Collapsible Insulated Carrier for Space-Efficient Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature-controlled containers are bulky, difficult to store and transport, and inefficient in maintaining temperature for extended periods, particularly in delivery contexts.

Innovation Solution

Collapsible containers with creased panels and vertical folds that allow for easy storage and transport, featuring insulation layers and removable gel packs for temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid-walled insulated containers are used to maintain temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but storage and transport efficiency deteriorates due to bulky size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control reliabilityVSAvoidcontainer volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible, collapsible structure that can change its volume. The flexible material allows the container to be compressed and folded into a compact state for storage and transport, while maintaining its insulating properties when expanded for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container is constructed from flexible insulating material that provides thermal insulation while allowing the container to be collapsed and folded. This flexible shell maintains temperature control reliability without requiring rigid walls, enabling compact storage when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Temperature

If ice is used as cooling media, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but harmful effects increase due to melting and wetting of contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidwetting of contents

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling media changes its physical state from solid ice to a gel substance that maintains a semi-solid or viscous state at freezing temperatures. This parameter change in the material's phase behavior prevents melting and wetting while maintaining effective cooling through phase change heat absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling media is a composite gel material that combines the cooling properties of ice with the non-wetting properties of gel substances. This composite material provides effective cooling through phase change while preventing contact liquid with contents, eliminating the harmful wetting effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If gel packs are placed in container walls for cooling, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation to maintain temperature, acts as the structural material of the container, and contains the gel cooling media within its matrix. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling compartments or complex internal structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation layer and cooling media are merged into a single integrated structure. The gel packs are incorporated directly into the flexible insulating material, combining the thermal insulation function with the active cooling function in one unified component, thereby simplifying the overall container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If containers are made larger to accommodate bigger loads, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in carrying and moving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoidease of carrying

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container's flexibility allows it to be collapsed into a compact form for easy carrying and storage, then expanded to accommodate larger loads when needed. This dynamic transformation enables the container to adapt between transport mode and loading mode, improving ease of operation without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient storage and transport of temperature-controlled items by minimizing space usage and maintaining temperature effectively.

Implementation Method 1

each comprise an interior layer proximate the cavity, an exterior layer, and a layer of insulation therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

removable gel packs for temperature control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20260029184A1Insulated carrier for temperature-controlled items

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 PACKIT LLC

AI summary

The present application generally relates to devices and methods for transporting, delivering, and storing items, and it more specifically relates to insulated carriers for use in transporting, delivering, and storing temperature-controlled items such as perishable food and beverage items. The containers are collapsible and insulated to allow for the efficient storage and transport of the containers while empty.