Apparatuses, methods and computer program products for a temperature regulated container disclosed herein. An example temperature regulated apparatus comprises abase container. The base container includes at least a base portion, one or more sidewall portions, and a lid portion. The temperature regulated apparatus also includes one or more thermoelectric components, wherein (i) each of the one or more thermoelectric components are configured to be disposed within the interior of the base container, (ii) each thermoelectric component comprises an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a composite semiconductor layer disposed between the exterior surface and interior surface, and (iii) each thermoelectric component is configured to, in an instance current flows through the thermoelectric component, transfer heat between the interior surface and exterior surface.

An automated warehouse system and method for climate controlled storage and order fulfilment comprises a control system, an automated storage and retrieval system (“ASRS”) with a storage rack defining storage locations for storage receptacles for containing goods, where either at least some of the storage receptacles are individually temperature controllable or the storage rack is at least partially disposed in a frozen environment. A transportation system is coupled with the ASRS for transporting storage receptacles to and from the automated storage and retrieval system, and a workstation is in communication with the transportation system for picking goods to a temperature-controlled order receptacle. The control system directs order fulfilment operations comprising directing goods requiring stable temperature control from the ASRS to the workstation and directs an operator to pick the goods from the storage receptacle to the temperature-controlled order receptacle to maintain the goods within a required temperature range.

An automated warehouse system and method for climate controlled storage and order fulfilment comprises a control system, an automated storage and retrieval system (“ASRS”) with a storage rack defining storage locations for storage receptacles for containing goods, where either at least some of the storage receptacles are individually temperature controllable or the storage rack is at least partially disposed in a frozen environment. A transportation system is coupled with the ASRS for transporting storage receptacles to and from the automated storage and retrieval system, and a workstation is in communication with the transportation system for picking goods to a temperature-controlled order receptacle. The control system directs order fulfilment operations comprising directing goods requiring stable temperature control from the ASRS to the workstation and directs an operator to pick the goods from the storage receptacle to the temperature-controlled order receptacle to maintain the goods within a required temperature range.

A beverage cooling system includes a first tub, a second tub nested within the first tub to define a first space therebetween for receiving a heat transfer material. A tube passes through the first space, is in thermal communication with the heat transfer material, and is configured for receiving a beverage. In operation, the second tub may be filled with ice or another cool material such that the beverage passing through the tube, which is in thermal communication with the heat transfer material and the ice, may be chilled before being dispensed to a user.

A beverage cooling system includes a first tub, a second tub nested within the first tub to define a first space therebetween for receiving a heat transfer material. A tube passes through the first space, is in thermal communication with the heat transfer material, and is configured for receiving a beverage. In operation, the second tub may be filled with ice or another cool material such that the beverage passing through the tube, which is in thermal communication with the heat transfer material and the ice, may be chilled before being dispensed to a user.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled that includes determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility, obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future, determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of a refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature, and powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature, reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, and permitting the facility to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled that includes determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility, obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future, determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of a refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature, and powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature, reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, and permitting the facility to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature.

An enclosure for use as a walk-in freezer or refrigerator includes a first panel and a second panel connected to the first panel. Each of the first and second panels includes a body having a frame coupled to the body. The frame includes a beam of a first material and a jacket of a second material at least partially enclosing the beam. An interior edge of the frame is adjacent to the body. An exterior edge is defined by the jacket and defines a joint member. The joint member of the first panel defines a groove, and the joint member of the second panel defines a protrusion adapted to engage the groove of the joint member of the first panel. At least one joint member includes a deformable portion that compresses when the joint member of the first panel engages with the joint member of the second panel.

An enclosure for use as a walk-in freezer or refrigerator includes a first panel and a second panel connected to the first panel. Each of the first and second panels includes a body having a frame coupled to the body. The frame includes a beam of a first material and a jacket of a second material at least partially enclosing the beam. An interior edge of the frame is adjacent to the body. An exterior edge is defined by the jacket and defines a joint member. The joint member of the first panel defines a groove, and the joint member of the second panel defines a protrusion adapted to engage the groove of the joint member of the first panel. At least one joint member includes a deformable portion that compresses when the joint member of the first panel engages with the joint member of the second panel.

In one instance, a cooling unit for use as an aspect of a cooling system includes a cabinet having a plurality of panels and having an interior, a front face with a fan aperture formed in the front face, and a bottom panel. The cooling unit further includes a drain pan below the bottom panel. The cooling unit also includes a plurality of guide-rail slide and track assemblies coupled between at least a portion of the cabinet and the drain pan for providing controlled movement of the drain pan between an operational position and a maintenance position. Other cooling units are disclosed with drain pans that may be lowered by a single technician.