DE29617720U1 - Insulated container for transporting warm food - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) has a dish (2) to receive the food in at least one dish trough (4), and a cover (3) for connecting to the dish. The dish consists of lower and upper metal bowls (5, 6) with a vacuumed cavity (7) between them. The lower bowl is roughly the same shape as the upper one. The lower bowl may have a stacking ridge (16) facing the underside of the dish, extending all round it continuously or divided into sections. The resting surface (17) of the stacking ridge may at least partly overlap the edge surface (18) of the dish facing upwards.

Description

Insulated containers for transporting warm food

The invention relates to an insulated container for transporting hot food, with a plate for holding food in at least one plate recess and a lid that can be detachably connected to the plate.

Insulated containers of this type are known for serving meals in hospitals or in facilities such as "meals on wheels". They are intended to deliver hot meals from a central kitchen in as warm a state as possible for consumption in remote locations. The plates are usually made of ceramic and have several plate recesses for separately holding the food and side dishes. Ceramic plates have the disadvantage that they have a tolerance of up to 1.5 mm on the edge due to the manufacturing process, so that the corresponding lid does not seal the edge of the plate sufficiently tightly. This means that the heat can easily escape between the lid and the plate, so that the food cools down relatively quickly.

The invention is based on the object of improving an insulated container of the above-mentioned type in such a way that warm food can be kept warm for a longer period of time, whereby the insulated container should be structurally simple and easy to manufacture.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a generic insulated container, which is characterized in that the plate has an upper shell connected to a lower shell, a vacuum-like cavity being provided between the shells and both shells being made of metal.

The upper and lower shells can be formed from metal very easily and with sufficient precision. For example, the shells can be molded and the shell edges then punched to the exact dimensions. This creates a plate edge with sufficient shape tolerance for detachable attachment

of the lid with sufficient heat tightness between the plate and the lid.

The vacuum-like cavity provides sufficient insulation to keep food warm for a long time. The vacuum provides better insulation than conventional ceramic plates.

The use of vacuum-like cavities for insulation is known from other applications. However, to date only conventional ceramic plates, such as those found in large canteens, have been used for plates in insulated containers.

Preferably, the shape of the lower bowl should be approximately the same as the shape of the upper bowl. This means that several plates can be stacked on top of each other.

As a variant of the invention, a stacking step can be provided on the lower shell, directed towards the underside of the plate. When several plates are stacked on top of one another, the stacking step rests on the upper shell of the plate arranged underneath and ensures that the stack sits securely.

Particularly advantageously, the stacking step can extend in a ring shape around the plate.

In a special way, several stacking steps can be provided distributed over the circumference of the plate.

It is proposed that the surface of the stacking step covers the edge surface of the plate facing the top in the direction of gravity at least in part. This means that the stacking steps rest on the edge surface of the lower plate. If the plate recess is designed accordingly, this can ensure that a gap remains between the lower and upper shells of two adjacent plates.

The lid may have a snap-on rim that surrounds the outer edge of the plate when the lid is closed and engages behind it in a form-fitting manner. The snap-on rim

the lid can be very easily attached to the outer edge of the plate. A snap-on edge is often enough to keep the interface between the lid and the plate sufficiently heat-tight. A snap-on edge can be easily snapped on and removed again.

As a preferred embodiment, a handle is provided on the outside of the lid in the area of the snap-on edge. The snap-on edge can be released using the handle, whereby the positive connection of the snap-on edge to the outer edge of the plate is released. If the lid is not very elastic, this is an easy-to-operate mechanism.

In a special way, a vacuum connection can be provided in a bowl. The air initially provided in the cavity during production can escape via the vacuum connection. A vacuum pump can be connected to the vacuum connection to suck out the air. However, the vacuum connection can also simply be used as an outlet for the air without a vacuum pump. Alternatively, the vacuum connection can be provided in a recess in a bowl.

The vacuum connection can be conveniently provided in the area of a partition wall separating several cavities. There is space for the vacuum connection in the area of the partition wall. For example, the vacuum connection can protrude into the cavity on the underside of the lower shell below a partition wall to save space.

As a variant of the invention, the clear distance between the upper and lower shells can be smaller when creating the vacuum-like state than when the plate is in use. Due to the narrower clear distance when creating the vacuum-like state, the cavity between the upper and lower shells is relatively smaller than when the plate is in use. For example, the upper and lower shells can be pressed against each other so that the clear distance becomes smaller. When the vacuum connection is open, the air between the shells is pressed out of the cavity. In this state, the vacuum connection is sealed gas-tight.

closed and the pressure on the upper and lower bowls is removed. This causes the upper and lower bowls to return to their original position and, by expanding, creates a vacuum-like state in the cavity with the same content. This already insulates sufficiently so that warm food stays warm for a long time.

It is conceivable that the plate can have deformation points in the edge area, which ensure that the distance between the upper and lower shells changes when deformed! and maintain the larger distance when in use. The deformation points serve as compensating elements to ensure the distance change. When deformed, the deformation points are deformed accordingly so that the upper and lower shells are a short distance from each other. When in use, the deformation points force the shells to move further apart. The deformation points can be used to keep unwanted loads away from other parts of the shells.

Preferably, the deformation points can be designed as a web connecting the upper and lower shells, preferably with joints to the upper and lower shells and/or as a bending web. The web can be used to achieve the deformation capacity required for the change in distance. When designed as a bending web, the bending web serves as a bending beam that ensures the large distance between the shells when in use. For the small distance, the upper and lower shells can simply be pressed against each other, with the web ensuring the change in shape by bending. The same mechanism is possible with joint webs, possibly also in combination with the bending web. For example, a somewhat meandering design of the bending web is also conceivable, with the meandering shape ensuring a sufficient change in the distance between the shells.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained below. They show:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through an insulated container according to the invention,

Fig. 2 a vertical section through an inventive insulated container with vacuum connection on the lower shell,

Fig. 3 a vertical section of the edge area of a plate for an insulated container according to the invention when creating the vacuum-like state and

Fig. 4 shows a vertical section of the edge region of a plate of an insulated container according to the invention in the state of use of the plate.

The drawing shows an insulated container 1 for transporting warm food with a plate 2 and a lid 3. The plate has plate recesses 4 into which food can be placed. The lid 3 is detachably connected to the plate 2.

The plate has an upper shell 6 connected to a lower shell 5. Both shells 5, 6 are made of metal. A vacuum-like cavity 7 is provided between the shells 5, 6. A vacuum or at least a vacuum-like state prevails in the cavity.

In Figures 1 and 2, the plate 2 has two plate recesses 4 that are separated from one another by a central partition 8. A lid 3 covering the plate recesses is detachably attached to the top of the plate 2. The partition 8 extends upwards so far that its tip 9 borders on the lid 3. The tip 9 has the same height as the edge of the plate 11 when viewed from the bottom 10 of the plate 2.

The lid has a collar 12 on its outer edge that surrounds the plate edge 11. On the inside of the collar 12 there is a bead-like snap-on edge 13 that engages behind the outer edge 14 of the plate in a form-fitting manner. In the area of the snap-on edge

prandes 13, a handle 15 is provided on the outside of the collar 12. The lid 3 with collar 12, snap-on edge 13 and handle 15 is designed to be elastic to a limited extent, so that it can be pressed over the outer edge 14 of the plate and snaps into place behind it with the help of the snap-on edge 13.

A stacking shoulder 16 is formed on the plate 2 below the outer edge 14. The stacking shoulder 16 can continue in a ring around the plate 2 or several stacking shoulders 16 can be provided distributed over the circumference of the plate 2. The stacking shoulder 16 has a shoulder surface 17 that is directed towards the underside of the plate 2. In the direction of gravity of the lid directed towards the underside, the shoulder surface 17 overlaps the edge surface 18 of the plate directed towards the top. Thus, when several plates 2 are stacked on top of one another without a lid 3, the shoulder surface 17 rests on the edge surface 18 of the plate 2 provided underneath.

In Figure 2, a recess 19 is provided in the lower shell 5, in which a vacuum connection 20 is provided. The vacuum connection 20 here consists of a short pipe extension to which, for example, a vacuum pump can be connected. The recess 19 is closed with a cover 21 in alignment with the underside of the lower shell 5.

In Figure 1, the shape of the lower shell 5 follows approximately the shape of the upper shell 6, with both shells running parallel to one another through an approximately constant clearance a. In the area of the partition 8, the lower shell 5 is thus drawn into the partition 8 of the upper shell 6, whereby the lower shell 5 forms a recess 22 in this area. When several plates 2 are stacked, the partition 8 of an adjacent plate 2 can be inserted into the recess. The plate 2 shown in Figure 1 also has a vacuum connection (not shown), but this is integrated flush into the surface of a shell, so that no recess is necessary.

If the favorable properties of the metal are not absolutely important, the upper and lower shells 5, 6 can also

be made of plastic. For example, spacer ribs can extend from one shell to the other to support the shells against the air pressure.

A vacuum can be created in the cavity 7 by connecting a vacuum pump to the vacuum connection 20, which sucks out the contents of the cavity 7. A vacuum-like state can also be created by reducing the cavity when the vacuum connection 20 is open, closing the vacuum connection 20 in this state and then enlarging the cavity 7 again by reshaping the plate 2. This principle is shown schematically in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 3 shows the state of use of the plate 2, in which the upper and lower shells 5, 6 are arranged with the clear distance a from each other. The distance a is maintained by a web 23 provided in the edge area of the plate. In the cavity 7 there is a vacuum-like state.

In Figure 4, the plate 2 is shown in a deformed state, in which the upper and lower shells 5, 6 are arranged at a smaller clearance b from one another. The cavity 7 is significantly smaller than in the state of use according to Figure 3. In this state, the vacuum connection 20 is open. When the smallest clearance b is reached, the vacuum connection 20 is closed.

In this embodiment, the change in shape is essentially ensured by the web 23. It is designed as a shape change point. It can be designed as a bending web that can be bent into the position shown in Figure 4 by external force and then, when the force is released, bends back into the position shown in Figure 3 automatically. It is also conceivable that the connection points 24 of the web 23 to the upper and lower shells 5, 6 are designed as joints that allow the web 23 to tilt. A meandering design of the web 23 is also possible, which can accommodate a change in shape, e.g. by bending. The

The deformation point ensures the deformability so that the cavity 7 can be reduced. The deformation point can also be used as a force storage device, which absorbs the deformation energy in the deformed state and automatically returns the upper and lower shells 5, 6 to their state of use against the air pressure.

The method of producing the vacuum-like state is explained in more detail below.

The plate 2 is manufactured in the shape of the state of use approximately as shown in Figure 3, with the plate 2 still having an open vacuum connection. The cavity 7 is then reduced in size by pressing the upper and lower shells 5, 6 against each other. The web 23, as a deformation point, absorbs the deformation energy and ensures that the shells 5, 6 can move only slightly against each other. As a result, the air in the cavity 7 is largely pressed out through the vacuum connection. When the smallest distance b between the shells 5, 6 is reached and the cavity 7 is at its smallest, the vacuum connection 20 is tightly closed so that no more air can penetrate into the cavity 7 when the plate 2 is reshaped. The force on the plate 2 is then relieved. The deformation energy stored in the deformation point returns the upper and lower shells to the state of use with a larger distance a as shown in Figure 3. As a result, the cavity I ₁ is enlarged so that a vacuum-like state is created in the cavity 7, in which only the residual gas is contained that was still enclosed in the cavity 7 in the deformed state.

This vacuum-like state is already sufficient to ensure sufficient insulation to keep the food warm. The plate 2 therefore has considerable insulating capacity. By covering the plate with the help of the snapped-on lid 3, the food is kept warm in the insulated container 1 for a very long time. The lid 3 can be made of microwave-resistant material, so that the entire insulated container

1 and can be subsequently warmed up in the microwave.

Claims (13)

EXPECTATIONS 1. Insulated container (1) for transporting warm food, with a plate (2) for holding food in at least one plate recess (4) and a lid (3) detachably connectable to the plate (2), characterized in that the plate (2) has an upper shell (6) connected to a lower shell (5), a vacuum-like cavity (7) being provided between the shells (5, 6) and both shells (5, 6) being made of metal. 2. Insulated container according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower shell shape (5) corresponds approximately to the upper shell shape (6). 3. Insulated container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a stacking shoulder (16) directed towards the underside of the plate (2) is provided on the lower shell (5). 4. Insulated container according to claim 3, characterized in that the stacking shoulder (16) extends annularly around the plate (2). 5. Insulated container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that several stacking steps (16) are provided distributed over the circumference of the plate. 6. Insulated container according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the shoulder surface (17) of the stack shoulder (16) covers at least partially in the direction of gravity the edge surface (18) of the plate (2) directed towards the upper side. 7. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (3) has a snap-on edge (13) which surrounds the outer edge (14) of the plate (2) when the lid (3) is closed and engages behind it in a form-fitting manner. 8. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a handle (15) is provided on the outside of the lid (2) in the area of the snap-on edge (13). 9. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a vacuum connection (2 0) is provided in a shell (5, 6) 10. Insulated container according to claim 9,
characterized, that the vacuum connection (20) is provided in the region of a partition wall (8) separating several troughs (4). 11. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clear distance (a, b) between the upper and lower shells (5, 6) is smaller when the vacuum-like state is created than when the plate (2) is in use. 12. Insulated container according to claim 11, characterized in that that the plate (2) has deformation points (23, 24) in the edge area, which ensure the change in distance between the upper and lower shells (5, 6) in the deformed state and maintain the larger distance (a) in the use state. 13. Insulated container according to claim 12, characterized in that the deformation points are designed as a web (23) connecting the upper and lower shells (5, 6), preferably with joints (24) Upper and lower shell (5, 6) and/or as a bending web.