Hybrid method and system for transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials

Abstract

A method and system for transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials. In one embodiment, the system may be a hybrid system that includes an active temperature-control system and a passive temperature-control system. The active temperature-control system may be, for example, a portable refrigerator that includes an internal chamber for maintaining contents within a desired temperature range. The passive temperature-control system, which includes at least one phase-change material (PCM) member and space for receiving one or more temperature-sensitive materials, may be removably positioned entirely within the internal chamber of the active temperature-control system. When temperature-sensitive materials are loaded into the passive temperature-control system and the passive temperature-control system is loaded into the active temperature-control system, the active temperature-control system keeps the temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range and charges the PCM members for when the passive temperature-control system is thereafter removed from the active temperature-control system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hybrid system for transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the hybrid system comprising:
 (a) an active temperature-control system, the active temperature-control system being configured to be powered at least by a portable power source and comprising an internal chamber for maintaining contents within a desired temperature range; and   (b) a passive temperature-control system, the passive temperature-control system being removably positioned entirely within the internal chamber of the active temperature-control system and comprising at least one phase-change material (PCM) member and space for receiving one or more temperature-sensitive materials.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the active temperature-control system comprises at least one of a portable refrigerator, a portable freezer, and a portable incubator. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the active temperature-control system comprises a portable refrigerator. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the portable refrigerator is configured to be powered by a vehicle comprising an electrical system. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the portable refrigerator has a weight of approximately 10 kg to 35 kg and has outer dimensions not exceeding 1 cubic meter. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the portable refrigerator has outer dimensions ranging from approximately 350 mm×425 mm×625 mm to approximately 950 mm×475 mm×530 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the portable refrigerator comprises a body and a cover, the body and the cover jointly defining the internal chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the portable refrigerator comprises a control panel, the control panel including a display for indicating if the internal chamber is within a desired temperature range. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the passive temperature-control system comprises at least one of an insulated carry bag, an insulated roller bag, and an insulated box. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the passive temperature-control system comprises an insulated carry bag. 
     
     
         11 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the insulated carry bag comprises a cavity divided into a payload receiving space and at least one PCM member receiving space and wherein the at least one PCM member is disposed in the at least one PCM member receiving space. 
     
     
         12 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the insulated carry bag further comprises a handle. 
     
     
         13 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the insulated carry bag further comprises at least one standoff 
     
     
         14 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the insulated carry bag has outer dimensions of 11 inches×11 inches×11 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the passive temperature-control system comprises an insulated corrugate box. 
     
     
         16 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the at least one phase-change material (PCM) member and the space for receiving one or more temperature-sensitive materials are disposed within the insulated corrugate box. 
     
     
         17 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the insulated corrugate box has interior dimensions of approximately 11.75 inches×11.75 inches×11.75 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The hybrid system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the PCM member has a phase-change temperature that is within the desired temperature range of the active temperature-control member. 
     
     
         19 . A method for transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a hybrid system for transporting and/or storing temperature-sensitive materials, the hybrid system comprising
 (i) an active temperature-control system, the active temperature-control system being configured to be powered at least by a portable power source and comprising an internal chamber for maintaining contents within a desired temperature range; and 
 (ii) a passive temperature-control system, the passive temperature-control system being configured to be removably positioned entirely within the internal chamber of the active temperature-control system and comprising at least one phase-change material (PCM) member and space for receiving one or more temperature-sensitive materials; 
   (b) powering the active temperature-control system using a portable power source;   (c) loading a plurality of temperature-sensitive material specimens into the passive temperature-control system;   (d) loading the passive temperature-control system into the internal chamber of the active temperature-control system;   (e) then, transporting the hybrid system to a first location;   (f) then, removing the passive temperature-control system from the active temperature-control system;   (g) then, transporting the passive temperature-control system to a second location;   (h) then, removing some, but not all, of the temperature-sensitive material specimens from the passive temperature-control system; and   (i) then, reloading the passive temperature-control system and the remaining temperature-sensitive material specimens into the active temperature-control system.   
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 (j) after the reloading step, transporting the hybrid system to a third location; 
 (k) then, removing the passive temperature-control system from the active temperature-control system; 
 (l) then, transporting the passive temperature-control system to a fourth location; and 
 (m) then, removing at least some of the remaining temperature-sensitive material specimens from the passive temperature-control system.