A Blanket that Cools

COOLING BLANKET Team Project | Spring 2012

A TRUE NEED Roughly ONE THIRD of the world’s food is lost or wasted. In developing countries, this occurs before it even gets to the market. Farmers in Northern Sudan are in need of a portable cooling device that will keep produce fresh on the journey to the market, maximizing produce lifespan and minimizing food waste.

HIGH-LOW TECH Currently many farmers in Africa use a Zeer pot, two clay bins that contain sand and water in the middle. When the water evaporates, the vegetables in the inside cool, much like how perspiration works.

IDEATION After much ideation and sketching, our team landed on the idea to simplify the zeer pot technology into a portable blanket that could be wrapped around anything.

CREATING THE MODEL

Layers are meshed and allow for complete airflow, evaporating the water more efficiently

Ground Charcoal stores and holds water

Water Irrigation Piping drips water into charcoal to replentish

Spun nylon fabric contains water and minimizes dripping

HOW IT WORKS

THE DESIGN

Drip piping running through the blanket connects to a water bottle, which if squeezed will fill the blanket with water The water bottle fits securely in a pouch located next to the connection

KEEP COOL AND CARRY ON