A modular box assembly includes a box having a top end, an opposed bottom end, and side panels extending from the top end to the bottom end. A bottom panel is disposed at the bottom end such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity and the top end defines a box opening. A shoulder is attached to two side panel and extends inward from the side panels into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance. A box top covers the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the top panel engages the shoulders to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box.

A biodegradable cooler includes an outer shell that includes a base; support walls coupled to the base, roof sections extending from the support walls. The base, the support walls, and the roof sections define a cavity of the outer shell. The outer shell further includes handle sections extending from the roof sections. The handle sections are attached to each other when the outer shell is closed. The biodegradable cooler further includes a liner disposed within in the cavity of the outer shell. The liner is made from one or more biodegradable materials.

The invention relates to a smart thermal insulation box, including thermally insulated layers with mitered edges forming a thermally insulated space, and said space surrounded by corrugated material. The box also has externally viewable and operable temperature and humidity sensors, and optionally, a vibration sensor, where the sensors are preferably fixed inside the box to one side. One of the cardboard panels forming the top of the box which overlays the insulation layer has a window configured to overlay the display panel. An audible alert system may also be included to alert users to temperature or humidity excursions.

In one aspect, a shipping container includes a plurality of thermally insulating pads positioned in a cavity in a box. Each pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of extruded milled sorghum, the panel providing a rectangular plate, and a compostable water-proof film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel is loose within the pocket. At least one of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a multi-section panel including a score across its width in at least one location. The score extends partially but not entirely through the thickness of the multi-section panel. The multi-section panel is folded at a right angle at the score such that the panel provides a plurality of rectangular plates dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the plurality of plates is adjacent.

Method and system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a target temperature range for an extended time. In one embodiment, the system keeps materials within a temperature range of +2 C. to +8 C. and includes an insulated container, a product box, ice packs, and organic phase-change material (PCM) packs. The ice packs are preconditioned to a very low temperature, such as 20 C. The organic PCM packs do not require preconditioning and may be kept at room temperature. In use, the frozen ice packs and the warm organic PCM packs may be loaded into the insulated container, together with a payload in the product box. Preferably, the frozen ice packs are sandwiched between a pair of organic PCM packs on each face of the product box. The masses of ice and organic PCM are selected so that, upon thermal equilibration, the ice and organic PCM are within the target temperature range.

A method includes positioning a first insulation liner in a box, the box including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, and a plurality of lateral side walls, the first insulation liner including a left fold, a center fold, and a right fold, the first insulation liner contacting a one of the lateral side walls of the box; and positioning a second insulation liner in the box, the second insulation liner contacting a second of the lateral side walls of the box, the second insulation liner including a top fold, a back fold, and a bottom fold, the top fold of the second insulation liner positioned between the left fold and the right fold of the first insulation liner.

The present invention pertains to the art of packing materials. The present invention provides a thermally-insulating and compostable packing product made of a compostable thin-film material forming an enclosed envelope filled with compressed corn-starch. The packing product of the present invention may be folded and positioned within a container to physically and thermally insulate or isolate an item for shipping within the container.

Provided is an insulation liner for use inside a shipping carton that affords thermal insulation and shock absorption for an object to be shipped, a liner and carton system, a method of production of the insulation liner, and methods of use. The insulation liner includes a larger component folded into three panels, a smaller component folded into three panels, and standoffs disposed on the surfaces of both the larger component and the smaller component. The standoffs may be oriented inwardly or outwardly. When oriented outwardly they create an interstitial air space that reduces conduction allowing the insulation effect of the liner and carton system to equal or exceed that of a molded polystyrene container of an equal size.

A packaging may include at least one insulative wall and at least one cooling device embedded into the at least one wall. A method of forming at least one insulative wall of a package may include placing a cooling device into a form, closing the form, injecting a liquid form of an expansive foam, and curing the foam.

A pallet cover suitable for use in covering at least a portion of a payload on a pallet and a kit for use in making the pallet cover. In one embodiment, the pallet cover includes a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, wherein the walls are detachably joined to one another. Each of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall includes a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, the first and second fabric sheets being joined together to form a plurality of pockets. Each pocket may removably receive a temperature-control member containing a phase-change material. At least one of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall and the right side wall may include a plurality of detachably joined portions.