Insulating Packaging with Expandable Microcapsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermally insulated containers often compromise on thermal insulation and rigidity, as they may collapse under pressure, leading to hot spots and inefficient heat retention.
Innovation Solution
The use of micro-encapsulated particles in an insulating material that expands to provide thermal insulation and mechanical strength, applied between the inner and outer walls of containers, creating an air gap that maintains rigidity and enhances thermal retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional thermally insulated containers use traditional insulating materials, then thermal insulation is provided, but the containers lack rigidity and collapse under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining expandable microcapsules (containing expanding agent) with binder materials to create an insulating layer that provides both thermal insulation and structural rigidity. The microcapsules expand upon contact with hot contents, forming a rigid foam structure that maintains container shape while providing thermal barrier properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing materials that undergo physical transformation when exposed to heat. The expandable microcapsules change from a compact state to an expanded foam state upon contact with hot contents, increasing volume and creating rigidity. This phase change enables the insulating material to provide structural support only when needed (when hot contents are present).
2Weight of moving object
If lighter materials are used to reduce substrate thickness, then weight is reduced, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials through the use of expandable microcapsules that create a foam structure with numerous air pockets when expanded. This porous structure provides excellent thermal insulation properties because air is a poor heat conductor. The lightweight foam structure achieves high insulation performance without requiring thick substrates or heavy materials.
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 effectively maintains thermal insulation while providing mechanical strength and a rigid feel to the user, allowing for the use of lighter materials and reducing substrate thickness without compromising thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
The insulating material includes micro-encapsulated particles to expand and provide thermal insulation
Implementation Method 2
These containers may maintain the temperature of the liquid or food contents by reducing heat or cold transfer from the contents to the consumer's hand
Data Source
AI summary
A clamshell container includes a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom portion includes a bottom wall and a side wall attached to the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the side wall form a bottom recessed area. The top portion is connected with the bottom portion along a fold line. The top portion is configured to fold over at least part of the bottom portion at the fold line to form a storage area between the top portion and the bottom recessed area. The top portion and the bottom portion are constructed of a first layer and a second layer attached to the first layer by an insulating material. The insulating material includes micro-encapsulated particles to expand and provide thermal insulation.