US 2023/0267404 A1 · SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR IMPLEMENTING AGGREGABLE, ENVIRONMENT-CONTROLLED MINI-CONTAINERS FOR THE EFFICIENT LOGISTICS OF PERISHABLE PRODUCTS

Abstract

In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided herein systems and methods for implementing aggregable, environment-controlled mini-containers for the efficient logistics of perishable products. For example, there is a system for providing efficient transportation logistics of dissimilar perishable products within a transportation unit, in which the system includes: multiple mini-containers, each being configurable to stack and aggregate to consume at least a portion of volume within the transportation unit; a Central Driving Unit (CDU) operable to provide services to each of the mini-containers to maintain the contents of each mini-container; a Central Control Unit (CCU) to receive sensor information from each of the mini-containers and further to issue control parameters for maintaining a specified atmosphere composition within each connected mini-container via the CDU, in which the CCU executes the control parameters for maintaining the specified atmosphere composition within each connected mini-container by activating actuators, in which the actuators manipulate valves at each mini-container, allowing for inflow and egress of atmospheric elements; and in which each of the multiple mini-containers constitute individual modular units configurable to form a single inter-connected and aggregated stack having a size which fits within the available volume of the transportation unit. In related embodiments, the CCU is further configured to transmit data on the status of the mini-containers to the outside world, such as transmitting status information to a remote storage location, or to the cloud, or directly to a centrally located data hub. Other related embodiments are disclosed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for providing efficient transportation logistics of dissimilar perishable products within a transportation unit, wherein the system comprises:

multiple mini-containers, each being configurable to stack and aggregate to consume at least a portion of volume within the transportation unit;
a Central Driving Unit (CDU) operable to provide services to each of the mini-containers to maintain the contents of each mini-container;
a Central Control Unit (CCU) to receive sensor information from each of the mini-containers and further to issue control parameters for maintaining a specified atmosphere composition within each connected mini-container via the CDU, wherein the CCU executes the control parameters for maintaining the specified atmosphere composition within each connected mini-container by activating actuators, wherein the actuators manipulate valves at each mini-container, allowing for inflow and egress of atmospheric elements;
and
wherein each of the multiple mini-containers constitute individual modular units configurable to form a single inter-connected and aggregated stack having a size which fits within the available volume of the transportation unit.

2 more elements

A method for providing efficient transportation logistics of dissimilar perishable products within a transportation unit, wherein the method comprises:

stacking multiple mini-containers into the transportation unit, wherein each of the multiple mini-containers are configurable to stack and aggregate to consume at least a portion of volume within the transportation unit;
mechanically linking each of the multiple mini-containers into a single inter-connected and aggregated stack of the mechanically linked mini-containers;
connecting input connections on each of the multiple mini-containers to a centralized supply service;
connecting output connections on each of the multiple mini-containers to a centralized return service;
connecting a Central Driving Unit (CDU) to each of the centralized supply service and the centralized return service and providing services to each of the mini-containers to maintain the contents of each mini-container through the connected centralized supply service and the centralized return service;
connecting a Central Control Unit (CCU) with each of the CDU, the centralized supply service, and the centralized return service;
receiving sensor information at the CCU from each of the mini-containers and responsively issuing control parameters for maintaining a specified atmosphere composition within each connected mini-container via the CDU;
executing the control parameters for maintaining the specified atmosphere composition within each connected mini-container by activating actuators, wherein the actuators manipulate valves at each mini-container, allowing for inflow and egress of atmospheric elements;
and
wherein each of the multiple mini-containers constitute individual modular units configurable to form the single inter-connected and aggregated stack having a size which fits within the available volume of the transportation unit.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing aggregable, environment-controlled mini-containers for the efficient logistics of perishable products

Life of this patent

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing aggregable, environment-controlled mini-containers for the efficient logistics of perishable products

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20