Insulated Cooler Closure for Waterproof Temperature Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coolers lack an effective solution for maintaining the temperature of contents over an extended period while being portable and waterproof, especially in varying orientations and under pressure.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a waterproof closure, an insulating layer floating between the outer shell and inner liner, and a base support ridge to maintain temperature and prevent liquid leakage, with a zipper assembly that remains watertight up to 7 psi above atmospheric pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a conventional cooler design is used, then portability is achieved, but temperature maintenance over extended periods deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is divided into distinct functional layers: an outer shell, a middle insulating layer, and an inner liner. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally - the outer shell provides structural integrity, the insulating layer maintains temperature, and the inner liner contacts contents - thereby extending temperature maintenance duration without requiring excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler employs composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties: rigid or flexible outer shell materials for durability, foam or air-gap insulating materials for thermal resistance, and waterproof liner materials for containment. This composite approach achieves extended temperature maintenance through material synergies rather than increasing structural complexity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the cooler is made portable with smaller size, then ease of transport is improved, but insulation effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer is positioned specifically in the middle section between the outer shell and inner liner, concentrating insulation where it is most needed for thermal performance. This localized quality approach maximizes insulation effectiveness within the limited volume of a portable cooler, rather than uniformly distributing volume across all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler structure nests components within each other: the inner liner is nested within the insulating layer, which is nested within the outer shell. This nested arrangement achieves effective insulation within a compact volume by utilizing the space between nested layers, thereby maintaining insulation effectiveness without increasing overall cooler volume.
3Reliability
If a closure is added to seal the opening, then waterproofness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system utilizes flexible waterproof materials such as laminated fabrics or thin film membranes that can be integrated into the liner or closure structure. These flexible waterproof barriers provide reliable sealing against water penetration without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms, thereby improving waterproofness while minimizing increases in device complexity.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the insulating layer is fixed to the shell, then structural stability is improved, but insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure structure acts as an intermediary element that connects the insulating layer to the outer shell without creating direct rigid bonding. This intermediary connection maintains the insulating layer's positional stability while preserving its thermal insulation performance, as the closure provides structural anchoring without compromising the insulating material's ability to resist heat transfer.
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 effectively keeps contents cool or warm for an extended period, maintains water resistance, and withstands inversion and pressure, ensuring the contents remain secure and insulated.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating layer floating freely in between the outer shell and the inner liner
Implementation Method 2
a waterproof closure... a zipper assembly that remains watertight up to 7 psi above atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating device can include a body assembly and a lid assembly where an insulating layer is connected to both the body assembly and the lid assembly. An aperture with a closure is formed between the body assembly and lid assembly to form a storage compartment. The insulating layer on the lid assembly may extend beyond the closure when the closure is sealed. The insulating layer on the lid assembly may have an insulating ring that has an increased thickness around its perimeter.