Dry ice passive cooling device

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments provide a passive cooling solution that enables delivery of perishable consumables such as food, beverages and/or medicines. In embodiments, a container comprises a first compartment for items to be kept at a freezer temperature, a second compartment for items to be kept at a refrigerator temperature, and a third compartment for items to be kept at an unrefrigerated temperature. A dry ice compartment has a first side panel facing the first compartment, and a second side panel facing the second compartment. The first side panel and second side panel have differing amounts of surface area, creating an asymmetrical cooling profile that promotes freezer temperatures in the first compartment, and refrigerator temperatures in the second compartment. A divider separates the second compartment and the third compartment to promote unrefrigerated temperatures in the third compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage container comprising:
 a bin;   a bin lid, the bin lid rotatably affixed to the bin;   a first partition, wherein the first partition extends from a front inner surface to a rear inner surface;   wherein the first partition includes a lower portion comprising a freezer compartment divider and an upper portion comprising a dry ice compartment; and   a second partition, wherein the second partition extends from a front inner of the bin surface to a rear inner surface of the bin.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the dry ice compartment comprises a base panel, a refrigerated side panel, a freezer side panel, and, a dry ice compartment lid. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the dry ice compartment lid is affixed to the refrigerated side panel and freezer side panel via a hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the freezer side panel and the refrigerated side panel have unequal ventages. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the refrigerated side panel comprises:
 a plurality of indentations formed therein; and   a plurality of openings formed therein.   
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein each opening of the plurality of openings includes a first portion within an indentation from the plurality of indentations, and a second portion outside of the indentation. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein each indentation from the plurality of indentations has a depth ranging from  5  millimeters to  10  millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein each opening from the plurality of openings is circular. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein each opening has a diameter ranging from three centimeters to four centimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the freezer side panel comprises a plurality of indentations formed therein, a plurality of small openings formed therein, and a plurality of large openings formed therein. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein each large opening of the plurality of large openings includes a first portion within an indentation from the plurality of indentations, and a second portion outside of the indentation. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein a first subset of the small openings are partial indented section small openings, and wherein a second subset of the small openings are non-indented section openings. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein each small opening from the plurality of small openings is circular. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein each small opening has a diameter ranging from three centimeters to four centimeters. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein each large opening from the plurality of large openings is circular. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein each large opening has a diameter ranging from five centimeters to seven centimeters. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the bin is comprised of expanded polypropylene (EPP). 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the bin comprises a floor, and a plurality of ridges disposed on the floor. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a dry ice sleeve disposed on a lateral interior freezer surface of the bin. 
     
     
         20 . A storage container comprising:
 a bin;   a bin lid, the bin lid rotatably affixed to the bin;   wherein the bin comprises a floor;   a plurality of ridges disposed on the floor, wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges has a height ranging from ten millimeters to  50  millimeters;   a dry ice sleeve disposed on a lateral interior freezer surface of the bin;   a first partition, wherein the first partition extends from a front inner surface of the bin to a rear inner surface of the bin;   wherein the first partition includes a lower portion comprising a freezer compartment divider and an upper portion comprising a dry ice compartment;   a second partition, wherein the second partition extends from a front inner surface to a rear inner surface;   wherein the dry ice compartment comprises a base panel, a refrigerated side panel, a freezer side panel, and, a dry ice compartment lid;   wherein the freezer side panel and the refrigerated side panel have unequal ventages;   wherein the refrigerated side panel comprises:
 a plurality of indentations formed therein; and 
 a plurality of small openings formed therein, and wherein each small opening of the plurality of small openings includes a first portion within an indentation from the plurality of indentations, and a second portion outside of the indentation; 
 wherein the freezer side panel comprises: 
 a plurality of indentations formed therein; 
 a plurality of small openings formed therein; 
 and a plurality of large openings formed therein; 
 wherein a first subset of the small openings are partial indented section small openings; and 
 wherein a second subset of the small openings are non-indented section small openings.