Expandable Insulating Packaging for Heat Blocking and Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulated containers for food and beverages often compromise on insulation efficiency and rigidity due to the lack of effective materials that can expand in response to temperature changes, leading to heat transfer issues and discomfort during handling.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled container design featuring an insulating material with thermally-expandable properties, such as microspheres or micro-encapsulated particles, applied between the inner and outer walls, which expands upon temperature changes to maintain thermal insulation and provide rigidity without compromising the container's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermally insulated containers use traditional insulation materials, then heat transfer is reduced, but the container lacks rigidity and structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermally-expandable particles that change their physical state from compact to expanded form in response to temperature changes. When exposed to heat from hot contents, the particles expand to create air-filled voids that provide thermal insulation while simultaneously generating structural rigidity. This parameter change allows the same material to deliver both insulation and strength under different thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The container combines thermally-expandable particles with a binder material to create a composite insulation layer. This composite structure integrates the thermal expansion properties of the particles with the cohesive strength of the binder, achieving both thermal insulation and structural integrity. The composite material allows the insulation layer to maintain rigidity while providing effective heat barrier properties.
2Loss of energy
If the container uses expandable insulating material, then thermal insulation is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally-expandable particles are pre-applied to the container surface in their compact, low-volume state before the container is filled with hot contents. This preliminary application allows for easy and simple manufacturing processes, as the particles can be sprayed or coated onto the container when cold. The expansion action occurs automatically when the container is later exposed to heat, eliminating the need for complex expansion mechanisms during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating material is designed to activate automatically in response to temperature changes without requiring external control systems or complex manufacturing steps. When hot contents are placed in the container, the heat directly triggers the thermal expansion of the particles, creating the insulation layer in situ. This self-service mechanism simplifies manufacturing while maintaining effective thermal insulation.
3Device complexity
If traditional insulation materials are used, then the container structure is simple, but heat transfer to the user's hand occurs causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses thermally-expandable particles that remain in a compact state at ambient temperatures, maintaining a simple container structure during manufacturing and storage. When exposed to heat from hot contents, the particles expand to create an insulating barrier that prevents heat transfer to the user's hand. This parameter change allows the container to transition from a simple structure to an effective thermal barrier only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly applies thermal expansion principles using particles that expand in response to temperature increases. As the container holds hot contents, the particles near the outer surface expand, creating air-filled voids that act as thermal barriers. This thermal expansion mechanism automatically adjusts the insulation properties based on the temperature of the contents, preventing heat transfer to the user's hand while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 creating an air gap that reduces heat transfer, enhances the container's rigidity, and allows for the use of lighter materials while providing a comfortable handling experience by minimizing heat transfer to the user's hand.
Implementation Method 1
the material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may include a layer of an insulating material
Data Source
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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.