Method and system for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for cost-effective systems that can maintain temperature-sensitive materials within a specific temperature range for extended periods without relying on expensive active temperature-control devices, as existing passive systems using ice packs or dry ice often fail to maintain consistent temperatures during transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A shipping system comprising an insulated base with a divider that creates triangular cavities for phase-change materials, such as dry ice, to efficiently maintain temperature-sensitive materials within a desired range, utilizing a sleeve offset relative to the base to maximize cooling effect and prevent rotation, thereby ensuring consistent temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If passive temperature-control members (ice packs, gel packs, dry ice) are used in insulated containers, then transportation and storage costs are reduced compared to active temperature-control devices, but the ability to maintain consistent temperatures within the desired range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments using dividers, with each compartment containing phase-change materials of different types (e.g., frozen gel packs in some compartments, dry ice in others). This segmentation allows different regions to maintain different temperatures, improving overall temperature consistency throughout the container while still using passive control methods.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments are assigned different phase-change materials based on the specific temperature requirements of the materials being transported. For example, compartments requiring lower temperatures use dry ice, while others use frozen gel packs. This local differentiation ensures each area maintains its required temperature range, improving reliability without increasing overall system cost.
2Reliability
If a sleeve is offset relative to the insulated base, then the cooling effect is maximized and rotation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is intentionally offset from the center of the insulated base, creating an asymmetric configuration. This offset positioning maximizes the cooling effect by optimizing the distribution of phase-change materials and prevents the sleeve from rotating during transportation. The asymmetric design achieves improved reliability while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is pre-positioned in an offset location relative to the base before the phase-change materials are added. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the materials are introduced, they are automatically distributed in optimal locations for maximum cooling effectiveness, and the offset configuration inherently prevents rotation without requiring additional mechanical constraints.
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 system effectively maintains temperature-sensitive materials within a range of -90°C to -60°C for several hours to days, reducing costs by using passive phase-change materials while ensuring consistent temperature control and ease of loading and unloading.
Implementation Method 1
the passive temperature-control member typically comprises a quantity of a phase-change material (PCM) disposed within a suitable casing or container
Implementation Method 2
a quantity of phase-change material disposed within each of the plurality of third cavities
Implementation Method 3
place the temperature-sensitive materials within an insulated container that also contains one or more passive temperature-control members
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for a period of time. In one embodiment, the system includes an insulated base having a rectangular cavity bounded by a bottom wall and four side walls, the insulated base being positioned within an outer box. A sleeve is snugly but removably positioned in the cavity of the insulated base, the sleeve being generally rectangular but being offset by 45 degrees relative to the insulated base, whereby the sleeve and the insulated base jointly form four discrete generally triangular cavities. Pelletized dry ice may be disposed within each of the cavities. A guide having one end positioned over the sleeve and another end mating with the insulated base may be used to prevent the sleeve from rotating relative to the insulated base. Additional pelletized dry ice may be positioned in a tray mounted on top of the guide.