Returnable Cold Chain Packaging Composite

Abstract

Provided is a reusable composite container comprising a thermally insulating inner container fitted within a durable outer container. The outer container can also be thermally insulating. In preferred embodiments, the inner container comprises expanded polystyrene and the outer container comprises one or more of expanded polypropylene (EPP), EPS (Polystyrene), EPE (Polyethylene), PEPP (porous EPP) and PS/PE (Polystyrene/Polyethylene). The composite container can be used to ship temperature-sensitive payloads such as perishable goods.

1 . A composite container comprising a thermally insulating inner container fitted within a durable outer container. 
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the outer container is thermally insulating. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the inner container comprises expanded polystyrene and the outer container comprises one or more of expanded polypropylene (EPP), EPS (Polystyrene), EPE (Polyethylene), PEPP (porous EPP) and PS/PE (Polystyrene/Polyethylene). 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the inner container is separable from the outer container. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  used to ship perishable goods. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein during shipping the perishable goods are maintained at a nearly constant temperature below the ambient temperature using cooling means. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the container is shipped by a sending party and received by a receiving party, and wherein the receiving party returns the container to the sending party after receiving the container. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein after receiving the container returned by the receiving party, the sending party reuses the container to ship perishable goods. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the inner container and the outer container is integral. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the inner container comprises a lid, a non-removable portion, and a removable portion. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the inner container is shaped as a cube or rectangular cuboid comprising a lid, a bottom panel, and four side panels, and wherein the removable portion consists of one of the side panels. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the outer container comprises a lid, a non-removable portion and a removable portion. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the outer container is shaped as a cube or rectangular cuboid comprising a lid, a bottom panel, and four side panels, and wherein the removable portion consists of one of the side panels. 
     
     
         14 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of shipping a payload in a composite container, the composite container comprising a thermally insulating inner container fitted within a durable outer container, the method comprising:
 placing the payload along with cooling means inside of the inner container;   closing the inner container;   closing the outer container; and   shipping the composite container.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the outer container is thermally insulating. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the inner container comprises expanded polystyrene and the outer container comprises one or more of expanded polypropylene (EPP), EPS (Polystyrene), EPE (Polyethylene), PEPP (porous EPP) and PS/PE (Polystyrene/Polyethylene). 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the inner container is separable from the outer container. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the payload consists of perishable goods. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein during shipping the cooling means maintain the perishable goods at a nearly constant temperature below the ambient temperature. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the container is shipped by a sending party and received by a receiving party, and wherein the receiving party returns the container to the sending party after receiving the container, and wherein the method further comprises the step of receiving the container from the receiving party. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising the step of reusing the container to ship perishable goods. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27  wherein at least one of the inner container and the outer container is integral. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the inner container comprises a lid, a non-removable portion, and a removable portion. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the inner container is shaped as a cube or rectangular cuboid comprising a lid, a bottom panel, and four side panels, and wherein the removable portion consists of one of the side panels. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the outer container comprises a lid, a non-removable portion and a removable portion. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the outer container is shaped as a cube or rectangular cuboid comprising a lid, a bottom panel, and four side panels, and wherein the removable portion consists of one of the side panels.