Stackable Container Air Flow Cooling Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packing containers lack effective interior cooling features, particularly when stacked, which can lead to overheating of perishable items like vegetables during shipping, and they often fail to withstand the forces exerted during handling and shipping.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a plurality of planar panels with recessed central portions and strength-enhancing features that form air passages and cooling channels when stacked, allowing for improved airflow and reduced heat transfer between containers, enhancing both cooling efficiency and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If packing containers are stacked in close proximity during shipping, then storage space utilization is improved, but interior cooling of the containers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidinterior cooling

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The container surfaces are segmented into recessed portions and raised portions, creating a micro-structure that enables air flow channels when containers are stacked. This segmentation allows cooling functionality to be integrated into the container structure itself, resolving the contradiction between close stacking and interior cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed portions of one container nest between the raised portions of adjacent containers when stacked, creating interconnected air flow channels. This nesting arrangement enables cooling airflow to pass through the stacked container assembly without requiring additional external cooling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional container designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but structural integrity under stacking loads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container surface is divided into recessed and raised portions that form interlocking features when stacked. These segmented features distribute stacking loads across multiple contact points, enhancing structural integrity without requiring complex additional reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed and raised portions create curved surface features that naturally distribute stress more evenly compared to flat surfaces. This curvature helps deflect and distribute stacking loads, improving structural integrity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standard forming processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If containers are stacked to maximize shipping efficiency, then space utilization is improved, but heat generation from perishable goods worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping efficiencyVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling solution moves from a horizontal airflow approach to a vertical airflow approach by utilizing the vertical stacking arrangement. Air flows vertically through the recessed portions and raised portions of stacked containers, providing cooling in the dimension where containers are stacked, thus maintaining shipping efficiency while addressing heat generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed and raised portions act as intermediaries that facilitate heat dissipation. These structural features create pathways for cool air to reach the interior of stacked containers and for warm air to escape, mediating the heat transfer process between the stacked container assembly and the external environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 significantly reduces the internal temperature of packed items by 47% faster than standard containers and increases compression strength by over 25%, effectively addressing overheating and structural integrity issues.

Implementation Method 1

air flow cooling channels disposed therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

reduced heat transfer between containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11365021B2Container with air flow cooling channels

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 GEORGIA PACIFIC CORRUGATED LLC

AI summary

A container has a plurality of planar panels integrally arranged with respect to each other and with respect to a set of orthogonal x, y and z axes, the z-axis defining a direction line in which the container is configured to support a stacking load, the plurality of panels being foldable to create the container. The plurality of planar panels form at least one outer surface disposed orthogonal to the z-axis, wherein a substantial portion of the outer surface has a recessed central portion of the outer surface that extends substantially across an entire outside dimension of the container.