Temperature Controlled Pallet Shipper

Abstract

A thermally insulated pallet shipper is provided for use in any industry where temperature sensitive products are shipped, including the pharmaceutical, hospital and food industries, particularly for shipping payloads by air. The pallet shipper is made from just four individual foam molded structures: a base, a first corner structure, a second corner structure and a lid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 first and second U-shaped structures that mate to form two convoluted seams on opposite sides of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein:
 the container has a square profile and the U-shaped structures are substantially identical. 
 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein:
 first and second U-shaped structures comprise vertical corners that form living hinges. 
 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first U-shaped structure and the second U-shaped structure are joined to a base. 
 
     
     
         5 . A container comprising:
 a first substantially U-shaped, unitary structure comprising a first end panel and two first side panels, each first side panel joined to the first end panel along a respective one of two vertical corners to form a single, unitary first U-shaped structure, each first side panel extending from a respective one of the first vertical corners to a first distal edge;   a second substantially U-shaped, unitary structure comprising a second end panel and two second side panels, each second side panel joined to the second end panel along a respective one of two second vertical corners to form a single, unitary second U-shaped structure, each second side panel extending from a respective one of the second vertical corners to a second distal edge;   wherein:   the vertical corners are solid, continuous corners; and   each first distal edge is joined to a respective second distal edge along a convoluted seam.   
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a substantially rectangular base joined to the first and second U-shaped structures. 
 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein:
 the base has a perimeter that nests within grooves defined by each of the first and second U-shaped structures. 
 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a top edge defined by the first and second U-shaped structures; and 
 a lid fitted onto the top edge. 
 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 5  wherein:
 each convoluted seam is formed by a flange extending outwardly from one distal edge into a notch defined by an opposing distal edge. 
 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 5  wherein:
 the first and second U-shaped structures are substantially identical. 
 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein:
 the vertical corners comprise living hinges so that the first and second U-shaped structures are moveable between a flat configuration and a U-shape configuration.