An insulating shipping system may include six outer walls configured into a six-sided container; an insulating layer positioned within the outer walls and formed by a plurality of insulating members; and a thermal mass layer positioned within the insulating members and made from a plurality of thermal mass members. The thermal mass members may contain a thermal energy absorbing material. The container also may have a thermal buffer layer configured to fit within the thermal mass layer. All together, these layers form a passive, thermally stabile cargo cavity for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo.

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.

A method of assembling a box includes providing the box, the box comprising a center panel, a first locking panel, a second locking panel, a first side flap panel, and a second side flap panel; folding the first side flap panel and second side flap panel relative to the center panel; folding the first locking panel relative to the center panel, the first locking panel defining a locking slot; folding the second locking panel relative to the center panel at least partially over the first locking panel, the second locking panel defining a locking tab; and engaging the locking slot with the locking tab.

A method of assembling a box includes providing the box, the box comprising a center panel, a first locking panel, a second locking panel, a first side flap panel, and a second side flap panel; folding the first side flap panel and second side flap panel relative to the center panel; folding the first locking panel relative to the center panel, the first locking panel defining a locking slot; folding the second locking panel relative to the center panel at least partially over the first locking panel, the second locking panel defining a locking tab; and engaging the locking slot with the locking tab.

An insulated box assembly includes a monolithic outer box comprising four outer lateral sidewalls, the four outer lateral sidewalls defining an inner surface of the monolithic outer box, the inner surface defining an inner cavity; a monolithic inner box comprising four inner lateral sidewalls, the monolithic inner box received in the inner cavity, the four inner lateral sidewalls defining an outer surface of the monolithic inner box; and a monolithic sidewall liner affixed to the outer surface of the monolithic inner box and received in the inner cavity between the outer lateral sidewalls and the inner lateral sidewalls, the monolithic sidewall liner configurable in an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration; wherein, in the unfolded configuration, the monolithic sidewall liner is substantially planar, and in the folded configuration, the monolithic sidewall liner is folded to define four lateral liner panels.

An insulated box assembly includes a monolithic outer box comprising four outer lateral sidewalls, the four outer lateral sidewalls defining an inner surface of the monolithic outer box, the inner surface defining an inner cavity; a monolithic inner box comprising four inner lateral sidewalls, the monolithic inner box received in the inner cavity, the four inner lateral sidewalls defining an outer surface of the monolithic inner box; and a monolithic sidewall liner affixed to the outer surface of the monolithic inner box and received in the inner cavity between the outer lateral sidewalls and the inner lateral sidewalls, the monolithic sidewall liner configurable in an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration; wherein, in the unfolded configuration, the monolithic sidewall liner is substantially planar, and in the folded configuration, the monolithic sidewall liner is folded to define four lateral liner panels.

A bag for dry ice includes a container having a chamber therein for receiving the dry ice; a first layer of insulation at the chamber constructed and arranged to provide a first heat transfer rate; and a second layer of insulation at the chamber spaced apart from the first layer of insulation, and constructed and arranged to provide a second heat transfer rate greater than the first transfer rate. A related method is also provided.

A bag for dry ice includes a container having a chamber therein for receiving the dry ice; a first layer of insulation at the chamber constructed and arranged to provide a first heat transfer rate; and a second layer of insulation at the chamber spaced apart from the first layer of insulation, and constructed and arranged to provide a second heat transfer rate greater than the first transfer rate. A related method is also provided.

A method for allocating a chilling substance to a transport tote for preserving a food product therein includes measuring thermal properties of the food product to be transported; calculating environmental conditions for which the transport tote is to be exposed during transport; allocating an amount of the chilling substance to a container for being deposited in the transport tote for the preserving of the food product; and depositing the container in the transport tote. A related apparatus is also provided.

A method for allocating a chilling substance to a transport tote for preserving a food product therein includes measuring thermal properties of the food product to be transported; calculating environmental conditions for which the transport tote is to be exposed during transport; allocating an amount of the chilling substance to a container for being deposited in the transport tote for the preserving of the food product; and depositing the container in the transport tote. A related apparatus is also provided.