Stable thermal container
The thermal container with a central magnet and double-walled insulation, along with a metal-interacting coaster, addresses temperature maintenance and leakage prevention, ensuring stable and safe transport and consumption.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024124941
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing thermal containers face challenges in maintaining temperature stability and preventing unintentional leakage during transport, especially when partially consumed, and require a stable, non-slip positioning solution for use in vehicles.
A thermal container with a central magnet in its base, designed to interact with a metal element or layer, ensuring stable and non-slip positioning, combined with a double-walled structure for insulation and a copper-coated inner body for thermal retention, and a coaster with a metal layer for secure placement.
The solution provides a stable, non-slip, and temperature-maintaining thermal container suitable for transport, allowing safe consumption during transit and flexible positioning on various surfaces.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a thermal container for temperature-maintaining storage and, in particular, temperature-maintaining transport of foodstuffs, which is especially stable. The invention further relates to a system comprising a stable thermal container and at least one coaster, which interacts with the thermal container and has a metal element or a metal layer.
[0002] Thermal containers are primarily used to transport food, especially liquids, so that it can be consumed at a later time, ideally at a maintained temperature, away from home, for example, at work or while traveling. Foods, drinks, and beverages that are best suited for transport in thermal containers include soups, hot and cold drinks such as tea, coffee, and soft drinks.
[0003] When transporting such thermal containers until their contents are consumed as intended, the container and its contents should be protected not only from temperature loss but also from any unintentional leakage during transport. Therefore, these containers are equipped with a suitable lid. If at least part of the contents is to be consumed during transport, the lid will naturally be at least partially opened or removed, and the container will typically be held by hand, creating a risk of unintentional leakage. State of the art
[0004] From DE 10 2017 002 311 A1, a glass vessel with a metal element housed within it is known. The glass vessel has a lower recess in its base that houses the metal element, which is bonded to the base of the recess by means of a transparent adhesive and is embedded in a transparent plastic that fills the remaining area of the recess. The glass vessel is, in particular, a drinking glass made of crystal glass, and the metal element is a magnet. In the manufacture of the glass vessel, a recess is first created in the vessel by inserting a plunger into the molten glass of the vessel. In a second step, the metal element is bonded to the base of the recess by means of an adhesive. Finally, in a third step, the recess is filled with the plastic by means of a casting process.The production of a protruding vessel with the metal element glued into its base using plastic is correspondingly complex, as described above. Task
[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a thermal container for transporting food that maintains a desirable temperature of the food, particularly during transport, and that especially allows its contents to be consumed conveniently and safely even during transport. It is a particular object of the invention to provide a stable and non-slip thermal container, especially suitable for use in a vehicle, as well as a system for the simple and stable positioning of a thermal container.
[0006] The problem is solved by the characteristics of independent claims.
[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and / or the following description.
[0008] The invention relates in particular to a thermal container for temperature-maintaining storage and, in particular, temperature-maintaining transport of foodstuffs, comprising a container with a receiving chamber for foodstuffs and a lid for closing the thermal container. Adjacent to its base, the container has a central magnet whose magnetic properties, in particular its holding force or magnetic attraction and its dimensions, are selected, designed, and arranged in accordance with the thermal container such that the thermal container is held by the magnet in a stable, non-slip, and fixed position at a predetermined location, where a suitable metal element or a suitable metal layer is provided that interacts with the magnet.
[0009] The thermal container, featuring a convenient magnet, is particularly suitable for carrying and transporting food, including liquids. Even during transport, especially in a vehicle, the open thermal container can be placed stably, securely, and without slipping in a predetermined, suitable position. This allows for the convenient and safe consumption of at least part of the contents of the thermal container while it is being carried or transported.
[0010] Suitablely, the base of the thermal container can have an outer circumferential rim, and the magnet can be arranged and designed such that the thermal container, when placed on the ground, rests on the outer rim of the base, while the centrally located magnet is only minimally separated from the surface on which the thermal container is placed. The magnet can thus exert its full attractive force on the metal element or metal layer at the position where the thermal container is placed, ensuring that the thermal container is particularly stable and secure, even in a vehicle.
[0011] To provide the advantageous arrangement of the magnet on the base of the thermal container described above, the base has a central area for housing the magnet, which is suitably bounded by an inner rim on the base. The magnet can suitably be flat and cylindrical, advantageously forming a positive fit with the central area, and be held in place by a cover within the central area. In this way, the magnet is particularly stable in the central area on the base of the thermal container and protected from contamination and damage, especially to its surface.
[0012] The inner edge of the central area is suitably lower than the outer edge and is surrounded by the outer edge, on which the insulated container rests stably, securely, and without slippage. A groove extending around the inner edge is suitably provided between the inner and outer edges, into which an outer edge of the cover engages, thus ensuring particularly reliable coverage of the central area.
[0013] To provide the aforementioned advantageous properties, the dimensions of the base, including the central area, the cover, the inner edge, and the outer edge, are suitably selected and designed such that the magnet of the thermos container, which rests on the outer edge of the base and is positively enclosed and protected in the central area, is spaced at a predetermined small distance of max. 2 mm, and advantageously max. 1 mm, from a surface on which the thermos container is placed.
[0014] The container of the thermal container can be made of particularly robust stainless steel and be painted, coated, and / or anodized on the outside. The lid is also preferably made of stainless steel and welded to the inner edge of the central area of the base. This securely houses and reliably protects the flat cylindrical magnet in the central area. To provide the desired magnetic properties, the magnet is preferably a neodymium magnet.
[0015] The receiving chamber of the thermal container can be particularly advantageously suited for holding liquid foodstuffs and beverages. To provide desirable thermal insulation for the receiving chamber, the container can suitably be double-walled, comprising an inner and an outer body, with a cavity formed between the inner and outer bodies, which may be evacuated. Furthermore, the inner body of the container can have a copper coating, so that radiant heat from the receiving chamber is reflected by the copper coating.
[0016] A central area of the outer body at the bottom of the thermal container, together with the inner edge of the bottom and the cover, appropriately forms the central area described above, in which the flat cylindrical magnet is positively locked and protected.
[0017] When using the aforementioned thermos container equipped with a magnet, the thermos container interacts advantageously with a suitable metallic surface, as described above. In particular, the thermos container can interact advantageously with a suitable coaster that has a metal layer interacting with the thermos container's magnet and is suitably designed as a nano-gel adhesive pad with a non-slip, adhesive underside. Such a coaster is especially advantageous because it allows for convenient, simple, and flexible retrofitting of a surface such as a tray, table, or shelf, even in a vehicle, etc., and enables simple, convenient, flexible, reversible, secure, and stationary positioning of the thermos container.
[0018] The invention therefore also relates to a system with a thermal container as described above, which is equipped with the magnet, and a coaster corresponding to the magnet, which has a metal layer that interacts with the magnet and is designed as a nano-gel adhesive pad with a non-slip, adhesive underside such that the coaster adheres to a predetermined position in a non-slip and fixed manner, and thereby interacts with the magnet as intended in such a way that the thermal container is positioned stably, securely, non-slip and fixedly on the coaster.
[0019] The system can advantageously include a plurality of projecting bases designed to prevent slipping of the thermal container at at least one, and preferably a plurality, of positions. The bases are particularly dimensioned to correspond appropriately with the base of the thermal container and are, in particular, comparatively larger than the base. Such a system allows for particularly simple and flexible handling of the thermal container described above for many applications, especially with a means of transport and / or in a vehicle.
[0020] The thermal container is suitable for many applications and especially for the safe transport of food, particularly in liquid form, e.g. on the way to work, to events, while traveling, camping, etc., whereby the thermal container specifically provides a thermal mug.
[0021] A thermal container and a system described above are particularly suitable for use in conjunction with a suitable means of transport and / or in a vehicle of any kind, wherein the magnet is intended to provide a non-slip surface for the thermal container and interacts with a suitable metal element provided on the means of transport or a fitting element of a vehicle. Examples of implementation
[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail below. The figures show: Fig. 1 Four representations of a thermal container according to an embodiment of the invention, namely a side view, a view looking at the lid of the thermal container from above, a view with the lid removed, and a view of the bottom of the thermal container; Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the thermos container of Fig. 1 from below with the central cover of the base removed, together with a magnet according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a longitudinal section through the thermal container of Fig. 1 without its lid together with a magnet and a cover suitable for the bottom of the thermal container; Fig. 4 the thermal container from Fig. 3 compound; Fig. 5 the thermal container from Fig. 1 together with coasters suitable for the thermal container.
[0023] The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Not all reference symbols are shown in all figures.
[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows four representations of a thermos container 1 according to an embodiment of the invention with the container 10, namely a side view of the container 10, a view looking at the lid 16 of the thermos container 1 from above, a view with the lid 16 removed and a view of the bottom 15 of the thermos container 1.
[0025] The thermal container 1 is primarily intended for transporting foodstuffs, especially those largely in liquid form, so that they can be consumed at a later time away from home, for example at work or while traveling, and kept at a temperature as consistent as possible. The thermal container 1 specifically includes a thermal mug 1. The thermal container 1 is designed with the container 10 made of a suitable stainless steel material, as described below, particularly with reference to... Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is described. The container 10 is made of a stainless steel material of the design of Fig. 1 is painted on the outside.
[0026] The thermos container 1 has an upper lid 16 by means of which the thermos container 1 can be closed, and which is designed in such a way that the lid 16 can also be opened only partially, for example to remove a liquid.
[0027] The base 15 of the container 10 has a circumferential outer rim 152 on which the erected thermal container 1 stands. The base 15 also has a central cover 153, suitably also made of a stainless steel material, which covers an advantageous central magnet 2 housed in a central area 150 of the base 15. Reference is made here to the following description, in particular to… Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 referred.
[0028] The central magnet 2 is selected, designed and arranged in its magnetic properties, in particular its holding force or magnetic attraction force and its dimensions, in accordance with the thermos container 1, such that the thermos container 1 is held by the magnet 2 in a non-slip and fixed position at a predetermined position P, P1, P2, at which a suitable metal element or a suitable metal layer is provided that interacts with the magnet 2.
[0029] The thermos container 1, which has an advantageous magnet 2 in its base 15, is a stable and non-slip thermos container 1, and in particular a thermos mug 1, which is suitable for many applications and especially for the safe transport of food, particularly in liquid form, e.g., on the way to work, to events, while traveling, camping, etc. The thermos container 1 is particularly advantageous for use in a vehicle. The magnet 2 can advantageously be a neodymium magnet 2.
[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the thermos container 1 of Fig. 1 from below with the central cover 153 of the base 15 removed, together with a magnet 2 according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the flat cylindrical magnet 2 is shown outside the central area 150 that houses it for the sake of clarity and comprehensibility. The magnet 2 is advantageously designed to fit snugly against the central area 150, which is bounded by an inner rim 151.
[0031] The inner rim 151 is surrounded by the outer rim 152 described above, on which the erected thermos container 1 stands. The inner rim 151 is correspondingly lower than the outer rim 152. A groove extending around the inner rim 151 extends between the inner rim 151 and the outer rim 152, into which an outer rim of the above with reference to Fig. The cover 153 described in section 1 engages with the central area 150. For a stable, secure, and protected arrangement and housing of the magnet 2 in the central area 150, the cover 153 is advantageously welded to the inner edge 151 of the central area 150. The cover 153, like the container 10 and therefore also its base 15, is made of stainless steel.
[0032] In the center of the inner central area 150, adjacent to the magnet 2, a suction opening is arranged, which is sealed after the manufacture of the thermocontainer 1, for the evacuation of a cavity 13 of the container 10 and for providing its thermal insulating properties, which is described below with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is described.
[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the container part 10 of the thermal container 1 of Fig. 1 together with the magnet 2 and the cover 153 suitable for the base 15 of the thermos container 1 and for the magnet 2 in their individual components, and Fig. Figure 4 shows the container 10 of the thermo container 1 assembled as intended. Fig. 3.
[0034] The container 10 of the thermal container 1 has a receiving chamber 14, which is particularly suitable for receiving liquid foodstuffs and beverages. To provide the desired thermal insulation of the receiving chamber 14, the container 10 is double-walled and has an inner body 11 and an outer body 12, with a cavity 13 formed between the inner body 11 and the outer body 12. The cavity 13 is, for example, evacuated, and a getter may also be arranged in it to substantially maintain the vacuum in the cavity 13 over a long period of use of the thermal container 1.
[0035] The container 10 of the thermal container 1 is made of stainless steel, as described above, and is suitably manufactured by a deep-drawing process. The exterior of the container 10 is suitably painted. The inner body 11 of the container 10 advantageously has a copper coating, so that radiant heat from the receiving chamber 14 is reflected by the copper coating, thereby keeping hot liquids or foodstuffs present in the receiving chamber 14 hot for a longer period. The same applies to chilled liquids or foodstuffs.
[0036] To create the vacuum in the cavity 13, an area at the bottom 15 of the container 10 has a suction opening through which the cavity 13 can be evacuated, in order to then seal the suction opening in a material-locking manner while maintaining the vacuum in the cavity 13.
[0037] To connect the inner body 11 and the outer body 12 of the container 10, a continuous fabric seam is provided around the upper outer edge. This seam is carefully finished, as the circumferential edge in the area of the seam also forms a drinking edge, particularly when the contents of the container 10 are to be drunk directly from it. The fabric seam can, for example, consist of a weld or a soldered joint.
[0038] The magnet 2, as described above, is formed in a flat cylindrical shape and fits snugly against the central area 150 in the base 15 of the thermos container 1. The cover 153 has an outer rim that surrounds the inner rim 151 surrounding the central area 150. After assembly and welding to the inner rim 151 of the base 15, and after the magnet 2 is snugly enclosed in the central area 150, the rim of the cover 153 is adjacent to the outer rim 152 on which the thermos container 1 rests. It is clear that the cover 153 can also be soldered to the base 15.
[0039] The dimensions of the cover 153, the inner rim 151, and the outer rim 152 are advantageously selected such that the magnet 2, housed in the central area of the thermos container 1 resting on the outer rim 152 of the base 15, is spaced at a predetermined small distance of max. 2 mm, and advantageously max. 1 mm, from a surface on which the thermos container is placed. In this way, the magnet is positioned at this small distance from a metal element M on the surface and can exert its full attractive force, thus ensuring that the thermos container 1 is advantageously stable and slip-resistant.
[0040] Fig. Figure 5 shows the thermal container 1 of Fig. 1 together with coasters suitable for the thermal container 1 and in particular for its stable and non-slip positioning 3.
[0041] A flat coaster 3 is suitably a nano-gel adhesive pad with a non-slip and adhesive underside, which has a metal layer M that interacts with the magnet 2 of the thermal container 1. The coaster 3, with its non-slip and adhesive underside, is designed to be easily and flexibly placed at a predetermined position P, P1, P2 on a surface, e.g., of a piece of furniture such as a table, a shelf, or a storage unit. After placement, the coaster 3 is positioned in a non-slip and adhesive manner, and is also reversible for its intended use in conjunction with the thermal container 1. The coaster 3 of Fig. The surface 5, on which the thermos container 1 is placed, has a suitable surface that corresponds to the dimensions of the base 15 and is comparatively larger than the base 15.
[0042] The thermos container 1, placed on the coaster 3, interacts with its magnet 2 as intended with the coaster 3, which has a metal layer M, in such a way that the thermos container 1 is held firmly and also slip-resistant on the coaster 3.
[0043] The coaster 3, which interacts with the magnet 2 of the thermal container 1, is positioned with its underside at a predetermined position P, P1 or P2 to prevent slipping. Fig. Figure 5 shows, in addition to the aforementioned coaster 3 at position P, two further exemplary positions P1 and P2 are schematically depicted. As already mentioned above, positions P, P1 and P2 can each be a predetermined position P, P1, P2 on a surface, e.g., of a piece of furniture such as a table, shelf or storage unit, particularly also in a vehicle.
[0044] A system 1, 2, 3 is provided for the non-slip positioning of the non-slip thermal container 1 at at least one predetermined position P, P1, P2, comprising a stable thermal container 1, the base 15 of which has a central magnet 2, and at least one cooperating base 3, which has a metal layer M cooperating with the magnet 2 and is designed as a nano-gel adhesive pad with a non-slip and adhesive backing. The system 1, 2, 3 can advantageously comprise a plurality of bases 3, each designed for the stable and non-slip positioning of the thermal container 1 at a plurality of positions P, P1, P2.
[0045] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to the person skilled in the art – unless otherwise stated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Reference symbol list 1 thermal container, thermal mug 10 containers 11 Inner body 12 outer bodies 13 Cavity 14 Admission chamber 15 Floor 150 central area 151 inner margin 152 outer edge 153 Cover 16 lids 2 magnetic elements, magnets, neodymium magnets 3 coasters M Metal layer, metal layer, metal element Position P, P1, P2 QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] DE 10 2017 002 311 A1
[0004]
Claims
[1] Thermocontainer (1) for temperature-preserving storage and, in particular, temperature-preserving transport of foodstuffs, comprising a container (10) with a receiving chamber (14) for foodstuffs and a lid (16) for closing the thermocontainer (1), wherein the container (10) has a central magnet (2) adjacent to its base (15), the magnetic properties of which, in particular its holding force or magnetic attraction force and its dimensions, are selected, designed and arranged in accordance with the thermocontainer (1) such that The thermo container (1) is held securely, non-slip and in a fixed position (P, P1, P2) by the magnet (2), where a suitable metal element or metal layer (M) is provided which interacts with the magnet (2). [2] Thermocontainer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base (15) has an outer circumferential rim (152), and the magnet (2) is arranged and designed such that the thermocontainer (1) placed on the base (15) rests on the outer rim (152), while the centrally arranged magnet (2) is spaced at a predetermined small distance from a surface on which the thermocontainer (1) is placed. [3] Thermocontainer (1) according to claim 2, wherein the magnet (2) is designed as a flat cylindrical shape and the base (15) has a central area (150) for housing the magnet (2) which is bounded by an inner rim (151), wherein the magnet (2) is designed to fit snugly in the central area (150) and is held and protected by a cover (153) in the central area (150). [4] Thermocontainer (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inner rim (151) is lower than the outer rim (152) and is surrounded by the outer rim (152) on which the erected thermocontainer (1) stands, and wherein a groove extending around the inner rim (151) extends between the inner rim (151) and the outer rim (152), into which an outer rim of the cover (153) engages. [5] Thermocontainer (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the dimensions of the base (15) with the central area (150), the cover (153), the inner rim (151) and the outer rim (152) are selected and designed such that the magnet (2) of the thermocontainer (1) resting on the outer rim (152) of the base (15), which is positively enclosed in the central area (150), is spaced at a predetermined small distance of max. 2 mm and advantageously max. 1 mm from a surface on which the thermocontainer (1) is placed. [6] Thermocontainer (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the container (10) of the thermocontainer (1) is made of a stainless steel material and is painted or coated and / or anodized on the outside, and the cover (153) is made of a stainless steel material and is welded to the inner edge (151) of the central area (150) of the base (15), and the magnet (2) is a neodymium magnet (2). [7] Thermocontainer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving chamber (14) of the container (10) is particularly suitable for receiving foodstuffs in liquid form and beverages, and wherein a thermal mug (1) is provided with the thermal container (1), and wherein To provide a desirable thermal insulation effect for the receiving chamber (14), the container (10) is designed as a double-walled vessel and has an inner body (11) and an outer body (12), wherein a cavity (13) is formed between the inner body (11) and the outer body (12), which may be evacuated. [8] Thermocontainer (1) according to claim 7, wherein the inner body (11) of the container (10) has a copper coating, such that radiant heat from the receiving chamber (14) is reflected at the copper coating. [9] Thermocontainer (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a central area of the outer body (12) at the bottom (15) of the thermocontainer (1) together with the inner rim (151) and the cover (153) forms the central area (150) in which the magnet (2), which is in particular flat cylindrical in shape, is positively fitted and protected. [10] System (1, 2, 3) comprising a thermal container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, and at least one coaster (3) corresponding to the thermal container (1) and the magnet (2), which has a metal layer (M) cooperating with the magnet (2) and is designed as a nano-gel adhesive pad with a non-slip, adhesive underside such that the coaster (3) adheres to a predetermined position (P, P1, P2) on a surface in a non-slip and fixed position, and in particular interacts with the magnet (2) as intended such that the thermal container (1) placed on the coaster (3) is positioned in a stable, non-slip and fixed position.
Citation Information
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