Collapsible Insulated Box Assembly for Recyclable Cold Shipping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging perishable or temperature-sensitive contents faces challenges in maintaining temperature stability during storage or shipping, leading to spoilage, destabilization, freezing, melting, or evaporation, and existing insulated packages are often bulky, difficult to store, and not recyclable.
Innovation Solution
An insulated box assembly comprising a box with insulated panels attached to the sides, featuring an insulation batt enclosed between sheets, and a carrying accessory for ease of handling, allowing for temperature control and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional insulated packages are used, then temperature stability is improved, but the packages become bulky and difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation batt is nested within a cavity formed by panels, creating a compact integrated structure. The insulated panel assembly fits within the box cavity, eliminating the need for separate bulky insulation components and reducing overall package volume while maintaining thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction combining box panels with insulation batts to create integrated insulated panels. This composite approach combines the structural function of the box with the insulating function in a single unified component, reducing volume compared to separate insulated packages.
2Temperature
If traditional insulated packages are used, then temperature stability is improved, but they are difficult to store prior to use
Solution Approach 1:
The insulated box is designed as a collapsible assembly that can be segmented into flat components for compact storage. The box and insulated panels can be disassembled or folded into a compact configuration, making them easy to store prior to use while maintaining temperature stability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The box structure incorporates collapsible or expandable features that allow it to transition between a compact stored configuration and an expanded usable configuration. This dynamic design enables easy storage while providing full insulation functionality when needed.
3Temperature
If traditional insulated packages are used, then temperature stability is improved, but they cannot be recycled and are disposed of in landfills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the insulated box using recyclable materials that can be recovered and reused. The box panels and insulation batts are constructed from materials suitable for recycling, enabling the package to be discarded from landfills and recovered through recycling processes, thereby eliminating harmful disposal while maintaining temperature stability functionality.
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 insulated box maintains temperature stability, reduces bulkiness, and is recyclable, effectively protecting temperature-sensitive items during transit while being convenient to store and transport.
Implementation Method 1
an insulated panel attached to the side panel, the insulated panel comprising an insulation batt and a sheet, the insulation batt enclosed between the side panel and the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A method for insulating a box includes positioning an insulated panel adjacent to a side panel of the box, the insulated panel including an insulation batt and a sheet, the insulated panel defining a border extending around a perimeter of the insulation batt; and attaching a seam of the border to a portion of a perimeter area of the side panel.