INTELLIGENT ACTIVELY COOLED TOTE
Systems and methods for cold chain deliveries are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operating a tote to enable cold chain delivery, the method comprising one or more of: providing storage of one or more cold products in the tote in a micro-fulfillment center; facilitating a pick and pack process of one or more cold products where the one or more cold products are picked from a tote and/or are packed into a tote; and dispensing the one or more cold products using a tote. In this way, cold chain requirement compliance is improved while saving time, money, and energy.
1 . A method of operating a tote to enable cold chain delivery, the method comprising one or more of:
providing storage of one or more cold products in the tote in a micro-fulfillment center;
facilitating a pick and pack process of one or more cold products where the one or more cold products are picked from a tote and/or are packed into a tote; and
dispensing the one or more cold products using a tote.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein dispensing the one or more cold products using the tote further comprises:
dispensing the one or more cold products using the tote to one or more of:
a pickup location;
a curbside location;
a distribution locker; and
a home or office.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein dispensing the one or more cold products using the tote further comprises: delivering the tote to a powered docking station.
4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising: storing the tote on a powered rack or docking station.
5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising: the tote providing active cooling to the one or more cold products during at least some portion of the cold chain delivery.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein multiple totes with different temperature requirements can be stored in the same ambient environment.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the tote comprises wireless and/or contact charging capabilities.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the tote comprises monitoring abilities that can be reported locally and/or through one or more wireless interfaces.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein a cold chain compliance of the tote can be monitored during the cold chain delivery.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein a tote is used while picking the one or more cold products, such as in a retail environment, either manually or via automation.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein using the tote while picking the one or more cold products comprises using a cart or dolly that can provide power or communications to the tote.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the tote is stored using automated vertical storage or existing racking systems.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the automated vertical storage or existing racking system comprises a rack that can provide power or communications to the tote.
14 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing the tote to a third party for transportation while maintaining active cooling of the tote.
15 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
using the tote to increase the delivery radius (e.g., to reach more customers) with fewer trips to and/or from the fulfillment center.
16 . The method of claim 1 wherein the tote comprises a thermoelectric cooler.
17 . The method of claim 1 wherein the tote comprises:
a container;
a lid attached to the container such that the lid can be opened to access an interior of the container and closed to seal the container; and
a thermal assembly comprising a thermoelectric heat pump operable to actively cool the interior of the container.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the thermal assembly further comprises processing circuitry configured to control the thermoelectric heat pump in accordance with a control scheme.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the thermoelectric heat pump in accordance with the control scheme to maintain a desired setpoint temperature within the interior of the container.
20 . The method of claim 18 wherein the processing circuitry is configured to offer remote monitoring and/or control.
21 . The method of claim 20 wherein the processing circuitry is configured to offer the remote monitoring and/or control for one or more of the group consisting of: on board access, wireless access, and networked access.
22 . The method of claim 17 wherein the thermal assembly further comprises a heat accept system and a heat reject system.
23 . The method of claim 22 wherein the heat accept system comprises components for transferring heat from an interior of the active cooler to a cold side of the thermal assembly and the heat reject system comprises components for transferring heat from a hot side of the thermal assembly to the ambient environment.
24 . The method of claim 17 further comprising circuitry for receiving power from a wired power source and/or from a wireless power source via wireless power transfer.
25 . The method of claim 17 further comprising automated storage and retrieval system interaction features that enable interaction between the active cooler and a storage and retrieval system dock.
26 . The method of claim 17 wherein the thermal assembly comprises a removable module.
27 . (canceled)