Method for transporting perishable products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling boxes cannot maintain multiple temperature levels simultaneously, requiring separate boxes for goods with different temperature requirements, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A thermally isolating cuboid cooling box with separate storage chambers and movable thermal isolation elements that can be adjusted to maintain different temperature levels, using a reusable cool pack and various attachment points for flexible thermal isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate cooling boxes are used for goods with different temperature requirements, then each product's temperature needs are met, but the number of boxes and administrative complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling box is divided into multiple storage chambers (first storage chamber and second storage chamber) with different temperature levels. Each chamber can be independently configured with thermal isolation elements to maintain different temperature zones within the same box, allowing simultaneous storage of products with different temperature requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cooling box (different storage chambers) are provided with different thermal isolation properties. The housing includes varying thicknesses of thermal isolation material in different areas, and movable thermal isolation elements can be selectively positioned to create localized temperature zones tailored to specific product needs.
2Temperature
If multiple cooling boxes are used for different temperature requirements, then product temperature needs are satisfied, but transportation and administrative efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooling boxes that would traditionally be used separately are merged into a single cooling box with multiple storage chambers. The housing integrates first and second storage chambers that can maintain different temperature levels simultaneously, consolidating what would have been separate transportation units into one efficient box.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling box is designed as a universal container that can serve multiple functions by accommodating different temperature requirements within the same box. The housing structure allows flexible configuration to handle various product types (frozen goods, refrigerated goods, ambient goods) in a single transportation unit.
3Temperature
If thermal isolation is increased to maintain lower temperatures, then cooling effectiveness improves, but the box size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling box incorporates movable thermal isolation elements that can be dynamically adjusted and repositioned within the storage chambers. These elements can be moved to different locations or removed entirely depending on the specific temperature requirements and product configuration, allowing flexible optimization of thermal isolation without permanently increasing box volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Movable thermal isolation elements are designed to nest within the storage chambers when not in use or when reconfiguration is needed. The elements can be stored compactly within the box structure itself, minimizing the increase in overall box volume while maintaining the capability for enhanced thermal isolation when required.
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
Enables the simultaneous transportation of heat-sensitive products with different temperature requirements in the same box, reducing the need for multiple boxes and administrative complexity while maintaining product freshness.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally isolating cuboid housing with at least one first and one second storage chamber
Implementation Method 2
the cover containing an integrated cool pack
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Cooling box (1) for transporting heat-sensitive products, the cooling box (1) comprising: a thermally isolating cuboid housing (2) with at least one first (7) and one second storage chamber (8), wherein the housing (2) is closed on five sides by walls (9), and wherein the housing (2) comprises a commissioning opening (4) on an opening side (3), and a cover (5) to open and close the commissioning opening (4), the cover (5) containing an integrated cool pack (6), wherein the cooling box (1) comprises attachment points (12) for attaching at least one movable thermal isolation element (11) to a wall (9) of the cooling box (1). A cooling box (1) is provided, wherein a flexible thermal isolation allows for adjusting the temperature levels inside at least two storage chambers (7, 8) separately. This is useful for transporting goods with different temperature requirements, e.g. to costumers.