Wheat Straw Insulated Box-In-Box Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolers made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) are not biodegradable and do not effectively maintain a consistent temperature due to air gaps, which can lead to product deterioration in cold chain applications.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled container using a biodegradable and compostable wheat straw insulation material, with a box-in-box structure that eliminates air gaps by filling the space between the outer and inner box structures and incorporating a hollow insert with wheat straw for adjustable insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If EPS (expanded polystyrene) is used as insulation material, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic EPS to natural wheat straw, transforming the insulation material's chemical composition and biological properties while maintaining its thermal insulation functionality. This resolves the contradiction by selecting a material that is both effective for temperature control and fully biodegradable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the natural porous structure of wheat straw material to provide thermal insulation. The porous configuration of the wheat straw creates air pockets that resist heat transfer, achieving temperature control effectiveness comparable to EPS while being environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
2Ease of manufacture
If air gaps are present in the container structure, then manufacturing ease is improved, but temperature consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the container into separate inner and outer box structures with insulation material positioned in the space between them. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while the insulation material fills the gaps to maintain temperature consistency, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheat straw insulation material acts as an intermediary substance that fills the space between the inner and outer box structures. This intermediary material eliminates harmful air gaps while maintaining the beneficial separated box structure design that facilitates easy manufacturing and assembly.
3Device complexity
If fixed insulation structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different payload sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable or adjustable insulation panel that can be repositioned within the container. This dynamic element allows the insulation structure to adapt to different payload sizes and configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where adjustable insulation panels are positioned within the space between inner and outer boxes. These nested components can be moved or reconfigured to accommodate different payload sizes without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire insulation system.
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 effective temperature control comparable to EPS coolers while being sustainable and eliminating air gaps, ensuring product protection and ease of handling across various payload sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a wheat straw material that is disposed in the outer box structure between respective sidewalls of the outer box structure and the inner box structure
Implementation Method 2
the insert is hollow and contains an amount of wheat straw
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature-controlled container that includes an outer box structure that defines an inner cavity; an inner box structure that is constructed and arranged for engagement into the cavity that is formed in the outer box structure; said inner box structure having an open passage for accommodating an item the temperature of which is to be controlled, and a wheat straw material that is disposed in the outer box structure between respective sidewalls of the outer box structure and the inner box structure, and that is disposed in the open space between a bottom of the inner box structure and a bottom of the outer box structure. The inner box structure has a height that is less than a height of the outer box structure so as to define an open space between a bottom of the inner box structure and a bottom of the outer box structure. An insert that is constructed and arranged for insertion into the open passage and over the item the temperature of which is to be controlled.