Fiber Insulated Shipping Container for Stable Cold Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an insulated container that efficiently and economically transports temperature-sensitive materials while minimizing environmental impact, maintaining internal temperature stability, and being lightweight, using sustainable materials.
Innovation Solution
The insulated container is constructed with recycled post-industrial and pre-consumer natural and synthetic fibers, utilizing a unique three-pad design with specific pad configurations and biodegradable materials, allowing for efficient manufacturing, assembly, and loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional insulation materials are used, then temperature stability is achieved, but environmental impact increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by using recycled post-industrial and pre-consumer natural and synthetic fibers instead of traditional insulation materials. This substitution maintains the insulating properties while improving environmental sustainability and reducing manufacturing costs through waste material utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite insulation structures combining different types of fibers (natural and synthetic) to achieve effective thermal insulation. The composite material approach allows optimization of both insulating performance and environmental characteristics by selecting appropriate fiber combinations.
2Temperature
If heavy insulation materials are used, then temperature stability is improved, but container weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the density and thickness parameters of the insulation pads to achieve effective thermal insulation with reduced weight. By carefully selecting and configuring the fiber-based insulation materials, the design maintains temperature stability while minimizing the added weight of the container.
3Temperature
If complex insulation structures are used, then temperature stability is improved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insulation system into separate modular pads that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the container. This segmentation allows for simplified production of each pad component while maintaining effective insulation coverage, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency without compromising thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation pads are designed to serve multiple functions: thermal insulation, structural support for the container lining, and protection of cargo. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall structure and manufacturing process while maintaining effective temperature stability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If sustainable materials are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but manufacturing cost may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes recycled post-industrial and pre-consumer fibers as the primary insulation material. By changing the material source from virgin materials to recycled waste fibers, the invention reduces environmental impact while lowering material acquisition costs, thereby improving the economic viability of sustainable manufacturing.
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 achieves cost-effective, efficient transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive items with reduced environmental impact, while maintaining temperature stability and allowing for flexible placement of both insulated and non-insulated items within the container.
Implementation Method 1
The insulated container may be used in transporting and storing objects which may be at a temperature that is different from the temperature outside the container
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated shipping container and method of forming and loading an insulated container utilizing sustainable materials including recycled post-industrial, pre-consumer natural fiber, plant-based fiber and synthetic fiber to include recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET).