Container controlled environment systems and methods
Systems and methods including a container assembly configured to maintain a controlled environment for storing a product therein are disclosed. Controlled environmental parameters may include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, payload moisture content, solar radiation, magnetism, microwave, or light illumination. In certain implementations, the system includes a payload chamber and a self-contained environmental control unit (ECU) that may be coupled to the payload chamber using a substantially airtight seal. In certain embodiments, the ECU may include a condenser, a humidity controller, a liquid tank and a power source. Certain embodiments may include a warmer, temperature and/or humidity sensors, and/or a lock. Various combinations of the foregoing components and features may be incorporated, depending on the requirements of each particular implementation.
1. A controlled environment system, comprising:
an enclosure comprising a plurality of environmental control units, a user interface, a controller, and a heat exchanger;
wherein each of said environmental control units comprises a payload chamber and is coupled to said controller and to said heat exchanger;
wherein each of said payload chambers encloses a respective payload and comprises a removable cover;
wherein each of said environmental control units is programmable via said user interface to cool said respective payload within said payload chamber of said environmental control unit to a first cooling temperature below an ambient temperature or to heat said respective payload within said payload chamber of said environmental control unit to a second heating temperature above said ambient temperature;
and wherein said heat exchanger is shared by said plurality of environmental control units such that said controller causes a portion of heat removed from a first one of said plurality of environmental control units to be added to a second one of said plurality of environmental control units.
2. The controlled environment system of claim 1 , wherein each of said payload chambers comprises a heat transfer liner.
3. The controlled environment system of claim 2 , wherein each of said heat transfer liners is conformable to the shape of the respective payload.
4. The controlled environment system of claim 1 , wherein each of said payload chambers is configured to be user removable from said enclosure.
5. The controlled environment system of claim 1 , wherein each of said payloads comprises a bottle for holding a liquid.
6. The controlled environment system of claim 5 , wherein each of said environmental control units is further programmable to substantially sterilize said bottle within said respective payload chamber.
7. The controlled environment system of claim 6 , wherein said sterilization comprises circulation of steam within said respective payload chamber.
8. The controlled environment system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of agitators, wherein each of said agitators is coupled to said controller and to one of said payload chambers.
9. The controlled environment system of claim 1 , wherein each of said environmental control units further comprises a reversible current thermoelectric device coupled to said controller.
10. The controlled environment system of claim 3 , wherein each of said environmental control units further comprises a reversible current thermoelectric device coupled to said controller.
11. The controlled environment system of claim 1 , wherein each of said environmental control units further comprises a temperature sensor coupled to a respective payload chamber of said environmental control unit and to said controller.
12. The controlled environment system of claim 6 , wherein said sterilization comprises ultraviolet light radiation within said respective payload chamber.