Nestable Insulated Shipping Containers With Modular PCM Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of maintaining an inventory of passively cooled shipping and transport containers that can provide various combinations of payload, target temperature, duration of thermal control, size, and weight is prohibitive for users.
Innovation Solution
A modular system of thermally insulated containers with separately deployable sleeves of thermal insulation and phase change material, allowing for the assembly of different sized containers to achieve desired thermal control and payload retention, including single, double, and triple insulated configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users maintain an inventory of various sized passively cooled containers to meet different payload and thermal control needs, then the ability to provide various combinations of payload, target temperature, duration and size is improved, but the cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into separate modular components: an inner container and an outer container with insulation and phase change material. Users can assemble only the necessary components for each specific shipment rather than maintaining complete containers of all sizes in inventory, reducing inventory costs while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner container is designed to nest within the outer container with insulation and phase change material. This nesting arrangement allows compact storage and transport of container components, enabling users to maintain a smaller inventory footprint while providing various container configurations when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If containers are designed with fixed insulation and phase change material configurations, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to customize for different payload, temperature and duration requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation and phase change material are provided as separate deployable sleeves that can be independently selected and assembled around the inner container. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce standardized components while enabling users to customize the thermal control configuration for different payload, temperature, and duration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system where insulation and phase change material sleeves can be selectively deployed or removed based on specific thermal control needs, allowing customization without complex manufacturing processes.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple layers of insulation are added to extend thermal control duration, then the duration of thermal control is improved, but the weight and size of the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system is divided into separate deployable sleeves that can be selectively added or removed. Users can configure the number of insulation layers based on the specific duration requirements of each shipment, avoiding the need to always transport maximum weight containers while still achieving extended thermal control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The same modular insulation sleeves serve multiple functions: they provide thermal insulation when deployed, and can be nested compactly when not in use. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve extended thermal control duration without permanently increasing container weight, as the insulation layers are only added when required for specific shipments.
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 users to customize and assemble containers on-site, reducing costs while maintaining effective thermal control for thermally labile goods, such as medical supplies and biologics, by utilizing a cascading series of nestable containers with phase change materials and thermal insulation.
Implementation Method 1
surrounding the payload retention chamber of the container with panels containing a phase change material
Implementation Method 2
panels containing a phase change material
Implementation Method 3
A first container having a first payload retention chamber defined and surrounded by separately deployable first nestable sleeves of thermal insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A modular collection of components from which a variety of thermally insulated and thermal controlled containers can be assembled. The collection includes at least two differently sized sleeves of thermal insulation, and at least two differently sized sleeves of phase change material that are nestable with one another to form various thermally insulated and thermally controlled containers with various combinations of available payload, target temperature, guaranteed duration of thermal control, size of container and weight of container.