Methods and systems for transporting temperature-sensitive products in cold environments
AssigneeIlluminate Consulting, LLC
InventorsJean-Pierre EMOND, Melissa GERMAIN, Kelsey LONGNECKER
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Abstract
The subject invention provides methods and packaging systems for controlling a thermal environment of a payload, such as a temperature-sensitive payload. Advantageously, the subject invention provides methods and systems that propagate heat, created by a thermal generator, throughout an enclosed environment, such as a packaging system for temperature-sensitive products. In specific preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides a warmer payload environment during cold weather that reduces hot or cold spots inside the packaging system.
Claims36
A shipping package for providing and maintaining a desired thermal environment for a payload contained within the package, wherein the shipping package comprises:
- a package defining an interior space into which a payload can be placed and enclosed;
- a thermal generator within said interior space;
- and
- a thermal propagator within said interior space;
- wherein at least a portion of the thermal propagator is a high thermally-conductive material having a thermal conductance of at least 5 W/m−K;
- and wherein there is thermal connectivity between the thermal generator and the thermal propagator such that the thermal propagator propagates, through the interior space of the shipping package, heat from the thermal generator, thereby creating and maintaining the desired thermal environment inside the shipping package.
A method of providing and maintaining a desired thermal environment for a payload inside a shipping package, wherein the shipping package defines an interior space, and wherein the method comprises:
- providing a thermal generator in the interior space of said shipping package;
- positioning a thermal propagator proximate to the thermal generator such that there is thermal connectivity between said thermal generator and said thermal propagator;
- wherein at least a portion of said thermal propagator has a thermal conductance of at least 5 W/m−K;
- and wherein the payload is positioned within the interior space of the shipping package and said thermal generator creates heat that is distributed by said thermal propagator inside the interior space, thereby creating and maintaining the desired thermal environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.