Heat exchanging thermal liquid container
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal insulating beverage containers are inefficient in maintaining liquid beverages at a desirable temperature for an extended period, typically only keeping drinks within the desired range for a short duration.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) to quickly cool down and maintain beverages at a desired temperature range of 98° F. to 160° F. (37° C. to 71° C.) for hot beverages and 32° F. to 50° F. (0° C. to 10° C.) for cold beverages for approximately 1 to 15 hours, using a modular design with PCM liners and pods to ensure uniform temperature throughout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional thermal insulating beverage containers are used, then the container structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the beverage temperature cannot be maintained within the desired range for an extended period
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple functional layers: an inner container holding the beverage, an intermediate phase change material layer for thermal regulation, and an outer container providing structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently, extending temperature maintenance duration without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material's physical state changes (melting/freezing) at specific temperatures to absorb or release heat, dynamically adjusting the thermal parameters of the system. This parameter change enables the container to maintain beverage temperature within the desired range for extended periods by actively responding to temperature deviations
2Duration of action of stationary object
If no insulation is provided (e.g., paper cup), then the container structure is simple, but the beverage temperature remains within desired range for only 5-30 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material utilizes the harmful heat transfer from the beverage to the environment by converting it into a beneficial thermal regulation mechanism. As heat naturally flows from the beverage through the phase change material to the outer environment, the phase change material absorbs this heat during melting, preventing excessive temperature rise and maintaining the beverage within the desired temperature range
3Duration of action of stationary object
If double-walled vacuum tumbler insulation is used, then thermal insulation is improved, but the beverage remains in desired temperature range for only 30-90 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material undergoes phase transitions (solid-liquid and liquid-solid) at specific temperatures to actively regulate heat transfer. During melting, it absorbs excess heat from hot beverages; during freezing, it releases heat to cold beverages. This dynamic phase transition process enables extended temperature maintenance (1-15 hours) by continuously adjusting thermal energy transfer efficiency based on real-time temperature conditions
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 system efficiently cools and maintains beverages at a consistent temperature for an extended period, allowing hot beverages to be consumed within 3 to 30 seconds of pouring and maintaining temperature uniformity across the container.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the thermal energy of the liquid is quickly and efficiently transferred to, or absorbed by, a phase change material that is disposed within one or more reservoir, bladder, compartment, cavity, container, housing, or other hollow structure
Implementation Method 2
the thermal energy (i.e., the heat) from hot beverage is transferred (i.e., rejected to and absorbed by) the PCM
Implementation Method 3
the thermal energy absorbed by the phase change material can be stored by the phase change material, and when the temperature of the liquid begins to decrease, the thermal energy stored in the phase change material can be transferred, or rejected, back into the liquid
Implementation Method 4
the heat (e.g., thermal energy) absorbed by the phase change material can be stored by the phase change material
Implementation Method 5
such containers are structured and operable to slow down the cooling and/or warming of the liquid beverage by providing an insulating barrier between the hot or cold liquid and the ambient environment such that the rejection of the thermal energy within liquid to the ambient environment, and/or the absorption of the thermal energy within liquid by the ambient environment is minimized
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanging thermal liquid container system that comprises a main body at least partially defining a liquid reservoir structured and operable to retain a liquid, and a phase change material (PCM) liner comprising a PCM liner PCM having a selected melting temperature, and/or at least one PCM pod. Each of the at least one PCM pod(s) comprising a respective PCM pod PCM having a respective selected melting temperature. Wherein the PCM liner and/or the at least one PCM pod are disposable within the liquid reservoir such that when a liquid is disposed within the liquid reservoir the liquid will contact at least one of the PCM liner and the at least one PCM pod such that thermal energy can be exchanged between the liquid and the respective at least one of the PCM liner PCM and the at least one PCM pod PCM.