A temperature control system and container with same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a temperature control system for a container which can be readily transported on aircraft, such as an aircraft container. In the field of logistics, that is the field of movement and supply of produce and materials, in particular in the transport of intermediate and finished products, containers have been developed which safely protect from physical damage a wide variety of product. Food and pharmaceutical products not only need protection from physical shock and pressures but also require temperature stability during transportation; otherwise goods can be damaged and be unusable, whether such damage is apparent or not. The present invention seeks to provide a temperature control system for a transport container which can maintain goods within a narrow temperature range, can displace a considerably reduced volume before erection, is economical to manufacture, can readily and easily be constructed. The present invention further seeks to provide a temperature controlled transport container which is compatible with standard pallet shipper and Unit Load Device specifications.

Description

[0001] A TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONTAINER WITH SAME Field of Invention

[0002] 001. The present invention relates to a passive temperature control system for containers, such as transport containers which are employed to transport goods in aircraft, road haulage vehicles and the like. The present invention further relates to cold chain insulated shipping containers such as unit load devices and pallet shippers for holding temperature sensitive products and coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time and to a passive temperature control system for the same.

[0003] Background to the Invention

[0004] 002. Logistics is the term used for the aspect of supply chain management that seeks to provide transportation of goods from suppliers to customers via intermediaries as appropriate. Logistics occupies a significant amount of the operational cost of an organisation or country. Logistical costs of organizations in the United States incurred about 11% of the United States national gross domestic product (GDP) as of 1997. In the European Union, logistics costs were 8.8% to 11.5% of GDP as of 1993. Introduction to Logistics Systems Planning and Control (G. Giani et al Business & Economics Wiley, 26 Jan 2004). Following the C19 pandemic, there has been a substantial increase in online shopping with "distribution hub-to-door" services being provided. Containers have been developed which safely protect from physical damage a wide variety of product. However, certain types of products such as pharmaceutical and food products, not only need protection from physical shock and pressures but also require temperature stability during transportation; otherwise goods can be damaged and be unusable, whether such damage is apparent or not.

[0005] 003. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, product often needs to be maintained within a temperature range: product may be packed in relatively small containers, which containers are relatively fragile - accordingly insulation must provide both physical and thermal stability. Small cargos of pharmaceuticals can be extremely valuable, not just in financial terms, but possibly also in terms of health. Destruction by poor handling of pharmaceuticals can have far-reaching consequences. Equally, in the food industry, fish suppliers will often have chilled fish boxes which are designed to accept, say 20Kg of product. The fish must be maintained at low temperatures, yet will be placed in containers which require a high degree of strength to prevent spillage.

[0006] 004. As the standards of living increases, in developed markets, for example in Europe and North America, tropical foods - that is foods grown in far-away

[0007] HESLS0125PCT 29thJan 2026 as filedtropical places - are increasingly being stocked by supermarkets, delicatessens and the like. Short pick to distribution centre times in the producing country are matched by air carriers taking goods to the countries of consumption in similar lengths of time, whereby it is not uncommon for fruit to be on the plates of householders within two to three days of having been picked in a far-away country.

[0008] 005. However, air transport poses a particular problem: Goods can be transported in tropical heat, packaged and placed upon pallets and the like containers whereby they are presented in aircraft style containers. Such goods may be left on runways at extreme temperatures (+40° C) and then placed within a hold where low pressures and low temperatures exist during flight. At a destination airport the temperatures may well be sub-zero. A corollary to this is the production of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals in a "developed" country which pharmaceuticals must be transported to another side of the world with similar temperature variations.

[0009] 006. Both the above scenarios place transport managers in difficult positions. For air haulage, containers should weigh little, make use of non-rectangular hold spaces within aircraft; for the goods, they must be protected from shock, be maintained within a narrow temperature range, sometimes being equipped with temperature data loggers whereby a record of temperature within a container may determine whether or not a pharmaceutical is destroyed prior to use because of poor temperature handling. Refrigeration units may be provided with a container whereby temperatures maybe maintained, but then a source of electrical power or fuel for a powered generator is required.

[0010] 007. To simplify transport with respect to airports, planes and handling equipment, there have been developed aircraft Unit Load Devices (ULDs) which comprise any type of pallet or container that can easily be loaded to the aircraft by a ground handler. Aircraft ULDs are units which interface directly with an aircraft loading and restraint system, without the use of supplementary equipment. There are pre-defined ULDs, such as LD3, LD7, which correspond to standard configurations and can be utilised on certain types of aircraft.

[0011] 008. Other known forms of chilling products such as ice packs comprise polymer coolants packaged within bags can provide simple means to cool products. Coolant gels may also be employed, being inserted into plastics containers. However, in the nature of transport containers, the gel packs can move or otherwise become dislodged from a selected place whereby an inappropriate temperature gradient can occur, whereby a required temperature for a medicine, vaccine, food or other product is not maintained; products such as

[0012] HESLS0125PCT 2 29thJan 2026 as filedvaccines that have not been maintained within a required temperature range during transport must be disposed of without use. It will be appreciated that if a container of, say, a freezable gel is knocked from a normal placement position and leaks to a joint between two panels of a container, the temperatures encountered within aeroplanes is substantially below 0°C; subsequent freezing and cooling can damage the container irreparably and damage contents within. 009. Various forms of such packaging are known using a variety of temperature control media (for example phase change materials) and insulation. An example of such a product is described in US2017073147 (vac-U-tec) which discloses a carton provided with closely fitting phase change material containers having bevelled edges, which enable the PCM containers to abut together, as seen in Figure la. Each inner-wall element has predetermined dimensions matching those of the associated inner surface of the container. US5555980 (Johnson S Trading Post) provides a collapsible palletized container is provided including a base with individual sidewalls extending upward therefrom and a lid, shown in Figure lb. The base includes grooves thereon which receive tongues attached to lower edges of the sidewalls. The tongues are angled so that the sidewalls are pivoted into position adjacent the base. The tongues and grooves are configured to prevent vertical translation of the sidewalls away from the base. Each sidewall includes two side edges including joints thereon and ribs, whereby to, respectively, hold adjacent sidewalls together thereby obviating the need for girding straps to resist forces exerted horizontally by loads within the container and to reinforce the sidewalls. The lid connects to the sidewalls with clips connected therebetween. 010. US2020108997 (Pelibiothermal) teaches of a thermal conditioning wall panel 10, 20 per Figures lb', lb" for use within a thermally insulating container and comprises a panel body having a channel formed therein along one face thereof for receiving and retaining thermal conditioning elements 16. At least one foot is formed at the lower end of the body for engagement within a plurality of socket elements provided within a complex, peripheral base of the container system. Thermal conditioning elements are inserted per Figure lb"' from above the top of the container which typically will be of the order of 1.8m - 2m in height, which can prove to be difficult for operatives when packing. European patent EP2876389 (va-Q-tec) teaches of a heat-insulated transport container having three side wall elements, a top element, a base element and at least one door element, pivotally mounted about a vertical axis. The container wall elements comprise a double-walled with a dimensionally stable inner and outer walls, with vacuum insulation elements placed therebetween, as shown in Figure 1c. EP2435339 (Softbox) teaches of coolant supports ld2 that are attached to

[0013] HESLS0125PCT 3 29thJan 2026 as filedthe inside walls Idl of shipping containers for holding temperature sensitive products and coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time moulded from rigid polyurethane foam, as shown in Figure Id'. Nonetheless, placement of the coolant ld4 can be inconvenient, since operating personnel need to raise the coolant packs above the opening lip ld3 of the coolant support - typically 1.8m or more from ground level, which can be difficult for those low in stature or require supports; operational safety concerns may arise. The width of the coolant supports reduces from an uppermost opening width to a lowermost width which is provides a friction grip with the coolant packages. Apertures Id 11 on the side of each support ld2 can be used to ensure that coolant packs ld4 are indeed in place, albeit re-used coolant packs may get stuck or the sleeve ld2 may get damaged upon removal.

[0014] Oil. It is notable that there are few passive thermal exchange devices for cargo containers; few can provide sufficient cooling properties; few can remain where placed during transport as a matter of course. Further, in terms of containers, cooling systems need to be easily removable and be capable of being packed flat, along with an associated insulating cargo containers; either they are rigid yet not collapsible or are collapsible yet easily damaged when shifted by fork-lift trucks and other and / or are complex to assemble.

[0015] Object of the Invention

[0016] 012. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problems addressed above. The present invention seeks to provide a temperature control system for a transport container which can be manufactured at low cost and can readily and easily be constructed from a flat-pack as is the case of a container within which it can be placed. Furthermore, the present invention seeks to provide a temperature control system for a transport container that when completed can maintain goods placed inside the container within a narrow temperature range. The invention also seeks to provide a substantially cellulose based temperature control system. The invention also seeks to provide a cold chain container with a temperature control system therein.

[0017] 013. Additionally, the present invention seeks to provide a passive temperature control system that takes up little space and can be simply used with flat-pack storage containers. The present invention further seeks to provide a temperature control system for a transport container which is compatible with standard pallet shipper and Unit Load Device specifications.

[0018] Statement of Invention

[0019] HESLS0125PCT 4 29thJan 2026 as filed014. According to the invention, there is provided a transport container temperature control system as defined in Claim 1. The lattice frame provides a simple to place coolant system, with each coolant being placed within a lattice frame with a suitable locking system such as a detent latch. Conveniently the latch can be configured to provide an audible snap upon fitting to assist in confirmation that a coolant container has been positively associated with the support frame. The coolant containers can be placed within the lattice apertures at the level of the apertures, rather than having to be raised above a wall top edge height of the container, whereby to assist operators of a reduced stature. Moreover, the "body" height placement reduces the chances of mis-placement of coolant containers by operators, which can occur when coolant containers need to be inserted into an upwardly facing aperture associated with a top surface of a container. An additional advantage is that the placement of the temperature control means within the coolant containers can prevent contact with any product and any thermal shock to the product and also permit spacing therefrom. The coolant containers are placed within a rim defined by the lattice and due to the correspondence in shape as between the container and the rim, the weight from the containers is borne directly by the lower part of the rim, providing stability in use. The coolant lattice panel I frame can conveniently be fabricated from one or more types of panel including corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastics, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, cardboard, spaced-apart cardboard panels, laminated polyurethane foam, laminated expanded polystyrene, for example. In many countries, there is a preference for the use of cellulose fibres, which are generally more easily recyclable.

[0020] 015. Conveniently, the coolant container is manufactured from a sheet material, such as corrugated plastics or corrugated cardboard, configured to define an aperture for the placement of a standard shape coolant package. Known coolant packages can be manufactured from a plastics material and be filled with a gel material or can comprise one or more plastics bags containing a water-salt solution coolant material which plastic bags are inserted into a the coolant container; other phase change materials can also be used, generally specific salt solutions are employed in specific temperature ranges. For simplicity, the coolant package will define a body which has a high heat capacity and is operable to maintain a temperature - that is to say the coolant, by virtue of its high thermal capacity, can assist in maintaining a temperature above ambient, in a fashion similar to maintaining a temperature below ambient. Corrugated plastics or corrugated cardboard are materials that are commonly used in transport industries and is both relatively cheap and readily available.

[0021] HESLS0125PCT 5 29thJan 2026 as filedCorrugated cardboard is preferred to provide an easily recyclable material using well-established recycling facilities.

[0022] 016. Conveniently, a container operably utilised with the invention comprises at least a base and upstanding wall panels, wherein the base panel corresponds to the first panel type and the wall panels correspond to the second panel type. Generally, the size and shape conform with known pallet shipper and Unit Load Device dimensions. The container can be of the type wherein adjacent panels have cooperating tongue and groove edges, whereby the container, when closed, is substantially airtight, but this has been found not to be absolutely necessary. By having a container substantially air tight, when cool packs are employed is significant since, not only does an exchange of air with the atmosphere outside the container contribute to an increase in temperature within a container, the exchange of air with the atmosphere outside the container will also bring about condensation of the saturated air when cooled and possible frosting upon the cool packs. It will be realised that, subsequently, any temperature cycling, including frosting can affect the integrity of materials such as cardboard.

[0023] 017. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a flat-pack cold chain transport container. The container can have a variety of forms, but a generally rectangular box is typically employed, with a base dimensional area in correspondence with those of pallets in general use, even though it would be possible to have square section or cylindrical section boxes. 018. The external insulating panels forming the walls of the container can be fabricated from one or more types of panel including corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastics, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, cardboard, spaced-apart cardboard panels, vacuum insulation panels, laminated polyurethane foam, laminated expanded polystyrene, for example. A laminate face can comprise one or more types of card, plywood, polypropylene, plastics foam, aluminium or steel, for example.

[0024] 019. A coolant container pack in accordance with the present invention may be assembled in a rapid and expeditious manner. The parts making up the coolant container pack can be easily attached to the lattice support. Prior to use, they can remain as a die-cut board and be assembled prior to first use. Such coolant container temperature control elements may be stacked for storage in a relatively small space, conveniently being prior attached to a panel for a container, and may be associated with a container also arranged in a flat-pack style. A distinct benefit of the present invention is that the construction permits the same size temperature control packs to be utilised in different containers; commonality of

[0025] HESLS0125PCT 6 29thJan 2026 as filedparts between ranges of product can provide more cost-effective construction and / or different functionality.

[0026] Brief Description of the Figures

[0027] 020. For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the Figures as shown in the accompanying drawing sheets, wherein:- Figures la - Id illustrate known forms of cold chain shippers and containers; Figures Id' - Id'" details one type of passive temperature control system;

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates a generic container upon a pallet base;

[0029] Figure 3a - 3diii detail various aspects of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3ei - 3eiii detail aspects of a planar wall member in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

[0030] Figure 4 shows an aspect of a second embodiment of the invention;

[0031] Figure 5 shows a coolant container within a lattice frame in perspective view in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

[0032] Figures 5a - 5c detail aspects of fitting and securing a coolant container to a lattice frame in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

[0033] Figure 6 shows a part perspective I part sectional view of a coolant container according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0034] Figures 6a, b show, respectively, a part perspective I part sectional view of a coolant container of a coolant container within a lattice frame and a perspective view, in an open mode, ready to be filled with coolant packs;

[0035] Figure 7 show a first alternative temperature control pack being shown in a process of placement with respect to a lattice support wall;

[0036] Figure 7a - 7c show a second alternative temperature control pack being shown in a process of placement with respect to a lattice support wall, an inside corner of a container populated with temperature control packs;

[0037] Figures 8i - 8x show an exploded view of a container and various panel sections in accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention;

[0038] Figures 9i - 9viii show an exploded view of a container and various panel sections in accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention;

[0039] Figure 10 shows a juxtaposed arrangement of coolant packs of a container in accordance with the invention;

[0040] Figures Ila, 11b show side views of a container in accordance with the invention, and,

[0041] Figures 12a - 12h comprise the results of performing temperature controlled tests over periods of five and seven days.

[0042] Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0043] HESLS0125PCT 7 29thJan 2026 as filed021. There will now be described, by way of example only, the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practice with variations of the specific.

[0044] 022. Figure 2 shows an example of a container 20 as can be employed with the present invention, which has the dimensions of a standard ULD container, and is placed upon a pallet 22. Whilst a base panel 24 is not shown in any detail, side panel members 26 & 27 are arranged to be placed into the base, which is provided with a upstanding lip 24ul along all sides, in common with the lid 25, which has a depending edge member 25dl in correspondence with the upstanding lip to ensure that side panel members 26 & 27 are arranged to provide a sufficiently air-tight arrangement. The container comprises first and second panels 26 of a first width and first and second panels 27 of a second width. It will be appreciated that the first and second sets of panels 26 and 27 may be of the same width. Equally, side panel members are arranged with respect to each other along their mutually contacting edges 28 in a corresponding air-tight fashion. Conveniently, a rebate is defined between respective base, lid and side panel members. The temperature control system of the present invention can be employed with respect to a number of containers manufactured and assembled in different fashions. It should be appreciated, that in use, band strapping techniques are generally employed to ensure that the panels remain in position with respect to each other; in tensioning, abutting edge surfaces are brought together in a substantially air-tight fashion, albeit other techniques can be employed.

[0045] 023. The panels are shown as being formed from cardboard, conveniently of a weight being 750 - lOOOgsm, being a five-wall aa flute, (although heavier weights and greater numbers of walls and differing flutes sizes are possible, as will be known to the skilled man), which is generally recyclable, but could be formed from a number of materials such as polyurethane foam and other plastics as known to the skilled man (as discussed in the background above) and have a thickness of approximately 50 - 80 mm. The wall panels could comprise two sets of materials, such as having vacuum insulation panels or other forms of insulation, including so-called bubble paper, foam plastics or other materials having different thermal conductivities to cardboard, polyurethane foam or other facing material. The panels - as well as the lid and base have been intended to be manufactured primarily from cardboard, cardboard laminate materials, but

[0046] HESLS0125PCT 8 29thJan 2026 as filedthere is nothing to prevent the panels being made from other materials such as polyurethane foam sheet materials, and other sheet materials. In use, for example, as an LD7 container, the container panels are mounted upon a pallet and then an aluminium base which conforms to specifications of international aircraft standards. Conveniently, the container is band-strapped to provide an easily assembled configuration, with two or more band strap vertically applied so that the lid is brought towards the base, with two or more band straps horizontally applied to ensure that the vertical edges remain substantially airtight. In this regard, "L"-section mdf / pa perboard elements that are widely used as edge protection elements for the transport of new white goods, for example, which "l"-section elements provide protection of the panels and reduce chances of distortion of the panels, together with any associated localized deterioration of the thermal conductivity.

[0047] 024. Figures 3a and 3b show first and second perspective aspects of one embodiment of the present invention; with Figure 3a detailing how two side walls 26, 27 are fitted within a base 24, which is placed upon a pallet 22, having a lattice support structure for placement of coolant containers in accordance with the invention. This embodiment features a first lattice frame enclosure 30 which, in use, is separated from both a parallel spaced-apart wall and a load 10, placed upon the inside base floor 24b. The frame enclosure further comprises two hingedly connected, shorter elements 30a, 30b, each arranged in a general "C" plan. Two such enclosures surround the load, with the arms of the respective frame elements abutting and supporting an intermediate cover 32, upon which coolant containers 33 are placed. Each lattice face comprises a number of apertures defined by aperture frames 30i, which define the lattice and which are operable to receive temperature control packs, to be discussed below. In this embodiment, there are six apertures per face of the lattice arrangement. It will be noted that the orientation of the apertures in this embodiment can differ between sides, but this is not essential, it can be seen that in this particular example, on an upper face of the base 22. With reference to Figure 2, it will be realized that the container will be completed by the placement of two further upstanding wall elements 26, 27, which support a lid or cover element 25.

[0048] 025. Figure 3b simply shows two "C" plan lattice frames with each wall element being provided with upstanding castellations 32i which extend upwardly and through slots 35 defined in the lid element 34, separated by the troughs 32ii, which troughs support the lid element. In this embodiment, the two lattice elements 30a and 30b, being the right of the centre of the figure do not pass through any slot, given that these correspond to opening door frame parts of the

[0049] HESLS0125PCT 9 29thJan 2026 as filedC" plan lattice structure 31ii have castellations 31ii, which do not engage in any slots, whereby such lattice elements 31i, 31ii can operate as doors. It will be appreciated that the castellation elements could be of a much reduced height whereby a locking features can be provided. The coolant load spreader or inner lid 34 can also be employed to carry coolant elements (not shown in this figure), to enable such coolant elements, to be retained in position, separator elements 34i may be employed. The coolant load spreader may be provided with apertures akin to the side wall. However, it may be determined that the coolant load spreader 34 should not be provided with such apertures since more than one coolant element may be placed, which could overload the lattice resulting in the coolant element making direct contact with the load and potentially causing a freeze burn or other damage to the load. Nonetheless, smaller apertures may be provided, to ensure that the internal environment has a circulation of the atmospheric air within the container. The two "C" plan sections could be replaced with a single four or five section wall element to provide a rectangular enclosure; in the limit four separate lattice walls could be provided, but it has been found that the strength of the lattice frame can be improved by having folding wall elements, albeit, the lid for the lattice could be dimensioned to prevent lateral movement in use.

[0050] 026. Additionally, referring also to Figure 3c, there are provided slots 36 in the base element 24, which are placed to enable the lattice frame enclosure 30 to engage within via castellated footings 38 depending from the lower edges of the lattice elements. In this example, reduced depth footings 38i are provided with respect to the opening lattice door element 31i and 31ii whereby to provide an easily opening feature, albeit the corresponding base element 37 does not provide any slots, as an alternative.

[0051] 027. Figure 3c corresponds, broadly to Figure 3a, without the load, lattice frame and coolant containers, showing two external walls within their rebates defined in the base elements 24, 24i, 24ii & 24ul, noting that the base element 24 defines a peripheral channel 37 about its edges, relative to the base element 24i, which displaces an area equivalent to the area of element 24 and the underside of all four wall panels, whereby to assist in maintaining the container in an air-tight configuration when assembled, assisted by such circuitous seals. Figure 3di shows a part plan - part perspective view of the base cardboard member of the base 24. Figure 3dii shows an exploded view of the base element with an upper support surface 24, an intermediate spacer element 24i and a base element 24b, with the peripheral edges 24ul folded up, where, in some embodiments, the castellations 38 depend further to the intermediate support

[0052] HESLS0125PCT 10 29thJan 2026 as filedbase 24i, with the distance between the support surface 24 and the lower base 24b defining an insulation layer I insulation volume. In a preferred embodiment, the use of a cardboard of a weight being 750 - lOOOgsm, being a five-wall "aa" flute has been found to provide sufficient strength for the base is sufficient, noting that since the upstanding lattice elements need to be placed within the slots, and support the weight of a load, they too must be sufficiently strong, as would be known to the skilled man. It will be appreciated that by judicious creasing of the board, fold elements can be created. Figure 3diii details how each of the four corners of the base elements 24i are located in each of their respective corners, with the edges of the board 24b of the upstanding ledge 24ul providing support for the edges of the board 24i. The lid 25 can be conveniently fabricated in a similar fashion to the base panel. Figures 3ei - 3eiii show, respectively an exemplary wall panel 29 formed from two rectangular sheet elements 29i and 29ii, which are folded and glued to provide two trough-like elements, akin to board 24b described above, one of which can fit inside the other to provide a very simple panel having two spaced apart walls.

[0053] 028. With reference to Figure 4, an alternative lattice structure 40 is shown, with one pair of walls 41 defining four frames 30i of the lattice whilst the other pair of walls 42 define six frames 30i of the lattice, noting that the orientation of rectangular frames are perpendicular one pair of walls with respect to the other. The skilled man will be aware that the orientation of the lattice frames is a variable, as indeed is the size of coolant container. The lid 34 is provided with apertures 43, smaller than the apertures of the lattice frames 30i, as discussed in relation to Figure 3a, above.

[0054] 029. The positioning of the coolant containers shall now be discussed with reference to a fist embodiment as shown in Figures 5, 5a, 5b & 5c. Figure 5 shows a coolant container 50 retained with respect to a wall section 51, whilst in Figure 5a, the coolant container is shown in a spaced apart configuration, where is can be seen that the longer dimension of the front external face 52 of the rectangular body is greater than the corresponding dimension of the aperture frame - and rear face 55, to provide a lip 53. This lip assists in positive placement of the coolant container; the lip 53 could be provided about the whole periphery of the container, but then the container would be more complicated to fabricate. The container 50 depends perpendicularly with respect to face 52 and has a depth or thickness, with peripheral wall 54; the greater the depth, then the greater volume of the coolant the container can provide for placement of coolant media, to be described below. On the inside of the frame 30i, there is provided a tongue 56, with adjacent indents 57. Referring to Figure 5b, with the container in

[0055] HESLS0125PCT 11 29thJan 2026 as filedplace, it can be seen that the tongue 54 locates with respect to a corresponding aperture frame 59. The tongue may be chamfered or otherwise angled on its outermost side so as to urge the lip 53 of the container away from the tongue, using the resilience of the lip 53. Conveniently, the lip is sufficiently rigid so as to snap into place, together with a corresponding aural indication, to confirm, when placed by an operator, that the coolant container is securely in place. It has been found appropriate to employ E-flute cardboard. E-flute is approximately 1mm to 1.5mm in thickness, providing a very fine flute. This not only gives it excellent compression strength and crush resistance, but also means it provides a high quality surface for printing.

[0056] 030. When it is intended to remove the container, then an operator's fingers may be placed within the indented apertures and can press on the lip 53, so as to enable the aperture frame 59 to be clear from the tongue 56, enabling the respective lip to be brought away from the outer face of panel 51, in a fashion corresponding to a reversal of placement, noting that once the latched end has been freed, then it is a simple procedure to remove a corresponding aperture 59 of a lower peripheral wall face 52 from the upwardly directed corresponding tongue 56 of the other edge of the of frame 30i. It will be appreciated that other detent and / or snap-locating configurations are possible. Equally, one end could have an elongate recess with which to engage with one edge of a lattice frame, the other end being as described above or a variant thereof.

[0057] 031. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a coolant container 50 in accordance with one aspect of the invention, noting that, as before, it is of a general rectangular box shape, with a lip 53 so as to reduce a likelihood of the container 50 passing through a lattice frame when being inserted. Figure 6a shows one part perspective I part cross-sectional view of a coolant container once secured within in a lattice frame. Figure 6b details how the opening panels 55 has panel sections (inside surface indicated by 55') which are hinged with respect to the peripheral panel 54, to allow an appropriate coolant to be placed within the container. Phase change materials in the 2 - 8°C range, for example, typically contain binary salt solutions, albeit ternary salt solutions and other compounds e.g. paraffin and others can be used as is well known. These can be placed in plastic bags and then within the container, which is effectively "box-like".

[0058] 032. Figure 7 shows an alternative fastening arrangement for a coolant container 50', which has an upper fastener generally in accordance with the first embodiment, whilst the lower fastened comprises mutually abutting arcuate surfaces 70 and 71. Tongue 56 is shown with a curved striking face, which will meet the corresponding striker edge 73 of the coolant container, being made of a

[0059] HESLS0125PCT 12 29thJan 2026 as filedresilient material, the striker element will be displaced downwardly. As the edge striker element passes over the end of the tongue, the sharp decrease in the height of the tongue can enable the cardboard striker plate to give a popping sound, especially if the cardboard or other material is stiff. This popping sound can provide an aural indication to a packer to confirm that the coolant element is safely fastened. In this embodiment, the construction can be less expensive to manufacture; the lip 53 is present to the upper and lower ends, albeit it may be preferable to have a reduced lip at the lower portion, to ensure that placement of the coolant container does not compromise the arcuate fitting during placement.

[0060] 033. Figures 7a - 7c detail a further embodiment of the invention. With reference to Figure 7a shows a third type of coolant package 50i partially located upon a lower part of a rim 30i of a lattice aperture associated with one wall of a container in accordance with the invention. As can be seen with respect to each cardboard lattice 42, there are provided with an arrangement of generally rectangular rims 30i in correspondence with the external planar dimensions of the temperature control pack / coolant package 50i. With respect to each rim 30i there are provided on the lower edge two upstanding engagement members 76u and depending from the upper rim there are two depending engagement members 76u. As can be seen, the coolant package 50i is engaged In the specifically indicated lower engagement members 76L, which engage in corresponding upwardly extending apertures 59 on the underside of the coolant package and on the lower rim there are two upstanding engagement members 761. Turning now to the upper edge of the rim 30i, the two depending tags 76u are creased on an inside surface thereof, indicated by dotted lines 72, Whereby the tags 76U can bend slightly inwardly to ease entry of the tags into the apertures 59 at the, along the top surface of the coolant package.

[0061] 034. With reference to Figure 7b, there is shown a couple of walls of an inside surface of a container in accordance with the invention which are populated with coolant packages 50i in a secure fashion. Importantly, it can be seen that there is an opportunity to provide different coolant packages in accordance with the load and temperature profile required for each particular cold chain event with product. Figure 7C shows a partially completed container having three walls populated with coolant packages 50i in addition to a base surface being populated by the same packages. Note, however, that the base packages are merely placed upon the base surface of the container, Albeit sectioned apertures could be defined, although it is not believed that such would be necessary, taking into account the fact that, as shall be discussed later, mechanical impact tests have been conducted on examples of the invention.. It will be appreciated that other

[0062] HESLS0125PCT 13 29thJan 2026 as filedvariations for a "passive fastener" can be simply configured.

[0063] 035. Figures 8i and 8ii show an example of a further example of a lattice-like coolant support 81 affixed to an inside wall face 27i of a long side panel 27, in side view and perspective view, respectively. These figures show a third variant of the invention, with cardboard coolant containers 50i located within lattice frames 30i. To provide assistance in handling of the side panel, especially when fitted with containers 50i with coolant retained therein, there are provided handholds 83. Adjacent the hand holds are two horizontally extending tab elements 84 that extend either side and which interlock with complementary spaced three horizontally extending tab elements form the adjacent short sides. It will be appreciated that variations can be simply enable, to add to structural rigidity of the lattice element. For example, the tab elements on a right side could be complementary to the tab elements on a left-hand side; the tabs may be positioned in a specific fashion for different types of containers, for example, a specific tab arrangement could employed for a specific grade of insulation, to prevent an incorrect association of panels. Along the lower edge of the lattice panel 81, there are provided depending tabs 38, which can inter-engage with slots 36 in the base element 24 as shown in Figure 3c. Such depending elements could also be formed from the spacing element 82, in addition to or instead of the lattice panel 81.

[0064] 036. Figure 8iii shows a side view, which indicates how a spacer element 82 spaces the lattice element 81 from the inside wall face 27i of the side panel 27. Figure 8iv shows a lattice frame 30i for the placement of a coolant container 50i. It will be seen that associated with lattice frame 30i, there are depending inwardly extending tabs 56, which are arranged to provide an interlock with corresponding aperture or slot associated with the four external walls which join the perimeter faces 54 of the two rectangular faces 52, 55 of the coolant carrier 50i. It will be seen that the two detent tab elements 56 co-operate with rebate aperture 56, set within the edge 54 of the coolant container, noting that the inherent resilience of the cardboard has been found to enable secure retention of the coolant containers 50i, yet enable simple association and simple removal, without the need of finger apertures per Figure 5b. Similar effects, will be experienced in the use of corrugated plastics.

[0065] 037. Figures 8i, 8ii & 8v shows a coolant container 50i retained with respect to a wall section 81, whilst in Figure 5a, the coolant container is shown in a spaced apart configuration, where it can be seen that the longer dimension of the front external face 52 of the rectangular body is greater than the corresponding dimension of the aperture frame having a lip which prevents the arrangement

[0066] HESLS0125PCT 14 29thJan 2026 as filedpassing through the aperture; in this case, the inside wall face 27i would prevent such an occurrence. In a fashion similar to Figure 5b, however, a tongue 56 at opposite sides of the frame periphery 30i extend and locate into a corresponding aperture 59. The tongue 56 may be chamfered or otherwise angled to assist in association of the tongue with respect to an aperture 59 - as can be seen from both sides 52, 55 of the container shown in Figures 8vi and 8vii, using the resilience of the container material. It has been found not necessary to provide on the inside of the frame 30i, indents 57 adjacent tongue 56, to enable finger manipulation to assist in placement and retention of the coolant container 50i. In the event different materials were employed and their strength I physical attributes so required such, it would be possible to have tongue - slot pairs 56, 59 provided on each of the opposite faces of the container-peripheral wall assembly.

[0067] 038. Figures Sviii - 8x show line drawings detailing respectively: fitment of the coolant container / cassette 50i in relation to a lattice frame 81 - the weight from the containers is borne directly by the lower part of the rim, providing stability in use; in perspective view yet with the coolant pack 50i spaced from the aperture of the lattice frame 81 and a detail of a lower portion of the cassette 50i, as it is inserted into a frame 30i, with an upstanding tongue 56 along the lower edge thereof, to be received by the lower, downwardly facing aperture 59 of the coolant cassette.

[0068] 039. Figure 9i is an exploded view of a further container 90 being a variant of the invention, comprising a base 91, which is integrally connected with a palletlike base 91i, having apertures 91ii each side to accept the tines of a fork lift truck or pallet truck, for example. There are four side walls comprising two pairs of oppositely facing wall panels 92 and 94. As with the embodiment of Figure 3a, there is provided a lid 34, together with an outer cover wall. With reference to Figures 9ii - 9v, it can be seen that the base element 91 has a load surface 9 liii defined by an upstanding layer of sheet material relative to a perimeter surface 91iv. There can also be seen slots 91 iii close to the edges of the raised surface 91i. These slots 91iii enable downwardly directed elements 92ii, 93ii of lattice elements 92 to be associated therewith, whereby to enable a positively locating feature, to assist operators upon assembly.

[0069] 040. Figure 9v shows in a generic fashion how the panel structures 92, 93 comprise first and second wall members (with reference to panel 29 of Figures 3ei - 3eiii), provided with an "L" section protective member 29iii. It will be appreciated that many other forms of panel could be employed. Lattice member 92i, 93i is separated from the inner wall face 29i by a spacer element 92iii, 93iii.

[0070] HESLS0125PCT 15 29thJan 2026 as filedThe lattice frame is also provided with upstanding elements 92vi, 93vi akin to castellations along a top edge 92v, 93v. Figure 9vi shows a coolant container, which engages or otherwise latches with the respective lattice panel apertures. Figure 9vii shows a lid or coolant load spreader 34, provided with apertures 43 and cut-out indentations 34i; upon assembly of a container, once three wall panels have been erected, there will be sufficient support from the top edges of the associated edge surface 82v, 83v of the lattice frames 82i, 83i to enable the upstanding elements 82iv, 83iv to locate with the cut out portions 34ii. It will be appreciated, with respect to this particular coolant load spreader 34, that the short edge is best left open, so that coolant containers can be placed as required by sliding across the lid surface - commensurate with coolant requirements for a particular cold chain event. Figure 9viii shows an external cover 94, with an edge protector 29iii and indicates an inside surface 94i. In this embodiment, the inside surface of the lid is a single plane. Nonetheless, the surface could define channels to accept the upstanding elements 34i of the load spreader 34.

[0071] 041. In the assembly of the coolant assembly, it has been found that once the lattice elements have been placed the walls are generally self-supporting with respect to the base, the coolant packages can be placed in the walls. It is of assistance to operatives who affix coolant packages to the lattice frames to have the load spreader placed after the coolant cassettes have been placed in the appropriate frames, noting that the pack-out of coolant cassettes may not require all the frames to be occupied. By having the downwardly directed elements 38 from the lattice frame engage through slots 36 in the base, the stability is improved; such stability can also be further improved by the use of clips or ties (not shown), which associate with corner portions of adjacent lattice elements, to provide extra rigidity when assembling the container.

[0072] 042. Figure 10 shows how coolant packages could be arranged about a load area of a container made in accordance with the invention. Figures Ila and 11b show side views of a container once assembled, prior to the fastening by the use of tensioning straps.

[0073] 043. The board employed for the lattice can be fabricated from standard sheet materials employed in the packaging industry including corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastics, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, cardboard, spaced-apart cardboard panels, laminated polyurethane foam, laminated expanded polystyrene, for example. It will be appreciated that there can be many forms of insulation members such as vacuum insulation panels, foam, other forms of insulation positioned between the two, upper and lower cardboard panels. As discussed above, the cardboard can be of various

[0074] HESLS0125PCT 16 29thJan 2026 as filedgrades, such as 750 - lOOOgsm weight, with the fluting of a three wall cardboard being fabricated from be flute tri-walls, albeit, as above, various grade of cardboard can be employed to ensure that the selection of the cardboard is sufficient for the intended load. In another alternative, the base may comprise multiple layers of cardboard and the upper surface could assist in bearing weight, as well as the lowest cardboard layer or an intermediate layer, noting that the castellations assist in maintaining lateral positioning of the wall embers. It will also be appreciated that the invention has been described with reference to pallet shipper, which may have external dimensions such as 1200 x 800mm, quarter PMC shippers and half PMC shippers could also be provided, noting that such shippers have corresponding plan dimensions as 11565 x 1196 and 2398 x 1565mm, noting that in the use of longer lengths, internal supports may be required.

[0075] 044. The performance of cold chain containers are determined under laboratory conditions - specifically within a temperature controlled refrigerated & heated room, whereby to evaluate the capability of a type of container to maintain a required temperature range during storage and transport, often using temperature monitoring systems and testing for insulation effectiveness. Additionally, factors such as the container's design, materials, and any phase change materials used can also be assessed for their impact on temperature stability. The following figures relate to a number of tests simulating variations in atmospheric temperature as will be typically undertaken over a number of hours for typical cold chain events of a container in the form of a QPMC palletized unit. In the context of cold chain cargo and palletised goods, QPMC refers to "Quarter Palletized Modular Container", a standard air-cargo pallet shipper size / configuration used in temperature-controlled logistics and identifies a palletised insulated shipping unit sized to fit a "quarter" of a PMC air-cargo position (i.e., about one European-standard pallet footprint) in wide-body aircraft and other freight systems. It's a standardised passive temperature-controlled pallet shipper used for transporting cold-chain goods such as food, pharmaceuticals and biologies in regulated temperature ranges (e.g. 2 - 8°C). Cold chain packaging vendors and logistics providers label their insulated palletised containers using this designation when describing size / type (e.g. QPMC-R for refrigerated, QPMC-F for frozen) because it fits standard cargo space and pallet dimensions while maintaining qualified thermal performance. The external dimensions of the QPMC container are: 1200 x 1565 x 1595 mm, whilst the payload dimensions: 1234 x 932 x 1152 mm. The total system weight (tare) is 226 kg - being the weight of the empty system, excluding the payload (goods).

[0076] HESLS0125PCT 17 29thJan 2026 as filed045. The tare weight matters operationally with regard to the following issues. Firstly, it enables the maximum allowable payload to be determined since aircraft and road transport limits are based on a gross weight, meaning tare plus payload. Additionally, aviation groups (e.g. IATA, ISTA etc.) require handling limits to ensure that there is an accurate declaration of empty and loaded weights. Moreover, the thermal performance of QPMC systems are validated assuming a defined tare configuration. Additionally, freight cost calculations are determined on the chargeable weight and space optimization and, accordingly, depend on knowing the system's non-payload mass. For air freight (IATA standard), the Volumetric weight (kg) is calculated using the formula LxWxH (cm) I 6000 - noting that for a QPMC container, the external dimensions are used, not internal payload volume. Because QPMC systems are pre-qualified with fixed insulation and PCM layouts, volumetric weight is largely invariant between shipments— unlike gross weight, which varies with payload. This is why volumetric efficiency is a key commercial parameter in pharma cold-chain strategy. The tests have been made with reference to the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) schedules.

[0077] 046. Referring now to Figures 12a and 12b, graphical results are provided in relation to a QPMC container in accordance with the invention, provided with fifty-one + 5°C coolant packs, inserted in associated lattice apertures of the present invention. There are a number the internal sensors placed within the container and associated with product to determine the internal temperature of the container (commonly referred to as temperature mapping), are indicated in the +2°C - +8°C temperature range. Figure 12a relates to a first "hot profile" and Figure 12b relates to a first "cold profile" with regard to an external temperature, as determined by temperature control rooms. The particular hot profile comprised a range of temperatures with an initial temperature of +20°C, dropping to +5°C after 6 hours; after a further 18 hours, the temperature rose to +30°C for 3 hours, subsequently reduced to +15°C for a further 6 hours, raised again to +30°C for 3 hours and then reduced to +5°C, with a repeat of the +30°C to +15°C to +30°C cycle over a 12 hour period. In particular, they are substantially at about the +5°C temperature range for a period of 168 hours. In these tests 51 +5°C PCM coolant containers were employed.

[0078] 047. With reference to Figures 12c and 12d, still with a simple approach with the use of 51 +5°C coolant packages, hot and cold profiles over a 120 hour period are shown, with the hot profile having a median temperature of +20°C, with variations to +30°C and +15°C and the cold profile with a median temperature +15°C, a high of +18°C, yet with several excursions to -10°C, it is

[0079] HESLS0125PCT 18 29thJan 2026 as filednoticeable that the temperature was maintained around +5°C for 120 hours. With reference to Figures 12e and 12f - with the use of thirty-three +5°C coolant packages and eighteen -20°C coolant containers, hot and cold profiles over a 120 hour period are shown. The skilled man will acknowledge the extremely strong results that have been achieved by the present invention with a cellulose / card construction without the use of non-recyclable products such as polystyrene and vacuum insulation panels.

[0080] 048. Referring now to Figure 12g, the graph shows that the test conditions are quite extreme, being an ISTA 7D Winter profile, which cycles from an initial temperature of +18°C, to a temperature of -10°C with periods +10°C, with the temperature control packs numbering fifty-one, all conditioned to +5°C. The median temperature was +1°C, with the internal temperatures as determined by a number of sensors all within the +2°C - +8°C temperature range. The performance of the present invention in maintenance of temperature indicates that a container in accordance with the present invention is substantially air tight. Additionally, the results confirm that the exterior and interior walls provide levels of insulation in correspondence with vacuum insulation panels (VIP) - but without the difficulties in disposing of such VIP panels after use; moreover certain manufacturers of such panels permit single use VIP panel use since they are not as robust as cardboard systems tend to be.

[0081] 049. Physical integrity of containers is also an important consideration in the cold chain. Indeed, the International Safe Transit Association has a set of requirements under their 3E test, which, for example, also models Operating conditions with regard to mechanical movement and, for example, provides tests which could be considered as being equivalent to having a truck traverse a Belgian cobbled street test to ensure that the container units, product and coolant packages remain where placed. Indeed, containers in accordance with the present invention have been submitted to and passed the ISTA 3E test.

[0082] 050. In summary, the present invention provides several advantages: A) The lattice elements and the coolant containers can all be formed from cardboard and can therefore, be transported to a place of first use (or subsequent use) in a folded state: B) The lattice frame can be employed in a variety of containers, independent of the external carton construction, but in any cold chain container, verification of cold chain capability must be ensured with reference to third party carton construction, since the overall thermal conductivity of the container may differ significantly.

[0083] HESLS0125PCT 19 29thJan 2026 as filed

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A transport container temperature control system for use in a transport container having a base to operably support a load and at least one side wall and a cover to operably define a closed internal environment, the temperature control system comprising;at least one upstanding lattice panel arrangement having first and second main planes operable to be placed between a load and said at least one side wall, the lattice panel defining apertures;at least one temperature control pack having first and second main planes separated by a distance to provide a volume for a temperature control medium; wherein the temperature control pack is shaped to be removably engaged within an aperture of the lattice arrangement, whereby, to maintain a temperature of an atmosphere within the container when closed by virtue of heat transfer with the atmosphere of the container.2 A transport container temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the lattice panel arrangement is operably arranged to surround a load and is configured from one or more sheet lattice panel arrangements.

3. A transport container temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lattice panel arrangement is separate to the at least one side wall and cover of a transport container.

4. A transport container temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lattice panel arrangement is coupled to the or at least one side wall of the transport container.

5. A transport container temperature control system according to claim 4, wherein the lattice panel arrangement is spaced from the or at least one side wall by a spacer.

6. A transport container temperature control system according to claim 5, wherein the lattice panel arrangement spacer is fastened by adhesive.7 A transport container temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lattice panel arrangement further comprises a horizontal lattice panel supported above the load.8 A transport container temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there is a load spreader operable to support coolant container above the above the load.9 A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 8, wherein the lattice panel arrangement comprises a corrugated sheet material.HESLS0125PCT 20 29thJan 2026 as filed10 A transport container temperature control system according to claim 3, wherein the lattice panel arrangement comprises one or more separated panels.

11. A temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 10, wherein the lattice panel is made from cellulose pulp.

12. A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the temperature control pack is generally shaped as a rectangular prism and can be operably positioned vertically or horizontally with respect to an axis of the rectangular prism.

13. A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein the lattice apertures have a general shape selected from the following; square, rectangle, ellipse, oval or circle.

14. A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 13, wherein the lattice apertures and a corresponding peripheral edge of the temperature control pack have complementary tongues or upstanding elements and slots which enable a temperature control pack to be fastened to corresponding lattice frame.

15. A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 13, wherein each lattice defines an aperture having a first edge and an oppositely directed second edge, wherein the temperature control pack has at least one of a "U" engagement and a releasable detent or lock, whereby the temperature control pack can locate within and be releasably associated with a lattice aperture.

16. A temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 15, wherein there are provided cut-out portions about the general shape, to provide access for operators and / or any latch mechanisms.

17. A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 16, wherein temperature control pack is formed from sheet material is a moulded or formed.

18. A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 17, further comprising a spacer element operable to ensure a distance between a coolant materials and a load.

19. A transport container temperature control system according to claim 18, wherein the spacer means comprises one of cardboard, an air space defined by cardboard or plastics, and a plastics insulation layer.

20. A transport container temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 - 18, wherein the temperature control pack is manufactured from a plastics material and is filled with a gel material I liquid water-salt solution or from cardboard and is filled with a gel material / liquid water-salt solution withinHESLS0125PCT 21 29thJan 2026 as fileda plastics bag, said gel material I liquid water-salt solution having a high thermal capacity.

21. A transport container having a base to operably support a load and at least one side wall and a cover to operably define a closed internal environment, further comprising a temperature control system in accordance with any one of claims 1 - 20.

22. A transport container according to claim 21, wherein the insulating panels of the container are fabricated from one or more types of panel including cardboard, corrugated cardboard, extruded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, cardboard, laminated polyurethane foam, vacuum insulation panels and laminated, expanded polystyrene.HESLS0125PCT 22 29thJan 2026 as filed

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