US20090145912A1

US20090145912A1 - Temperature-stabilized storage containers

Info

Publication number: US20090145912A1
Application number: US12/001,757
Authority: US
Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde; Edward K.Y. Jung; Nathan P. Myhrvold; Clarence T. Tegreene; William H. Gates, III; Charles Whitmer; Lowell L. Wood, JR.
Original assignee: Searete LLC
Current assignee: Tokitae LLC
Priority date: 2007-12-11
Filing date: 2007-12-11
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: CN101896783A; WO2009075877A8; WO2009075877A1

Abstract

Systems described herein include integrally sealed containers. An integrally sealed container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material having one or more surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining at least one storage region; and one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one or more segments form an integrally thermally sealed storage region.

Description

SUMMARY

In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermally sealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material, the one or more segments having one or more surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining at least one storage region; and one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one or more segments form an integrally thermally sealed storage region. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermally sealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material, wherein at least one of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material substantially define one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, and at least one of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material passes entirely around a perimeter of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermally sealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material principally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region; and at least one edge seal, including one or more segments of a second ultra efficient insulation material in proximity to at least one edge of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material, and substantially thermally sealed connections between the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material and the one or more segments of second ultra efficient insulation material. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealed container.

FIG. 1B is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealed container.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealed container.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealed container.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealed container such as the one shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealed container.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of some aspects of an ultra efficient insulation material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.
In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermally sealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material, the one or more segments having one or more surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining at least one storage region; and one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one or more segments form an integrally thermally sealed storage region. An integrally thermally sealed container, such as the ones depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, includes ultra efficient insulation material principally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. An integrally thermally sealed container, such as the ones depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, includes at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region with extremely low heat conductance and extremely low heat radiation transfer between the outside environment of the container and the area internal to the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. An integrally sealed container may have virtually zero heat conductance and virtually zero heat radiation transfer between the outside environment of the container and the inside of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. As used herein, “integrally sealed” refers to containers that are constituently sealed, for example a container that must be broken open to access the contents of the least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. In some embodiments, an integrally sealed container may be refurbished or repaired and reused, while in other embodiments an integrally sealed container may be designed for single-use and be disposable.
With reference now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, shown is an example of an integrally thermally sealed container that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes or devices described herein. FIGS. 1A and 1B depict an integrally sealed container including one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material 100 principally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region 110. FIG. 1A depicts a cross section view of an integrally thermally sealed container illustrating ultra efficient insulation material 100 wrapped in a circular or ball-like shape to principally define a substantially thermally sealed storage region 110. FIG. 1B illustrates an external view of the integrally thermally sealed container shown in FIG. 1A, with a cut-away section depicting the interior of the container. Although the integrally thermally sealed container depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B is in a circular or ball-like shape, in some embodiments the container may be in an oblong, egg-like or other shape. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the container may contain one or more heat sink units 120, or it may contain no heat sink units. The integrally thermally sealed container, in some embodiments, may include no active cooling units. Although the integrally thermally sealed container depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B contains one storage region 110, in some embodiments a container may include multiple storage regions, which may be of similar or different size and shape to each other. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of storage regions within the container.
The term “ultra efficient insulation material,” as used herein, may include one or more type of insulation material with extremely low heat conductance and extremely low heat radiation transfer between the surfaces of the insulation material. The ultra efficient insulation material may include, for example, one or more layers of thermally reflective film, high vacuum, aerogel, low thermal conductivity bead-like units, disordered layered crystals, low density solids, or low density foam. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes one or more low density solids such as aerogels, such as those described in, for example: Fricke and Emmerling, Aerogels—preparation, properties, applications, Structure and Bonding 77: 37-87 (1992); and Pekala, Organic aerogels from the polycondensation of resorcinol with formaldehyde, Journal of Materials Science 24: 3221-3227 (1989); each of which are herein incorporated by reference. As used herein, “low density” may include materials with density from about 0.01 g/cm³to about 0.10 g/cm³, and materials with density from about 0.005 g/cm³to about 0.05 g/cm³. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes one or more layers of disordered layered crystals, such as those described in, for example: Chiritescu et al., Ultralow thermal conductivity in disordered, layered WSe₂crystals, Science 315: 351-353 (2007), which is herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflective film separated, for example, by at least one of: high vacuum, low thermal conductivity spacer units, low thermal conductivity bead like units, or low density foam. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one multiple layer insulating composite such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,805 to Smith et al., titled “Multilayer insulation composite,” which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one metallic sheet insulation system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,283 to Reed et al., titled “Metallic sheet insulation system,” which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one thermal insulation system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,051 to Augustynowicz et al., titled “Thermal insulation systems,” which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,656 to Maignan et al., titled “Rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation,” which is herein incorporated by reference.
In reference now to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material may include at least one multilayer insulation material. For example, the ultra efficient insulation material may include multilayer insulation material such as that used in space program launch vehicles, including by NASA. See, e.g., Daryabeigi, Thermal analysis and design optimization of multilayer insulation for reentry aerodynamic heating, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 39: 509-514 (2002), which is herein incorporated by reference. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material may include at least two layers of thermal reflective film 620, 630 separated by low thermal conductivity spacer units 640. The low thermal conductivity spacer units may include, for example, low thermal conductivity bead-like structures, aerogel particles, folds or inserts of thermal reflective film. Although two layers of thermal reflective film are shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments there may be one layer of thermal reflective film or more than two layers of thermal reflective film. Similarly, there may be variable numbers of low thermal conductivity spacer units 640. In some embodiments there may be one or more additional layers within or in addition to the ultra efficient insulation material, such as, for example, an outer structural layer 600 or an inner structural layer 610. An inner or an outer structural layer may be made of any material appropriate to the embodiment, for example an inner or an outer structural layer may include: plastic, metal, alloy, composite, or glass. In some embodiments, there may be one or more layers of high vacuum between layers of thermal reflective film.
The term “heat sink unit,” as used herein, includes one or more units that absorb thermal energy, such as that described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,734 to Voorhes et al., titled “Heat Sink,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,101 to Ruka et al., titled “Heat Sink,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,426 to Best et al., titled “Heat or Thermal Energy Storage Structure,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,308 to Faghri titled “Thermal Energy Storage Heat Exchanger,” which are each incorporated herein by reference. Heat sink units may include, for example: units containing frozen water or other types of ice; units including frozen material that is generally gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure, such as frozen carbon dioxide (CO₂); units including liquid material that is generally gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure, such as liquid nitrogen; units including artificial gels or composites with heat sink properties; units including phase change materials; and units including refrigerants, such as that described, for example, in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,241 to Kitahara et al., titled “Refrigerant,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,403 to Bivens et al., titled “Halocarbon Blends for Refrigerant Use,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,854 to Enjo et al., titled “Absorption Refrigerant Compositions for Use in Absorption Refrigeration Systems,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,465 to Gray, titled “Hydrocarbon-Halocarbon Refrigerant Blends,” which are each herein incorporated by reference.
The term “active cooling unit,” as used herein, includes conductive and radiative cooling mechanisms that require electricity from an external source to operate. For example, active cooling units may include one or more of: actively powered fans, actively pumped refrigerant systems, thermoelectric systems, active heat pump systems, active vapor-compression refrigeration systems and active heat exchanger systems. The external energy required to operate such mechanisms may originate, for example, from municipal electrical power supplies or electric batteries.
As depicted in FIG. 2, in some embodiments an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections 210, 220 between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material 200 and the one or more segments of second ultra efficient insulation material 230 wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections 210, 220 and the one or more segments 200, 230 form at least one integrally thermally sealed storage region 240. The one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections 210, 220 may include multiple components, such as one or more structural sections 210 and one or more sealing connection sections 220. In some embodiments, either or both of the one or more structural sections 210 and one or more sealing connection sections 220 may include ultra efficient insulation material. Although the container depicted in FIG. 2 is illustrated in cross-section, it will be apparent that the one or more structural sections 210 and one or more sealing connection sections 220 form substantially thermally sealed connections around the circumference of the container or as needed in a specific embodiment to create substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material 200 and the one or more segments of second ultra efficient insulation material 230. Although the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections depicted in FIG. 2 include multiple components, in some embodiments the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections would include crimps, twists, welds or other structure to form one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between one or more surface regions of the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material 200 and the one or more segments of second ultra efficient insulation material 230.
With reference now to FIG. 3, in some embodiments an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections 350, 380, between the at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material 300 and the one or more segments of second ultra efficient insulation material 370 wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections 350, 380 and the one or more segments 300, 370 form at least one integrally thermally sealed storage region 320, 330, 340. The substantially thermally sealed connections may provide extremely low heat conductance and extremely low heat radiation transfer between integrally thermally sealed storage regions. The substantially thermally sealed connections may provide virtually zero heat conductance and virtually zero heat radiation transfer between substantially thermally sealed storage regions. In some embodiments, the substantially thermally sealed connections will allow less heat leak than the entire remainder of the container. In some embodiments, the substantially thermally sealed connections may double the heat seal relative to the remainder of the structure. For example, the heat leak through the substantially thermally sealed connections may be a factor of about 0.5 to a factor of about 2.0 relative to the heat leak through the remainder of the container. For example, the heat leak through the substantially thermally sealed connections may be a factor of about 0.1 to a factor of about 0.5 relative to the heat leak through the remainder of the container. The substantially thermally sealed connections may include any material or structure appropriate to the embodiment, for example: glues; adhesives; fasteners; welds; at least one layer of an ultra efficient insulation material; or at least one layer of a superinsulation material. In some embodiments, one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections may include physical structure to encourage at least one connection between the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material and the one or more segments of second ultra insulator material, for example ridges, notches, strips, tongues, ribs, grooves or indentations on the surface regions of one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material which mate with ridges, notches, strips, tongues, ribs, grooves or indentations on the surface regions of one or more segments of second ultra insulator material to form at least one connection. In some embodiments, there are a plurality of storage regions 320, 330, 340 within the container. Although the plurality of storage regions 320, 330, 340 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are of similar size and shape, there may be a plurality of storage regions in varying sizes and shapes, depending on the embodiment.
In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material includes at least one material described above and at least one superinsulation material. As used herein, a “superinsulation material” may include structures wherein at least two floating thermal radiation shields exist in an evacuated double-wall annulus, closely spaced but thermally separated by at least one poor-conducting fiber-like material.
In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension. The layers of thermal reflective material may be separated, for example, by magnetic suspension methods including magnetic induction suspension or ferromagnetic suspension. For more information regarding magnetic suspension systems, see Thompson, Eddy current magnetic levitation models and experiments, IEEE Potentials, February/March 2000, 40-44, and Post, Maglev: a new approach, Scientific American, January 2000, 82-87, which are each incorporated herein by reference. Ferromagnetic suspension may include, for example, the use of magnets with a Halbach field distribution. For more information regarding Halbach machine topologies and related applications suitable for use in an embodiment described herein, see Zhu and Howe, Halbach permanent magnet machines and applications: a review, IEE Proc.-Electr. Power Appl. 148: 299-308 (2001), which is herein incorporated by reference.
Some embodiments include nontoxic lining within one or more of the at least one storage region. For example, FIG. 3 depicts nontoxic lining 390 within storage region 330. Nontoxic lining may include, for example, lining that does not itself react with, or produce residue that may be toxic to, the contents of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, or lining that does not produce residue, or otherwise impart properties to the contents that may be toxic to, the future users of contents of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. Nontoxic lining may include lining that maintains the chemical structure of the contents of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, for example nontoxic lining may include chemically inert or non-reactive materials. Nontoxic lining may include lining that has been developed for use in, for example, medical, pharmaceutical or food storage applications. Nontoxic lining may include lining that may be cleaned or sterilized, for example lining that may be irradiated, autoclaved, or disinfected. Nontoxic lining may include lining that contains one or more antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, or antipathogen agents. For example, nontoxic lining may include aldehydes, hypochlorites, oxidizing agents, phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds, or silver. Nontoxic lining may include material that is structurally stable in the presence of one or more cleaning or sterilizing compounds or radiation, such as plastic that retains its structural integrity after irradiation, or metal that does not oxidize in the presence of one or more cleaning or sterilizing compounds. Nontoxic lining may include lining that consists of multiple layers, with layers removable for cleaning or sterilization, such as for reuse of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. Nontoxic lining may include, for example, lining including metals, fabrics, papers or plastics.
Some embodiments include at least one marking indicating a region where an integrally thermally sealed container may be broken open to release stored material within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. The at least one marking 360 may include superficial markings on the exterior of the container, such as those indicated with superficial colorations on the exterior of the container, for example, markings painted or stamped on the exterior of the container. The at least one marking 360 may include markings that include the interior of the container, including markings that may alter the structure of the container such as scratches or perforations. The at least one marking 360 may include superficial markings on the exterior of the container that indicate one or more locations on the container which are amenable to pressure or force due to structural aspects of the interior of the container which are not visible from the exterior of the container, for example superficial markings that indicate regions where a container may be pushed, twisted, punctured or cut in alignment with interior structures to break open the container to release stored material from one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region.
An integrally thermally sealed container may include at least one temperature indicator. With reference now to FIG. 4, an integrally thermally sealed container may include at least one temperature indicator 430, 440, 450. For example, at least one temperature indicator 440 may be located within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, at least one temperature indicator 430 may be located exterior to the container, or at least one temperature indicator 450 may be located within the structure of the container. In some embodiments, multiple temperature indicators may be located in multiple positions. Temperature indicators may include temperature indicating labels, which may be reversible or irreversible. Temperature indicators suitable for some embodiments may include, for example, the Environmental Indicators sold by ShockWatch Company, with headquarters in Dallas Tex., the Temperature Indicators sold by Cole-Palmer Company of Vernon Hills Ill. and the Time Temperature Indicators sold by 3M Company, with corporate headquarters in St. Paul Minn., the brochures for which are each hereby incorporated by reference. Temperature indicators suitable for some embodiments may include time-temperature indicators, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,709,472 and 6,042,264 to Prusik et al., titled “Time-temperature indicator device and method of manufacture” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,029 to Seiter, titled “Time-temperature indicator,” each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Temperature indicators may include, for example, chemically-based indicators, temperature gauges, thermometers, bimetallic strips, or thermocouples.
In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors. With reference now to FIG. 4, an integrally thermally sealed container may include sensors 400, 410, 420. At least one sensor 410 may be located within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, at least one sensor 400 may be located exterior to the container, or at least one sensor 420 may be located within the structure of the container. In some embodiments, multiple sensors may be located in multiple positions. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors includes at least one sensor of a gaseous pressure within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a stored volume within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a temperature within one or more of the at least one storage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, at least one sensor may include a temperature sensor, such as, for example, chemical sensors, thermometers, bimetallic strips, or thermocouples. An integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors such as a physical sensor component such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,749 to Petrovic et al., titled “Physical sensor component,” which is herein incorporated by reference. An integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors such as a pressure sensor such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,554 to Baba et al., titled “Pressure sensor,” which is herein incorporated by reference. An integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors such as a vertically integrated sensor structure such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,071 to Sooriakumar et al., titled “Vertically integrated sensor structure and method,” which is herein incorporated by reference. An integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors such as a system for determining a quantity of liquid or fluid within a container, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,559 to Kuehl et al., titled “System and method for measuring liquid mass quantity,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,598 to Upton, titled “Apparatus for and method of monitoring the mass quantity and density of a fluid in a closed container, and a vehicular air bag system incorporating such apparatus,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,869 to Clarke et al., titled “High accuracy mass sensor for monitoring fluid quantity in storage tanks,” each of which is herein incorporated by reference. An integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags to identify material within the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. RFID tags are well known in the art, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,223 to Blama, titled “Radio frequency identification tag and method,” which is herein incorporated by reference.
In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more communications devices. The one or more communications devices, may include, for example, one or more recording devices, one or more transmission devices, one or more display devices, or one or more receivers. Communications devices may include, for example, communication devices that allow a user to detect information about the container visually, auditorily, or via signal to a remote device. Some embodiments may include more than one type of communications device, and in some embodiments the devices may be operably linked. For example, some embodiments may contain both a receiver and an operably linked transmission device, so that a signal may be received by the receiver which then causes a transmission to be made from the transmission device. Some embodiments may include more than one type of communications device that are not operably linked. For example, some embodiments may include a transmission device and a display device, wherein the transmission device is not linked to the display device. Some embodiments may include communications devices on the exterior of the container, including devices attached to the exterior of the container, devices adjacent to the exterior of the container, or devices located at a distance from the exterior of the container. Some embodiments may include communications devices located within the structure of the container. Some embodiments may include communications devices located within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions.
With reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more recording devices 525, 530, 535. The one or more recording devices may include devices that are magnetic, electronic, chemical, or transcription based recording devices. One or more recording device 535 may be located within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, one or more recording device 525 may be located exterior to the container, or one or more recording device 530 may be located within the structure of the container. The one or more recording device may record, for example, the temperature from one or more temperature sensor, the result from one or more temperature indicator, or the gaseous pressure, mass, volume or identity of an item information from at least one sensor within the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, the one or more recording devices may be integrated with one or more sensor. For example, in some embodiments there may be one or more temperature sensors which record the highest, lowest or average temperature detected. For example, in some embodiments, there may be one or more mass sensors which record one or more mass changes within the container over time. For example, in some embodiments, there may be one or more gaseous pressure sensors which record one or more gaseous pressure changes within the container over time.
With reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more transmission device 550, 555, 560. One or more transmission device 550 may be located within at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, one or more transmission device 560 may be located exterior to the container, or one or more transmission device 555 may be located within the structure of the container. The one or more transmission device may transmit any signal or information, for example, the temperature from one or more temperature sensor, or the gaseous pressure, mass, volume or identity of an item or information from at least one sensor within the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, the one or more transmission device may be integrated with one or more sensor, or one or more recording device. The one or more transmission devices may transmit by any means known in the art, for example, but not limited to, via radio frequency (e.g. RFID tags), magnetic field, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic waves, sonic waves, or radioactivity.
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more display devices. In some embodiments, the one or more display devices 460, 540 may be located within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. In some embodiments, the one or more display devices 470, 545 may be located on the exterior of the container. In some embodiments, one or more display devices may be integrated with one or more sensor. For example, in some embodiments one or more display devices may show temperature information. In some embodiments, one or more display devices may be integrated with one or more recording devices. For example, a recording device may include a visual printing, such as a graph, which is visualized with a display device, such as a window-like covering. For example, a recording device may include a digital display which indicates some aspects of the information being recorded in real-time or over a time interval. In some embodiments, the one or more display devices 480, 575 may be located at a distance from the container. For example, one or more display devices located at a distance from the container 480, 575 may display data transmitted from one or more transmission device. Display devices located at a distance may include, for example, electronic displays or computer displays. In some embodiments, data from one or more transmission device may be stored in an analog or digital medium for later display to a user. For example, data transmitted from one or more transmission device may be stored on a remote computer system for display at a later time as requested by a system or a user.
In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more receivers. For example, one or more receivers may include devices that detect sonic waves, electromagnetic waves, radio signals, electrical signals, magnetic pulses, or radioactivity. Depending on the embodiment, one or more receiver may be located within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. In some embodiments, one or more receivers may be located within the structure of the container. In some embodiments, the one or more receivers may be located on the exterior of the container. In some embodiments, the one or more receiver may be operably coupled to another device, such as for example one or more display devices, recording devices or transmission devices. For example, a receiver may be operably coupled to a display device on the exterior of the container so that when an appropriate signal is received, the display device indicates data, such as time or temperature data. For example, a receiver may be operable coupled to a transmission device so that when an appropriate signal is received, the transmission device transmits data, such as location, time, or positional data.
With reference now to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 5, in some embodiments an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material, wherein at least one of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material substantially define one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, and at least one of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material passes entirely around a perimeter of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions. In some embodiments, there may be one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections (such as depicted as 505) between at least two areas of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material. Some embodiments may include wherein the one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material passes entirely around a circumference of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions at least twice. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, an integrally thermally sealed container may include no active cooling units. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more heat sink units 120, 580. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include no heat sink units. In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material may include at least one superinsulation material. In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material may include at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include nontoxic lining 570 within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include at least one marking 565 indicating a region where the container may be broken open to release stored material within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include at least one temperature indicator. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one sensor of gaseous pressure within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a stored volume within one or more of the at least one storage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more recording devices 525, 530, 535. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more transmission devices 550, 555, 560. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more display devices 540, 545, 575.
In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material principally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storage regions, and at least one edge seal, including one or more segments of a second ultra efficient insulation material in proximity to at least one edge of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material, and substantially thermally sealed connections between the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material and the one or more segments of the second ultra efficient insulation material. With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material 300, 370 principally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, and at least one edge seal 310, wherein the edge seal includes one or more segments of a second ultra efficient insulation material in proximity to at least one edge of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material, and substantially thermally sealed connections 350 between the one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulation material and the one or more segments of second ultra efficient insulation material. In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material is substantially the same as the second ultra efficient insulation material. In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material includes at least one superinsulation material. In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension. In some embodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes no active cooling units. In some embodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes no heat sink units. In some embodiments, the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections principally define at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region 320, 330, 340. In some embodiments, there are a plurality of storage regions within the container. Some embodiments may include nontoxic lining (e.g. 390) within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. Some embodiments may include at least one marking 360 indicating a region where the container may be broken open, punctured or cracked to release stored material within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. Some embodiments may include at least one temperature indicator 430, 440, 450. Some embodiments may include one or more sensors 400, 410, 420. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors (e.g. 400, 410, 420) include at least one sensor of gaseous pressure within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, sensor of a stored volume within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. In some embodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes one or more recording devices. In some embodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes one or more transmission devices. In some embodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes one or more display devices 460, 470, 480.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are within the skill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific example herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired.
Each of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification or listed in any Application Data Sheet, is incorporated herein by reference, to the extent not inconsistent herewith.
In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

EXAMPLES

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a food item or items below the freeze point (generally 0° C./32° F.). For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to increase the shelf-life, for example, of a fresh food item or items. In this instance, a fresh food item might include meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, bread, or dairy. The recommended shelf-life of frozen fresh food items may range from 3 months to 1 year (see, e.g., Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Foodkeeper Guide Fact Sheet, which is herein incorporated by reference). Alternatively, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain the temperature of frozen dessert items such as, for example, ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice cream bar, etc. As such, the integrally thermally sealed container may hold a single serving of the food item. Alternatively, the integrally thermally sealed container may be large enough to hold multiple servings, which may be used in a single sitting. Optionally, the integrally thermally sealed container may hold more than one type of frozen food item such as, for example, a meat and a vegetable serving or servings. The integrally thermally sealed container may contain one or more sensors, temperature indicators, communication devices or recording devices to indicate the quality or integrity of the food during the course of storage, the length of storage, or activity relative to the container during storage.
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a liquid or beverage below the freeze point (generally 0° C./32° F.). For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain water, for example, in a frozen state. As such, a block or blocks of frozen liquid such as water ice obtained from an integrally thermally sealed container may be used, for example, in an emergency setting to keep food or medicines cold in a refrigerator, ice chest, or other insulated container. Optionally, a block or blocks of frozen liquid such as water ice obtained from an integrally thermally sealed container may be used in a setting where power for refrigeration is not available or is limited, such as, for example, a field station, a military outpost, a refuge camp, a forest service outpost, a climbing or other expedition, or for recreational outings.
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a food item or items at a specific temperature, such as that maintained by standard refrigeration, generally in the range 37-40° F. (3-4.5° C.). An integrally sealed container may keep foods in an appropriate temperature range, neither excessively warm or cool, during storage or transport. For example, an integrally thermally sealed contained may be used to maintain fresh, non-pasteurized caviar, for example, for 4 weeks in the range of 37-40° F. (see, e.g., Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Foodkeeper Guide Fact Sheet, which is herein incorporated by reference). Similarly, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain hard cheeses for 6 or more months in the range of 37-40° F., for example.
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a liquid or beverage within a specific temperature range during storage or transport. A liquid or beverage might be water or flavored water, dairy product or fruit juice, carbonated soda, wine, beer or distilled spirits, for example. A specific temperature may be that at which the liquid or beverage is best stored, for example, for long term aging. For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to store wine at an optimal storage temperature range, generally 50 to 55° F. (10-12° C.). Similarly, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to store beer at a storage temperature range, generally 45-65° F. Alternatively, a specific temperature may be that at which a liquid or beverage is preferably served. For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may store a beverage in a temperature range of 37-40° F. (3-4.5° C.), comparable to a standard electric refrigerator. Alternatively, an integrally thermally sealed container may store a beverage such as beer, for example, at a temperature appropriate for serving depending upon the type of beer, ranging for example from 37 to 53° F. (3-12° C.). The beverage may be directly packaged into the integrally thermally sealed container. Alternatively, the beverage may be packaged separately into a can, carton, or bottle, for example, and than further packaged in the integrally thermally sealed container. The integrally thermally sealed container may contain a single or multiple servings of the liquid or beverage, which may be used in a single sitting.
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to keep fluids intended for intravenous administration at or slightly above body temperature. In a medical or surgical setting, for example, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to hold artificial plasma or other blood product at appropriate temperature for immediate use. For example, plasma substitutes such as hydroxylethyl starch (HES) are often administered rapidly to patients with hypovolemia and for hemodilutional autotransfusion (HAT) during surgery and anesthesia (Yamakage et al. Safety and beneficial effect on body core temperature of prewarmed plasma substitute hydroxyethyl starch during anesthesia, Anesthesiology (2004) 101:A1285, which is herein incorporated by reference). Addition of these agents at room temperature may result in a drop in the patient's core temperature. HES has been shown to be stable at 40° C. for at least 3 months. As such, a blood product or plasma substitute such as HES, for example, may be stored at 40° C., for example, in an integrally thermally sealed container until needed in a medical or surgical setting.
Alternatively, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain an intravenous solution at or slightly above body temperature (generally 98.6° F./37° C.). For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may contain a solution of dextrose or saline for use, for example, in treating dehydration associated with hypothermia. As the core temperature of a hypothermic individual is already below normal, addition of intravenous fluids should optimally be performed at normal body temperature to prevent further cooling (Department of Health & Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold Injuries Guidelines Revised version 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference). As such, an integrally thermally sealed container containing a prewarmed rehydration solution may be used, for example, by first responders in the field such as a paramedic, an emergency medical technician, search and rescue, coast guard, or military personnel.
An integrally thermally sealed container may also be used to maintain an object at a specific temperature. For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to keep a blanket prewarmed, for example, for use in an emergency or medical setting. A hospital setting might include using a prewarmed blanket from an integrally thermally sealed container to prevent hypothermia at birth in preterm and/or low birth weight babies (Cohen et al. Thermal efficiency of prewarmed cotton, reflective, and forced-warm-air. Int. J. Trauma. Nurs. (2002) 8:4-8, which is herein incorporated by reference). A prewarmed blanket may be used in an emergency situation to treat an individual exhibiting signs of shock or hypothermia. In the instance where the individual is conscious, the warm blanket may be used to completely wrap the body. In the instance where the individual is unconscious and the peripheral vasculature has become constricted and acidic, the warm blanket or parts of the warm blanket may be used to warm the torso, groin, neck, armpits and/or head and as such prevent further loss of core body temperature (Department of Health & Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold Injuries Guidelines Revised version 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference). It is anticipated that an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to hold other items for warming a body or extremities such as for example towels, hat, gloves, socks, pants, shirt, or a combination thereof.
An integrally thermally sealed container under pressure may be used to maintain humidified air or oxygen in the range 43-45° C. (107-122° F.), for example. In a hypothermic individual, loss of heat during respiration may account for 10% to 30% of the body's heat loss, particularly under conditions in which the ambient air temperature is cold. As such, inhalation of warm, water-saturated air is a non-invasive treatment suitable for active core rewarming in the field and donates heat directly to the head, neck, and thoracic core, warming the hypothalamus, the temperature regulation center, the respiratory center, and the cardiac center at the base of the brainstem. (Department of Health & Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold Injuries Guidelines Revised version 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference). In many cases, this rewarming of the central nervous system at the brainstem reverses the cold-induced depression of the respiratory centers and improves the level of consciousness. Alternatively, an integrally thermally sealed container may contain water ranging in temperature, for example, from 99 to 212° F. (37-100° C.) that may be used in conjunction with a face mask to provide prewarmed, humidified air to a hypothermic individual. For example, inhaled ambient air may be passed over steaming, prewarmed water prior to entering an individual's lungs.
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain water, for example, at a temperature appropriate for bathing or cleaning dishes, clothes, or equipment in the field. For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may contain water at a temperature range of 80 to 100° F. for a “field shower” for use by military, forest service, or first responders, for example, in an emergency following exposure to a hazardous chemical or agent. For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may contain water at a temperature range of 80 to 100° F. for cleaning dishes or other items in remote regions, disaster areas or war zones.
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain water at or just below boiling temperature, generally 212° F./100° C. In some settings, the water may be sterilized. Boiling water may be used for heating and cooking a variety of ready to eat items such as, for example, beverages including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cider, and foods including dehydrated foods and instant soup, noodles, and oatmeal. As such, the integrally thermally sealed container containing water at or near boiling may be used in an emergency or remote setting, for example, when the capacity to heat water is unavailable or inconvenient.
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a non-edible liquid at a specific temperature to facilitate immediate use. For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may contain ready to use hot mix asphalt maintained within an optimal spreading temperature range, generally 280 to 300° F. Hot mix asphalt is routinely used for large paving projects and is manufactured at a local hot mix asphalt facility and delivered to the paving site already warm and ready to be used. As such, hot mix asphalt maintained at temperature in an integrally thermally sealed container may be used in those situations in which a local hot mix asphalt facility is not available, for example after damage to a road or an airfield in a remote location, disaster area or war zone. Alternatively, hot mix asphalt maintained at temperature in an integrally thermally sealed container may be used for a patching project or projects requiring immediate attention by a road or airstrip crew. Optionally, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain new formulations of asphalt such as, for example, warm mix asphalt at temperature ranges of 160-180° F. (Suttmeier, Warm mix asphalt: a cooler alternative (2006) Material Matters, Spring:21-22, which is herein incorporated by reference).
An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a solution of deicing material, such as, for example, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, salt solutions, urea solutions, or a combination thereof at a temperature appropriate to facilitate removal of ice, snow and/or frost. Propylene glycol is capable of lowering the freezing point of water to about −60° C. and is a common component of solutions used to deice airplanes, for example. Propylene glycol in combination with water and additional salts and/or urea is usually sprayed on hot, in the range of 150 to 180° F., and at high pressure. A small amount of deicing material, for example 25-50 gallons, may be used on an otherwise dry day to warm fuel tanks. Alternatively, as much as 1700 gallons of deicing material have been reportedly used per plane during heavy snow fall. As such, an integrally thermally sealed container may be configured to contain, for example, 25-50 gallons of prewarmed deicing material for minimal deicing of a plane. Alternatively, an integrally thermally sealed container may be configured to contain a large capacity (500 to 1000 gallons), for example, of prewarmed deicing material.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. An integrally thermally sealed container, comprising:

one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material, the one or more segments having one or more surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining at least one storage region; and

one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one or more segments form an integrally thermally sealed storage region.

2. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the container includes no active cooling units.

3. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the container contains one or more heat sink units.

4. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the container contains no heat sink units.

5. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of storage regions within the container.

6. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

at least one superinsulation material.

7. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

at least one multilayer insulation material.

8. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

at least two layers of thermal reflective material separated from each other by magnetic suspension.

9. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising:

nontoxic lining within the integrally thermally sealed storage region.

10. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one marking indicating a region where the container may be broken open to release stored material within the integrally thermally sealed storage region.

11. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising:

at least one temperature indicator.

12. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising:

one or more sensors.

13. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 12, wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one:

sensor of a gaseous pressure within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a stored volume within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a temperature within one or more of the at least one storage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the at least one storage region.

14. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising:

one or more communications devices.

15. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 14, wherein the one or more communications devices includes at least one:

one or more recording devices, one or more transmission devices, one or more display devices, or one or more receivers.

16. An integrally thermally sealed container, comprising:

one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material, wherein at least one of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material substantially define one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions; and

at least one of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material passes entirely around a perimeter of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions.

17. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, further comprising:

one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least two areas of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material.

18. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material passes entirely around a circumference of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions at least twice.

19. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the container includes no active cooling units.

20. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the container contains one or more heat sink units.

21. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the container contains no heat sink units.

22. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

at least one superinsulation material.

23. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

at least one multilayer insulation material.

24. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

25. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising:

nontoxic lining within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions.

26. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising:

at least one marking indicating a region where the container may be broken open to release stored material within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions.

27. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising:

at least one temperature indicator.

28. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising:

one or more sensors.

29. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 28, wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one:

sensor of gaseous pressure within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, sensor of a mass within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, sensor of a stored volume within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, sensor of a temperature within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, or sensor of an identity of an item within at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions.

30. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising:

one or more communications devices.

31. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 30, wherein the one or more communications devices includes at least one:

32. An integrally thermally sealed container, comprising:

one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material principally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region; and

at least one edge seal, including;

one or more segments of a second ultra efficient insulation material in proximity to at least one edge of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material; and

substantially thermally sealed connections between the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material and the one or more segments of the second ultra efficient insulation material.

33. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material is substantially the same as the second ultra efficient insulation material.

34. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the container includes no active cooling units.

35. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the container includes no heat sink units.

36. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the substantially thermally sealed connections principally define at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region.

37. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein there are a plurality of storage regions within the container.

38. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

at least one superinsulation material.

39. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

at least one multilayer insulation material.

40. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes:

41. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, comprising:

nontoxic lining within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region.

42. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, comprising:

at least one marking indicating a region where the container may be broken open to release stored material within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region.

43. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, comprising:

at least one temperature indicator.

44. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, comprising:

one or more sensors.

45. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 44, wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one:

sensor of gaseous pressure within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, sensor of a stored volume within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, sensor of a temperature within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region.

46. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, comprising:

one or more communications devices.

47. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 46, wherein the one or more communications devices includes at least: