Temperature-Controlled Shipping Solutions for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept expands the application of temperature-controlled shippers with dual phase change material liquid suspensions to various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, live tissue samples, organ transplantation, and floriculture.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent focused on shipping diagnostic blood sample vials, but it had limitations in its temperature range and duration. This new concept addresses the need for temperature-controlled shipping solutions in diverse industries, where maintaining specific temperature ranges is critical for product quality and safety.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a temperature-controlled shipper with a dual phase change material liquid suspension, designed to maintain specific temperature ranges for extended periods. The shipper is adapted to receive various types of products, including perishable food items, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, live tissue samples, organs for transplantation, and flowers. The dual phase change material liquid suspension ensures consistent temperature control, while the shipper's design allows for flexibility in accommodating different product sizes and shapes.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the temperature-controlled shipper with dual phase change material liquid suspension, expanding its scope beyond diagnostic blood sample vials. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the original technology to address specific temperature control requirements in diverse industries.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include shippers with adjustable temperature ranges, integrated monitoring systems, or modified phase change materials for specific product requirements. Variations may include shippers designed for refrigerated or frozen storage, or those adapted for air or land transportation.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
This inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including food logistics, pharmaceutical transportation, biomedical research, organ transplantation, and floriculture. The target market includes companies involved in temperature-sensitive product shipping, as well as industries where product quality and safety rely on precise temperature control during transportation.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61J1/165 |
| A | A61 | A61J1/16 |
| B | B65 | B65D81/18 |
| B | B65 | B65D81/3813 |
| F | F25 | F25D3/06 |
| F | F25 | F25D2201/12 |
| F | F25 | F25D2303/08222 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Thermal packaging and temperature-controlled shipping systems, specifically focusing on phase change material (PCM) suspensions for maintaining precise temperature ranges during product transportation across medical, biological, and perishable goods industries
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled packaging engineer or thermal systems designer with expertise in phase change materials, thermal insulation, container design, and temperature-sensitive product transportation, holding at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or materials science with 3-5 years of industry experience
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental temperature control mechanism of the dual phase change material liquid suspension is universally applicable across multiple industries requiring precise thermal management during transportation. The core technical innovation of maintaining consistent temperature ranges through PCM suspensions can be readily adapted to different product types by modifying container dimensions and selecting appropriate temperature ranges. The source patent's fundamental design provides a flexible template that can be systematically extended to various temperature-sensitive products with predictable engineering modifications.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,496 |
|---|---|
| Title | Temperature controlled product shipper with a dual phase change material liquid suspension |
| Assignee(s) | Packaging Technology Group, LLC |