Adjustable Pallet Cover With Phase-Change Material Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallet covers for temperature-sensitive materials lack effective temperature control and flexibility in covering pallet-sized loads, as they often require fixed dimensions and lack adjustable features to accommodate varying payload sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A pallet cover design featuring adjustable walls with detachable portions, integrated pockets for phase-change materials, and a thermal insulation wrap, allowing for customizable coverage and enhanced temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed dimension pallet covers are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying payload sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet cover is divided into multiple detachable wall portions (front wall, rear wall, left side wall, right side wall) that can be independently adjusted or removed. This segmentation allows the cover to be customized for different payload sizes and shapes while maintaining relatively simple individual component structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet cover transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The detachable walls and adjustable dimensions enable the cover to adapt its configuration based on the specific payload requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If traditional insulation materials are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but temperature control effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates phase-change materials (PCMs) that utilize phase transitions (solid-liquid changes) to absorb and release thermal energy. This provides active temperature control functionality within the pallet cover structure, significantly improving temperature control effectiveness while integrating seamlessly with the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet cover combines traditional insulation materials with phase-change materials to create a composite thermal management system. This composite approach leverages the complementary strengths of both material types to achieve superior temperature control while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable wall portions are added for adjustability, then adaptability to varying payloads is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The walls are segmented into detachable portions that can be independently configured. Each wall (front, rear, left side, right side) can be separately adjusted or removed based on payload requirements, providing customizable coverage without requiring complex integrated adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable wall design transforms the static pallet cover into a dynamic reconfigurable structure. The simplicity of detachment and reattachment mechanisms allows for easy adaptation to different payloads while keeping the overall assembly process straightforward and manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides flexible and effective temperature control for pallet-sized loads by using adjustable walls and phase-change materials, ensuring temperature-sensitive materials remain within a desired range for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
integrated pockets for phase-change materials
Implementation Method 2
phase-change materials, allowing for customizable coverage and enhanced temperature regulation
Implementation Method 3
a thermal insulation wrap
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet cover suitable for use in covering at least a portion of a payload on a pallet and a kit for use in making the pallet cover. In one embodiment, the pallet cover includes a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, wherein the walls are detachably joined to one another. Each of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall includes a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, the first and second fabric sheets being joined together to form a plurality of pockets. Each pocket may removably receive a temperature-control member containing a phase-change material. At least one of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall and the right side wall may include a plurality of detachably joined portions.