A system for shading and cooling an article container is disclosed. The system includes a base with a compartment formed within, a cooling element inserted into the compartment, and a collapsible canopy structure extending upwards from the base. The collapsible canopy structure includes a vertical supporting element hingedly attached at its bottom end with the base, and a cantilevered element hingedly attached with a top end of the vertical supporting element. A planar sheet is mounted on the vertical supporting structure and the cantilevered element. The system is configured to move between a storage configuration and an operational configuration. In the operational configuration, the vertical supporting element and cantilevered element provide shading for the article container. The system further includes a plurality of storage pockets attached to an inward facing surface of the planar sheet and a solar panel attached to an outward facing surface of the planar sheet.

A beverage cooling carrier system. The system includes a carrier tray having handles and a removable cooling block for securing and chilling a plurality of beverage glasses therein. The system is useful for securing and chilling a plurality of beverages before and during consumption of the beverages by a consumer.

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.

Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for thermally protecting a product, such as when storing and/or shipping a product, so as to control the temperatures the products are exposed to. Embodiments can increased the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience a desired temperature range and/or reduce the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience temperatures outside of the desired temperature range and/or experience an undesirable temperature range. Embodiments can incorporate thermally conductive materials, such as aluminum sheets, positioned around and/or near the product positioned inside a packaging container, such that the conductive materials conduct heat from one or more locations in the interior of the package to one or more other locations in the interior of the package. These thermally conductive materials can be referred to as conductive equalizers. The conductive equalizers can conductively transfer heat from the 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. Conducting heat from hotter portions to cooler portions, or from portions to be cooled to the cold bank can result in a more uniform temperature distribution around the product.

An apparatus is described herein for storing and transporting food and beverages, comprising a rigid housing configured to fit within a container, the housing comprising a base and a wall extending outwardly from the base, the wall having an inner layer and an outer layer defining a space therebetween, a refreezable material disposed in the space, and a divider panel configured to be removably mounted in the housing. Other products, systems and methods also are disclosed.

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.

Disclosed is a beverage dispensing cooler. The beverage dispensing cooler includes a first lid, a second lid, a body, an axle, a handle and multiple hoses. The body includes a chamber, a panel, a base valve, a wall drain, a primary hose, a flow control unit, a power unit and a dispenser gun. The chamber includes multiple cylinders, multiple pressure compartments and a basin configured to collect water from condensation and melted ice. The axle further includes multiple wheels, a rod and multiple bearings connected to the rod and to the multiple wheels. The handle is configured to facilitate engagement of the beverage dispensing cooler with a hand of a user.

An apparatus for cooling a beverage container with a planar base with a compartment formed within and a divider panel enclosing the compartment; a cooling element inserted into the compartment; and a canopy structure extending upwards from the planar base. The apparatus may have storage pockets connected to the canopy. The apparatus may have a solar panel for collecting solar energy attached to the outer surface of the canopy.

Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for thermally protecting a product, such as when storing and/or shipping a product, so as to control the temperatures the products are exposed to. Embodiments can increased the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience a desired temperature range and/or reduce the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience temperatures outside of the desired temperature range and/or experience an undesirable temperature range. Embodiments can incorporate thermally conductive materials, such as aluminum sheets, positioned around and/or near the product positioned inside a packaging container, such that the conductive materials conduct heat from one or more locations in the interior of the package to one or more other locations in the interior of the package. These thermally conductive materials can be referred to as conductive equalizers. The conductive equalizers can conductively transfer heat from the 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. Conducting heat from hotter portions to cooler portions, or from portions to be cooled to the cold bank can result in a more uniform temperature distribution around the product.

Cartridges for maintaining objects at a desired temperature for extended periods of time can be constructed by sealing a thermoconductive cover on a flexible base container filled with a phase change material with a phase change temperature identical to the desired temperature.