Passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container

Abstract

A stackable, passive thermally regulated, knockdown shipping container. The container includes (i) a pair of separate and independent interchangeable end panels, each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation, and (ii) a plurality of separate and independent sidewall components each having at least two hingedly interconnected structural panels which carry a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation. The end panels are each configured and arranged with (a) an external set of projections operable for stably supporting the container on a planar surface, and (b) an external set of depressions. The depressions are configured and arranged such that each projection on the panel, if inverted, would nest within a corresponding depression on the panel upon rotation of the inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about a longitudinal axis of the container relative to the set of depressions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sidewall component suitable for use in construction of a passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container, comprising at least two hingedly interconnected structural panels each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation. 
     
     
         2 . The sidewall component of  claim 1  wherein the panels of thermal insulation are precisely aligned on the structural panels such that the panels of thermal insulation do not contact one another when the structural panels are disposed in a planar storage configuration, and abut one another along a length of a border area thereof when the structural panels are disposed in a three-dimensional use configuration by pivoting the structural panels about the interconnecting hinge until further pivotal movement is inhibited by the structure of the component. 
     
     
         3 . The sidewall component of  claim 1  wherein the structural panels are comprised of a plastic material and are interconnected by a live hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The sidewall component of  claim 1  wherein the component has two structural panels. 
     
     
         5 . The sidewall component of  claim 1  wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are vacuum insulated panels. 
     
     
         6 . The sidewall component of  claim 1  wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are attached to the structural panels with hook and loop tape. 
     
     
         7 . The sidewall component of  claim 1  wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are adhesively attached to the structural panels. 
     
     
         8 . A passive thermally regulated knockdown shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a pair of separate and independent interchangeable end panels, each carrying a detachable panel of fragile thermal insulation,   (b) a plurality of separate and independent sidewall components in accordance with  claim 2 ,   (c) a plurality of primary connection mechanisms, each operable for affecting border to border interconnection of a pair of sidewall components pivoted into the use configuration to form an encircling sidewall assembly, and   (d) a plurality of secondary connection mechanisms, each operable for attaching one of the end panels to the sidewall assembly over an open end of the assembly to form an enclosure defining a thermally regulated payload retention chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The thermally regulated shipping container of  claim 8  further including panels of phase change material lining the payload retention chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The thermally regulated shipping container of  claim 8  wherein the structural panels are comprised of a plastic material and are interconnected by a live hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The thermally regulated shipping container of  claim 8  wherein each sidewall component has two structural panels. 
     
     
         12 . The thermally regulated shipping container of  claim 8  wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are vacuum insulated panels, 
     
     
         13 . The thermally regulated shipping container of  claim 8  wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are attached to the structural panels with hook and loop tape. 
     
     
         14 . The thermally regulated shipping container of  claim 8  wherein the panels of fragile thermal insulation are adhesively attached to the structural panels. 
     
     
         15 . An article of commerce, comprising a stackable panel having longitudinally spaced first and second major surfaces, the panel configured and arranged with a set of projections extending longitudinally from the first major surface of the panel operable for stably supporting the panel on a planar surface and a set of longitudinally inset depressions in the first major surface configured and arranged such that each projection on the panel would nest within a corresponding depression in the panel upon rotation of an inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about a longitudinal axis of the panel relative to the set of depressions. 
     
     
         16 . A stackable container defining a longitudinal axis and a payload retention chamber, and comprising one or more sidewalls longitudinally separating identically configured and arranged top and bottom panels, each panel configured and arranged with an external set of projections operable for stably supporting the container on a planar surface and an external set of depressions configured and arranged such that each projection on the panel would nest within a corresponding depression on the panel upon rotation of an inverted set of projections a defined angular distance about the longitudinal axis of the container relative to the set of depressions.