jovoto / HELIOS / Keep cool with Miele / Miele

Keep cool with Miele

HELIOS

Solar/wind-powered, swappable cooling balls for an Eco-friendly, insulated bag with temp zones

Target groups

Custom (People age 20-55. Favor eco-friendly living, water/resource conservation. Many are underemployed, on tight budgets. May buy food delivered, or shop 4 themselves, 4 friends, or 4 clients (gig economy).)

Observation

Higher-efficiency, compact solar/wind energy harvesting panels/paints/surfaces will power cold pack freezing-and-dispensing machines in stores, on delivery vehicles, as well as at public spaces, businesses, drinking fountains, etc. As people increasingly prefer their to-go drinks chilled by cold packs/balls instead of ice cubes, they will use chilled balls to create cold interiors in insulated food delivery bags. Happy at reducing bag weight, eco footprint of transport, cooling costs, etc.

Conclusion

People's choices will favor cost-efficiency, circular economy, and renewable natural materials. Whether purchasing themselves, OR having food delivered, e.g. groceries, an ice cream cake, or hot take out dinner, people will like a multi-purpose (cold, hot, or ambient) carrier bag for food transport and delivery. When quality lightweight insulation is proven to maintain inner temperature in such a bag, it WILL be chosen over more expensive, power-consuming "active cooling" delivery options.

Solution

A Helios bag's superior insulation lets it maintain inner temperature for 12-18 hours. It's multilayer shell incorporates recyclable moisture-block nanoengineered bioplastic, insulation of cellulose (bamboo/plant origin), and a puncture-proof exterior from recycled Kevlar vests or Tyvek. Travels well hand-held or shoulder-slung. Has a self-retracting cable lock that allows pass-through and securing to doors, doorknobs, etc. Has a slide compartment that fits chilled balls, for longer cold times.

Pain Point

Conventional hard-body cold boxes may have a higher empty weight, are often inconvenient to walk with, and can be a trip hazard if left at a doorstep, especially in a narrower corridor. They often use plastics or insulation that are environment-unfriendly.

Product in its environment

When the bag is being filled with items, the shopper can put water-filled chilled or frozen balls (cryoballs) into the adjacent slide compartment. Cryoballs may also be put in later, before a bag is delivered to a doorstep. The bag and the main compartment's zipper are secured by the cable lock.

Product views

A Helios bag's flexible, multilayer walls minimize heat leakage, as well as moisture entry, air passage, etc. Cryoballs can be slid in or out, without opening the bag's inner space. Eyelets in the bag, the zipper, and the cable lock help keep the bag and its contents secure.

Product in use

Cryoballs may be dropped directly into the bag from the freezers/dispensers. "How many balls?" depends on the anticipated duration items shall be in the bag, temperature recommended, the prevailing local temperature, etc. Once emptied, bags may be returned at the next delivery event, or to stores.

Additional info

Already validated that such insulation works very well: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3YaW8X3OZnbuTgncF2Cxwg/about

(google ifoodbag results in africa, etc)

Third party materials used

http://cryogel.com/operation

https://www.amazon.com/ShurLok-SL-180-Lockbox-Bracket-Black/dp/B006Y3IEEQ

http://cryogel.com/operation

Comments

Hicham Bahr

over 1 year ago

Hi Sarkar, different temperature boxes in the same device is a good solution. waiting for more details about handling, safety... etc. Good luck :)

Fatima Sinanovic

over 1 year ago

Hi there, I can only agree with mentioned, putting everything in one box may not be ideal due to different temperature requirements. Looking forward to see how you'll develop it.

good luck

Diana Jianuguide

over 1 year ago

Dear Sarkar,

Congratulations for being the second one to submit in this challenge! I understand that your idea and concept is work in progress, including the product (I am assuming the image you've used is just a placeholder, right? because this is also a product design challenge)?

I like the courage of your concept: "from the distribution point to the delivery chain and all the way to the kitchen, where products can be transferred to fridge, freezer or countertop/floor as appropriate. " - so this is a one solution fits all, right? I understand the objective. The actual solution needs work now.

Good luck & have fun! Diana