Expandable Beverage Packaging Case for Faster Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging for beverages, such as paper cases, inefficiently cools beverages due to lack of space for cooling agents like ice, leading to prolonged cooling times and potential leakage issues when water is used.
Innovation Solution
An expandable packaging case with a single continuous waterproof surface, made from coated corrugated paper or cardboard, allowing for increased surface area contact with cooling agents and preventing water leakage through a moisture barrier layer and flexible design for easy expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If beverages are placed in a conventional paper case for cooling, then the beverages can be transported and stored efficiently, but the cooling time is prolonged due to insufficient space for cooling agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing a case that can transform from a compact configuration during transport to an expanded configuration during cooling. The case includes expandable walls with hinges and locking mechanisms, allowing it to dynamically change volume based on operational needs. This enables the case to provide sufficient space for cooling agents like ice when needed, while maintaining compactness for efficient transport and storage.
2Productivity
If water is added to a conventional paper case for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water leakage occurs compromising reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining paperboard with waterproof coatings or laminates. The case structure uses multi-layer construction where the paperboard provides structural integrity while waterproof layers (such as plastic coatings or laminated films) prevent water leakage. This composite approach allows the case to reliably contain water and ice for efficient cooling without compromising structural strength.
3Strength
If the case is made rigid for structural strength, then durability is improved, but flexibility for expansion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the case walls into multiple sections connected by hinges or folding joints. Each wall segment can be independently positioned, allowing the case to expand or contract while maintaining structural integrity through the segmented design. The segments are connected with reinforcement elements that ensure strength is maintained during transformation between compact and expanded states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by incorporating movable hinges, sliding panels, or telescoping sections that allow the rigid case structure to dynamically adjust its volume. The locking mechanisms enable the case to transition between fixed rigid states for strength and expanded configurations for cooling capacity, providing adaptability without sacrificing structural strength when needed.
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 expandable case facilitates faster cooling of beverages by maximizing contact with cooling agents and maintaining water tightness, ensuring effective and efficient chilling without leakage, even in the absence of refrigeration.
Implementation Method 1
the case is composed of paper lined with a waterproof layer to prevent water in the container space from contacting the paper
Implementation Method 2
The expandable case facilitates faster cooling of beverages by maximizing contact with cooling agents
Data Source
AI summary
A case for beverage containers comprising a single continuous waterproof surface having walls and a floor and defining a container space, the container space being expandable by the movement of at least one of the walls so as to expand the container space.