Continuous Modular Insert for Transport Container Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulation containers for temperature-sensitive products face inefficiencies due to inflexible insulation elements, thermal bridges, and high costs associated with maintaining uniform temperature during transport, which can lead to resource wastage and product loss.

Innovation Solution

A modular insert system for transport containers featuring a continuous side wall compartment that encloses a receiving space, allowing for the use and reuse of insulation materials, which can be easily inserted and removed, and is designed for space-saving transport, eliminating thermal bridges and providing optimal thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If separate inserts of insulation material are used for each compartment, then the container structure is simplified, but thermal bridges are created which reduce insulation effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidthermal insulation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate compartment inserts into a single continuous insert that spans multiple compartments. This continuous insert design eliminates thermal bridges at compartment boundaries while maintaining the simplified container structure, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and insulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If insulation material is permanently integrated into the container, then thermal protection is ensured, but space efficiency and reusability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidspace efficiency and reusability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the insulation system into a removable insert that can be separated from the container. This allows the container to be transported without insulation material for space efficiency, while the insert can be reused across multiple containers, maintaining reliable thermal protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insert is designed to be discarded from the container after use and recovered for reuse in another container. This approach maintains thermal protection reliability while improving space efficiency during transport and enabling reusability of the insulation component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid insulation elements are used, then structural stability is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible insert structure that can adapt to different container configurations while maintaining structural stability when installed. The insert provides the necessary rigidity for thermal protection during use but can be easily removed and stored, offering flexibility in deployment and storage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 modular insert system ensures efficient and cost-effective thermal insulation by allowing flexible use of insulation materials, reducing resource wastage, and maintaining uniform temperatures during transport, thus enhancing the logistical efficiency and product integrity.

Implementation Method 1

Thermal insulation is the reduction of heat energy transmission through a building envelope to protect a space or object from cooling down or heating up.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

Thermal conductivity refers to the transport of heat in a medium without mass transport (as in convection). Materials with low thermal conductivity are called thermal insulation materials and serve to reduce heat or cold loss.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conductivity: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4269276A1Insert for holding an insulating material of a transport container
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 ENVIROTAINER AG
  • EP4269276A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4269276A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4269276A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Insert for receiving an insulating material of a transport container comprising a lid compartment, a bottom compartment and at least one side wall, which includes a continuous receiving compartment for an insulating material, which receiving compartment completely encloses a receiving space bounded by the lid compartment and the bottom compartment on all sides.