Expandable Insulating Container Wall for Burn-Reducing Heat Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermally insulated containers often fail to effectively maintain temperature of contents due to heat or cold transfer, leading to discomfort and potential burns when handled.
Innovation Solution
A container or sleeve with an insulating material applied to its side wall, which can expand in response to temperature or pressure changes, creating an air gap for thermal insulation and adding rigidity without compromising the container's structure, allowing for efficient temperature retention and reduced material thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional thermally insulated containers are used, then temperature maintenance is attempted, but heat transfer occurs causing discomfort and potential burns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure with an inner container holding the contents and an outer container providing insulation, creating a layered protective system. The insulating material is positioned between the inner and outer containers, forming a thermal barrier that maintains temperature while preventing heat transfer to the user's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an insulating material as an intermediary substance between the hot contents and the user's hand. This intermediate layer conducts minimal heat, allowing temperature maintenance of the contents while blocking harmful heat transfer to the user, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation and burn prevention.
2Temperature
If insulating material is added to improve thermal insulation, then temperature retention improves, but container structure and rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nested dual-container structure allows the insulating material to be positioned in the space between inner and outer containers, providing thermal insulation without significantly increasing the overall footprint. This nested arrangement maintains structural integrity while achieving effective temperature retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining the inner container material, insulating material, and outer container material into a unified structure. This composite approach ensures that each layer contributes its specific properties - the inner container holds contents, the insulating material provides thermal resistance, and the outer container maintains structural rigidity and protects against deformation.
3Temperature
If thicker insulating material is used to improve insulation, then temperature maintenance improves, but material usage and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested container design maximizes the insulating effect within a compact space by utilizing the void between inner and outer containers. This approach provides effective temperature maintenance without requiring excessive material thickness, as the nested structure efficiently uses available space for insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies insulating material specifically in the regions where thermal protection is most needed - between the inner and outer containers at the hand-contact areas. This localized insulation approach achieves effective temperature maintenance with minimal material usage, avoiding unnecessary thickness in non-critical regions.
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 maintains the temperature of contents by minimizing heat transfer, providing improved insulation and rigidity, while allowing for lighter material usage and reduced thickness, enhancing user comfort and efficiency in manufacturing and storage.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may include a layer of an insulating material
Implementation Method 2
The insulating material may be expanded only on end use and only in response to, for example, temperature or pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a insulating material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.