TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED STORAGE SYSTEMS

• US 20130306656A1
• Filed: 03/29/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tokitae LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Tokitae LLC A Limited Liability Company of The State of Delaware
• Inventors: Eckhoff, Philip A., Gates, William, Hyde, Roderick A., Jung, Edward K.Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Peterson, Nels R., Tegreene, Clarence T., Whitmer, Charles, Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,140,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/592.26
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/1644 the element being a valve B65D51/1661 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3802 rigid container in the form of a barrel or vat
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3811 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3813 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3823 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3825 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3834 the external tray being formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3837 rigid container in the form of a bottle, jar or like container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3888 wrappers or flexible containers, e.g. pouches, bags for shock absorbing purposes B65D81/03
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3897 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/125 Movable containers

Abstract

In some embodiments, a substantially thermally sealed storage container includes an outer assembly and an evaporative cooling assembly integral to the container. In some embodiments, the outer assembly includes one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material substantially defining at least one thermally-controlled storage region, and a single access conduit to the at least one thermally-controlled storage region. In some embodiments, the evaporative cooling assembly integral to the container includes: an evaporative cooling unit affixed to a surface of the at least one thermally-controlled storage region; a desiccant unit affixed to an external surface of the container; a vapor conduit, the vapor conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the evaporative cooling unit, the second end attached to the desiccant unit; and a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit.

Claims

1. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

an outer assembly, including

one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material substantially defining at least one thermally-controlled storage region and a single access conduit to the at least one thermally-controlled storage region; and

an evaporative cooling assembly integral to the container, including

an evaporative cooling unit affixed to a surface of the at least one thermally-controlled storage region,

a desiccant unit affixed to an external surface of the container,

a vapor conduit, the vapor conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the evaporative cooling unit, the second end attached to the desiccant unit, and

a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit.

6. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the evaporative cooling unit comprises:

a liquid impermeable region within the evaporative cooling unit, the liquid impermeable region in vapor contact with the interior of the vapor conduit.

9. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a vapor-sealed chamber including an interior desiccant region in vapor contact with an interior region of the vapor conduit.

13. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a gas vent mechanism configured to allow gas with pressure beyond a preset limit to vent externally from the desiccant unit.

14. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a gas vent mechanism configured to allow gas of a temperature beyond a preset limit to vent externally from the desiccant unit.

18. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the vapor control unit comprises:

a thermocouple unit configured to respond to the temperature of vapor in the vapor conduit;

a valve configured to regulate vapor flow through the vapor control unit; and

a controller operably connected to the thermocouple unit and to the valve.

19. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the vapor control unit comprises:

a temperature sensor;

an electronic controller operably connected to the temperature sensor; and

a valve operably connected to the electronic controller.

20. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the vapor control unit comprises:

a temperature sensor;

a mechanical controller operably connected to the temperature sensor; and

a valve operably connected to the mechanical controller.

23. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one temperature sensor positioned within the evaporative cooling assembly;

a controller operably connected to the at least one temperature sensor; and

a valve operably connected to the controller.

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27. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

an outer wall substantially defining a substantially thermally sealed storage container, the outer wall substantially defining a single outer wall aperture;

an interior wall substantially defining a thermally-controlled storage region, the interior wall substantially defining a single interior wall aperture,

the interior wall and the outer wall separated by a distance and substantially defining a gas-sealed gap;

at least one section of ultra-efficient insulation material disposed within the gas-sealed gap;

a connector forming an access conduit connecting the single outer wall aperture with the single interior wall aperture;

a single access aperture to the thermally-controlled storage region, wherein the single access aperture is defined by an end of the access conduit;

at least one inner wall, the at least one inner wall sealed to the interior wall along at least one junction, the at least one inner wall and the interior wall separated by a distance and substantially creating a liquid-impermeable gap;

an aperture in the at least one inner wall;

a desiccant unit external to the outer wall, the desiccant unit including an aperture;

a vapor conduit positioned substantially within the access conduit, the vapor conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end sealed to the aperture in the at least one inner wall, the second end sealed to the aperture of the desiccant unit; and

a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit.

29. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, wherein the gas-sealed gap comprises:

substantially evacuated space.

30. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, wherein the connector forms an elongated thermal pathway between the single access aperture to the thermally-controlled storage region and an exterior region of the container.

35. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a vapor-sealed chamber including an interior desiccant region in vapor contact with an interior region of the vapor conduit.

43. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, wherein the vapor control unit comprises:

at least one movable valve with at least a first position substantially closing the at least one movable valve to vapor flow through the at least one movable valve, and a second position substantially opening the at least one movable valve to vapor flow through the at least one movable valve.

44. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, wherein the vapor control unit comprises:

a thermocouple unit configured to respond to the temperature of vapor in the vapor conduit;

a valve configured to regulate vapor flow through the vapor control unit; and

a controller operably connected to the thermocouple unit and to the valve.

45. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, wherein the vapor control unit comprises:

an electronic controller; and

a valve operably connected to the electronic controller.

46. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, wherein the vapor control unit comprises:

a mechanical controller; and

a valve operably connected to the mechanical controller.

49. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 27, comprising:

at least one temperature sensor positioned within the vapor conduit;

a controller operably connected to the at least one temperature sensor; and

a valve operably connected to the controller.

28. (canceled)

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53. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

an outer wall substantially defining a substantially thermally sealed storage container, the outer wall substantially defining a single outer wall aperture;

at least one desiccant unit external to the outer wall, the desiccant unit including at least one aperture;

an interior wall substantially defining a thermally-controlled storage area within the container, the interior wall substantially defining a single interior wall aperture;

the interior wall and the outer wall separated by a distance and substantially defining a gas-sealed gap;

a connector forming an access conduit connecting the single outer wall aperture with the single interior wall aperture;

a single access aperture to the thermally-controlled storage area, wherein the single access aperture is defined by an end of the access conduit;

a primary vapor conduit positioned substantially within the access conduit, the primary vapor conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end traversing the at least one aperture in the interior wall, the second end sealed to the at least one aperture of the desiccant unit;

a primary vapor control unit attached to the primary vapor conduit;

a first inner wall and a second inner wall each attached to the interior wall, the inner walls positioned to form a first liquid-impermeable gap between the first and second inner walls, the first and second inner walls forming a floor to a first storage region in the thermally-controlled storage area;

an aperture in the first inner wall;

a first regional vapor conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end sealed to the primary vapor conduit, the second end sealed to the aperture in the first inner wall;

a first regional vapor control unit attached to the first regional vapor conduit;

a third inner wall attached to the interior wall, the third inner wall positioned to form a second liquid-impermeable gap between the third inner wall and the interior wall, the third inner wall forming a floor to a second storage region in the thermally-controlled storage area;

an aperture in the third inner wall;

a second regional vapor conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end sealed to the primary vapor conduit, the second end sealed to the aperture in the third inner wall; and

a second regional vapor control unit attached to the second regional vapor conduit.

54. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a vapor-sealed chamber including an interior desiccant region in vapor contact with an interior region of the vapor conduit.

58. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a gas vent mechanism configured to allow gas with pressure beyond a preset limit to vent externally from the desiccant unit.

59. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a gas vent mechanism configured to allow gas of a temperature beyond a preset limit to vent externally from the desiccant unit.

60. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the desiccant unit comprises:

a heating element within the desiccant unit, the heating element configured to heat an internal, liquid-impermeable chamber of the desiccant unit.

68. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the primary vapor control unit comprises:

at least one movable valve with at least a first position substantially closing the at least one movable valve to vapor flow through the at least one movable valve, and a second position substantially opening the at least one movable valve to vapor flow through the at least one movable valve.

69. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the primary vapor control unit comprises:

a sensor positioned within the primary vapor conduit;

an controller operably connected to the temperature sensor; and

a valve operably connected to the controller.

72. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the primary vapor control unit is operably attached to the first regional vapor control unit and the second regional vapor control unit.

80. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the first regional vapor control unit comprises:

a sensor;

a controller; and

a valve operably connected to the controller.

83. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, wherein the second regional vapor control unit comprises:

a sensor;

a controller operably connected to the sensor; and

a valve operably connected to the controller.

86. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 53, comprising:

the primary vapor control unit including a thermocouple unit configured to respond to the temperature of vapor in the primary vapor conduit, a valve configured to regulate vapor flow through the primary vapor conduit, and a primary controller operably connected to the thermocouple unit and to the valve;

the first regional vapor control unit including a thermocouple unit configured to respond to the temperature of vapor in the first regional vapor conduit, a valve configured to regulate vapor flow through the first regional vapor conduit, and a connection to the primary controller; and

the second regional vapor control unit including a thermocouple unit configured to respond to the temperature of vapor in the second regional vapor conduit, a valve configured to regulate vapor flow through the second regional vapor conduit, and a connection to the primary controller.

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90. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

an outer wall substantially defining a substantially thermally sealed storage container, the outer wall substantially defining a single outer wall aperture;

an interior wall substantially defining a thermally-controlled storage region, the interior wall substantially defining a single interior wall aperture;

the interior wall and the outer wall separated by a distance and substantially defining a gas-sealed gap;

at least one section of ultra efficient insulation material disposed within the gas-sealed gap;

a connector forming an access conduit connecting the single outer wall aperture with the single interior wall aperture;

a single access aperture to the thermally-controlled storage region, wherein the single access aperture is defined by an end of the access conduit;

at least one inner wall, the inner wall sealed to the interior wall along at least one junction, the inner wall and the interior wall separated by a distance and substantially defining a liquid-impermeable gap;

an aperture in the at least one inner wall;

a primary vapor conduit, including an integral vapor control unit, positioned substantially within the access conduit, the primary vapor conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end sealed to the aperture in the at least one inner wall;

a vapor conduit junction attached to the second end of the primary vapor conduit;

at least two desiccant units external to the outer wall, each of the desiccant units including at least one aperture; and

at least two secondary vapor conduits including a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the vapor conduit junction, the second end attached to an aperture in a desiccant unit, and each of the at least two secondary vapor conduits including an externally-operable valve.

97. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, wherein the integral vapor control unit to the primary vapor conduit comprises:

a sensor;

a controller operably connected to the sensor; and

a valve operably connected to the electronic controller.

100. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, wherein the integral vapor control unit to the primary vapor conduit comprises:

a controller, the controller operably connected to a valve within the integral vapor control unit.

101. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, wherein the integral vapor control unit to the primary vapor conduit comprises:

a thermocouple unit configured to respond to the temperature of vapor in the primary vapor conduit;

a valve configured to regulate vapor flow through the primary vapor conduit; and

a controller operably connected to the thermocouple unit and to the valve.

103. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, wherein each of the desiccant units comprises:

a vapor-impermeable region within the desiccant unit, the vapor-impermeable region in vapor contact with the interior of an attached secondary vapor conduit.

106. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, wherein each of the desiccant units comprises:

a gas vent mechanism configured to allow gas with pressure beyond a preset limit to vent externally from the desiccant unit.

107. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, wherein the externally-operable valve included in the secondary vapor conduit comprises:

a externally-operable valve configured to substantially eliminate gas flow through the secondary vapor conduit.

108. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, wherein the second end of each of the at least two secondary vapor conduits is reversibly attachable to each of the apertures in the desiccant units.

112. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 90, comprising:

a user input device operably attached to the primary vapor control unit.

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