JP3161516U - Liquid holding container with compressible shell - Google Patents

Abstract

A double-walled liquid holding container including a lining and a compressible and stretchable shell.
A shell 30 can be formed of thermoplastic rubber, silicon, or a similar material, and realizes an excellent “grip” and tactile sensation when the container 10 is held. A plurality of spacers are disposed in a region between the lining and the shell 30. The shell can be attached by crimping the lining edge 22 to the shell tip 32 so that a waterproof seal can be formed.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

            The present invention relates to a liquid holding container, including a beverage container for containing a hot or cold beverage. More specifically, the present invention relates to the provision of a soft compressible shell on the outside of the container that enhances the grip and feel when holding the container.

             Various insulated beverage containers are known in the art, including double-walled plastic containers, double-walled metal containers, and double-walled metal linings and plastic or ceramic shells. There are containers. Such containers are commonly used for coffee and tea (sometimes used for cold drinks) and are popular with consumers via coffee shops, department stores, related retail outlets and online merchants. The market for these containers is extremely competitive, with shape, texture, size and color playing an important role in selling.

The double-walled beverage container described above is disadvantageous for the following reasons.
Rigid plastic containers are crushed, cracked or fragile when dropped. It may also contain toxic compounds that tend to fade over time and can leach out. Metal containers made primarily of stainless steel tend to be inconveniently expensive. At the same time, bending and deformation are likely to occur when dropped, and due to the hardness of the metal, the contact surface touched when dropped is easily damaged.

            The surface of an artificial double-walled beverage container, whether made of plastic or metal, is often slippery and particularly smooth and hard to be difficult to grasp when wet. Furthermore, the “unkindness” associated with the slick and hard container surface is compared to a compressible shell that allows the user to “insert” the finger. The property of being able to put a finger into the shell is an attractive tactile sensation not found in the aforementioned artificial containers.

Therefore, there is a need for a double-walled beverage container with a surface shell that is more “easy to grasp” and has a compression feature that allows the user to insert a finger.
In addition, double-walled beverage containers and related containers typically have inner fasteners or welds, separate members that allow the shell to be spaced from the lining, and seal the shell to the lining. Manufactured from a variety of components including components such as rings, isolated edges and bottoms, shells and bottom surfaces with anti-slip features. The use of one or more of these components increases the manufacturing time, defect rate and cost.

            Therefore, there is a need for a double-walled beverage container or other container that can be manufactured with a small number of components so that the material, manufacturing stage and potential for failure can be reduced.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the artificial container described above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container having a compressible and stretchable outer surface that can improve the tactile sensation felt by the user when grasping the container.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container with a plurality of spacers arranged in a distributed pattern between the lining and the shell.
Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container with excellent heat insulating properties that can be manufactured with fewer components than the above-described artificial container, and can be easily and effectively manufactured with abundant designs and sizes. is there.

            The foregoing and related objects of the present invention can be realized by employing a compressible shell liquid holding container as described below.

            As one example, the device includes a lining made of a substantially rigid material and is compressible with the power of a human hand and reverts to its original shape when no compression force is applied. Includes shells made from flexible and elastic materials. The shell is preferably arranged at a distance from the lining for the purpose of installing a heat insulating space. A plurality of spacers are distributed between the lining and the shell. The shell is compressible into the gap between the spacers, and the spacer itself is not necessarily so, but compressible.

            The realization of the above-mentioned and related advantages and characteristics of the present invention needs to be more technically understandable by craftsmen after reviewing the detailed description of the following device described along with the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a squeeze or compressible shell beverage container according to the present invention. FIG. The side view illustrating the assembly part of the container of FIG. The perspective view of one Example inside a shell. The figure showing various arrangement | positioning of a spacer. The figure which shows the side wall of a shell, and compression of a spacer. The figure which shows the side wall of a shell, and compression of a spacer. FIG. 4 is a side view of a partial cutaway view of another embodiment of a compressible shell according to the present invention. The figure showing the other Example of the compressible shell container by this invention. The fragmentary sectional view of the Example provided with the compressive foam as a spacer. The figure showing the Example with a handle | steering-wheel (grip part). The figure showing the Example with a handle | steering-wheel (grip part). The figure showing a cover part.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a squeeze or compressible shell beverage container or container 10 according to the present invention is displayed.
The beverage container 10 preferably includes a substantially rigid or “hard” lining 20. The lining is preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum or an alloy, but may be made of a harder plastic or other sufficiently durable food-safe material. The lining has various shapes, contours, thicknesses, etc., as with other double-walled beverage containers.

            The container 10 also includes a shell 30. The shell 30 is preferably made of a compressible material as detailed herein. Ideal compressible materials include, but are not limited to, silicon, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and materials with these properties. is not. Silicon, TPR, TPE and EVA are well known in the art.

            The “compressible” shell material of the present invention is preferably a material that compresses itself by the force of the user's hand or finger. The material may be a stretchable material that is compressed into a heat-insulating gap between the lining and the shell as described in detail below.

The shell 30 includes a lip 32 (ideally expanded to form an O-ring seal shown in other figures), a bottom 33, and a side wall 31 extending between the bottom and the edge. Can be included. Such components are preferably formed integrally. The shell also includes a spacer or a space (made integrally or additionally) that allows the shell to be spaced from the lining and form a thermally insulating void therebetween. This void also serves as a space that can compress the side wall of the shell, as described in detail below. Since the spacer is inside the side wall 31, it cannot be visually confirmed in FIGS.

            The shell 30 is made to fit the lining 20 so that the top rim 22 of the lining is pressed over the rim 32 of the shell so that the shell can be secured to the lining in such a way that a waterproof seal can be formed. desirable. The elastic properties of silicon, thermoplastic rubber or similar materials form a dishwasher-seal that does not require the use of additional sealing members such as separate o-rings or adhesives.

            Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is patterning on the outer surface of the shell 30. The patterning is formed by a plurality of recesses 46 that identify adjacent protruding (related) regions 47 that allow the pattern to be visually recognized. It should be appreciated that the outer surface may be provided with other patterning, including a lack of recesses 46, to create a visually smoother surface or embossed pattern or another pattern arrangement.

            Taking Figure 1 as an example, the pattern gives aesthetic enhancement and unusual textures. At the same time, it contributes to ease of grasping. The pattern in FIG. 1 is a typical example. A great variety of patterns can be created without departing from the invention. Some typical pattern examples are detailed below, but there is no intention to limit the possible patterns to be born.

            In FIG. 1, a lid 50 is shown on the container 10. Although the lid 50 is original, it should be recognized that conventional lids are technically recognized and that any suitable lid can be utilized for the container 10.

Referring to FIG. 12, the lid 50 preferably includes an annular neck that is housed in a rim 22 in the head portion 25 of the container 10. The cover 51 extends inwardly from the neck 53, and the protruding edge 52 protrudes outwardly so as to slide against the edge 22 during use.

            A generally semi-annular ridge 54 and the like can be provided to extend outward from the cover. It is desirable to install the drinking hole at a point where the head is easy to touch. The tether 56 is preferably attached (coupled or integrated) to the cover or the lip, and is provided with a head 57 including a stopper 58 that is configured to be removably received in the hole 55. It is desirable that The tether is elastic, and when the head 57 comes off the hole 55 and jumps out, the tether and the head hang from the mouth hole. Since the head and the stopper are fixed to the cover, they can be easily grasped and reinserted into the hole 55.

            The vent 62 can be provided on the cover 51 and the vent plug 65 can be provided on the tether 56. The plug not only prevents liquid leakage from the vents, but also allows the head to be more closely attached to the hole 55 for ease of insertion and use.

            The lid 50 is preferably made of thermoplastic rubber (TPE, TPR, TPU <thermoplastic polyurethane resin>) or silicon. The main advantages of this material are: a stopper that can be washed (reusable), heat resistant, food safe, stretchable enough to be safely and releasably attached to the container 10 For example, it can be inserted into the hole 55 firmly and releasably. However, this material is a bit ugly, especially when made of a material with reduced hardness (in order to promote the elasticity of the splices, holes or stoppers and to pursue ideal ease of use). In such cases, it may be advantageous to include a stiffer layer of material as an aid to the cover or neck. The auxiliary material can be put under the cover 51 or inside the neck.

Referring to FIG. 2, a bottom perspective view of the assembly process of the container 10 is introduced.
The shell 30 slides in the direction of arrow A on the lining 20 until the expanded lip 32 is received in the shell edge 22. The rim 22 is then pulled by the lip to secure the shell to the lining and form a waterproof seal.

Thus, the container 10 can be composed of as few as two parts, as is apparent when compared to the container described above, which is manufactured with many parts.
The lining 20 includes a main body 24 and a head 25. The body serves as the main container for the liquid. The head includes a base from which the lip 22 extends. A conical sloped relief section 26 is between the head and the body, the circumference of the head being greater than the body. This difference in the circumference provides a space where a heat insulating gap can be formed.

In FIG. 1, the container 10 is illustrated after the assembly method has been explained in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 3, an internal perspective view of the shell 30 according to the present invention is introduced. In FIG. 3, a plurality of spacers 37 arranged inward is illustrated. Such a spacer 37 creates a heat-insulating gap 44 by arranging the shell at a distance from the lining (see FIG. 5). For the shell and spacer material, in accordance with FIGS. 5 and 6, as described below, each can use a compressible material, and the shell sidewalls (because of the physical lack of spacers) It is compressed by the gap between the spacers. As a result, the user can move his / her finger to the inside of the shell side wall, and the friction caused by the vertical lowering motion of the container 10 is promoted, and the feeling of grasping the container becomes more “solid”.

            The spacer 37 desirably spreads evenly around the inside of the side wall. There may or may not be a spacer at the bottom. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, a dispersion spacer arrangement (of the type described at the head office) is provided on approximately 80% or more of the inner sidewalls. However, if this number is arranged in an annular shape, for example, the lower limit can be lowered to about 10%, and this does not hinder the user from grasping the container. In order to further improve the grip feeling according to the present invention, it is more ideal if the spacer is installed at approximately 40% or more of the inside of the side wall and is disposed at 60% or more of the side wall.

     The shell 30 can include a body 34 and a head 35 corresponding to similar portions of the lining 20. The spacer 37 is desirably installed inside the shell body. The head 35 is preferably set so that it fits snugly with the lining head 25. In addition, the shell 30 may be provided with a relaxation section between the main body 34 and the head 35, although not as clear as the relaxation section 26. In addition, the reduced circumference of the main body 24 and 34 can be installed with an edge and top that spreads around, and below them you can place your thumb and index finger when grasping the container when using it, making the container easier It becomes easy to grasp.

            In FIG. 4, a plan view of an embodiment of the spacer 37 inside the shell sidewall is illustrated. In this example, the spacers are arranged at a density of about 15 per square inch, a crested cylinder on the hemisphere, with a diameter of 1/16 to 1/8 inch. It should be recognized that the number, size, and spacing of the spacers are diverse and within the scope of the present invention.

The standard for 3/32 ”is 1/16” to 1/8 ”. The range of spacers with this diameter is A = π &middot; r ² or
3.14 &middot; 3/64 &middot; 3/64 = .0069. If there are 15 spacers with this diameter per square inch, the area given to the spacers per square inch is .0069 x 15 = 0.1 square inches. Thus, about 10% of each square inch area will be provided to the spacer. If the size and number of spacers increase, this percentage increases. Conversely, if the size and number of spacers are reduced, the proportion will also be reduced. If the density is halved, about 5% of the surface area per square inch is occupied by the spacer, and if the size of the spacer is reduced, the surface area becomes 3 to 4%. As the number of spacers increases, the surface area increases to more than 8%.

            It should be recognized that the number and size of the spacers can also be increased, and (as described below) 10, 20 or 30% per square inch of the inner surface area of the sidewall in the “dispersed spacer region” It can also occupy.

            The preceding is a description of the density of spacers on the inner sidewalls in the “dispersed spacer region”. The dispersion spacer range is the inner sidewall portion with spacers arranged at this density and associated density. In other words, it is generally an area that accepts the improved “gripping” and squeeze feeling in the present invention. If the dispersion region is a “strip” prepared within a small section of about 10% of the side wall, for example, the 15 spacer pattern per square inch (or other) described above is the inner surface region of the side wall. Available to occupy approximately 10%.

It should be recognized that the dispersed spacer region can occupy 5-50% or more of the inner sidewall. Also, in some cases, the dispersed spacer region can be targeted up to nearly 100% of the inner sidewall, as in the embodiment of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 illustrates the use of spacers 37 provided with a pattern 38 that is substantially rectangular and has a density of about 5 per square inch. These spacers 38 are about 1/4 "(+/- 1/16) per square inch or other set unit. For 1/4" square, about 5 "per square inch of the inner sidewall. Spacers occupy / 16 or .3125 square inches. This is about 30%. The percentage of surface area given to the spacer is in the range of a few percent to over 70%, preferably in the range of 5-60%, but more ideally in the range of 8-40%.

            In FIG. 4, the spacers arranged in the mesh pattern 39 are illustrated. In this pattern, the shell is immediately compressed into the gap between adjacent spacers. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a wider variety of spacer arrangements within the scope of the present invention are illustrated.

Various arrangements, arrangements, intervals and sizes of the spacers can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
It should be recognized that the spacer can be made of the same material as the sidewall and integrated. When made of the same material as the side wall, the spacer can be made to have the same compressibility (or different compressibility or steel) as the side wall. However, the spacer may be made of a material that is harder (incompressible) than the side wall, and the compression ratio of the shell in such a case is calculated from the compression of the side wall against the shell itself or the gap between the spacers. Is done.

            FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lining 20 and the shell 30. Figure 5 illustrates the shell material being “squeezed” between the adjacent spacers 37 (arrow B) as it is easily compressed into an insulating gap by the force of the thumb or finger. Yes. Due to the elasticity of the shell material, the shell can regain its original shape when the pressure is lost. The rubber-filled thermoplastics and other materials described in this book exhibit a certain level of compression and elasticity.

            FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lining 20 and the shell 30. FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which the material of the shell side wall 31 is compressed into the shell body, and the spacer is also compressed into the spacer body (arrow C). It should be noted here that the spacer can be formed integrally with the side wall or separately from the side wall. When formed separately from the sidewall, the spacer is preferably coupled to at least one or more shells and lining. The material of the side wall and the spacer is desirably elastic so that the shape can be restored when the force of the user's hand is released.

Referring to FIG. 7, an elevation view and partial cutaway view of one embodiment of a squeeze or compressed shell beverage container 110 according to the present invention is introduced.
In the container 110, the side wall 131 having various thicknesses, in this embodiment, a shell having a thick band 138 in the head portion 134 and a thick band in the main body portion 135 is illustrated.
Thanks to the elastic material of the shell, the forming method for forming sidewalls with different thicknesses allows a one-step manufacturing process of a single mold. This is in contrast to conventional injection molding techniques that produce shells (and linings) from plastic or metal. In other words, the conventional method cannot form a small diameter between two wide diameter portions, although it is a more difficult and expensive mold arrangement.

In addition, the formation of a thicker band that is integral with the sidewall eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble a stand-alone “grip band” of the type that is sometimes attached to a metal or plastic shell. The wider band at the top is an annular recess that allows the user to comfortably hold the container with a finger or thumb.
The container 110 includes parts such as the spacer 137 and the lining 120 as described above with respect to the container 10. In FIG. 7, an edge 122 that is rolled up and pushed into the lip 132 to act as a waterproof seal is illustrated.
Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective view of three other embodiments, such as squeeze or compressed shell beverage containers 210, 310 and 410, is introduced.

The three containers reveal differences in the size, shape and surface pattern of the double-walled beverage containers and liquid holding containers according to the present invention.
The container 210 describes the node connection arrangement of the recesses on the outer surface. Although the container 310 has a lower height, a pattern formed only on the outer surface portion is arranged. In the container 410, another surface pattern, a raised rectangular group, can be seen.
Each of these patterns has a different aesthetic and plays a role in improving the grip of the smooth outer surface.

            It should be recognized that, along with the slip and corrugated manufacturing process, the thermoplastic rubber and similar materials in the present invention make it very cost-effective and visually distinctive. It is possible to form by design.

            Referring to FIG. 9, a cutaway cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the side wall portion of container 10 (or containers 110, 210, etc.) is introduced. The spacer 37 'in this example is made from a foamy substance, as opposed to the non-specific spacer material illustrated in connection with FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4-4C. This foam can be incorporated as a sleeve that fits around the lining before the shell is attached to the lining. Alternatively, a gel or effervescent spray can be inserted between the lining and the shell. The foam spacer 37 'is preferably compressible and elastic so that its shape recovers after the applied compressive force is stopped. Furthermore, it is ideal that the foam spacer occupies 25% or more of the inner side wall of the shell (it may be less than 25%), and may occupy nearly 100% of the inner side wall.

            Referring to FIGS. 10-11, a side view of a container 510 with a handle and a perspective view of the frame of the container are introduced respectively. The container 510 preferably includes a lining 520 and a shell 530 similar to the lining 20 and shell 30 described above. The handle 570 is preferably attached to the shell 530 and can be integrally formed.

The frame structure 580 can include a vertical support 582 and two horizontal supports 584. The horizontal support should fit snugly on the lining. The handle frame 581 extends from the vertical support. The shell material of the handle 570 can be formed around the handle frame and integrally with the rest of the shell 530. This shell (with handle) is assembled as illustrated in Figure 2 with a lining edge that slides into the lining and pulled to the lip of the shell so that the shell is securely attached to the lining, as well as a waterproof seal . Other attachment techniques can also be employed.

            The double-walled beverage container of the present invention can be provided with a lining or inner wall made of a rigid but plastic material such as copper, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic or the like. The shell or exterior wall is soft and resilient, such as rubber, silicone, or other natural or synthetic materials including but not limited to other materials described herein (TPR, TPE, TPU, EVA) Can be made using materials.

The above description relates to one embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can consider various modifications of the present invention, all of which are included in the technical scope of the present invention. The The numbers in parentheses after the components of the claims for utility model registration correspond to the part numbers in the drawings and are given for easy understanding of the device. Do not use. In addition, the part numbers in the description and the utility model registration request are not necessarily the same even with the same number. This is for the reason described above. With respect to the term “or”, for example, “A or B” includes selecting “both A and B” as well as “A only” and “B only”.

Claims (27)

In a double-walled container for holding liquid,
(A) a lining formed of a rigid material;
(B) It is composed of a shell made of a material having elasticity and elasticity that can be compressed and regains its original shape when no compression force is applied, and the shell can secure a heat insulating space. The liquid-holding double-walled container is arranged at a distance from the lining. The lining has an edge at the tip,
The shell has a lip at the tip,
The edge is arranged to be incorporated in the lip, can hold the shell against the lining, and forms a waterproof seal between the lining and the shell. The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 1. 2. The liquid-holding double-walled container according to claim 1, wherein the shell has a side wall and a bottom formed integrally. In addition to having a side wall in the shell, the container includes a plurality of spacers disposed between the side wall and the lining in the dispersion spacer region.
The double-wall container for holding liquid according to claim 1, wherein the spacer occupies at least 3% per square inch of the inner surface of the side wall in the dispersion spacer region. 5. A liquid-holding double-walled container according to claim 4, wherein the spacer occupies at least 5% per square inch of the inner wall surface in the dispersion spacer region. 5. A liquid-holding double-walled container according to claim 4, wherein the spacer occupies at least 8% per square inch of the inner surface of the side wall in the dispersion spacer region. 5. The liquid-holding double-walled container according to claim 4, wherein the dispersion spacer region is disposed adjacent to 10% or more of the inner surface of the side wall. 5. The double-wall container for holding liquid according to claim 4, wherein the dispersion spacer region is disposed adjacent to 30% or more of the inner surface of the side wall. 5. The double-wall container for holding liquid according to claim 4, wherein the dispersion spacer region is disposed adjacent to 50% or more of the inner surface of the side wall. It is composed of a plurality of spacers arranged between the shell and the lining,
The spacer is formed so as to be integrated with the shell.
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 1. 11. The double-wall container for holding liquid according to claim 10, wherein the shell is compressible in a gap between the spacers. It is composed of a plurality of spacers arranged between the shell and the lining,
2. The spacer according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is compressible by a human hand and is made of a material having elasticity and elasticity so that the original shape is restored when no compression force is applied. A double-walled container for liquid retention as described. It is composed of a compressible and stretchable foam material disposed between the lining and the shell,
The double-wall container for holding liquid according to claim 1, wherein the foam material is distributed to at least 25% or more of the inner surface of the shell. 14. The liquid-holding double-walled container according to claim 13, wherein the compressible foam material is more compressible than the shell material. 2. The liquid-holding double-walled container according to claim 1, wherein the shell is made of one or more of TPE, TPR, TPU, EVA and silicon. The shell has a pattern including a plurality of protrusions to clarify adjacent recesses.
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 1. The shell has first, second and third cross-sectional areas in a horizontal plane,
The second area is perpendicular to the first and second areas, and the second area is smaller than the first and third areas.
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 1. The shell has first, second, and third cross-sectional areas in a horizontal plane, and the second area is vertically positioned between the first and second.
The second area is greater than the first and third areas
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 1. It is composed of the handle frame and the handle frame cover,
The handle frame cover is formed so as to be integrated with the shell.
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 1. With a rigid lining
Made of elastic and stretchable material, with lining and shells spaced apart
A double-walled container for holding liquid. In order to form a waterproof seal between the shell and the lining,
The front end portion of the shell is coupled to the front end portion of the lining.
21. The double wall container for holding liquid according to claim 20. It is composed of a plurality of spacer members installed between the shell and the lining,
21. The liquid-holding double-walled container according to claim 20, wherein the spacer members are arranged at a frequency of at least 1 per 2 square inches. The spacer member is arranged to have a frequency of at least 4 per square inch.
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 22. 23. The double-wall container for holding liquid according to claim 22, wherein the shell material is elastic enough to be compressed between the spacer members by a hand of a user. The spacer member is formed so as to be integrated with the shell.
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 22. The shell has an O-ring installed at the tip, and the lining forms the O-ring so that a waterproof seal can be formed.
The double-walled container for holding liquid according to claim 21. 21. The double wall container for holding liquid according to claim 20, wherein the shell is made of one or more materials of TPE, TPR, TPU, EVA and silicon.

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