Final Say

TEDSBOX
New technology could be the answer for a variety of
temperature sensitive goods

We’ve become so accustomed to innovations coming from companies like Apple and Microsoft that we forget about the little guys, tinkering away in their garages, coming up with creative, new products.

Well, Don Harman, out of Anchorage, Alaska, is one of those little guys with a big idea. Having worked with airlines for 22 years, and running a cargo repair shop for another five years, he had a thorough understanding of what was available in refrigerated containers. He also knew what was lacking, and what customers were asking for when it came to their perishable goods.

A New Box

It took Don two years to develop the Tracking Environmental Deviation System Box or TEDSBOX®, which he says is ideal for shipping just about anything that is temperature sensitive — from foods to pharmaceuticals.

The active cool-chain LD-3 (RKN) container is capable of keeping contents between 32°F and 89°F. By adding dry ice or gel packs, the container can be cooled
to a chilly 14°F.

A Few Specs

Some of the things that make this box stand out include:

• Batteries that hold temperatures for more than 110 hours, or indefinitely if plugged in

• A design that allows it to be lifted with a forklift from two sides, and also to interface with pallets

• Tamper resistant locks

• Accurate tracking with RFID technology

• A maximum net cargo of 2,030 to 2,590 lbs.

• Internal dimensions of 73.7”L x 53.9”W x 51.5”H

• External dimensions of 79”L x 60.4” W x 64”H

Certified Soon

The box has been fully tested and is expected to receive FAA certification June of 2009. There is already some buzz around the box from restaurateurs, rural Alaska retailers, and fish processors.

“I recently came back from a Cool Chain Association pharmaceutical workshop in Brussels,” says Don. “The workshop sparked a lot of interest. It’s exciting.”
Not bad for a little guy with a big idea.