 shows a process 500 for using a shipping container 100 (e.g., to ship an item, such as a temperature-sensitive medical item, from a sender to a recipient). The process 500 includes a step 510 of attaching a tablet 200 to the container body 10 of the shipping container 100. The process 500 includes a step 520 of scanning a code (e.g., a machine-readable code, such as a barcode or QR code) on the sensor tag 300, 300′. The process 500 also includes a step 530 of scanning a code (e.g., a machine-readable code, such as a barcode or QR code) on the container body 10 and / or the display screen 250 of the tablet 200 (e.g., to pair the tablet 200 with the container body 10). The process 500 also includes a step 540 of placing an item (e.g., a temperature-sensitive medical item G) in a package or bag P and placing the package or bag P in the payload chamber 18 of the container body 10 of the shipping container 100. The process 500 also includes a step 550 of closing the lid 20 of the shipping container 100 .

[0039] Additional Examples In examples of the present disclosure, the portable shipping container, the portable shipping container system, and the method of operation are based on any of the following provisions:

[0040] Clause 1. A reusable, portable shipping container comprising: a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulated lid operable to selectively close the payload chamber or allow access to the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense a parameter of the payload chamber or a parameter of the item; and a tablet removably coupled to the container body, the tablet comprising an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber.

[0041] Clause 2. A reusable transportable shipping container system comprising: a plurality of reusable transportable shipping containers, each of the plurality of reusable transportable shipping containers having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items, the plurality of reusable transportable shipping containers comprising: different sized container bodies; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chambers and operable to sense one or more parameters of the payload chambers or the items; an insulated lid operable to selectively close the payload chambers or allow access to the payload chambers; and a tablet removably coupleable to each of the different sized container bodies of the plurality of reusable transportable shipping containers, the tablet comprising an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chambers.

[0042] Clause 3. A reusable, transportable shipping container according to any preceding clause, wherein the payload chamber is vacuum insulated via a plurality of vacuum panels defining or surrounding the payload chamber.

[0043] Clause 4. The reusable transportable shipping container of any preceding clause, wherein the tablet includes one or more sensors, including one or more GPS sensors, configured to track the location of the container body when the tablet is coupled to the container body.

[0044] Clause 5. A reusable, portable shipping container as described in any preceding clause, wherein the tablet comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores sensory data transmitted by one or more sensors in the payload chamber, the sensory data including temperature data or humidity data.

[0045] Clause 6. A reusable portable shipping container according to any preceding clause, wherein the container body includes a lock that engages with the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body and maintains the attachment of the tablet to the container body, the lock being movable to a retracted position to facilitate at least partial separation of the tablet from the container body and to release the tablet from engagement with the container body to facilitate removal of the tablet.

[0046] Clause 7. A reusable, portable shipping container according to clause 6, wherein the lock is biased for engagement of the tablet.

[0047] Clause 8. A reusable transportable shipping container according to clause 6, wherein the lock is a magnetic lock.

[0048] Clause 9. A reusable transportable shipping container as described in clause 6, wherein the lock is recessed into the container body so that the tablet is attached to the container body and is not visible when the lid is in the open position.

[0049] Clause 10. A reusable portable shipping container as described in clause 6, wherein the container body has one or more supports that releasably engage with the tablet when the tablet is coupled to the container body, the one or more supports being arranged on an opposite side of the container body from the lock, and the one or more supports being configured to prevent the tablet from falling out of the recess in the container body when the lock is retracted.

[0050] Clause 11. A reusable, portable shipping container according to any preceding clause, wherein the tablet is flush with the surface of the container body when coupled to the container body.

[0051] Clause 12. A reusable, portable shipping container as described in any preceding clause, wherein the one or more sensors in the payload chamber include one or more sensor tags removably attached to a surface of the payload chamber and operable to sense humidity or temperature within the payload chamber and transmit the one or more sensed payload conditions to the tablet.

[0052] Clause 13. A reusable transportable shipping container as described in clause 12, wherein the one or more sensors in the payload chamber are disposed in a package or bag containing the items and are operable to sense environmental conditions of the package or bag as a measure of the humidity or temperature, respectively, of the items, and include one or more sensor tags configured to transmit the sensed humidity or temperature to the tablet.

[0053] Clause 14. The reusable transportable shipping container of any preceding clause, further comprising a recessed latch assembly in the lid, the recessed latch assembly having a latch handle operable to open the lid relative to the container body.

[0054] Clause 15. A reusable, portable shipping container as described in clause 14, wherein the recessed latch assembly includes a bar spaced from the latch handle, the latch handle having a slot, and the slot and bar are coupled together by a strap or tie extending through the slot and around the bar to prevent unintentional opening of the lid.

[0055] Clause 16. A reusable transportable shipping container according to any preceding clause, further comprising a metal rod embedded in the container body and extending to a proximal end of the container body opposite the lid when the lid is in the closed position, the lid comprising a magnet that aligns with an end of the metal rod when the lid is in the closed position, the opposite end of the metal rod extending to a position within the container body that is proximate to a display screen of the tablet when the display screen of the tablet is coupled to the container body, when the lid is in the closed position the metal rod transmits a magnetic signal from the magnet in the lid to the display screen of the tablet, a Hall effect sensor in or on the tablet is configured to sense the magnetic signal and send a signal to a circuit as an indication that the lid is in the closed position, and the circuit is configured to determine that the lid has been moved to the open position when a magnetic signal is not detected by the Hall effect sensor.

[0056] Clause 17. The reusable, portable shipping container of any preceding clause, wherein the container body is a plurality of container bodies having different sizes, and the tablet is configured to be removably coupled to each of the plurality of container bodies having different sizes.

[0057] Clause 18. A reusable, portable shipping container according to any preceding clause, wherein the container body has a near field communication (NFC) tag, and the tablet is configured to detect or read the NFC tag when the tablet is coupled to the container body, and the tablet is configured to read the NFC tag and pair the tablet with the container body.

[0058] Clause 19. A reusable portable shipping container as described in clause 18, wherein the container body has a magnet embedded in the container body, and a Hall effect sensor in or on the tablet is configured to sense the magnet in the container body and send a signal to a circuit to indicate that the tablet is coupled to the container body, and when the circuit receives the signal, the tablet is configured to read the NFC tag and pair the tablet with the container body.

[0059] Clause 20. A reusable, portable shipping container as described in clause 18, wherein detection of the NFC tag sends a signal to a circuit to indicate that a tablet is coupled to the container body.

[0060] Clause 21. A reusable transportable shipping container as described in clause 18, wherein the tablet comprises a sensor configured to detect when the tablet is coupled to the container body and to send a signal to the circuit to indicate that the tablet is coupled to the container body, and wherein the tablet is configured, when the circuit receives the signal, to read the NFC tag and pair the tablet with the container body.

[0061] Clause 22. A reusable, portable shipping container according to clause 21, wherein the sensor is an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor or an accelerometer.

[0062] Clause 23. A reusable, portable shipping container according to any preceding clause, wherein the tablet comprises one or more buttons operable to activate functions of the tablet.

[0063] Clause 24. A reusable portable shipping container according to any preceding clause, wherein the container body comprises a lock comprising an electronic solenoid, the electronic solenoid configured to engage the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body and actuate the locking member to maintain the tablet's attachment to the container body, and the lock is movable by the electronic solenoid to a retracted position when the lid is in the open position to at least partially separate the tablet from the container body, decoupling the tablet from engagement with the container body and facilitating removal of the tablet.

[0064] Clause 25. A reusable, portable shipping container comprising: a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulated lid pivotally, slidably, or removably coupled to the container body and operable to access the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed within the payload chamber and operable to sense parameters of the payload chamber or the items; and a tablet removably coupleable to the container body, the tablet having a first side having a first printed label thereon and a second side opposite the first side and having a second printed label thereon; and circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber and to store environmental data transmitted from the one or more sensors in the payload chamber, the tablet configured to be coupled to the container body in a first orientation so as to display the first printed label with the second side facing the container body, and to be coupled to the container body in a second orientation so as to display the second printed label with the first side facing the container body.

[0065] Clause 26. A reusable, portable shipping container as described in any preceding clause, wherein the electronic display screen is configured to display an electronic shipping label.

[0066] Clause 28. A reusable, portable shipping container according to any preceding clause, wherein the circuitry is configured for wireless communication with a remote computer server, via which data from the one or more sensors is accessible through a dashboard display.

[0067] Clause 29. A reusable transportable shipping container as described in clause 28, wherein the one or more sensors sense one or more parameters including position, ambient temperature and payload temperature.

[0068] Clause 30. A reusable, portable shipping container comprising: a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulated lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense a parameter of the payload chamber or a parameter of the item; and a tablet removably coupled to the container body, the tablet comprising an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry for wireless communication with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber, the electronic display screen configured to display an electronic shipping label.

[0069] Clause 31. A reusable portable shipping container according to clause 30, wherein the container body comprises a lock that engages with the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body and maintains the attachment of the tablet to the container body, the lock facilitating at least partial separation of the tablet from the container body and being movable to a retracted position to release the tablet from engagement with the container body and facilitate removal of the tablet.

[0070] Clause 32. A reusable, portable shipping container comprising: a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulated lid operable to selectively close the payload chamber or allow access to the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense a parameter of the payload chamber or a parameter of the item; and a tablet removably coupled to the container body, the tablet comprising an electronic display screen, one or more power storage devices, and circuitry in wireless communication with the one or more sensors and in wireless communication with a remote computer server, wherein data from the one or more sensors is accessible via the remote computer server through a dashboard display.

[0071] Clause 33. A reusable transportable shipping container as described in clause 32, wherein the one or more sensors sense one or more parameters including position, ambient temperature and payload temperature.

[0072] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications of the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined solely by reference to the appended claims.

[0073] It should be understood that features, materials, properties, or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification, unless inconsistent therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Protection is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiment. Protection extends to any novel, or any novel combination of, features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or any novel, or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0074] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, while features may be described above as acting in a particular combination, one or more features from a claimed combination may, in some cases, be excluded from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or a variation of the subcombination.

[0075] Furthermore, while operations may be illustrated in the figures or described herein in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order illustrated, or in sequential order, or even all operations need to be performed to achieve desirable results. Other operations not shown or described may be incorporated into the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the described operations. Moreover, operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps performed in the illustrated and / or disclosed processes may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, and other steps may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood to require such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems may generally be integrated into a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0076] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be embodied or implemented to achieve one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0077] Conditional language such as "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless otherwise specified or understood otherwise within the context in which it is used, is intended to generally convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments do not. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that the features, elements, and / or steps are somehow required by one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether those features, elements, and / or steps should be included in or performed in any particular embodiment, with or without user input or prompting.

[0078] Conjunctions such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z," unless otherwise specified, are understood in the context in which they are generally used to convey that an item, term, etc. can be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctions are generally not intended to imply that a particular embodiment requires the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0079] As used herein, degree language such as "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially" refers to a value, amount, or characteristic that is close to a stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of a stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms "generally parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that deviates from exact parallelism by 15 degrees or less.

[0080] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosure of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere herein, but may be defined by the claims, as presented in this section or elsewhere herein, or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims, and is not limited to the examples described herein or pending in the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

[0081] Of course, the foregoing description is a description of specific features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the devices described herein need not feature all of the objects, advantages, features, and aspects described above. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be embodied or implemented to achieve or optimize one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while several variations of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use that are within the scope of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another to form various modes of the described devices.

Claims

1. A reusable, portable shipping container, comprising: a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulating lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense a parameter of the payload chamber or a parameter of the article; a tablet removably coupled to the container body; Equipped with The tablet is an electronic display screen; one or more power storage devices; circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber; A reusable transportable container comprising:

2. 10. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the payload chamber is vacuum insulated via a plurality of vacuum panels that define or surround the payload chamber.

3. 10. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the tablet includes one or more sensors, the one or more sensors including one or more GPS sensors configured to track a location of the container body when the tablet is coupled to the container body.

4. the tablet comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores data transmitted from the one or more sensors in the payload chamber; The reusable, portable shipping container of claim 1 , wherein the data includes temperature data or humidity data.

5. the container body includes a lock that engages with the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body to maintain the tablet attached to the container body; 2. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the lock is movable to a retracted position to facilitate at least partial separation of the tablet from the container body and to release the tablet from engagement with the container body to facilitate removal of the tablet.

6. 6. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 5, wherein the lock is biased for engagement of the tablet.

7. 6. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 5, wherein the lock is a magnetic lock.

8. 6. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 5, wherein the lock is recessed in the container body so that it is not visible when the tablet is attached to the container body and the lid is in the open position.

9. the container body has one or more supports that releasably engage the tablet when the tablet is coupled to the container body; the one or more supports are disposed on the container body on an opposite side from the lock; 6. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 5, wherein the one or more supports are configured to prevent the tablet from falling out of the recess in the container body when the lock is retracted.

10. 10. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the tablet is flush with a surface of the container body when coupled to the container body.

11. 2. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors in the payload chamber include one or more sensor tags removably mounted to a surface of the payload chamber and operable to sense humidity or temperature in the payload chamber and transmit one or more sensed payload conditions to the tablet.

12. 12. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 11, wherein the one or more sensors in the payload chamber comprise one or more sensor tags disposed in a package or bag containing the item and operable to sense environmental conditions of the package or bag as a measure of humidity or temperature, respectively, of the item, and configured to transmit the sensed humidity or temperature to the tablet.

13. further comprising a latch assembly recessed in said lid; 2. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the recessed latch assembly includes a latch handle operable to open the lid relative to the container body.

14. the recessed latch assembly includes a bar spaced from the latch handle; the latch handle has a slot; 14. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 13, wherein the slot and the bar are coupled together by a strap or tie extending through the slot and around the bar to prevent unintentional opening of the lid.

15. a metal rod embedded in the container body and extending to a proximal end of the container body opposite the lid when the lid is in a closed position; the lid includes a magnet that aligns with an end of the metal rod when the lid is in the closed position; an opposite end of the metal rod extends to a position within the container body adjacent to the display screen of the tablet when the display screen of the tablet is coupled to the container body; when the lid is in the closed position, the metal rod transmits a magnetic signal from the magnet in the lid to the display screen of the tablet, and a Hall effect sensor in or on the tablet is configured to sense the magnetic signal and send the signal to the circuit as an indication that the lid is in the closed position; 2. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the circuit is configured to determine that the lid has moved to an open position when the magnetic signal is not detected by the Hall Effect sensor.

16. the container body is a plurality of container bodies having different sizes, 2. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the tablet is configured to be removably coupled to each of the plurality of container bodies having different sizes.

17. the container body has a near field communication (NFC) tag; the tablet is configured to detect or read the NFC tag when the tablet is coupled to the container body; 2. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the tablet is configured to read the NFC tag to pair the tablet with the container body.

18. the container body has a magnet embedded therein; a Hall effect sensor in or on the tablet is configured to sense the magnet in the container body and send a signal to the circuit to indicate that the tablet is coupled to the container body; 18. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 17, wherein the tablet is configured to read the NFC tag and pair the tablet with the container body when the circuitry receives the signal.

19. 18. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 17, wherein detection of the NFC tag sends a signal to the circuit to indicate that the tablet is coupled to the container body.

20. the tablet includes a sensor configured to detect when the tablet is coupled to the container body and to send a signal to the circuit to indicate that the tablet is coupled to the container body; 18. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 17, wherein the tablet is configured to read the NFC tag and pair the tablet with the container body when the circuitry receives the signal.

21. 21. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 20, wherein the sensor is an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, or an accelerometer.

22. 10. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the tablet comprises one or more buttons actuatable to operate functions of the tablet.

23. the container body includes a lock including an electronic solenoid configured to engage the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body and activate a locking member to maintain the tablet attached to the container body; 2. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 1, wherein the lock is movable by the electronic solenoid to a retracted position when the lid is in the open position to at least partially separate the tablet from the container body, decoupling the tablet from engagement with the container body and facilitating removal of the tablet.

24. A reusable, portable shipping container, comprising: a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulating lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense a parameter of the payload chamber or a parameter of the article; a tablet removably coupled to the container body; Equipped with The tablet is an electronic display screen; one or more power storage devices; circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more sensors in the payload chamber; Equipped with The reusable, portable shipping container, wherein the electronic display screen is configured to display an electronic shipping label.

25. the container body includes a lock that engages with the tablet when the tablet is attached to the container body and maintains the tablet attached to the container body; 25. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 24, wherein the lock is configured to be movable to a retracted position to facilitate at least partial separation of the tablet from the container body to release the tablet from engagement with the container body and facilitate removal of the tablet.

26. A reusable, portable shipping container, comprising: a container body having an insulated payload chamber configured to receive one or more items; an insulating lid operable to selectively close or allow access to the payload chamber; one or more sensors disposed in the payload chamber and operable to sense a parameter of the payload chamber or a parameter of the article; a tablet removably coupled to the container body; Equipped with The tablet is an electronic display screen; one or more power storage devices; a circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more sensors and to wirelessly communicate with a remote computer server, wherein data from the one or more sensors is accessed via a dashboard display; and A reusable transportable container comprising:

27. 27. The reusable transportable shipping container of claim 26, wherein the one or more sensors sense one or more parameters including position, ambient temperature, and payload temperature.

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