Method and system for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials
Methods and systems for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time. In one embodiment, the system includes an insulated base having a rectangular cavity bounded by a bottom wall and four side walls, the insulated base being positioned within an outer box. A sleeve is snugly but removably positioned in the cavity of the insulated base, the sleeve being generally rectangular but being offset by 45 degrees relative to the insulated base, whereby the sleeve and the insulated base jointly form four discrete generally triangular cavities. Pelletized dry ice may be disposed within each of the cavities. A guide having one end positioned over the sleeve and another end mating with the insulated base may be used to prevent the sleeve from rotating relative to the insulated base. Additional pelletized dry ice may be positioned in a tray mounted on top of the guide.
1 . A system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) an insulated base, the insulated base comprising a first cavity;
(b) a divider, the divider positioned within the first cavity of the insulated base, wherein the divider has an open top end and comprises a sleeve, wherein the divider further comprises a base, the base comprising a planar member coupled to a bottom of the sleeve and extending outwardly therefrom, the divider dividing the first cavity into a second cavity and a plurality of third cavities, the second cavity being centered within the first cavity, the third cavities surrounding the second cavity, the third cavities being triangular in horizontal cross-section and substantially equal in volume to one another;
(c) an outer box, the insulated base being disposed within the outer box; and
(d) a quantity of phase-change material disposed within each of the plurality of third cavities.
2 . The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insulated base is rectangular in horizontal cross-section and has a plurality of corners, wherein the sleeve has a plurality of corners, and wherein the sleeve is rotationally offset relative to the insulated base such that the plurality of corners of the sleeve are not aligned with the plurality of corners of the insulated base.
3 . The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sleeve is rotationally offset relative to the insulated base by 45 degrees.
4 . The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sleeve is rotationally offset relative to the insulated base by 22 degrees.
5 . The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first cavity is square in horizontal cross-sectional shape.
6 . The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of corners of the sleeve are beveled corners in horizontal cross-section.
7 . The system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a guide, the guide coupled to the sleeve and to the insulated base in such a way as to inhibit the sleeve from rotating relative to the insulated base.
8 . The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the insulated base comprises a plurality of side walls, wherein the guide comprises a top panel, and wherein the top panel is dimensioned to engage at least one of the side walls of the insulated base.
9 . The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the top panel is dimensioned to engage all of the side walls of the insulated base.
10 . The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the guide further comprises a bottom panel, the bottom panel being dimensioned to engage two of the side walls of the insulated base.
11 . The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer box is formed from a sheet of material of a given thickness, wherein the outer box comprises a plurality of top closure flaps, and wherein at least some of the top closure flaps are folded over and secured to themselves to have a doubled thickness.
12 . The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lid assembly, the lid assembly comprising a lid and a top pad, wherein the lid is dimensioned for covering the first cavity, wherein the top pad is secured to an exterior of the lid, and wherein the top pad has at least one cutout.
13 . The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the at least one cutout comprises a handle for use in mounting/removing the lid assembly.
14 . The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the at least one cutout comprises an opening for receiving a data logger and wire.
15 . The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the outer box comprises an interior cavity and at least one top closure flap, the insulated base being disposed within the interior cavity of the outer box, the lid assembly being removably secured to one of the at least one top closure flap.
16 . The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a baffle, wherein the baffle comprises a flexible polymer bag, wherein the insulated base is removably disposed within the baffle, and wherein the baffle and the insulated base are disposed within the outer box.
17 . The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the insulated base comprises a bottom, a plurality of sides, and an open top, and wherein the baffle is dimensioned to cover substantially all of the bottom and the plurality of sides of the insulated base.
18 . The system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the baffle does not cover any of the open top of the insulated base.
19 . The system as claimed in claim 17 further comprising a lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly is removably mounted over the open top of the insulated base, and wherein the baffle is further dimensioned to cover at least a portion, but not an entirety, of the lid assembly when the lid assembly is mounted over the open top of the insulated base.
20 . The system as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a foam pad, the foam pad positioned within the outer box below the baffle.
21 . The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the phase-change material comprises dry ice pellets.
22 . Thesystem as claimed in claim 1 further comprising atray and an additional quantity of phase-change material disposed within the tray, the tray being removably mounted within the insulated base over the divider.
23 . The system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the additional quantity of phase-change material comprises dry ice pellets.
24 . The system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the tray is shaped to include a pair of integrally-formed handles.
25 . The system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the tray comprises a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls and wherein the side walls extend upwardly from the bottom wall and include recesses extending inwardly to facilitate nesting of a plurality of the trays when not in use.
26 . The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first cavity is rectangular prismatic and uniform in shape and wherein the first cavity is formed by four side walls and a bottom.
27 . The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the system further comprises a guide, the guide comprising a top panel, a side panel, and a bottom panel, the top panel of the guide being disposed over the open top end of the divider and engaging the first cavity at an upper location, the bottom panel of the guide engaging the first cavity at a lower location.
28 . The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insulated base comprises one or more vacuum insulated panels forming a bottom wall and four side walls.
29 . A system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) an insulated base, the insulated base comprising a first cavity, wherein the first cavity is square in horizontal cross-sectional shape;
(b) a divider, wherein the divider comprises a sleeve, wherein the divider further comprises a base, the base comprising a planar member coupled to a bottom of the sleeve and extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the sleeve has a plurality of beveled corners in horizontal cross-section, and wherein the sleeve is rotationally offset relative to the insulated base such that the plurality of beveled corners of the sleeve are not aligned with the plurality of corners of the insulated base, the divider positioned within the first cavity of the insulated base, the divider dividing the first cavity into a second cavity and a plurality of third cavities, the second cavity being centered within the first cavity, the third cavities surrounding the second cavity, the third cavities being triangular in horizontal cross-section and substantially equal in volume to one another;
(c) a quantity of phase-change material disposed within each of the plurality of third cavities; and
(d) an outer box, the insulated base being disposed within the outer box; and
(e) wherein the sleeve and the insulated base are dimensioned so that at least some of the beveled corners of the sleeve contact the insulated base.
30 . The system as claimed in claim 29 wherein the sleeve and the insulated base are dimensioned so that all of the beveled corners of the sleeve contact the insulated base.
31 . A system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) an insulated base, the insulated base comprising a first cavity, wherein the insulated base comprises a plurality of side walls and a plurality of corners;
(b) a divider, the divider positioned within the first cavity of the insulated base, the di vider dividing the first cavity into a second cavity and a plurality of third cavities, the second cavity being centered within the first cavity, the third cavities surrounding the second cavity, the third cavities being triangular in horizontal cross-section and substantially equal in volume to one another, wherein the divider comprises a sleeve, wherein the sleeve has a plurality of corners and is rotationally offset relative to the insulated base such that the plurality of corners of the sleeve are not aligned with the plurality of corners of the insulated base, wherein the divider further comprises a base, the base coupled to a bottom of the sleeve, and wherein the base of the divider is dimensioned to contact at least one of the side walls of the insulated base, and wherein the base of the divider extends outwardly from the bottom of the sleeve and is dimensioned to contact all of the side walls of the insulated base;
(c) an outer box, the insulated base being disposed within the outer box; and
(d) a quantity of phase-change material disposed within each of the plurality of third cavities.
32 . A system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) an insulated base, the insulated base comprising a first cavity of rectangular shape in horizontal cross-section, the first cavity having a plurality of corners;
(b) a divider, the divider positioned within the first cavity of the insulated base, the divider having an open top end and comprising a sleeve, wherein the divider further comprises a base, the base comprising a planar member coupled to a bottom of the sleeve and extending outwardly therefrom, the sleeve being rectangular in horizontal cross-section and having a plurality of corners, the sleeve being offset rotationally relative to the insulated base such that the plurality of corners of the sleeve are not aligned with the plurality of corners of the insulated base, the sleeve being in direct contact with the insulated base to divide the first cavity into a central cavity and a plurality of peripheral cavities;
(c) an outer box, the insulated base being disposed within the outer box; and
(d) a quantity of dry ice disposed within each of the plurality of peripheral cavities.
33 . The system as claimed in claim 32 wherein the first cavity is square in horizontal cross-section, wherein the sleeve is square in horizontal cross-section, and wherein the peripheral cavities are triangular in horizontal cross-section and generally equal in volume to one another.
34 . A system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) an insulated base, the insulated base comprising a first cavity, wherein the first cavity is square in horizontal cross-section;
(b) a divider, the divider positioned within the first cavity of the insulated base, the divider comprising a sleeve, wherein the divider further comprises a base, the base comprising a planar member coupled to a bottom of the sleeve and extending outwardly therefrom, the sleeve being square in horizontal cross-section, wherein the sleeve has beveled corners and wherein the beveled corners are in direct contact with the insulated base, the sleeve being offset rotationally relative to the insulated base and in direct contact with the insulated base to divide the first cavity into a central cavity and a plurality of peripheral cavities, wherein the peripheral cavities are triangular in horizontal cross-section and generally equal in volume to one another; and
(c) an outer box, the insulated base being disposed within the outer box; and
(d) a quantity of dry ice disposed within each of the plurality of peripheral cavities.
35 . A system for use in maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) an insulated base, the insulated base comprising a first cavity;
(b) a divider, the divider positioned within the first cavity of the insulated base, the divider having an open top end and dividing the first cavity into a second cavity and a plurality of third cavities, the second cavity being centered within the first cavity, the third cavities surrounding the second cavity, the third cavities being triangular in horizontal cross-section and substantially equal in volume to one another;
(c) an outer box, the insulated base being disposed within the outer box;
(d) a tray, the tray being disposed within the insulated base over the divider; and
(e) a guide, the guide having a portion disposed horizontally within the insulated base between the tray and the divider.
36 . The system as claimed in claim 35 further comprising a baffle, wherein the baffle comprises a flexible polymer bag within which the insulated base is removably disposed, the baffle being disposed within the outer box.
37 . The system as claimed in claim 36 further comprising a lid, the lid removably covering the insulated base.
38 . The system as claimed in claim 35 wherein the insulated base comprises one or more vacuum insulated panels forming a bottom wall and four side walls.
39 . A system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) an insulated base, the insulated base comprising a first cavity;
(b) a divider, the divider positioned within the first cavity of the insulated base, the divider dividing the first cavity into a second cavity and a plurality of third cavities, the second cavity being centered within the first cavity, the third cavities surrounding the second cavity, the third cavities being triangular in horizontal cross-section and substantially equal in volume to one another, wherein the divider comprises a sleeve, the sleeve having an open top end and an open bottom end, wherein the divider further comprises a base, the base being disposed outside the open bottom end of the sleeve but inside the first cavity of the insulated base; and
(c) an outer box, the insulated base being disposed within the outer box; and
(d) a quantity of phase-change material disposed within each of the plurality of third cavities.