A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

A handle top includes a top panel defining a first side edge and a second side edge disposed opposite from the first side edge; a side panel, an inner edge of the side panel hingedly attached to the top panel at the first side edge; and a handle loop comprising a handle portion and a base portion, the base portion secured to the side panel.

A modular box assembly includes a box, the box defining a top end and a bottom end disposed opposite from the top end, the box including a plurality of side panels extending between the top end and the bottom end, the plurality of side panels at least partially defining a box cavity within the box; and an inner box positioned within the box cavity, the inner box dividing the box cavity into a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment, the inner box including a channel tab extending outward from a side panel of the inner box, the channel tab engaging a first side panel of the plurality of side panels of the box.

A modular box assembly includes a box, a box cavity defined within the box, the box defining a top end and a bottom end, the top end defining a box opening to the box cavity, the box includes a side panel extending from the top end to the bottom end; a shoulder attached to the side panel, the shoulder extending inward from the side panel and into the box cavity, the shoulder comprising a first sub-shoulder and a second sub-shoulder, the first sub-shoulder, the second sub-shoulder, and the side panel defining a shoulder channel; and a support bracket comprising a channel tab and a support shelf, the channel tab positioned within the shoulder channel, the channel tab frictionally engaging the first sub-shoulder and the second sub-shoulder to secure the support bracket within the shoulder channel, the support shelf extending into the box cavity.

A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

A modular box assembly includes a box defining a box cavity within the box, the box further defining a top end and a bottom end, the top end defining a box opening connected to the box cavity, the box including a side panel extending from the top end to the bottom end; a shoulder attached to the side panel, the shoulder extending inward from the side panel and into the box cavity, the shoulder including a first sub-shoulder and a second sub-shoulder, the first sub-shoulder, the second sub-shoulder, and the side panel defining a shoulder channel; and an inner box disposed in the box cavity, the inner box including a channel tab, the channel tab frictionally engaging the shoulder channel to secure and suspend the inner box within the box cavity between the top end and the bottom end.

A modular box assembly includes a box defining a box cavity within the box, the box further defining a top end and a bottom end, the top end defining a box opening connected to the box cavity, the box including a side panel extending from the top end to the bottom end; a shoulder attached to the side panel, the shoulder extending inward from the side panel and into the box cavity, the shoulder including a first sub-shoulder and a second sub-shoulder, the first sub-shoulder, the second sub-shoulder, and the side panel defining a shoulder channel; and an inner box disposed in the box cavity, the inner box including a channel tab, the channel tab frictionally engaging the shoulder channel to secure and suspend the inner box within the box cavity between the top end and the bottom end.

Apparatus and methods for assembling thermally insulated containers are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for inserting a first insulating liner panel and a second insulating liner panel into a rectangular box to form a thermally insulated container includes a first station with a flap opening assembly, a second station with a first liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a first liner panel within the box, and a third station with a second liner panel insertion assembly for inserting a second liner panel within the box. A box transfer system is configured to transfer the box between the first station, the second station, and the third station. A flap guide system maintains the at least two of the lid flaps of the box in the open configuration as the box is transferred from the first station to the third station.

A liner includes a liner subassembly, the liner subassembly comprising a body portion, the body portion comprising a front, a back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom, the body portion defining a cavity; and a flap portion hingedly connected to a top end of the back, the flap portion sized to cover the cavity; and a support connected to the bottom, the support comprising a central body and two end portions, each end portion hingedly connected to the central body, wherein the body portion and the flap portion comprise insulated walls.

A liner comprising a body portion and a flap portion. The body portion comprises a front, a back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom. The body portion defines a cavity. The flap portion is hingedly connected to a top end of the back of the body portion. The flap portion is sized to cover the cavity. The body portion and the flap portion comprise a single piece of insulative material.