Portable insulated container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shipping containers for food and beverages often require large amounts of ice or coolant to maintain temperature, are inefficient in temperature distribution, and may not maintain temperature ranges during extreme environmental conditions or long delivery times, leading to degradation or spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A portable insulated container with a temperature control pack and insert configuration that includes equidistant bottle storage cavities around a central temperature control cavity, providing consistent temperature distribution and protection from impact and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If large volumes of ice or coolant are used to maintain temperature, then the temperature range is maintained, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments with individual bottle storage cavities and a separate temperature control pack cavity. This segmentation allows the temperature control pack to be positioned centrally while bottles are distributed around it, creating efficient thermal zones without requiring excessive coolant volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary structure between the temperature control pack and the bottles. It provides a framework that positions bottles equidistantly from the temperature control pack, ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the container without requiring additional coolant.
2Temperature
If coolant is placed in current shipping containers, then temperature control is achieved, but uneven temperature distribution occurs across different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed so that all bottle storage cavities are equidistant from the central temperature control pack cavity. This equipotential arrangement ensures that heat distributes uniformly from the central source to all bottles, eliminating temperature variations between different positions in the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The container uses composite insulation materials in the walls and insert structure to maintain and distribute temperature uniformly. The insulated cavities and temperature control pack cavity are constructed with materials that facilitate even heat distribution while maintaining thermal isolation from the external environment.
3Temperature
If the container is designed for specific bottle configurations, then temperature control is optimized, but adaptability to different bottle shapes and sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed with universal bottle storage cavities that can accommodate various bottle shapes and sizes. The cavities are positioned equidistantly from the central temperature control pack, ensuring that regardless of bottle configuration, all bottles receive uniform temperature control while the container remains adaptable to different product types.
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 container effectively maintains a consistent temperature range for various bottle shapes and sizes, reducing the risk of spoilage and damage during shipping, even in extreme conditions, while minimizing ice usage.
Implementation Method 1
an insulated body having an internal cavity configured for storing items, an insulated lid configured to releasably engage the insulated body
Implementation Method 2
a first insert portion that fits inside the outer shell and a second insert portion that also fits inside the outer shell and is configured to engage with the first insert portion to form a plurality of insulated cavities. The plurality of insulated cavities include a temperature control pack cavity for receiving the temperature control pack
Data Source
AI summary
A portable insulated container includes an outer shell and a temperature control pack. The portable insulated container also includes a first insert portion that fits inside the outer shell and a second insert portion that also fits inside the outer shell and is configured to engage with the first insert portion to form a plurality of insulated cavities including a temperature control pack cavity along with three or more separate bottle storage cavities. Each of the three or more bottle storage cavities is configured for receiving a bottle and each of the three or more bottle storage cavities is configured for receiving bottles of different sizes and shapes. Each of the three or more bottle storage cavities may also be equidistant from the temperature control pack cavity.