Systems and methods for delivering perishable items
First Claim
1. A system for transporting merchandise using aerial drones comprising:
- an aerial drone configured to fly along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location and to transport a container therewith;
a container configured to store and maintain merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in the aerial drone as the drone flies along the delivery route, the container comprising;
a merchandise storage area configured to receive merchandise and a coolant;
an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area;
a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location;
a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature outside of the container at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location;
at least one valve operable during transport between an open position allowing air to flow from outside the container to inside the insulation compartment of the container and a closed position in which air flow from outside the container through the at least one valve is blocked; and
a control circuit configured to;
receive the temperature measurements from the first temperature sensor during transport and to modify insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range;
receive temperature measurements from the second temperature sensor during transport;
compare temperature measurements of the first sensor with temperature measurements of the second temperature sensor; and
modify insulation characteristics of the container during transport by allowing outside air into the container through the at least one valve if temperature measurements of the second sensor exceed temperature measurements of the first sensor taken over a predetermined number of time intervals.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering and maintaining perishable items within a certain temperature range during delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for transporting merchandise including: a container for transporting merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in a delivery vehicle along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location, the container including: a merchandise storage area receiving merchandise and a coolant; an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; a temperature sensor measuring the temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport; and a control circuit configured to receive the temperature measurements from the temperature sensor during transport and to modify the insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A system for transporting merchandise using aerial drones comprising:
-
an aerial drone configured to fly along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location and to transport a container therewith; a container configured to store and maintain merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in the aerial drone as the drone flies along the delivery route, the container comprising; a merchandise storage area configured to receive merchandise and a coolant; an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature outside of the container at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location; at least one valve operable during transport between an open position allowing air to flow from outside the container to inside the insulation compartment of the container and a closed position in which air flow from outside the container through the at least one valve is blocked; and a control circuit configured to; receive the temperature measurements from the first temperature sensor during transport and to modify insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range; receive temperature measurements from the second temperature sensor during transport; compare temperature measurements of the first sensor with temperature measurements of the second temperature sensor; and modify insulation characteristics of the container during transport by allowing outside air into the container through the at least one valve if temperature measurements of the second sensor exceed temperature measurements of the first sensor taken over a predetermined number of time intervals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for transporting merchandise using aerial drones comprising:
-
providing an aerial drone configured to fly along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location and to transport a container therewith; providing a container configured to store and maintain merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in the aerial drone as the drone flies along the delivery route, the container comprising; a merchandise storage area configured to receive merchandise and a coolant; an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; the method comprising transporting the container in the aerial drone along the delivery route from the source location to the destination location; by a first temperature sensor, measuring the temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location; by a second temperature sensor, measuring a temperature outside of the container at predetermined time intervals during transport from the source location to the destination location; providing at least one valve operable during transport between an open position allowing air to flow from outside the container to inside the insulation compartment of the container and a closed position in which air flow from outside the container through the valve is blocked; by a control circuit, receiving the temperature measurements during transport and modifying insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within a predetermined temperature range; receiving temperature measurements from the second temperature sensor during transport; comparing temperature measurements of the first sensor with temperature measurements of the second temperature sensor; and modifying insulation characteristics of the container during transport by allowing outside air into the container through the at least one valve if temperature measurements of the second sensor exceed temperature measurements of the first sensor taken over a predetermined number of time intervals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification