Anonymous Food Supplier
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Next Challenge: Can you advance the science of personal care? |
When a billion dollar multi-national food company ships bagged products over the Rocky Mountains (via truck or rail container) there is a 7,000 to 10,000 ft altitude change which causes these bags (ex. salty snacks) to expand. Because of this expansion, a smaller number of individual bags must be put into each shipping case, which is an inefficient use of space.
The following is a product example and dimensions of shipping case:
# of bags/case: 8 (2 rows of 4)
Inside depth of shipping case: 10”
Thickness/depth of bag at sea level: 1.9”
Thickness/depth of bag at 10000ft elevation: 2.5”
Amount of ‘slack’ built into case: 10-(1.9*4)= 2.4” = 24%
Propose a solution which will eliminate or reduce bag expansion so that more bags can be shipped per case. Submit a written description of your solution and include any diagrams, schematics, and any mathematical proof of concept as supporting material. Stick to common file formats (ppt, doc, pdf, CAD - dxf, etc).
Winning solutions will be cost-effective and easily implemented.
AVOID THE FOLLOWING:
1) Changing the bag to another package type
2) Adjusting transportation methods to something other than truck or rail
3) Any solution that allows for two-way gaseous movement (e.g. creating micro-leaks which allow oxygen back into package/bag)
4) Shipping bulk product to avoid shipping bag
5) Pressurizing the shipping container
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Submissions will be graded on the following criteria:
- Meets Deliverables
- Creativity
- Clarity
| Top 5 share $750 | Next 5 share $250 |
| $150.00 |
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Ian Cao Indiana University | |
| $150.00 |
|
Alexander Hilser Rice University | |
| $150.00 |
|
Claire McWhite Rice University | |
| $150.00 |
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Andrew Andbberger@Berkeley.Edu University of California at Berkeley | |
| $150.00 |
|
Samuel Heinz University of California, Santa Barbara | |
| $50.00 |
|
Christopher Samouce University of Florida | |
| $50.00 |
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Carly Li University of Michigan | |
| $50.00 |
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Natalia Tan University of Washington | |
| $50.00 |
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Ben Frank Massachusetts Institute of Technology | |
| $50.00 |
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cathy wu Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
