Shipping system for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials. In one embodiment, the system includes an outer box having four side walls, bottom closure flaps, and top closure flaps. A vacuum insulated panel (VIP) is detachably coupled to one of the top closure flaps and is removably covered by a cover. An insulation unit is removably positioned within the outer box, the insulation unit including a plurality of VIPs arranged to define a cavity bounded by a bottom wall and four side walls. A disposable liner is removably mounted on the insulation unit. The liner may be a thermoformed sheet and may cover the interior and top surfaces of the insulation unit. A plurality of temperature-control members and a product box may be removably positioned in the liner. Preferably, the liner is shaped so that the temperature-control members snugly fit around all sides of the product box.

Thermally insulated shipping system for use in transporting a pallet-sized payload. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of thermally insulating walls arranged to define an interior volume suitable for receiving a pallet-sized payload. The thermally insulating walls include a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, and a right wall, of which all but the bottom wall include at least two slots facing towards the interior volume. One of the slots is an inner slot that is more proximal to the interior volume, and one of the slots is an outer slot that is more distal to the interior volume. The system also includes a plurality of inner cassettes disposed in at least some of the inner slots and a plurality of outer cassettes disposed in at least some of the outer slots. The inner and outer cassettes include phase-change materials.

An ice pack comprises a plastic sac with an external surface, the plastic sac forming an interior chamber, a substance within the interior chamber capable of absorbing thermal energy, and a coating, which contains one or more antimicrobial agents, on the external surface. The substance can comprise water, including polymer beads mixed with the water. The one or more antimicrobial agents can include a quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, such as a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can be 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Instead of an ice pack, the apparatus comprising the coating containing one or more antimicrobial agents can be an object that is used around injured people and/or perishable items such as heating pads, coolers, and ice pack carriers.

An ice pack comprises a plastic sac with an external surface, the plastic sac forming an interior chamber, a substance within the interior chamber capable of absorbing thermal energy, and a coating, which contains one or more antimicrobial agents, on the external surface. The substance can comprise water, including polymer beads mixed with the water. The one or more antimicrobial agents can include a quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, such as a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can be 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Instead of an ice pack, the apparatus comprising the coating containing one or more antimicrobial agents can be an object that is used around injured people and/or perishable items such as heating pads, coolers, and ice pack carriers.

The portable cooler with fold out bar comprises a bar body, a cooler, an ice well, a multi-use bucket, a speed rail, and one or more bar accessories. The bar body may be transported to a venue using a pair of all terrain wheels located on the bottom of the bar body. The bar body may be opened to provide access to the cooler, the ice well, the multi-use bucket, the speed rail, and the one or more bar accessories. The bar body may be operable as the bottom support of a bar. A left counter top and a right counter top may be unfolded to align with a main counter top to form a counter top at the top of the bar body.

The portable cooler with fold out bar comprises a bar body, a cooler, an ice well, a multi-use bucket, a speed rail, and one or more bar accessories. The bar body may be transported to a venue using a pair of all terrain wheels located on the bottom of the bar body. The bar body may be opened to provide access to the cooler, the ice well, the multi-use bucket, the speed rail, and the one or more bar accessories. The bar body may be operable as the bottom support of a bar. A left counter top and a right counter top may be unfolded to align with a main counter top to form a counter top at the top of the bar body.

A system for evaluating insulation properties of a thermally insulated transport unit contains at least one thermally insulated transport unit for transporting and/or storing goods. The thermally insulated transport unit contains at least one temperature sensor configured to provide actual temperature data of the temperature within the thermally insulated transport unit. The system also includes at least one evaluation component for evaluating the insulation properties, at least based on a comparison of actual temperature data and calculated temperature data based on a thermal model of the thermally insulated transport unit.

A system for evaluating insulation properties of a thermally insulated transport unit contains at least one thermally insulated transport unit for transporting and/or storing goods. The thermally insulated transport unit contains at least one temperature sensor configured to provide actual temperature data of the temperature within the thermally insulated transport unit. The system also includes at least one evaluation component for evaluating the insulation properties, at least based on a comparison of actual temperature data and calculated temperature data based on a thermal model of the thermally insulated transport unit.

A cooler with an open volume minimization system suitable for use in harsh conditions with extreme motions such as an off-road vehicle. The open volume minimization system includes a contents engagement portion that may extend from a cooler sidewall and/or a lid to reduce the open volume and constrain the contents in the cooler. Manual or powered means can lower and retract the contents engagement portion. The engagement portion may be part of an expandable bladder system integrated with the cooler. Inflation of the bladder moves the engagement portion to the contents minimizing sloshing by reducing the open volume in the interior and by securing the contents. Elastomeric strap latches under tension may keep the lid securely latched.

A cooler with an open volume minimization system suitable for use in harsh conditions with extreme motions such as an off-road vehicle. The open volume minimization system includes a contents engagement portion that may extend from a cooler sidewall and/or a lid to reduce the open volume and constrain the contents in the cooler. Manual or powered means can lower and retract the contents engagement portion. The engagement portion may be part of an expandable bladder system integrated with the cooler. Inflation of the bladder moves the engagement portion to the contents minimizing sloshing by reducing the open volume in the interior and by securing the contents. Elastomeric strap latches under tension may keep the lid securely latched.