Shipping package with phase-change material

Abstract

A shipping package includes an envelope including a closed end and a closeable end. The envelope defines a thermal control space and an interior space that is separate from the thermal control space. The internal space is configured to contain a product to be shipped. The shipping package further includes a first phase-change material mat positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent the interior space, a first thermally insulative sheet positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent the first phase-change material mat, and a second phase-change material mat positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent first thermally insulative sheet. The shipping package provides a thermally controlled interior space to protect temperature-sensitive products from environmental conditions.

1 . A shipping package comprising:
 an envelope including a closed end and a closeable end, the envelope defining a thermal control space and an interior space that is separate from the thermal control space, wherein the internal space is configured to contain a product to be shipped;   a first phase-change material mat positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent the interior space;   a first thermally insulative sheet positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent the first phase-change material mat; and   a second phase-change material mat positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent first thermally insulative sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The shipping package of  claim 1 , wherein the first phase-change material mat, the first thermally insulative sheet, and the second phase-change material mat form an arrangement that is positioned on a first side of the interior space, the shipping package further comprising another such arrangement positioned on a second side of the interior space. 
     
     
         3 . The shipping package of  claim 1 , further comprising a second thermally insulative sheet positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent the second phase-change material mat. 
     
     
         4 . The shipping package of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional thermally insulative sheet positioned within the thermal control space and adjacent the interior space. 
     
     
         5 . The shipping package of  claim 4 , wherein the additional thermally insulative sheet is positioned to maintain a size of the interior space. 
     
     
         6 . The shipping package of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermally insulative sheet comprises rigid segments with a strip of flexible material therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The shipping package of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first and second phase-change material mats comprise a rigid shell containing phase-change material. 
     
     
         8 . The shipping package of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first and second phase-change material mats comprise a flexible bag containing phase-change material.