DE29720161U1 - Insulated container - Google Patents

Description

GRÜNECKER, KINKELDEY, STOCKMAlR &'SOIWÄNhTÄ<|SS£R

LAW FIRM

LAW FIRM MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 D-80538 MUNICH GERMANY German Patent Office

Zweibrückenstr. 12 80297 Munich

LAWYERS

DR. HERMANN SCHWANHAUSSER
OR, H=LMUT EICHMANN
GERHARD BARTH
OR. ULRICH BLUMENRÖDER, LL M.
CHRISTA NIKLAS-FALTE3

YOUR REF.

OUR REF.

G 3800 -829/b

PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN ^D ATEN"A~O=t\i'S

AUCUS" GRÜNECKE3

DR. ;-SRMANN KINKElDEY

OR, /ALFRIED STOCKVA'R '.-'?°4i

OR, KLAUS SCHUMANN

PET=R 4. JAKOS

OR, GUNTER 3E2OLD

'AOLFHARD MEISTER

HANS ftLGESS

DR, HENNING MEYER-'LAT^-

ANNEbE Er'NOLD

THOMAS SCHUSTER

DR, WALTER LANGrCFF

DR. KURA GOLDBACH

MART(N REGIONAL PARK

GOTTFRIED XUTZSO

DR. HEKE VOGELSANG-WENKE

SElNhARD <NAUER

DIETMAR KUHL

DS. FRANZ-JOSER ZIMMER

BETTINA K. REICHELT

DR. ANTON K. PFAU

DATE

13.11.1997

Applicant: Emsa-Werke Wulf GmbH & Co. Grevener Damm 215-225

48282 Emsdetten

INSULATED CONTAINER

TEL 089 / 21 23 50

■ FAX {GR 4) 08? / 21 86 92 93 ■ FAX (GR 3) 089 / 22 02 87 · http://www.grunecker.de · e-mail: postmaster@grunecker.de ■ TELEX 529 380 MONA D MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 ■ D-80538 MUNICH DEUTSCHE BANK MUNICH, NO. 17 51734, BLZ 700 700 10

1
Insulated container

&bull; *

The invention relates to an insulated container for storing liquid at a controlled temperature, with a receiving piston for receiving liquid, which is pressed axially with an edge region surrounding a piston opening against a holding section of the container surrounding a container opening and is held thereon, with a seal being provided in a separating joint between the edge region and the holding section.

Insulated containers of this type with glass bulbs have the glass bulbs clamped between two container parts. A seal is pressed in between the front edge of the glass bulb and the edge area.

Insulated containers of this type with metal flasks have two metal shells welded together in the front edge area and a ring seal is placed over the weld, which seals the glass flask against the holding section. The seal must also protect the narrow welded part in the edge area so that the edge area at its front end is not exposed to too much pressure, which could damage the edge area. When designing new flasks, one is therefore subject to relatively strong design constraints, which determine the basic structure of the flask.

The invention is based on the object of creating a generic insulated container which ensures simple, effective sealing, while at the same time enabling effective fastening of the piston and holding section with the simplest possible construction.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that a seal seat surface is arranged on the edge region at a radial distance from and axially set back from an end edge of the edge region, wherein the seal is pressed axially against the seal seat surface by the holding section.

This means that the seal seat surface and the front edge can be arranged both radially and axially spaced from each other, so that the sealing function no longer takes place directly over the front part of the front edge. The sealing function of the seal can be optimized with the help of the seal seat surface. Part of the axial force between the piston and the holding section is also transferred via this. The front edge of the edge area is thus relieved of at least this part of the force.

The position of the seal can be optimized on the axially recessed seal seat surface so that the seal is in the optimal position for it. This allows for significantly greater design freedom, which allows new container designs to be realized.

It is particularly advantageous if the seal seat surface is provided on a shoulder and has a surface section that is approximately horizontal to the axial direction. The approximately horizontal alignment provides very good support for the axial pressing forces required to produce the seal. The surface section acts as a sealing surface that can be optimized for the sealing function.

In a special way, the seal seat surface can be provided on a shoulder of the edge area that protrudes radially inwards into the openings. The seal is thus provided relatively close to the inside of the openings, so that the openings are bridged relatively flush. The shoulder can, for example, be formed integrally with the piston. The seal seat surface can be optimally designed for the sealing function on the shoulder.

Advantageously, an axial cylinder section forming the container opening can adjoin the shoulder. The cylinder section can continue at an angle from the radial shoulder in the axial direction and at the same time form the opening, so that the seal is provided on the shoulder immediately near the opening.

The seal can possibly form a system for a closing surface of a container lid with a sealing section that extends radially into the opening. The seal can thus simultaneously form the axial seal between the edge area and the holding section as well as a radial seal to a container cover. Since the seal extends into the openings, the container lid can at least partially penetrate into the

Openings protrude until the closing surface comes into sealing contact with the sealing section.

Preferably, the sealing section can have a sealing lip that extends radially into the opening. A sealing lip has a more variable external shape than conventional press seals, so that the lid resting against the sealing lip can use the change in external shape of the sealing lip for optimal sealing. This seal can withstand frequent opening and closing of the lid while maintaining the same sealing effect.

As a variant of the invention, the separating joint can be designed radially outside the seal as a labyrinth seal. The labyrinth seal ensures that the seal is protected against external influences. It keeps coarser contamination away from the seal.

The seal can conceivably be accommodated in a fork-shaped corner area of the holding section. The fork shape ensures secure positioning of the seal when pressed together between the edge area and the holding section. It also positions the seal when the closing surface of a container lid presses against the sealing section or a sealing lip deforms.

According to a preferred embodiment, the seal cross-section can taper radially inwards. If this seal cross-section is suitably enclosed, the seal can be well positioned and secured in the radial direction to the openings.

Particularly advantageously, the holding section can enclose the tapered area with a radial arm section.

In a special embodiment, the piston and the holding section can be connected to one another by a snap fastener. This allows the holding section to be attached to the piston very easily and smoothly during assembly. The snap fastener can optionally be designed to be removable so that the parts are interchangeable and, for example, the seal can be replaced.

It is possible that a snap-in cam of the edge area can be axially engaged behind by a locking recess of the holding section in the parting line.

In a special way, the front edge can be arranged radially between the snap lock and the seal seat surface. This separation of the front edge and the seal seat surface enables an optimal design with regard to the respective function. The seal surface can be optimally shaped for an axially acting seal, while the front edge, for example in the case of metal pistons, can be designed according to the requirements of the joining process for the metal shells.

As a variant of the invention, a closing section of a container lid can be adjustable on the lid between an opening position that exposes the opening and a closing position that closes the opening, with the closing section being pressed against the seal in the closed position. The closing section can thus be moved relative to the lid body, so that the lid body remains unchanged on the insulated container while the openings can be opened and closed using the closing section. This can be used particularly advantageously if a sealing section of the seal cooperates with the closing section to form a seal. The closing section can be adjustable in the axial direction, for example via a lever mechanism on the top of the insulated container, so that an effective aroma seal for the liquid in the insulated container is created, which can be opened with little effort.

In order to achieve improved sealing except in the area between the sealing seat of the edge area and the holding section of the container, the sealing can extend into the separating joint and/or into a circumferential groove formed in the holding section.

The sealing can be further improved if the seal extends at least up to a front edge of the receiving piston inserted into the circumferential groove with its upper end.

In another embodiment, the seal can extend at least to between the front edge and the base of the circumferential groove. As a result, a type of labyrinth seal is formed in the circumferential groove between the upper end of the receiving piston and the head section of the insulating container, which at least partially fills the circumferential groove.

The effect of the seal can be further improved if the seal has an essentially radial edge flange that can be folded around the front edge in a U-shape. The radial edge flange can extend, for example, to the snap cam of the edge area or to the locking recess of the holding section after being folded around the front edge.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained below. They show:

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

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged head area of the head shown in Figure 1.

Insulated container,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the edge area shown in Figure 2 and

holding section, and

Fig. 4 shows a vertical section through another embodiment of an insulated container according to the invention.

The drawing shows an insulated container 1 according to the invention designed as a thermos flask with a container section 2 and a head section 3. The container section 2 is designed as a receiving flask 4, which is composed of several metal shells. An inner metal shell 5 encloses a container volume 6 into which liquid can be poured. The inner metal shell 5 is surrounded by an outer metal shell 7. The outer metal shell 7 has a base formed by a projection edge 8 at a lower end. An intermediate wall is arranged approximately parallel to the base between the metal shells 5, 7. The metal shells 5, 7 and the intermediate wall 9 together enclose a space 10 which has a vacuum for isolating the liquid from the environment.

Near the partition wall 9, a meandering expansion fold 11 is formed in the outer metal shell 7, which serves to balance the volume of the space 10. The expansion fold 11 is arranged in an upper section 12 of the outer metal shell 7, which is connected to a

the lower section 13 facing the projection edge 8 is welded. At the welding point 10, the intermediate wall 9 is welded into the metal shell 7.

The inner and outer metal shells 5, 7 adjoin one another at a front edge 15 in an edge region 16 of the piston 4. The edge region 16 surrounds a piston opening 17. A holding section 19 is attached to the edge region in the axial direction indicated by the central axis 18. The holding section 19 surrounds a container opening 20 which is aligned with the piston opening 17 in the axial direction, with both openings being circular in shape.

The holding section 19 and the edge region 16 adjoin one another along a separating joint 21. A seal 22 made of rubber is provided in the separating joint 21. It is pressed against the edge region by the holding section 19.

A sealing seat surface 23 is formed on the edge area and is provided at a radial distance from the front edge 15. It is set back in the axial direction in the direction of the space 10 relative to the front edge 15. The seal 22 is pressed onto the sealing seat surface 23.

The seal seat surface 23 is provided on a shoulder 24 which extends approximately horizontally to the axial direction and has a flat surface section 25. In the figure, the flat surface section 25 runs perpendicular to the central axis 18.

The step 24 is designed as a step shoulder that extends radially inwards to the openings 17, 20. The radial step shoulder is bordered by an axial cylinder section 26 that forms the container opening 20. After the axial cylinder section 26, the inner metal shell 5 expands to form the container volume 6. The step shoulder 24, together with the axial cylinder section 26, narrows the container volume 6 in the radial direction.

The seal 22 extends with a sealing section 27 radially into the openings 17, 20 and forms a system for a closing surface 28 of a container lid 29. The sealing section is designed as a sealing lip that extends radially into the openings like a web. The sealing lip 27 can move against the closing surface when the lid 29 is closed.

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28 or is slightly pressed downwards and deformed by the closing surface to make it snug.

A fork-shaped corner region 30 is provided on the holding section 19, which opens approximately radially inwards. The seal 22 is accommodated in the corner region 30. The seal cross-section tapers inwards in a radial seal, with the sealing lip 27 branching off from the narrowest diameter. An approximately radial arm section 31 of the holding section 19 encloses the tapered region of the seal 22, so that the seal cannot be moved into the openings in the radial direction.

The sealing lip 27 is provided on the side of the arm section 31 at a distance from the sealing seat surface 23, so that a small free space remains between the sealing lip and the sealing section as a deformation space for the sealing cup.

The front edge 15 is provided in the parting line 21 radially outside the seal seat surface 23, the front edge 32 of which protrudes axially in the direction of the cover 29 opposite the seal seat surface 23. The two metal shells 5, 7 are joined together by welding in the front edge 15. The front edge 15 is received in a circumferential groove 33 of the holding section 19 and lies radially against an outer edge 34 of the circumferential groove 33. The front edge 32 abuts axially against a groove base 35 of the circumferential groove 33. The front edge is arranged radially inwardly at a distance from an inner edge 36 of the circumferential groove 33.

Edge area 16 and holding section 19 are detachably connected to one another using a snap lock. The edge area 16 has a snap cam 37 radially outside the front edge 15 and axially set back, which protrudes outwards. It is molded into the outer metal shell 7. The holding section 19 has a groove-shaped locking recess 38 on the circumference, which axially engages behind the snap cam 37 and creates the snap lock. The locking recess 38 is arranged in a collar projection 39 running around the corner area 30, which is separated from the corner area 30 by the circumferential groove 33. The snap lock, together with the circumferential groove 33 and the front edge 15 in the parting line 21, forms a labyrinth seal that prevents the seal 22 from becoming contaminated from the outside.

The aforementioned construction can also be used for insulated containers with a glass flask. The glass flask can, for example, be clamped in container sections, with an upper container section being attached to the holding section 19. In addition to the shown snap closure, a screw connection between the edge area and the holding section 19 can also be provided. In the case of glass flask jugs with an outer container section, the screw connection or snap closure can generally be made between the container section and the holding section 19 and the flask can optionally be held without an independent fastening method. A bayonet closure can also be provided, which can optionally also be formed directly on the flask.

The holding section 19 is formed in one piece with the head section 3. The head section has a pouring spout 40. On the radially opposite side of the jug, a handle 41 is formed in one piece with the head section 3 and is held on the insulated container 1 by the snap closure 37 of the head section 3.

The container lid 29 is screwed onto the head section 3 using a screw connection 42. A closing section 43 is movably attached to the body of the lid 29. The closing section 43 can be moved to a limited extent in the axial direction. The closing section 43 can be moved in the axial direction via a deformable membrane 44. The membrane 44 is designed in an accordion-like manner and consists of an elastomer. It serves as a spring means for loading the closing section 43 in the axial direction onto the seal 22, so that the closing section 43 is pressed against the sealing lip 27 in the closed position shown in the figures.

The membrane 44 is tubular with steps and also absorbs radial forces, so that it also absorbs the lateral guiding forces of the closing section 43 for the axial movement. It is attached to a base body 45 of the cover, e.g. by clamping or gluing. The closing section 43 has the closing surface 28 on the outside, which is positioned transversely to the axial direction. The closing section 43 is connected centrally at the central axis 18 to a lever mechanism via a lifting rod.

On the side facing the container volume 6, a pouring channel 47 is provided on the closing section 43, which in the closed position extends into the cylinder section 26. In the open position, it is arranged axially approximately at the level of the seal 22. It has a smaller diameter than the cylinder section 26 and in the area of the pourer

a passage channel 48. The pouring channel 47 is formed in cross section perpendicular to the central axis 18 by two ring edge halves arranged at a distance from one another around the pouring channel 47.

The lever mechanism has a lever 51 that can be rotated about a pivot point 50. The pivot point 50 is provided in an axle bearing attached to the base body 45. The lever 51 is mounted as a rocker and has a lever section 52 axially above the closing section 43 and a push button 53 on the other side of its bearing block. The closing section 43 is mounted on the lever section 52 about a pivot axis 54 via the lifting rod 46, so that the closing section 43 is always only guided in the axial direction through the membrane 44 when the lever section 52 is raised by actuating the push button 53. The push button 53 extends through a recess 55 in a cover cap and can be pressed down against the spring action of the membrane 44 by a thumb movement when the handle 41 is grasped with one hand. The lever 51 in the pivoted opening position is indicated by dotted lines.

Figure 4 shows a vertical section through another embodiment of an insulated container 1 according to the invention. Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and are only partially mentioned.

The embodiment of the insulated container 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 4 differs from the embodiment described so far in particular in the shape and arrangement of the seal 22. This has a sealing edge flange 57 that projects essentially radially outwards and is guided in the circumferential groove 33, in particular in the area of the groove base 35, around the front edge 32 of the receiving piston 4 or the upper end of the metal shells 5, 7. The free end of the sealing edge flange 57 extends in the embodiment shown almost to the snap cam 37 or the locking recess 38.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the insulated container 1 shown in Figure 4 differs from the embodiment described so far by the connection of the outer metal shell 7 with the lower section 13 forming a base. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, a weld 14 is formed between the lower section 13, the upper section 12 of the metal shell 7 and the intermediate wall 9. In the embodiment

In the example according to Figure 4, the outer metal shell 7 is bent inwards towards the central axis 18 and has a screw section adjoining the bevel and running essentially parallel to the central axis 18. This can be screwed to the lower section 13, whereby a screw ring made of plastic, for example, can be inserted between the screw section and the lower section 13.

Furthermore, in the embodiment according to Figure 4, the outer metal shell 7 can be formed as one piece with the inner metal shell 5, so that no welding is necessary in the area of the front edge 15.

The effect and functioning of the embodiment of an insulated container according to the invention shown in the drawing is explained in more detail below.

When assembling the container 1, the seal 22 is inserted into the corner area 30 of the holding section 19 and the holding section 19 is placed onto the edge area 16 using the snap connection. In the process, it is pressed axially against the seal seat surface 23. The seal seat surface 23 is optimally designed for the required seal to the piston 4.

The front edge 15 engages in the circumferential groove 33, whereby the centering is achieved by the front edge 15 resting on the outer edge 34. In the axial direction, the position is determined by the front edge 32 resting on the groove base 35. The axial forces generated by the snap connection are transferred to the front edge 32 on the one hand. On the other hand, a portion is removed by the sealing forces, so that the front edge 32 is relieved by this amount at the sensitive joint between the two metal shells. Alternatively, the can can also be designed in such a way that the front edge 32 does not rest on the holding section 19 at all and all forces are transferred via the seal 22.

The shoulder 24 can be designed with the cylinder section 26 in such a way that, in combination with the closing surface 28 and the flow channel 48, an effective seal in the closed position and a calm, as laminar as possible outflow of the liquid in the open position are achieved.

11 &id;,&id;* * *

By forming the sealing lip 27, an optimal seal can be created between the closing surface 28 and the sealing lip 27, whereby the sealing lip 27 optimally fits against the closing surface 28 in a manner not shown.

By extending the seal 22 radially outwards with the radial sealing edge flange, the sealing edge flange can grip the front edge 15 and, at the same time, a seal can be created in the area of the circumferential groove. Furthermore, the different design of the outer metal shell 7 in the connection area to the lower section 13 means that the container section 2 can be easily detached from the lower section 13, since there is an easily detachable screw connection.

Claims (18)

PROTECTION CLAIMS 1. Insulated container (1) for storing liquid at a controlled temperature, with a receiving piston (4) for receiving liquid, which is pressed axially against a holding section (19) of the container (1) surrounding a container opening (20) by an edge region (16) surrounding a piston opening (17) and is held thereon, a seal (22) being provided in a separating joint (21) between the edge region (16) and the holding section (19), characterized, that a sealing seat surface (23) is arranged on the edge region (16) at a radial distance from and axially set back from an end edge (15) of the edge region (16), wherein the seal (22) is pressed axially against the sealing seat surface (23) by the holding section (19). 2. Insulated container according to claim 1,
characterized, that the seal seat surface (23) is provided on a shoulder (24) and has a surface section (25) provided approximately horizontally to the axial direction (18). 3. Insulated container according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized, that the sealing seat surface (23) is provided on a shoulder (24) of the edge region (16) that projects radially inwards into the openings (17, 20). 4. Insulated container according to claim 3,
characterized, that an axial cylinder section (26) forming the container opening (20) adjoins the shoulder (24). 5. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (22) with a sealing section (27) projecting radially into the openings (17, 20) forms a system for a closing surface (28) of a container lid (29). 6. Insulated container according to claim 5, characterized in that the sealing section (27) has a sealing lip (27) projecting radially into the openings (17, 20). 7. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating joint (21) is designed as a labyrinth seal radially outside the seal (22). 8. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (22) is received in a fork-shaped corner region (20) of the holding section (19). 9. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing cross-section tapers radially inwards. 10. Insulated container according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding portion (19) encloses the tapered region with a radial arm portion (31). 11. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston (4) and the holding section (19) are connected to one another by a snap closure (37, 38). 12. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the separating joint (21) a snap cam (37) of the edge region (16) is axially engaged behind by a locking recess (38) of the holding section (19). 13. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front edge (15) is arranged radially between the snap closure (37, 38) and the sealing seat surface (23). 14. Insulated container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a closing section (43) of a container lid (29) on the lid body (45) is adjustable between an open position releasing the openings (17, 20) and a closed position closing the openings (17, 20), wherein the closing section (43) is pressed sealingly against the seal (23) in the closed position. 15. Insulated container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (22) extends into the separating joint (21) and/or into a circumferential groove (33) formed in the holding section (19). 16. Insulated container according to claim 15,
characterized, that the seal (22) extends at least to a front edge (32) of the receiving piston (4) inserted into the circumferential groove (33) with its upper end. 17. Insulated container according to claim 15,
characterized, that the seal (22) extends at least to between a front edge (32) of the receiving piston (4) inserted into the circumferential groove (33) with its upper end and a groove base (35) of the circumferential groove (33). 18. Insulated container according to claim 17,
characterized, that the seal (22) has a substantially radial edge flange (57) which can be laid in a U-shape around the front edge (32).