Insulated container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulated containers, such as cups, face challenges in providing effective insulation while maintaining structural integrity and printability, as they often compromise on puncture resistance and ease of use due to material limitations.
Innovation Solution
The development of an insulative container featuring a sleeve made from insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material with localized plastic deformation, which provides enhanced insulation, resistance to deformation and puncture, and a printable surface, by using a combination of polypropylene-based materials with nucleating agents and blowing agents to create a structure with varying densities and surface features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional insulative materials are used in insulated containers, then thermal insulation is provided, but puncture resistance and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a thermoplastic liner layer and a thermoset foam insulative layer. The thermoplastic liner provides puncture resistance and structural integrity, while the thermoset foam provides thermal insulation. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different material layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the container wall. The inner liner layer is made of tough thermoplastic material for puncture resistance where mechanical strength is needed, while the outer insulative layer is made of foam material for thermal insulation where heat barrier properties are needed. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between strength and insulation.
2Temperature
If insulative materials are used in insulated containers, then thermal insulation is improved, but printability and surface quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a differentiated surface structure where the thermoplastic liner layer provides a smooth, printable outer surface, while the foam insulative layer provides thermal insulation. The smooth liner layer specifically addresses printability requirements, while the foam layer addresses insulation requirements, resolving the contradiction through local functional differentiation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional container structures are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but insulation performance and structural integrity cannot be simultaneously achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the container wall into two separate layers: a thermoplastic liner layer and a thermoset foam insulative layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining manufacturability through established lamination and forming processes. The modular structure resolves the contradiction by enabling specialized material selection for each functional requirement.
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 achieves improved thermal insulation, puncture resistance, and printability, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use, making it suitable for both hot beverages and recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material
Implementation Method 2
area of localized plastic deformation to provide a plastically deformed area having a third density that is greater than the first and second densities
Data Source
AI summary
A container is formed to include and interior region that is configured to receive a product therein and the container is insulated.