Device comprising one or more temperature-control members and kit for use in making the device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallet covers for temperature-sensitive materials, such as biological and pharmaceutical products, often fail to maintain a consistent temperature due to inadequate insulation and distribution of phase-change materials, leading to temperature fluctuations during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A pallet cover design featuring multiple walls with integrated pockets for phase-change materials, including a combination of pouches with spacers and insulation, allowing for adjustable length and detachable sections to ensure uniform temperature control across the payload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If phase-change materials are placed in pockets within the pallet cover walls, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for integrated pockets and multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet cover is divided into multiple walls (front, rear, left, right, top) with each wall containing integrated pockets. These pockets are segmented to hold individual phase-change material pouches, allowing distributed temperature control across different regions of the payload while maintaining modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Phase-change material pouches are nested within pockets that are integrated into the walls of the pallet cover. The pouches are contained within the structural walls themselves, creating a nested configuration where the temperature control elements are housed within the cover structure
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple pouches of phase-change material are used, then temperature distribution uniformity is improved, but weight of the pallet cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the pallet cover walls contain pockets with phase-change material pouches strategically positioned to address specific thermal needs. The front, rear, left, right, and top walls each have pockets configured to provide localized temperature control, creating non-uniform distribution that achieves overall uniformity across the payload
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-change material pouches are configured with varying parameters including different sizes, positions, and orientations within the pockets. Some pouches may contain different amounts or types of phase-change material to optimize thermal performance while managing overall weight
3Stability of the object's composition
If spacers are used to separate pouches within pockets, then temperature distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spacers are introduced as intermediary elements within the pockets to separate and position phase-change material pouches. These spacers act as mediators that ensure proper spacing and orientation of the pouches, facilitating uniform heat distribution while simplifying the assembly process
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 pallet cover effectively maintains a desired temperature range for temperature-sensitive materials by distributing phase-change materials and insulation strategically, minimizing temperature fluctuations and ensuring the integrity of the payload during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature-control member may comprise a plurality of pouches containing phase-change material
Implementation Method 2
phase-change material that comprises 1-99.5% by weight polyol, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of 1,4 butanediol and 1,6 hexanediol, 0.5-99% by weight water
Implementation Method 3
Panel inner and outer surfaces of a polyvinyl chloride material bonded to an aluminum laminate enclose multiple layers of foam
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet cover suitable for use in covering at least a portion of a payload on a pallet and a kit for use in making the pallet cover. In one embodiment, the pallet cover includes a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, wherein the walls are detachably joined to one another. Each of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall includes a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, the first and second fabric sheets being joined together to form a plurality of pockets. Each pocket may removably receive a temperature-control member containing a phase-change material. At least one of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall and the right side wall may include a plurality of detachably joined portions.