Thermal Insulation Container Forming Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging for temperature-sensitive items, such as seafood, faces issues with limited lifespan, environmental hazards, poor barrier properties, and inefficiencies due to the use of single-use plastic materials, leading to contamination and waste.
Innovation Solution
A process for forming a container from a thermal insulation sheet material blank, involving the creation of fold lines and seam joints to create a collapsible, laminated structure that is leak-proof and resistant to contamination, eliminating the need for single-use plastic liners.
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 hazard increases and lifespan is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from expanded polystyrene to thermally insulating fabric, which provides comparable thermal insulation performance but eliminates the environmental hazards associated with polystyrene disintegration and poor biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining thermally insulating fabric with heat sealable material layers, creating a multi-layer composite that maintains thermal insulation while adding leak-proof barrier properties and improving environmental compatibility
2Reliability
If single-use plastic liner bags are used, then leak-proof property is improved, but reusability decreases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal insulation function with the leak-proof barrier function into a single integrated container structure, eliminating the need for separate single-use plastic liner bags while maintaining both thermal insulation and leak-proof properties for repeated use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the practice of discarding single-use plastic liners by creating a reusable container where the barrier material can be cleaned and reused multiple times, reducing waste and contamination risk
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed dimension containers are used, then structural stability is improved, but storage efficiency decreases when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the container by making it collapsible and foldable, allowing the container to transition between an expanded usable state with stable structure and a compressed storage state that minimizes volume for efficient storage and transport
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 flexible, environmentally friendly packaging option that minimizes waste, prevents contamination, and optimizes space usage, while maintaining thermal insulation and leak-proof integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a container blank fabricated from a thermal insulation sheet material
Implementation Method 2
sealing a portion of each of the pair of flap members of the first panel portion to a portion of each of the pair of flap members of the third panel portion to form a side seam joint
Data Source
AI summary
A process for forming a container from a blank, the process comprising the steps of: thermally inducing one or more fold lines on at least one surface of a container blank fabricated from a thermal insulation sheet material, wherein the blank comprises: a first panel portion; a second panel portion located adjacent the first panel portion and sharing a first common edge therewith; and a third panel portion located adjacent the second panel portion and sharing a second common edge therewith, the second common edge being substantially parallel to the first common edge, wherein the first panel portion and the third panel portion are each associated with a pair of flap members adapted for folding movement relative to the respective first and third panel portions such that, when assembled, each of the flap members overlies an edge of the second panel portion substantially perpendicular to the first common edge and the second common edge, folding the first panel portion of the container blank along a first fold line, wherein when folded, the first panel portion is substantially perpendicular to the second panel portion of the container blank; folding the third panel portion of the container blank along a second fold line, wherein when folded, the third panel portion is substantially perpendicular to the second panel portion and substantially parallel to the first panel portion; sealing a portion of each of the pair of flap members of the first panel portion to a portion of each of the pair of flap members of the third panel portion to form a side seam joint; and sealing a portion of the first panel portion adjacent the side seam joint and a portion of the third panel portion adjacent the side seam joint to an edge of the second panel portion to form a bottom seam joint.