Advanced thermal container
First Claim
1. A thermal container comprising:
- an open receptacle defining a chamber surrounded by walls formed of thermal insulation material, the receptacle having an opening surrounded by a perimeter, the perimeter having first and second shoulders facing toward the opening and separated by a transition surface that is transverse to the shoulders; and
a closure member having a layer of thermal insulation material for opening and closing the receptacle, the closure member having a perimeter having first and second shoulders that mate with and seal the shoulders of the receptacle and a transition surface located between the shoulders of the closure member that mates with the transition surface of the receptacle.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An advanced thermal container has a thermally insulated open receptacle, a thermally insulated closure member, a data monitoring system incorporated into the container that can send and receive information via wireless communication, and a sealing system to minimize heat transfer and air exchange between the interior and exterior of the container. Hard plastic casing enclosing foam-encased vacuum insulation panels is used to construct the insulated receptacle and closure member. The closure member and receptacle each have an elongated portion with shoulders above and below the elongated portion. When the container is closed, a lower seal and an upper seal are compressed between the mating lower and upper shoulders, respectively. The onboard data monitoring system records important parameters concerning the internal and external environments of the container, particularly temperature information, as well as other significant events such as the number of times the container was opened during transit.
145 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A thermal container comprising:
-
an open receptacle defining a chamber surrounded by walls formed of thermal insulation material, the receptacle having an opening surrounded by a perimeter, the perimeter having first and second shoulders facing toward the opening and separated by a transition surface that is transverse to the shoulders; and
a closure member having a layer of thermal insulation material for opening and closing the receptacle, the closure member having a perimeter having first and second shoulders that mate with and seal the shoulders of the receptacle and a transition surface located between the shoulders of the closure member that mates with the transition surface of the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A thermal container comprising:
-
an open receptacle defining a chamber surrounded by walls comprising at least one vacuum insulation panel surrounded by a layer of foam insulation, the receptacle having an opening surrounded by a perimeter, the perimeter having first and second shoulders facing toward the opening and separated by a transition surface that is transverse to the first and second shoulders;
a closure member for opening and closing the receptacle, the closure member comprising at least one vacuum insulation panel surrounded by a layer of foam insulation and having a perimeter having first and second shoulders that mate with and seal the shoulders of the receptacle and a transition surface located between the first and second shoulders of the closure member that mates with the transition surface of the receptacle; and
a data monitor incorporated into the container having a battery for electrical power, a microprocessor to process information, a transmitter to transmit an electromagnetic signal to a remote central receiver, and at least one sensor to sense temperature within the chamber of the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A thermal container comprising:
-
an open receptacle defining a chamber surrounded by walls;
a closure member for opening and closing the receptacle;
a data monitor incorporated into the container adapted for transmitting and receiving information via wireless transmission, the container having a battery for electrical power, a microprocessor to process information, a transmitter to transmit electromagnetic signal to a remote central receiver, a receiver to receive an electromagnetic signal from a remote central transmitter, and at least one sensor to sense a physical parameter regarding the container. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification