AERIAL DELIVERY PACKAGES

Abstract

A thermally insulated package 100 for transporting a temperature sensitive payload by unmanned aerial vehicle. The thermally insulated package comprises a payload retention volume 150, at least one layer of insulation 121, 122 surrounding the payload retention volume 150 and an outer casing 110 enclosing the at least one layer of insulation 121, 122 and the payload retention volume 150. The thermally insulated package 100 is shaped to reduce drag in flight by having an aerodynamic shape, particularly in a nose section 130 and optionally a tail section 140. The thermally insulated package 100 may be particularly suitable as a single use packaging for transporting temperature sensitive goods to remote locations. A packaging blank 200 and an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising the thermally insulated package 100 are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A thermally insulated package for transportation by unmanned aerial vehicle, the thermally insulated package comprising: a payload retention volume; at least one layer of insulation surrounding the payload retention volume; an outer casing enclosing the at least one layer of insulation and the payload retention volume; and an aerodynamic nose section arranged at the front of the thermally insulated package with respect to the direction of flight of said unmanned aerial vehicle.

2. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1, wherein the nose section tapers to a leading edge at the front of the nose section.

3. The thermally insulated package according to claim 2, wherein the nose section comprises a top face, a bottom face and two side faces which meet at the leading edge and are arranged at acute angles to the direction of flight of said unmanned aerial vehicle; wherein at least one of said faces provides an access door to the payload retention volume.

4. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1 comprising an aerodynamic tail section arranged at the rear of the thermally insulated package with respect to the direction of flight of said unmanned aerial vehicle.

5. The thermally insulated package according to claim 4, wherein the outer casing forms the nose section and the tail section.

6. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing is formed from a packaging blank.

7. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing is formed from cardboard.

8. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of insulation is biodegradable.

9. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1 which is a single use thermally insulated package.

10. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1 comprising a descent slowing device.

11. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1 comprising a recess for accommodating at least one functional device, the recess arranged between the at least one layer of insulation and the outer casing.

12. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1 comprising a main body which comprises the payload retention volume and the at least one layer of insulation, wherein the main body has an approximately cuboid shape.

13. The thermally insulated package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of insulation surrounding the payload retention volume comprises a second layer of insulation which at least partially surrounds the payload retention volume and a first layer of insulation which surrounds the second layer of insulation and the payload retention volume.

14. A packaging blank configured to form a packaging comprising an aerodynamic nose section and an outer casing comprising a payload retention volume.

15. An unmanned aerial vehicle for delivery of temperature sensitive goods, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a thermally insulated package according to claim 1 and a release mechanism for releasing the thermally insulated package from the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the nose section of the thermally insulated package is exposed to air drag during forward movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how example embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0075] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermally insulated package according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0076] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the thermally insulated package of FIG. 1 along line X.

[0077] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a packaging blank according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0078] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a two-part packaging blank according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0079] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a two-part packaging blank according to the second aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a thermally insulated package 100 having external dimensions of from 20 to 200 cm in length and 10 to 50 cm in height and width, suitably approximately 65 cm in length and approximately 25 cm in height and width. FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view through the vertical central plane (X) of the thermally insulated package 100. The thermally insulated package 100 is formed from a cardboard packaging blank and comprises an outer casing 110 which defines a main body section 120, a nose section 130 and a tail section 140. The main body section 120 encloses a layer of six insulation pads 121 arranged in a cuboid, four of which are visible in FIG. 2, a layer of four coolant containing vessels 122 and a payload retention volume 150. The main body section 120 is cuboid in shape.

[0081] Nose section 130 comprises leading edge 131, top face 132, bottom face 133 and two side faces 134. The top face 132, bottom face 133 and two side faces 134 taper from the main body section 120 to the leading edge 131, providing the nose section 130 with an aerodynamic shape. The nose section 130 is closed onto the main body section 120 using tabs and slots (not shown). The nose section 130 may also comprise adhesive to hold it closed onto the main body section 120 in use. The nose section 130 can be opened by undoing the tabs from the slots (and breaking any adhesive bond present) which allows the user access to the inside of the nose section 130 and the inside of the main body section 120, and therefore to access the payload retention volume once the insulation pads 121 have been removed. Alternatively, tear strips can be provided in the outer casing 110.

[0082] Tail section 140 comprises trailing edge 141, top face 142, bottom face 143 and two side faces 144. The top face 142, bottom face 143 and two side faces 144 taper from the main body section 120 to the trailing edge 141, providing the tail section 140 with an aerodynamic shape. The tail section 140 is closed onto the main body section 120 using tabs and slots (not shown). The tail section 140 may also comprise adhesive to hold it closed onto the main body section 120 in use. The tail section 140 can be opened by undoing the tabs from the slots (and breaking any adhesive bond present) which allows the user access to the inside of the tail section 140 and the inside of the main body section 120, and therefore access to the payload retention volume once the insulation pads 121 have been removed.

[0083] The cross sectional view of FIG. 2 shows the internal storage volume provided by the nose section 130 and the tail section 140, which may be used for storing a device, an accessory, a document or a descent slowing device, such as a parachute. FIG. 2 also shows the arrangement of insulation pads 121 within main body section 120 which abut each other to form a cuboidal internal space. This cuboidal internal space is occupied by the payload retention volume 150 and coolant vessels 122 which are arranged alongside and in contact with the payload retention volume, within the layer of insulation pads 121. The insulation pads are formed of hemp. The coolant vessels are formed of a polymeric material and are charged with water then frozen before use in order to cool the payload retention volume (and any temperature sensitive goods placed inside) during use.

[0084] FIG. 2 also shows plate 123 and protrusions 124 which are used to releasably attach the thermally insulated package to an unmanned aerial vehicle for transportation. Plate 123 is arranged underneath and in contact with the outer casing 110 so that the protrusions 124 of the plate 123 register with and pass through apertures 111 in the outer casing 110.

[0085] FIG. 3 shows packaging blank 200 formed from a suitable cardboard material and provided with fold lines shown (by the internal lines). FIG. 2 shows main body section region 220, nose section region 230 and tail section region 240 which will become the main body, nose and tail sections of the thermally insulated package produced from the blank 200, respectively. The nose section region 230 comprises top face 232, bottom face 233 and side faces 234. The top face 232 and the bottom face 233 are trapezoidal and joined by a fold line as shown. The side faces 234 are triangular. The top face 232, bottom face 233 and side faces 234 are configured with said shapes to fold up to form the aerodynamic shaped nose section described above having leading edge 131.

[0086] Tail section 240 comprises top face 242, bottom face 243 and side faces 244. The top face 242 and the bottom face 243 are trapezoidal and joined by a fold line as shown. The side faces 244 are triangular. The top face 242, bottom face 243 and side faces 244 are configured with said shapes to fold up to form the aerodynamic shaped tail section described above having trailing edge 141.

[0087] Main body section region 220 comprises apertures 211 for facilitating the releasable attachment of a thermally insulated package formed from the blank 200 to said unmanned aerial vehicle, as described above.

[0088] The packaging blank can be folded up according to the score lines shown and by inserting the numbered tabs labelled “a” into their respective slots labelled “b”, for example by inserting tab 1a into slot 1b, to provide the outer casing, nose section and tail section of the thermally insulated packaging 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0089] FIG. 4 shows a two-part packaging blank 300 comprising a first part 301 which provides a main body section region 320 and a tail section region 340, and a second part which provides a nose section region 330. The two-part packaging blank 300 can be folded and joined together as described in relation to blank 200, except that the second part 302 (nose section region 330) is joined to the first part 301 (at the main body section region 320) by inserting tabs 1a and 2a into slots 1b and 2b and by fixing flaps X to the main body section region 320 at positions Y, suitably with adhesive. The thermally insulated package so formed may be opened by releasing the flaps X from the main body section, to allow access to the payload retention volume.

[0090] FIG. 5 shows a two-part packaging blank 400 comprising a first part 401 and a second part 402. The first part 401 and the second part 401 both provide main body section regions 420, nose section regions 430 and tail section regions 440, which come together on assembly of the packaging blank 400 to provide the main body, nose section and tail section of the outer casing of a thermally insulated package. The two-part packaging blank 400 can be folded and joined together in a similar manner to that described in relation to blank 300 by inserting tabs 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a into slots 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b and by fixing flaps X to the main body section region 420 at positions Y, suitably with adhesive. The thermally insulated package so formed may be opened by releasing the flaps X from the main body section, to allow access to the payload retention volume.

[0091] Blanks 200, 300 and 400 provide a convenient and cost effective means of forming an outer casing for a thermally insulated package which can allow a single use and biodegradable thermally insulated package, when suitable biodegradable insulation materials are chosen, which is particularly suited for delivery by unmanned aerial vehicle to remote and/or underdeveloped locations.

[0092] In summary, the present invention provides a thermally insulated package for transporting a temperature sensitive payload by unmanned aerial vehicle. The thermally insulated package comprises a payload retention volume, at least one layer of insulation surrounding the payload retention volume and an outer casing enclosing the at least one layer of insulation and the payload retention volume. The thermally insulated package is shaped to reduce drag in flight by having an aerodynamic shape, particularly in a nose section and optionally a tail section. The thermally insulated package may be particularly suitable as a single use packaging for transporting temperature sensitive goods to remote locations. A packaging blank and an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising the thermally insulated package is also provided.

[0093] Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0094] Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” or “comprises” means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of other components. The term “consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” means including the components specified but excluding other minor components unrelated to the technical effect of the invention.

[0095] The term “consisting of” or “consists of” means including the components specified but excluding addition of other components.

[0096] Whenever appropriate, depending upon the context, the use of the term “comprises” or “comprising” may also be taken to encompass or include the meaning “consists essentially of” or “consisting essentially of”, and may also be taken to include the meaning “consists of” or “consisting of”.

[0097] The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention as set out herein are also to be read as applicable to any other aspect or exemplary embodiments of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each exemplary embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different exemplary embodiments.

[0098] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0099] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0100] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0101] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.