Flexible Water-Ice Container Structure for Freeze-Safe Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water distribution methods, such as plastic or glass bottles, are inefficient due to waste generation and fragility when containing ice, and pose challenges in simultaneous distribution of ice and water, especially in emergency situations where both are needed for hydration and preservation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible plastic container system comprising interconnected bags with perforated webs, allowing separation and a carrying handle, constructed from puncture-resistant, biodegradable materials, capable of holding both water and ice without leakage, and equipped with embedded drinking straws or nozzles for convenient access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid plastic or glass bottles are used for water distribution, then water can be contained and transported, but the bottles crack or split when water is frozen and create large volume waste when empty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible plastic bags instead of rigid bottles to contain water and ice. The flexible material expands when water freezes and contracts when empty, eliminating cracking issues and reducing waste volume. The bag collapses as water is consumed or freezes, minimizing the volume of waste material that needs to be disposed of.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the container from rigid to flexible, allowing it to adapt its volume based on the state of contents (liquid or frozen). This parameter change enables the container to maintain integrity during freezing while minimizing empty waste volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate containers are used for water and ice distribution, then both can be transported, but the handling burden and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines water and ice distribution into a single container system. The flexible bag can hold both liquid water and frozen ice blocks simultaneously, and the integrated spout allows dispensing of either state. This merging eliminates the need for separate containers, reducing handling burden and device complexity while maintaining the ability to distribute both water and ice.
3Stability of the object's composition
If flexible material is used for the container, then the container can expand when water freezes, but the material must be puncture-resistant to prevent leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the flexible container, combining materials that provide both flexibility for volume expansion and puncture resistance for leak prevention. The specific composite structure allows the bag to accommodate freezing expansion while maintaining integrity against punctures from ice expansion or external forces.
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
Enables efficient and convenient transport and distribution of both water and ice, reducing waste and handling burdens, while ensuring durability and safety by using flexible, puncture-resistant materials that do not crack when frozen, and facilitating both hydration and cooling needs.
Implementation Method 1
water expands as it cools
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for water storage and transport uses a container constructed from one of more flexible plastic sheets. A number of chambers for holding water are formed within the container. Each chamber is separated from an adjacent chamber by a web of the flexible plastic sheet. The web of the flexible plastic sheet is perforated to allow adjacent chambers to be separated from one another. In use, the water in the chambers may be liquid or frozen.