Insulated container

Abstract

The lid should be easily removable from the container body. [Solution] The heat-insulating container 10 of the embodiment has a container body 1 having a main body opening end 12 and a heat-insulating function, a lid portion 2 that covers the opening of the container body to which a fixing base 13 is attached, an annular portion 31 that contacts the opening end 13a when the lid portion 2 covers the opening of the container body 1 and is fixed to the container body 1 to maintain airtightness inside the container body 1, and a packing 3 that has a grip portion 32 that can be gripped by a user when the inside of the container body 1 is maintained airtightness. By gripping the grip portion 32 and elastically deforming a part of the annular portion 31, a gas flow path is formed that allows gas to flow from inside the container body 1 to the outside via the vicinity of the opening end 13a, thereby releasing the airtightness inside the container body 1.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a container for storing beverages and foods, it is known that the volume of the gas inside the container changes due to an increase or decrease in the temperature inside the container, and a pressure difference occurs between the internal pressure inside the container and the atmosphere.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the lid member is made of a material such as a seal or a sheet that is soft and easy to bend or deform, the lid itself may deform, and it is relatively easy to remove the lid from the container body. However, when the lid member is made of a material such as resin that is difficult to bend or deform, there is a problem that it is difficult to remove the lid from the container body when the inside of the container becomes negative pressure. On one side, an object of the present invention is to easily remove the lid from the container body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, a disclosed heat-insulating container is provided. This heat-insulating container includes a container body having an opening and a heat-insulating function, a lid portion covering the opening, an annular portion that contacts the end of the opening in a state where the lid portion covers the opening and is fixed to the container body to keep the inside of the container body airtight, and a packing having a gripping portion that can be gripped by a user when keeping the inside of the container body airtight. By gripping the gripping portion and elastically deforming a part of the annular portion, the airtightness inside the container body can be released.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] In one embodiment, the lid can be easily removed from the container body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the heat-insulating container of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the heat-insulating container of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view of the heat-insulating container according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the packing of the embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates an example of how to use the insulated container according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates an example of how to use the insulated container according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The insulated container of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] The positions, sizes, shapes, and ranges of the components shown in the following drawings may not represent their actual positions, sizes, shapes, and ranges in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the positions, sizes, shapes, and ranges disclosed in the drawings. In the embodiments, elements expressed in the singular form shall include the plural form unless otherwise clearly indicated in the text. <Embodiment> Figures 1 and 2 show an insulated container according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the insulated container according to the embodiment. The insulated container 10 of this embodiment includes a container body 1, a lid 2, and a gasket 3.

[0010] The container body 1 is a bottomed cylindrical vacuum double-walled structure with heat insulation properties, and includes a storage section 11 that can store food, beverages, ice, etc. (not shown; hereinafter referred to as contents), and a main body opening end 12 (see Figure 3). Examples of materials used to construct the container body 1 include stainless steel.

[0011] Furthermore, a fixing base 13 is attached to the container body 1 by fitting, surrounding the inner and outer sides and top of the opening end 12 of the container body. The fixing base 13 is made of a resin such as polypropylene, for example. As the fixing base 13 surrounds both sides and the top of the opening end 12 of the container body, the upper part of the fixing base 13 substantially forms the opening end of the container body 1. In the following description, the opening end of the container body 1 to which the fixing base 13 is attached will be referred to as the opening end 13a.

[0012] Furthermore, a body packing 4 is placed in the gap between the main body opening end 12 and the fixed base 13. By placing the body packing 4, it is possible to prevent liquids and gases from passing through the gap between the main body opening end 12 and the fixed base 13.

[0013] The fixing base 13 is provided with three locking members 14 that secure the lid 2, spaced at 120-degree intervals. The number and spacing of the locking members 14 are not limited to those shown in the illustration. In this embodiment, the container body 1 and the fixing base 13 on which the locking members 14 are provided are separate components, but the container body 1 and the fixing base 13 may be a single component. Furthermore, a silicone cover 15 is attached to the bottom of the container body 1. The lid portion 2 covers the opening of the container body 1. The lid portion 2 has an upper lid 21, three engaging portions 22, a ring (metal fitting) 23, and a handle 24.

[0014] The ring 23 can be made of, for example, stainless steel. The top cover 21, the engaged part 22, and the handle 24 are made of, for example, a resin such as polypropylene.

[0015] Each engaged part 22 is arranged at a position interval corresponding to each locking member 14. The locking ring 14a of each locking member 14 engages with each engaged part 22. The main part of the fixing means for fixing the lid part 2 to the container body 1 is formed by each locking member 14 and each engaged part 22. The upper lid 21 is provided with attachment parts 21a, 21a for attaching each ring 23.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, elongated through holes 24a, 24a are formed in the side part of the handle 24. When the user grips the handle 24, the rings 23, 23 move inside the through holes 24a, 24a from the central part toward the end part, so that the handle 24 can be pulled up above the paper surface.

[0017] Also, a lower lid 25 is attached to the upper lid 21. The size of the lower lid 25 corresponds to the size of the opening of the container body 1 to which the fixed base 13 is attached. A heat insulating member 26 is arranged in the space formed by the upper lid 21 and the lower lid 25. Examples of the heat insulating member 26 include polyurethane.

[0018] The packing 3 is attached so as to surround the lower lid 25. The packing 3 can be removed from the lower lid 25. The lower lid 25 to which the packing 3 is attached covers the opening of the container body 1, so that the opening end part 13a can be sealed and the inside of the container body 1 can be kept airtight. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the packing of the embodiment. The packing 3 has an annular part 31 and a gripping part 32. Examples of the packing 3 include those having elasticity such as silicone rubber and thermoplastic elastomer. The annular part 31 is annular as its name implies and contacts the opening end part 13a in the state of being attached to the lower lid 25 to keep the inside of the container body 1 airtight.

[0019] In this embodiment, the gripping portion 32 is positioned almost perpendicular to the annular portion 31. As shown in Figure 3, when the lid portion 2 is attached to the container body 1 and the annular portion 31 is in contact with the opening end 13a to maintain airtightness inside the container body 1, the gripping portion 32 is positioned along the side of the top lid 21, allowing the user to grip it. Furthermore, positioning it along the side of the top lid 21 gives it a neat appearance.

[0020] Incidentally, the width H1 of the portion 31a of the annular portion 31 near the gripping portion 32 is narrower than the width H2 of the portion 31b other than the gripping portion 32, and portion 31a has a shape as if a part of the ring is missing. Note that the shape of portion 31a is just an example and is not limited to that shown. Next, an example of how to use the insulated container 10 of the embodiment will be described. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an example of how to use the insulated container of the embodiment. Note that a portion of the container body 1 is omitted from the illustration in Figure 5. The user of the insulated container 1 places the contents they wish to keep warm or cold into the storage compartment 11.

[0021] Next, the user attaches the packing 3 to the lower lid 25 to cover the opening of the container body 1, and then attaches and secures the locking rings 14a of each locking member 14 to their respective engaging parts 22. This seals the gap between the lower lid 25 and the opening end 13a with the packing 3, keeping the inside of the container body 1 airtight.

[0022] When the user opens the lid 2, before releasing the locks of each locking member 14, that is, while the lid 2 is fixed by each locking member 14, the user grasps the gripping part 32 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 and moves the gripping part 32 in a direction that separates the annular part 31 from the side of the top lid 21 by pulling it out. As the gripping part 32 moves, part 31a elastically deforms so as to shift and separates from the opening end 13a. This creates a gas flow path from inside the container body 1 to the outside via the vicinity of the opening end 13a. Note that even if part 31a does not separate from the opening end 13a, the structure is not limited to this embodiment as long as the annular part 31 elastically deforms due to the movement of the gripping part 32 and a gas flow path is formed.

[0023] As mentioned above, changes in temperature inside the container body 1 alter the volume of gas inside the container body 1, creating a pressure difference between the internal pressure of the container and the atmosphere. When the temperature inside the container body 1 rises, the internal pressure inside the container body 1 increases, and when the temperature inside the container body 1 decreases, the internal pressure inside the container body 1 decreases.

[0024] The formation of a gas flow path releases the airtight seal inside the container body 1. If the pressure inside the container body 1 is high, the gas inside the container body 1 is discharged to the outside through this flow path. Conversely, if the pressure inside the container body 1 is low, outside air flows into the container body 1 through this flow path. In either case, the pressure difference between the inside and outside is eliminated. Figure 5 shows an example of the flow path of incoming air with a dotted line.

[0025] Incidentally, when the gripping portion 32 moves, the width H1 of portion 31a is formed to be narrower than the width H2 of portion 31b other than the vicinity of the gripping portion 32. Therefore, compared to when it is not formed to be narrower, portion 31a can be separated from the opening end 13a with a smaller movement distance of the gripping portion 32. In other words, a flow path can be formed with a smaller movement distance. Subsequently, the user removes the lock ring 14a of each locking member 14 from each engaged portion 22, and detaches the lid portion 2 from the container body 1.

[0026] As described above, the heat-insulating container 10 of the embodiment includes a container body 1 having a main body opening end 12 and a heat-insulating function, a lid portion 2 that covers the opening of the container body to which a fixing base 13 is attached, an annular portion 31 that contacts the opening end 13a when the lid portion 2 covers the opening of the container body 1 and is fixed to the container body 1 to maintain airtightness inside the container body 1, and a packing 3 that has a grip portion 32 that can be gripped by a user when the inside of the container body 1 is maintained airtightness. By gripping the grip portion 32 and elastically deforming a part of the annular portion 31, a gas flow path is formed that allows gas to flow from inside the container body 1 to the outside via the vicinity of the opening end 13a, thereby releasing the airtightness inside the container body 1. Therefore, even when the lid portion 2 covers the opening of the container body 1 and is fixed to the container body 1, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container body 1 is eliminated, and the user can easily detach the lid portion 2 from the container body 1.

[0027] Furthermore, since the packing 3 can elastically deform a part of the annular portion 31 while the lid portion 2 is fixed to the container body 1, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container body 1 can be eliminated with a simple operation. Furthermore, the width H1 of part 31a is narrower than the width H2 of part 31b. This allows for the formation of a flow channel with a shorter travel distance. Furthermore, the gripping portion 32 is positioned almost perpendicular to the annular portion 31. This allows for a cleaner appearance.

[0028] In this embodiment, the gripping portion 32 is grasped and moved away from the side of the top cover 21 in order to pull out the annular portion 31 before unlocking each locking member 14. However, the method is not limited to this, and the gripping portion 32 may be grasped and moved away from the side of the top cover 21 after unlocking each locking member 14.

[0029] Although the heat-insulating container of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configuration of each part can be replaced with any configuration having a similar function. Furthermore, other arbitrary components or processes may be added to the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1. Container body 11 Storage section 12 Main body opening end 13 Fixed base 13a Open end 14 Locking member 14a Lock ring 15 Cover 2 Lid 21 Top lid 21a Mounting part 22 Engaged part 23 rings 24 handles 25 Lower lid 26 Insulation materials 3. Packing 31 Ring section 31a, 31b parts 32 Gripping part 4. Main body gasket

Claims

1. A container body having an opening and having an insulating function, A cover portion that covers the opening, The packing comprises an annular portion that contacts the end of the opening and maintains airtightness inside the container body when the lid is fixed to the container body and covers the opening, and a gripping portion that is connected to the annular portion and positioned not to be sandwiched between the container body and the lid, and which can be grasped by a user when the inside of the container body is maintained airtightness. An insulating container characterized in that the airtight seal inside the container body can be released by gripping the gripping portion and moving the gripping portion in a direction away from the annular portion, thereby elastically deforming a part of the annular portion.

2. The heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein the packing is capable of elastically deforming a part of the annular portion while the lid portion is fixed to the container body.

3. The heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein the width of the ring near the gripping portion of the annular portion is narrower than the width of the portion of the annular portion other than the gripping portion.

4. The heat insulating container according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion is erected substantially perpendicular to the annular portion.

Images