Usable Volume
The usable volume of thermal packaging is the space available for the goods in a defined configuration. Cooling elements, internal components and required clearances are already accounted for. The internal volume of the empty shipper can therefore be larger than the usable volume of the complete system.
Is a litre figure sufficient for selection?
- The internal dimensions and shape must accommodate the goods, including their intended primary and secondary packaging.
- Inserts, curved walls or coolant pack positions can limit loading even when the calculated capacity in litres is sufficient.
- It must be clear which configuration a manufacturer’s specification describes. Different packouts of the same shipper can offer different product spaces.
How does usable volume differ from payload?
Usable volume describes the available space. Payload means the actual or simulated load, including its relevant properties. Freight calculations, in turn, use the external dimensions of the packaging ready for dispatch. These three specifications should not be treated as equivalent when comparing packaging.
Related terms: Packout · Volumetric Weight