A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a multi-section thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a plurality of solid compostable panel sections formed primarily of grain starch, and a water-proof polyethylene film forming a pocket enclosing the plurality of panel sections. Each panel section holds together as a single unit, and each panel section provides a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent. The pad is configured to be foldable at a right angle along a boundary between the panel sections. The film provides both an interior and an exterior surface of the pad where the pad is folded.

A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a multi-section thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a plurality of solid compostable panel sections formed primarily of grain starch, and a water-proof polyethylene film forming a pocket enclosing the plurality of panel sections. Each panel section holds together as a single unit, and each panel section provides a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent. The pad is configured to be foldable at a right angle along a boundary between the panel sections. The film provides both an interior and an exterior surface of the pad where the pad is folded.

A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container to be adjacent to and cover one or more of a floor, four side walls and cover of the container while leaving an interior space to receive the item. The thermally insulating pad includes a compostable panel that holds together as a single unit and is formed primarily of starch, and compostable or recyclable film forming a pocket and surrounding the panel to prevent water from reaching the panel within the pocket. The film is secured to the panel along a portion but not all of the opposite surfaces of the compostable panel.

In one aspect, a food delivery temperature charging system, temperature charging cradle systems and food transportation system are described herein. In some embodiments, the food delivery temperature charging system contains a temperature charging cradle system including a base unit including a first temperature adjustment unit generating hot or cold air, a backing affixed to the base unit, and a channel duct affixed to the backing, wherein the first temperature adjustment unit is connected to the channel duct so that the channel duct permits free flow of the first temperature medium to a charging station. The food delivery temperature charging system further includes a charging station containing a horizontal shelf for holding a food storage system including a shelf temperature medium portal, which is connected to a channel duct so that the first temperature medium is conveyed from the fully enclosed channel duct to the temperature medium portal.

In one aspect, food transport systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system comprises an interior compartment defined by a floor, one or more side walls, and optionally a lid. The lid has open and closed configurations. The lid, or a bottom surface thereof, is in facing opposition to the floor when the lid is in the closed configuration. The side walls comprise fold lines or seams substantially parallel to the floor. Further, the side walls have reduced thickness or rigidity or self-supporting ability at the fold lines. The interior compartment has an extended configuration and a folded configuration. When the interior compartment is in the extended configuration, the side walls are substantially orthogonal to the floor. When the interior compartment is in the folded configuration, the side walls are folded or collapsed onto themselves along the fold lines, in a direction orthogonal to the floor.

A box includes a side wall including an outer side panel; an inner side panel positioned parallel to the outer side panel; and a connecting strip defining a first edge and a second edge, the first edge connected to the outer side panel by a first fold line, the second edge connected to the inner side panel by a second fold line, the connecting strip defining a trapezoidal shape; and a bottom wall coupled to the side wall.

A method of assembling a box from a blank and an insulator pad includes obtaining a blank comprising an outer side panel comprising an outer fold line, a connecting strip joined to the outer side panel by a fold line, and an inner side panel connected to the connecting strip by a fold line; obtaining an insulator pad comprising an angled cut defining an edge; folding the inner side panel such that the inner side panel faces the outer side panel; and positioning the insulator pad between the outer side panel and the inner side panel such that the edge of the insulator pad is positioned at the inner fold line.

A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container to be adjacent to and cover one or more of a floor, four side walls and cover of the container while leaving an interior space to receive the item. The thermally insulating pad includes a compostable panel that holds together as a single unit and is formed primarily of starch, and compostable or recyclable film forming a pocket and surrounding the panel to prevent water from reaching the panel within the pocket. The film is secured to the panel along a portion but not all of the opposite surfaces of the compostable panel.

A method for insulating a box includes positioning an insulated panel adjacent to a side panel of the box, the insulated panel including an insulation batt and a sheet, the insulated panel defining a border extending around a perimeter of the insulation batt; and attaching a seam of the border to a portion of a perimeter area of the side panel.