In one aspect, systems for storing and/or transporting a payload are described herein. In some embodiments, systems have a portable storage vessel having an internal cavity, the internal cavity having: a central zone for receiving the payload; a first cooling zone disposed radially outward from the central recess, with a first phase change material disposed in the first cooling zone; a second cooling zone disposed radially outward from the first cooling zone, with a second phase change material disposed in the second cooling zone, wherein the first phase change material has a first phase transition temperature; wherein the second phase change material has a second phase transition temperature; and wherein the second phase transition temperature is between 10 C. and 15 C. higher than the first phase transition temperature; and wherein each of the first phase transition temperature and the second phase transition temperature are below 0 C.

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 assembly is removably mounted on the insulation unit. The liner assembly includes a first liner piece, a second liner piece, and a liner support. A plurality of temperature-control members and a product box may be removably positioned in a cavity defined by the liner assembly. The temperature-control members snugly fit around all sides of the product box and each include a container containing dry ice.

Method and system are designed for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials. The system is designed to keep a payload within a desired temperature range of +2 C. to +8 C. for an extended time in a warm ambient environment. The system includes a thermally insulated container and first and second phase-change materials, each of the phase-change materials having a different solid/liquid phase-change temperature. Both phase-change materials are preconditioned to a solid state for pack-out. The first phase-change material has a solid/liquid phase-change temperature that is within the desired temperature range and that is at or below a hibernation temperature of about +5 C. to +6 C. The second phase-change material has a solid/liquid phase-change temperature that is above the hibernation temperature. When placed in the warm ambient environment, both phase-change materials move towards melting; however, when subsequently placed in hibernation, the second phase-change material reverses the direction of its phase change, becoming recharged.

A cooling platform includes an outer layer comprising a cooling composition that absorbs heat when activated and releases heat when deactivated. The cooling composition is activated at least partially by an application of pressure and the cooling composition does not require electricity prior to use.

An environmental control assembly for controlling at least one environmental condition of one or more substances, the one or more substances being uncontained or contained within a substance container, the assembly comprising a first enclosure comprising a thermal insulator configured to provide a thermal shield to the substance, a second enclosure comprising at least one deformable environmental control material configured to regulate at least one environmental condition of the substance, wherein the second enclosure at least partially physically contacts with at least one of the substance and the substance container, and a housing at least partially comprising the first enclosure and the second enclosure.

A cold storage material of the present disclosure includes: tetrahydrofuran; water; and at least one silver compound selected from the group consisting of silver phosphate represented by a chemical formula Ag.sub.3PO.sub.4, silver carbonate represented by a chemical formula Ag.sub.2CO.sub.3, and a silver oxide represented by a chemical formula AgO. This cold storage material has a melting point of 2 degrees Celsius or higher and 8 degrees Celsius or lower and a crystallization temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or higher and lower than the melting point.

A cold pack includes a sealed package containing liquid portion and a support structure, with the liquid portion formed of water and menthol isopropyl alcohol in a 4:1 ratio. The support structure is open-cell foam containing interconnected volumes retaining the liquid portion, with cells connected to one another by ligaments. A pack system supports one or more cold packs in pouches for application to a target. Pouches include an insulating layer and a mesh layer that sandwich two large sides of the cold packs, with the mesh layer adjacent to the target, and the insulating layer exposed to the environment. The mesh layer and the insulating layer have a high ratio of thermal conductivity. The pack system includes a waist strap for applying cooling to a human back or a rectangular form for forming into a cylinder-type shape for applying cooling to a horse's leg.

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 assembly is removably mounted on the insulation unit. The liner assembly includes a first liner piece, a second liner piece, and a liner support. A plurality of temperature-control members and a product box may be removably positioned in a cavity defined by the liner assembly. The temperature-control members snugly fit around all sides of the product box and each include a container containing dry ice.

Method and apparatus for thermally protecting a product, when storing and/or shipping a product, to control temperatures products are exposed to. Embodiments increase the amount of time portions of the product experience a desired temperature range and/or reduce the amount of time portions of the product experience temperatures outside a desired temperature range and/or experience an undesirable temperature range. Embodiments incorporate thermally conductive materials, referred to as conductive equalizers, positioned around and/or near the product positioned inside a packaging container, where the conductive materials conduct heat from locations in the package interior to other locations in the package interior. The conductive equalizers conductively transfer heat from hotter portions of the interior of the container to cooler portions of the interior of the container and/or from portions of the interior desired to be cooled to the cold bank, resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution around the product.

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.