Insulative Beverage Label With Air-Gap Grid for Heat Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating labels for beverage containers are either costly to manufacture, alter the appearance or size of the container, or detract from the artwork, and fail to effectively prevent heat transfer by conduction.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered label with a film base layer, a printed grid pattern of ink and varnish mixture, and a laminate top layer that traps air gaps to provide insulation, maintaining a thin and non-obtrusive design that can be easily integrated into high-speed labeling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a foam insulating layer is wrapped around the container, then heat transfer by conduction is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a porous foam material as the insulating layer in the label structure. The foam contains numerous air pockets that trap air, which is a poor thermal conductor, thereby reducing heat transfer by conduction from the consumer's hand to the beverage. This porous structure provides effective thermal insulation while maintaining a relatively simple label configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The label is constructed as a composite structure combining a foam insulating layer with a paper or plastic label layer. This composite material approach allows the foam to provide thermal insulation functionality while the outer layer provides printing surface and structural integrity, achieving both insulation and labeling functions in a integrated structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a thick insulating label is applied to the container, then heat transfer is reduced, but the container's appearance and size are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating label is designed to be thin and conform to the container's surface without significantly altering its shape or size. The foam material provides insulation locally at the points of contact (such as where a consumer's hand would hold the container) rather than requiring uniform thick insulation across the entire container surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The label uses a thin foam structure that flexes to conform to the container's curvature. This thin film approach provides thermal insulation while maintaining the container's original appearance and dimensions, avoiding the bulkiness associated with traditional thick foam insulation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex multi-layered label structure is used for insulation, then heat transfer reduction is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The label combines the insulating foam layer and the printable label layer into a single integrated structure. The foam serves as both the insulating core and the substrate for the label printing, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and simplifying manufacturing while providing effective thermal insulation.
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 label effectively reduces heat transfer by conduction while being economical to manufacture and non-intrusive in appearance, maintaining the container's original appearance and allowing for easy integration into existing labeling processes.
Implementation Method 1
the air trapped in these gaps serves as a layer of insulation to help prevent heat transfer, particularly by conduction
Data Source
AI summary
An insulative label is provided for a beverage container to reduce heat transfer, particularly heat transfer by conduction from a consumer's hand to the beverage container. The label comprises a dual-ply construction, with a grid pattern placed between the layered materials. Preferably, the label comprises a film base layer secured to the container, the grid pattern comprising an ink and varnish mixture printed over the film base layer, and a laminate top layer secured to the film base layer. Air is trapped in the gaps or spaces between the protrusions created by the grid pattern, and the trapped air insulates the container. The label has a very thin profile, thereby not perceptibly changing the appearance of the label or the container.