Insulated Pallet Container Closure for Dry Ice Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport containers for temperature-sensitive products face issues with mechanical stability during transport and inadequate insulation properties, particularly when using dry ice, due to airtight closures that can lead to pressure buildup and damage.
Innovation Solution
A pallet container design featuring side, bottom, and top parts with vacuum insulation panels and a stop rim portion, combined with an edge protection element and a tensioning element, which allows for a stable and air-permeable closure, enabling the use of dry ice without the risk of pressure buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If airtight closure is used to improve insulation properties, then temperature stability is improved, but pressure buildup occurs when dry ice is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible closure system using a lid part with an outer rim portion that rests against an inner rim portion, creating a pressure-compensating seal rather than a rigid airtight closure. This flexible arrangement allows pressure equalization while maintaining thermal insulation, resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and pressure buildup prevention.
2Reliability
If elastic L-shaped portions are used to achieve airtight closure, then sealing is improved, but mechanical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the closure system into separate functional elements: a rigid lid part with rim portions for structural stability, and a separate closure mechanism for sealing. This segmentation allows the rigid components to provide mechanical strength while the closure elements provide sealing, resolving the contradiction between mechanical stability and sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary closure mechanism between the rigid container walls, using a lid part that can be tensioned to create sealing contact without requiring the container walls themselves to be flexible. This intermediary approach maintains structural integrity while achieving reliable sealing.
3Temperature
If vacuum insulation panels are used to improve insulation, then thermal performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates vacuum insulation panels directly into the wall structure of the container, merging the insulation function with the structural components. This integration approach reduces overall device complexity by combining multiple functions into unified elements rather than adding separate insulation layers.
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 provides a stable and cost-effective pallet container that maintains temperature sensitivity during long-distance transport, preventing damage from pressure differences and ensuring efficient cooling with dry ice, while being reusable and suitable for various climate zones.
Implementation Method 1
The container wall includes vacuum insulation panels (VIP) in which a main body made of a porous material is enclosed in a gas-tight manner by means of a foil. The interior is evacuated when the enclosing foil is applied.
Implementation Method 2
Thanks to special insulation and heat storage techniques, an internal temperature range of 2° C. to 8° C. can be maintained for more than 96 hours during transport to all climate zones worldwide.
Implementation Method 3
The pallet container comprises at least one edge protection element for distributing a (lashing) load applied by a tensioning element.
Data Source
AI summary
Pallet container 1 for the transport of temperature-sensitive products, which pallet container 1 comprises at least one side part 21, one bottom part 22, one top part 23 and one lid part 24, each having at least one vacuum insulation panel 3 disposed therein, and wherein the at least one side part 21, the bottom part 22 and the top part 23 comprise a common stop rim portion 4, at which stop rim portion 4 the lid part 24 comes to rest partially or fully circumferentially, characterized in that the pallet container 1 comprises at least one edge protection element 7 in order to distribute a load applied by a tensioning element 6.