Three-Layer Thermal Panel for Stable Food Delivery Temperatures

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for food preservation, such as coolers and restaurant refrigerators, are cumbersome and expensive, and fail to maintain temperature stability during home delivery, leading to consumer dissatisfaction due to temperature fluctuations during transportation.

Innovation Solution

A portable thermal panel made of thermal foam with three isolating layers (aluminized film, corrugated plastic sheet, and isolating foam plate) that oscillates between −20° C. and 120° C., providing lightweight thermal insulation and resistance to tension and compression, allowing for flexible placement within containers to maintain desired temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional coolers or refrigerators are used for food preservation, then temperature control capability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal panel is divided into three distinct isolating layers: an aluminized layer for heat reflection, a corrugated plastic sheet for structural support and additional insulation, and a foam plate for thermal isolation. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specifically to temperature control while keeping individual components lightweight and simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines three different materials (aluminized film, corrugated plastic, and foam) into a composite thermal panel structure. Each material provides specific thermal properties, and their combination achieves effective temperature control without the weight and complexity of traditional refrigeration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional coolers are used for food preservation, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal panel is divided into three distinct isolating layers: an aluminized layer for heat reflection, a corrugated plastic sheet for structural support and additional insulation, and a foam plate for thermal isolation. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specifically to temperature control while keeping individual components lightweight and simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines three different materials (aluminized film, corrugated plastic, and foam) into a composite thermal panel structure. Each material provides specific thermal properties, and their combination achieves effective temperature control without the weight and complexity of traditional refrigeration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If rigid thermal insulation structures are used, then thermal isolation performance is improved, but adaptability to different container sizes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal isolation performanceVSAvoidadaptability to container sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal panel is designed with flexible components including the corrugated plastic sheet and foam structure that can bend and conform to different container geometries. This dynamic flexibility allows the same panel design to adapt to various container sizes and shapes while maintaining its thermal isolation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses flexible materials such as the corrugated plastic sheet and foam structure that can bend and conform to different container geometries. This flexibility enables the thermal panel to adapt to various container sizes and shapes while maintaining effective thermal isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 thermal panel effectively preserves food temperatures during transportation, reducing weight and cost while maintaining temperature stability and durability, even under rough conditions, thus enhancing food delivery experiences.

Implementation Method 1

The layer (11), is an aluminized layer or film that serves as a film reflecting to temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the layer (13) is an isolating foam plate, which isolates any change of temperature in the environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9132604B2Thermal panel

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 CHALVE PABLO ANDRADE

AI summary

The present invention refers to a thermal panel of thermal foam, characterized in that said thermal panel includes three isolating layers, in which the first layer, is an aluminized layer or film which serves as a film reflecting to temperature; the second layer, is a corrugated plastic sheet that serves as a temperature diffuser; and the third layer is an isolating foam plate, which serves to isolate any change of temperature in the environment.