Ventilated Transport Container for Green Pallet Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for preventing mold, fungus, and bacterial growth on wooden pallets, such as chemical treatments and kiln drying, are costly and inefficient, and do not ensure effective drying during transportation, leading to potential contamination and additional handling expenses.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an enclosed container with a fan and vents that directs airflow to dry green pallets within, reducing moisture content and inhibiting microbial growth, while allowing for on-site drying and transportation, thus minimizing handling and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical treatments are used to prevent mold and microbial growth on pallets, then the effectiveness of preventing contamination is improved, but the cost and complexity of the treatment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying function and transport function into a single container system. The container serves both as a drying chamber with integrated airflow generation (fans and vents) and as a transport vehicle, eliminating the need for separate drying facilities and subsequent loading/unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating fans and vents directly into its structure, allowing it to generate its own airflow for drying purposes without requiring external drying equipment or facilities. The system serves its own drying needs through integrated mechanical ventilation.
2Reliability
If kiln drying is used to dry finished pallets, then the drying effectiveness is improved, but the cost and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal kiln drying system with a mechanical airflow system. Instead of using high-temperature heat treatment, the invention uses fans to generate continuous airflow through the pallets via integrated vents, achieving drying through mechanical convection rather than thermal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs pneumatic principles by using fans to create forced airflow through the pallet stack. The vents are positioned to channel air through the wood material, and the fans generate the necessary air pressure and flow rate to achieve effective drying without requiring thermal energy input.
3Ease of manufacture
If air drying is used to dry pallets in storage location, then the cost is reduced, but the drying time and vulnerability to secondary contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan system operates continuously or periodically to maintain constant airflow through the pallets during transport, ensuring uninterrupted drying action. This continuous mechanical drying process replaces the intermittent and passive nature of traditional air drying, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallets are loaded into the container while still green (undried), and the drying process begins immediately during the transport journey. This preliminary drying action occurs before the pallets reach their final destination, eliminating the need for separate post-transport drying operations and reducing overall drying time.
4Reliability
If pallets are moved to additional treatment location for drying, then the drying effectiveness is improved, but the handling expense and time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the transport vehicle and the drying chamber. The fans and vents are built into the container structure, allowing drying to occur in-situ during transport without requiring relocation to separate drying facilities, thereby eliminating additional handling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously performs transport and drying operations. The same structure that contains and protects the pallets during transit also provides the drying environment through integrated airflow generation, making the system universally applicable to both logistics and processing needs.
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
This method effectively reduces moisture content in pallets, inhibits mold and microbial growth, and eliminates the need for additional treatment steps, enhancing pallet quality and reducing transportation costs by integrating drying and storage within the same container.
Implementation Method 1
A flow of air is drawn into the container through the plurality of vents
Implementation Method 2
The green pallets are dried with the flow of air within the interior of the enclosed container
Implementation Method 3
operation of the at least one fan draws air into the container through the plurality of vents
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the transport of goods includes a ceiling, a floor, opposed side walls, and a front wall, defining a container with an open interior. At least one fan is at most coplanar with the front wall and extends away from the front wall exterior the container. The at least one fan is oriented to direct a flow of air out of the container through the front wall. A plurality of vents are spaced along each of the opposed side walls. Operation of the at least one fan draws air into the container through the plurality of vents. A method of transporting green pallets includes providing an enclosed container. Stacks of green pallets are provided within the enclosed container. At least one fan is operated to draw a flow of air out of the interior of the enclosed container to dry the stacks of green pallets.