Insulated Food Container with Integrated Cooling and Heating Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing and transporting prepared food lack flexibility and efficiency, particularly in maintaining temperature control and compliance with food safety regulations, leading to logistical challenges and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained insulated container with integrated active cooling and heating modules, using a Peltier element and fan for temperature management, allowing for pre-cooling and reheating of food, which can be controlled and monitored to maintain food safety and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If food is prepared in advance and stored in simple insulated containers, then transportation is simplified, but food safety cannot be ensured over longer periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cooling and heating functions into a single container system. The container integrates a cooling module with Peltier elements for active refrigeration and a heating module with heating elements for reheating, merging previously separate cooling and heating equipment into one unified device that maintains food safety throughout the supply chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a cooling device and a heating device. It can actively cool food to safe storage temperatures using Peltier elements and later reheat food to serving temperatures using integrated heating elements, replacing the need for separate refrigeration and heating equipment at the destination.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If active cooling is used to extend storage time, then food safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical compression refrigeration systems with Peltier effect-based active cooling. The Peltier elements use electrical current to directly generate cooling without mechanical moving parts, reducing energy consumption and simplifying the cooling mechanism while maintaining effective food temperature control during storage and transport.
3Loss of substance
If food is cooled quickly after preparation, then vitamin retention is improved, but cooling capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-cooled before food is placed inside it. This preliminary cooling action reduces the initial temperature of the container, thereby decreasing the cooling capacity required to rapidly cool the food after preparation. The Peltier elements in the cooling module provide the necessary cooling power to quickly reduce food temperature and preserve vitamins.
4Temperature
If separate cooling and heating equipment is used, then temperature control is precise, but logistical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate cooling and heating equipment into a single integrated container. The container includes both a cooling module with Peltier elements and a heating module with heating elements, eliminating the need for separate refrigeration and heating devices at the destination and simplifying logistics while maintaining precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The container serves multiple functions: it acts as both a cooler and a heater. The same container that actively cools food during transport and storage can later reheat the food to serving temperature using its integrated heating elements, replacing the need for separate cooling and heating equipment at the destination.
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 solution enables flexible food storage and transportation, allowing for longer storage times while ensuring food safety and quality, reducing logistical complexities and costs by eliminating the need for separate cooling and heating equipment.
Implementation Method 1
active cooling using a cooling module of the container... The container (1) has a cooling module for actively cooling the food
Implementation Method 2
using a Peltier element and fan for temperature management
Implementation Method 3
the food is warmed up with the aid of a heating module of the container
Implementation Method 4
self-contained insulated container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The device for storing preferably pre-prepared food comprises an insulated container with an interior space closable by a door (2) for holding the food, wherein the container has a cooling module (16; 17) for actively cooling the food, and wherein the container further comprises a heating module (8; 9) for warming the food. According to the invention, food can be cooled in the container and warmed in the same container immediately before consumption.