Perishable Food Container with Phase Change Material and Sensor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for shipment containers that maintain perishable food products within an acceptable temperature range and allow monitoring of environmental conditions during transit, while also ensuring the container has not been tampered with, as current solutions do not provide real-time temperature data and lack tamper-proof mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The shipment container incorporates a temperature sensor, a phase change material for temperature control, a moisture sensor, a GPS for location tracking, and a wireless data transmission system, along with a lock mechanism that unlocks upon delivery confirmation, enabling real-time monitoring and tamper detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If real-time temperature monitoring and control systems are added to shipment containers, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb or release latent heat during phase transitions (e.g., solid-liquid) to maintain stable temperatures in product compartments. This passive thermal regulation mechanism works in conjunction with active temperature sensors and control systems to achieve precise temperature control without requiring complex continuous heating or cooling infrastructure throughout the entire container.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into multiple independent temperature control compartments, each with its own temperature control capability. This segmentation allows different zones to be optimized for different temperature requirements and enables localized temperature management, reducing the overall system complexity compared to a single centralized control system for the entire container.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and monitoring systems are integrated into the container, then measurement precision of environmental conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system integrates multiple sensors (temperature, humidity, GPS location) and combines their functions into a unified data collection and transmission platform. This multi-functional system allows simultaneous monitoring of various environmental parameters and container location through a single integrated interface, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high measurement precision across all parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where sensor data is continuously monitored, analyzed, and used to adjust temperature control mechanisms. This automated feedback mechanism enables precise environmental control without requiring manual intervention, and the data can be transmitted to consumers to provide transparency about product conditions during transit.
3Reliability
If tamper-proof lock mechanisms with delivery confirmation are implemented, then container security is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is pre-configured with tamper-proof features and automated delivery confirmation capabilities before the shipment begins. The system is set up to automatically verify delivery through predefined confirmation methods (such as signature capture, photo verification, or GPS location validation), eliminating the need for manual tamper-checking procedures at delivery while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock system incorporates automated delivery confirmation functionality that operates without requiring complex manual verification procedures. The mechanism can automatically detect and record delivery events through integrated sensors, cameras, or communication with delivery personnel devices, and automatically update the security status. This self-serve approach maintains high security while simplifying the delivery process.
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
This solution ensures that perishable food products are maintained within a desired temperature range, provides real-time environmental data to consumers, and ensures the container's integrity during transit, enhancing food quality and consumer assurance.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature control compartment may comprise a phase change material that absorbs or releases heat as required to maintain a desired temperature of the product compartment
Implementation Method 2
The closure for the main container body, which may comprise thermal insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A shipment container for perishable food items enables a receiver of the shipment container to track the temperature of the perishable food items during shipment and in some cases, the time and day of harvest and/or of shipment. The receive may use a remote electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, to track the shipment. The shipment container has phase change material that is used to control the temperature of the perishable food item during transient to the receiver. A phase change material is configured at least partially around a product compartment for receiving the perishable food item. The phase change material or modular temperature control compartment may be selected based on the type of perishable food item or based on the temperature of harvest. The shipment container may be locked and require input of an identification code to unlock the container upon delivery.