Soft-Sided Insulated Container with External Thermal Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soft-sided insulated containers with thermal storage members, such as ice packs, present convenience and use issues, particularly in accessing and managing the thermal storage without disturbing the contents of the container.
Innovation Solution
A soft-sided insulated container with externally accessible thermal storage member accommodations that allow for insertion and removal of thermal storage elements, such as gel packs, without opening the main closure, through slots or openings in the container walls, facilitating easy and independent management of thermal storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermal storage members are placed inside the insulated container chamber, then thermal storage function is achieved, but accessing and managing the thermal storage members requires opening the main closure which disturbs the contents of the container
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate access systems: a main closure for the chamber and a second closure for the thermal storage member accommodation. This segmentation allows independent access to thermal storage members without opening the main closure, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage member accommodation is extracted as a separate accessible component from the main chamber. The second closure provides independent access to this extracted accommodation, allowing thermal storage members to be managed separately from the chamber contents, thus eliminating the need to open the main closure for thermal storage management.
2Reliability
If thermal storage members are placed inside the insulated container chamber, then thermal storage function is achieved, but the contents of the container may be disturbed during access and management
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into a chamber for contents and a separate accommodation for thermal storage members with independent closures. This segmentation ensures that managing thermal storage members through the second closure does not disturb the chamber contents, maintaining integrity while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage member accommodation is extracted as a separate accessible component with its own closure mechanism. This extraction allows thermal storage members to be managed independently through the second closure without any interaction with or disturbance to the chamber contents, thus maintaining reliability while ensuring ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the container has separate access for thermal storage members, then independent management is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into functionally independent sections with separate closures: the main chamber closure and the thermal storage accommodation closure. This segmentation enables independent management of thermal storage members while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and intuitive, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.
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 convenient and efficient temperature control of the container's contents by allowing thermal storage members to be added or removed without opening the main closure, maintaining the integrity and organization of the contents.
Implementation Method 1
thermal storage member, such as an ice pack or gel pack
Implementation Method 2
outer layer includes a layer of thermal insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly has a soft-sided insulated wall structure. It has an internal chamber in which to place objects, such as foodstuffs, to be kept cool or warm. There is a first closure member that opens and closes to permit objects to be place in, or removed from, the chamber. The wall structure includes one or more accommodations in which to place a warming or cooling element, such as an ice pack. The accommodations are externally accessible without opening the main chamber, and have their own closure. The outside of the accommodation may be insulated; the inside is a thin web through which to transfer heat. The container may be a collapsible foldable bag; a tote bag; back pack or a non-collapsible lunch box. The thermal storage elements may have a flat disk shape. The external access for the thermal storage elements permits them to slide sideways into place.