Launch of VIXELL™ Vacuum Insulated Cooling Box

World’s first^*1 IoT-based cooling box that uses contactless power supply technology

Singapore – Panasonic Singapore announced the launch of 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   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.

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 moulded 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 aluminium film, allowing the transmission of radio waves and magnetic field, thus making it easier to connect with IoT devices. The VIC is also preinstalled with a wireless vacuum sensor that uses contactless power supply technology. Users can check the vacuum condition within the box by simply placing the box on the dedicated inspection board. This allows users to ascertain the insulation performance^*2 of the box prior to transportation, providing them with peace of mind. Furthermore, 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 require strict temperature and tracking management, while maintaining the efficiency of the work itself. 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 to improve the product. Using the thermal insulation, moulding, 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.

Main Features of VIXELL™

1. Use of a unique Vacuum Insulated Case^*4 for outstanding thermal insulation and long-time cooling

a) Seamless, integrally moulded body for outstanding thermal insulation and long-time cooling

Conventional insulated boxes are manufactured by joining vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) together, but a drawback of this structure has been that cool air leaks through the gaps where the panels join. VIXELL™ utilizes Panasonic’s patented Vacuum Insulated Case (VIC) ^*4—a seamless, integrally-moulded body with no joints—to prevent cool air escaping and enhance insulation performance. As a result, the box can maintain a temperature of 75ºC±15ºC for up to 18 days. ^*5

b) Caters to a diverse range of temperature zones through use with thermal storage units

c) Highly durable VICs and shock-absorbing structure to reduce risk of damage when dropped

Unlike VIPs, which are covered in a thin layer of aluminium and plastic film, VICs are covered in a layer of plastic sheet. This gives the VIC outstanding durability and makes it resistant to cracks. Both the inside and outside of the VIC are protected by a buffer layer, helping to reduce the risk of damage when the box is subject to drops or vibrations during transport or work. Even if the dry ice sublimates and reduces in volume, the buffer layer prevents the storage box carrying the contents from bumping into the VIC.

2. World’s first^*1 wireless vacuum sensor to use contactless power supply technology

Unlike vacuum insulated panels, which are covered in aluminium and plastic film, VIXELL™ VICs are covered in a layer of plastic sheet, allowing the transmission of radio waves and magnetic field. Preinstalled in the VIC is a wireless vacuum sensor that uses contactless power supply technology. By placing the box on a dedicated inspection board, the sensor unit is supplied with power, allowing the user to easily check the vacuum condition of the VIC. With conventional vacuum insulated products, damage during transport and long-term use will lead to a deteriorating vacuum effect, and in turn weaker insulation performance. With VIXELL, users can ascertain the insulation performance^*2 of the VIC prior to use, giving them peace of mind.

3. Wireless connection to IoT devices and monitoring inside the box without opening

Product Line-up

Cooling Boxes

Thermal Storage Units

Specifications

When filling the storage box with dry ice

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 the gap between cooling box and storage box as well as inside storage box. 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 the gap between cooling box and storage box as well as inside storage box. 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
*7: In-house result when measuring the temperature inside the storage box. For the 15ºC–25ºC temperature zone, the outside temperature was set at 5ºC, and for other temperature zones, the outside temperature was set at 30ºC. Results will differ depending on the usage environment.
*8: Thermal storage unit for use in the -75ºC±15ºC temperature zone does not come with dry ice.

Website:
Panasonic VIXELL Website
https://www.panasonic.com/global/business/vixell/

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the company has expanded globally and now operates 591 subsidiaries and 88 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.982 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2018. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global.

About Panasonic Singapore
Panasonic Singapore is a consumer sales division responsible for the sales and marketing of the  Panasonic brand of consumer electronics and home appliances in Singapore. For more information on Panasonic Singapore and its products, visit our website at www.panasonic.com/sg.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Soh Yi Ling
Marketing Communications Manager
Business Support Centre
Panasonic Singapore
202 Bedok South Ave 1, #02-02, Singapore 469332
Email: marcoms@sg.panasonic.com