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 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 includes a plurality of detachably joined portions.

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, the panel providing a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent, and a compostable or recyclable water-proof polymer film forming a pocket and surrounding the panel with the panel slidable within the pocket.

A nested insulated packaging assembly includes an outer box including an outer top side wall, an outer bottom side wall, and a plurality of outer lateral side walls, the outer box defining a cavity; an inner cardboard portion including a plurality of inner lateral side walls, the inner cardboard portion positioned within the cavity; a first thermal liner positioned at least partially between the inner cardboard portion and the outer bottom side wall; and a second thermal liner defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite from the first end, the second thermal liner defining an inner surface and an outer surface disposed opposite from the inner surface, the second thermal liner positioned between the plurality of outer lateral side walls and the plurality of inner lateral side walls, the inner surface facing the inner cardboard portion, the outer surface facing the outer box.

A nested insulated packaging assembly includes: an outer box including an outer top side wall, an outer bottom side wall, and a plurality of outer lateral side walls; an inner box received in the outer box, the inner box including an inner top side wall, an inner bottom side wall, and a plurality of inner lateral side walls; a first thermal liner contacting a one of the outer lateral side walls of the outer box and a one of the inner lateral side walls of the inner box; and a second thermal liner contacting a second of the outer lateral side walls of the outer box and a second of the inner lateral side walls of the inner box.

Shipping container systems are provided for shipping a temperature sensitive product or payload. The systems include at least one heat transfer element and a payload container configured to hold payload therein and configured to be positioned within a shipping container; the payload container being spaced from sidewalls of the shipping container. Also included are spacers that may space the payload container from one or more of the heat transfer elements, or the spacers may space the heat transfer elements from an inside surface of the shipping container, or the spacers space multiple heat transfer elements from one another. The spacers are configured to allow air to flow over surfaces of the payload container and heat transfer elements. Also included are kits that include components of the system and methods of packing a shipping container with the system and/or kit components. Further provided are products that include any one or more of the described elements, such as the unique shuttle horizontal spacers provided herein; and fully assembled shipping containers.

A thermally insulating packaging to hold an item includes a solid compostable or recyclable shell that is formed primarily of a plant fiber, and a bottom cover. The shell includes a floor, a plurality of inner side walls that are coupled to the floor, a rim coupled to the plurality of inner side walls, and a plurality of outer side walls that are couple to the rim. The floor and the plurality of inner side walls define an interior space of the shell to receive the item and an opening to the interior space. The plurality of inner side walls and plurality of outer side walls have a space therebetween that defines a gap. The gap can be an air-filled cavity, or be filled with a compostable or recyclable core material.

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.

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.

An insulating container liner comprising a first sectioned insulating panel piece comprising an insulating material and a thermoplastic shell enclosing the insulating material, wherein the first sectioned insulating paneling piece forms the bottom, a side and top of the insulating container liner; a second sectioned insulating panel piece comprising an insulating material, and a thermoplastic shell enclosing the insulating material, wherein the second sectioned insulating paneling piece forms the remaining three sides of the insulating container liner; and a flexible outer bag housing the first and second sectioned insulating panel pieces wherein the bag is attached to the first and second sectioned insulating panel pieces.