Insulated box assembly and temperature-regulating lid therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging perishable or temperature-sensitive items poses challenges as existing insulated packages are often bulky, difficult to store, and cannot be recycled, leading to environmental issues due to disposal in landfills.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-regulating lid and insulated box assembly with a monolithic sidewall liner and recyclable materials, including R-4 poly-encapsulated thermal 100% recycled cotton, that maintains temperature control and is 100% recyclable, allowing for efficient storage and shipping of sensitive items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional insulated packaging materials are used, then temperature control is achieved, but the packaging becomes bulky and difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film insulating lining made from recycled materials that provides thermal insulation without requiring bulky traditional insulation materials. The flexible nature of the thin film allows it to conform to the box interior while maintaining insulation effectiveness, thereby reducing overall packaging volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating lining is constructed from composite materials including R-4 poly-encapsulated thermal 100% recycled cotton, combining multiple material properties to achieve effective thermal insulation in a thin profile. This composite structure provides superior insulation performance per unit thickness compared to traditional materials.
2Temperature
If traditional insulated packaging is used, then temperature control is achieved, but the packaging cannot be recycled and is disposed of in landfills
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating lining is designed to be fully recyclable and recoverable. After use, the lining can be removed from the box and processed through recycling programs, transforming waste material into reusable resources. This eliminates the traditional disposal-in-landfill pathway while maintaining insulation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameters of the insulating lining to be entirely recyclable. By selecting materials with specific recyclability parameters (100% recycled cotton, poly-encapsulated thermal materials), the lining achieves both insulation performance and environmental sustainability.
3Strength
If insulation lining is added to protect corners, then structural protection is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating lining is merged with the corner protection function into a single integrated component. Rather than adding separate corner guards and insulation layers, the lining itself provides both thermal insulation and structural corner protection, simplifying the overall assembly to a single piece that performs multiple functions.
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 provides effective temperature regulation and environmental sustainability by ensuring the integrity of perishable items during storage and shipping while being fully recyclable, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating lining positioned within the inner cavity... R-4 poly-encapsulated thermal 100% recycled cotton
Data Source
AI summary
Example aspects of an insulated box assembly and a method of assembling an insulated box assembly are disclosed. The insulated box assembly can comprise a plurality of outer lateral sidewalls, the outer lateral sidewalls defining an inner surface, the inner surface defining an inner cavity; a plurality of inner lateral sidewalls received in the inner cavity, the inner lateral sidewalls defining an outer surface; and a monolithic sidewall liner received in the inner cavity between the outer lateral sidewalls and the inner lateral sidewalls, the sidewall liner defining a liner outer surface and a continuous, uninterrupted liner inner surface opposite the liner outer surface, the liner outer surface facing the inner surface of the outer lateral sidewalls, and the liner inner surface facing the outer surface of the inner lateral sidewalls.