Insulating Bag With Thermal Liner for Collapsible Tray Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing meal kit shipping systems lack a means to securely support bags while maximizing air space for refrigeration and are complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A modular packaging system comprising a collapsible tray and insulating bag, designed with fold lines and panels to securely support meal kits and maintain refrigeration, featuring a paper base layer with a temperature-preserving liner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid tray structure is used to support the meal kit bag, then the bag is securely supported, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the tray cannot be collapsed for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The tray structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic collapsible form through hinge connections. The tray panels are connected via hinges that allow the tray to be folded flat for storage and assembled into a rigid support structure when needed, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and collapsibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is divided into multiple separable panels connected by hinges, allowing each panel to be independently positioned. This segmentation enables the tray to be assembled into a stable support structure during use and collapsed into a compact form for storage, addressing both support reliability and device complexity concerns.
2Volume of moving object
If the tray is designed to be collapsible for storage, then the storage efficiency improves, but the structural strength to support the bag may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tray employs dynamic hinge connections that allow it to transition between a compact collapsed state for storage and a rigid expanded state for load-bearing. When assembled, the hinge joints create a stable geometric structure capable of supporting the meal kit bag, while maintaining the ability to collapse flat when not in use.
3Temperature
If a complex insulation system is used to maintain refrigeration, then the temperature control improves, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system utilizes flexible insulating liners that can be easily attached to the interior surfaces of the tray and bag. These thin film insulation layers provide effective thermal protection without requiring complex multi-layer insulation systems, maintaining refrigeration temperature while simplifying the overall structure.
4Volume of moving object
If the tray and box are made collapsible, then the storage and shipping efficiency improves, but the ease of assembly and disassembly may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible tray and box utilize hinge mechanisms that enable smooth transitions between assembled and collapsed states. The hinges are designed to allow easy manual operation, permitting the structure to be quickly assembled from a flat state and just as easily collapsed back for storage or shipping.
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 system effectively maintains meal kit freshness by maximizing air space for refrigeration and simplifies manufacturing through a collapsible design.
Implementation Method 1
the insulating bag comprises a paper base layer and a temperature-preserving liner applied to the base layer
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating bag includes a pair of opposing side panels; a pair of opposing main panels, each side panel attached to each main panel, the pair of opposing main panels and the pair of opposing side panels together defining a top bag end and a bottom bag end opposite the top bag end; a pair of opposing main top flaps, each main top flap hingedly connected to a corresponding one of the main panels at the top bag end; a pair of opposing side top flaps, each side top flap hingedly connected to a corresponding one of the side panels at the top bag end; and a bottom panel disposed at the bottom bag end; wherein: the insulating bag comprises a paper base layer and a temperature-preserving liner applied to the paper base layer; and the insulating bag defines an interior cavity configured to receive bag contents therein.