EP4727868A1

EP4727868A1 - Liquid thermos with stainless inner wall

Info

Publication number: EP4727868A1
Application number: EP25735028.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Taskin SAKLICA
Original assignee: Ucgen Endustriyel Urunler San Tic Ltd Sti
Current assignee: Ucgen Endustriyel Urunler San Tic Ltd Sti
Priority date: 2025-05-23
Filing date: 2025-05-23
Publication date: 2026-04-22
Also published as: WO2026035215A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid thermos with a stainless steel inner wall for keeping consumable liquid (soup, tea, coffee, etc) foodstuffs hot or cold, suitable for use in various organizations such as seminars and meetings, and in outdoor areas such as camps and gardens, and is characterized in that it comprises EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2), EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) thermos lid (1), stainless cooling chamber (4), tap (3), chamber reservoir lid (5).

Description

SPECIFICATION

LIQUID THERMOS WITH STAINLESS INNER WALL

Technical Field:

The present invention relates to a liquid thermos with a stainless inner wall for keeping consumable liquid (soup, tea, fruit juice, lemonade, coffee, etc.) foodstuffs hot or cold, suitable for use in various organizations such as seminars and meetings, and in outdoor areas such as camps and gardens.

State of the Art:

Thermoses are used to keep liquid food products such as soup, tea, fruit juice, lemonade, coffee at the desired temperature for a long period of time. Today, there are different thermos models in terms of the material and shape from which it is produced. Thermoses have been developed over time using different materials and designs.

The combinations of materials used in thermos production are quite diverse. There are thermoses made of plastic material as well as thermoses made of aluminum on the inside, steel on the outside, or completely made of steel. Patent application no. US4427123 describes a thermos with inner and outer flasks made of stainless steel.

The patent application no. US3618807 describes insulated metal thermoses and states that some models use a metal outer layer and a plastic inner layer. This application is an example of how the inner and outer layers of a thermos can be made of different materials. Stainless steel is a preferred material for thermoses. The main reason for this preference is the durability and aesthetic appearance of stainless steel. Also, stainless steel offers good thermal insulation performance, contributing to keeping drinks hot or cold.

Different mechanisms have been developed in thermoses for easy pouring of beverages. Thermoses are often used for activities such as picnics or for commercial purposes (organization, invitation, etc.). Since the thermoses serving this purpose are large in size, they must be durable and must not be damaged while carrying liquid inside. These thermoses, which usually have large volumes, are produced with the rotation technique (Rotomolding/Rotational Molding). Some thermos models are available with the addition of a tap. Thermoses with taps are a practical solution for consumers.

Patent application no. US9878841 describes an insulated dispenser used as a beverage dispenser and cooler. The lid and body of the invention are made of polyethylene material by rotation technique. In the invention, which has a gap between the inner and outer walls of the body, polyurethane foam is used as insulation material. This invention, which consists of polyethylene and polyurethane material, maintains the temperature of beverages for long hours by trapping heat or cold inside.

Patent application no. FR2653100 describes an isothermal container for the transportation and distribution of hot and cold liquid foods. This invention designed for the dispensing of hot (tea, coffee) and cold (juice, soda) beverages or soups, particularly in communities such as hospitals and canteens, has a double-walled structure made of plastic material. Polyurethane foam is used between the double walls to provide insulation. Polyethylene is used to ensure that the thermos is resistant to denting and crushing and for insulation. In said patent application, the container in which hot (tea, coffee, etc.), cold (juice, soda, etc.) beverages or soups are stored is made of plastic raw material. This chamber is not as hygienic as stainless steel. Furthermore, since polyurethane foam is pumped between the chamber and the outer body, extra (labor/material) costs occur.

A different thermos produced as an alternative to the above-mentioned patent application is shown in the link "http://avatherm.com.tr/225-avatherm-waterbox.html". Available with and without a tap, the outer body of this product is made of plastic, and the inner chamber is made of 304 stainless steel. Since the outer body made of plastic raw material with rotation technique is not resistant to denting and crushing, polyurethane foam is pumped inside the body. Polyurethane foam is also present between the outer body and the inner chamber. Polyethylene is used to ensure that the thermos is resistant to denting and crushing and for insulation. This material used increases the weight of the thermos and also creates extra (labor/material) costs.

Definition of the Invention: The present invention is a liquid thermos with a stainless inner wall that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages, and is characterized in that it is made of expanded polypropylene (EPP), which provides lightness, durability, and thermal insulation.

Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is a low density material. The body and lid of the invention are made of EPP material by steam assisted plastic injection method. This method helps to increase the temperature inside the mold and helps the plastic material to flow more effectively by using steam at specific pressures. Since the invention is produced by steam-assisted plastic injection method, it makes the invention light and portable.

The invention is easy to clean. The thermos lid can be opened from the locked latch mechanism to access the chamber. The chamber made of stainless material and the stainless chamber lid are cleaned and made ready for next use.

The body and lid produced from expanded polypropylene (EPP) have high impact resistance and elasticity. Thanks to these properties, the invention is resistant to deformation. The need for additional polyurethane insulation is eliminated. It can be used reliably for many years.

The invention does not comprise polyurethane foam. Expanded polypropylene (EPP) provides good thermal insulation. In this way, the stainless steel inner chamber keeps the liquid consumption product inside hot or cold. It ensures that the food product contained is stored for long hours without being affected by cold or heat.

The invention is produced by steam expanding at high temperatures and forming in a mold. This process ensures that the material has a lightweight structure. Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is an environmentally friendly, recyclable material. The material can be reused or recycled in various ways, which is advantageous in terms of waste management.

The use of steam in the production of the body and lid allows the parts to penetrate the molds and cool down more quickly, reducing production times. The steam improves the flow of the plastic material, allowing more complex and detailed parts to be produced. It also reduces the stress inside the parts, making the body and lid more durable. This eliminates the use of polyurethane foam.

Description of the Drawings:

The present invention is hereinafter described in more detail by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 Perspective view of liquid thermos with stainless inner wall.

Fig. 2 Top perspective view of the thermos with the lid open.

Fig. 3 Bottom perspective view of the thermos with the lid open.

Fig. 4 Bottom perspective view of the lid.

Fig. 5 Illustration showing the structure of the lid.

Fig. 6 Full cross-sectional view of the lid.

Fig. 7 Full cross-sectional view of the liquid thermos with stainless inner wall.

The figures which will help understand this invention are numbered as indicated in the accompanying drawing and are given below with their names.

Description of the References:

1 . Thermos lid

2. Body

3. Tap

4. Cooling chamber

5. Chamber lid

Description of the Invention:

The invention comprises EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2) produced by steam- assisted injection method, EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) thermos lid (1) produced by steam-assisted injection method, stainless steel chamber (4) fixed in EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2) produced by steam-assisted injection method, tap (3) fixed to the outer surface of the EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2) to allow the liquid product in the stainless steel cooling chamber (4) to be transferred to the external environment, and a stainless steel chamber lid (5) fixed to the EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) thermos lid (1) produced by steam-assisted injection method (Fig. -7).

In the steam-assisted injection method, the plastic granule is heated to the desired temperature and after it becomes fluid, the resulting hot plastic is injected into the mold and meanwhile, the flow of the material is supported by increasing the temperature and pressure inside the mold by using steam. The body (2) is manufactured from EPP "Expanded Polypropylene" raw material so as to accommodate the cooling chamber (4) made of stainless steel material. The thermos lid (1) is also manufactured from EPP "Expanded Polypropylene" raw material so as to accommodate the chamber lid (5) made of stainless steel material.

The cooling chamber (4) made of stainless steel is fixed inside the EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2). The tap (3) is connected to the front surface of the body (2) in connection with the cooling chamber (4) using sealing gaskets (Fig.-7). The chamber lid (5), which covers the upper part of the body (2), is also fixed so that it remains on the lower surface of the EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) thermos lid (1).

The thermos lid (1) is fixed to the body (2) with the help of two locks on the side. The locks, which are connected to the body (2) with pins, have a latching structure and ensure that the thermos lid (1) is fixed (Fig .-1 , Fig. -2, Fig. -3).

After the liquid whose temperature is to be maintained, such as soup, tea, fruit juice, lemonade, coffee, etc., is placed into the stainless cooling chamber (4) located inside the body (2), the thermos lid (1) is closed, and the thermos lid (1) and the body (2) are secured together by means of a locking latch mechanism located on the sides of the body (2). The liquid located between the chamber lid (5) on the inside of the thermos lid (1) and the cooling chamber (4) does not in any way touch the plastic (Fig. -4, Fig. -7).

The thermos lid (1) facilitates filling the cooling chamber (4) and cleaning the cooling chamber (4). The invention can be transported to any environment with its filled chamber (4). The cooling chamber (4) is connected with a tap (3). This tap (3) connected to the chamber (4) with a sealing gasket allows the liquid in the chamber (4) to be transferred to the external environment untouched. The invention, which can be transferred to the desired environment when in need of use, is also easy to clean. The thermos lid (1) can be opened from the locked latch mechanism to access the chamber (4). The chamber (4) made of stainless material and the stainless chamber lid (5) are cleaned and made ready for next use.

Claims

1 . A liquid thermos with stainless inner wall, characterized in that it comprises:

• EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2) produced by steam-assisted injection method,

• EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) thermos lid (1) produced by steam- assisted injection method,

• stainless steel cooling chamber (4) fixed in EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2) produced by steam-assisted injection method,

• tap (3) fixed to the outer surface of the EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) body (2) to allow the liquid product in the stainless cooling chamber (4) to be transferred to the external environment, and

• a chamber lid (5) made of stainless steel material fixed to the EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) thermos lid (1) produced by steam-assisted injection method.

2. The body (2) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is manufactured from EPP "Expanded Polypropylene" raw material so as to accommodate the cooling chamber (4) made of stainless steel material.

3. The thermos lid (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is manufactured from EPP "Expanded Polypropylene" raw material so as to accommodate the chamber lid (5) made of stainless steel material.