In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering and maintaining perishable items within a certain temperature range during delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for transporting merchandise including: a container for transporting merchandise within a predetermined temperature range in a delivery vehicle along a delivery route from a source location to a destination location, the container including: a merchandise storage area receiving merchandise and a coolant; an insulation compartment adjacent the merchandise storage area; a temperature sensor measuring the temperature in the merchandise storage area at predetermined time intervals during transport; and a control circuit configured to receive the temperature measurements from the temperature sensor during transport and to modify the insulation characteristics of the container during transport in response to the temperature measurements to maintain the merchandise within the predetermined temperature range.

Method and system for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials. In one embodiment, the system is designed for use as a dry ice shipper and includes an outer box, a vacuum insulated panel (VIP) base assembly, a VIP lid assembly, and a gas flow director. The VIP base assembly is positioned within the outer box and includes VIPs arranged to form a 5-sided container with an open top. The VIP lid assembly, which may be coupled to a top closure flap of the outer box, includes a VIP dimensioned to close the open top of the VIP base assembly. The gas flow director, which may comprise a bag having an open top end folded over upon itself so as to be closed, but not sealed shut, may be positioned within the VIP base assembly, under the VIP lid assembly, to inhibit convective gas flow that promotes excessive dry ice sublimation.

A container for food or beverage which has a heat exchange unit secured internally thereof to be in contact with the food or beverage, the heat exchange unit is filled with liquid carbon dioxide and has a valve which when activated allows the liquid carbon dioxide to pass from the liquid state directly to the gaseous state through a restricted orifice which functions to maintain residual carbon dioxide in the heat exchange unit in the liquid state until all of the liquid carbon dioxide is exhausted from the heat exchange unit.

An apparatus for cooling a containerized fluid apparatus has a refrigerant-delivery assembly axially depending from a handle assembly. The handle assembly forms a receptacle for receiving a canister of refrigerant such as pressurized liquid carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2). The refrigerant-delivery assembly comprises a supply tube through which refrigerant is fed from the canister in the handle assembly to a refrigerant-containment compartment enclosing an exit port of the supply tube and entry ports of one or more expansion tubes. The refrigerant-containment compartment places the supply tube in fluid-flow communication with the expansion tubes. The expansion tubes are rotatable about the axis of the supply tube. The expansion tubes are made to rotate by either a nozzle-turbine feature or a motor-and-gear subassembly. As refrigerant expands in the expansion tubes it takes on heat in accordance with thermodynamic properties thereby cooling the containerized fluid.

A device for cooling a substance stored within the device is provided. The device has a body with an internal compartment. The compartment can be sealed closed and can be accessed for adding a substance to be cooled to the compartment or removing the substance from the compartment. The body of the device has an internal cavity that surrounds the exterior of the compartment holding the substance to be cooled. Fluidized coolant is injected into the cavity through an injection port to cool the substance for use.

A portable drink holder for a drinkable liquid having a first removable reservoir for storing the liquid at a first end of the holder, a second removable reservoir at a second end of the holder for receiving the liquid and a cooling cartridge having a plurality of passageways for selectively transporting liquid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. The cooling cartridge including a cooling medium so that the liquid transitions to a second temperature lower than the first temperature as it flows from the first reservoir to the second reservoir.

A liquid container designed to include an autonomous selective cooling device and cooling device applicable to the liquid container. The cooling device includes a heat exchanger comprising a first body with a cavity, a second body inside the cavity, a fluid passage formed between an outer surface of the second body and the surface of the cavity, and some means for causing a cooling fluid to flow while expanding along fluid passage up to an exhaust duct of the second body. A container comprises a cavity for a liquid, a first filling opening provided with a first closing element and a second opening with a first coupling element where a second coupling element is coupled to the second coupling element being formed at an extension of a second closure cap and connected to the heat exchanger, in such a way that the closure cap closes the second opening of the container and the heat exchanger is housed in the cavity of the container and in contact with the liquid contained in it.

The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

A self-cooling container for cooling a liquid includes a first portion with a first frangible seal that extends across and seals an evaporator unit containing a refrigerant and a second portion with a second frangible seal that extends across and seals a desiccant chamber containing a desiccant. The first portion rotates axially relative to the second portion. An actuator assembly is between the first portion and the second portion and includes: a cutter assembly, which is coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container and includes a cutter coupled to a rotatable axle and a pinion gear coupled to the rotatable axle, and a drive gear assembly coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling container and including a ring gear supported by a housing. The pinion gear on the cutter assembly is mated to the ring gear of the drive gear assembly.

A system and method for cooling beverages within cans are disclosed. The system includes a refrigerant compartment, cooling tubes, and a release mechanism that allows a user to activate the cooling process. The method involves releasing a refrigerant into the cooling tubes, which are designed to efficiently transfer heat from the beverage to the refrigerant, thereby cooling the beverage quickly and effectively. This system is particularly advantageous for its portability and ease of use, requiring no external power sources.