Insulated Container Edge Insulation Strategy for Thermal Shippers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for systems that can effectively maintain temperature-sensitive materials within a specific temperature range for an extended period, particularly during transportation, as existing thermal shippers often rely on expensive high-R-value insulating materials or less effective lower-R-value materials, requiring a cost-effective solution that balances thermal insulation and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A thermally insulated container system using a combination of insulating materials with different R-values, where the higher R-value material is strategically placed within the container and the lower R-value material is used at the edges or vice versa, depending on the positioning of phase-change materials relative to the product box, to optimize thermal insulation based on the arrangement of passive temperature-control members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-R-value insulating materials are used in the thermally insulated container, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different insulating materials with different R-values in different locations within the container. Specifically, higher R-value materials are placed in regions where thermal insulation is most critical (such as areas with greater distance from phase-change materials), while lower R-value materials are used in less critical areas. This spatial differentiation of material quality optimizes thermal insulation performance while reducing overall material costs compared to using high-R-value materials throughout the entire container.
2Reliability
If thermally insulated container uses uniform insulating material throughout, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal insulation performance is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by strategically placing different insulating materials in different regions of the container based on thermal performance requirements. The container structure is designed to accommodate multiple insulating material types, with higher R-value materials positioned in critical thermal zones and lower R-value materials in less critical zones, achieving superior overall insulation performance while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Temperature
If phase-change material covers edges of product box, then temperature control at edges is improved, but insulating material distribution strategy changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses edge temperature control by considering the interaction between phase-change material placement and insulating material distribution. When phase-change materials are positioned to cover edges of the product box, the insulating material arrangement is adjusted accordingly, with higher R-value materials placed in regions farther from the phase-change materials and lower R-value materials near the edges where phase-change materials provide sufficient thermal regulation. This coordinated arrangement optimizes both edge temperature control and overall insulation efficiency.
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 approach enhances thermal insulation performance by strategically distributing insulating materials based on the phase-change material arrangement, improving temperature maintenance for temperature-sensitive materials while reducing material costs, as demonstrated by the comparison of different container configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one passive temperature-control member comprising at least one phase-change material
Implementation Method 2
the at least one passive temperature-control member comprising at least one phase-change material
Implementation Method 3
the insulated container comprising a first insulating material and a second insulating material, wherein the first insulating material has a comparatively higher R-value, wherein the second insulating material has a comparatively lower R-value
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials. According to one embodiment, the method involves positioning temperature-sensitive materials within a product box and positioning phase-change material around the product box. If the edges of the product box where adjoining sides meet are covered by phase-change material, then the product box and the phase-change materials are loaded into a frame-and-panel-type insulated container in which an insulating material having a higher R-value is located along the container edges and an insulating material having a lower R-value is spaced away from the container edges. By contrast, if the edges of the product box are not covered by phase-change material, then the product box and the phase-change materials are loaded into a frame-and-panel-type insulated container in which an insulating material having a lower R-value is located along the container edges and an insulating material having a higher R-value is spaced away from the container edges.