Pallet cover comprising one or more temperature-control members and kit for use in making the pallet cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallet covers for temperature-sensitive materials lack effective temperature control and flexibility in maintaining desired temperature ranges for extended periods, particularly for biological and pharmaceutical products.
Innovation Solution
A pallet cover design featuring multiple pockets with varying types of phase-change materials and spacers, supported by insulation, allowing for adjustable and customizable temperature control across the pallet surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single type of phase-change material is used in the pallet cover, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the temperature control flexibility and adaptability to different temperature ranges is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet cover is divided into multiple pockets, each capable of holding different types of phase-change material pouches. This segmentation allows selective placement of PCMs with different melting points to achieve desired temperature ranges while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pockets are designed with universal dimensions and configurations that can accommodate various types of phase-change material pouches. This multi-functionality enables the same pocket structure to hold different PCM types for different temperature control requirements, enhancing adaptability without increasing structural complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple types of phase-change materials are used in different pockets, then the temperature control precision and adaptability improve, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different pockets are designed with specific local qualities including varying dimensions, orientations, and thermal insulation characteristics tailored to the specific phase-change materials they will contain. This allows optimization of temperature control precision for each pocket while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-change material pouches are pre-filled and sealed with specific quantities and types of PCMs before insertion into the pockets. This preliminary action ensures precise temperature control characteristics are achieved without requiring complex assembly procedures during pallet cover manufacturing.
3Reliability
If phase-change material pouches are placed in direct contact with each other, then the space utilization is maximized, but the temperature distribution uniformity and thermal control stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal interface materials or spacer elements are placed between adjacent phase-change material pouches to ensure uniform thermal contact and prevent direct contact that could cause thermal short-circuits. These intermediaries maintain consistent temperature distribution while allowing efficient space utilization within the pockets.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the pallet cover is designed to be fully customizable with different PCM types in each pocket, then the adaptability to various temperature-sensitive materials improves, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet cover design allows dynamic configuration where users can select and place different types of phase-change material pouches in specific pockets based on the temperature requirements of the cargo. The modular pocket structure enables easy reconfiguration without requiring complex assembly procedures, maintaining ease of operation while providing high customization flexibility.
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 pallet cover effectively maintains temperature-sensitive materials within a desired range by utilizing phase-change materials and insulation, ensuring consistent temperature control and flexibility in coverage.
Implementation Method 1
A pallet cover design featuring multiple pockets with varying types of phase-change materials and spacers, supported by insulation, allowing for adjustable and customizable temperature control across the pallet surface
Implementation Method 2
The first type of temperature-control member comprises a first plurality of pouches containing phase-change material
Implementation Method 3
The pallet cover effectively maintains temperature-sensitive materials within a desired range by utilizing phase-change materials and insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet cover suitable for use in covering at least a portion of a payload on a pallet and a kit for use in making the pallet cover. In one embodiment, the pallet cover includes a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, wherein the walls are detachably joined to one another. Each of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall includes a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, the first and second fabric sheets being joined together to form a plurality of pockets. Each pocket may removably receive a temperature-control member containing a phase-change material. At least one of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall and the right side wall may include a plurality of detachably joined portions.