(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`Smith et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`USOO6701724B2
`
`(54) SORPTION COOLING DEVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Douglas MI Smith, Albuquerque, NM
`(US); Veronica Natividad,
`Albuquerque, NM (US); Tamara L.
`O’Brien Houton TX (US) Kevin H
`,
`’
`’
`’
`.
`Roflemk Albuquerque> .NM (US)>
`L01X X. Warren, Bernalillo, NM (US);
`Richard G. Perkes, Stewkley (GB);
`Fagsessa Sinclair, Leighton Buzzard
`
`'
`
`.
`(73) ASSignee: Nanopore, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject. to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(65)
`
`(21) APPL N05 10/1653758
`(22)
`Ffled:
`Jun.6,2002
`.
`.
`.
`Pr10r Publication Data
`US 2003/0014982 A1 Jan. 23, 2003
`.
`.
`Related US Application Data
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Continuation—in— art of a
`lication No. 09/970,094, filed on
`) Oct. 2, 2001, WhIich is aggntinuation—in—part of application
`No. 09/876,841, filed on Jun. 6, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,584,
`797.
`
`63
`
`(
`
`7
`
`
`F25B 17/00; F25B 17/08
`Int. Cl'
`(51)
`
`(52) US. Cl. .................................. 62/106; 62/480
`(58) Field of Search ................................ 62/371, 457.9,
`62/457.7, 238.1, 238.3, 494, 476, 480,
`101’ 109
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
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`.
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`
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`............................. 62/4
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`.................. 62/101
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`............ 62/480
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`........... 128/204.15
`
`GB
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`
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2095386
`9/1982
`W0 89/00271
`1/1989
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Pending patent application Ser. No. 09/932,264; Entitled
`“Cooling Device”; Smith et al.; Filed Aug. 17, 2001.
`Pending patent application Ser. No. 10/046,661; Entitled
`“Coohng Devkm”;Rodefick;Ffled Oct 26,2001
`Pending patent application Ser. No. 09/691,371; Entitled
`Desiccant Composition; Smith et al.; Filed Oct. 18, 2000.
`Pending patent application 09/876,841; Filing date Jun. 6,
`2001; Smith et al.
`Pending patent application 09/970,094; Filing date Oct. 2,
`2001‘ Smith et al.
`T
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Pending Patent application 10/165>753; Filing date Jun. 6’
`2002; Smith et al.
`
`Primary Examiner—Chen Wen Jiang
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Marsh Fischmann &
`Breyfogle LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Novel sorption cooling devices capable of providing cooling
`over an extended period of time are disclosed. The sorption
`cooling devices. are particularly useful for temperature-
`controlled shipping containers that are required to maintain
`a temperature below ambient for a time sufficient to com-
`plete delivery of the container and its contents. The shipping
`containers can be utilized to cost-effectively transport
`_
`~~
`temperature senSitive prOduCtS‘
`
`15 Claims, 45 Drawing Sheets
`
`num‘i'fififl
`
`
`
`1004
`1014
`1012
`
`1016
`
`1002
`
`y..-
`- ,
`./
`I....."‘
`
`
`
`1010
`
`PGR2021-00085
`
`Pelican EX1011 Page 1
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`

`

`US 6,701,724 132
`
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,291,942 A
`5,309,985 A
`5,318,540 A
`5,355,684 A
`5,440,896 A
`5,628,205 A
`
`3/1994 Ryan ..................... 165/104.12
`5/1994 Erickson ................ 165/104.12
`6/1994 Athayde et al.
`............ 604/141
`10/1994 Guice ......................... 62/54.2
`8/1995 Maier—Laxhuber et al.
`62/269
`5/1997 Rockenfeller et al.
`........ 62/480
`
`5,660,049 A
`5,802,870 A
`5,816,069 A
`5924302 A
`5,943,876 A
`5,950,450 A
`6,192,703 B1
`6,438,992 B1
`
`8/1997 Erickson ...................... 62/107
`..... 62/480
`9/1998 Arnold et al.
`
`.. 62/457.9
`10/1998 Ebbeson ......
`
`.. 62/457.2
`7/1999 Derifield ......
`
`..... 62/371
`8/1999 Meyer et al.
`.. 62/457.9
`9/1999 Meyer et al.
`
`.............. 62/457.7
`2/2001 Salyer et al.
`8/2002 Smith et al.
`.................. 62/488
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Ddar.9,2004
`
`Sheet1,0f45
`
`US 6,701,724 132
`
`
`
`FIG.1
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 3
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1011 Page 3
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`110
`
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`
`FIG.2
`
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`
`Pelican EX1011 Page 4
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1011 Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`
`
`FIG.3
`
`PGR2021-00085
`
`Pelican EX1011 Page 5
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1011 Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Ddar.9,2004
`
`Sheet4 0f45
`
`US 6,701,724 132
`
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`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 6
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1011 Page 6
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Watervaporpressure(mbar)
`
`50
`
`40
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`30
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`Temperature (0C)
`
`Fig. 5
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 7
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
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`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1011 Page 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 132
`
`600
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 9
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`PGR2021-00085
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`Box temp. = 5 0C
`
`t Relative heat load (feed air=0 mbar)
`
`Relative feed rate( feed air=0 mbar)
`“9— Relative feed rate( feed air=20mbar)
`
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` rate, prior art Relativeheatloadandwaterfeedrate
`
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`
`Constant feed
`
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`Ambient Temp (C)
`
`FIG.9
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`PGR2021-00085
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 9 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`1000
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 11
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`PGR2021-00085
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 10 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 12
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`PGR2021-00085
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 11 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`1200
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 13
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`PGR2021-00085
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 12 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`1300
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 14
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 13 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`(gig)
`Water/Desiccant
`
`+ Surraée Modified Cafrbon
`uu
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`+ Silica :Gel
`
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`20
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`Water Vapor Pressure (mbar)
`
`30
`
`Fig. 15
`
`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 15
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 14 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`1600
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 16
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 15 0f 45
`
`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`g-water/g—adsorbent
`
`0
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`
`Fig. 18
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`PGR2021-00085
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`Pelican EX1011 Page 17
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`PGR2021-00085
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Ddar.9,2004
`
`Sheet16 0f45
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`US 6,701,724 132
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 17 0f 45
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 19 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 20 0f 45
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 22 0f 45
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 23 0f 45
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 27 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 28 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 29 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 33 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 34 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 36 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 37 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 39 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 40 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`45
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`US. Patent
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`Sheet 42 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 43 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 9, 2004
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`Sheet 44 0f 45
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`US 6,701,724 B2
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`

`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`1
`SORPTION COOLING DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a CIP and claims priority to US. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/876,841 filed Jun. 6, 2001 now US.
`Pat. No. 6,584,797 and which is a CIP US. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 09/970,094 filed Oct. 2, 2001. Each of these
`US. Patent Applications is incorporated herein by reference
`in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention is directed to improved sorption
`cooling devices and methods for using sorption cooling
`devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to
`sorption cooling devices that are particularly adapted to
`maintain a reduced temperature within an enclosed container
`for an extended period of time. The cooling devices are
`particularly useful for temperature-controlled shipping con-
`tainers that must maintain a temperature below ambient for
`extended time periods, such as from 1 hour to about 120
`hours, or more.
`2. Description of Related Art
`The shipment of products that must have their tempera-
`ture maintained within a specific range below ambient is one
`of the fastest growing market segments in the modern
`shipping industry. This growth is driven by a number of
`factors including widespread concerns about safety in the
`cold food distribution chain, increasing numbers of phar-
`maceutical and life sciences products which must have their
`temperature maintained within certain limits,
`the rapid
`growth in high-value specialty chemicals such as those used
`in the semiconductor industry,
`the increasing number of
`sophisticated medical tests which require the shipment of
`patient specimens to an external laboratory, the increased
`number of clinical trials associated with new pharmaceutical
`discovery and the increased delivery of products directly to
`the customer as a result of Internet ordering.
`This field is generally referred to as controlled tempera-
`ture packaging (CTP). CTP can be segmented by the target
`temperature range, namely: frozen (below 0° C.); 2° to 8° C.;
`and less than ambient (e.g., less than 30° C.). In addition,
`CTP may be segmented by container size, namely: greater
`than pallet; one cubic foot to pallet; and less than one cubic
`foot. Containers having a size greater than pallet are typi-
`cally cooled by mechanical refrigeration and the shipment
`times are typically from days to many weeks. The one cubic
`foot to pallet size segment is dominated by systems using ice
`(e.g., gel packs) and/or dry ice as a coolant wherein the
`containers are insulated using expanded polystyrene (EPS).
`The market segment for containers less than one cubic foot
`in size is very limited due to an unmet need for a small,
`lightweight cooling mechanism.
`Although many basic ice/EPS systems are in use, there is
`a wide variation in quality and performance of the packaging
`depending on the value of the product and the sensitivity of
`the product to temperature fluctuation. A relatively simple
`system includes a cardboard box into which EPS sheets have
`been cut and placed. The container is then filled with dry ice
`in which, for example, frozen fish is shipped. A more
`sophisticated approach is a validated system consisting of
`custom molded EPS forms in a rigid box with both frozen
`and warm gel packs, the combination of which has been
`tested through a range of temperature cycles for specified
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`thermal properties. Such a validated system can be used for
`shipping pharmaceuticals. For example, many pharmaceu-
`tical products such as vaccines and antibodies must be
`maintained within a range of 2° C. to 8° C.
`The existing ice/EPS cooling system is unsatisfactory for
`various reasons including:
`increased environmental con-
`cerns associated with the disposal of large quantities of EPS
`and gel packs; the high cost of shipping; and the required
`freezers at the shipping source to maintain the frozen packs.
`The high cost of shipping is directly related to the high
`volume associated with the EPS and the high volume and
`mass associated with the gel packs. For a one cubic foot box
`with a 60 hour lifetime at 2° C. to 8° C., over 90 percent of
`the volume is consumed by EPS and gel packs. Some
`reduction in volume and shipping costs may be obtained by
`using vacuum insulation panels (VIPs), but the high cost of
`VIPs has precluded significant market penetration.
`An example of the foregoing system is illustrated in US.
`Pat. No. 5,924,302 by Derifield issued on Jul. 20, 1999. This
`patent illustrates a shipping container that includes a plu-
`rality of cavities adapted to receive a coolant (e.g., gel
`packs) that surround a cavity adapted to receive an item to
`be shipped.
`Electrically cooled shipping containers are illustrated in
`US. Pat. No. 6,192,703 by Salyer et al., issued on Feb. 27,
`2001. This patent discloses a portable refrigerator unit and
`storage container employing vacuum insulation panels and a
`phase change material. Phase change materials undergo a
`change in physical
`form (e.g., solid to liquid)
`thereby
`absorbing heat from the surrounding environment. Abattery
`driven refrigeration system provides cooling of the shipping
`container.
`
`The use of reactor-based rechargeable portable coolers are
`illustrated in US. Pat. No. 5,186,020 by Rockenfeller et al.,
`issued on Feb. 16, 1993. This patent discloses a portable
`cooler utilizing a gas-liquid-gas phase change to effect
`cooling of chamber. However, the reactor-based apparatus
`disclosed by Rockenfeller et al. requires a source of elec-
`tricity to effect the initial gas-liquid phase change. As a
`result,
`the apparatus occupies additional space and has
`additional weight, making it cost-ineffective and severely
`impairing its utility either for a single-use basis or for a
`shipping container.
`A sorption cooler is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 5,048,301
`by Sabin et al. This patent discloses a sorption cooling unit
`where the cooling liquid is maintained in the evaporator
`prior to the sorption process. A disadvantage of this device
`is that too much energy is consumed by having to cool the
`cooling liquid in the evaporator upon activation of the
`sorption unit. Space is also wasted in that the evaporator will
`require a relatively large volume to enable an efficient
`evaporation process because both the liquid and evaporation
`volume are located in the same general space. Furthermore,
`space limitations restrict the amount of cooling liquid that
`may be maintained in the evaporator.
`Thus,
`there is a need for a temperature-controlled
`container, such as a shipping container, having a lightweight
`cooling device that does not occupy a large volume. It would
`also be advantageous if the temperature of the container was
`controllable over a range of temperatures. It would also be
`advantageous if the cooling device had the ability to main-
`tain the reduced temperature for an extended period of time.
`It would also be advantageous if the cooling device could be
`used cost effectively on a single-use basis.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention is directed to sorption cooling
`The present
`devices and temperature-controlled containers incorporating
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`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`3
`sorption cooling devices, particularly temperature-
`controlled shipping containers for the transportation of tem-
`perature sensitive products.
`The sorption cooling devices according to the present
`invention provide numerous advantages over sorption cool-
`ing devices utilized in the prior art. According to one
`embodiment, a sorption cooling device includes a liquid
`supply apparatus that is responsive to changes in the ambient
`temperature. The apparatus includes a rigid housing, a first
`flexible pouch disposed within the rigid housing that con-
`tains a high vapor pressure substance, a second flexible
`pouch enclosing a supply liquid and disposed within the
`rigid housing adjacent to the first flexible pouch and a liquid
`conduit for providing liquid communication between the
`second pouch and an evaporator. The high vapor pressure
`substance causes the first flexible pouch to exert pressure on
`the second flexible pouch and assist in the flow of liquid
`from second flexible pouch to the liquid conduit. Increases
`in temperature increase the vapor pressure within the first
`flexible pouch, thereby increasing the flow rate of the liquid
`and the cooling rate.
`According to another embodiment, a sorption cooling
`device is provided that includes absorber, and evaporator, a
`vapor passageway disposed between the evaporator and
`absorber to direct vapor from the evaporator to the absorber
`and a reservoir adapted to supply refrigerant liquid to the
`evaporator. The reservoir includes a rigid housing, a first
`flexible pouch disposed within the rigid housing and enclos-
`ing a high vapor pressure substance, a second flexible pouch
`disposed within the rigid housing and adjacent to the first
`flexible pouch that encloses a refrigerant liquid and a liquid
`conduit for providing liquid communication between the
`second flexible pouch and the evaporator. The high vapor
`pressure substance causes the first flexible pouch to exert
`pressure on the second flexible pouch to assist in the flow of
`refrigerant liquid from the second flexible pouch to the
`liquid conduit.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a sorption cooling device is provided including an
`evaporator, an absorber adapted to absorb vapor from the
`evaporator, a first reservoir adapted to contain a first refrig-
`erant liquid, a second reservoir adapted to contain a second
`refrigerant liquid, means for supplying liquid from the first
`reservoir to the evaporator at a first liquid flow rate and
`means for supplying liquid from the second reservoir to the
`evaporator at a second liquid flow rate, wherein the first
`liquid flow rate is faster than the second liquid flow rate. The
`first reservoir can quickly provide the evaporator with
`refrigerant liquid to initiate cooling while the second reser-
`voir maintains the cooling over an extended period of time.
`According to yet another embodiment of the present
`invention, a method for operating a sorption cooling device
`is provided. The sorption cooling device includes an evapo-
`rator and absorber. A first portion of liquid is provided to the
`evaporator and a first liquid supply rate and a second portion
`of liquid is provided to the evaporator at a second liquid
`supply rate that is lower than the first liquid supply rate. This
`enables the sorption cooling device to rapidly cool during an
`initial stage and maintain cooling over an extended period of
`time.
`
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a sorption cooling device is provided that
`includes an evaporator for providing cooling, absorber
`adapted to absorb vapor formed in the evaporator, at least
`first reservoir adapted to contain a refrigerant liquid and
`supply the refrigerant liquid to the evaporator, a refrigerant
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`liquid disposed in the first reservoir and a flow restriction
`device disposed between the refrigerant
`liquid and the
`evaporator to restrict flow of refrigerant liquid to the evapo-
`rator. By restricting the flow of liquid to the evaporator, the
`cooling provided by the sorption cooling device can be
`extended over a long period of time.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a sorption cooling device is provided that
`includes an evaporator for providing cooling, absorber
`adapted to absorb vapor formed in the evaporator, a liquid
`reservoir adapted to contain a refrigerant liquid and supply
`the liquid to the evaporator and a freezing point suppression
`agent within the evaporator that is adapted to lower the
`freezing point of the refrigerant liquid when the refrigerant
`liquid is fed to the evaporator. Examples of useful freezing
`point suppression agents include salts sodium chloride,
`calcium chloride and similar salts.
`
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a sorption cooling device is provided that
`includes an evaporator for providing cooling, an absorber
`adapted to absorb vapor formed in the evaporator and vapor
`passageway adapted to permit vapor flow from the evapo-
`rator to the absorber. The vapor passageway includes a
`thermally insulating material heading a thermal resistance of
`at least about 2.8 K.m2/W. Accordingly, heat generated in
`the absorber is thermally isolated from the evaporator,
`enhancing the cooling capability of the sorption cooling
`device.
`
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a sorption cooling device is provided including an
`evaporator having a cooling surface, an absorber adapted to
`absorb vapor formed in the evaporator and a vapor passage-
`way disposed between the evaporator and absorber. The
`absorber includes a desiccant and a thermally conductive
`material disposed within the desiccant, wherein the ther-
`mally conductive material has a higher thermal conductivity
`than the desiccant. The higher thermal conductivity material
`enhances the ability of the absorber to transfer heat away
`from the evaporator, thereby enhancing the cooling ability of
`the sorption cooling device.
`The present invention is also directed to temperature-
`controlled containers incorporating sorption cooling
`devices, such as temperature-controlled shipping containers.
`According to one embodiment, a temperature controlled
`container is provided that includes a bottom container por-
`tion having a bottom wall in at least a first sidewall defining
`a cavity adapted to contain a product therein. Atop container
`portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface and is
`adapted to combine with a bottom container portion to
`define a product cavity, the top container portion forming the
`top wall of the container. A sorption cooling device is
`disposed in the top portion wherein the cooling surface of
`the evaporator is adapted to provide cooling to the product
`cavity.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a temperature-controlled shipping container is
`provided that includes at least a sidewall and top and bottom
`walls defining a cavity adapted to contain a product within
`the cavity. A sorption cooling device is incorporated in the
`container that is adapted to cool the cavity. The sorption
`cooling device includes an evaporator in thermal commu-
`nication with the cavity, an absorber adapted to absorb vapor
`formed in the evaporator, a vapor passageway disposed
`between the absorber and evaporator and a reservoir adapted
`supply refrigerant liquid to the evaporator wherein a vapor
`pressure within the reservoir causes the flow rate of refrig-
`
`PGR2021-00085
`
`Pelican EX1011 Page 49
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`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1011 Page 49
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`

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`US 6,701,724 B2
`
`5
`erant liquid to increase in response to an increase in ambient
`temperature. The reservoir can include a rigid housing, a first
`flexible pouch disposed within the rigid housing and enclos-
`ing high vapor pressure substance within the first flexible
`pouch and a second flexible pouch disposed within the rigid
`housing adjacent to the first flexible pouch and enclosing a
`refrigerant liquid. A liquid conduit is provided for liquid
`communication between second flexible pouch and the
`evaporator. The high vapor pressure substance causes the
`first flexible pouch to exert pressure on the second flexible
`pouch to assist the flow of refrigerant liquid to the liquid
`conduit.
`
`According to another embodiment, a temperature con-
`trolled container is provided that includes a container head-
`ing at least a sidewall and top and bottom walls defining a
`cavity adapted to contain a product therein,
`the sorption
`cooling device having an evaporator, an absorber and a
`vapor passageway disposed between the evaporator and the
`absorber wherein the evaporator is disposed in thermal
`communication with the cavity to provide cooling to the
`cavity and a liquid reservoir adapted to provide liquid to the
`evaporator upon activation of the sorption cooling device.
`According to another embodiment,
`a temperature-
`controlled shipping container is provided that includes an
`insert having top, bottom and sidewalls defining a cavity
`within the insert and a sorption cooling unit incorporated in
`the insert wherein the sorption cooling unit
`includes an
`evaporator positioned adjacent
`to the cavity to provide
`cooling to cavity. A container substantially encloses the
`insert.
`
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a temperature controlled shipping container is
`provided that includes a container having at least sidewall
`and top and bottom walls defining a cavity that is adapted to
`contain a product
`ther