Shipping system and container for transportation and in-store maintenance of temperature sensitive products

Abstract

A shipping container for cooling a product contained therein is provided. The shipping container includes a frozen material which is mostly insulated from the central chamber of the shipping container. Cool air circulates from the frozen material, to the central chamber of the shipping container. The recirculation of air over the frozen material maintains the central chamber of the shipping container at a predetermined temperature over time. Optionally, a heat exchanger, such as a fan or baffle, can be provided to further enhance the recirculation of the air through the shipping container.

1 . A shipping container, comprising: 
 a container housing, including interior walls defining a central interior chamber;    an area for receiving a frozen material; and    a heat exchanger, in communication with said area for receiving a frozen material, for causing air cooled by said frozen material to be circulated within said central interior chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , further including, at least one channel extending between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The shipping container of  claim 2 , wherein said heat exchanger forces warmer air from said central interior chamber into said area for receiving a frozen material, via said at least one channel.  
   
   
       4 . The shipping container of  claim 2 , wherein said heat exchanger is a fan.  
   
   
       5 . The shipping container of  claim 4 , including at least a second channel, wherein air from said central interior chamber is removed by said fan, via the at least one channel, and air cooled by said frozen material is sent from said area for receiving a frozen material to said central interior chamber via said at least a second channel.  
   
   
       6 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchanger is thermally conductive member disposed between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The shipping container of  claim 6 , wherein said thermally conductive member is one of a rigid sheet of plastic and a sheet of metal.  
   
   
       8 . The shipping container of  claim 6 , additionally including a second heat exchanger for forcing warmer air from said central interior chamber into said area for receiving a frozen material, via at least one channel extending between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The shipping container of  claim 6 , wherein said thermally conductive baffle additionally includes heat dispersing fins.  
   
   
       10 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the area for receiving a frozen material is disposed below said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the area for receiving a frozen material is disposed above said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       12 . The shipping container of  claim 11 , wherein said heat exchanger is a thermally conductive member disposed between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       13 . The shipping container of  claim 12 , additionally including a second heat exchanger for forcing warmer air from said central interior chamber into said area for receiving a frozen material, via at least one channel extending between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       14 . A shipping container, comprising: 
 an insulated housing, including interior walls defining a central interior chamber;    an area for receiving a frozen material disposed above said central interior chamber; and    a thermally conductive membrane disposed between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior chamber, said frozen material being disposed adjacent to said thermally conductive membrane.    
   
   
       15 . The shipping container of  claim 14 , additionally including a fan for forcing warmer air from said central interior chamber into said area for receiving a frozen material, via at least one channel extending between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior chamber, and wherein air cooled by said frozen material is returned to said central interior chamber via at least a second channel extending between said area for receiving a frozen material and said central interior.  
   
   
       16 . A shipping container, comprising: 
 an insulated housing, including interior walls defining a central interior chamber;    an area for receiving a frozen material;    a first channel extending between said central interior chamber and said area for receiving a frozen material;    a second channel additionally extending between said central interior chamber and said area for receiving a frozen material;    a fan for forcing air from said central interior chamber into said area for receiving a frozen material, via said first channel; and    wherein air cooled by said frozen material is sent into said central interior chamber from said area for receiving a frozen material, via said second channel.    
   
   
       17 . The shipping container of  claim 16 , wherein the area for receiving a frozen material is disposed below said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       18 . The shipping container of  claim 16 , wherein the area for receiving a frozen material is disposed above said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       19 . A container for transporting plants or flowers, comprising: 
 a container housing, including interior walls defining a central interior chamber for receiving the plants or flowers;    an area for receiving a frozen material; and    a heat exchanger, in communication with said area for receiving a frozen material, for causing air cooled by said frozen material to be circulated within said central interior chamber.    
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the portion of said central interior chamber receiving the roots or stems of the plants or flowers includes a liquid therein.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 20 , additionally including at least one reservoir located in said housing, adjacent to said central interior chamber, for receiving said liquid if the container is placed on its side or upside-down.  
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 19 , additionally including a stand, located in a portion of said internal chamber, to offset a first group of plants or flowers, relative to at least a second group of plants or flowers within said central interior chamber.  
   
   
       23 . A shipping container, comprising: 
 a container housing, including interior walls defining a central interior chamber;    an area for receiving a frozen material;    a floor panel partially isolating said central interior chamber from said frozen material, at least one hole being defined through said floor panel;    at least one liquid containing member, located in said central interior chamber, said liquid containing member being spaced away from at least one wall of said central interior chamber; and    said at least one hole being defined in said floor panel between said liquid containing member and said at least one wall.    
   
   
       24 . The shipping container of  claim 23 , further including a sponge located on a portion of said floor panel, and wherein at least one wall of said liquid containing member is perforated, proximal to said sponge.  
   
   
       25 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , further including a liquid absorbing material in communication with said frozen material.  
   
   
       26 . The shipping container of  claim 25 , wherein said liquid absorbing material is disposed in said area for receiving a frozen material around the periphery of said frozen material.  
   
   
       27 . The shipping container of  claim 25 , wherein said liquid absorbing material includes a potassium polyacrylamide hydrogel