Container

Abstract

A container includes an outer shell and an inner liner. The inner liner and the outer shell are made of different metal materials. A top end of the outer shell is fixedly connected to a top end of the inner liner. The container further includes a metal composite ring for connecting the outer shell and the inner liner. The metal composite ring includes an inner metal ring and an outer metal ring. The inner metal ring includes an annular first welding portion and an annular first connecting portion. The outer metal ring includes an annular second welding portion and an annular second connecting portion. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are located between the first welding portion and the second welding portion and connected in a sleeved manner.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202520443313.8, filed on March 13, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of insulated containers, in particular to a container with thermal insulation performance that is convenient to produce.BACKGROUND

[0003] An insulated container generally includes an inner liner and an outer shell, and the inner liner and the outer shell are generally made of different metal materials (for example, the inner liner is generally made of titanium and the outer shell is generally made of steel). In the production process, it is difficult to weld the steel outer shell and the titanium inner liner together while ensuring strength and sealing performance.

[0004] In the related art, a titanium-steel composite ring is used to weld the inner liner and the outer shell together. Specifically, the titanium-steel composite ring includes an inner layer metal and an outer layer metal. Due to the limitation of the service environment, the overall thickness of the titanium-steel composite ring is very small. When the titanium-steel composite ring is welded to the inner liner and the outer shell respectively, the melting points of the two metals are different, so welding of one metal will affect the other metal, which is likely to cause problems such as air leakage and damage to the vacuum state.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a container that is easy to manufacture and can ensure a good sealing effect of the insulated container is an urgent technical problem to be solved in the art.SUMMARY

[0006] The present application aims to solve one of the technical problems in the related art to a certain extent. To this end, the present application provides a container that is easy to manufacture and has a better sealing effect.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present application adopts the following technical solution: a container includes an outer shell and an inner liner disposed in the outer shell, where the inner liner and the outer shell are made of different metals respectively, with a top end of the outer shell fixedly connected to a top end of the inner liner. The container further includes a metal composite ring, which includes an inner metal ring and an outer metal ring. The inner metal ring includes an annular first welding portion and an annular first connecting portion, and the outer metal ring includes an annular second welding portion and an annular second connecting portion. The first welding portion and the second welding portion are arranged opposite and spaced apart. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are located between the first welding portion and the second welding portion and connected in a sleeved manner. One of the inner metal ring and the outer metal ring is made of the same material as the inner liner and welded to the inner liner via one of the first welding portion and the second welding portion, and the other of the inner metal ring and the outer metal ring is made of the same material as the outer shell and welded to the outer shell via the other of the first welding portion and the second welding portion.

[0008] In the present technical solution, the outer shell and the inner liner are fixedly connected via the metal composite ring. In use, the welded parts (i.e., the outer shell and the second welding portion, and the inner liner and the first welding portion) are welded between two single-layer metals, and the two single-layer metals are generally of the same material. Thus, during welding, the risk of burn-through that may be caused by two different metals on the metal ring may be avoided. Moreover, the arrangement of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion makes the connection between the inner metal ring and the outer metal ring more reliable.

[0009] Furthermore, a welding ring is formed at the top end of the inner liner, the metal composite ring is sleeved outside the inner liner, an outer surface of the welding ring is in surface-contact with and welded to an inner surface of the second welding portion, and the top end of the outer shell abuts against and is welded to an end portion of the first welding portion.

[0010] Furthermore, a vacuum cavity is formed among the metal composite ring, the outer shell and the inner liner.

[0011] Furthermore, a thickness of the first welding portion in a radial direction is greater than that of the first connecting portion, and a thickness of the second welding portion in the radial direction is greater than that of the second connecting portion.

[0012] Furthermore, an inner surface of the first welding portion is flush with an inner surface of the first connecting portion, an outer surface of the first welding portion protrudes radially outward from an outer surface of the first connecting portion, an outer surface of the second welding portion is flush with an outer surface of the second connecting portion, and an inner surface of the second welding portion protrudes radially inward from an inner surface of the second connecting portion. This structural configuration enhances the aesthetic uniformity of the metal ring assembly, thereby elevating the overall visual appeal of the container.

[0013] Furthermore, one end of the first connecting portion abuts against a portion of the second welding portion protruding from the second connecting portion, and one end of the second connecting portion abuts against a portion of the first welding portion protruding from the first connecting portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the outer metal ring and the inner liner are made of the same material, both being titanium, and the inner metal ring and the outer shell are made of the same material, both being copper, or both being aluminum, or both being stainless steel.

[0015] Furthermore, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are compounded into an integrated structure by heating and rolling.

[0016] Furthermore, an end portion of the first welding portion and / or an end portion of the second welding portion is / are provided with a chamfered edge.

[0017] Furthermore, the radial thickness of each of the first welding portion and the second welding portion ranges from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0018] These features and advantages of the present application will be disclosed in detail in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment or means of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but not as a limitation to the technical solution of the present application. In addition, there are multiple of these features, elements and components appearing in each of the following description and accompanying drawings, which are marked with different symbols or numbers for convenience, but represent elements or components with the same or similar structures or functions.BRIEF DESCRICRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present application will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the following:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a container (insulated cup) according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a structural view of a metal sealing ring welded and connected to the container according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 3;

[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 3;

[0025] FIG. 6A is a structural view of an initial state of an outer metal ring and an inner metal ring during production;

[0026] FIG. 6B is a schematic view of the inner metal ring and the outer metal ring in FIG. 6A being sleeved to form a metal composite ring;

[0027] FIG. 6C is a schematic view of the metal composite ring in FIG. 6B after hot rolling forming;

[0028] FIG. 6D is a structural view of a metal composite ring according to one embodiment of the present application.REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0029] 11, outer shell; 111, air suction hole; 12, inner liner; 121, welding ring; 13, vacuum cavity;

[0030] 20, metal composite ring; 21, inner metal ring; 211, first welding portion; 212, first connecting portion; 22, outer metal ring; 221, second welding portion; 222, second connecting portion; 23, chamfered edge; 24, first welding point; 25, second welding point.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Embodiments of the present specification are described in detail below, and the exemplary embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments in the specification are intended to explain the present application, and cannot be understood as a limitation to the present application.

[0032] Reference in this specification to " one embodiment " or " an example " or " an example " means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment itself may be included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase " in one embodiment " in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, as One embodiment of the present application, a container is disclosed, which includes an outer shell 11 and an inner liner 12 disposed in the outer shell 11, where the inner liner 12 and the outer shell 11 are made of different metals respectively, with a top end of the outer shell 11 being fixedly connected to a top end of the inner liner 12.

[0034] The container further includes a metal composite ring 20 for connecting the outer shell 11 and the inner liner 12, the metal composite ring 20 including an inner metal ring 21 and an outer metal ring 22. The inner metal ring 21 includes an annular first welding portion 211 and an annular first connecting portion 212. The outer metal ring 22 includes an annular second welding portion 221 and an annular second connecting portion 222. The first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221 are located at opposite ends of the metal composite ring 20 respectively. The first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 222 are located between the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221, and the second connecting portion 222 is sleeved outside the first connecting portion 212. One of the inner metal ring 21 and the outer metal ring 22 is made of the same material as the inner liner 12 and welded to the inner liner 12 via one of the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221. The other of the inner metal ring 21 and the outer metal ring 22 is made of the same material as the outer shell 11 and welded to the outer shell 11 via the other of the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221.

[0035] The container in the present embodiment may be a cup or tableware with thermal insulation effect, etc. The container provided by the present application is described in detail below by taking an insulated cup as an example.

[0036] The outer shell 11 and the inner liner 12 of the insulated cup in the present embodiment are made of different metal materials, and an inner cavity of the inner liner 12 is used for containing drinking water. Given titanium's superior corrosion resistance, lightweight yet high-strength properties, excellent thermal insulation performance, high biocompatibility, aesthetic durability, and environmental recyclability, the inner liner 12 may be constructed from titanium in practical implementation. This material selection prevents harmful substance generation caused by prolonged liquid contact with the inner liner 12, thereby enhancing its hygienic performance and ensuring healthier usage. The outer shell 11 is typically made of other metal different from titanium (for example, any one of copper, aluminum and stainless steel may be used), enabling reduction in titanium consumption and lowering the container's production costs. Additionally, in actual production, a plastic layer may be further provided outside the outer shell 11 to improve grip comfort or enhance visual appeal.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the top end of the inner liner 12 and the top end of the outer shell 11 are connected via the metal composite ring 20, which includes an inner metal ring 21 and an outer metal ring 22. Unlike integral compounding, the inner metal ring 21 and the outer metal ring 22 in the present embodiment are compounded via the first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 222, wherein the compounded positions (i.e., the first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 222) are located between the welding positions (i.e., the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6D, the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221 are positioned at two ends of the metal composite ring 20 respectively, and both the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221 have a single-layer metal structure. When welding the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 222 to the inner liner 12 and the outer shell 11, the process essentially involves joining single-layer metals, thereby mitigating the risk of burn-through caused by dissimilar metals on the metal ring—specifically, avoiding burn-through due to differing melting points during welding of different metal materials. In addition, the arrangement of the first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 222 sleeved on each other on the insulated cup may also enhances the structural reliability of the connection between the inner metal ring 21 and the outer metal ring 22.

[0038] Metals of identical composition exhibit uniform welding melting points, thereby enhancing both welding quality and structural integrity. In the present embodiment, there is no special limitation on which one of the inner liner 12 and the outer shell 11 the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221 are respectively connected to, as long as it is ensured that the welding portion connected to the outer shell 11 is made of the same material as the outer shell 11, and the welding portion connected to the inner liner 12 is made of the same material as the inner liner 12. That is to say, in the present embodiment, the first welding portion 211 may be connected to the outer shell 11 and the second welding portion 221 may be connected to the inner liner 12. Conversely, the first welding portion 211 may be connected to the inner liner 12 and the second welding portion 221 may be connected to the outer shell 11.

[0039] As one embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 3, a welding ring 121 is provided at the top end of the inner liner 12, and the metal composite ring 20 is sleeved outside the inner liner 12. An outer surface of the welding ring 121 is attached to and welded to an inner surface of the second welding portion 221 to form a second welding point 25, and the top end of the outer shell 11 abuts against and is welded to an end portion of the first welding portion 211 to form a first welding point 24.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the second welding portion 221 is in surface contact with the welding ring 121 located at the end portion of the inner liner 12, which on the one hand may enhance the structural strength of the inner liner 12, and on the other hand may improve the installation stability between the inner liner 12 and the metal composite ring 20 by means of surface-contact assembly. During the welding process, the welding ring 121 and the second welding portion 221 are sleeved with each other, which may also reduce deformation risk caused by welding and improve the roundness of the opening portion of the insulated cup.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the outer shell 11 and the second welding portion 221 are welded in a butt-joint manner, so that the outer surface of the outer shell 11 is flush with the outer surface of the metal composite ring 20. Thus, the metal composite ring 20 itself may serve as a part of the outer shell 11, which may reduce the material consumption of the outer shell 11 and lower the production cost.

[0042] As one embodiment of the present application, a vacuum cavity 13 is formed among the metal composite ring 20, the outer shell 11 and the inner liner 12. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an evacuation port 111 may be provided at the bottom of the outer shell 11. During the manufacturing process, the cavity between the inner liner 12 and the outer shell 11 is evacuated to a vacuum state through the evacuation port 111, which is then sealed after evacuation to form the vacuum cavity 13, thereby effectively enhancing the thermal insulation performance.

[0043] As one embodiment of the present application, referring to FIG. 6D, a thickness of the first welding portion 211 in a radial direction is greater than that of the first connecting portion 21, and a thickness of the second welding portion 221 in the radial direction is greater than that of the second connecting portion 222.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221 exhibit relatively large thicknesses. During manufacturing, the outer surface of the inner liner 12 may be provided with an inwardly concave structure at a position opposite to the metal composite ring 20, so that the interval between the inner liner 12 and the metal composite ring 20 may be increased, thereby allowing the metal composite ring 20 to have a larger thickness, enhancing structural strength and optimizing welding performance.

[0045] As one embodiment of the present application, referring to FIG. 6D, an inner surface of the first welding portion 211 is flush with an inner surface of the first connecting portion 212, and an outer surface of the first welding portion 211 protrudes radially outward from an outer surface of the first connecting portion 212. An outer surface of the second welding portion 221 is flush with an outer surface of the second connecting portion 222, and an inner surface of the second welding portion 221 protrudes radially inward from an inner surface of the second connecting portion 222.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the inner surface of the first welding portion 211 is flush with the inner surface of the first connecting portion 212 in the inner metal ring 21, and the outer surface of the first welding portion 211 protrudes from the outer surface of the first connecting portion 212, realizing a structure that the thickness of the first welding portion 211 is greater than that of the first connecting portion 212, so that a stepped structure is formed between the first welding portion 211 and the first connecting portion 212. Similarly, a stepped structure is also formed between the second welding portion 221 and the first connecting portion 212. The protruding directions of the two stepped structures are opposite, so that the inner metal ring 21 and the outer metal ring 22 are in a mutually fitting structure when the first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 222 are sleeved with each other, making the insulated cup more attractive.

[0047] To further enhance the structural integrity of the metal composite ring 20, the outer surface of the first welding portion 211 may be aligned flush with the outer surface of the outer metal ring 22, and the inner surface of the second welding portion 221 may be aligned flush with the inner surface of the inner metal ring 21, as shown in FIG. 6D. Thus, the metal composite ring 20 integrally forms a cylindrical structure with flush inner and outer surfaces, facilitating production.

[0048] As one embodiment of the present application, referring to FIG. 6D, one end of the first connecting portion 212 abuts against a portion of the second welding portion 221 protruding from the second connecting portion 222, and one end of the second connecting portion 222 abuts against a portion of the first welding portion 211 protruding from the first connecting portion 212.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the inner and outer surfaces of the metal composite ring 20 exhibit no perceptible gaps in their entirety, thereby enhancing both the aesthetic integrity and structural strength of the metal ring assembly.

[0050] The thickness of the welding portion shall generally be no less than that of the corresponding inner liner 12 and outer shell 11. Given the inherently thin wall thickness of the inner liner 12 and outer shell 11 in insulated cups, the welding portions may be designed with slightly increased thickness to ensure optimal weld integrity.  However, considering material usage efficiency and the final product weight, the thickness of welding portions is typically constrained to a maximum of 2 mm, which correspondingly limits the overall thickness of the metal composite ring 20 to 2 mm. As an embodiment of the present application, both the first welding portion 211 and the second welding portion 221 exhibit radial thicknesses within the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0051] The container provided by the embodiment of the present application may be processed by the following steps:

[0052] First, the metal composite ring 20 is manufactured, including the following steps S1 to S5:

[0053] S1: A relatively thick stainless steel metal ring (for forming the inner metal ring 21) and a titanium metal ring (for forming the outer metal ring 22) are respectively cut to remove part of inner material and outer material correspondingly, as shown in FIG. 6A, so that the remaining parts can reach a fitting size;

[0054] S2: The processed stainless steel metal ring is inserted into the processed titanium metal ring, the two metal rings form a clamping state at the cut positions, the two ends are not flush, and the inner ring and the outer ring protrude respectively, as shown in FIG. 6B;

[0055] S3: The clamped metal rings are heated to a temperature between 600° and 1200°. Since the two metal rings are cut and closely fitted at the compounded positions, no oxide layer is generated at the fitting positions during heating, so that better compounding can be achieved;

[0056] S4: The heated two-layer metal rings are rolled and compounded. After rolling, the two-layer metal rings are changed from metal rings with a short length and a large thickness into compound metal rings with a long length and a small thickness, and both ends of the compound metal rings are single-layer metals. After high-temperature rolling and compounding, the two-layer metal rings can be well combined into a whole without other connecting pieces, and the integrity is better. Of course, in actual arrangement, an adapted metallurgical compound layer may be provided between the first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 222 according to the characteristics of different metal materials to improve the compound strength of the inner metal ring 21 and the outer metal ring 22, as shown in FIG. 6C;

[0057] S5: Chamfered edges may be machined at both ends of the compound ring to facilitate welding with the inner liner 12 and the outer shell 11 of the insulated cup and ensure the overall appearance of the insulated cup. As shown in FIG. 6D, a chamfered edge 23 is formed on the inner side of the first welding portion 211 in the present application. The arrangement of the chamfered edge 23 has the following two advantages: first, the chamfered edge 23 is arranged on the inner side, showing a straight-wall structure on the outer wall of the insulated cup, increasing the appearance of the insulated cup; second, the arrangement of the chamfered edge 23 of the first welding portion 211 can make the thickness of the butt joint portion between the first welding portion 211 and the outer shell 11 consistent (the first welding portion 211 and the outer shell 11 are butt-welded), so that during welding, the problem of uneven heat caused by heat conduction in the welding process affecting the welding quality can be avoided.

[0058] In the embodiment of the present application, a chamfered edge 23 is provided on the outer side of the second welding portion 221, and the second welding portion 221 is located at the top end of the insulated cup. Therefore, the chamfered edge 23 on the second welding portion 221 is formed at the end portion, which can form a transition at the end portion of the insulated cup, making the insulated cup more attractive and practical.

[0059] Subsequently, the compound metal ring is welded to the insulated cup through the following step S6:

[0060] S6: The processed compound metal ring is welded to the insulated cup into a whole, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The bottom end of the first welding portion 211 of the compound metal ring is aligned with the outer side of the top end of the outer shell 11, welded at the joint and polished smooth. The welding ring 121 at the top of the inner liner 12 is attached to the inner wall of the second welding portion 221 (the welding ring 121 can also play a role of pre-positioning the metal composite ring 20). The top surface of the welding ring 121 and the inner wall of the second welding portion 221 are welded and polished smooth to form the cup body structure of the insulated cup.

[0061] It can be seen that the arrangement of the metal composite ring 20 of the present application helps ensure welding quality (avoiding the risk of burn-through) when welded to the inner liner 12 and the outer shell 11 of the insulated cup, thereby improving the quality of the insulated cup.

[0062] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art should understand that the present application includes, but is not limited to, the content described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of this application are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A container, comprising an outer shell, an inner liner disposed in the outer shell, and a metal composite ring, wherein the inner liner and the outer shell are made of different metals respectively, a top end of the outer shell is fixedly connected to a top end of the inner liner, the metal composite ring comprises an inner metal ring and an outer metal ring, the inner metal ring comprises an annular first welding portion and an annular first connecting portion, the outer metal ring comprises an annular second welding portion and an annular second connecting portion, the annular first welding portion and the annular second welding portion are disposed opposite to and spaced apart from each other, the annular first connecting portion and the annular second connecting portion are located between the annular first welding portion and the annular second welding portion and connected in a sleeved manner, one of the inner metal ring and the outer metal ring is made of the same material as the inner liner and welded to the inner liner via one of the annular first welding portion and the annular second welding portion, and the other of the inner metal ring and the outer metal ring is made of the same material as the outer shell and welded to the outer shell via the other of the annular first welding portion and the annular second welding portion.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein a welding ring is formed at the top end of the inner liner, the metal composite ring is sleeved outside the inner liner, an outer surface of the welding ring is in surface-contact with and welded to an inner surface of the annular second welding portion, and the top end of the outer shell abuts against and is welded to an end portion of the annular first welding portion.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein a vacuum cavity is formed among the metal composite ring, the outer shell and the inner liner.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the annular first welding portion in a radial direction is greater than a thickness of the annular first connecting portion in the radial direction, and a thickness of the annular second welding portion in the radial direction is greater than a thickness of the annular second connecting portion in the radial direction.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein an inner surface of the annular first welding portion is flush with an inner surface of the annular first connecting portion, an outer surface of the annular first welding portion protrudes radially outward from an outer surface of the annular first connecting portion, an outer surface of the annular second welding portion is flush with an outer surface of the annular second connecting portion, and an inner surface of the annular second welding portion protrudes radially inward from an inner surface of the annular second connecting portion.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein an end of the annular first connecting portion abuts against a portion of the annular second welding portion protruding from the annular second connecting portion, and an end of the annular second connecting portion abuts against a portion of the annular first welding portion protruding from the annular first connecting portion.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outer metal ring and the inner liner are made of the same material, both being titanium, and the inner metal ring and the outer shell are made of the same material, both being copper, or both being aluminum, or both being stainless steel.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the annular first connecting portion and the annular second connecting portion are compounded into an integrated structure by heating and rolling.

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the annular first welding portion and / or an end portion of the annular second welding portion is / are provided with a chamfered edge.

10. The container according to claim 1, wherein a radial thickness of each of the annular first welding portion and the annular second welding portion ranges from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

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