How It Works: A "Window" Into the Science Behind FrioBox™

The insulated packaging technology behind FrioBox™ may surprise you.

FrioBox™ works by combining defined air spaces with low emissivity materials. It is just like dual-pane low-e windows, where the two panes of glass define an air space and at least one of the glass surfaces has a low emissivity coating applied. The result is a home that is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The use of low emissivity surfaces is not new in the packaging world. What is new is in how these materials are made and integrated into a high performance insulated box.

So what does low-e mean? The “e” in “low-e” stands for “emissivity,” which describes a material’s intrinsic ability to radiate, or emit, heat energy. Wood, cardboard, skin, inks, and fabrics are all examples of high emissivity materials. Gold, silver, copper, and aluminum, by contrast, are all low emissivity materials - meaning they inhibit radiant heat transfer. Low-e windows use thin layers of silver, for example. FrioBox™ uses thin layers of aluminum.

So how does a FrioBox™ actually work? Like the dual pane window example, the introduction of an air space shifts the predominant mode of heat transfer from conduction to radiation. The low-e coatings applied to the paper choke radiant heat flow across the air space.

If an air space is not adjacent to the low-e material, the shift from conductive to radiant heat transfer does not occur. When other insulated packaging solutions like laminated foil bubble bags do not include an air space explicitly designed within the container, heat simply conducts through and the low-e surfaces have no value.

FrioBox™ was developed by Sigma Technologies (www.sigmalabs.com).  With FrioBox™, we've combined our extensive knowledge of thin films, low emissivity materials, and insulation systems to design a simple yet effective insulated box using advanced materials and insulation techniques. FrioBox™ is a product of decades of experience marrying sophisticated thin film solutions with practical, real world applications. The technology in FrioBox™ has been utilized in applications including infrared signature reduction for military vehicles, currency and brand security devices, high performance solar reflective window shades, multi-functional high aspect ratio pigments, and curved displays used in cutting edge consumer electronics products.

FrioBox™ insulated packaging technology - it's really cool!