Panasonic Corporation announced to begin offering rental services using VIXELL, the world's first*1 Vacuum Insulated cooling box that uses contactless power supply technology to enable the user to determine insulation performance.*2 To start with, Panasonic will collaborate with the Suzuken Group and launch a fulfilment service in Japan. VIXELL is ideally suited to the temperature controlled transportation of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, and the fulfilment service will include rentals, a reception service, precooling, delivery,*3 and more. Applications will be accepted from March 2 with a view to rolling out the service from April 2021.
For the insulation layer, the most important part of a cooling box, VIXELL utilizes Panasonic's patented Vacuum Insulated Case (VIC),*4 a seamless, integrally molded body with no joints. The thermally insulated structure prevents cool air from leaking out and can maintain a -75ºC±15ºC environment for up to 18 days.*5 Unlike conventional Vacuum Insulated panels, Panasonic's VIC is not covered in aluminum film, allowing the transmission of radio waves and magnetic field, and making it easier to connect with IoT devices. The VIC is also preinstalled with a wireless vacuum sensor that uses contactless power supply technology, and so simply by placing the box on the dedicated inspection stand, users can check the vacuum condition inside. This allows users to ascertain the insulation performance*2 of the box prior to transport, providing them with peace of mind. Further, by installing temperature or GPS sensors*6 inside the box, users can monitor the internal condition of the box without having to open it.
The transportation of pharmaceuticals requires strict temperature and tracking management, while the work itself must be efficient. Panasonic began development of cooling boxes for the transportation of pharmaceuticals in 2018. Since then, it has repeatedly visited worksites and listened to first-hand opinions in order to improve the product. Using the thermal insulation, molding, and IoT technologies it has accumulated over many years in the development of refrigerators and other home appliances, Panasonic is aiming to provide enhanced reliability and safety, and create new value in the transportation of pharmaceuticals.
Panasonic will continue to use its strengths in technology to help make healthy living a reality.
Notes:
- *1: Among vacuum insulation products equipped with a near field communication device. (in-house investigation; current as of March 2, 2021)
- *2: Only the insulation performance of VICs can be determined.
- *3: Delivery of precooled boxes, not those containing pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
- *4: Vacuum Insulated material, with a core material covered in high gas-barrier plastic, in a vacuum state.
- *5: Testing conditions: Dry-ice temperature zone thermal storage unit (AE-V12DXR) inside Type-L Vacuum Insulated cooling box (AE-V12UXR), with a total of 34 kg of dry ice in both. With a mock product inside (dimensions: 231 x 231 x 40 mm), test measured for how many days a temperature of -75ºC±15ºC was maintained with an outside temperature of 30ºC.
Testing conditions: Dry-ice temperature zone thermal storage unit (AE-V06DXR) inside Type-S Vacuum Insulated cooling box (AE-V06GXR), with a total of 14 kg of dry ice in both. With a mock product inside (dimensions: 213 x 115 x 40 mm), a temperature of -70ºC±15ºC was maintained for up to nine days with an outside temperature of 30ºC.
- *6: Temperature and GPS sensors are not included with VIXELL.
