System and apparatus having a temperature-controlled work area and method of making and using same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Workers handling temperature-sensitive products must often operate in harsh, cold environments like freezers or cold rooms, which is inefficient and uncomfortable, and poses health risks due to prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A portable packing table with a temperature-controlled work area that uses a chamber for dry ice or other cooling agents, combined with a fan unit and control system to maintain a set temperature range, allowing workers to handle and label products in a safer, more comfortable ambient temperature environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers operate in a freezer or cold room to handle temperature-sensitive products, then the products can be packaged and labeled at the required low temperature, but the workers are exposed to harsh cold environments for extended periods which is unsafe and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cold environment into a localized work zone (chimney area) rather than requiring the entire room to be cold. Only the specific area where products are handled is cooled, while the rest of the environment remains at comfortable ambient temperature for worker safety and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled air flow system acts as an intermediary, delivering cold air from the cooling chamber through the chimney to the work area. This allows temperature-sensitive products to be handled in a cold environment while workers remain in a warmer ambient space, separated by the controlled air flow boundary.
2Reliability
If a large walk-in freezer or cold room is used for packaging operations, then all products can be handled at required temperatures, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing uniform cold temperature throughout a large room, the system applies cooling locally only to the chimney work area where products are handled. The cooling chamber is compact and localized, creating a small controlled temperature zone rather than a large cold room infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional room-scale cold environment to a three-dimensional controlled air flow through a vertical chimney structure. Cold air is delivered upward through the chimney, creating a localized temperature-controlled workspace that rises vertically rather than requiring horizontal cold room space.
3Ease of operation
If ambient air is circulated through the cooling chamber, then the work area can be maintained at comfortable temperature, but energy consumption increases to maintain precise temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The fan unit operates periodically rather than continuously, cycling on and off to maintain the required temperature in the cooling chamber. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while still providing adequate cooling when needed, balancing worker comfort with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit monitors the temperature in the chimney work area and adjusts fan operation accordingly. When the temperature deviates from the set range, the control unit activates the fan to restore proper temperature, creating a feedback control system that maintains worker comfort while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
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 efficient and effective packaging and labeling of temperature-sensitive products without requiring workers to enter harsh cold environments, improving safety and reducing operational costs by maintaining precise temperature control within a comfortable range.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling chamber 20 configured to cool ambient air to a set temperature range
Implementation Method 2
Chamber for dry ice or other cooling agent
Implementation Method 3
a fan unit 48 connected to the table for forcing a flow of ambient air into the chamber
Implementation Method 4
a chamber for dry ice or other cooling agent... an insulated chamber configured to hold a temperature-controlling substance
Data Source
AI summary
A portable packing table having a temperature-controlled work area is provided. The table defines a chamber for dry ice or like substance and has a surface on which an open-topped upright chimney is mounted for receiving a flow of conditioned air from the chamber and for defining a temperature-controlled work area therein. A fan unit is connected to the table for forcing a flow of ambient air into the chamber, and a control unit is connected to the fan unit for automatically controlling operation of the fan unit to maintain air temperature within the chimney within a set temperature range.