page_title: Insulated shipping container
section_title: Construction
hierarchical_section_title: Insulated shipping container / Construction
caption_attribution_description: English: Packaging and components used to keep drugs cold during shipment
context_page_description: Insulated shipping containers are a type of packaging used to ship temperature sensitive products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, organs, blood, biologic materials, and chemicals. They are used as part of a cold chain to help maintain product freshness and efficacy. The term can also refer to insulated intermodal containers or insulated swap bodies.
context_section_description: A variety of constructions have been developed.  An insulated shipping container might be constructed of:
  a vacuum flask, similar to a "thermos" bottle
  fabricated thermal blankets or liners
  molded expanded polystyrene foam (EPS, styrofoam), similar to a cooler
  other molded foams such as polyurethane, polyethylene
  sheets of foamed plastics
  Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs)
  reflective materials: (metallised film)
  bubble wrap or other gas filled panels
  other packaging materials and structures
  Some are designed for single use while others are returnable for reuse. Some insulated containers are decommissioned refrigeration units.  Some empty containers are sent to the shipper disassembled or “knocked down”, assembled and used, then knocked down again for easier return shipment.
  Shipping containers are available for maintaining cryogenic temperatures, with the use of liquid nitrogen.  Some carriers have these as a specialized service
caption: Shipment of vaccine: PUR insulated box, gel packs, temperature monitor
exif: {}