Insulated container

Abstract

To provide an insulated container that enables effective improvement of the temperature retention capability for the contents.SOLUTION: The insulated container includes: a main body forming an internal space capable of holding contents, which is defined by the bottom surface, peripheral wall, and top surface; and a heat storage material holding section for holding the heat storage material. The heat storage material holding section is installed on the inner surface of the main body, and the heat storage material is deformable so as to follow the contents.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to a heat-insulating container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technology related to a heat-insulating container that suppresses an increase in the temperature of the contents by accommodating both a heat storage material such as a cold storage agent and the contents to be cold-stored. For such a heat-insulating container, it is required to maintain it within an appropriate temperature range according to aspects such as the type, size, and shape of the contents. In particular, a heat-insulating container in which the thermal energy of the heat storage material is more efficiently used for maintaining the temperature of the contents in response to changes in the stored contents is desired.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1 below, there is provided a food container, a storage box having heat insulation properties, a spacer member that secures a space between the lower surface of the food container and the upper surface of the bottom wall portion of the storage box, and a cold storage agent disposed above the food container. An air flow path that communicates a first space above the food container and a second space below the food container with each other is provided between the side surface of the food container and the inner surface of the side wall portion of the storage box, and a bento box is disclosed. Since the air in the first space cooled by the cold storage agent is supplied to the second space through the air flow path, the bento box can be efficiently cooled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the height and width of the contents are different, a gap is generated between the heat storage material and the contents, and it may be difficult for the thermal energy of the heat storage material to effectively transfer to the contents, resulting in an insufficient temperature retention effect. Also, in the case of a heat-insulated container assuming transportation or the like, the heat storage material may shift with respect to large movements of the entire heat-insulated container, resulting in an insufficient temperature retention effect.

[0006] The present technology relates to a heat-insulated container, and the main object is to dispose a heat storage material in an appropriate range with respect to contents having various forms such as various types, sizes, shapes, etc., and to efficiently maintain the temperature of the contents.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] As a result of intensive research to solve the above problems, the present inventor has successfully and effectively improved the temperature retention ability with respect to the contents by installing a heat storage material holding portion that can be deformed so that the heat storage material follows the contents on the inner surface of the heat-insulated container, and has completed the present technology.

[0008] That is, the present technology provides a heat-insulated container having a main body portion that forms an internal space capable of accommodating the contents by a bottom surface, a peripheral wall, and a top surface, and a heat storage material holding portion for holding the heat storage material, wherein the heat storage material holding portion is installed on the inner surface of the main body portion and the heat storage material is deformable so as to follow the contents. The peripheral wall includes a plurality of side walls, and a plurality of the heat storage material holding portions may be provided on at least one of the bottom surface, one of the side walls, and the top surface. An insulating material having elasticity may be held in the heat storage material holding portion. The total holding volume of the heat storage material holding portions installed on the top surface may be 1 / 3 or more of the storage volume of the internal space. When the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface is defined as height H, the distance between the lowermost point of the heat storage material holding portion when the heat storage material is accommodated in the heat storage material holding portion installed on the top surface and the top surface may be 1 / 3H or more.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present technology will be described. The embodiments described below show examples of typical embodiments of the present technology, and any of the embodiments can be combined. Also, the scope of the present technology is not construed narrowly by these.

[0011] The present technology will be described in the following order. 1. Configuration of the heat-insulating container (1) Main body part (2) Heat storage material holding part (3) Heat storage material (4) Heat insulating material (5) Other configurations 2. Heat-insulating container according to the first embodiment 3. Heat-insulating container according to the second embodiment 4. Heat-insulating container according to the third embodiment 5. Heat-insulating container according to the fourth embodiment 6. Examples

[0012] 1. Structure of the heat-insulating container The heat-insulating container according to the present technology includes a main body portion that forms an internal space capable of accommodating contents by a bottom surface, a peripheral wall, and a top surface, and a heat storage material holding portion for holding a heat storage material. The heat storage material holding portion is installed on the inner surface of the main body portion and is configured to be deformable so that the heat storage material can follow the contents.

[0013] (1) Main body portion The main body portion according to the present technology is a portion that forms an internal space capable of accommodating contents by a bottom surface, a peripheral wall, and a top surface. The main body portion can separate the internal space from the outside world and keep the temperature range of the internal space constant. The shapes of the bottom surface and the top surface constituting the main body portion may be, for example, substantially rectangular, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or substantially polygonal, etc., but are not limited thereto and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The shapes of the bottom surface and the opening may be the same or different. Also, for example, the peripheral wall may be composed of a plurality of side walls.

[0014] The top surface can be opened and closed, for example. After storing the contents with the top surface open and installing the heat storage material in the heat storage material holding portion, the top surface can be closed to form the internal space. Also, for example, the peripheral wall or the bottom surface may be able to be opened and closed.

[0015] For the main body portion according to the present technology, one or more heat-insulating materials generally used in heat-insulating containers can be freely selected and used. Examples of the heat-insulating material include foamed resin, resin, laminates combining these, and laminates with a metal foil such as aluminum laminated thereon.

[0016] (2) Heat storage material holding portion The heat storage material holding part according to the present technology holds the heat storage material and is deformable so as to follow the contents. With this configuration, regardless of the type, size, shape, etc. of the contents, the heat storage material can be made to follow the contents, and the temperature retention ability with respect to the contents can be effectively improved. "Making the heat storage material follow the contents" means bringing the heat storage material into contact with the contents or arranging it along a position close to the contents so that the heat storage material can most effectively exhibit its temperature retention ability according to the size of the contents to be kept cold, the position in the heat insulation container, etc. For example, there is an aspect in which the heat storage material is adjusted to a position in contact with the contents by the heat storage material holding part.

[0017] The heat storage material holding part may be provided on at least one of the bottom surface, the plurality of side walls, and the top surface. In a preferred form of the present technology, a plurality of heat storage material holding parts can be provided at a plurality of locations on the main body part. In this case, even when the height and width of the contents vary depending on the location, the plurality of heat storage materials can follow the contents from their respective installation locations, thereby effectively improving the temperature retention ability with respect to the contents.

[0018] When the heat storage material holding part is installed on at least one of the top surface, the bottom surface, and the side wall, the total holding volume of the heat storage material holding part may be 1 / 3 or more, preferably 1 / 2 or more, of the storage volume of the internal space. With this configuration, the heat storage material can be brought closer to a position where the temperature retention ability of the contents can be sufficiently exhibited. Also, the total holding volume of the heat storage material holding part is 2 / 3 or less, more preferably 1 / 2 or less, of the storage volume of the internal space.

[0019] Also, in the heat storage material holding part, the holding volume may be 2 times or more, preferably 5 times or more, the volume of the heat storage material. With this configuration, the heat storage material can be brought closer to a position where the temperature retention ability with respect to the contents can be sufficiently exhibited. Also, the holding volume indicating the maximum volume capable of holding the heat storage material may be 50 times or less, preferably 20 times or less, the volume of the heat storage material.

[0020] When the heat storage material holding part is installed on the top surface, when the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface is defined as height H, the distance between the lowest point of the heat storage material holding part containing the heat storage material and the top surface may be 1 / 3H or more, preferably 1 / 2H or more. With this configuration, the heat storage material can be brought closer to a position where the temperature retention ability for the contents can be sufficiently exhibited. Also, the distance between the lowest point of the heat storage material holding part and the top surface may be 2 / 3H or less, preferably 1 / 2H or less. This is the same for the distance between the uppermost point of the heat storage material holding part containing the heat storage material and the bottom surface when the heat storage material holding part is installed on the bottom surface.

[0021] Also, when a heat storage material is held in the heat storage material holding part, the distance between the uppermost point of the heat storage material and the top surface may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the heat storage material, preferably 4 times or more. With this configuration, the heat storage material can be brought closer to a position where the temperature retention ability for the contents can be sufficiently exhibited. Also, the distance between the uppermost point of the heat storage material and the top surface may be 49 times or less the thickness of the heat storage material, preferably 19 times or less. This is the same for the distance between the lowermost point of the heat storage material in the state where the heat storage material holding part extends most vertically upward and the bottom surface when the heat storage material holding part is installed on the bottom surface.

[0022] When the heat storage material holding part is installed on the side wall, when the distance between the side wall and the opposing side wall is defined as width W, the distance between the position where the heat storage material holding part extends most and the opposing side wall may be 1 / 3W or more, preferably 1 / 2W or more. With this configuration, the heat storage material can be brought closer to a position where the temperature retention ability for the contents can be sufficiently exhibited. Also, the distance between the position where the heat storage material holding part extends most and the opposing side wall may be 2 / 3W or less, preferably 1 / 2W or less.

[0023] Further, when a heat storage material is held in the heat storage material holding portion, the distance between the side wall facing the heat storage material in the state where the heat storage material holding portion is most extended may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the heat storage material, preferably 4 times or more. With this configuration, the heat storage material can be brought closer to a position where the temperature holding ability for the contents can be sufficiently exhibited. Further, the distance between the side wall facing the heat storage material in the state where the heat storage material holding portion is most extended may be 49 times or less, preferably 19 times or less, the thickness of the heat storage material.

[0024] (3) Heat storage material The heat storage material according to the present technology is a concept that includes both a cold storage material and a heat storage material. The heat storage material refers to a member that can maintain a constant temperature for a certain period of time in order to keep the temperature of the object in a temperature range lower than room temperature or higher than room temperature. The heat storage material means, for example, those having a cold storage function and a cold storage function for keeping the object in a temperature range lower than room temperature, and those having a heat insulation function for keeping the object in a temperature range higher than room temperature. The object includes an object such as the contents and a space such as the internal space. When the object is an object, the temperature may be directly maintained by the heat storage material coming into contact with the object, or the temperature of the object may be indirectly maintained as a result of the temperature of the space around the object being maintained. Further, as a preferred form of the heat storage material according to the present technology, a cold storage material having a cold storage function for keeping the object in a temperature range lower than room temperature can be used.

[0025] As the heat storage material according to the present technology, for example, a latent heat storage material that utilizes the heat of transition accompanying a phase change or transition of a substance and stores and utilizes this as thermal energy can be adopted, but it is not limited to this, and a heat storage material generally known as a heat storage material can be appropriately selected. For example, a sensible heat storage material that stores and utilizes thermal energy in a substance with a large specific heat or a chemical heat storage material that utilizes endothermic and exothermic reactions during a chemical reaction may be adopted.

[0026] (4) Heat insulation material The heat storage material holding part may hold a heat insulating material having elasticity. For example, since the heat storage material holding part deforms so as to correspond to the size and position of the content, a gap is generated in the heat storage material holding part. At this time, the elastic heat insulating material can occupy the gap, and the heat storage material can be fixed in a certain place with an appropriate force. Therefore, by having the heat insulating material, it becomes easier to bring the heat storage material into contact with the content, and the heat storage material is less likely to shift from the content with respect to the movement of the entire heat insulating container, so the temperature holding ability for the content is effectively improved. Also, regarding the portion occupied by the heat insulating material in the internal space, since the thermal energy of the heat storage material is less likely to be consumed, the temperature of the content can be maintained for a longer time. In addition, it also functions as a buffer material for the content and can appropriately protect the content.

[0027] As the heat insulating material according to the present technology, for example, a porous body such as a sponge-like material can be adopted, but it is not limited to this, and a heat insulating material generally known as a heat insulating material can be appropriately selected.

[0028] (5) Other configurations The heat insulating container according to the present technology may be provided with other configurations other than the above-described configurations as necessary, as long as the desired functions are not significantly impaired. Examples of other configurations include a handle for making it easier to hold the heat insulating container, a fastener such as a surface fastener for closing the top surface of the heat insulating container, a band or a surface fastener for fixing the heat storage material to the heat storage material holding part, and the like.

[0029] 2. Heat insulating container according to the first embodiment FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining a heat insulating container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the heat insulating container 100 with the top surface open, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the heat insulating container 100 with the top surface closed, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat insulating container 100.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat-insulating container 100 includes a main body portion 10 that forms an internal space S capable of accommodating the content T (see FIG. 3) by a bottom surface 11, a peripheral wall 12, and a top surface 13, and a heat storage material holding portion 20 for holding the heat storage material 21. The heat-insulating container 100 according to the first embodiment is, for example, box-shaped. The bottom surface 11, the peripheral wall 12, and the top surface 13 are substantially rectangular plate-shaped, and the peripheral wall 12 is composed of four side walls (a first side wall 12a, a second side wall 12b, a third side wall 12c, and a fourth side wall 12d). The heat storage material holding portion 20 is installed, for example, on the inner surface of the top surface 13. When the heat storage material 21 is installed in the heat storage material holding portion 20, the heat storage material holding portion 20 deforms so as to extend by the own weight of the heat storage material 21.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the top surface 13 is closed in a state where the heat storage material 21 is installed in the heat storage material holding portion 20 of the heat-insulating container 100, the heat storage material holding portion 20 deforms so that the heat storage material 21 follows the content T. With this configuration, the distance between the heat storage material 21 and the content T becomes closer, and the temperature holding ability with respect to the content T is effectively improved.

[0032] 3. Heat-insulating container according to the second embodiment FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat-insulating container 200 according to the second embodiment of the present technology. The heat-insulating container 200 according to the second embodiment includes four heat storage material holding portions 20, and a heat insulating material 22 having elasticity is held in the heat storage material holding portion 20. Otherwise, it has the same configuration as the heat-insulating container 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the above 1. Configuration of the heat-insulating container and 2. Explanation described in the heat-insulating container according to the first embodiment also apply to the heat-insulating container 200 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, the description of other configurations of the heat-insulating container 200 is omitted.

[0033] Since a plurality of the heat storage material holding portions 20 are provided, even when the height of the content varies depending on the location, the plurality of heat storage materials follow the content T from their respective installation locations, so that the temperature of the content T can be efficiently maintained.

[0034] Since the heat storage material holding part 20 holds the heat insulating material 22 having elasticity, it becomes easier to bring the heat storage material 21 into contact with the content. Further, even when the entire heat insulating container 200 moves greatly, the heat storage material 21 is less likely to shift from the content T, so that the temperature holding ability with respect to the content T can be effectively improved. Further, regarding the portion occupied by the heat insulating material 22 in the internal space S, since the heat energy of the heat storage material is less likely to be consumed, the temperature of the content T can be held for a longer time.

[0035] 4. Heat Insulating Container According to the Third Embodiment FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining a heat insulating container 300 according to the third embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the heat insulating container 300 with the top surface 13 open, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heat insulating container 300. In the heat insulating container 300 according to the third embodiment, the heat insulating material 22 is held in the heat storage material holding part provided on the top surface 13, and the heat storage material holding part 20 and the heat storage material 21 are provided on each of the four side walls 12a to 12d. Otherwise, it has the same configuration as the heat insulating container 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the above 1. Configuration of the heat insulating container, 2. Explanation described in the heat insulating container according to the first embodiment also apply to the heat insulating container 300 according to the third embodiment. Therefore, the description of the other configurations of the heat insulating container 300 is omitted.

[0036] Since the heat storage material holding part 20 is provided on each of the four side walls, even when the width of the content T is small with respect to the heat insulating container, a plurality of heat storage materials follow the content T from their respective installation positions, so that the temperature of the content T can be efficiently held.

[0037] 5. Heat Insulating Container According to the Fourth Embodiment FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a heat insulating container 400 according to the fourth embodiment of the present technology. The heat insulating container 400 includes a heat storage material holding part 20, a heat insulating material 22, and a heat storage material 21 on the bottom surface 11 in the heat insulating container 300. As a result, the content T comes into contact with or approaches the heat storage material 21 in multiple directions, and further, the temperature holding ability with respect to the content T can be effectively improved.

[0038] 6. Working Example The present technology will be described in more detail below using examples, but the present technology is not limited to the contents of the examples shown below.

[0039] (1) Creating an insulated container

[0040] <Test Example 1> In an insulated box under the following conditions, two heat storage material holding sections as shown in FIG. 1 were provided on the top surface to create an insulated container. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present technology, and (a) shows a cross-sectional view of the insulated container (insulated box) of Test Example 1. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the heat storage material holding sections were provided so that when holding the heat storage material (cold insulation material), the length from the top surface to the heat storage material was 150 mm. In the insulated container of Test Example 1, when the top surface was closed, the heat storage material was in contact with the contents so as to follow them. Furthermore, a heat storage material was provided on the bottom surface of the insulated container.

[0041] [Cooler box specifications] Internal dimensions: Height 235mm, width 355mm, depth 250mm, thickness 30mm Contents: 21L

[0042] [Heat storage material specifications] Dimensions: Width 140mm, depth 195mm, thickness 25mm Volume: 0.6L

[0043] <Test Example 2> An insulated container (cooling box) was created in the same manner as in Test Example 1, except that the heat storage material holding section was configured so that when the heat storage material was held, the length from the top surface to the heat storage material was 25 mm. Figure 8(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the insulated container (cooling box) of Test Example 2. As shown in Figure 8(b), when the top surface of the insulated container of Test Example 2 is closed, the heat storage material (cold insulation material) remains near the top surface, not reaching the contents.

[0044] (2) Physical property measurement The insulating effect of the heat-insulating containers prepared as described above was evaluated using the following method.

[0045] Pre-cooled heat-insulating materials (CAH-500-25, manufactured by Inoac Corporation) were placed, two at the bottom of the heat-insulating container (cooling box) for each test example and one in each heat storage material holding part, for a total of four. Then, two pre-cooled plastic bottles filled with water (content volume: 500 ml) were placed on the heat-insulating materials at the bottom and used as the objects to be measured. The pre-cooling conditions are shown in Table 1.

[0046]

Table 1

[0047] The temperature change over time of this object to be measured was examined in an atmosphere with an outside air temperature of 35°C. The temperature measurement points are shown in Table 2.

[0048]

Table 2

[0049] (3) Results and Discussion Figure 9 is a graph showing the temperature change over time of the test example of the present technology. As shown in Figure 9, the time when the water temperature of the water in the content exceeded -15°C was 4.17 hours after the start of the test for Test Example 2, while it was 8.17 hours after the start of the test for Test Example 1. From this, in the heat-insulating container according to the present invention, since the heat storage material can be made to follow the content by the heat storage material holding part, it was confirmed that the temperature retention ability for the content was effectively improved.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0050] 100 Heat-insulating container 10 Main body part 11 Bottom surface 12 Peripheral wall 13 Top surface 20 Heat storage material holding part 21 Heat storage material 22 Heat-insulating material S Internal space T Content

Claims

1. A main body portion that forms an internal space capable of accommodating contents by a bottom surface, a peripheral wall, and a top surface, A heat storage material holding portion for holding a heat storage material, A heat insulating container having, The heat storage material holding portion is installed on the inner surface of the main body portion and is deformable so that the heat storage material follows the contents, Heat insulating container.

2. The peripheral wall includes a plurality of side walls, The heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the heat storage material holding portions are provided on at least one of the bottom surface, one of the side walls, and the top surface.

3. The heat insulating container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a heat insulating material having elasticity is held in the heat storage material holding portion.

4. The total holding volume of the heat storage material holding portions installed on the top surface is 1 / 3 or more of the storage volume of the internal space, The heat insulating container according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface is defined as height H, The distance between the lowermost point of the heat storage material holding portion and the top surface when the heat storage material is accommodated in the heat storage material holding portion installed on the top surface is 1 / 3H or more, The heat insulating container according to claim 1 or 2.

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