A configurable container includes a first divider and a container body. The divider has a divider body and a first projection extending from the divider body, wherein the first projection has a length having a first dimension and a width having a second dimension different than the first dimension. The container body includes a first wall that includes a first groove facing inward toward the internal cavity, wherein the first groove has a width configured to receive the width of the first projection of the first divider in a first orientation. At least one of the first wall and a second wall includes a second groove also facing inward toward the internal cavity, wherein the second groove has a width configured to receive the length of the first projection in a second orientation, wherein the width of the second groove is different than the width of the first groove.

Beverage container packing assemblies and methods are disclosed. A beverage container packing assembly includes a bottom tray, center support, and a top tray. The bottom tray defines first compartments. The first compartments may be configured to receive a first portion of a beverage container. The bottom tray includes one or more first support columns. The center support defines through holes. Each of the through holes is configured to receive a second portion of a beverage container therethrough. The center support is configured to accommodate a thermo pack. The top tray defines second compartments. Each of the second compartments is configured to receive a third portion of a beverage container. The top tray is configured to accommodate the thermo pack between a first row and a second row of the second compartments.

Shipping systems for temperature-sensitive materials and methods of making and using same. In one embodiment, the shipping system includes a cooler base and a lid. The base includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion includes a thermal insulation unit including a bottom wall and four side walls. A thermally-conductive member is positioned on the bottom wall. A polymeric bag encapsulates the thermally-conductive member and some of the thermal insulation unit. The outer portion includes thermally-insulating material and defines an opening. The inner portion is permanently bonded to the outer portion, with cavities defined therebetween. A product box is placed in the inner portion directly over the polymeric bag and the underlying thermally-conductive member. First temperature-control members are disposed within the inner portion, with at least one temperature-control member directly over the polymeric bag and the underlying thermally-conductive member. Second temperature-control members are disposed within the cavities.

The double walled vacuum insulated beverage housing system provides an aperture for receiving a heat transfer unit. The heat transfer unit also provides an aperture for receiving a beverage vessel within the heat transfer unit. The heat transfer unit stores a heat transfer material including but not limited to a fluid, gel, phase change material, or other substance that can be heated or cooled depending upon the desired effect on the beverage. A retention shoulder secures the heat transfer unit adjacent an insulating chamber to insulate both the heat transfer unit and the beverage.

In one aspect, temperature control sheets are described herein. In some embodiments, such a sheet comprises a first film; a second film facing opposition to the first film; and a phase change material (PCM) component disposed in between the first film and the second film. The sheet comprises one or more PCM-containing zones in a lateral plane of the sheet and also comprises one or more PCM-free fold or cut zones or lines in the lateral plane of the sheet.

Method and system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for an extended time. In one embodiment, the system includes an outer box having a rectangular cavity. An insulation unit is snugly but removably positioned in the rectangular cavity. The insulation unit includes a support and a thermal insulation member. The support may be a generally rectangular sleeve with four sides, an open bottom and an open top. The thermal insulation may be a bilayer material wrapped around the four sides of the support to form a spiral structure. The bilayer material may include a first sheet of an expanded slit-sheet packaging material and a second sheet of tissue paper. The system may additionally include a bottom insulation member at the bottom of the support, a top insulation member at the top of the support, and a payload and temperature-control members between the top and bottom insulation member.

Method and system for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials. In one embodiment, 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.

An instant freezer apparatus able to freeze consumable fluids and food having a freezing point lower than water is disclosed. The method of the present invention is directed to freezing of a substance such as to instantly freeze consumable fluids and food without altering their chemical compositions. The instant freezer apparatus generally comprises a main frame and a removable freezing module. The apparatus may further comprise a freezing fluid injection system such as a liquid carbon dioxide tank or a liquid nitrogen tank fluidly connected to the main frame. At least two freezing cells comprising the fluid to be frozen may be included, the freezing cells being independently removable from the freezing module and other freezing cells. A semi-flexible mat for receiving and supporting varying shapes of freezing cells may be included.

The currently disclosed invention consists of a system for rapidly chilling a beverage within a drinking container while it is being consumed. The preferred embodiment consists of two straight plastic tubes, one fitting inside the other, with ice contained between the outer tube and the inner tube, wherein beverage can be drawn up through the inner tube in the manner of a drinking straw. The tubes are created by extrusion molding, with an optional weight located within the outer tube, surrounding the base of the inner tube, and encased in plastic. Other embodiments of this system are possible, as are described within the specification incorporated herein.

A mechanical apparatus comprised of a plurality of pods in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, containing liquid, to be frozen for the purpose of dynamically transfer/impart its charged thermal energy to a directly contacted object placed within. The pods are joined to each other by elastic bands allowing it to instantly expanse and grip varying size beverage containers. Furthermore, the plurality of pods and a beverage container are disposed in an insulated holder; a sealable cap is then inserted to seal off and insulate the discharging of thermal energy therein from ambient conditions. A beverage in the form of can or bottle may be placed in the apparatus to achieve desired chill temperature for an extended length of time in high ambient temperature conditions.