# US 11,026,532 B2 · Method for operating a temperature controlled delivery box > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,532 B2 - Document ID: US11026532B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/171,545 - Filed: 2018-10-26 - Published: 2020-04-30 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-26 - Assignees: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Jeffrey Lynn Jessie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026532B2 ## CPC - A47G 29/141: {comprising electronically controlled locking means} - A47G 29/14: Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk {, or large parcels}; Similar receptacles for {food or} large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles {, i.e. food or large parcels} - F25D 29/00: Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices - G05D 23/19: characterised by the use of electric means {(G05D23/1393 takes precedence)} - G06Q 10/0832: Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods - A47G 2029/144: {the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building} - A47G 2029/145: {the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code} - A47G 2029/146: {the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code} - A47G 2029/147: {the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means} - A47G 2029/149: {with central server link} - A47G 2200/066: sensor - A47G 2200/166: sensor - F25D 2600/06: Controlling according to a predetermined profile - G05D 23/1917: {using digital means} - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A temperature controlled delivery appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. The temperature controlled delivery appliance includes a storage container, a climate control system for regulating the temperature within the storage container, and a controller for implementing a pre-conditioning method, which includes maintaining the storage container at a preconditioning temperature until a delivery notification is received, and operating the climate control system to regulate the container temperature to a target temperature upon receiving the delivery notification. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of pre-conditioning a temperature controlled delivery appliance, the temperature controlled delivery appliance comprising a storage container and a climate control system, the method comprising: obtaining a first target temperature; operating the climate control system to maintain the storage container at the first target temperature defining a preconditioning temperature; receiving a delivery notification; obtaining a second target temperature; operating the climate control system to regulate the storage container to the second target temperature defining a storage temperature for a delivered item; and wherein the first target temperature is about halfway between an ambient temperature and the second target temperature, or wherein the first target temperature is determined as a function of a regulation capacity of the climate control system, the second target temperature, and an estimated delivery delay time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the storage container at the first target temperature comprises: obtaining the container temperature using a temperature sensor positioned within the storage container; and operating the climate control system to regulate the container temperature to be substantially equivalent to the first target temperature. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: returning the storage container to the first target temperature after the delivered item is removed from the storage container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled delivery appliance is in operative communication with a remote network, and wherein the delivery notification is transmitted through the remote network. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the remote network comprises a wireless network. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the climate control system comprises a heating device in thermal communication with the storage container, and wherein operating the climate control system to regulate the container temperature to the second target temperature comprises: heating the storage container using the heating device if the second target temperature is greater than the container temperature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the climate control system comprises: a sealed system comprising a condenser and an evaporator; and a compressor operably coupled to the sealed system and being configured for urging a flow of refrigerant through the condenser and the evaporator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled delivery appliance comprises a plurality of storage containers positioned within a cabinet, and wherein each of the plurality of storage containers may have a different first target temperature and a different second target temperature. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the climate control system comprises a plurality of evaporators, each of the plurality of evaporators being thermally coupled to one of the plurality of storage containers, the method further comprising: regulating the flow of refrigerant between the plurality of evaporators using a refrigerant control valve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second target temperature is provided with the delivery notification.