Passive thermally controlled condition-in-place shipping container

Abstract

A passive thermally insulated shipping container ( 100 ) with an access door ( 125 ), method of repairing the container ( 100 ), and method of thermally conditioning the container ( 100 ). The container ( 100 ) includes at least one of the novel features selected from (i) a quick repair wall panel ( 121 ), (ii) puncture resistant wall panels ( 121 ), and (iii) chill-in-place phase change thermal control panels ( 140 ).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a container having walls defining an enclosed chamber wherein one of the walls comprises an access door,   (b) thermal insulation lining the chamber to define a thermally insulated chamber, and   (c) at least one phase change thermal control panel lining the thermally insulated chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell and a tube with (i) the shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume.   
     
     
         2 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the container is cuboidal. 
     
     
         3 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the thermal controlled chamber is cuboidal. 
     
     
         4 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 2  wherein the thermal controlled chamber has a floor dimensioned to alternatively retain four 1016×1219 mm ISO pallets or five 800×1200 mm Euro pallets without reconfiguration of the shipping container. 
     
     
         5 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between an open position and a closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is in the open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the access door is a vertically split door with each half pivotable approximately 270° about a respective vertical axis between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 6  wherein pivoting of each half of the access door is automatically releasably arrested when pivoted approximately 270° into a fully open position. 
     
     
         8 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 7  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between arrested in the fully open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is arrested in the fully open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 1  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         10 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 1  further comprising an entry coupling and a return coupling in fluid communication with the tube-side inlet and the tube-side outlet respectively, wherein the couplings are accessible from exterior the container for cycling coolant from a source of chilled coolant through the tube. 
     
     
         11 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 10  wherein the couplings are quick-disconnect couplings. 
     
     
         12 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins extending radially from the tube into the sealed volume of the shell. 
     
     
         13 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 12  wherein the heat exchange fins are a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially elongated ribs. 
     
     
         14 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 12  wherein the tube and associated heat exchange fins have a cross-section capable of unitary one-piece extrusion. 
     
     
         15 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 13  wherein at least some of the ribs are branching ribs. 
     
     
         16 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 15  wherein the heat exchange fins are symmetrical. 
     
     
         17 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 15  wherein the heat exchange fins are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         18 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 15  wherein the heat exchange fins are vertically asymmetrical. 
     
     
         19 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 15  wherein the heat exchange fins are horizontally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         20 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 10 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the entry coupling and the return coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) cycling chilled coolant from the chiller through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel.   
     
     
         21 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 20  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shell. 
     
     
         22 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) wall panels arranged to form a bottom, sidewalls and a top defining an enclosed thermally insulated chamber, wherein (i) at least one of the sidewalls is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the container, and (ii) the wall panels comprising the sidewalls and top each comprise thermal insulation sandwiched between an inner structural layer and an outer structural layer, and   (b) a phase change thermal control panel secured to the inner structural layer of one of the wall panels selected from the wall panels forming the sidewalls and the top, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume.   
     
     
         23 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 22  further comprising a shield plate sandwiching the phase change thermal control panel between the shield plate and the inner structural layer and defining a thermal controlled payload chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 22  wherein the container is cuboidal. 
     
     
         25 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 23  wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber is cuboidal. 
     
     
         26 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 25 ] wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber has a floor dimensioned to alternatively retain four 1016×1219 mm ISO pallets or five 800×1200 mm Euro pallets without reconfiguration of the shipping container. 
     
     
         27 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 22  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between the open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is in the open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         28 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 22  wherein the access door is a vertically split door with each half pivotable approximately 270° about a respective vertical axis between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
         29 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 28  wherein pivoting of each half of the access door is automatically releasably arrested when pivoted approximately 270° into a fully open position. 
     
     
         30 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 29  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between arrested in the fully open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is arrested in the fully open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         31 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 22  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         32 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 22  further comprising an entry coupling and a return coupling in fluid communication with the tube-side inlet and the tube-side outlet respectively, wherein the couplings are accessible from exterior the container for cycling coolant from a source of chilled coolant through the tube. 
     
     
         33 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 32  wherein the couplings are quick-disconnect coupling. 
     
     
         34 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 22  further comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins extending radially from the tube into the sealed volume of the shell. 
     
     
         35 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 34  wherein the heat exchange fins are a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially elongated ribs. 
     
     
         36 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 34  wherein the tube and associated heat exchange fins have a cross-section capable of unitary one-piece extrusion. 
     
     
         37 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 33  wherein at least some of the ribs are branching ribs. 
     
     
         38 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 37 ] wherein the heat exchange fins are symmetrical. 
     
     
         39 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 37  wherein the heat exchange fins are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         40 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 37  wherein the heat exchange fins are vertically asymmetrical. 
     
     
         41 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 37  wherein the heat exchange fins are horizontally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         42 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 32 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the entry coupling and the return coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) cycling chilled coolant from the chiller through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel.   
     
     
         43 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 42  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shell. 
     
     
         44 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) wall panels arranged to form a floor, sidewalls and a top defining an enclosed thermally insulated chamber, wherein (i) at least one of the sidewalls is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the container, and (ii) the wall panels comprising the sidewalls and top each comprise thermal insulation sandwiched between an inner structural layer and an outer structural layer, and   (b) a phase change thermal control panel secured to the inner structural layer of each of at least two of the wall panels selected from the wall panels forming the sidewalls and the top, each phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within each sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (c) wherein the tubes of at least two phase change thermal control panels on different wall panels are in fluid communication with one another and with a single entry coupling and a single return coupling accessible from external the container.   
     
     
         45 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  further comprising shield plates sandwiching each phase change thermal control panel between one of the plates and the inner structural layer to which the phase change thermal control panel is secured and defining a thermal controlled payload chamber. 
     
     
         46 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein the container is cuboidal. 
     
     
         47 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 45  wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber is cuboidal. 
     
     
         48 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 45  wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber has a floor dimensioned to alternatively retain four 1016×1219 mm ISO pallets or five 800×1200 mm Euro pallets without reconfiguration of the shipping container. 
     
     
         49 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between the open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is in the open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         50 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein the access door is a vertically split door with each half pivotable approximately 270° about a respective vertical axis between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
         51 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 50  wherein pivoting of each half of the access door is automatically releasably arrested when pivoted approximately 270° into a fully open position. 
     
     
         52 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 51  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between arrested in the fully open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is arrested in the fully open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         53 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         54 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein the single entry coupling and single return coupling are operable for cycling thermally conditioning coolant from a pressurized source of chilled coolant through the tubes. 
     
     
         55 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein the couplings are quick-disconnect couplings. 
     
     
         56 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  further comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins extending radially from each tube into the sealed volume of each shell. 
     
     
         57 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 56  wherein the heat exchange fins are a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially elongated ribs. 
     
     
         58 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 56  wherein each tube and associated heat exchange fins have a cross-section capable of unitary one-piece extrusion. 
     
     
         59 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 57 ] wherein the ribs are branching ribs. 
     
     
         60 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 59  wherein the heat exchange fins are symmetrical. 
     
     
         61 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 59  wherein the heat exchange fins are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         62 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 59  wherein the heat exchange fins are vertically asymmetrical. 
     
     
         63 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 59  wherein the heat exchange fins are horizontally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         64 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein the tubes of at least three phase change thermal control panels, each on different wall panels, are in fluid communication with one another and with the single entry coupling and single return coupling. 
     
     
         65 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein one of the phase change thermal control panels is secured to the inner structural layer of the wall panel forming the top. 
     
     
         66 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein at least one phase change thermal control panel is secured to the inner structural layer of two different wall panels forming sidewalls. 
     
     
         67 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 61  wherein at least one phase change thermal control panel is secured to the inner structural layer of two different wall panels forming sidewalls. 
     
     
         68 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 44  wherein the phase change thermal control panels are connected to one another in a sequence selected from series and parallel. 
     
     
         69 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 54  wherein the phase change thermal control panels are connected to one another in series. 
     
     
         70 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 54  wherein the phase change thermal control panels are connected to one another in parallel. 
     
     
         71 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 44 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the single inlet coupling and the single outlet coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) cycling chilled coolant from the chiller through the tubes of the phase change thermal control panels.   
     
     
         72 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 71  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tubes of the phase change thermal control panels for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within each of the shells. 
     
     
         73 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) wall panels arranged to form a floor, sidewalls and a top defining an enclosed thermally insulated chamber, wherein (i) at least one of the sidewalls is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the container, and (ii) the wall panels comprising the sidewalls and top each comprise thermal insulation sandwiched between an inner structural layer and an outer structural layer, and   (b) a plurality of phase change thermal control panels secured to the inner structural layer of one wall panel selected from the wall panels forming the sidewalls and the top, each phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (c) wherein the tubes of the plurality of phase change thermal control panels are in fluid communication with one another and with a single entry coupling and a single return coupling accessible from external the container.   
     
     
         74 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  further comprising a shield plate sandwiching the phase change control panels between the plate and the inner structural layer to which the phase change thermal control panels are secured and defining a thermal controlled payload chamber. 
     
     
         75 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the container is cuboidal. 
     
     
         76 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 74  wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber is cuboidal. 
     
     
         77 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 74  wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber has a floor dimensioned to alternatively retain four 1016×1219 mm ISO pallets or five 800×1200 mm Euro pallets without reconfiguration of the shipping container. 
     
     
         78 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between the open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is in the open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         79 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the access door is a vertically split door with each half pivotable approximately 270° about a respective vertical axis between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
         80 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 79  wherein pivoting of each half of the access door is automatically releasably arrested when pivoted approximately 270° into a fully open position. 
     
     
         81 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 80  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between arrested in the fully open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is arrested in the fully open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         82 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         83 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the single entry and single return couplings are operable for cycling thermally conditioning coolant from a pressurized source of chilled coolant through the tubes. 
     
     
         84 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 83  wherein the couplings are quick-disconnect couplings. 
     
     
         85 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 61  further comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins extending radially from each tube into the sealed volume of each shell. 
     
     
         86 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 85  wherein the heat exchange fins are a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially elongated ribs. 
     
     
         87 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 85  wherein each tube and associated heat exchange fins have a cross-section capable of unitary one-piece extrusion. 
     
     
         88 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 86  wherein the ribs are branching ribs. 
     
     
         89 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 88  wherein the heat exchange fins are symmetrical. 
     
     
         90 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 88  wherein the heat exchange fins are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         91 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 88  wherein the heat exchange fins are vertically asymmetrical. 
     
     
         92 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 88  wherein the heat exchange fins are horizontally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         93 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the plurality of phase change thermal control panels are secured to the inner structural layer of the wall panel forming the top. 
     
     
         94 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the plurality of phase change thermal control panels are secured to the inner structural layer of the wall panel forming one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         95 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the tubes of the plurality of phase change thermal control panels are fluidly connected to one another in series. 
     
     
         96 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 73  wherein the tubes of the plurality of phase change thermal control panels are fluidly connected to one another in parallel. 
     
     
         97 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 61 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the single entry coupling and single return coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) cycling chilled coolant from the chiller through the tubes of the phase change thermal control panels.   
     
     
         98 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 97  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tubes of the phase change thermal control panels for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shell. 
     
     
         99 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) wall panels arranged to form a floor, sidewalls and a top defining an enclosed thermally insulated chamber, wherein (i) at least one of the sidewalls is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the container, and (ii) the wall panels comprising the sidewalls and top each comprise thermal insulation sandwiched between an inner structural layer and an outer structural layer, and   (b) at least three phase change thermal control panels secured to the inner structural layer of one or more of the wall panels selected from the wall panels forming the sidewalls and the top, each phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (c) wherein the phase change thermal control panels are grouped into two separate and distinct sets with (i) a first set of one or more phase change thermal control panels in fluid communication with one another to define a common first set tube-side coolant flow path through a first set of tubes from a common first tube-side inlet to a common first tube-side outlet, and (ii) a second set of one or more phase change thermal control panels in fluid communication with one another to define a common second set tube-side coolant flow path through a second set of tubes from a common second tube-side inlet to a common second tube-side outlet.   
     
     
         100 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  wherein the tubes of the first set of one or more phase change thermal control panels are not in fluid communication with the tubes of the second set of one or more phase change thermal control panels. 
     
     
         101 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  further comprising one or more shield plates with each shield plate sandwiching the one or more phase change thermal control panels on one of the wall panels between the plate and the inner structural layer to which the one or more phase change thermal control panels are secured to define a thermal controlled payload chamber. 
     
     
         102 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  wherein the container is cuboidal. 
     
     
         103 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 102  wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber is cuboidal. 
     
     
         104 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 103  wherein the thermal controlled payload chamber has a floor dimensioned to alternatively retain four 1016×1219 mm ISO pallets or five 800×1200 mm Euro pallets without reconfiguration of the shipping container. 
     
     
         105 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between the open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is in the open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         106 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  wherein the access door is a vertically split door with each half pivotable approximately 270° about a respective vertical axis between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
         107 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 106  wherein pivoting of each half of the access door is automatically releasably arrested when pivoted approximately 270° into a fully open position. 
     
     
         108 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 107  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between arrested in the fully open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is arrested in the fully open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         109 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         110 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  further comprising (i) a first pair of entry and return couplings accessible from exterior the container in fluid communication with the common first tube-side inlet and the common first tube-side outlet respectively, and (ii) a second pair of entry and return couplings accessible from exterior the container in fluid communication with the common second tube-side inlet and the common second tube-side outlet respectively, whereby the first pair of couplings and the second pair of couplings are operable for separately and independently cycling thermally conditioning coolant through each of the first set of tubes and the second set of tubes respectively. 
     
     
         111 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 110  wherein the first pair of entry and return couplings and the second pair of entry and return couplings are operable for cycling thermally conditioning coolants having different temperatures through each of the first set of tubes and the second set of tubes respectively. 
     
     
         112 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 110  wherein the first pair of entry and return couplings and the second pair of entry and return couplings are operable for cycling different coolants through each of the first set of tubes and the second set of tubes. 
     
     
         113 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  further comprising a single entry coupling and a single return coupling accessible from external the container, wherein the first set of tubes and the second sets of tubes are in common fluid communication with the single entry coupling and the single return coupling. 
     
     
         114 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 113  further comprising one or more valves selectively operable between three settings selected from (i) a first setting providing fluid communication from the single entry coupling to the tubes of both the first set and the second set of phase change thermal control panels, (ii) a second setting providing fluid communication from the single entry coupling to the tubes of only the first set of phase change thermal control panels to the exclusion of the second set of phase change thermal control panels, and (iii) a third setting providing fluid communication from the single entry coupling to the tubes of only the second set of phase change thermal control panels to the exclusion of the first set of phase change thermal control panels. 
     
     
         115 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 110  wherein the couplings are quick-disconnect couplings. 
     
     
         116 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 113  wherein the couplings are quick-disconnect couplings. 
     
     
         117 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 99  further comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins extending radially from each tube into the sealed volume of the shell surrounding the tube. 
     
     
         118 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 117  wherein the heat exchange fins are a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially elongated ribs. 
     
     
         119 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 117  wherein the tube and associated heat exchange fins have a cross-section capable of unitary one-piece extrusion. 
     
     
         120 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 118  wherein the ribs are branching ribs. 
     
     
         121 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 120  wherein the heat exchange fins are symmetrical. 
     
     
         122 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 120  wherein the heat exchange fins are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         123 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 120  wherein the heat exchange fins are vertically asymmetrical. 
     
     
         124 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 120  wherein the heat exchange fins are horizontally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         125 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 110 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting a first outlet line and a first return line of a chiller to the first entry coupling and the first return coupling on the container respectively,   (b) connecting a second outlet line and a second return line of a chiller selected from the same chiller and a different chiller, to the second entry coupling and the second return coupling on the container respectively, and   (c) cycling chilled coolant from the one or more chillers through the tubes of the first set and the second set of phase change thermal control panels.   
     
     
         126 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 125  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tubes of each of the first set and the second set of phase change thermal control panels for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shells of the respective set of phase change thermal control panels. 
     
     
         127 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 114 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the single entry coupling and the single return coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) setting the valve to one of the three settings.   
     
     
         128 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 127  wherein (i) the value is set to the first setting and chilled coolant is cycled through the tubes of the first and second sets of phase change thermal control panels for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shells of both the first and second sets of phase change thermal control panels. 
     
     
         129 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 127  wherein (i) the value is set to the second setting and chilled coolant is cycled through the tubes of only the first set of phase change thermal control panels for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shell of the first set of phase change thermal control panels. 
     
     
         130 . A passive thermally insulated shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a frame defining wall openings, and   (b) wall panels releasably secured to the frame over each wall opening defining an enclosed thermally insulated chamber, wherein (i) at least one of the wall panels is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the container, (ii) at least one of the wall panels is a quick repair wall panel comprising (A) an inner structural layer and an outer structural layer defining a void volume gap therebetween having at least one open edge, and (B) a layer of thermal insulation positioned within the void volume gap wherein the thermal insulation layer is fixed in position within the void volume gap when the at least one quick repair wall panel is secured to the frame, and removable from the void volume gap through the open edge between the layers when the at least one quick repair wall panel is detached from the frame.   
     
     
         131 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  further comprising at least one phase change thermal control panel lining the thermally insulated chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell and a tube with (i) the shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume. 
     
     
         132 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the frame is metal. 
     
     
         133 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the frame is cuboidal with a bottom opening, four sidewall openings and a top opening. 
     
     
         134 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein a single wall panel covers each wall opening. 
     
     
         135 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein a plurality of edge-to-edge arranged wall panels cover at least one of the wall openings. 
     
     
         136 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein a plurality of edge-to-edge arranged wall panels cover at least two of the wall openings. 
     
     
         137 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the at least one quick repair wall panel is releasably secured to the frame over a sidewall opening. 
     
     
         138 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein at least two wall panels over different sidewall openings are quick repair wall panels. 
     
     
         139 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein at least three wall panels over different sidewall openings are quick repair wall panels. 
     
     
         140 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein at least three wall panels over different sidewall openings and the wall panel over the top opening are quick repair wall panels. 
     
     
         141 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the layer of thermal insulation within each quick repair wall panel is at least one vacuum insulation panel. 
     
     
         142 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the layer of thermal insulation within each quick repair wall panel comprises one or more insulation cartridges, each cartridge comprising a plurality of vacuum insulation panels secured together in-edge-to-edge arrangement and insertable into and removable from the void volume gap as a single unit. 
     
     
         143 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 142  wherein each insulation cartridge includes a frame around a periphery of the plurality of vacuum insulation panels, and the frame includes at least one grippable element configured and arranged to be accessible when the insulation cartridge is retained within the void volume gap for facilitating gripping and removal of the insulation cartridge from the void volume gap. 
     
     
         144 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the layer of thermal insulation in each quick repair wall panel is insertable into and removable from the void volume gap without a tool once the quick repair wall panel is detached from the frame. 
     
     
         145 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the container defines a thermal insulated payload chamber operable for receiving a payload, and the thermal insulated payload chamber has a floor dimensioned to alternatively retain four 1016×1219 mm ISO pallets or five 800×1200 mm Euro pallets without reconfiguration of the shipping container. 
     
     
         146 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 130  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between the open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is in the open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         147 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 130  wherein the access door is a vertically split door with each half pivotable approximately 270° about a respective vertical axis between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
         148 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 147  wherein pivoting of each half of the access door is automatically releasably arrested when pivoted approximately 270° into a fully open position. 
     
     
         149 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 148  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between arrested in the fully open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is arrested in the fully open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         150 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 131  further comprising an entry coupling and a return coupling in fluid communication with the tube-side inlet and the tube-side outlet respectively, wherein the couplings are accessible from exterior the container for cycling coolant from a source of chilled coolant through the tube. 
     
     
         151 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 150 ] wherein the couplings are quick-disconnect couplings. 
     
     
         152 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 131  further comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins extending radially from the tube into the sealed volume of the shell. 
     
     
         153 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 152  wherein the heat exchange fins are a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially elongated ribs. 
     
     
         154 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 152  wherein the tube and associated heat exchange fins have a cross-section capable of unitary one-piece extrusion. 
     
     
         155 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 153  wherein at least some of the ribs are branching ribs. 
     
     
         156 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 155  wherein the heat exchange fins are symmetrical. 
     
     
         157 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 155  wherein the heat exchange fins are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         158 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 155  wherein the heat exchange fins are vertically asymmetrical. 
     
     
         159 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 155  wherein the heat exchange fins are horizontally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         160 . A method of replacing thermal insulation in a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 142 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) detaching a quick repair wall panel from the frame,   (b) pulling the insulation cartridge out from the void volume gap between the inner structural layer and the outer structural layer of the detached wall panel through the open edge,   (c) inserting a new insulation cartridge into the void volume gap between the inner structural layer and the outer structural layer of the detached wall panel through the open edge, and   (d) reattaching the detached wall panel to the frame.   
     
     
         161 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 150 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the entry coupling and the return coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) cycling chilled coolant from the chiller through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel.   
     
     
         162 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 161  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shell. 
     
     
         163 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a hollow core frame defining wall openings,   (b) wall panels releasably secured to the frame over each wall opening defining an enclosed chamber wherein at least one of the wall panels is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the chamber,   (c) at least one phase change thermal control panel lining the chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell and a tube with (i) the shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (d) a coolant entry coupling and a coolant return coupling accessible from exterior the container,   (e) a first length of conduit extending within the hollow core frame placing the coolant entry coupling in fluid communication with the tube-side inlet, and a second length of conduit extending within the hollow core frame placing the tube-side outlet in fluid communication with the coolant return coupling, and   (f) a disconnect coupling proximate each of the tube-side inlet and tube-side outlet for disconnecting the tube from the first and second lengths of conduit.   
     
     
         164 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 163  wherein the frame is cuboidal. 
     
     
         165 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 163  wherein the thermal controlled chamber is cuboidal. 
     
     
         166 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 163  wherein the thermal controlled chamber has a floor dimensioned to alternatively retain four 1016×1219 mm ISO pallets or five 800×1200 mm Euro pallets without reconfiguration of the shipping container. 
     
     
         167 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 163  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between the open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is in the open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         168 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 163  wherein the access door is a vertically split door with each half pivotable approximately 270° about a respective vertical axis between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
         169 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 168  wherein pivoting of each half of the access door is automatically releasably arrested when pivoted approximately 270° into a fully open position. 
     
     
         170 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 169  further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the access door as between arrested in the fully open position and the closed position and generating at least one perceptible signal selected from a first signal when the door is arrested in the fully open position and a second signal when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         171 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 163  further comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins extending radially from the tube into the sealed volume of the shell. 
     
     
         172 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 171  wherein the heat exchange fins are a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially elongated ribs. 
     
     
         173 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 171  wherein the tube and associated heat exchange fins have a cross-section capable of unitary one-piece extrusion. 
     
     
         174 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 172  wherein at least some of the ribs are branching ribs. 
     
     
         175 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 174  wherein the heat exchange fins are symmetrical. 
     
     
         176 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 174  wherein the heat exchange fins are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         177 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 174  wherein the heat exchange fins are vertically asymmetrical. 
     
     
         178 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 174  wherein the heat exchange fins are horizontally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         179 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 163 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the entry coupling and the return coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) cycling chilled coolant from the chiller through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel.   
     
     
         180 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 179  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shell. 
     
     
         181 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a hollow core frame defining wall openings,   (b) wall panels releasably secured to the frame over each wall opening defining an enclosed thermally insulated chamber, wherein (i) at least one of the wall panels is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the container, and (ii) a majority of the wall panels comprise thermal insulation sandwiched between an inner structural layer and an outer structural layer,   (c) a phase change thermal control panel secured to the inner structural layer of one of the wall panels, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (d) an entry coupling and a return coupling accessible from exterior the container,   (e) a first length of conduit extending within the hollow core frame placing the coolant entry coupling in fluid communication with the tube-side inlet, and a second length of conduit extending within the hollow core frame placing the tube-side outlet in fluid communication with the coolant return coupling, whereby thermally conditioning coolant from a source of chilled coolant connected to the couplings can be cycled through the tube for thermally conditioning the supply of phase change material retained within the shell, and   (f) an in-line disconnect coupling proximate each of the tube-side inlet and tube-side outlet for disconnecting the tube from the first and second lengths of conduit for facilitating installation, removal and replacement of the phase change thermal control panel.   
     
     
         182 . The passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 181  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         183 . A method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container in accordance with  claim 172 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting an outlet line and a return line of a chiller to the entry coupling and the return coupling on the container respectively, and   (b) cycling chilled coolant from the chiller through the tubes of the phase change thermal control panel.   
     
     
         184 . The method of thermally conditioning a passive thermally controlled shipping container of  claim 183  wherein the chiller is a portable chiller and chilled coolant is cycled through the tube of the phase change thermal control panel for a sufficient duration to solidify the entire supply of phase change material retained within the shell. 
     
     
         185 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a container having walls defining an enclosed chamber wherein one of the walls comprises an access door,   (b) thermal insulation lining the chamber to define a thermally insulated chamber,   (c) a phase change thermal control panel having a shell and a tube lining the thermally insulated chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (d) at least one temperature sensor effective for measuring and transmitting the temperature of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume, and   (e) a controller operable for periodically receiving the transmitted measured temperature throughout a thermal conditioning period and discontinuing flow of chilled coolant through the tube when the measured temperature is below a threshold value indicative of completion of phase change transition of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume from a liquid to a solid.   
     
     
         186 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a container having walls defining an enclosed chamber wherein one of the walls comprises an access door,   (b) thermal insulation lining the chamber to define a thermally insulated chamber,   (c) a phase change thermal control panel having a shell and a tube lining the thermally insulated chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (d) a plurality of temperature sensors effective for measuring and transmitting the temperature of spatially separated zones of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume, and   (e) a controller operable for periodically receiving the transmitted measured temperatures from the plurality of temperature sensors throughout a thermal conditioning period and discontinuing flow of chilled coolant through the tube when the difference between the measured temperature from at least two of the sensors is below a threshold value indicative of completion of phase change transition of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume from a liquid to a solid.   
     
     
         187 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a container having walls defining an enclosed chamber wherein one of the walls comprises an access door,   (b) thermal insulation lining the chamber to define a thermally insulated chamber,   (c) a phase change thermal control panel having a shell and a tube lining the thermally insulated chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (d) a temperature sensor effective for measuring and transmitting the temperature of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume, and   (e) a controller operable for periodically receiving the transmitted measured temperature throughout a thermal conditioning and thermally conditioned maintenance period for (i) actuating flow of chilled coolant through the tube when the measured temperature is above a second threshold value indicative of commencement of phase change transition of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume from a solid to a liquid, and (ii) discontinuing flow of chilled coolant through the tube when the measured temperature is below a first threshold value indicative of completion of phase change transition of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume from a liquid to a solid.   
     
     
         188 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a container having walls defining an enclosed chamber wherein one of the walls comprises an access door,   (b) thermal insulation lining the chamber to define a thermally insulated chamber,   (c) a phase change thermal control panel having a shell and a tube lining the thermally insulated chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (d) a flow control valve for governing flow of coolant through the tube,   (e) a temperature sensor effective for measuring and transmitting the temperature of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume, and   (f) a controller in communication with the flow control valve and the temperature sensor for periodically receiving the transmitted measured temperature throughout a thermal conditioning and thermally conditioned maintenance period and instructing the flow control valve to regulating flow of coolant as between (i) a first high flow rate of chilled coolant through the tube when the measured temperature is above a first threshold value indicative of commencement of phase change transition of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume from a solid to a liquid, and (ii) a second low or zero flow rate of chilled coolant through the tube when the measured temperature is below a second threshold value indicative of completion of phase change transition of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume from a liquid to a solid.   
     
     
         189 . A passive thermally insulated shipping container, comprising:
 (a) a container having a top, bottom and sidewalls defining an enclosed chamber with a floor wherein each sidewall has an inner surface facing the enclosed chamber and an outer exterior surface and the one of the sidewalls comprises an access door,   (b) thermal insulation lining the chamber to define a thermally insulated chamber,   (c) openings below the floor of the container configured and arranged to accommodate insertion of forklift forks for lifting and transporting the container, and   (d) a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of at least two of the sidewalls.   
     
     
         190 . The passive thermally insulted shipping container of  claim 189  further comprising at least one phase change thermal control panel lining the thermally insulated chamber to define a thermal controlled chamber, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell and a tube with (i) the shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume. 
     
     
         191 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 189  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         192 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 189  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of at least three of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         193 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 189  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of all sidewalls. 
     
     
         194 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 189  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a bottom third of the exterior surface of the at least two sidewalls. 
     
     
         195 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 189  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a bottom third of the exterior surface of at least three of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         196 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 189  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a bottom third of the exterior surface of all sidewalls. 
     
     
         197 . A passive thermally controlled shipping container, comprising:
 (a) wall panels arranged to form a bottom, sidewalls and a top defining an enclosed thermally insulated chamber, wherein (i) at least one of the sidewalls is hinged to provide an access door operable for pivoting between a closed position and an open position for loading and unloading a payload into the container, and (ii) the wall panels comprising the sidewalls and top each comprise thermal insulation sandwiched between an inner structural layer and an outer structural layer,   (b) a phase change thermal control panel secured to the inner structural layer of one of the wall panels selected from the wall panels forming the sidewalls and the top, the phase change thermal control panel comprising a shell and tube heat exchanger having (i) a shell defining a sealed volume containing a supply of phase change material, and (ii) at least one tube in heat exchange communication with the supply of phase change material retained within the sealed volume and defining a tube-side coolant flow path through the shell from a tube-side inlet to a tube-side outlet operable for allowing flow of coolant through the tube to effect thermal cooling of the phase change material retained within the sealed volume,   (c) openings below the floor of the container configured and arranged to accommodate a pair of forks on a forklift for lifting and transporting the container, and   (d) a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covering at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least two of the sidewalls.   
     
     
         198 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 197  wherein the thermal insulation is vacuum insulation panels. 
     
     
         199 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 197  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of at least three of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         200 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 197  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of all sidewalls. 
     
     
         201 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 197  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a bottom third of the exterior surface of the at least two sidewalls. 
     
     
         202 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 197  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a bottom third of the exterior surface of at least three of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         203 . The passive thermally insulated shipping container of  claim 197  wherein a protective layer of an aromatic polyamide fiber sheet covers at least a bottom third of the exterior surface of all sidewalls.