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.

A cooling bag according to various aspects of the present technology comprises a main body configured to form an interior receiving section. The main body may comprise front and rear panels and a bottom panel extending between the front and rear panels. At least one of the front, rear or bottom panels comprises a multi-layer structure comprising an external fabric layer; an interior liner; and a plurality of intermediate insulating layers disposed between the external fabric layer and the interior liner. The multi-layer structure may further comprise at least one air gap disposed between at least one intermediate insulating layer. A cooling sleeve may be disposed within the interior receiving section. The cooling sleeve may divide the interior receiving section into a front receiving section and a back receiving section. The cooling sleeve may be configured to receive a cooling element.

An appliance having a storage tank disposed on its back surface wherein the storage tank comprises a front cover and a back cover that matingly engages the front cover to form a liquid tight seal with the front cover. The storage tank further includes a phase-changing material disposed within the storage tank and a heat exchanger containing refrigerant tubing which transfers cooling from refrigerant tubing to the phase-changing solution. The storage tank, when fully charged with cooling capacity, maintains the food storage compartment at a temperature of 45 F. or less for at least 8 hours without activating a compressor.

A refrigerant bunker comprises a refrigerant covering comprising a first thermally insulating material configured to enclose a solid refrigerant and an outer container comprising a container body and a container cover. The container body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface defining a partially enclosed space configured to accept the solid refrigerant and an opening for accessing the partially enclosed space. The container cover is configured for covering the container opening. The container body comprises a second thermally insulating material. A plurality of spacers protrude from the inner surface of the outer container in the partially enclosed space. The plurality of spacers are positioned to have gas fillable gaps between the spacers. Coolers employing the refrigerant bunker are also disclosed.

The present application generally relates to devices and methods for transporting, delivering, and storing items, and it more specifically relates to insulated carriers for use in transporting, delivering, and storing temperature-controlled items such as perishable food and beverage items. The containers are collapsible and insulated to allow for the efficient storage and transport of the containers while empty.

The present application generally relates to devices and methods for transporting, delivering, and storing items, and it more specifically relates to insulated carriers for use in transporting, delivering, and storing temperature-controlled items such as perishable food and beverage items. The containers are collapsible and insulated to allow for the efficient storage and transport of the containers while empty.