Metallized Sheet Thermal Insulation Device for Transport Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal insulation devices, including flexible packaging and insulated containers, suffer from inadequate thermal performance due to compressibility of insulating materials and thermal bridges, which compromise their ability to maintain product temperature during transport, especially for bulky or fragile items.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible thermal insulation device formed by metallized sheets with welding and folding lines, which limits thermal bridges and maintains mechanical strength, comprising a foamed polymeric layer and metallized coating to enhance insulation while being compact and easy to use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible insulating material is used in standard envelope packaging, then ease of use is improved, but thermal performance deteriorates due to compression and thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structure consisting of metallized sheets combined with foamed polymeric layer. The metallized sheets provide superior thermal reflection properties while the foamed polymer provides insulation, creating a composite structure that maintains thermal performance even when compressed, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of use and thermal performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the insulating material by using metallized sheets with specific reflectivity parameters and controlled thickness. The metallization layer's optical and thermal parameters are optimized to reflect radiant heat, while the foamed polymer's density and cell structure are controlled to maintain insulation properties under compression, thereby improving thermal performance reliability.
2Ease of operation
If flexible insulated packaging is used, then ease of use is improved, but thermal bridges increase at edges reducing thermal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of metallized sheets with foamed polymeric layer addresses thermal bridges at edges. The metallized layer reflects radiant heat across the entire surface including edges, while the foamed polymer fills edge gaps and provides conductive insulation, reducing thermal bridge effects that would otherwise occur at packaging edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The foamed polymeric layer acts as an intermediary material between the metallized sheets and the external environment, particularly at edge regions. This intermediate layer fills gaps and provides thermal resistance at critical edge zones where thermal bridges would otherwise form, reducing energy loss while maintaining the flexible packaging's ease of use.
3Reliability
If thicker insulating material is used to improve thermal insulation, then thermal performance is improved, but volume increases reducing practicality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where thin metallized sheets (providing radiant heat reflection) are combined with a relatively thin foamed polymeric layer. This composite approach achieves high thermal insulation performance with minimal thickness, as the metallized layer reflects radiant heat while the foamed polymer provides conductive insulation, together providing superior insulation in a compact volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameters of both the metallized sheet and foamed polymeric layer to achieve maximum insulation efficiency per unit thickness. The metallized layer's reflectivity parameter and the foamed polymer's density and cell structure are controlled to provide high insulation performance in a thin configuration, thus improving thermal insulation without significantly increasing volume.
4Strength
If cardboard packaging is used for bulky or fragile goods, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite packaging system where cardboard provides the structural framework and mechanical strength for bulky or fragile goods, while the metallized sheets with foamed polymeric layer provide superior thermal insulation. This composite approach allows the cardboard to fulfill its mechanical support function while the metallized-foam composite fulfills the thermal insulation function, achieving both mechanical strength and thermal efficiency simultaneously.
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 solution significantly improves thermal insulation by reducing heat exchanges between the interior and exterior, maintaining product temperature effectively while being compact, lightweight, and easy to handle and store.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal insulation device comprises at least two sheets each having an inner face intended to be oriented towards the inside of the enclosure, and an outer face intended to be oriented towards the outside of the enclosure, the outer faces and interior of each sheet being delimited by two side edges. Said at least two sheets are each metallized on at least one of their faces
Implementation Method 2
A collapsible thermal insulation device formed by metallized sheets with welding and folding lines, which limits thermal bridges and maintains mechanical strength, comprising a foamed polymeric layer and metallized coating to enhance insulation
Implementation Method 3
The thermal insulation device comprises at least one weld, in particular thermal weld, making it possible to assemble together the lateral edge of two adjacent sheets and intended to form an edge of the enclosure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a thermal insulation device (1) for forming an enclosure intended to hold a product to be transported. The thermal insulation device (1) comprises at least two sheets (4), each having an inner face (4b) intended to be oriented towards the interior of the enclosure, and an outer face (4a) intended to be oriented towards the exterior of the enclosure, the outer (4a) and inner (4b) faces of each sheet (4) being delimited by two lateral edges (4e). These at least two sheets (4) are each metallized on at least one of their faces and have fold lines (14) and/or cut lines for forming the enclosure from the thermal insulation device. The thermal insulation device (1) includes at least one weld (12), in particular a thermal weld, for joining the lateral edge (4e) of two adjacent sheets and for forming an edge of the enclosure.