Electronic Shipping Label for Cryogenic Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for shipping temperature-controlled materials, such as cryogenic shipments, are inefficient and prone to errors due to the limited duration of dry ice use, requiring frequent re-icing and complex logistics, which can lead to temperature control issues and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An electronic shipping label system with a communication device, touch-screen display, and processor that manages a shipping itinerary with multiple legs, allowing real-time tracking and automatic updates of shipping information, reducing paper waste and enhancing reliability through pre-printed labels and sensor data monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If dry ice is used for cryogenic shipping, then temperature control is achieved, but the limited holding time of 1-2 days requires frequent re-icing which increases logistics complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using dry ice (solid CO2) to liquid nitrogen as the cryogenic medium. Liquid nitrogen provides extended holding time beyond 1-2 days, eliminating the need for frequent re-icing operations. This parameter change in the cooling medium fundamentally resolves the logistics complexity issue while maintaining effective temperature control for cryogenic shipments.
2Temperature
If dry ice is used for shipping, then temperature control is maintained, but multiple interventions and subcontractors are required which increase the chance of error
Solution Approach 1:
Switching from dry ice to liquid nitrogen extends the holding time, reducing the frequency of re-icing interventions. Fewer interventions mean fewer opportunities for human error and less coordination with subcontractors, thereby improving shipping reliability while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-cools the shipping container with liquid nitrogen before shipment, creating a thermal buffer that maintains temperature control throughout the journey without requiring intermediate re-icing stops. This preliminary action ensures reliable temperature maintenance without multiple interventions.
3Temperature
If dry ice shipping is used, then cryogenic materials can be transported, but sourcing boxes and dry ice separately increases process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the liquid nitrogen storage system directly into the shipping container design, combining the cooling medium storage and the shipping box into a unified system. This eliminates the separate sourcing and assembly steps required for dry ice shipments, simplifying the packaging process while maintaining cryogenic transport capability.
4Temperature
If frequent re-icing is required, then temperature control is maintained, but international sourcing and material handling become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The extended holding time provided by liquid nitrogen reduces the frequency of re-icing operations, particularly for international shipments. This parameter change simplifies international shipping logistics by reducing the number of times the container must be opened, handled, and re-filled with cooling medium, thereby reducing overall shipping complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatuses for an electronic shipping label. The electronic shipping label includes a communication device that is configured to obtain from an electronic device multiple electronic image files. The electronic shipping label includes a touch-screen display that has one or more user interface elements that are configured to toggle among the multiple electronic image files and initiate access to the shipping container. The electronic shipping label includes a processor. The processor is configured to obtain a first electronic image file from the multiple electronic image files. The processor is configured to render the first electronic image file during a first leg of the plurality of legs of the shipping itinerary. The processor is configured to access a second electronic image file from the multiple electronic image files or the shipping container when the one or more user interface elements are selected.