Packaging with insulative walls having cooling device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging methods fail to adequately protect perishable products from temperature changes during shipping, leading to damage and poor consumer satisfaction, as traditional cooling devices like ice packs limit volumetric capacity and may not maintain temperature effectively throughout transit.

Innovation Solution

The integration of insulative walls made from expansive foam, with cooling or heating devices embedded within, formed by injecting a liquid foam mixture into a form and allowing it to cure, providing effective temperature control and protection from thermal changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional cooling devices like ice packs are used, then cooling function is provided, but volumetric capacity is limited and temperature maintenance effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature maintenance effectivenessVSAvoidvolumetric capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is merged with the insulative wall to form an integrated structure. The cooling element is embedded within the wall assembly, combining the thermal insulation function of the wall with the active cooling function in a single integrated component, thereby improving temperature maintenance without sacrificing volumetric capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device is nested within the insulative wall structure. The cooling element is positioned inside the wall assembly, allowing the cooling function to be housed within the existing structural envelope, thus providing effective cooling while maintaining the packaging's volumetric capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If insulative walls with embedded cooling devices are used, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device and insulative wall are merged into a single integrated assembly, reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled and managed, thereby improving temperature control while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulative wall serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation and simultaneously houses the cooling device. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate insulation and cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If expansive foam is used to form insulative walls, then customization and thermal management efficiency are improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Expansive foam is used to form the insulative walls, utilizing the expansion of foam material to create the desired shape and structure. This allows for easy customization of different packaging configurations while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through a single-material casting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the foam material is changed from liquid to solid through expansion and curing, allowing the insulative wall to be formed in a customizable shape. This parameter change enables versatile packaging designs while simplifying the manufacturing process through mold-based formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 product temperature within the packaging, preventing damage from extreme temperatures and ensuring the quality of perishable goods during shipping by providing a customizable and efficient thermal management system.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a liquid form of an expansive foam; and curing the foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam expansion: Foam

Implementation Method 2

at least one insulative wall and at least one cooling device embedded into the at least one wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10822154B2Packaging with insulative walls having cooling device

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 CARTER MARK

AI summary

A packaging may include at least one insulative wall and at least one cooling device embedded into the at least one wall. A method of forming at least one insulative wall of a package may include placing a cooling device into a form, closing the form, injecting a liquid form of an expansive foam, and curing the foam.