U.S. patent application number 14/060288 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for process to control the payload temperature of a shipping container in transit.
This patent application is currently assigned to SOUVENIRWINE.COM, INC. The applicant listed for this patent is Souvenirwine.com, Inc. Invention is credited to Albert Wayne Kovalick, Gregory McLaughlin.
Application Number | 20140157797 14/060288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50879496 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140157797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kovalick; Albert Wayne ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
Process to Control the Payload Temperature of a Shipping Container
in Transit
Abstract
A process with associated methods keeps the internal temperature
of a cargo container within a temperature range during long
transits having unpredictable high ambient temperatures. A cargo
payload is shipped inside of an insulated container. The insulated
container contains some form of refrigerant cooling agent (such as
gel packs) to assist in keeping the internal temperature within the
temperature range during transit. The container's shipping route to
its destination includes stops at physical stations (hubs) where
the container's internal temperature is measured using
non-intrusive methods. If the internal temperature is above a
trigger value, the container's refrigerant is replaced with new
frozen ones. The container is shipped to the next hub or end
destination. By exchanging refrigerant as needed, the container and
its payload can traverse long distances over long time periods and
still maintain its internal temperature within a desired
window.
Inventors: |
Kovalick; Albert Wayne;
(Santa Clara, CA) ; McLaughlin; Gregory; (Half
Moon Bay, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Souvenirwine.com, Inc |
South San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SOUVENIRWINE.COM, INC
South San Francisco,
CA
|
Family ID: |
50879496 |
Appl. No.: |
14/060288 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61736298 |
Dec 12, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/60 ;
62/371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2700/12 20130101;
F25D 2331/803 20130101; F25D 2303/082 20130101; F25D 3/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/60 ;
62/371 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/00 20060101
F25D011/00 |
Claims
1. A temperature-controlled shipping system comprising: a
Temperature-Controlled Container (TCC) for maintaining a
temperature of a payload being shipped from a shipping source to a
destination through a hub; a payload container for holding the
payload during shipment to the destination, the payload container
being fitted inside the TCC at the shipping source and being
removed from the TCC at the destination for delivery to a customer
at the destination; a removable refrigerant inserted into the TCC
at the shipping source, the removable refrigerant being pre-cooled
to an initial temperature that is below a standard room temperature
before insertion into the TCC; a temperature sensor, inserted into
the TCC at the hub, or embedded inside the TCC and readable at the
hub, for reading a temperature inside the TCC when the TCC is
processed at the hub; and wherein a replacement refrigerant,
pre-cooled at the hub, is inserted into the TCC at the hub to
replace the removable refrigerant when the temperature inside the
TCC exceeds a trigger temperature when read at the hub; wherein the
removable refrigerant is not replaced and the TCC is not opened
when the temperature inside the TCC does not exceed the trigger
temperature when read at the hub, whereby the removable refrigerant
is replaced by the replacement refrigerant at the hub when the
temperature inside the TCC exceeds the trigger temperature when
read at the hub.
2. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 1 wherein
the TCC has insulating exterior walls; wherein the removable
refrigerant is a passive refrigerant that gradually absorbs heat
that leaks into the TCC through the insulating exterior walls from
an external ambient having a higher external ambient temperature
than an internal temperature of the TCC.
3. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 1 wherein a
first transit time from the shipping source to the hub is at least
2 days, and wherein a second transit time from the hub to the
destination is at least 2 days.
4. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 1 further
comprising: a door in the TCC, the door being opened at the hub,
wherein an opening of the door is sized to allow a temperature
probe to be inserted into the TCC at the hub, wherein a
temperature-sensing tip of the temperature probe is inserted
through the opening of the door into the TCC to measure the
temperature inside the TCC at the hub.
5. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 4 wherein
the door is sufficiently large in size to insert the temperature
probe, but not large enough for the payload container or the
removable refrigerant to be removed.
6. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 5 wherein
the temperature probe is inserted between a wall of the TCC and the
payload container, wherein the temperature probe measures a
temperature inside the TCC and outside the payload container.
7. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 3 wherein
the removable refrigerant and the replacement refrigerant are one
or more gel packs containing a gel refrigerant material, the gel
packs being sized to be removable by a human hand; wherein the gel
packs do not require an electrical energy source to provide cooling
while the TCC is in transit.
8. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 7 wherein
the removable refrigerant has a sufficiently large thermal mass to
maintain a temperature of the payload container below 70.degree. F.
during transit between the shipping source and the hub.
9. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 7 wherein
the removable refrigerant comprises three gel packs that are
inserted into the TCC on three sides of the payload container;
further comprising: a door for the temperature probe that is
located near a fourth side of the payload container that does not
have a gel pack.
10. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 9 wherein
the payload is one or more bottles of wine.
11. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 3 wherein
the payload is pre-cooled to a temperature below a standard room
temperature before shipping.
12. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 1 wherein
the temperature sensor comprises an embedded temperature sensor
embedded within the TCC; further comprising: a wireless transmitter
inside the TCC for wirelessly transmitting a temperature read by
the embedded temperature sensor to an external reader at the hub;
wherein the TCC is not opened at the hub.
13. The temperature-controlled shipping system of claim 1 further
comprising a second hub which comprises: a temperature probe for
reading a temperature inside a TCC received at the second hub
during transit between the shipping source and the destination; a
hub refrigerator for pre-cooling replacement refrigerants; an
operator station for inserting the temperature probe into the TCC
to measure an interior temperature of the TCC, and for opening the
TCC and removing the removable refrigerant, and inserting the
replacement refrigerant, pre-cooled at the second hub, into the TCC
at the second hub to replace the removable refrigerant when the
interior temperature inside the TCC exceeds a trigger temperature
when read at the second hub; wherein the removable refrigerant is
not replaced and the TCC is not opened when the interior
temperature inside the TCC does not exceed the trigger temperature
when read at the second hub, whereby the removable refrigerant is
replaced by the replacement refrigerant at the second hub when the
interior temperature inside the TCC exceeds the trigger temperature
when read at the second hub.
14. A method for controlling in-transit temperature of a payload
being shipped from a shipping source to a destination comprising:
loading a payload into a payload container for shipment; loading
the payload container with the payload into a
Temperature-Controlled Container (TCC); inserting a pre-cooled
refrigerant pack into the TCC; sealing the TCC with the pre-cooled
refrigerant pack and the payload container inside as a sealed TCC;
shipping the sealed TCC from the shipping source to a first hub; at
the first hub, reading a first interior temperature inside the TCC
without removing the payload container and without exposing the
payload container to an ambient temperature; at the first hub, when
the first interior temperature exceeds a first trigger temperature,
opening the TCC and exposing the payload container to the ambient
temperature, removing the refrigerant pack inside the TCC with a
pre-cooled refrigerant pack that was pre-cooled at the first hub,
and re-sealing the TCC with the pre-cooled refrigerant pack that
was pre-cooled at the first hub; shipping the TCC that was
re-sealed at the first hub, or had a first interior temperature
below the first trigger temperature and was not opened, from the
first hub to a destination or to a second hub; and at the
destination, removing the payload container from the TCC and
delivering the payload container to a customer.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: at the second hub,
reading a second interior temperature inside the TCC without
removing the payload container and without exposing the payload
container to an ambient temperature; at the second hub, when the
second interior temperature exceeds a second trigger temperature,
opening the TCC and exposing the payload container to the ambient
temperature, removing the refrigerant pack inside the TCC and
replacing with a pre-cooled refrigerant pack that was pre-cooled at
the second hub, and re-sealing the TCC with the pre-cooled
refrigerant pack that was pre-cooled at the second hub; and
shipping the TCC that was re-sealed at the second hub, or had a
second interior temperature below the second trigger temperature
and was not opened, from the second hub to the destination or to a
third hub.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the shipping source and the
destination are on different continents.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein at the first hub, reading a
first interior temperature inside the TCC comprises: opening a door
on the TCC, inserting a temperature probe through an opening of the
door so that a temperature-reading tip of the temperature probe is
inside the TCC, removing the temperature probe, and closing the
door; wherein the opening of the door is sufficiently small
relative to a size of the TCC to not allow all air within the TCC
to be replaced with ambient air during temperature measurement.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein loading the payload into the
payload container for shipment comprises loading a bottle of wine
into the payload container.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein loading the payload into the
payload container for shipment further comprises pre-cooling a
bottle of wine and loading a pre-cooled bottle of wine into the
payload container.
20. A conditional in-transit refrigerant-repacking system
comprising: at an intermediate hub along a shipping route from a
source to a destination that receives a Temperature-Controlled
Container (TCC) having a payload container and a removable
refrigerant sealed inside: non-intrusive temperature reading means
for reading an interior temperature inside the TCC without removing
the payload container and without heating the payload container
with an ambient temperature; re-pack means, activated when the
interior temperature exceeds a trigger temperature, for opening the
TCC and exposing the payload container to the ambient temperature,
for removing the refrigerant pack inside the TCC and replacing with
a pre-cooled refrigerant pack that was pre-cooled at the
intermediate hub, and for re-sealing the TCC with the pre-cooled
refrigerant pack that was pre-cooled at the intermediate hub; and
re-ship means for shipping the TCC that was re-sealed at the
intermediate hub, or had an interior temperature below the trigger
temperature and was not opened, from the intermediate hub to the
destination or to another intermediate hub.
21. The conditional in-transit refrigerant-repacking system of
claim 20 further comprising: port means for opening a door on the
TCC, inserting a temperature probe through an opening of the door
so that a temperature-reading tip of the temperature probe is
inside the TCC, recording the interior temperature read by the
temperature probe, removing the temperature probe, and closing the
door; wherein the door is sufficiently large in size to insert the
temperature probe, but not large enough for the payload container
or the removable refrigerant to be removed.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Ser. No.
61/736,298, filed Dec. 12, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to shipping systems, and more
particularly to a method for maintaining a defined internal
temperature range of a standalone, passive, shipping container over
a long distance of transit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hot and cold sensitive products such as payloads of food,
medicine, or liquid are often shipped using some sort of
ambient-temperature insulating container. Common payload insulators
include polyurethane and expanded polystyrene. There are passive
and active (usually battery powered) methods to control the
internal temperature.
[0004] Insulation by itself may not keep the internal payload
within a defined temperature range during transit when using
passive containers. This is especially true when the shipped
container experiences high ambient temperatures during a long
passage. It is desired to maintain a container's internal payload
temperature within a specified range over long distance travel
using temperature management techniques along with passive
packaging.
[0005] Passive ambient-temperature insulted shipping containers
have been in existence for many decades. In general, there are
several categories of temperature insulation techniques to maintain
internal temperature stability for standalone containers. Examples
of these are:
[0006] 1. Ambient-temperature insulated container (such as a picnic
cooler with walls of expanded polystyrene foam).
[0007] 2. Ambient-temperature insulated container with dry ice,
refrigerated gel packs, or other phase change material (such as a
picnic cooler with frozen gel packs).
[0008] 3. Ambient-temperature insulated container with active
cooling and/or heating during transit. The internal temperature of
the container is heated or cooled using energy from a battery
supply or other internal or external energy source. An internal
thermostat and controller maintain the container internal
temperature.
[0009] Each choice above has associated pros and cons in terms of
maintaining internal temperature stability. For example, in order
of the list above,
[0010] 1. Limited internal temperature stability when the ambient
is very hot or cold. Even with three-inch thick insulated walls,
the internal payload temperature may vary outside the desired range
after only 8-12 hours of transit time.
[0011] 2. This offers improved internal temperature stability
compared to 1. Typically, 48-72 hours of transit are common even
with ambient temperatures occasionally peaking 40F above the
internal target temperature. Beyond about 3 days in transit, this
solution performs poorly especially with wide dynamic-ranging
ambient temperatures.
[0012] 3. This method offers sustained internal temperature
stability over long distance routes. The container requires an
internal energy source and controller module to keep the payload
within the desired temperature range. Solutions of this type are
very expensive, heavy and large compared to methods 1 and 2. This
is not practical for most shipping scenarios.
[0013] There is currently no practical way to ship containers over
long distances (3K-12K miles) with transit times of up to 9 days
and still maintain the payload temperature within a desired range.
Some carriers offer 2-3 day shipping, using refrigerated
containers, from any point to any point worldwide, but the costs
are prohibitively high for many uses and applications.
[0014] What is desired is a shipping system that controls the
temperature of a payload inside a shipping container. A passive
shipping container that does not require an energy source to
maintain temperature is desirable. A low-cost method to maintain a
payload's temperature within a range despite long shipping
distances and transit times is desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a basic flow and process steps for passive
temperature-controlled transit.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows some components of one embodiment of a passive
temperature-controlled shipping system.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a process flow of a temperature-controlled
shipping system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present invention relates to an improvement in passive
temperature-controlled shipping. The following description is
presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and
use the invention as provided in the context of a particular
application and its requirements. Various modifications to the
preferred embodiment will be apparent to those with skill in the
art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to
other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended
to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described,
but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and novel features herein disclosed.
[0019] The inventors have developed a shipping system that monitors
and controls the internal temperature of a container and its
payload over long distance routes, with wide ambient temperature
variations. The basic elements of the shipping system are:
[0020] An insulated container with an internal payload space. In
practice, this is a small to moderate sized container that can be
lifted by hand. This container is called the Temperature-Controlled
Container (TCC). The payload is typically a second secure container
that fits inside the main container (TCC), referred to as the
Payload Container (PC).
[0021] Frozen gel packs (or dry ice or similar) are loaded inside
the TCC to cool the payload inside and to absorb heat flux that
enters through the TCC container's walls.
[0022] The entire end-to-end route is broken into shorter hops
between physical hubs. Service personnel at each hub are able to
check the temperature status of each package. Temperature is
measured using non-intrusive methods at each hub. TCC or PC
containers are not opened for measurement. They remain
undisturbed.
[0023] If the measured internal temperature is above a trigger
temperature, T.sub.trig, then the TCC container is opened and the
gel packs (or other refrigerant) are replaced with fresh frozen gel
packs or other refrigerant. The PC is never opened. This process
occurs at each hub along the route.
[0024] The end customer receives the TCC and PC combination. The
internal payload temperature always stays between T.sub.low and
T.sub.hi, thus meeting the requirements for long distance transits
with controlled and stable payload temperatures.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a basic flow and process steps for passive
temperature-controlled transit. An example of the process is as
follows:
[0026] At the origin, load the sealed PC with its cargo, load the
PC inside of the TCC, and load gel packs or equivalent into the TCC
and seal the TCC.
[0027] Ship to Hub_A (same country or different) with unpredictable
ambient temperatures along the route.
[0028] On receipt of the TCC at Hub_A, measure the internal
temperature without opening the container. This can be done using
non-intrusive methods such as described later.
[0029] If the measured internal temperature, T.sub.meas, of the TCC
is >T.sub.trig then open the TCC, replace the gel packs (or
equivalent refrigerants) with fresh ones, and close and reseal the
TCC. A measured value below T.sub.trig provides confidence that the
TCC can make the next leg of the transit with the payload
temperature <T.sub.hi upon arrival at next stop.
[0030] Ship to the next Hub or destination location. If sent to
another hub such as Hub_B, repeat same process as at Hub_A.
[0031] If the transit time between individual shipping points
(origin, hubs, destination) is less than about 3 days then the
internal TCC temperature can be maintained between T.sub.low and
t.sub.hi along the entire route (up to 9 days with 2 hubs) from
origin to destination given any required refrigerant recharges.
These estimates are not fixed and longer transit times are possible
with sufficient internal passive cooling and/or improved thermal
insulation of the TCC.
[0032] One embodiment of this invention focuses on maintaining the
payload temperature between a T.sub.low at 35.degree. F. and a
T.sub.hi at 70.degree. F. Other, bounds are possible. One purpose
of this shipping system is to protect the payload against long
exposure times to high ambient temperatures (such as
T.sub.ambient>80.degree. F.) during a transit.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows some components of one embodiment of the
passive temperature-controlled shipping system. Cargo payload 201
may be any item(s), such as liquids, medical, pharmaceuticals,
foods, or other items, that need shipping from a source to a
destination under temperature-controlled conditions. In cases with
a liquid cargo, the cargo may be pre-chilled to assist in the
overall cooling of the shipping container's internal space. Cargo
payload 201 is loaded into Payload Container (PC) 202 and secured
such as by closing. This container may be locked or secured in any
fashion and is typically never opened again except by the end-point
receiving agent.
[0034] Next, PC 202 is loaded into Temperature Controlled Container
(TCC) 203. Refrigerant 206 is also loaded into provided spaces
inside TCC 203. The refrigerant is secure and confined to 2 or more
sides of TCC 203. The exact number, placement, and location of the
refrigerant may vary. However, the refrigerants should be placed
such that a non-invasive temperature probe does not come into
contact with refrigerants during measurement. So, typically, the
refrigerants would be placed equally far apart from measurement
location near door 204 so as not to bias the measurement. For
example, if refrigerants are loaded along sides 1, 2 and 3 of TCC
203, then the non-invasive measurement could occur on side 4.
[0035] One aspect of TCC 203, not found on traditional insulated
containers, is a small access port used to measure the internal
temperature at the Hub. This port or door 204 may be cut into the
corrugated top flap. Corrugated containers are not required but are
one example embodiment. The top of the container is sealed with a
flexible, inserted, insulated plug 205. Other plugs or equivalent
means are possible, and this is not an essential part of the
shipping system.
[0036] Once TCC 203 is loaded with PC 202 and refrigerants 206, it
is ready to be shipped to the first hub. The Hub is a geographic
location able to support the following:
[0037] 1.) Shipping and receiving of TCCs 203
[0038] 2.) A Freezer unit to freeze the refrigerants, typically gel
packs
[0039] 3.) Temperature probe 207 and temperature meter 208, used to
measure the internal temperature of all received TCCs.
[0040] 4.) Ability to open/reseal TCC 203 and replace its
refrigerants with new frozen ones if the measured temperature is
above a defined trigger point.
[0041] Measurement Method
[0042] It is important that the internal temperature is measured
without disturbing the contents of the TCC. So, a non-intrusive
technique to measure the internal temperature is desirable. Such a
method includes the following steps:
[0043] Open the small, hinged monitor door 204 in the top
corrugated flap.
[0044] Insert the long, thin probe 207 between insulated wall 210
and the side of the top plug, 205. See insert 209, shown with door
204 open. An 8-inch long probe, for example, is guided into the TCC
to measure its quiescent temperature. The probe does not disturb
the internal refrigerants or cargo. Meter 208 is allowed time to
settle to a stable value before recording.
[0045] Once the temperature is recorded, the probe is removed and
port door 204 is securely closed.
[0046] When using the probe method, the measured temperature,
T.sub.meas, may be a predictable T.sub.offset degrees higher than
the actual payload cargo temperature, T.sub.payload. This may be
because the inserted probe is not in direct contact with the cargo
items inside the sealed PC. So
T.sub.payload=T.sub.meas-T.sub.offset. Typically, T.sub.payload
load falls between the design limits T.sub.low and T.sub.hi. The
probe method may rely on this calibrated T.sub.offset as part of
the decision process of when to replace refrigerants. T.sub.offset
will typically be a small value ranging from near 0.degree. F. to
about 4.degree. F. depending on PC material, cargo heat capacity,
and other factors.
[0047] Process Flow
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a process flow of the temperature-controlled
shipping system. The goal is to keep the Temperature Controlled
Container (TCC) internal payload temperature within the bounds of
T.sub.low and T.sub.hi during long transits with unpredictable high
ambient temperatures.
[0049] The process starts with step 301, loading the Payload
Container (PC) with the cargo payload. As an option, the payload
may be pre-chilled before loading. For example, if the payload is
bottled liquid it may be chilled to 50.degree. F. before loading.
The cooled liquid payload adds to the overall temperature stability
inside the TCC during transit and reduces the need for additional
loaded refrigerants.
[0050] Step 302 adds the frozen gel packs or other refrigerant into
the TCC. The total weight of the refrigerant (cooling power) is
related to the transit time to the next stop, the expected ambient
temperatures on route and the insulation strength of the TCC. Step
303 ships the TCC to the first Hub using conventional land, air or
sea transport methods.
[0051] At step 304, the TCC is received at the Hub. Before shipment
to the next hub or destination, the internal temperature,
T.sub.meas, is measured. The measurement method is described
earlier.
[0052] At step 305, if T.sub.meas is greater than a predefined
T.sub.trig, then proceed to step 307. In step 307 the TCC is opened
and the refrigerants removed and replaced with similar but frozen
refrigerants. At step 308, the TCC is resealed and sent to the next
hub or destination. The refrigerant recharge provides sufficient
cooling power for the next leg of the transit. The Payload
Container is not opened.
[0053] When the next hop is to another hub, step 310, then the
process is repeated from step 304. When the next hop is the final
destination, step 310, then in step 309 the payload cargo (PC) is
removed from the TCC at the final destination.
[0054] At step 305, if T.sub.meas is less than or equal to a
predefined T.sub.trig, then the process proceeds to step 306. The
refrigerants possess sufficient cooling power for the next leg of
the transit. In step 306 the TCC is not opened and is sent to the
next hub or destination.
[0055] When the next hop is to another hub, step 311, then the
process is repeated from step 304. When the next hop is the final
destination, step 311, then in step 309 the payload cargo (PC) is
removed from the TCC at the final destination.
[0056] The hub processing loops (steps 305-307-308-310-304) or
(steps 305-306-311-304) are executed as required until the entire
procedure ends at step 309, the end of the shipping process.
ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
[0057] Several other embodiments are contemplated by the inventors.
For example, there may be one hub or more than one hub. The payload
container and temperature-controlled container may have various
shapes and sizes and are not limited to boxes. They may be made
from corrugated cardboard, wood, or from other materials. The PC
and TCC could be made from different materials. For example, the PC
could be a wood box containing wine bottles, while the TCC is a
cardboard box.
[0058] While a single payload container has been described, each
TCC could have more than one payload container. The number of gel
packs could be increased, and various arrangements of gel packs may
be used.
[0059] This temperature-controlled shipping system does not require
the use of the probe method to determine T.sub.payload. There are
other methods to non-intrusively measure the internal TCC
temperature. One method is to place the active end of a
thermocouple wire inside the TCC and thread the other end to the
access port door 204. This method does not require a probe but
relies on the thermocouple wire end point to measure the internal
temperature. Another method relies on an inserted temperature
monitor module that communicates wirelessly to an external
recording device or meter. There are many methods to non-invasively
measure the internal temperature of the TCC. The payload container
may be temporarily removed from the TCC at the hub to allow a
refrigerant pack placed underneath the payload container to be
replaced at the hub.
[0060] An internal temperature sensor could have a radio or other
transmitter to allow the temperature to be read wirelessly, such as
by WiFi, Bluetooth, or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) where
the ID is adjusted by the temperature sensor. An internal power
source such as a small battery may be included for the radio
transmitter, or power may be coupled into the internal temperature
sensor inductively.
[0061] Mixed modes of transport may be used. For example, trucking
may be used for one leg, while a cargo ship is used for another
leg. Air may be used for other legs. One hop between hubs may
include several modes of transport, such as a ship and local
trucks. Standard tracking methods such as reading bar codes may be
used at hubs to identify boxes for temperature-controlled
processing, or the TCC could be addressed and delivered to a
facility at each hub. A new shipping label could be affixed at each
hub.
[0062] While upper and lower limit temperatures have been
described, only an upper temperature limit may be used.
Alternately, only a lower temperature limit may be used, such as to
prevent damage due to extremely low temperatures in the
unpressurized cargo holds of airplanes. The shipping system could
be combined with other shipping systems and methods.
[0063] The trigger temperature could be the same at all hubs, or
could be set to different temperatures at different hubs. Hubs
before longer or slower transit links could have lower trigger
temperatures to compensate for additional distances and expected
heating. Trigger temperatures could also differ for different types
or sizes/masses of payloads.
[0064] The background of the invention section may contain
background information about the problem or environment of the
invention rather than describe prior art by others. Thus inclusion
of material in the background section is not an admission of prior
art by the Applicant.
[0065] Any advantages and benefits described may not apply to all
embodiments of the invention. When the word "means" is recited in a
claim element, Applicant intends for the claim element to fall
under 35 USC Sect. 112, paragraph 6. Often a label of one or more
words precedes the word "means". The word or words preceding the
word "means" is a label intended to ease referencing of claim
elements and is not intended to convey a structural limitation.
Such means-plus-function claims are intended to cover not only the
structures described herein for performing the function and their
structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For
example, although a nail and a screw have different structures,
they are equivalent structures since they both perform the function
of fastening. Claims that do not use the word "means" are not
intended to fall under 35 USC Sect. 112, paragraph 6.
[0066] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this
detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *