EP0839726B1 - Insulated container - 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

The invention relates to an insulated container for the transport of especially warm Dishes with a plate to hold the dishes in at least one plate recess and a cover that can be detachably connected to the plate in the mounting position.

Document FR 1 438 410 discloses a container with a lid, the lid is connected to the container by a releasable snap connection.

Insulated containers of this type are from practice for serving meals in Hospitals or from facilities known as "eating on wheels". With you In particular, warm dishes should be served from a central kitchen warm condition can be delivered to distant places for consumption. The insulated container usually consists of a plate and can be placed on this and with the Plate releasably connectable lid together. The plate points to the Serve up at least one plate trough. To separate different dishes can also be formed several plate troughs in the plate.

A disadvantage of the known insulating container is that the corresponding lid on an outer edge of the plate is usually not sufficiently tight to prevent moisture and / or heat from escaping. Since also Plates and lids can be made from different materials Another problem is the different expansion of the lid and plate due to different temperatures or different Temperature changes. This also applies to lids and plates from the same Material, as these have different expansions even at the same temperature can have different directions, as with lids and plates a tight seal between cover and plate made of different materials is not guaranteed.

The object of the registration is therefore based on the task at the beginning Insulated container to improve that regardless of Material of plate and lid and regardless of the temperature a seal between the lid and plate in a structurally simple manner is guaranteed.

This object is inventively in connection with the features of Preamble of claim 1 solved by that in the snap edge continues one of the snap nose relative to the outer edge essentially opposite and elastic on the outer edge supporting expansion section formed, at least on its top underside of the underside facing the edge flange is trained.

On the one hand, due to the snap nose, there is a liquid-tight edge and holding system given. On the other hand, the expansion section ensures that itself for example, changing relative arrangements of lids and plates that change result from different temperature expansions or the like, the Snap edge can spread further and at the same time the liquid tightness Edge and holding system of the snap nose is maintained. In addition, by the expansion section is adapted to the outer edges of the plate, which are in generally have manufacturing tolerances in the area of the outer edge.

Furthermore, due to the elastic abutment of the expansion section on the outer edge another liquid-tight edge system.

In the simplest case, the outer edge is essentially horizontal Edge flange formed. This is used to handle the plate. This edge flange usually completely surrounds the plate. The edge flange can only be formed in places along the circumference of the plate his.

To get a good seal in this context, the Spreading section with a top and the snap nose essentially with an underside of the edge flange.

The snap nose can, for example, only in places at the snap edge be formed, in this context a sealing system of the Spreading section on the top of the edge flange is preferred.

In one embodiment of the invention, the snap nose can by a circumferential paragraph be formed in the snap edge. This way too the all-round sealing and an improved through the snap nose The lid is attached to the plate.

For improved gripping and positive engagement of the edge flange It is considered favorable if sales are essentially parallel to an outside of the edge flange extending side wall of the Snap edge protrudes inwards towards the plate.

To be relative, for example, with different orientations of the side wall to the outside of the edge flange an adequate seal between To reach snap nose and edge flange, the paragraph on its System side facing the edge flange continues to the side wall have concave curvature. In the area of this curvature there is a plant made between the flange and snap nose, the system in different areas of curvature depending on the orientation of the side wall can be done. A different orientation of the side wall can occur for example, by edge flanges protruding outwards to different extents, result in different temperature expansions or the like.

To next to the system between the expansion section and the top of the edge flange and snap nose and essentially the bottom of the edge flange another To get liquid-tight edge system, the side wall at the lid in Attachment position with the outside of the edge flange at least partially in contact his. Preferably, the side wall lies along the entire circumference of the Tellers on the edge flange, with a system between the side wall and Edge flange perpendicular to this can only be partially or partially.

The expansion section can from the side wall inwards towards the plate run. This provides the direct and shortest connection to the rest of the lid forth and the snap edge is only made of expansion section, side wall and Snap nose formed.

For good length compensation in both the horizontal and vertical directions to maintain and at the same time by appropriate elasticity snap nose and Keeping the side wall in the system is the spreading section at least on its underside facing the upper side of the edge flange wavy. On the one hand, the waveform results in a certain elasticity in the horizontal direction by spreading the shaft and a certain elasticity in the vertical direction by reducing the height of each Wave surveys or depressions. Of course, a corresponding one or waveform offset to the underside of the underside in the top of the Spreading section may be formed. The spreading section is advantageous formed overall from a wavy cross section.

Sufficient for an additional seal with regard to the expansion section of the edge flange as well as horizontal and vertical length compensation, if at least one wave crest is in contact with the top of the locking flange. Of course, two or more wave crests can also be used troughs arranged in between with the top of the edge flange in Plant.

A certain seal, at least with regard to liquid, also on the inside To get pointing end of the edge flange, the expansion section can its inner end opposite the side wall in the direction Have plate protrusion protruding anti-slosh bar. This can be spaced too a side wall of the plate or to the edge flange but relatively close to this be arranged. This anti-slosh bar prevents larger ones Amounts of liquid when transporting the insulated container in the area between Penetrate the edge and flange. Contacting the lid Liquid or food is directed through the anti-slosh bar Plate trough directed back. This also applies to a large extent to condensation, that settles on the lid, for example, with the anti-slosh bar further penetration of the condensed water between the snap edge and the edge flange is prevented.

Preferably, the anti-slosh ledge can serve as an edge ledge for the plate trough covering cover surface. In this way, the Plate tipping out of liquid or food is relatively safe prevented.

Since a meal usually consists of different dishes and these should be kept ready for consumption separately, it can be advantageous be considered if the plate separates at least one of the two troughs Has partition wall. It goes without saying that more than one Partitioning wall can be provided for dividing more than two plate troughs can.

To ensure that the food spills over in the area between the plate troughs or a heat exchange between, for example, different dishes To prevent temperature, the lid can have a free end of the Have partition groove receiving cover groove on its underside. On free end of the partition wall and cover groove are at least linear in sealing system. It is also possible that the free end of the partition wall is positively received by the cover groove.

Similar to the snap edge, it is also in connection with the lid groove cheap to look at if the cover groove at least one-sided from one Plate trough protruding anti-slosh bar is limited.

With appropriate elasticity of the anti-slosh bars and arrangement relative to Partitioning wall or to the outer wall of the plate, the anti-slosh bar can be used with partition wall and / or plate outer wall. This results in a further sealing.

In this context, further training can be characterized in that the anti-slosh strips the plate troughs in the area of the underside of the lid in essentially completely border.

Around the cover to form the grooves not with too thick a material To have to train overall, the lid on its top can be in the area of the cover grooves have projections. These protrusions are essentially those protrusions complementary to the cover grooves on the top of the cover, whereby the cover grooves are formed in the protrusions on the underside of the cover.

According to the invention, it is particularly desirable that the cover have a different Arrangement variations of partition walls corresponding groove arrangement having. This is intended to be used for a cover for differently divided plates can. In practice, for example, four to five plates with the same Outside dimensions but different subdivisions used. The Lid according to the invention is suitable for placement on all these plates, wherein he with a corresponding to all arrangement variations of partition walls Groove arrangement is formed on its underside.

Such a groove arrangement can have at least one curved longitudinal groove exhibit. This divides the plate, for example, into a bowl and a or several presentation troughs arranged on the other side of the longitudinal groove. In these Corresponding dishes can be kept ready, which then for mixing with any food that may also be available in the bowl can be transferred into this.

To simplify loosening and putting on the cover, at least one can Handle on the outside of the snap edge protruding from the lid. Prefers are two handles opposite and in the area of edges of the lid arranged. This results in easy removal of the cover.

When the insulating vessel is heated, for example in a microwave or when Subsequent transport, the temperature of the food already held changes and, analogously, the pressure in the area between the plate and the lid. Around to provide an opportunity to compensate for these pressure variations at least one pressure equalization opening be formed in the cover. This is in their structure and size so designed that pressure equalization through gas passage can occur and at the same time leakage of condensed water or food is prevented.

A pressure equalization opening can preferably be assigned to each plate trough.

Since, according to the invention, a groove arrangement is provided on the underside of the cover, which corresponds to the different arrangement variations of partition walls, arise, for example, between grooves running lengthways and across the plate Nutenkreuzungspunkte. For example, with a plate with only one across this running partition wall a transition from heat or food transverse to this partition wall by a groove crossing point between the the free end of this partition wall receiving transverse groove and one that Cross groove crossing longitudinal groove is possible, an elastic sealing insert at least at the groove crossing point of the groove arrangement and / or at the groove ends the transitions from grooves to the snap edge. Through this elastic sealing insert ensures that even a tight system to the Subdivision wall in the area of the groove crossing point or at the Transitions between grooves and snap edge is possible. Instead of an elastic one Sealing insert can be used without further sealing devices be in particular a spillover of food to the Prevent groove crossing points.

The insulating container according to the invention can be a plate from the lower shell and Have an upper shell. A cavity formed between the shells can be partially evacuated or at least evacuated for better heat insulation. The Shells can consist of metal, for example. Likewise, the Plates made of ceramic, the in particular in this context Manufacturing tolerances mentioned at the outset when manufacturing the edge of the lid, the partition walls or the like occur. Show the manufacturing tolerances for example in lid edges of different thickness, horizontal length or at different heights of the partition walls or different Thicknesses in the area of the free ends of the partition walls. Especially for Compensation of such manufacturing tolerance but also to compensate for different thermal expansions, even with metal dishes for the plate occur, takes place according to the invention by the expansion section in the snap edge and the arrangement of the anti-slosh bars a good adjustment of the lid and Plate.

In the following, advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the Description of the attached figures explained and described in more detail:

Figur 1: einen Schnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Isolierbehälter;

Figur 2: eine Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Isolierbehälter mit durchsichtig dargestelltem Deckel, wobei Figur 1 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie I-I aus Figur 1 entspricht;

Figur 3: einen Schnitt entlang der Linie III-III aus Figur 2;

Figur 4: einen vergrößerte Darstellung des Details "A" aus Figur 1;

Figur 5: eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Details "B" aus Figur 1;

Figur 6: eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Details "C" aus Figur 1;

Figur 7: eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Details "D" aus Figur 3;

Figur 8: einen Schnitt entlang der Linie VIII-VIII aus Figur 2, und

Figur 9: eine Draufsicht auf einen Teller mit einer Anordnungvariation von Unterteilungswänden.

Show it:

Figure 1 shows a section through an insulating container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of an insulating container according to the invention with a cover shown transparently, wherein Figure 1 corresponds to a section along the line II of Figure 1;

3 shows a section along the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of detail "A" from Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the detail "B" of Figure 1;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged illustration of the detail “C” from FIG. 1;

FIG. 7: an enlarged representation of the detail “D” from FIG. 3;

Figure 8: a section along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 2, and

Figure 9 is a plan view of a plate with an arrangement variation of partition walls.

In Figure 1 is a section through an insulating container 1 with a plate 2 and a lid 5 in Position 4 shown. The plate 2 is in two plate troughs 3, 23 through an approximately center arranged partition wall 24 divided. Furthermore, the plate 2 is one Plate outer wall 30 edged. This has an outer edge 6 in its upper end, the is formed by a horizontally outwardly projecting edge flange 10.

The lid 5 is in the mounting position 4 on the edge flange 10 by a slosh edge 7 up spills. The slosh edge 7 engages around the outer edge 6 of the plate 2, whereby it reaches behind at least partially in a form-fitting manner.

In the illustration in FIG. 1, a handle 37 projects horizontally outward from the slosh edge. The slosh rim 7 surrounds a cover surface 22, which the plate troughs 3 and 23 still above concludes. Between cover surface 22 and slosh edge 7 is an anti-slosh bar 21 as the rim bordering the lid surface and protruding towards the plate troughs arranged.

Pressure equalization openings 38 are arranged within the cover surface, at least one of these pressure equalization openings 38 is assigned to a plate trough.

Offset inward to the pressure equalization openings 38 in the direction of the partition wall 24 three cover grooves 26 are arranged in the cover surface 22. These are down in Opened towards the plate troughs or partition wall. In a top 31 of the Cover surface 22, the grooves 26 can be recognized by projections 32 projecting upwards, in FIG which are formed in the underside of the lid 27.

Along each groove, further anti-slosh strips 28 and 29 run analogously to the edge or Anti-slosh bar 21.

In the centrally located cover groove 26 there is a free end 25 of the partition wall 24 sealed sealed.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the insulating container 1 according to FIG. 1, with the Visualization of the plate 2, the lid 5 is assumed to be transparent. The cut 1 corresponds to a section along the line I-I from FIG. 2.

It can be seen that on the underside of the cover 27, see FIG. 1, there is a large number according to FIG of lid grooves 26 are arranged, only in the centrally located lid groove, see Figure 1, a free end 25 of a partition wall 24 is added. The remaining grooves 2 are unused in the illustrated embodiment of the plate 3.

There are a total of three grooves running parallel to one another and one transverse to these shown curved groove. The transverse groove cuts the parallel one Grooves in groove crossing points 40. In at least one of these groove crossing points a sealing insert 39 is arranged.

In the different from the different grooves and the slosh edge 7 divided Fields of the lid surface 22, a pressure compensation opening 38 is arranged in each case. This are in two rows of four openings on both sides to a central axis 49 of the plate 2 or Cover 5 arranged.

It can also be seen in FIG. 2 that anti-slosh strips 28, 29 extend along the grooves extend in the area of the slosh edge 7 into the one selected as the edge strip Skip anti-slosh bar 21.

As already mentioned in connection with FIG. 1, the plate 2 has two plate depressions 3, 23 on which are arranged on both sides of the middle partition wall 24.

FIG. 3 shows a section along the line III-III from FIG. 2 only through the cover 5. This has the slosh edge 7 at both ends, which at least has the side wall 15 and a slosh nose 8. The slosh nose 8 serves at least partially Reaching under the edge flange 10, see FIG. 1.

In the cover 5 a section through the curved groove 36 is visible, see also Figure 2.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of detail "A" from FIG. 1. This details corresponds to a section through a pressure equalization opening 38. This is through an upper one Indentation 42 is formed in a lower indentation 43. The depressions are in cross section in essentially frustoconical, the frustum sides with a smaller cross section point to each other and form an opening 44. The smaller truncated cone has the upper recess a larger cross section than the smaller end of the frustoconical lower recess 43.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged illustration of the detail “B” from FIG. 1.

A free end 25 of the partition wall 24 is in the cover groove 26 with lateral play plugged in. There is a sealing contact between only with respect to the groove base 45 Groove and free end 25 of the partition wall 24. On the underside of the cover 27 is the groove 26 limited by double-sided anti-slosh strips 28 and 29, which in the illustrated Embodiment are arranged spaced from the partition wall 24.

The groove 26 is in the cover 5 in a projection 32 protruding from the upper side 31 of the cover educated.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged illustration of the detail “C” from FIG. 1. The Slosh edge 7 is by a spreading section 9, a side wall 15 and a Slosh nose 8 formed. The spreading section 9 extends from the actual one Cover surface 22, see Figure 1, above the edge flange 10 as the outer edge of the plate outside and has a wavy shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spreading section 9 is on its underside 18 by a central wave crest 19 and two adjoining them on both sides Troughs 47, 48 formed. Conversely, the spreading section 9 is on it Top formed from a valley and two wave crests arranged laterally to it.

The wave crest 19 lies sealingly on an upper side 11 of the edge flange 10. To the The trough 48 of the spreading section 9 closes essentially vertically downward extending side wall 15. This is on its inside 46 with an outside 14 of the edge flange 10 at least in linear sealing contact. On the inside 46 of the Side wall, the slosh nose 8 is in the form of a toward the outer wall 30 paragraph 13 above.

This is essentially assigned to an underside of the edge flange 10 Contact side 16 with a concave, in the direction of the outside 14 of the edge flange 10 extending curvature 10 is formed.

At its inner end 20 opposite the side wall 15, the Spreader section 9 into the anti-slosh bar 21, see also FIGS. 1 and 2.

The slosh rim 7 removably attaches the cover 2 to the outer rim of the plate. The expansion section 9 is used both for sealing against the edge flange 10, see Wellenberg 19, as well as for horizontal and vertical length compensation with regard to the Distance from anti-slosh bar and side wall 15. For example, depending on the height of the Edge flange 10, the crest 19 is more or less of that with respect to Edge flange 10 opposite Schwappnase 8 moved. This results in a vertical length compensation in the area of the slosh edge. Furthermore, by horizontal expansion or extension of the expansion section 9 a length compensation with respect to the horizontal length of the edge flange 10, which also causes the Distance between the inside 46 of the side wall 15 and anti-slosh bar changed. Both of the above cases can occur alone or in combination. In any case, is one in particular liquid-sealing system between Wellenberg and top 11, between Inside 46 of the side wall 15 and outside 14 of the edge flange as well Contact side 16 of slosh nose 8 and essentially underside 12 of edge flange 10 guaranteed as edge and holding systems.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged illustration of a detail “D” from FIG. 3. The Formation of the slosh edge 7 is analogous to the slosh edge 7 from FIG. 6, wherein in the The slosh rim 7 is undeformed and without an anti-slosh strip 21 as in FIG. 6.

The reference numerals in FIG. 7 denote the same parts as in FIG. 6, whereupon hereby is referred.

Figure 8 shows a section along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 2, this section runs perpendicular to the section according to FIG. 4, see also FIG. 1. It can be seen that the Pressure equalization opening 38 is formed by two adjacent openings 44, see FIG. 4, interrupted by a web between the upper and lower recess 32, 33 in Figure 8 is.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a plate 2 with an arrangement variation of Subdivision walls 24, 33, 34, 35 shown.

The embodiment of the plate according to the previous figures shows only that Partitioning wall 24, which essentially divides the plate into two plate recesses 3 of the same size, 23 see Figure 1, divided. One side of the partition wall 24 can also be another be arranged parallel to this dividing wall 34. In addition, the Plates can be formed only with the partition wall 34 instead of with the partition wall 24. There is also the possibility that another corresponding to the partition wall 34 Partition wall is arranged on the other side of the partition wall 24. Also at in this embodiment, the partition wall 24 may be absent. Finally, the Subdivision wall 34 extends only up to a curved subdivision wall 33 extend or in two parts and on both sides to the partition wall 33 from the partition wall 34 and 35 be built. In an analogous manner, the partition wall 24 can, for example also only up to the point of intersection 40 with the curved partition wall 33 extend. Due to the different arrangement variations of the partition walls 24, 33, 34, 35 different plate troughs of different sizes are divided. According to the invention, the cover shown in FIG. 2 with the various cover grooves 26 trained for different arrangement variations of partition walls. For example, the cover groove 36, which runs curved in the cover according to FIG curved partition wall 33 are placed without the rest Grooves of the lid should be used if 2 further dividing walls are missing in the plate.

Claims (23)

1. Insulating container (1) for the transport especially of hot foods having a dish (2) for accommodating foods in at least one dish cavity (3) and a lid (5) which is detachably connectable to the dish in the fitted position and has a snap-on edge (7) engaging around the outer edge (6) of the dish (2) constructed substantially as a horizontally extending edge lip (10) in the fitted position of the lid and engages at least here and there behind in form-locking manner in which snap-on edge (7) at least one snap-on lug (8) is constructed, characterised in that in the snap-on edge (7) there is further constructed a bracing section (9) substantially opposite the snap-on lug (8) relative to the outer wall (6) and supporting itself elastically on the outer wall which is constructed in undulatory manner at least on its underside (18) facing towards an upper side (11) of the edge lip (10).
2. Insulating container according to Claim 1, characterised in that the bracing section (9) is in contact with an upper side (11) and the snap-on lug (8) is substantially in contact with an underside (12) of the edge lip (10).
3. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the snap-on lug (8) is formed by a circumferential shoulder (13) in the snap-on edge (7).
4. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shoulder (13) projects inwardly in the direction of the dish (2) from a side wall (15) of the snap-on edge (7) running substantially parallel to an outer side (14) of the edge lip (10).
5. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shoulder (13) has a concave curve (17) continuing up to the side wall (15) on its contact sides (16) pointing towards the edge lip (10).
6. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that when the lid (5) is in the fitted position (4) the side wall (15) is at least in contact with the outer side (14) of the edge lip (10).
7. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bracing section (9) runs inwardly from the side wall (15) in the direction of the dish.
8. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one wave peak (19) in the bracing section (9) is in contact with the upper side (11) of the edge lip (10).
9. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that on its inner end (20) opposite the side wall (15) the bracing section (9) has an antislop baffle (21) projecting in the direction of the dish cavity.
10. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the antislop baffle (21) is constructed as an edge strip on an lid surface (22) covering the dish cavity.
11. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dish (2) has at least one dividing wall (24) separating two dish cavities (3, 23).
12. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid (5) has on its underside (27) a lid groove (26) accommodating a free end (25) of the dividing wall (24).
13. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid groove (26) is bounded at least on one side by an antislop baffle (28, 29) projecting in the direction of the dish cavity (3, 23).
14. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the antislop baffle (21, 28, 29) fits against the dividing wall and/or an outer wall (30) of the dish.
15. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the region of the underside (27) of the lid the antislop baffle (21, 28, 29) substantially borders the dish cavity (3, 23) completely.
16. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid (5) has on its upper side (31) a projection (32) in the region of the lid groove.
17. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid (5) has a groove arrangement matching different variations of the arrangement of the dividing walls (24, 33, 34, 35).
18. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the groove arrangement has at least one longitudinal groove (36) running in a curve.
19. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one handle (37) projecting from the snap-on edge (7) is arranged on the lid (5).
20. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one pressure equalising aperture (38) is constructed in the lid (5).
21. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a pressure equalising aperture (38) is allocated to every dish cavity.
22. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an elastic sealing insert (39) is arranged at least on a groove intersection point in the groove arrangement and/or at a groove end (41) at a transition from a groove to the snap-on end (7).
23. Insulating container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the snap-on edge (7) of the lid (5) is formed from an elastic plastic material and the dish (2) from a ceramic material.

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