Thermal insulating container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal insulating containers for temperature-sensitive items like seafood, such as those made of expanded polystyrene, have limited lifespan, pose environmental hazards, and are not sustainable, with poor barrier properties leading to contamination and inefficiencies in transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A reusable thermal insulating container with an inner lining of thermal insulation sheet material and a water-resistant outer box layer, featuring a locking tab connection, which provides customizable size and shape options, improved thermal insulation, and sustainability through recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If expanded polystyrene boxes are used for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to non-biodegradability and pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining an inner lining made from food-grade thermoplastic material with an outer corrugated fibreboard layer. This composite design achieves thermal insulation performance comparable to polystyrene while using biodegradable and recyclable materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between insulation effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters from non-biodegradable polystyrene to biodegradable thermoplastic and fibreboard materials. By modifying the material composition parameters while maintaining structural integrity and thermal insulation properties, the solution eliminates environmental pollution without sacrificing insulation performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed-dimension polystyrene boxes are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for non-standard sized items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collapsible design where the corrugated fibreboard outer layer can be folded and compressed. This dynamic structure allows the container to be expanded to various sizes for different cargo dimensions and collapsed to compact form for storage and transport, thereby achieving size adaptability while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized folding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into an inner lining and an outer corrugated layer that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The outer layer consists of foldable panels connected by hinges or adhesives, allowing the structure to be configured in different sizes and shapes to accommodate non-standard items while keeping the manufacturing process simple and modular.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use plastic liner bags are used with polystyrene boxes, then barrier properties are improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses food-grade thermoplastic material for the inner lining that is inherently food-safe and provides barrier properties without requiring an additional plastic liner bag. The homogeneous material structure of the thermoplastic lining eliminates the need for separate plastic packaging, thereby maintaining contamination protection while eliminating plastic waste and improving environmental sustainability.
4Temperature
If expanded polystyrene boxes are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but durability deteriorates due to disintegration during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an inner food-grade thermoplastic lining with an outer corrugated fibreboard layer to create a composite structure. The thermoplastic provides thermal insulation and moisture resistance, while the fibreboard provides structural strength and durability. This composite design maintains thermal insulation performance while significantly improving structural durability and resistance to disintegration during use and cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated fibreboard outer layer acts as a protective cushioning layer that shields the inner thermoplastic lining from mechanical damage, impacts, and cleaning processes. This prior protection prevents the insulation layer from deteriorating or disintegrating, thereby maintaining both thermal insulation performance and structural durability throughout the container's service life.
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 container effectively maintains temperature-sensitive goods' quality during transportation out of the cold chain, offering improved thermal insulation, flexibility, and sustainability by being reusable and recyclable, reducing environmental impact and transportation costs.
Implementation Method 1
an inner lining, wherein the inner lining is fabricated from a thermal insulation sheet material
Implementation Method 2
an outer box layer, wherein the outer box layer is fabricated from a water resistant thermal insulation sheet material
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal insulating transport container comprising an inner lining, wherein the inner lining is fabricated from a thermal insulation sheet material; and an outer box layer, wherein the outer box layer is fabricated from a water resistant thermal insulation sheet material, wherein a side wall of the outer thermal insulation box layer is connected to an adjacent side wall of the outer thermal insulation box layer by at least one locking tab.