Heat Shrink Wrapping for Insulation Panel Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transporting construction insulation boards are inadequate, as they fail to protect the boards from damage during shipment and require hazardous and costly tarping processes, leading to increased risk of driver injury and project costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves stacking insulation panels and covering them with heat-shrinkable material that conforms to the panels' shape, providing additional spacers for support, and securing them on a vehicle without the need for a tarp, using a conveyor system and heat-shrink wrapping process to create self-contained bundles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If circumferential wrap or stretch plastic methods are used to protect insulation boards during transport, then the boards are provided with some protection, but exterior wrinkles or surplus material are formed that tear and fail under high winds, exposing boards to water and wind damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the wrapping material by using heat-shrinkable plastic that transforms from a loose state to a tightly conforming state through heat application. This parameter change (from unwrapped to shrunk) eliminates wrinkles and surplus material while maintaining protection, resolving the contradiction between protection and material integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical stretching and securing system with a thermal system. Instead of using stretchable plastic that relies on mechanical tension (which creates wrinkles), the invention uses heat-shrinkable material that responds to thermal energy, allowing the material to automatically conform to the bundle shape without mechanical fastening, thus eliminating wrinkle formation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a tarp is applied over the entire load to prevent damage during transport, then protection is improved, but the process requires drivers to climb to dangerous heights and additional man hours are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the protective wrapping material to the insulation boards before loading them onto the transport vehicle. This preliminary action ensures protection is already in place, eliminating the need for subsequent tarping operations that require workers to climb to dangerous heights and spend additional man hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-shrinkable wrapping material is self-applied and self-securing through the heat shrinking process. The material automatically conforms to the bundle shape and secures itself without requiring manual intervention for fastening or securing, making the process safe and efficient while providing complete protection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If insulation boards are vertically stacked and circumferentially wrapped with plastic membranes, then the boards are bundled for transport, but the wrapping material does not closely conform to the stack configuration, creating wrinkles that fail under wind pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses heat as a parameter change to transform the wrapping material from a loose, non-conforming state to a tightly shrunk state that closely follows the contours of the stacked boards. This thermal parameter change enables the material to adapt to the exact shape of the bundle, eliminating wrinkles while maintaining stable bundling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible heat-shrinkable plastic film that can dynamically adapt its shape to match the contours of the insulation board stack. This flexible film, when heated, shrinks and conforms precisely to the bundle's geometry, providing a smooth, wrinkle-free surface that maintains bundle integrity under wind loads.
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 method effectively protects insulation panels from damage during transport and at job sites, reducing the risk of injury and costs by eliminating the need for tarping, while ensuring efficient loading and unloading processes.
Implementation Method 1
heating the material thereby shrinking the material substantially flush against the lateral sides
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transporting insulation panels to a location, the method comprising providing a plurality of insulation panels; placing a predetermined number of said insulation panels into stacks, said stacks including a top surface, lateral sides and a bottom surface; covering said stack with a heat shrinkable material, wherein said heat shrinkable material covers said top surface and said lateral sides, at least a portion of said material extending below the intersection between said bottom surface and said lateral sides; heating said heat shrinkable material, thereby shrinking said heat shrinkable material substantially flush against said lateral sides; loading a plurality of stacks on a vehicle; and moving said vehicle with said plurality of stocks to the location.